bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protocol for a systematic review of the diagnostic test accuracy of tests for IgE‐mediated food allergy
Authors: Genuneit Jon , Jayasinghe Sashini , Riggioni Carmen , Peters Rachel Louise , Chu Derek K. , Munblit Daniel , Boyle Robert J. , Du Toit George , Skypala Isabel , Santos Alexandra F. ,   the EAACI Food Allergy Guidelines Expert Group, the EAACI Research, Outreach Committee Food Allergy Group
Published: October 2021

Background

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is in the process of updating the guidelines on the diagnosis and management of food allergy. The existing guidelines are based on a systematic review of the literature until 30 September 2012. Therefore, a new systematic review must be undertaken to inform the new guidelines. This systematic review aims to assess the accuracy of index tests to support the diagnosis of IgE‐mediated food allergy.

Methods

The databases Cochrane CENTRAL (Trials), MEDLINE (OVID) and Embase (OVID) will be searched for diagnostic test accuracy studies from 1 October 2012 to 30 June 2021. Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used to select appropriate studies. Data from these studies will be extracted and tabulated, and then reviewed for risk of bias and applicability using the QUADAS‐2 tool. All evaluations will be done in duplicate. Studies with a high risk of bias and low applicability will be excluded. Meta‐analysis will be performed if there are three or more studies of the same index test and food.

Results

A protocol for the systematic review and meta‐analyses is presented and was registered using Prospero prior to commencing the literature search.

Discussion

Oral food challenges are the reference standard for diagnosis but involve considerable risks and resources. This protocol for systematic review aims to assess the accuracy of various tests to diagnose food allergy, which can be useful in both clinical and research settings.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation for patients with refractory pain due to anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: A case series
Authors: Bral Philippe , Smet Iris , Jerjir Ali , Devos Marieke , Van Buyten Jean‐Pierre
Published: October 2021

Background

Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a painful condition that can be refractory in a small percentage of patients. Abdominal pain caused by thoracic nerve entrapment in the abdominal wall characterizes ACNES. In the small number of refractory patients to all standard treatments, medication overuse and abuse are serious problems. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation might be a good treatment to improve pain scores and to lower medication use.

Methods

We describe the retrospective analysis of nine cases of patients who underwent DRG stimulation for refractory ACNES using a treatment algorithm. We focused on reported pain intensity scores, medication use, and adverse events.

Results

All nine patients experienced a decrease in pain intensity during the trial period and received a permanent pulse generator implantation. Three months after permanent implantation, eight of nine patients showed a pain reduction of more than 50%. Medication use was substantially lower.

Discussion and conclusion

This case series shows that DRG stimulation might be a very good treatment for refractory ACNES.
Quarter century genetic progress in irrigated rice (Oryza sativa) in Southeast Brazil
Authors: da Costa Weverton Gomes , da Silva Júnior Antônio Carlos , Barbosa Ivan de Paiva , Cruz Cosme Damião , Borém Aluízio , Soares Plínio César , Gonçalves Raphael de Paula , Torga Paula Pereira , Condé Aurinelza Batista Teixeira
Published: October 2021

Rice is one of the most consumed cereals in the world and of extreme social and economic importance in Brazil. Minas Gerais is the leading State in irrigated rice production in the Southeast Region. This study aimed to estimate the genetic progress of 26 years of the irrigated rice breeding programme of Epamig in Southeast Brazil by time meta‐analysis. Genetic progress was estimated for grain yield, plant height and days to flowering. The dataset understood 162 genotypes in 91 trials of value for cultivation and use of 26 seasons. The rate of annual genetic gain for grain yield was estimated .99% (49.85 kg year−1). It was also verified that was a reduction in plant height and an increase in days to flowering, even if very low. Due to distinct historical phases of the rice breeding programme, there were changes in research focus and, consequently, affected the genetic gains. With this study, it was possible to evaluate the selection strategies carried out in the past and identify important points to maintain.
Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis (AEV) in three children after cardiac transplantation: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: Kinariwalla Neha , Coromilas Alexandra J. , Garzon Maria C. , Levin Laura E. , Magro Cynthia , Lauren Christine T.
Published: October 2021

Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis (AEV) describes epidermodysplasia verruciformis developing in an immunocompromised host. There is limited information in the literature regarding AEV in the pediatric population; of the patients reported, most patients described had HIV, with only two reported cases of children who developed AEV post‐transplantation. This case series describes three pediatric patients who developed AEV on immunosuppressant therapy following cardiac transplantation. We review risk factors, treatment options, and prognosis of AEV in the pediatric population.
Evaluation of executive functions in children with rheumatic heart diseases
Authors: Aliyeva Nigar , Yozgat Yilmaz , Bakhshaliyev Nijad , Afshord Telli Zadehgan , Yozgat Can Yilmaz , Kilicoglu Ali Guven
Published: October 2021

Background

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a multisystemic inflammatory disease in children and young adults. The most notable complications of ARF are rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and Sydenham's chorea (SC). There have been many reports about executive dysfunctions with children who have SC. “Executive function” is an umbrella term that is used to describe higher level cognitive functions. The aim of this study is to determine the executive functions of children with RHD. We evaluated executive functions in healthy children with the same sociodemographic characteristics as children with RHD.

Methods

Our study was designed as a cross‐sectional randomized study, including children with RHD aged between 12 and 18, and healthy controls. The difference between the patient and control group participants in terms of age, gender, education level, education level of the parents, family income level, and executive functions were investigated. Executive functions composed of Digit Sequence Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Trail‐Making Test, Stroop Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.

Results

In our study, a total of 30 children with RHD were followed up at the pediatric cardiology outpatient clinic of Bezmialem Vakif University Hospital composed the patient group. The control group was made up of 30 healthy children of the same sex and age group as the patient group. The mean age of the case group was 14.73 ± 1.84 years. The Digit Span Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Trail‐Making Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Stroop Test produced no statistically significant differences between the RHD patients and the controls.

Conclusions

No statistically significant difference was found between the RHD patients and control patients in any executive function test. It was suggested that executive dysfunction might not develop in RHD patients before developing SC.
Semi‐automatic reconstruction of object lines using a smartphone’s dual camera
Authors: Aldelgawy Mohammed , Abu‐Qasmieh Isam
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the possibility of reconstructing object lines using a smartphone’s rear dual camera (wide‐angle and telephoto) was examined through designing a semi‐automatic system. After calibrating both cameras, six scenes for each of three objects were captured and rectified. Object lines were categorised into six groups based on the distance and angle to the dual camera system. Image lines were extracted using the linear Hough transform technique and points of intersection detected. Stereo pairing of conjugate points then allowed the calculation of object coordinates and the lengths of object lines were compared to their lengths measured by a digital caliper. The best line reconstruction results were achieved with the smallest distance and angle to the dual camera system.
Sunscreens effectiveness are not altered by concomitant use of moisturizing creams: An ultraviolet reflectance photography study
Authors: Gálvez María Victoria de , Aguilera José , Leal María , Sánchez‐Roldán Cristina , Herrera‐Ceballos Enrique
Published: October 2021

Background

Sunscreens are widely used to protect the skin against the harmful effects of solar radiation. It is not known whether solar protection factor of a sunscreen is altered by the concomitant use of other cosmetic products.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the protective effect of different commercial and ISO standards sunscreens with high SPF applied shortly before and after application of non‐sunscreens galenic formulas type moisturizing creams.

Methods

ISO 24444:2019 standard sunscreens, which claimed SPF 16 and 63, as well as 4 different claimed SPF 50 and 50+ commercial sunscreens were prepared and applied in different sequential order to the back of 25 volunteers and compared with different commercial moisturizing formulas. Ultraviolet (UV) reflectance photography followed by image analysis was used to compare untreated skin and skin treated with moisturizing creams alone and combined with sunscreens.

Results

The UV reflectance analysis showed no significant changes of the skin color reflectance treated with moisturizing cream compared with untreated skin. Application of the sunscreen formulations were associated with a 35% ‐ 70% decrease in color related to the in vivo expected SPF, indicating significant UV absorption for all sunscreen formulas. All standard and commercial sunscreens showed no significant differences in UV reflection color level when combined with the different moisturizing creams applied before or after the sunscreen.

Conclusions

Effectiveness of low‐ and high‐protection sunscreens were not altered by the concomitant use of a moisturizing creams applied shortly before and after the sunscreens.
The Politics in White Identity: Testing a Racialized Partisan Hypothesis
Authors: Pérez Efrén O. , Kuo E. Enya , Russel Joey , Scott‐Curtis William , Muñoz Jennifer , Tobias Megan
Published: October 2021

What politicizes White identity? We consider here a racialized partisan hypothesis. Although Whites numerically prevail within each party, the variance around this central tendency varies sharply between them: Republicans are tightly organized around Whites, yet Democrats are structured around Whites who share membership with people of color. This configuration puts White Democrats in a more precarious position and can sometimes motivate them to jockey for intraparty prominence. We support this claim with survey and experimental evidence. First, we show that White identity is more strongly associated with opposition to immigration among White Democrats than White Republicans (n = 6,126). This pattern is absent on a placebo (opposition to federal spending on science). Second, we demonstrate, experimentally, that White identity (but not partisan identity) mediates the impact of racial threat on racially coded policies among White Democrats (n = 400). This pattern does not emerge among White Republicans (n = 400) and is absent on another placebo (support for infrastructure spending).
Countering information leakage in the Concealed Information Test: The effects of item detailedness
Authors: Geven Linda Marjoleine , Verschuere Bruno , Kindt Merel , Vaknine Shani , Ben‐Shakhar Gershon
Published: October 2021

Concealed Information Tests (CIT) are administered to verify whether suspects recognize certain features from a crime. Whenever it is presumed that innocent suspects were contaminated with critical information (e.g., the perpetrator had a knife), the examiner may ask more detailed questions (e.g., specific types of knives) to prevent false positives. However, this may increase the number of false negatives if the true perpetrator fails to discern specific details from its plausible irrelevant controls, or because detailed crime‐scene information may be forgotten. We examined whether presenting items at the exemplar level protects against contamination, and whether it compromises the sensitivity in a physiological CIT. Participants (N = 142) planned a mock‐robbery, with critical items encoded either at the category or at the exemplar level. The CIT was administered immediately or after a 1‐week‐delay, with questions phrased at the categorical or exemplar level. There were no effects of time delay. Results revealed that when item detailedness was congruent at encoding and testing, the SCR, HR, and RLL showed larger differential responses, as compared with incongruent conditions. Participants contaminated with crime knowledge at the categorical level did not show a CIT‐effect for crime details at the exemplar level, suggesting detailed questions may counter the leakage problem. Asking questions at the exemplar level did not reduce the CIT detection efficiency as compared to asking questions at the categorical level. The importance of congruency between encoding and testing provides examiners with a challenge, as it is difficult to estimate how details are naturally encoded.
Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Smoked Sardinella sp. in Ghana: Impact of an Improved Oven on Public Health Protection
Authors: Bomfeh Kennedy , Jacxsens Liesbeth , Amoa‐Awua Wisdom Kofi , Gamarro Esther Garrido , Ouadi Yvette Diei , De Meulenaer Bruno
Published: October 2021

An improved fish smoking oven called FAO‐Thiaroye Technique (FTT) has been introduced in Ghana and other countries in the Global South as a technical intervention for the high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in traditionally smoked fish produced in those regions. This study evaluated the extent to which the intervention reduces consumer exposure to PAHs (considering benzo(a)pyrene [BaP] as a marker) in smoked fish, using Ghana as a case. Smoked Sardinella sp. were sampled from two traditional ovens (Chorkor smoker and metal drum oven) and the FTT and their PAH levels were determined by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Samples of the product were also purchased from informal markets in three selected regions of Ghana and analyzed for their PAH levels. Cross‐sectional consumer surveys were conducted in the selected regions to determine intakes of the commodity. A probabilistic risk assessment of PAH was then done by the margin of exposure (MoE) approach. BaP MoE as low as 1,060 and 752 were obtained for products from the traditional ovens and the informal markets, respectively, whereas the lowest value for FTT products was approximately 161,000. MoE values less than 10,000 were considered to denote a serious public health concern requiring risk management action. Therefore, the findings suggest that there is a potential health concern of high consumer exposure to PAHs in traditionally smoked fish in Ghana, and that the FTT is a technically viable intervention for the problem.
Do personal remittances influence economic growth in South Asia? A panel analysis
Authors: Islam Md. Saiful
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the remittance and economic growth relationship using annual panel data for the period 1986–2019 on selected South Asian economies with trade openness (TOP) and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow as control variables. The cross‐sectional dependency test, second‐generation panel unit root test, panel generalized least square (GLS), panel fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), and Dumitrescu–Hurlin (D–H) panel causality tests are employed to accomplish the study. Both the GLS and FMOLS estimations ensure the positive impact of remittance on economic growth. The D–H causality test discloses unidirectional causality from remittances to economic growth. The findings suggest that South Asian economies may strive to attract more remittances, through augmenting international migration, enabling migration‐friendly policy and regimes, creating training and support facilities at different levels for international migrants, diversifying exports, and being selective to FDI inflows, which will take care of economic growth in the region.
Extending environmental justice research to religious minorities
Authors: Al‐Kohlani Sumaia A. , Campbell Heather E.
Published: October 2021

For more than 30 years, significant research in the United States has found that racial and ethnic minorities suffer disproportionately from nearness to environmental disamenities compared with white non‐Hispanics and that these results persist even controlling for poverty and “which came first,” the minorities or the disamenities. The engrained discriminatory findings of this environmental justice (EJ) research have led some to argue that we observe “systemic racism,” built into our social systems in ways that may be difficult to perceive. Yet, within the history of the United States, racial and ethnic minorities are not the only groups that have been systematically discriminated against; various religious groups also have histories of discrimination. Here we consider whether, holding constant race and ethnicity, some religious groups may also suffer from “EJ syndrome.” Since the US Census does not collect data on religion, to measure the presence of some religious groups that may be discriminated against, we use an original dataset on the presence of Jewish, Muslim, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints (LDS, aka Mormon), and Roman Catholic houses of worship within California's Census tracts. Our results indicate that even controlling for race/ethnicity and income, the presence of Jewish or Muslim houses of worship in a California Census tract increases the likelihood of environmental burden as measured by the CalEnviroScreen 3.0 index of pollution and community vulnerability.
Living in the Digital Periphery—Old People in Rural Israel Talk About Information Technology
Authors: Herscovici Arie , Manor Shlomit
Published: October 2021

Senior citizens could benefit from Information technology (IT), especially in rural areas where the lack of agglomeration makes services more expensive. The aim of the study is to examine the older adults perception and preferences of IT, while referring to spatial, social, and cultural contexts. The research was conducted in the rural periphery of Israel, relating to the diversity of the population and types of settlements. The study was based on interviews with forty senior citizens aged 65 to 93. The findings indicate that senior citizens have an ambivalent attitude: while it is difficult for them to use IT, some understand that digital illiteracy might marginalize and distance them from their families and communities.
Rural College Graduates: Who Comes Home?*
Authors: Sowl Stephanie , Smith Rachel A. , Brown Michael G.
Published: October 2021

Many rural communities throughout the United States have experienced brain drain or the out‐migration of educated young people. Explanations for why college‐educated adults leave rural communities have relied on economic rationales; however, the effects of social identities, community context, and place attachment have also been shown to influence migration decisions. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), this study examines factors experienced during adolescence as well as postsecondary characteristics that promote college graduates' return to their rural communities when they are between the ages of 34 and 43. We find that among college graduates who had attended a rural public K‐12 school, those who had higher levels of school attachment were significantly more likely to return home compared with graduates who had lower levels of school attachment. The findings also suggest that graduates who came from a lower college‐educated community were more likely to return home than those from average or highly college‐educated communities. By analyzing long‐term outcomes, this study extends our understanding of the strengths of adolescent experiences and neighborhood context influencing the pull to return home and the support for policies strengthening rural communities as there may be long‐term effects to returning home, even if youth leave for college.
The story of “I” tracking: Psychological implications of self‐referential language use
Authors: Berry‐Blunt Amunet K. , Holtzman Nicholas S. , Donnellan M. Brent , Mehl Matthias R.
Published: October 2021

We review extant research on the psychological implications of the use of first‐person singular pronouns (i.e., “I‐talk”). A common intuition is that I‐talk is associated with an overly positive, highly agentic, and inflated view of the self—including arrogance, self‐centeredness, and grandiose narcissism. Initial (small‐sample) research provided evidence that frequent I‐talk was associated with grandiose narcissism. More recent (large‐sample) research, however, has found that the correlation is near zero. Frequent I‐talk is, however, positively correlated with depressive symptoms, in particular, and negative emotionality (i.e., neuroticism), more broadly. Frequent I‐talk is also positively related to the neurotic variety of narcissism called vulnerable narcissism. In addition, frequent I‐talk has a positive association with sociodemographic characteristics such as (lower) status, (younger) age, and (female) gender; I‐talk has a conditional association with truth‐telling and authenticity—a correlation that appears to hinge on context. This review summarizes the literature on I‐talk, provides some speculations about the emergent psychological meanings of I‐talk, and provides a guide for future research.
Reclaiming the public space
Authors: Turner Kimberly , Crabtree Kiela
Published: October 2021

Objective

The spread and energy of protests against racial injustice and police brutality throughout summer 2020 featured the forcible removal of monuments by members of the public. In this article, we argue that these “publicly initiated” monument removals are a novel tactic in the protest repertoire that can be differentiated from the removal of monuments by public officials.

Methods

Using data from the Confederate Monuments Project, we analyze whether factors such as protest momentum and state repression of demonstrators differentiate removal type.

Results

We find that monuments in locations with a greater number of protests in June 2020 were more likely to be removed by the public. We do not find support for a relationship between the use of state repression and public monument removal.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that scholars should continue to pursue the distinction between these two types of monuments, particularly in regards to the study of protest and political mobilization.
Income sorting by specialized services: Service differentiation by overlapping governments
Authors: Park HyungGun
Published: October 2021

Background

The flexible boundaries of special districts allow for overlaps with each other that generate various specialized service bundles on a territorial basis. The combined overlapping boundaries may reveal willingness to have more services at additional costs as the special districts generally provide services selectively to those who reside within their boundaries.

Objective

This study aims to investigate whether overlapping special districts sort citizens by income level as reflected by the Tiebout model.

Methods

This study utilizes a cross‐sectional block group data of Ventura County in California, taking numbers of vertices of special districts as independent variable and household income as dependent variable.

Results

Estimation result demonstrates that a greater number of specialized services is associated with higher income levels and varies by service type.

Conclusion

Findings of this study imply that income segregation could be predetermined by jurisdictional boundary, and that other subjects of urban segregation may have similar pattern.
Earnings mobility and the Great Recession
Authors: Mullins Brett , Sjoquist David L. , Wallace Sally
Published: October 2021

Objective

The Great Recession of 2007‐09 was a very significant economic event with substantial effects across the economy. An important but unexplored consequence of the Great Recession is its effect on income or earnings mobility. In this paper we explore the effect of the Great Recession on earnings mobility among low‐wage workers.

Methods

Using Georgia administrative data, we identify quarterly earnings of low‐income individuals over 14 years. We calculate earnings mobility indices for 7‐year periods and explore the differences in mobility between the pre‐ and post‐Great Recession periods. We also calculate earnings mobility indices for 51 overlapping three‐year (12‐quarter) intervals over the 2000 to 2015 period.

Results

We find that mobility is greater in the post‐Great Recession period. We also find that there is substantial variation in mobility indices in the post‐2007 period and that the variation in three‐year mobility indices is closely related to the unemployment rate.

Conclusions

The magnitude of earnings mobility was affected by the Great Recession and by the unemployment rate in general. An understanding of earnings mobility during times of economic upheaval helps policy makers better evaluate the overall impact of recessions.
Why black women activists stay in the room when they are not being heard
Authors: Brown Karlia Nicole
Published: October 2021

Objective

Despite the vital roles that black women play in black activist organizations, they are often overlooked and mistreated within such spaces. The purpose of this article is to examine why black women remain engaged in black activist spaces given this treatment.

Methods

I conducted in‐depth interviews with 25 black women engaged in activist organizations in the Chicagoland area.

Results

This study found that black women remain engaged in black activist spaces where they experienced mistreatment because (1) they believed that the black community's fight for freedom was worth their radical sacrifice, and (2) they felt both empowered by the legacy of black activist women of past movements and responsible for continuing that legacy in order to improve the lives and path to liberation of the black women that will come after them.

Conclusion

I suggest that the sacrifices of black women activists are ultimately motivated by an ethic of care that stems from a love for their community and themselves. While some do find the legacy of black women activists to be burdensome, many aim to continue the legacy of their predecessors by establishing a foundation onto which future generations can build a path to black liberation.
Illumina whole genome sequencing indicates ploidy level differences within the Valenzuela flavidus (Psocodea: Psocomorpha: Caeciliusidae) species complex
Authors: de Moya Robert S.
Published: October 2021

Valenzuela flavidus is a species of bark louse which is known to have asexual parthenogenetic populations in Europe but is believed to have sexual and asexual populations in North America as well. Historically, Valenzuela aurantiacus was the species epithet recognized for North American members until reports of asexual reproduction surfaced in certain North American populations. Cytogenetic studies have demonstrated European all‐female populations are triploid. However, males are often reported in North America suggesting diploidy for sexual populations. With the use of Illumina whole genome sequencing, genetic diversity among North American and European populations was explored with phylogenomic methods. Ploidy level was estimated by examining allele frequencies of read‐mapped homologous gene regions. Results indicate divergent populations between Europe and North America. North American populations containing males are estimated to be diploid suggesting a different mechanism of genomic reproduction. These results suggest divergent population structure among European asexual and North American sexual members of V. flavidus providing insight for future studies to understand patterns of asexuality reported within the complex.
Towards a Circular Bioeconomy? Pathways and Spatialities of Agri‐Food Waste Valorisation
Authors: Klein Oliver , Nier Stefan , Tamásy Christine
Published: October 2021

The treatment of organic waste, by‐products and other residual materials from bio‐based industries is currently changing from disposing to recycling and reusing activities, which may create significant added values. However, these valorisation pathways as well as their institutional and geographical contexts are not yet sufficiently understood. From an actor‐centric perspective, we seek to shed light on extant practices of agri‐food waste valorisation using the examples of potato and rapeseed production in Lower Saxony, Germany. Drawing on conceptual thoughts on circular bioeconomies and the nexus approach, we will show that these practices not only depend on the availability of (technological) solutions but are affected by changing economic and political environments in combination with place‐specific conditions and local networks. We further describe the cross‐sectoral relations, synergies and externalities that come along with by‐product valorisation in multi‐use systems, while also revealing the fragile stability of circular bioeconomies that are linked to the food–feed–energy nexus.
Effects of hypoxic storage on the efficacy of gamma irradiation in abrogating lymphocyte proliferation and on the quality of gamma‐irradiated red blood cells in additive solution 3
Authors: Sowemimo‐Coker Samuel O. , Fast Loren D.
Published: October 2021

Background

Gamma irradiation of blood products is used to prevent transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease by inhibiting the proliferation of lymphocytes that are implicated in the disease. Gamma irradiation also damages the red blood cells (RBCs). It is unknown whether hypoxia reduces the efficacy of gamma irradiation in inhibiting lymphocyte proliferation (LP). The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of hypoxia on gamma irradiation‐induced inhibition of LP and on the in vitro properties of RBCs.

Materials and methods

Forty‐four units (300–340 ml each) of less than 8‐h‐old ABO‐matched leukocyte reduced red cell concentrates (LR‐RCC) in additive solution 3 were pooled in pairs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from non‐leukocyte reduced RCCs and added back to the pool at a final concentration of 2 × 105/ml. The pool was divided equally into a conventional storage bag A and a hypoxic processing and storage bag B. The units were gamma‐irradiated at 25Gy on day 7 for the LP experiment and on either day 7 or 14 for the RBC quality experiments. LP was measured using a limiting dilution assay, and several in vitro metrics of RBCs were measured.

Results

Gamma irradiation inhibited T‐lymphocyte proliferation by 4.7 × 104‐fold reduction in both hypoxic and conventional storage. The in vitro metrics of RBC quality were better preserved in hypoxic storage.

Discussion

T lymphocytes present in hypoxic RBC are equally susceptible to gamma irradiation as conventional storage. Hypoxic storage also reduces the deleterious effects of gamma irradiation on RBCs.
Effect of topical medication on the nasomaxillary skin‐fold microbiome in French bulldogs
Authors: Rexo Alissa , Hansen Bruce , Clarsund Mats , Krumbeck Janina A. , Bernstein Joseph
Published: October 2021

Background

Host–microbe interactions may influence dermatitis pathogenesis in the nasomaxillary folds of French bulldogs, which is often complicated by secondary bacterial and fungal infections.

Objective

To assess the skin‐fold microbiome in systemically healthy French bulldogs and to determine the influence of topical medications on this microbiome.

Animals

Nineteen healthy French bulldogs.

Methods and materials

Next‐generation DNA sequencing was applied to characterise the microbiome composition in the nasomaxillary folds of systemically healthy French bulldogs. Subsequently, the effect of two topical products on the fold microbiome was assessed. Seven dogs were treated with a protease product (Kalzyme; enzyme) that inhibits biofilm formation without biocidal activity, six dogs were treated with a 2% chlorhexidine diacetate solution (Nolvasan; CHX) with biocidal activity, and six dogs were untreated. Dogs were randomly assigned to each group, and the investigator was blinded.

Results

The primary skin bacterial phyla inhabiting the folds at inclusion were Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. The primary skin fungal phyla were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Topical treatment increased the diversity of bacterial and fungal compositions over time (increase in microbial diversity score: enzyme 38%, chlorhexidine 11%, control <5%) and the relative abundance of pathogens reduced significantly (enzyme, P = 0.028; CHX, P = 0.048). A clear correlation (r2 = 0.83) was observed between the abundance of clinically relevant pathogens and microbial diversity.

Conclusions

The nasomaxillary skin‐fold microbiome of healthy French bulldogs contained a high abundance of clinically relevant pathogens (mean 36.4%). Topical therapy with enzyme increased microbial diversity of skin folds and reduced the relative abundance of pathogens.
Humanized von Willebrand factor reduces platelet sequestration in ex vivo and in vivo xenotransplant models
Authors: Connolly Margaret R , Kuravi Kasinath , Burdorf Lars , Sorrells Lori , Morrill Benson , Cimeno Arielle , Vaught Todd , Dandro Amy , Sendil Selin , Habibabady Zahra A , Monahan Jeffery , Li Tiezheng , LaMattina John , Eyestone Willard , Ayares David , Phelps Carol , Azimzadeh Agnes M , Pierson Richard N
Published: October 2021

The transplantation of organs across species offers the potential to solve the shortage of human organs. While activation of human platelets by human von Willebrand factor (vWF) requires vWF activation by shear stress, contact between human platelets and porcine vWF (pvWF) leads to spontaneous platelet adhesion and activation. This non‐physiologic interaction may contribute to the thrombocytopenia and coagulation pathway dysregulation often associated with xenotransplantation of pig organs in nonhuman primates. Pigs genetically modified to decrease antibody and complement‐dependent rejection (GTKO.hCD46) were engineered to express humanized pvWF (h*pvWF) by replacing a pvWF gene region that encodes the glycoprotein Ib‐binding site with human cDNA orthologs. This modification corrected for non‐physiologic human platelet aggregation on exposure to pig plasma, while preserving in vitro platelet activation by collagen. Organs from pigs with h*pvWF demonstrated reduced platelet sequestration during lung (p ≤ .01) and liver (p ≤ .038 within 4 h) perfusion ex vivo with human blood and after pig‐to‐baboon lung transplantation (p ≤ .007). Residual platelet sequestration and activation were not prevented by the blockade of canonical platelet adhesion pathways. The h*pvWF modification prevents physiologically inappropriate activation of human or baboon platelets by porcine vWF, addressing one cause of the thrombocytopenia and platelet activation observed with xenotransplantation.
Topology Morphing Lattice Structures
Authors: Sundararaman Venkatesh , O'Donnell Matthew P. , Chenchiah Isaac V. , Weaver Paul M.
Published: October 2021

Planar cellular lattice structures subject to axial compression may undergo elastic bending or buckling of the unit cells. If sufficient compression is applied, the columns of adjacent cells make contact. This changes the topology of the lattice by establishing new load paths. This topology change induces a corresponding shift in the effective stiffness characteristics of the lattice — in particular, the shear modulus undergoes a step-change. The ability to embed adaptive stiffness characteristics through a topology change allows structural reconfiguration to meet changing load/operational requirements efficiently. The concept, of topological reconfiguration, can be exploited across a range of length scales, from (meta-)materials to components. Here we focus on macroscopic behaviour presenting results obtained from finite element analysis that shows excellent correlation with the observed response of 3D-printed PLA lattices. Through a parametric study, we explore the role of key geometric and stiffness parameters and identify desirable regions of the design space. The non-linear responses demonstrated by this topology morphing lattice structure may offer designers a route to develop bespoke elastic systems.
Understanding the Influence of Resonators on Frequency Band Gaps in Sonic Crystal Metamaterials
Authors: Ahmed Riaz , Ahmed Hossain
Published: October 2021

Acoustic metamaterials are artificially engineered smart structures designed to achieve unusual properties that cannot be possible to obtain through natural materials. Hence, with the advancement of technology, metamaterials have received tremendous focus in recent days. Phononic and sonic crystals are the two classes of acoustic metamaterial. The frequency stopband is one of the common and primary features that can be attained from both the classes of acoustic metamaterials. Unit cell sonic crystals are composed of stiff resonators, placed inside comparatively softer matrix material. The frequency bandgap in a sonic crystal is a result of Bragg scattering and local resonance of the resonators in the unit cell. In this study, a comprehensive analysis is performed to understand the influence of resonators on frequency stopbands and the range/width of the bandgap. Two frequency bands in a dispersion curve form a bandgap. How and why those two bands shift up/down in a dispersion curve to increase/decrease the bandgap width, is studied extensively. It is established that resonator geometry and dimension in the unit cell possess a vital role in manipulating the frequency bands. To advance the understanding, this study is focused on analyzing the influence of volume percentage of resonators in a unit cell. Mode shapes are studied extensively to better understand the results and make conclusive arguments.
An Attempt to Topology Optimize 3D Printed Piezoelectric Composite Sensors for Highest D31 Output
Authors: Mitkus Rytis , Taleb Alashkar Ayat , Sinapius Michael
Published: October 2021

By adopting topology optimization based on numerical solvers, the geometries of the piezoelectric sensors can be optimized to produce higher electrical output in a certain loading directions. 2D topology optimization and simulation studies are carried out with ANSYS using Piezo and MEMS extensions for coupled systems. Topology optimization is based on Solid isotropic material with the penalization method, where the design variables are the pseudo densities that control material distribution at each finite element. The optimization problem is solved using Sequential Convex Programming. The approximation of the objective function happens through a uniform convex function. The objective is to reduce the fundamental frequency of the piezoelectric sensor for given constraints and boundary conditions (maximum sensor size of 30 × 30 mm and reduction of sensor mass by 50%). Two optimized shapes are chosen for further analysis. All sensors are made of 10 vol% PZT piezoelectric ceramic in High-Temperature V2 photopolymer resin. Sensors are manufactured using a simulated Direct Light Processing (DLP) type 3D printing process by tape-casting them on glass and exposing them to UV light. The performance of sensors is measured on a 4-point bending setup. Experiments show the enhanced performance of the optimized sensors even when their mass is reduced by 50%.
Engineered probiotics biofilm enhances osseointegration via immunoregulation and anti-infection
Authors: Tan Lei , Fu Jieni , Feng Fan , Liu Xiangmei , Cui Zhenduo , Li Bo , Han Yong , Zheng Yufeng , Yeung Kelvin Wai Kwok , Li Zhaoyang , Zhu Shengli , Liang Yanqin , Feng Xiaobo , Wang Xianbao , Wu Shuilin
Published: October 2021

Engineered probiotics biofilms prevent MRSA infection and improve bone integration through immunoregulation.
ZBP1-MLKL necroptotic signaling potentiates radiation-induced antitumor immunity via intratumoral STING pathway activation
Authors: Yang Yuanqin , Wu Meng , Cao Dongqing , Yang Chao , Jin Jingsi , Wu Lingling , Hong Xiaochuan , Li Wenwen , Lu Lu , Li Jinmei , Wang Xinran , Meng Xiangjiao , Zhang Zhen , Cheng Jinke , Ye Youqiong , Xiao Hui , Yu Jinming , Deng Liufu
Published: October 2021

ZBP1-MLKL necroptotic signaling bridges tumor cell damage to antitumor immune responses after radiation.
Disrupting D1-NMDA or D2-NMDA receptor heteromerization prevents cocaine’s rewarding effects but preserves natural reward processing
Authors: Andrianarivelo Andry , Saint-Jour Estefani , Pousinha Paula , Fernandez Sebastian P. , Petitbon Anna , De Smedt-Peyrusse Veronique , Heck Nicolas , Ortiz Vanesa , Allichon Marie-Charlotte , Kappès Vincent , Betuing Sandrine , Walle Roman , Zhu Ying , Joséphine Charlène , Bemelmans Alexis-Pierre , Turecki Gustavo , Mechawar Naguib , Javitch Jonathan A. , Caboche Jocelyne , Trifilieff Pierre , Barik Jacques , Vanhoutte Peter
Published: October 2021

D2R-NMDAR receptor heteromers are potential therapeutic targets in drug addiction.
Cosmc
deficiency causes spontaneous autoimmunity by breaking B cell tolerance
Authors: Zeng Junwei , Aryal Rajindra P. , Stavenhagen Kathrin , Luo Chi , Liu Renyan , Wang Xiaohui , Chen Jiaxuan , Li Hao , Matsumoto Yasuyuki , Wang Yingchun , Wang Jianmei , Ju Tongzhong , Cummings Richard D.
Published: October 2021

O-glycans on B cell glycoproteins controlled by X-linked
Cosmc
are required for B cell tolerance and preventing autoimmunity.
Homeostatic growth of dynamic covalent polymer network toward ultrafast direct soft lithography
Authors: Chen Di , Ni Chujun , Xie Lulin , Li Ye , Deng Shihong , Zhao Qian , Xie Tao
Published: October 2021

Inspired by biological homeostatic processes, we present a soft lithography method that offers high efficiency and versatility.
Therapeutic targeting of SLC6A8 creatine transporter suppresses colon cancer progression and modulates human creatine levels
Authors: Kurth Isabel , Yamaguchi Norihiro , Andreu-Agullo Celia , Tian Helen S. , Sridhar Subhasree , Takeda Shugaku , Gonsalves Foster C. , Loo Jia Min , Barlas Afsar , Manova-Todorova Katia , Busby Robert , Bendell Johanna C. , Strauss James , Fakih Marwan , McRee Autumn J. , Hendifar Andrew E. , Rosen Lee S. , Cercek Andrea , Wasserman Robert , Szarek Michael , Spector Scott L. , Raza Syed , Tavazoie Masoud F. , Tavazoie Sohail F.
Published: October 2021

RGX-202, a small-molecule creatine transporter SLC6A8 inhibitor, suppresses colorectal cancer and modulates human creatine levels.
Disrupted circadian oscillations in type 2 diabetes are linked to altered rhythmic mitochondrial metabolism in skeletal muscle
Authors: Gabriel Brendan M. , Altıntaş Ali , Smith Jonathon A. B. , Sardon-Puig Laura , Zhang Xiping , Basse Astrid L. , Laker Rhianna C. , Gao Hui , Liu Zhengye , Dollet Lucile , Treebak Jonas T. , Zorzano Antonio , Huo Zhiguang , Rydén Mikael , Lanner Johanna T. , Esser Karyn A. , Barrès Romain , Pillon Nicolas J. , Krook Anna , Zierath Juleen R.
Published: October 2021

Disturbances in daily rhythms of mitochondrial activity may contribute to skeletal muscle insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.
The use of differential privacy for census data and its impact on redistricting: The case of the 2020 U.S. Census
Authors: Kenny Christopher T. , Kuriwaki Shiro , McCartan Cory , Rosenman Evan T. R. , Simko Tyler , Imai Kosuke
Published: October 2021

New Census privacy protections may introduce both bias and noise into redistricting and voting rights analysis.
Brazilian scientists lament ‘freeze’ on research budget
Authors: Escobar Herton
Published: October 2021

Block on 42% of the science ministry's funds, coming on top of other cuts, puts flagship synchrotron at risk.
New climate models forecast a warming surge
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: October 2021

Scientists question whether stronger predicted response to greenhouse gases is realistic.
Thirst regulates motivated behavior through modulation of brainwide neural population dynamics
Authors: Allen William E. , Chen Michael Z. , Pichamoorthy Nandini , Tien Rebecca H. , Pachitariu Marius , Luo Liqun , Deisseroth Karl
Published: October 2021

Neuron activity across the brain

How is it that groups of neurons dispersed through the brain interact to generate complex behaviors? Three papers in this issue present brain-scale studies of neuronal activity and dynamics (see the Perspective by Huk and Hart). Allen
et al.
found that in thirsty mice, there is widespread neural activity related to stimuli that elicit licking and drinking. Individual neurons encoded task-specific responses, but every brain area contained neurons with different types of response. Optogenetic stimulation of thirst-sensing neurons in one area of the brain reinstated drinking and neuronal activity across the brain that previously signaled thirst. Gründemann
et al.
investigated the activity of mouse basal amygdala neurons in relation to behavior during different tasks. Two ensembles of neurons showed orthogonal activity during exploratory and nonexploratory behaviors, possibly reflecting different levels of anxiety experienced in these areas. Stringer
et al.
analyzed spontaneous neuronal firing, finding that neurons in the primary visual cortex encoded both visual information and motor activity related to facial movements. The variability of neuronal responses to visual stimuli in the primary visual area is mainly related to arousal and reflects the encoding of latent behavioral states.

Science
, this issue p.
eaav3932
, p.
eaav8736
, p.
eaav7893
; see also p.
236
Do antidepressants restore lost synapses?
Authors: Beyeler Anna
Published: October 2021

Ketamine triggers changes in behavior, neuron microcircuitry, and dendritic spines
Lost in the fire
Authors: Marchianò Silvia , Murry Charles E.
Published: October 2021

Thyroid hormones tip the balance between regeneration and temperature regulation
Reverse global vaccine dissent
Authors: Larson Heidi J. , Schulz William S.
Published: October 2021

This year, the World Health Organization named vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 global health threats, alongside threats as grave as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, Ebola virus, and the next influenza pandemic. What happened? How did vaccine reluctance and refusal become such a major risk?
The glial framework reveals white matter fiber architecture in human and primate brains
Authors: Schurr Roey , Mezer Aviv A.
Published: October 2021

How to quantify local axonal orientations

Mapping the axonal trajectories of the brain’s white matter at cellular resolution is a long-standing goal of neuroscience. However, existing methods for mapping the axons are either limited to animal studies or require highly specialized equipment for data acquisition and processing. Nissl staining identifies cell nuclei and has been used extensively to investigate parcellations of the cortical gray matter, but the white matter has largely been neglected with this technique. Schurr and Mezer now show that Nissl staining, together with structure tensor analysis, can be used to study white matter architecture and the organization of the glial cell framework around axons over the whole brain. This technique greatly advances our knowledge regarding the organization of glial cells and the fine-grained organization of axonal projections in the brain. —PRS
Permanently biased toward arrestins
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: October 2021

The seven-transmembrane receptors D6R and C5aR2 are natural examples of β-arrestin–biased receptors.