bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver abscess microbiota of feedlot steers finished in natural and traditional management programs
Authors: Fuerniss Luke K , Davis Haley E , Belk Aeriel D , Metcalf Jessica L , Engle Terry E , Scanga John A , Garry Franklyn B , Bryant Tony C , Martin Jennifer N
Published: August 2022

Liver abscess etiology in feedlot steers involves the escape of bacteria from the digestive tract to form a polymicrobial abscess within or on the external surface of the liver. However, little is known about the effects of feedlot finishing systems on the microbial composition of the liver abscess purulent material. Liver abscesses were collected at the time of harvest from steers originating from a single feedlot managed in either a traditional program (which included tylosin phosphate supplementation) or a natural program (without tylosin phosphate supplementation). The purulent material of liver abscesses from traditionally managed steers (N = 53 abscesses) and that of naturally managed steers (N = 62 abscesses) was characterized using the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Two phyla and three genera were found in greater than 1% relative abundance across all abscesses. The genus Fusobacterium was identified in all liver abscess samples and accounted for 64% of sequencing reads. Bacteroides and Porphyromonas genera accounted for 33% and 1% of reads, respectively. Trueperella was more likely to be found in the liver abscesses of naturally managed steers than traditionally managed steers (P = 0.022). Over 99% of the genus-level bacterial sequences observed across all liver abscesses belonged to Gram-negative genera. Bacteria known to colonize both the rumen and hindgut were identified within liver abscesses. No differences in alpha diversity or beta diversity were detected between liver abscess communities (between the two management programs or individual pens) when tested as richness, Shannon Diversity Index, or weighted UniFrac distances (P > 0.05). These results were consistent with previous identification of Fusobacterium necrophorum as the primary bacteriologic agent within liver abscesses and emphasized the relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiota and liver abscess formation. Though the microbiota of the liver abscess purulent material was similar between steers fed an antibiotic-free diet and those fed an antibiotic-containing diet from the same feedlot, divergence was detected in liver abscess communities with some being dominated by Fusobacterium and others being dominated by Bacteroides.
Characteristics of ruminal microbiota and metabolome in Holstein cows differing in milk protein concentrations
Authors: Wang Xinling , Zeng Hanfang , Xu Jie , Zhai Yunfei , Xia Haibin , Xi Yumeng , Han Zhaoyu
Published: August 2022

The rumen is a vital organ containing vast amounts of microbes that play a key role in the digestion of nutrients and affect the production performance of ruminants. However, few studies have focused on the characterization of the ruminal microbiota composition and function in cows with long-term difference milk protein concentrations, and the relationship between milk protein concentration and ruminal microbiota remains elusive. In this study, we collected the data of milk protein concentrations of 1,025 Holstein cows for 10 mo on a commercial farm. Based on the milk protein concentrations, 30 cows were selected and divided into three groups (n = 10 per group): low milk protein group (LMP, milk protein concentration < 3.1%), medium milk protein group (MMP, 3.1% ≤ milk protein concentration < 3.4%), and high milk protein group (HMP, milk protein concentration ≥ 3.4%). The ruminal microbiome, metabolome, VFA concentrations and proportions, and amino acid profiles of the three groups were analyzed. The data showed that free amino acid (FAA) levels were lower in the rumen and higher in the plasma of HMP cows (P < 0.05). In addition, lower NH3 concentrations were observed in the rumen, plasma, and milk of the HMP cows (P < 0.05). Protease activity and isobutyric acid molar proportion in the rumen were lower in the HMP group (P < 0.05). Microbiome analysis showed that HMP cows had lower microbial diversity (represented as Shannon and Simpson indices) than LMP cows. At the genus level, lower relative abundances of Prevotella_1 and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_005 were observed in the HMP group (P < 0.05). At the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level, a lower relative abundance of OTU3 (Prevotella ruminicola) was observed in the HMP group (P < 0.05). We found that the relative abundances of ruminal Prevotella_1 and OTU3 (Prevotella ruminicola) were negatively correlated with milk protein concentration (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that the cows with long-term high milk protein concentrations had lower microbial diversity and weaker protein degradation ability in the rumen. Furthermore, our observations identified a correlation between the milk protein concentration and ruminal microbiota.
The Effect of Distance to Treatment Center on Long-Term Outcomes of Burn Patients
Authors: Galicia Kevin E , Mehta Anupama , Riviello Robert , Nitzschke Stephanie , Bamer Alyssa , Gibran Nicole S , Stewart Barclay T , Wolf Steven E , Ryan Colleen M , Kubasiak John , Schneider Jeffrey C
Published: August 2022

Geospatial proximity to American Burn Association (ABA)-verified burn centers or self-designated burn care facilities varies across the country. This study evaluates the effect of distance to treatment center on long-term, patient-reported outcomes. Data from the Burn Model System (BMS) National Longitudinal Database were analyzed. Demographic and clinical data were compared between three cohorts stratified by distance to BMS center (<20, 20–49.9, ≥50 miles). Distance to BMS center was calculated as driving distance between discharge and BMS center ZIP code centroids. The following patient-reported outcomes, collected at 12-months follow-up, were examined: Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), Satisfaction with Life (SWL) scale, employment status, and days to return to work. Mixed model regression analyses were used to examine the associations between distance to BMS center and each outcome, controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Of 726 patients included in this study, 26.3% and 28.1% were <20 and between 20 and 49.9 miles to a BMS center, respectively; 46.6% were ≥50 miles to a BMS center. Greater distance was associated with white/non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, preinjury employment, flame injury, and larger burn size (P < .001). Regression analyses did not identify significant associations between distance to BMS center and any patient-reported outcomes. This study suggests that patients treated at BMS centers have similar long-term, patient-reported outcomes of physical and psychosocial function, as well as employment, despite centralization of burn care and rehabilitation services. Given a steady decline in the incidence of burn injury, continued concentration of key resources is logical and safe.
“Through the fire and flames, we carry on:” Art Therapy Small N Feasibility Study With Adult Burn Patients in an Acute Care Setting
Authors: Malhotra Bani , Haith Linwood R , Stair-Buchmann Megan , Kaimal Girija
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of facilitating four sessions of art therapy intervention with a primary focus on implementation and acceptability. The exploratory aim was on assessing the effect of art therapy on self-reported outcomes on anxiety and mood among five individuals (aged 18+ years) hospitalized for burn injuries and to understand their perceptions of engagement with art therapy. A convergent mixed-methods small N design was adopted wherein both quantitative and qualitative data are gathered and then integrated, and an individual served as his/her own control when assessed before and after art therapy. Anxiety was assessed using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety short-form of the emotional distress bank, and mood was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). There was a statistically significant decrease in anxiety scores and negative mood scale. Positive mood scale scores tended to improve after art therapy though were not statistically significant. Thematic analysis of qualitative data indicates that art therapy improves 1) symptom management, 2) facilitates emotional expression and 3) insight, 4) brings out symbolic and metaphorical representations, and 5) allows tactile and sensory exploration of art media. This study demonstrated that art therapy can be successfully implemented with acute burn patients and can have promising psychosocial benefits. Further research in needed to determine the effectiveness of art therapy with more burn patients, in ways that is meaningful to the patients.
An Enhanced Factor Model for Portfolio Selection in High Dimensions
Authors: Shi Fangquan , Shu Lianjie , Gu Xinhua
Published: August 2022

This article extends Fama and French (FF) models of observed factors by introducing latent factors (LFs) to further extract information from FF residual returns. A diagonally dominant (DD) rather than a diagonal or sparse matrix structure is adopted in this study to estimate remaining covariance between disturbance terms. Such an enhanced factor (EF) model provides a more comprehensive analysis for portfolio selection in high dimensions and also has certain advantages of estimation stability and computational efficiency. It is shown that the proposed EF–DD approach achieves overall better performance than competing models in terms of portfolio variance and the net Sharpe ratio.
Survival and Fecundity of Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles albimanus Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) After Ingesting Bovine Blood Containing Various Veterinary Systemic Parasiticides
Authors: Dreyer Staci M , Vaughan Jefferson A
Published: August 2022

Systemic parasiticides in livestock can control zoophilic malaria vectors that contribute to residual malaria transmission. Membrane feeding techniques were used to screen seven systemic parasiticidic drugs currently in veterinary use for livestock and dogs. Drugs were tested in two laboratory strains of zoophilic Anopheles – A. stephensi (South Asian vector) and A. albimanus (Central American vector). To assess the relative potentials of these drugs, the resultant LC-50 for each drug was compared with what is known about the pharmacokinetic of the drug. Drugs with LC-50 values below the reported maximum plasma concentration of treated animals were considered as showing the most promise for use in the field. Ivermectin and fipronil showed the greatest promise for use in cattle against A. stephensi. Fipronil showed the greatest promise for use in cattle against A. albimanus. Both fluralaner and afoxolaner were highly effective against both mosquito species but pharmacokinetic data for these drugs in cattle are lacking. Eprinomectin, moxidectin and abamectin showed marginal to no promise for either mosquito species. At sublethal doses, ivermectin, fipronil, and afoxolaner (but not fluralaner) significantly reduced the larval production of surviving A. stephensi and A. albimanus. Further testing of candidate systemic parasiticides, including their product formulations, in livestock against field-collected populations of Anopheles is the next logical step toward full implementation of this strategy to manage zoophilic vectors.
OECD National Contact Point Specific Instances: When ‘Soft Law’ Bites?
Authors: Achtouk-Spivak Laurie , Garden Robert
Published: August 2022

This article explores procedures before National Contact Points (NCPs) that are tasked with the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and their use as a mechanism for the resolution of disputes between corporates and stakeholders in their business conduct. The fruit of a ‘soft law’ framework, NCPs offer a non-judicial mechanism in which the parties may use NCPs’ ‘good offices’ to broker agreement using mediation or conciliation. The article examines the scope of NCPs’ competence and the potential diversity of outcomes. Although NCP procedures are ultimately non-binding, this article explores various ways in which this ‘soft law’ mechanism may ‘bite’, against the backdrop of the growth in sustainable finance, sustainability regulation, and the growing number of disputes relating to responsible business conduct. The article considers whether, by means of the interaction of the NCP mechanism with these emerging fields, we may see the mechanism start to ‘bite’.
Increasing nitrogen addition rates suppressed long-term litter decomposition in a temperate meadow steppe
Authors: Zheng Pei , Zhao Ruonan , Jiang Liangchao , Yang Guojiao , Wang Yinliu , Wang Ruzhen , Han Xingguo , Ning Qiushi
Published: August 2022

Plant litter decomposition is critical for the carbon (C) balance and nutrient turnover in terrestrial ecosystems, and is sensitive to the ongoing anthropogenic biologically nitrogen (N) input. Previous studies evaluating the N effect on litter decomposition relied mostly on short-term experiments (<2 years), which may mask the real N effect on litter decomposition. Therefore, long-lasting experiments are imperative for the overall evaluation of the litter decomposition dynamics under N enrichment. We conducted a relative long-term (4-year) N-addition experiment with N levels ranging from 0 to 50 g N m−2 yr−1 to identify the potential abiotic and biotic factors in regulating the decomposition process of litterfall from the dominant species Leymus chinensis. The results showed a consistent decrease of decomposition rate with increasing N-addition rates, providing strong evidence in support of the inhibitory effect of N addition on decomposition. The N-induced alterations in soil environment (acidification and nutrient stoichiometry), microbial activity (microbial biomass and enzyme activity), changes of litter quality (residual lignin and nutrient content) and plant community (aboveground productivity and species richness) jointly contributed to the lowered decomposition. During the whole decomposition process, the changes of litter quality, including accumulation of lignin and the concentrations of nutrient, were mainly driven by the soil and microbial activity in this N-enriched environment. The findings help clarify how increasing N input rates affect long-term litter decomposition, and advance the mechanistic understanding of the linkages between ecosystem N enrichment and terrestrial C cycling.
Iterative social consolidations: Forming beliefs from many-valued evidence and peers’ opinions
Authors: David Santos Yuri , Kooi Barteld , Verbrugge Rineke
Published: August 2022

Recently, several logics modelling evidence have been proposed in the literature. These logics often also feature beliefs. We call the process or function that maps evidence to beliefs consolidation. In this paper, we use a four-valued modal logic of evidence as a basis. In the models for this logic, agents are represented by nodes, peer connections by edges and the private evidence that each agent has by a four-valued valuation. From this basis, we propose methods of consolidating the beliefs of the agents, taking into account both their private evidence as well as their peers’ opinions. To this end, beliefs are computed iteratively. The final consolidated beliefs are the ones in the point of stabilization of the model. However, it turns out that some consolidation policies will not stabilize for certain models. Finding the conditions for stabilization is one of the main problems studied here, along with other properties of such consolidations. Our main contributions are twofold: we offer a new dynamic perspective on the process of forming evidence-based beliefs, in the context of evidence logics, and we set up and address some mathematically challenging problems, which are related to graph theory and practical subject areas such as belief/opinion diffusion and contagion in multi-agent networks.
Contrasting Patterns in the Early Stage of SARS-CoV-2 Evolution between Humans and Minks
Authors: Tai Jui-Hung , Sun Hsiao-Yu , Tseng Yi-Cheng , Li Guanghao , Chang Sui-Yuan , Yeh Shiou-Hwei , Chen Pei-Jer , Chaw Shu-Miaw , Wang Hurng-Yi
Published: August 2022

One of the unique features of SARS-CoV-2 is its apparent neutral evolution during the early pandemic (before February 2020). This contrasts with the preceding SARS-CoV epidemics, where viruses evolved adaptively. SARS-CoV-2 may exhibit a unique or adaptive feature which deviates from other coronaviruses. Alternatively, the virus may have been cryptically circulating in humans for a sufficient time to have acquired adaptive changes before the onset of the current pandemic. To test the scenarios above, we analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 sequences from minks (Neovision vision) and parental humans. In the early phase of the mink epidemic (April to May 2020), nonsynonymous to synonymous mutation ratio per site in the spike protein is 2.93, indicating a selection process favoring adaptive amino acid changes. Mutations in the spike protein were concentrated within its receptor-binding domain and receptor-binding motif. An excess of high-frequency derived variants produced by genetic hitchhiking was found during the middle (June to July 2020) and late phase I (August to September 2020) of the mink epidemic. In contrast, the site frequency spectra of early SARS-CoV-2 in humans only show an excess of low-frequency mutations, consistent with the recent outbreak of the virus. Strong positive selection in the mink SARS-CoV-2 implies that the virus may not be preadapted to a wide range of hosts and illustrates how a virus evolves to establish a continuous infection in a new host. Therefore, the lack of positive selection signal during the early pandemic in humans deserves further investigation.
Fast optical flares from M dwarfs detected by a one-second-cadence survey with Tomo-e Gozen
Authors: Aizawa Masataka , Kawana Kojiro , Kashiyama Kazumi , Ohsawa Ryou , Kawahara Hajime , Naokawa Fumihiro , Tajiri Tomoyuki , Arima Noriaki , Jiang Hanchun , Hartwig Tilman , Fujisawa Kotaro , Shigeyama Toshikazu , Arimatsu Ko , Doi Mamoru , Kasuga Toshihiro , Kobayashi Naoto , Kondo Sohei , Mori Yuki , Okumura Shin-ichiro , Takita Satoshi , Sako Shigeyuki
Published: August 2022

We report on a one-second-cadence wide-field survey for M-dwarf flares using the Tomo-e Gozen camera mounted on the Kiso Schmidt telescope. We detect 22 flares from M3–M5 dwarfs with a rise time of 5 s ≲ trise ≲ 100 s and an amplitude of 0.5 ≲ ΔF/F⋆ ≲ 20. The flare light-curves mostly show steeper rises and shallower decays than those obtained from the Kepler one-minute cadence data and tend to have flat peak structures. Assuming a blackbody spectrum with a temperature of 9000–15000 K, the peak luminosities and energies are estimated to be 1029 erg s−1 ≲ Lpeak ≲ 1031 erg s−1 and 1031 erg ≲ Eflare ≲ 1034 erg, which constitutes the bright end of fast optical flares for M dwarfs. We confirm that more than $90\%$ of the host stars of the detected flares are magnetically active based on their Hα-emission-line intensities obtained by LAMOST. An estimated occurrence rate of detected flares is ∼0.7 per day per active star, indicating they are common in magnetically active M dwarfs. We argue that the flare light-curves can be explained by the chromospheric compression model: the rise time is broadly consistent with the Alfvén transit time of a magnetic loop with a length scale of lloop ∼ 104 km and a field strength of 1000 gauss, while the decay time is likely determined by the radiative cooling of the compressed chromosphere down near to the photosphere with a temperature of ≳ 10000 K. These flares from M dwarfs could be a major contamination source for a future search of fast optical transients of unknown types.
Resolving the paradox of the ambush feeding cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops royi being microphageous
Authors: ZemplÉNI Abel , Hansen Benni winding , KiØrboe Thomas , Ryderheim Fredrik
Published: August 2022

The cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops royi is assumed to be an ambush feeder that passively waits for its prey and captures it by a fast surprise attack. This feeding strategy requires an acute sensibility to hydromechanical signals generated by moving prey. However, A. royi in long-term cultures is able to survive microphageously fed solely on Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae), a small, non-motile prey. In this study, we investigate the feeding behavior of A. royi and how it senses S. cerevisae cells. Using high-speed video, we find that A. royi still exhibits an ambush feeding behavior when fed S. cerevisae. Moreover, we characterize the distance and the duration of attack jumps and evaluate the sensitivity of A. royi to fluid disturbances by filming its escaping behavior when caught in a suction flow simulating a predator, e.g. a fish larva. We demonstrate that its sensitivity to fluid disturbances is very similar to that of other copepod species. Thus, we find that remote detection of S. cerevisae cells due to hydromechanical signals is unlikely as the particles are small (3.8 ± 1.3 μm) and non-motile, and that A. royi likely senses S. cerevisae cells by randomly touching them with setae on their first antennae.
Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation and Blood-Brain Barrier in Psychotic Disorders and Individually Matched Healthy Controls
Authors: Jeppesen Rose , Orlovska-Waast Sonja , Sørensen Nina Vindegaard , Christensen Rune Haubo Bojesen , Benros Michael Eriksen
Published: August 2022

Background and Hypothesis

Neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction have been observed in patients with psychotic disorders. However, previous studies have mainly focused on selected patients and broad screenings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with recent onset psychosis compared to healthy controls are lacking.

Study Design

We included 104 patients with recent onset psychotic disorder and 104 individually matched healthy controls. CSF and blood were analyzed for readily available markers assessing neuroinflammation and BBB dysfunction. Primary outcomes were CSF white blood cell count (WBC), total protein, IgG Index, and CSF/serum albumin ratio. Secondary outcomes included additional markers of inflammation and BBB, and analyses of association with clinical variables.

Study Results

CSF/serum albumin ratio (Relative Mean Difference (MD): 1.11; 95%CI: 1.00–1.23; P = .044) and CSF/serum IgG ratio (MD: 1.17; 95%CI: 1.01–1.36; P = .036) was increased in patients compared to controls. A higher number of patients than controls had CSF WBC >3 cells/µl (seven vs. one, OR: 7.73, 95%CI: 1.33–146.49, P = .020), while WBC>5 cells/µl was found in two patients (1.9%) and no controls. Inpatients had higher serum WBC and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (all p-values for effect heterogeneity < .011). Mean CSF WBC (MD: 1.10; 95%CI: 0.97–1.26), protein (MD: 1.06; 95%CI: 0.98–1.15) and IgG index (MD: 1.05; 95%CI: 0.96–1.15) were not significantly elevated.

Conclusions

When comparing a broad group of patients with psychotic disorders with healthy controls, patients had increased BBB permeability, more patients had high CSF WBC levels, and inpatients had increased peripheral inflammation, consistent with the hypothesis of a subgroup of patients with increased activation of the immune system.
“I’m Not a Conspiracy Theorist, But…”: Knowledge and Conservative Politics in Unsettled Times
Authors: Carlson Jennifer , Ramo Elliot
Published: August 2022

How does conspiracist thinking become appealing to its adherents, and with what political consequences? Drawing on fifty in-depth interviews with gun sellers from April 2020 to August 2020, this paper examines conspiracist thinking among US conservatives. We present a sociological account that follows historian Richard Hofstadter’s early account in theorizing conspiracist thinking as a “style” of politics on the Right. Turning to the sociology of culture and political sociology, we examine conspiracist thinking as a tool of political sense-making that becomes particularly appealing during “unsettled” insecurity. We focus on conservative adherents to conspiracist thinking, examining how conspiracist thinking is mobilized to assert feelings of control and certainty in ways that reinforce allegiance to conservative values and repudiation of partisan opponents. Specifically, we theorize conspiracist thinking as an everyday practice of meaning-making (an epistemological practice) which responds to conditions of unsettled insecurity that reflects existing conservative “modes of thought” (e.g., anti-elitist skepticism) and also reinforces conservative sentiments through two mechanisms: epistemological individualism and epistemological othering. Extending existing accounts of conspiracism, our analysis illuminates how conspiracist thinking—as an active, and self-reinforcing, struggle for epistemological control amid contexts of information scarcity and uncertainty—has come to shape American politics from the bottom up.
Separating the effects of air and soil temperature on silver birch. Part II. The relation of physiology and leaf anatomy to growth dynamics
Authors: Kilpeläinen Jouni , Domisch Timo , Lehto Tarja , Kivimäenpää Minna , Martz Françoise , Piirainen Sirpa , Repo Tapani
Published: August 2022

The aboveground parts of boreal forest trees grow earlier in the growing season, the roots mostly later. The idea was to examine whether root growth followed soil temperature, or whether shoot growth also demanded most resources in the early growing season (soil temperature vs internal sink strengths for resources). The linkage between air and soil temperature was broken by switching the soil temperature. We aimed here to identify the direct effects of different soil temperature patterns on physiology, leaf anatomy and their interactions, and how they relate to the control of the growth dynamics of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth).

Sixteen 2-year-old seedlings were grown in a controlled environment for two 14-week simulated growing seasons (GS1, GS2). An 8-week dormancy period interposed the GSs. In GS2, soil temperature treatments were applied: constant 10 °C (Cool), constant 18 °C (Warm), early growing season at 10 °C switched to 18 °C later (Early Cool Late Warm) and 18 °C followed by 10 °C (Early Warm Late Cool) were applied during GS2.

The switch from cool to warm enhanced the water status, net photosynthesis, chlorophyll content index, effective yield of photosystem II (ΔF/Fm′) and leaf expansion of the seedlings. Warm treatment increased the stomatal number per leaf. In contrast, soil cooling increased glandular trichomes. This investment in increasing the chemical defense potential may be associated with the decreased growth in cool soil. Non-structural carbohydrates were accumulated in leaves at a low soil temperature showing that growth was more hindered than net photosynthesis. Leaf anatomy differed between the first and second leaf flush of silver birch, which may promote tree fitness in the prevailing growing conditions. The interaction of birch structure and function changes with soil temperature, which can further reflect to ecosystem functioning.
Direct Evidence Demonstrates that Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici Infects Susceptible Barberry to Complete Sexual Cycle in Autumn
Authors: Du Zhimin , Peng Yuelin , Zhang Gensheng , Chen Li , Jiang Shuchang , Kang Zhensheng , Zhao Jie
Published: August 2022

Wheat stripe rust is an airborne and destructive disease caused by a heteroecious rust fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Studies have demonstrated that the rust pathogen accomplishes sexual reproduction on susceptible barberry under natural conditions in spring, whereas Pst infection on barberry is still in blank in other seasons. In late October 2016, aecial production on barberry shrubs were observed in Linzhi, Tibet, China. Therefore, experimental tests were conducted to verify the existence of sexual cycles of Pst in this season. By inoculating 52 aecial clusters from 30 rusted barberry leaves, four Pst samples, T1 to T4, were successfully recovered from the rusted barberry shrubs. Sixty-five single uredinium (SU) isolates were derived from the four Pst samples. Based on virulence tests on the Chinese differential hosts, T1 to T4 samples were unknown races and showed mixed reactions on some differentials. Twenty-one known races and 44 unknown races belonging to five race groups were identified among the 65 SU isolates. Meanwhile, the 65 SU isolates produced 26 various virulence patterns (VPs; called VP1-VP26) on 25 single Yr gene lines and 15 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) at nine simple sequence repeat marker loci. Clustering analysis showed similar lineage among subpopulations and different lineage between subpopulations. Linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated that the SU population was produced sexually. This study first reported that Pst infects susceptible barberry to complete sexual reproduction in autumn. The results update the knowledge of disease cycle and management of wheat stripe rust and contribute to the understanding of rust genetic diversity in Tibet.
Differences in the Characteristics and Pathogenicity of Pyrenophora Species Associated with Seeds of Italian Ryegrass
Authors: Xue Longhai , Xu Zhiting , Liu Jiaqi , Chen Hao , White James F. , Malik Kamran , Li Chunjie
Published: August 2022

Pyrenophora is a genus of pathogens that cause leaf damage and a common seedborne fungus of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). To elucidate the main seedborne Pyrenophora species, 36 seed samples of Italian ryegrass were collected; in total, 113 strains, representing 12.3% of all isolated strains (921), were identified as Pyrenophora species using the identity of ITS sequences in NCBI and the similarity of morphological characteristics. P. dictyoides (97) was the most frequent species. By pure culture technique, 24 representative pure isolates were obtained for further study. Based on DNA analysis of multiple loci (ITS, LSU, GPDH, CHS-1, and RPB1) and morphological characters, eight Pyrenophora species were identified, P. avenicola, P. chaetomioides, P. dictyoides, P. lolii, P. nobleae, P. teres, P. triseptata, and P. tritici-repentis; among them, P. avenicola, P. tritici-repentis, and P. triseptata were newly reported on Italian ryegrass worldwide. Seed inoculation showed that P. dictyoides, P. lolii, and P. teres remarkably decreased the final germination percentages and germination indexes compared with control treatments (P ≤ 0.05); and plant inoculation showed that P. dictyoides, P. lolii, and P. nobleae could cause typical brown spot in vivo with a higher infection rate (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, pathogenicity tests showed that all Pyrenophora species could both inhibit seed germination and infect Italian ryegrass to different degrees; among them, P. dictyoides was the most important seedborne pathogen based on the combination of its isolation and infection rate, followed by P. lolii and P. nobleae. The data generated in this study are helpful for the accurate identification of Pyrenophora species and the development of seedborne disease management strategies.
Disentangling the Factors Affecting the Dynamic of Pseudocercospora fijiensis: Quantification of Weather, Fungicide, and Landscape Effects
Authors: Delatouche Lucile , de Lapeyre de Bellaire Luc , Tixier Philippe
Published: August 2022

Quantifying the effect of landscape composition on disease dynamics remains challenging because it depends on many factors. In this study, we used a hybrid process-based/statistical modeling approach to separate the effect of the landscape composition on the epidemiology of banana leaf streak disease (BLSD) from weather and fungicide effects. We parameterized our model with a 5-year dataset, including weekly measures of BLSD on 83 plots in Martinique. After estimating the intrinsic growth parameters of the stage evolution of the disease (SED), we evaluated the dynamic effect of five fungicides. Then, we added the intra- and inter-annual effect on disease dynamics using a generalized linear model. Finally, the whole model was used to assess the annual effect of the landscape on the SED for 11 plots. We evaluated the significance of the landscape composition (proportions of landscape elements in 200-, 500-, 800-, 1,000-m-radius buffer zones) on the landscape effect evaluated with the model. The percentage of hedgerows in a 200-m-radius buffer zone was negatively correlated to the landscape effect, i.e., it acted as a constraint against BLSD spreading and development. The proportion of managed-banana-plants in a 1,000-m-radius buffer zone was negatively correlated to the landscape effect, probably due to a mass effect of fungicide treatments. Inversely, the proportions of forest and the proportion of unmanaged-banana-plants, both in 1,000-m-radius buffer zones, were positively correlated with the landscape effect. Our study provides a holistic approach of the role biotic and abiotic factors play on the dynamics of BLSD.
What Did We Achieve Through VALITEST, an EU Project on Validation in Plant Pest Diagnostics?
Authors: Trontin Charlotte , Agstner Barbara , Altenbach Denise , Anthoine Geraldine , Bagińska Hanna , Brittain Ian , Chabirand Aude , Chappé Anne-Marie , Dahlin Paul , Dreo Tanja , Freye Caroline , Gianinazzi Camilo , Harrison Catherine , Jones Glyn , Kaiser Marco Stefan , Luigi Marta , Massart Sebastien , Mehle Natasa , Mezzalama Monica , Mouaziz Hanna , Ravnikar Maja , Raaymakers Tom , Renvoisé Jean-Philippe , Rolland Mathieu , Santos-Paiva Marta , Seddas Sam , van der Vlugt Rene A. , Vučurović Ana , Petter Françoise
Published: August 2022

Ensuring the reliability of diagnostic activities is an essential cornerstone of plant health strategies to reduce the risk of entry and spread of plant pests in a region and ultimately their impacts. Diagnostic tests should be validated to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Validation is usually done by diagnostic laboratories, although companies commercializing diagnostic kits also produce validation data for their products. Due to the high number of pest, matrix, and method combinations and given the significant resources required to validate tests, it is essential that validation data are shared with the entire diagnostic community and produced in a harmonized way to facilitate their use by different stakeholders. Indeed, the selection of tests to be used in specific contexts is not the sole responsibility of diagnostic laboratories but also involves national plant protection organizations. The VALITEST EU project (2018 to 2021) was established to tackle all these issues. New validation data for tests targeting important pests for the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization region were produced. Guidelines to improve and harmonize the validation framework were developed. Sharing of validation data and experience was ensured through the development of new or existing databases, the organization of training courses, and the dissemination of the project outputs in scientific publications and standards. Finally, the involvement of researchers, diagnosticians, policy makers, inspectors, and industries and the establishment of the European Plant Diagnostic Industry Association were important actions to strengthen the interactions between plant health stakeholders.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Elite and posttreatment controllers, two facets of HIV control
Authors: Mastrangelo Andrea , Banga Riddhima , Perreau Matthieu
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

The quest for HIV-1 cure could take advantage of the study of rare individuals that control viral replication spontaneously (elite controllers) or after an initial course of antiretroviral therapy (posttreatment controllers, PTCs). In this review, we will compare back-to-back the immunological and virological features underlying viral suppression in elite controllers and PTCs, and explore their possible contributions to the HIV-1 cure research.

Recent findings

HIV-1 control in elite controllers shows hallmarks of an effective antiviral response, favored by genetic background and possibly associated to residual immune activation. The immune pressure in elite controllers might select against actively transcribing intact proviruses, allowing the persistence of a small and poorly inducible reservoir. Evidence on PTCs is less abundant but preliminary data suggest that antiviral immune responses may be less pronounced. Therefore, these patients may rely on distinct mechanisms, not completely elucidated to date, suppressing HIV-1 transcription and replication.

PTCs and elite controllers may control HIV replication using distinct pathways, the elucidation of which may contribute to design future interventional strategies aiming to achieve a functional cure.
Statins for primary cardiovascular disease prevention among people with HIV: emergent directions
Authors: Fitch Kathleen V. , Fulda Evelynne S. , Grinspoon Steven K.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

While people with HIV (PWH) are living longer due to advances in antiretroviral therapy, recent data have demonstrated an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among this population. This increased risk is thought to be due to both traditional (for example, smoking, diabetes) and HIV-specific (for example, inflammation, persistent immune activation) risk factors. This review focuses on the potential for statin therapy to mitigate this increased risk.

Recent findings

Several randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that statins, a class of lipid-lowering medications, are effective as a primary CVD prevention strategy among people without HIV. Among PWH, statins have been shown to lower cholesterol, exert immunomodulatory effects, stabilize coronary atherosclerotic plaque, and even induce plaque regression.

Prevention of CVD among the aging population of people with controlled, but chronic, HIV is vital. Data exploring primary prevention in this context are thus far limited. The Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) is ongoing; this trial will inform the field by investigating the effects of pitavastatin calcium as a primary prevention strategy for major adverse cardiovascular events among PWH on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at low-to-moderate traditional CVD risk.
Cardiovascular disease risk in women living with HIV
Authors: Kentoffio Katherine , Temu Tecla M. , Shakil Saate S. , Zanni Markella V. , Longenecker Chris T.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

To synthesize current evidence on the impact of cardiovascular disease among women living with HIV (WLWH) with a particular focus on disease prevalence, mechanisms and prevention.

Recent findings

HIV-related cardiovascular disease risk is 1.5-fold to 2-fold higher for women than for men. Mechanisms of enhanced risk are multifactorial and include reinforcing pathways between traditional risk factors, metabolic dysregulation, early reproductive aging and chronic immune activation. These pathways influence both the presentation of overt syndromes of myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure, as well as subclinical disease, such as microvascular dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis. Cardiovascular disease, therefore, remains a consistent threat to healthy aging among WLWH.

Although no specific prevention strategies exist, patient-centered risk mitigation approaches that are adaptable to the needs of aging individuals are essential to combat disparities in cardiovascular outcomes among WLWH. Further research into the optimal prevention approach for CVD among WLWH, particularly for women living in under-resourced health systems, is needed.
United States Medicare Reimbursement Trends for Glaucoma Procedures: 2000–2020
Authors: Francone Sonia C. , Pham Don T. , Asahi Masumi G. , Pakhchanian Haig , Raiker Rahul , Lesche Stephen , Ahmed Aseef , Belyea David
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to investigate US Medicare reimbursement trends for common glaucoma procedures from 2000 to 2020.

Materials and Methods:

Current Procedural Terminology codes for Glaucoma procedures in the US centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database were used to conduct this economic analysis. Reimbursement data from the Physician Fee Schedule look-up tool from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were compiled for the selected procedures and compensation trends were investigated after adjusting for inflation in 2020 US dollars from the unadjusted data between 2000 and 2020.

Results:

The average adjusted reimbursement for the analyzed procedures decreased by 20.5% [95% confidence interval (CI), −15.4% to −25.6%] over the 20-year period. On average, there was a 1.03% decrease in reimbursement rates per year (95% CI, −0.74% to −1.33%), with an adjusted compound annual growth rate of −1.35% (95% CI, −1.07% to −1.64%). The results show an overall declining rate in reimbursement for the glaucoma procedures analyzed in this study.

Conclusions:

The US Medicare reimbursement for glaucoma procedures in the United States showed a significant decline between 2000 and 2020. These findings may be relevant to understanding changing practice patterns for glaucoma care.
Helping the helpers: polyamines help maintain helper T-cell lineage fidelity
Authors: Stewart Tracy Murray , Holbert Cassandra E. , Casero Robert A.
Published: August 2022

The awareness that polyamines play a critical role in immune system regulation and function is coming into focus as the biological systems and analytical tools necessary to evaluate their roles have become available. Puleston et al have recently demonstrated that polyamine metabolism plays a central role in helper T-cell lineage determination through the production of the translational cofactor hypusinated eIF5A and faithful epigenetic regulation through proper histone acetylation. Their findings add to the rapidly growing body of data implicating properly controlled polyamine metabolism as essential for a normally functioning immune system.
PERK promotes immunosuppressive M2 macrophage phenotype by metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modifications through the PERK-ATF4-PSAT1 axis
Authors: Pratap Uday P. , Vadlamudi Ratna K.
Published: August 2022

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a specialized organelle that participates in multiple cellular functions including protein folding, maturation, trafficking, and degradation to maintain homeostasis. However, hostile conditions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) disturb ER homeostasis. To overcome these conditions, cells activate ER stress response pathways, which are shown to augment the suppressive phenotypes of immune cells; however, the molecular mechanisms underpinning this process remain elusive. Here, we discuss a recent study by Raines et al, that suggests the role of the helper T-cell 2 (TH2) cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4), and the TME in facilitating a protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK)-signaling cascade in macrophages, which promotes immunosuppressive M2 macrophage activation and proliferation. Further, the authors showed that PERK signaling promotes both mitochondrial respirations to fulfill cellular energy requirements and signaling through ATF4, which regulate phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) activity to mediate the serine biosynthesis pathway. These results highlight a previously uncharacterized role for PERK in cellular metabolism and epigenetic modification in M2 macrophages, and thus offers a new therapeutic strategy for overcoming the immunosuppressive effects in the TME.
Dental implant outcomes in single-barrel fibula mandible reconstruction with or without vertical distraction osteogenesis for symphysis cross-arch mandibular segmental defects
Authors: Chen Jyh Kwei , Chang Yang Ming
Published: August 2022

Dental implant placement complications in patients with symphysis cross-arch defect occur following single-barrel fibula mandible reconstruction due to mechanical stress of the implant. The authors compared surgical complications and implant outcomes for patients following single-barrel fibula mandible reconstruction with immediate implant placement or following completion of vertical distraction osteogenesis.
“Innovation in Delivering a Live, Virtual Cadaver Dissection Course”
Authors: Wang Chien-Wei , Mullen Connor R. , Johnson Shepard P. , Grant David W. , Lisiecki Jeffrey L. , Chung Kevin C.
Published: August 2022

The availability of advanced telecommunication technology and the social restrictions introduced by a global pandemic have compelled the medical community to explore new avenues of surgical education. Although cadaver courses have long been a fundamental method for learning surgical anatomy and improving operative preparedness, the COVID-19 pandemic has made traditional dissections less practical. The need for quality virtual learning experiences motivated us to design and assess the feasibility of organizing a live, virtual upper extremity peripheral nerve cadaver dissection course. Three phases were critical when developing the course: pre-planning, planning, and execution. The success of the live, virtual cadaver dissection depended not only on a detailed curriculum, but the technological audio-video-internet needs to effectively communicate and interact with the viewers. Virtual learning mitigates the risks of in-person dissection courses during a global pandemic and can be enhanced with interactive media, such as illustrations and schematics, to augment learning experiences.
Natural Reconstruction: A Comprehensive Standardized Operating Procedure for Restoring Eyebrow Loss Due to Scarring
Authors: Chen Jian , Qu Qian , Ye Ke , Fan Zhexiang , Wang Jin , Liu Bingcheng , Chen Ruosi , Hu Zhiqi , Miao Yong
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

Scarring that results in eyebrow loss is a serious psychological and cosmetic problem. Although hair transplantation is increasingly utilized for eyebrow restoration, graft loss may occur, preventing achievement of desired results. Single-hair follicle transplantation, however, may be effective. The present study describes outcomes of a standardized method of eyebrow reconstruction, involving single-hair follicle transplantation combined with follicular unit extraction (FUE), in patients with absent eyebrows due to scarring.

METHODS:

This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of Nanfang Hospital and all patients provided written informed consent before surgery. The medical records of patients who underwent eyebrow reconstruction from 2012–2019 for eyebrow loss caused by scar formation were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes evaluated included satisfaction, graft survival rate and long-term complications. A nine-step standardized operating procedure was established for eyebrow reconstruction in patients with eyebrow absence due to scarring.

RESULTS:

During the study period, 167 patients (205 eyebrows) underwent eyebrow reconstruction. Following the first stage of reconstruction, 95% of patients were highly satisfied with the density and natural appearance of their eyebrows. The average graft survival rate was 85% (range, 70–90%), significantly higher than the 75% survival rate previously reported. Fewer than 5% of patients underwent the take second stage of reconstruction, with these patients expressing satisfaction with their outcomes. No obvious complications were observed.

CONCLUSION:

This standardized method may optimize outcomes in patients with eyebrow absence due to scarring.