bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crown fires remove a fire-sensitive canopy dominant from oak-juniper woodlands: results from long-term monitoring of wildfires
Authors: Reemts Charlotte M. , Picinich Carla , Sperry Jinelle H.
Published: August 2024

Background

In central Texas, re-sprouting oaks (Quercus spp.) co-occur with non-resprouting Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) in a mosaic of fire-dependent (oak savanna) and fire-sensitive (oak-juniper woodland) habitats. The region’s mature woodlands are the only nesting habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia). We studied long-term recovery of woodland structure and species composition after single and repeated crown fires on three soil types (mesa, slope, and deep savanna soils).

Results

On once-burned sites, density and basal area of non-juniper trees (all woody species except juniper) reached or exceeded unburned levels after 14–24 years, indicating successful recruitment (24 years vs unburned, mesa: 481 ± 254 vs 155 ± 137 stems ha−1, 2 ± 1 vs 1 ± 2 m2 ha−1; slope: 910 ± 330 vs 251 ± 103 stems ha−1, 5 ± 2 vs 3 ± 2 m2 ha−1). Ashe juniper, however, remained mostly absent from burned woodlands (juniper tree density, 24 years vs unburned, mesa: 6 ± 10 vs 691 ± 410 stems ha−1; slope: 20 ± 17 vs 731 ± 183 stems ha−1) and total basal area was 47–87% lower than in unburned areas. In formerly fire-suppressed savannas, non-juniper tree density exceeded unburned levels and juniper density recovered the most (24 years vs unburned, non-juniper: 679 ± 250 vs 251 ± 103 stems ha−1; juniper: deep: 50 ± 71 vs 317 ± 297 stems ha−1). Juniper trees were still absent from twice-burned sites in year 11 and understory density was recovering more slowly, at least on slopes (one fire: 224 ± 206 stems ha−1; two fires: 26 ± 47 stems ha−1). Juniper recovery was correlated with distance to the wildfire perimeter, suggesting that regeneration is limited in part by dispersal.

Conclusions

We found successful recruitment of resprouting hardwood species after one and two crown fires, likely due to the low deer densities at Fort Cavazos. In fire-suppressed oak savannas, a single crown fire did not restore savanna structure and Ashe juniper is slowly re-establishing. Long-term restoration of a savanna on these soils will require additional treatments, like repeated prescribed fire. In oak-juniper woodlands, crown fires removed the fire-sensitive Ashe juniper from canopy co-dominance for decades, making the woodlands unsuitable as habitat for golden-cheeked warblers. Given the long-term consequences of crown fires for golden-cheeked warbler habitat, existing mature oak-juniper woodlands should be protected from crown fire.
Salmonella and the chicken: reflections on salmonellosis and its control in the United Kingdom
Authors: Wigley Paul
Published: August 2024

The association between Salmonella with chicken meat and eggs is the best-known source of a foodborne infection and its livestock reservoir. Whilst expansion of intensive farming and globalisation of the industry have facilitated its spread, Salmonella has an impressive toolkit that allows its colonisation and survival in the harsh environment of both the gut and egg. After infection in chickens Salmonella can pass through the pH of the stomach and, through adhesins such as fimbriae, are able to attach to the gut wall. Within the intestines, diverse metabolic pathways mean Salmonella can utilise a range of nutrients and elicit inflammation that releases oxygen to help its colonisation process through competition with the strict anaerobes in the gut. Certain Salmonella are also able to colonise the reproductive tract and pass into developing eggs in the ovary or oviduct prior to the addition of the egg-shell. Salmonella is also able to withstand high levels of antimicrobial peptides and antibody within eggs.

A range of controls including vaccination, microbial-based products, coupled with improvements to hygiene and biosecurity, have all played a role in reducing Salmonella-foodborne illness associated with chicken consumption in Europe, though no single method is a ‘magic bullet’ of complete control. New variants, including antimicrobial resistant variants, such as Salmonella Typhimurium ST34 and its monophasic variants, pose a constant threat. In addition, serovars such as Salmonella Kentucky, associated with feed contamination but not protected by current vaccines, pose specific difficulties for control.

A clear understanding of the infection biology of Salmonella can help underpin the development and application of controls, while areas of new understanding, such as the role and potential exploitation of the microbiome, offer up potentially novel controls. This all requires maintenance of surveillance systems and risk-based approaches to keep effective control of the Salmonella in chicken production.
Social Genomic Determinants of Health: Understanding the Molecular Pathways by Which Neighborhood Disadvantage Affects Cancer Outcomes
Authors: Goel Neha , Hernandez Alexandra , Cole Steven W.
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE

Neighborhoods represent complex environments with unique social, cultural, physical, and economic attributes that have major impacts on disparities in health, disease, and survival. Neighborhood disadvantage is associated with shorter breast cancer recurrence-free survival (RFS) independent of individual-level (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, insurance, tumor characteristics) and health system-level determinants of health (receipt of guideline-concordant treatment). This persistent disparity in RFS suggests unaccounted mechanisms such as more aggressive tumor biology among women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods compared with advantaged neighborhoods. The objective of this article was to provide a clear framework and biological mechanistic explanation for how neighborhood disadvantage affects cancer survival.

METHODS

Development of a translational epidemiological framework that takes a translational disparities approach to study cancer outcome disparities through the lens of social genomics and social epigenomics.

RESULTS

The social genomic determinants of health, defined as the physiological gene regulatory pathways (ie, neural/endocrine control of gene expression and epigenetic processes) through which contextual factors, particularly one's neighborhood, can affect activity of the cancer genome and the surrounding tumor microenvironment to alter disease progression and treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

We propose a novel, multilevel determinants of health model that takes a translational epidemiological approach to evaluate the interplay between political, health system, social, psychosocial, individual, and social genomic determinants of health to understand social disparities in oncologic outcomes. In doing so, we provide a concrete biological pathway through which the effects of social processes and social epidemiology come to affect the basic biology of cancer and ultimately clinical outcomes and survival.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery With Versus Without Neoadjuvant Endovascular Embolization for Brain Arteriovenous Malformations With Associated Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Becerril-Gaitan Andrea , Nguyen Justin , Lee Cheng-Chia , Ding Dale , Cifarelli Christopher P. , Liscak Roman , Williams Brian J. , Yusuf Mehran B. , Woo Shiao Y. , Warnick Ronald E. , Trifiletti Daniel M. , Mathieu David , Kondziolka Douglas , Feliciano Caleb E. , Rodriguez-Mercado Rafel , Cockroft Kevin M. , Simon Scott , Lee John , Sheehan Jason P. , Chen Ching-Jen
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with neoadjuvant embolization is a treatment strategy for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), especially for those with large nidal volume or concomitant aneurysms. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pre-SRS embolization in AVMs with an associated intracranial aneurysm (IA).

METHODS:

The International Radiosurgery Research Foundation AVM database from 1987 to 2018 was retrospectively reviewed. SRS-treated AVMs with IAs were included. Patients were categorized into those treated with upfront embolization (E + SRS) vs stand-alone SRS (SRS). Primary end point was a favorable outcome (AVM obliteration + no permanent radiation-induced changes or post-SRS hemorrhage). Secondary outcomes included AVM obliteration, mortality, follow-up modified Rankin Scale, post-SRS hemorrhage, and radiation-induced changes.

RESULTS:

Forty four AVM patients with associated IAs were included, of which 23 (52.3%) underwent pre-SRS embolization and 21 (47.7%) SRS only. Significant differences between the E + SRS vs SRS groups were found for AVM maximum diameter (1.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.1 ± 0.4 cm3, P = .019) and SRS treatment volume (9.3 ± 8.3 vs 4.3 ± 3.3 cm3, P = .025). A favorable outcome was achieved in 45.4% of patients in the E + SRS group and 38.1% in the SRS group (P = .625). Obliteration rates were comparable (56.5% for E + SRS vs 47.6% for SRS, P = .555), whereas a higher mortality rate was found in the SRS group (19.1% vs 0%, P = .048). After adjusting for AVM maximum diameter, SRS treatment volume, and maximum radiation dose, the likelihood of achieving favorable outcome and AVM obliteration did not differ between groups (P = .475 and P = .820, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

The likelihood of a favorable outcome and AVM obliteration after SRS with neoadjuvant embolization in AVMs with concomitant IA seems to be comparable with stand-alone SRS, even after adjusting for AVM volume and SRS maximum dose. However, the increased mortality among the stand-alone SRS group and relatively low risk of embolization-related complications suggest that these patients may benefit from a combined treatment approach.
Mutational cooperativity of RUNX1::RUNX1T1 isoform 9a and oncogenic NRAS in zebrafish myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Lints Robyn , Walker Christina A. , Delfi Omid , Prouse Matthew , PohLui De Silva Mandy , Bohlander Stefan K. , Wood Andrew C.
Published: August 2024

RUNX1::RUNX1T1 (R::RT1) acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains a clinical challenge, and further research is required to model and understand leukaemogenesis. Previous zebrafish R::RT1 models were hampered by embryonic lethality and low penetrance of the malignant phenotype. Here, we overcome this by developing an adult zebrafish model in which the human R::RT1 isoform 9a is co-expressed with the frequently co-occurring oncogenic NRASG12D mutation in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), using the Runx1+23 enhancer. Approximately 50% of F0 9a+NRASG12D transgenic zebrafish developed signs of haematological disease between 5 and 14 months, with 27% exhibiting AML-like pathology: myeloid precursor expansion, erythrocyte reduction, kidney marrow hypercellularity and the presence of blasts. Moreover, only 9a+NRASG12D transplant recipients developed leukaemia with high rates of mortality within 40 days, inferring the presence of leukaemia stem cells. These leukaemic features were rare or not observed in animals expressing either the NRAS or 9a oncogenes alone, suggesting 9a and NRAS cooperation drives leukaemogenesis. This novel adult AML zebrafish model provides a powerful new tool for investigating the basis of R::RT1 - NRAS cooperativity with the potential to uncover new therapeutic targets.
The role of cognition as a factor regulating the diving responses of animals, including humans
Authors: Fahlman Andreas , Burggren Warren , Milsom William K.
Published: August 2024

The dive response involves three main components – breath holding, reduced heart rate and increased peripheral vasoconstriction – and is ubiquitous during forced dives in air-breathing vertebrates; however, numerous studies in free-diving animals have shown that the heart rate response to diving varies considerably in a manner that suggests cognitive control. Furthermore, studies on free-diving animals and controlled experiments in trained animals both indicate that the dive response can be conditioned, such that the reduction in heart rate begins before submergence and the extent of the reduction is set early in the dive. In addition, numerous species also experience an increase in heart rate and blood flow during ascent at the end of a dive, a phenomenon commonly called ‘ascent tachycardia’. Collectively, these data suggest that although the dive response is under autonomic control, many species can vary its magnitude depending on the length and type of the planned dive – an indication of a role for cognition in the overall physiological responses associated with diving. Here, we provide examples of the conditioned cardiac responses – including anticipatory changes in heart rate – in several diving species and propose potential underlying mechanisms. We also discuss how the anticipatory cardiovascular responses not only improve diving capacity, but also prevent diving-related problems, such as decompression sickness or barotrauma, through a mechanism described by the selective gas exchange hypothesis.
lncRNA BC200 is processed into a stable Alu monomer
Authors: Booy Evan P. , Gussakovsky Daniel , Brown Mira , Shwaluk Rowan , Nachtigal Mark W. , McKenna Sean A.
Published: August 2024

The noncoding RNA BC200 is elevated in human cancers and is implicated in translation regulation as well as cell survival and proliferation. Upon BC200 overexpression, we observed correlated expression of a second, smaller RNA species. This RNA is expressed endogenously and exhibits cell-type-dependent variability relative to BC200. Aptamer-tagged expression constructs confirmed that the RNA is a truncated form of BC200, and sequencing revealed a modal length of 120 nt; thus, we refer to the RNA fragment as BC120. We present a methodology for accurate and specific detection of BC120 and establish that BC120 is expressed in several normal human tissues and is also elevated in ovarian cancer. BC120 exhibits remarkable stability relative to BC200 and is resistant to knockdown strategies that target the 3′ unique sequence of BC200. Combined knockdown of BC200 and BC120 exhibits greater phenotypic impacts than knockdown of BC200 alone, and overexpression of BC120 negatively impacts translation of a GFP reporter, providing insight into a potential translational regulatory role for this RNA. The presence of a novel, truncated, and stable form of BC200 adds complexity to the investigation of this noncoding RNA that must be considered in future studies of BC200 and other related Alu RNAs.
ASESINATO DE LÍDERES, LIDERESAS SOCIALES, DEFENSORES Y DEFENSORAS DE DERECHOS HUMANOS. UNA PROPUESTA PARA LA GARANTÍA DE LOS DERECHOS DE LAS VÍCTIMAS
Authors: Epinosa Jorge Rafael Vaca
Published: August 2024

Contexto: Colombia es un país que ha sido fuertemente marcado por la violencia política, quizás los acontecimientos más crueles de esta índole han sido la etapa de la Violencia Bipartidista y el genocidio de la Unión Patriótica. En la actualidad, Colombia atraviesa por una época de violencia caracterizada por el asesinado de líderes y lideresas sociales debido a su labor de defensa de los derechos humanos. Las víctimas de estos hechos reclaman sus derechos y garantías ante la demora en la administración de justicia, por lo que se hace necesario un estudio referente a las disposiciones jurídicas relacionadas con la realización de una tutela judicial efectiva desde el punto de vista de la investigación.
Objetivo: Analizar los mecanismos jurídicamente viables para la garantía de los derechos de las víctimas de asesinatos de líderes y lideresas sociales en Colombia desde la etapa investigativa, a la luz de los diferentes instrumentos internacionales relativos a este tipo de crímenes y la protección de los derechos humanos de cara a la igualdad material.
Método: Se realizó una investigación dogmático-analítica basada esencialmente a la revisión de artículos académicos, investigaciones realizadas por organizaciones civiles y providencias judiciales en el marco del Sistema Interamericano de Protección de Derechos Humanos.  
Resultados: El Estado colombiano ha incumplido su obligación de dirigir las indagaciones teniendo en cuenta aspectos diferenciales que contribuyan a la realización de la igualdad material.
Conclusiones: El asesinato contra líderes, líderesas sociales, defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos en Colombia constituye un crimen de genocidio, razón por la cual las víctimas cuentan con la garantía de la imprescriptibilidad de la acción penal en conjunto con el derecho a una investigación basada en el enfoque diferencial y el de género que propende por la celeridad y priorización en el desarrollo de las pesquisas correspondientes.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Predicting Vaccine Types and Assessing Mortality Risk Through Ensemble Learning Algorithms
Authors: Monadhel Hind , Abbas Ayad R. , Mohammed Athraa Jasim
Published: August 2024

Background There is no doubt that vaccination is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases; however, not every vaccine is perfect or will work for everyone. The main objective of this work is to predict which vaccine will be most effective for a candidate without causing severe adverse reactions and to categorize a patient as potentially at high risk of death from the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods A comprehensive analysis was conducted using a dataset on COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions, exploring binary and multiclass classification scenarios. Ensemble models, including Random Forest, Decision Tree, Light Gradient Boosting, and extreme gradient boosting algorithm, were utilized to achieve accurate predictions. Class balancing techniques like SMOTE, TOMEK_LINK, and SMOTETOMEK were incorporated to enhance model performance. Results The study revealed that pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, history of allergies, prior vaccinations, other medications, age, and gender were crucial factors associated with poor outcomes. Moreover, using medical history, the ensemble learning classifiers achieved accuracy scores ranging from 75% to 87% in predicting the vaccine type and mortality possibility. The Random Forest model emerged as the best prediction model, while the implementation of the SMOTE and SMOTETOMEK methods generally improved model performance. Conclusion The random forest model emerges as the top recommendation for machine learning tasks that require high accuracy and resilience. Moreover, the findings highlight the critical role of medical history in optimizing vaccine outcomes and minimizing adverse reactions.
Case Report: A right-sided testicular artery of renal origin, in coexistence with a renal artery duplication: Dissection findings with clinical significance
Authors: Konstantinos Natsis , Vasilios Ediaroglou , Trifon Totlis , George Tsakotos , George Triantafyllou , Vasileios Petrou , Maria Piagkou
Published: August 2024

Purpose The current cadaveric report describes the abnormal origin and course of testicular arteries (TAs) in two donated cadavers, along with a renal artery (RA) duplication. Methods Dissection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the abdominal aorta (AA) branching patterns were performed in 90-year-old- and 76-year-old formalin-embalmed donated male cadavers. Results Variants of the TA origin and course were identified, as coexisting with RA variants. Case 1: A right-sided RA (RRA) duplication (recorded as superior and inferior renal artery-SRA and IRA) with origin from the AA, coexisted with a right TA (RTA) that originated from the IRA and descended anteriorly to the ureter. The left TA (LTA) originated from the AA proximal to the origin of the left RA (LRA). The LTA coursed in front of the common drainage of the left testicular and renal vein into the IVC. Case 2: A bilateral RA duplication was identified and recorded as SRA and IRA. The right-sided SRA originated from the AA upper level and played the role of the accessory RA (ARA). The main perfusion of the right kidney was performed by the IRA which was further trifurcated into a superior polar, an inferior polar (IPA), and a TA. The RTA had a high origin from the IPA. Conclusion The current study reported two cases of TAs with abnormal origin and course accompanied by an RA duplication. A thorough knowledge of the origin and course of the TAs has clinical implications for the kidneys and testicle’ surgery.
Novel gastrointestinal tools (GI Tools) for evaluating gut functional capacity in adults with environmental enteropathy in Zambia and Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional study protocol
Authors: Phiri Tracy N. , Weatherill James W. , Monford-Sanchez Elena , Serrano-Contreras Jose-Ivan , Melvin Callum , Kunaka Mirriam , Chisenga Ian , Ngalande Perpetual , Mweetwa Monica N. , Besa Ellen , Haider Tafhima , Mandal Nilanjan , Thompson Alex J. , Edwards Christine A. , Bourke Claire D. , Robertson Ruairi C. , Posma Joram M. , Banda Rosemary , Mwiinga Mulima , Kazhila Lydia , Katsidzira Leolin , Bwakura-Dangarembizi Mutsa , Amadi Beatrice , Garcia-Perez Isabel , Maitland Kathryn , Marchesi Julian R. , Morrison Douglas J. , Frost Gary , Kelly Paul
Published: August 2024

Background Environmental enteropathy (EE) is a highly prevalent subclinical inflammatory intestinal disorder associated with growth failure, impaired neurocognitive development, poor response to oral vaccines, and micronutrient deficiencies. However, EE research and clinical trials are hampered by the lack of non-invasive tools for measuring intestinal function in detail. This study aims to develop new tools for the measurement of multiple domains of gut functional capacity. Methods The GI TOOLS project is a cross-sectional study that will recruit adults aged 18-65 years with EE in Lusaka, Zambia. Each participant will undergo assessment of gut functional capacity using novel near-point-of-care tools and provide multiple samples for detailed laboratory analyses. Participants will also undergo endoscopy for collection of duodenal biopsies. Novel techniques include stable isotopes approaches to measuring digestion, absorption, and bidirectional transmucosal amino acid flux, a non-invasive fluorescence tool for real-time evaluation of gut permeability, and assessment of reverse permeation of intravenous antibiotics to be carried out separately in Zimbabwe. Stool and duodenal microbiome sequencing using MinION sequencing, metabolome analysis applied to plasma and intestinal fluids, blood immune cell phenotyping, in vitro epithelial barrier models, and duodenal immunohistochemistry will also be used to explore EE in depth. These will all be integrated with gold standard histology and mucosal morphometry, alongside lactulose permeation data, and stool and plasma biomarker analysis. The protocol has been approved by ethics committees and regulators in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the UK. Participants will give informed consent before they can participate Anticipated outcomes Based on this extensive phenotyping, tests will be developed which can be simplified and refined for use in adults and children with EE, and for clinical trials. Findings from this project will be disseminated through in-person meetings with caregivers and regulatory bodies, presentations at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Nationalisms: Purification, Privilege, Pride, and Protection
Authors: Wolff Jonathan
Published: August 2024

In the aftermath of WW2, nationalism was regarded by many political philosophers as an afront to civilized values. Yet at the same time nationalism has been an important means by which former colonies have attained and protected their independence. Once this distinction is made, it is clear that there are different types of nationalism, used in different circumstances, and for different purposes, and many political theorists have attempted to distinguish acceptable and unacceptable forms of nationalism. In this paper, I contribute to this debate by distinguishing four functions of nationalism: purification, privilege, pride, and protection. These functions can be mixed together in different ways, and I claim that purification and privilege are both highly problematic, while pride, and especially protection, are far more defensible.
The Russia-Ukraine War and The Sediments of Time
Authors: Kattago Siobhan
Published: August 2024

The fragility of the post-war international order is threatened not only by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but even more tellingly, by the decisions that Western nations, the European Union, and NATO make in response to Russian aggression. This paper frames Western responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine within what Reinhart Koselleck calls ‘the sediments of time’ or Zeitschichten that contain different temporalities, speeds, and directions. Koselleck’s approach of parsing the ‘sediments of time’ is a heuristic device for understanding how Western responses to the war in Ukraine are framed by very different historical markers. Just as one might parse the grammatical components of a sentence in order to understand its meaning, so one might parse Western responses within different historical timescales that include Zeitenwende, déjà vu, interregnum, and Never Again.
Stem Cell Therapy for Hashimoto's Disease - a Promising Treatment Method?
Authors: Kozyra Oliwia , Paluch Katarzyna , Szypuła Zofia , Koper Mateusz , Ratyna Klaudia , Konaszczuk Adrian , Kałuża Jessica , Nowak Aleksandra , Bochenek Oliwia , Skarbek Małgorzata
Published: August 2024

Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive destruction of the thyroid gland, leads to hypothyroidism and a range of metabolic disturbances. Conventional treatments primarily focus on hormone replacement therapy, which does not address the underlying autoimmune mechanisms. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential revolutionary treatment for Hashimoto's disease, aiming to regenerate thyroid tissue and modulate the immune response. This abstract explores the potential of stem cell therapy in restoring thyroid function and reducing autoimmune activity. Preclinical studies using animal models and in vitro human cell studies have demonstrated promising results, showing that stem cells can reduce thyroid inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, and restore hormone production. Early-phase clinical trials are underway to assess the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and other stem cell types in patients with Hashimoto's disease. Despite the promise, challenges such as immune rejection, ethical considerations, regulatory hurdles, and cost must be addressed. Ongoing research and technological advancements hold the potential to transform the treatment landscape for Hashimoto's disease, offering hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for patients.
An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour presenting with limited mouth-opening, hypoesthaesia of the left chin and infraorbital area, intermittent left eye ptosis and converging strabismus
Authors: Hassine Imen Ben , Romdhane Wiem , Belkacem Raouaa , Anoun Jihed , Baya Wafa , Mzabi Anis , Fredj Fatma Ben
Published: August 2024

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is a rare neoplasm of mesenchymal origin, defined by myofibroblastic spindle cells accompanied by inflammatory cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils. Its symptomatology depends on the involved site and tends to mimic a malignant tumour clinically and radiologically. The head and neck region accounts for 5% of all IMTs. Here, we report a case of a 35-year-old woman, with no medical history, who presented with a mouth-opening limitation of 8 mm evolving for three years and occurring six months after of a wisdom tooth extraction. She also experienced a recent occurrence of left eye ptosis and a converging strabismus. On examination, the patient had a body temperature at 37°C, with hypoesthaesia of the left chin and infraorbital area, without any other abnormality. Laboratory examinations did not reveal a biological inflammatory syndrome or rhabdomyolysis. The infectious investigations were all negative, as well as the immunological tests, in particular negative for anti-AChR and anti-MuSK antibodies. On the facial computed tomography (CT) scan, we noted an active reshuffle in the left mandible ascending branch with a thickening of the ipsilateral pterygoid muscles and the left temporal meningeal tissue. After corticosteroid therapy 0.7 mg/kg/j, we obtained an improvement in the patient’s mouth-opening, thus a biopsy of the lesion was performed under local anaesthesia, revealing IMT. The patient continued the corticosteroids therapy with a progressive tapering resulting in a marked clinical improvement of the mouth-opening limitation and her ptosis.
One haemolytic anaemia may hide another: Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria masquerading as Plasmodium falciparum infection
Authors: Wery Alexandre-Raphael , Mortier Coline , Cabrera Quentin , Niang Mohamadou , Kone Moumini , Permal Sarah
Published: August 2024

Background: Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, genetic and acquired haematologic disease that causes complement-mediated intravascular haemolytic anaemia, thrombosis and bone marrow failure. Case description: A 27-year-old migrant patient attended the emergency department in a context of fever and chills over the previous few days as well as chronic fatigue, dyspnoea and chest pain. His medical history included chronic anaemia and erectile dysfunction. Initial biology showed a haemoglobin of 6.3 g/dl, platelets of 25,000/µl, total leucocytes of 3,500/µl with 1,500 neutrophils. B12 vitamin, folic acid, ferritin and thyroid stimulating hormone were normal. Lactate dehydrogenase levels were high and haptoglobin was non-measurable. C-reactive protein was 46.1 mg/l. A thick blood smear revealed Plasmodium falciparum infection with 0.1% parasitaemia. The patient was treated with an oral combination of artemether and lumefantrine. Three weeks later, the patient consulted the infectious disease department given the lack of clinical improvement. The cytopenias worsened, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reticulocytes increased. Tests for schistocytes, a thick blood smear for malaria and a direct Coombs test were negative; a myelogram was reassuring. An abdominal, pelvic and thoracic CT scan showed a mild hepatomegaly with no focal lesion and no splenomegaly or adenomegaly. A 12-colour flow cytometry unveiled a PNH clone on 90.9545% of neutrophils and 80.7371% of monocytes. Discussion: PNH patients can be vulnerable to parasites infection (such as P. falciparum) as it may trigger breakthrough haemolysis through uncontrolled resurgence of activity of the complement system. In our patient, P. falciparum infection was a confounding factor, as it commonly causes haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia, and patients living in malaria-endemic regions can carry low parasitaemia while being slightly symptomatic or asymptomatic.
Model-based wavefront measurement and compensation in atmospheric turbulence
Authors: Zou Yansheng , Dai Jiewen , Ao Xueyuan , Huang Liangbo , Liu Chen
Published: August 2024

The model-based method can measure phase aberration without special wavefront detectors. However, the influence of non-uniform beam intensity distribution was not considered, leading to non-negligible system errors. Moreover, no experiments were employed to verify its capability and practicability in atmospheric turbulence. This paper proposes the aberrated pupil method, which can enhance the accuracy of phase recovery by introducing an aberrated pupil function into the traditional model-based method. The effectiveness of the model-based phase measurement and compensation method was experimentally investigated and verified in the application of free-space optical communication. Compared with the traditional model-based method, the aberrated pupil method can reduce the coupling power loss caused by turbulence from 2.59 to 0.87 dB, resulting in a reduction of 1.72 dB. With coherent communication experiments, the model-based phase recovery method significantly improved the communication power budget by about 13.5 dB. The proposed method can measure and compensate for the phase aberration to significantly improve the communication quality of free-space optical communication.
Transition from Ince–Gaussian beams to nondiffractive Mathieu beams
Authors: Bhargava Swati , Tschernig Konrad , Guacaneme David , Bandres Miguel A.
Published: August 2024

We show that under the appropriate conditions, the Ince–Gaussian modes
(IGBs) of stable resonators display a behavior very similar to that of
the Mathieu beams (MBs), exhibiting nondiffracting propagation and
self-healing properties. We show that the high-order IGB propagates in
a quasi-nondiffractive manner within the same conical region as any
nondiffractive beam, even when their profiles do not match exactly.
Our results indicate new, to our knowledge, methods to generate a
quasi-nondiffractive MB from spherical resonators and provide more
efficient ways to generate them in the Fourier space. These high-order
IGBs are an excellent option for applications where a
quasi-nondiffractive, but not exact, behavior is required.
Demonstration of a low-complexity real-time FBMC transmitter for a spectral-efficiency IMDD system
Authors: Chen Ming , Xu Jiaqiang , Li Hanwei , Liu Yi
Published: August 2024

Filter bank multi-carriers (FBMC) have higher spectral efficiency, lower out-of-band spectrum leakage, and stronger ability to resist synchronization errors compared to orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), which has been widely considered as a promising solution for short-reach applications, such as passive optical networks. However, the traditional fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based FBMC scheme has quite high implementation complexity for high-speed optical communications. In this work, we proposed a low-complexity real-time FBMC transmitter scheme enabled by a single fully parallel pruned inverse FFT and simplified short prototype filter-based polyphase networks for a low-cost intensity-modulation and direct-detection (IMDD) system. Compared to the OFDM transmitter, the proposed FBMC one occupies a similar number of look-up tables and registers but saves 21% of real multipliers, reduces latency by 16.2%, and increases the data rate by 12.5%. The real-time FBMC/OFDM signals are generated with a field programmable gate array chip and 6-bit 30-GSa/s digital-to-analog converter and are experimentally demonstrated in an IMDD system. After a 20-km standard single-mode fiber transmission, the negligible power penalty can be achieved with the proposed FBMC transmitter scheme at the bit error rate of 3.8e-3 compared to the OFDM counterpart.
Optimized two-layer random motheye structures for SiO2 windows
Authors: Tu Chaoran , Hu Zhihao , Hu Jonathan , Menyuk Curtis R. , Carruthers Thomas F. , Shaw L. Brandon , Busse Lynda E. , Sanghera Jasbinder S.
Published: August 2024

We computationally investigate the near-field transmission efficiency of two-layer motheye structures on SiO2 windows. In these structures, a random motheye layer is imposed on top of a periodic motheye structure that consists of truncated pyramids. We first validate our simulation by comparing simulation results using a single layer of random pillars to experimental results. To maximize the transmission efficiency of our two-layer structures over the wavelength range of 0.4 to 2 µm, we used the previously optimized one-layer periodic pyramidal motheye structures as the bottom layer and we varied the statistical properties of the random pillars on the upper layer, which include the mean and span of their diameters and the mean and span of the pillar heights. We determine that the transmission generally increases as the range of the statistical parameters increases. It is theoretically possible to achieve an average transmission efficiency of 99.8% over the wavelength range from 0.4 to 2 µm by adding a random motheye layer over the periodic truncated pyramid structure, thereby increasing the average transmission efficiency by 0.3% over the same wavelength range and reducing the reflection by more than a factor of two. The large reduction in reflections over a broad bandwidth can be important in optical systems that rely on minimal reflections.
Surface Heating Measurements with Temperature Sensitive Paint Films Using Fluorescent Lifetime Analysis
Authors: Edwards Sophia , Gragston Mark
Published: August 2024

Temperature sensitive paint applied to an adhesive film was used to measure surface heating utilizing a fluorescent signal lifetime analysis, in which the ratio of excitation and decay exposures was mapped to temperature via calibration. This work discusses a two-level model of the TSP fluorescence in response to pulsed excitation and uses it to extract temperature variation of emission decay lifetimes in a ruthenium-based paint. Resulting calibration curves from the lifetime analysis are used in measurements of wall heating in a small shock tube at a net frame rate of 25 kHz. The results show good agreement with simultaneously acquired IR thermography obtained at 240 Hz.
Maximizing transmission capacity in optical communication systems utilizing a microresonator comb laser source with adaptive modulation and bandwidth allocation strategies
Authors: Hu Jun , Wang Wei , Xie Zhenyu , Liu Chengnian , Li Fan , Yang Daquan
Published: August 2024

Traditional optical communication systems employ bulky laser arrays that lack coherence and are prone to severe frequency drift. Dissipative Kerr soliton microcombs offer numerous evenly spaced optical carriers with a high optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) and coherence in chip-scale packages, potentially addressing the limitations of traditional wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) sources. However, soliton microcombs exhibit inhomogeneous OSNR and linewidth distributions across the spectra, leading to variable communication performance under uniform modulation schemes. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, to our knowledge, the application of adaptive modulation and bandwidth allocation strategies in optical frequency comb (OFC) communication systems to optimize modulation schemes based on OSNR, linewidth, and channel bandwidth, thereby maximizing capacity. Experimental verification demonstrates that the method enhances spectral efficiency from 1.6 to 2.31  bit ⋅ s−1 ⋅ Hz−1, signifying a 44.58% augmentation. Using a single-soliton microcomb as the light source, we achieve a maximum communication capacity of 10.68 Tbps after 40 km of transmission in the C-band, with the maximum single-channel capacity reaching 432 Gbps. The projected combined transmission capacity for the C- and L-bands could surpass 20 Tbps. The proposed strategies demonstrate promising potential of utilizing soliton microcombs as future light sources in next-generation optical communication.
Trend, burden and determinants of undiagnosed hypertension in the Horn of Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Agimas Muluken Chanie , Derseh Nebiyu Mekonnen , Mamo Fantu , Abebe Moges Tadesse , Yemanu Tilahun , Asmamaw Meron
Published: August 2024

Background

Hypertension is a silent killer disease and the global report revealed that half of the world’s population lives with undiagnosed hypertension. The problem is expected to be worse in low-income countries such as in Horn of Africa countries. Thus, we planned to determine the trend, burden, and determinates of undiagnosed hypertension in this region and provide conclusive and tangible evidence for interventions.

Method

Articles were searched on Google, Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the published articles’ reference list. The JBI critical appraisal checklist was used for quality assessment. A sensitivity test and I2 statistics were conducted to evaluate the heterogeneity. The Begg’s statistics in the random effect model were done to evaluate the publication bias.

Result

The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in the Horn of Africa was 17% (95% CI: 15%–20%) and it ranges from from 13% in 2006 to 20% in 2023. A trip time to a medical institution of less than 35 minutes (OR = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.35–0.79), no regular exercise (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.54–3.32), age > = 45 years (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.66–3.8), age 35–44 years (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.5–2.37), male (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.34–2.2), poor knowledge (OR = 3.29, 95%CI: 2.39,4.53), normal BMI (OR = 3.84, 95% CI: 2.96–4.98), Overweight (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 2.96–4.98), poor health seeking (OR = 2.79, 95%CI: 2.01–3.86), low vegetable consumers (OR = 1.99, 95%CI:1.36–2.91), smoking (OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.13–1.93), high triglyceride (OR = 1.83, 95%CI:1.33–2.52), chat chewing (OR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.54–3.09), and alcohol drinking (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.32–2.33) were the determinats of undiagnosed hypertension.

Conclusion and recommendation

The pooled prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was low in the Horn of Africa but its trend was increased over time. Individual level variables were identified that affect the undiagnosed hypertension. Therefore, healthy lifestyle is recommended.
Comprehensive analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics provides insights into the mechanism by plant growth regulators affect the quality of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit
Authors: Liu Defen , Jiang Na , Yuan Yuting , Liu Hejiang , Ju Yanjun , Sun Wanjin , Jia Wenzhao , Fang Yi , Zhao Duoyong , Mao Jiefei , Kang Lu
Published: August 2024

A comprehensively analysis of the transcriptomics and metabolomics was conducted to investigate the mechanism of plant growth regulators on the quality of jujube fruit. After the application of plant growth regulators, a total of 3097 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, which were mainly annotated in 123 pathways such as flavonoid biosynthesis, metabolism of alanine, aspartate, and glutamate. In addition, 1091 differential expressed metabolites (DEMs), including 519 up-regulated and 572 down-regulated metabolites, were significantly altered after application of plant growth regulators. DEGs and DEMs simultaneously annotated 69 metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of phenylpropane, flavonoid, starch and sucrose. The key genes in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were revealed, which may play an important role in plant growth regulator regulation quality of jujube fruit. Besides, the application of plant growth regulator during the jujube flowering period increased the contents of gibberellin and indole-3-acetic acid in leaves, and decreased the contents of abscisic acid. The results may help to reveal the metabolic network and molecular mechanism of plant growth regulators in jujube fruit.
Neonatal bacteraemia in Ireland: A ten-year single-institution retrospective review
Authors: Powell James , Beirne Irene , Minihan Brid , O’Connell Nuala H. , Sharma Santosh , Dunworth Margo , Philip Roy K. , Dunne Colum P.
Published: August 2024

Neonatal sepsis is a catastrophic condition of global concern, with reported mortality rates exceeding 10%. Bloodstream infections are an important cause of sepsis, and epidemiological studies of these infections are crucial for predicting the most common aetiological agents and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and for developing antimicrobial guidelines. For the ten-year study period from July 2013 to June 2023, all neonatal bacteraemia cases were reviewed prospectively using an enhanced surveillance protocol. The patients were stratified according to their age at the time of blood culture collection: early onset if diagnosed in the first 72 hours of life, and late onset if diagnosed after that time. During the study period, 170 blood cultures were positive from 144 patients, of which 89 specimens from 64 patients represented the growth of significant pathogens. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were the most common pathogens identified (52%, 33/64), followed by Escherichia coli (14%, 9/64), Group B Streptococcus (GBS: 11%, 7/64) and Staphylococcus aureus (11%, 7/64). GBS was more commonly identified in early onset patients, while CoNS were predominantly associated with late onset. The presence of an intravascular catheter, maternal urinary tract infections and the receipt of total parenteral nutrition or transfused blood were identified as significant risk factors. The fatality rate was 8% (5/64). in summary, this study provides a detailed overview of the epidemiology of neonatal bacteraemia in a large teaching hospital in the Midwest of Ireland over a decade.
Challenging the N-Heuristic: Effect size, not sample size, predicts the replicability of psychological science
Authors: Li Xingyu , Liu Jiting , Gao Weijia , Cohen Geoffrey L.
Published: August 2024

Large sample size (N) is seen as a key criterion in judging the replicability of psychological research, a phenomenon we refer to as the N-Heuristic. This heuristic has led to the incentivization of fast, online, non-behavioral studies—to the potential detriment of psychological science. While large N should in principle increase statistical power and thus the replicability of effects, in practice it may not. Large-N studies may have other attributes that undercut their power or validity. Consolidating data from all systematic, large-scale attempts at replication (N = 307 original-replication study pairs), we find that the original study’s sample size did not predict its likelihood of being replicated (rs = -0.02, p = 0.741), even with study design and research area controlled. By contrast, effect size emerged as a substantial predictor (rs = 0.21, p < 0.001), which held regardless of the study’s sample size. N may be a poor predictor of replicability because studies with larger N investigated smaller effects (rs = -0.49, p < 0.001). Contrary to these results, a survey of 215 professional psychologists, presenting them with a comprehensive list of methodological criteria, found sample size to be rated as the most important criterion in judging a study’s replicability. Our findings strike a cautionary note with respect to the prioritization of large N in judging the replicability of psychological science.
Enhancing the therapeutic potential of P29 protein-targeted monoclonal antibodies in the management of alveolar echinococcosis through CDC-mediated mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Cuiying , Li Tao , Hou Siyu , Tang Jing , Wen Rou , Wang Chan , Yuan Shiqin , Li Zihua , Zhao Wei
Published: August 2024

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a highly lethal helminth infection. Current chemotherapeutic strategies for AE primarily involve the use of benzimidazoles (BZs) such as mebendazole (MDZ) and albendazole (ABZ), which exhibit limited efficacy. In a previous study, the vaccine of recombinant Echinococcus granulosus P29 (rEgP29) showed significant immunoprotection against E. granulosus in both mice and sheep. In the current study, we utilized hybridoma technology to generate five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against P29, among which 4G10F4 mAb exhibited the highest antigen-specific binding capacity. This mAb was selected for further investigation of anti-AE therapy, both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro, 4G10F4 inhibited a noteworthy inhibition of E. multilocularis protoscoleces and primary cells viability through complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) mechanism. In vivo, two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, mice were intraperitoneally injected with Em protoscoleces, and subsequently treated with 4G10F4 mAb (2.5/5/10 mg/kg) at 12 weeks postinfection once per week for 8 times via tail vein injection. Mice that were treated with 4G10F4 mAb only in dosage of 5mg/kg exhibited a significant lower mean parasite burden (0.89±0.97 g) compared to isotype mAb treated control mice (2.21±1.30 g). In the second experiment, mice were infected through hepatic portal vein and treated with 4G10F4 mAb (5mg/kg) at one week after surgery once per week for 8 times. The numbers of hepatic metacestode lesions of the 4G10F4 treatment group were significantly lower in comparison to the isotype control group. Pathological analysis revealed severe disruption of the inner structure of the metacestode in both experiments, particularly affecting the germinal and laminated layers, resulting in the transformation into infertile vesicles after treatment with 4G10F4. In addition, the safety of 4G10F4 for AE treatment was confirmed through assessment of mouse weight and evaluation of liver and kidney function. This study presents antigen-specific monoclonal antibody immunotherapy as a promising therapeutic approach against E. multilocularis induced AE.