bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biostimulation of Salicornia europaea L. crops with plant growth-promoting bacteria in laboratory and field conditions: effects on growth and metabolite profile
Authors: Ferreira Maria J , Sierra-Garcia I Natalia , Cremades Javier , António Carla , Rodrigues Ana M , Pinto Diana C G A , Silva Helena , Cunha Ângela
Published: February 2023

Aim

The objective of the work was to assess the effect of biostimulation with selected plant growth-promoting bacteria on growth and metabolite profile of Salicornia europaea.

Methods and results

Salicornia europaea seeds were inoculated with different combinations of plant growth-promoting bacteria Brevibacterium casei EB3, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans RL18, and Bacillus aryabhattai SP20. Plants germinated from inoculated seeds were grown either in laboratory conditions or in a saline crop field. Fresh and dry weight were determined at the end of the experiment, for biomass quantification. The microbiological quality of fresh shoots for human consumption as salad greens was assessed, and the persistence of the inoculated strains in the plant rhizosphere was confirmed by next-generation sequencing (Illumina) of the 16S rDNA gene. The primary metabolite profile of biostimulated plants was characterized by GC–TOF-MS.

In laboratory conditions, inoculation with the two strains Br. casei EB3 and Ps. oryzihabitans RL18 caused the most significant increase in biomass production (fresh and dry weight), and caused a shift in the central metabolic pathways of inoculated plants toward amino acid biosynthesis. In the field experiment, no significant biostimulation effect was detected with any of the tested inoculants. Seed inoculation had no significant effect on the microbiological quality of the edible parts. The persistence of inoculants was confirmed in both experiments.

Conclusions

Manipulation of the plant microbiome can trigger primary metabolic reconfiguration and modulate the plant metabolism while promoting plant growth.
Expression of the 2Duf protein in wild-typeBacillus subtilisspores stabilizes inner membrane proteins and increases spore resistance to wet heat and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Korza George , DePratti Sarah , Fairchild Daniel , Wicander James , Kanaan Julia , Shames Hannah , Nichols Frank C , Cowan Ann , Brul Stanley , Setlow Peter
Published: February 2023

Aims

This work aimed to characterize spore inner membrane (IM) properties and the mechanism of spore killing by wet heat and H2O2 with spores overexpressing the 2Duf protein, which is naturally encoded from a transposon found only in some Bacillus strains with much higher spore resistance than wild-type spores.

Methods and Results

Killing of Bacillus subtilis spores by wet heat or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was slower when 2Duf was present, and Ca-dipicolinic acid release was slower than killing. Viabilities on rich plates of wet heat- or H2O2 -treated spores +/- 2Duf were lower when NaCl was added, but higher with glucose. Addition of glucose but not Casamino acids addition increased treated spores’ viability on minimal medium plates. Spores with 2Duf required higher heat activation for germination, and their germination was more wet-heat resistant than that of wild-type spores, processes that involve IM proteins. IM permeability and lipid mobility were lower in spores with 2Duf, although IM phospholipid composition was similar in spores +/- 2Duf.

Conclusions

These results and previous work suggests that wet heat and H2O2 kill spores by damaging an IM enzyme or enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation.
Pipkin Type I and II femoral head fractures: internal fixation or excision?—from the hip arthroscopy perspective
Authors: Chen Chung-Yang , Hsu Shan-Ling , Hsu Chi-Hsiang , Liu Hao-Chen , Lu Yu-Der
Published: February 2023

The treatment of patients with femoral head fractures with regard to fixation versus excision is controversial. This study aimed to compare the results of fixation and excision in hip arthroscopy–assisted surgery. This retrospective study included adult patients with femoral head fractures who were treated with hip arthroscopy surgery from March 2016 to April 2020, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (fixation group) and Group 2 (excision group). To compare the therapeutic effects between the two groups, clinical and radiographic outcomes, operative time, pain score, length of hospital stay after surgery and related complications were investigated. There were 13 (mean duration, 47.5 months; range, 24–72 months) and 8 (mean duration, 48.6 months; range, 26–74 months) patients in the fixation and excision groups, respectively. The excision group had better functional results than the fixation group in terms of the median modified Harris hip score (P = 0.009). No significant differences were observed in operative time, pain score or hospital stay after surgery between the two groups. Further, no osteonecrosis of the femoral head or traumatic arthritis occurred in either group. A piece of fracture fragment >2 cm can be considered for hip arthroscopy–assisted internal fixation, whereas the others can be removed. The excision group had better outcomes than the fixation group. Hence, hip arthroscopy–assisted internal fixation or excision of bony fragments led to satisfactory short-term clinical and radiological results for the treatment of Pipkin Type I and II femoral head fractures.
Ectopic kidney injury due to blunt abdominal trauma
Authors: Karapepera Vaia , Kofina Konstantinia , Papatheodorou Nikolaos , Effraimidou Eleni , Karanikas Michael
Published: February 2023

Ectopic kidney is a relatively uncommon anatomic variation that is usually detected incidentally in patients undergoing imaging for an unrelated reason. Most cases are asymptomatic and are often revealed by a complication; however, ectopic kidney is generally associated with higher risk of traumatic injury, urinary tract infection, renal calculi and other urologic conditions. We report the case of a 65-year-old male patient with a post-traumatic renal laceration on a previously undiagnosed ectopic pelvic kidney, with successful conservative treatment.
Conjugate Modeling Approaches for Small Area Estimation with Heteroscedastic Structure
Authors: Parker Paul A , Holan Scott H , Janicki Ryan
Published: February 2023

Small area estimation (SAE) has become an important tool in official statistics, used to construct estimates of population quantities for domains with small sample sizes. Typical area-level models function as a type of heteroscedastic regression, where the variance for each domain is assumed to be known and plugged in following a design-based estimate. Recent work has considered hierarchical models for the variance, where the design-based estimates are used as an additional data point to model the latent true variance in each domain. These hierarchical models may incorporate covariate information but can be difficult to sample from in high-dimensional settings. Utilizing recent distribution theory, we explore a class of Bayesian hierarchical models for SAE that smooth both the design-based estimate of the mean and the variance. In addition, we develop a class of unit-level models for heteroscedastic Gaussian response data. Importantly, we incorporate both covariate information as well as spatial dependence, while retaining a conjugate model structure that allows for efficient sampling. We illustrate our methodology through an empirical simulation study as well as an application using data from the American Community Survey.
Fabrication of a novel polyurethane foam–alginate–zeolite hydrogel and subsequent KSND bacteria encapsulation: evidence of accelerated biofilm colonization and enhanced nitrogen removal efficiency
Authors: Xiong Qinyi , Qu Jin , Zhao Ruojin , Chen Yinyan , Li Yiyi , Xu Weiping , Pan Biwen , Jin Peng , Zheng Zhanwang
Published: February 2023

Biofilms are used widely to remove nitrogen from wastewater; however, most biofilm carriers (i.e. polyurethane foam, PUF) are hydrophobic organic materials with millimetre-scale apertures, ineffective attachment, and unstable colonization of microorganisms. To address these limitations, hydrophilic sodium alginate (SA) mixed with zeolite powder (Zeo) was cross-linked in PUF to form a micro-scale hydrogel (PAS) with a well-organized and reticular cellular structure. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that immobilized cells were entrapped in the interior of hydrogel filaments and rapidly formed a stable biofilm on the surface. The biofilm generated was 10.3-fold greater than the film developed on PUF. Kinetics and isotherm studies revealed that the as-developed carrier, because of the presence of Zeo, effectively improved the adsorption of NH4+–N by 53%. The PAS carrier achieved total nitrogen removal in excess of 86% for low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio wastewater treated for 30 d, indicating that this novel modification–encapsulation technology has potential for wastewater treatment.
Impacts of Austerity on Urogenital Infection Rates in Active Duty Servicewomen
Authors: Kostas-Polston Elizabeth A , Terehoff Christina B , Nash Lauren N , Brown Angelyn M , Delabastide Zach A , Andersen Elisabeth W , Brown William J , Stucky Christopher H , Norcross Kristi R , Smith Heather Nickole , Randall NaTasha R
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Female warfighters are at increased risk of urogenital infections (UGIs) when serving in austere environments with varying levels of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene resources. Urogenital infections among servicewomen were among the top five reported medical encounters and one of the top seven reasons for medical evacuation from deployed locations between 2008 and 2013. In this study, we examine the use of water and sanitation resources across three environments (home duty station, field training, and deployment) and analyze associations between water, sanitation, and hygiene resource access and UGIs during training or deployment. The analyses are based on answers from 751 diverse active duty servicewomen (ADSW) at a large military installation in the southeastern USA.

Materials and Methods

Data for this population-based, prospective, cross-sectional survey design were collected during the administration of the Military Women’s Readiness Urogenital Health Questionnaire. This research study was guided by two specific research questions derived from self-reported data in sections 2 and 3 of the questionnaire.

Results

The sample consisted of an extremely diverse pool of U.S. Army ADSW attached to highly operational units with robust field training and deployment tempos. Over one-half of the participants reported being diagnosed with one or more UGIs before military service. Of that participant group, more than 76.0% experienced one or more infections since joining the military. We found that the majority of UGIs occurred while U.S. Army ADSW were at their home duty stations rather than during field training or deployment. Of the three types of UGIs, bacterial vaginosis is more often associated with water and sanitation constraints. None of the water factors were significantly associated with UGIs during deployment. Intentional dehydration was not associated with UGIs in either field training or deployment, but intentionally delaying urination was associated with a significant increase in the odds of developing urinary tract infection during deployment. We identified trends in hygiene practices that may put ADSW at a higher risk for UGIs.

Conclusions

Austere conditions, which may exist in any service environment, pose risks to the urogenital health and wellness of a female warfighter. Access to clean water and sanitation resources in military settings is essential for optimal health and operational readiness. It is necessary to identify and investigate critical research and policy gaps in need of investment and support for successful, evidence-based integration of female warfighters into military combat roles and to optimize their performance.
Kpc-scale properties of dust temperature in terms of dust mass and star formation activity
Authors: Chiang I-Da , Hirashita Hiroyuki , Chastenet Jérémy , Koch Eric W , Leroy Adam K , Rosolowsky Erik , Sandstrom Karin M , Sardone Amy , Sun Jiayi , Williams Thomas G
Published: February 2023

We investigate how dust temperature is affected by local environmental quantities, especially dust surface density (Σdust), dust-to-gas ratio (D/G), and interstellar radiation field. We compile multiwavelength observations in 46 nearby galaxies, uniformly processed with a common physical resolution of 2 kpc. A physical dust model is used to fit the infrared dust emission spectral energy distribution (SED) observed with WISE and Herschel. The star formation rate (SFR) is traced with GALEX ultraviolet data corrected by WISE infrared. We find that the dust temperature correlates well with the SFR surface density (ΣSFR), which traces the radiation from young stars. The dust temperature decreases with increasing D/G at fixed ΣSFR, as expected from stronger dust shielding at high D/G, when ΣSFR is higher than $\sim 2\times 10^{-3}~\rm M_\odot ~yr^{-1}~kpc^{-2}$. These measurements are in good agreement with the dust temperature predicted by our proposed analytical model. Below this range of ΣSFR, the observed dust temperature is higher than the model prediction and is only weakly dependent on D/G, possibly due to dust heating from an old stellar population or the variation of SFR within the past 1010 yr. Overall, the dust temperature as a function of ΣSFR and Σdust predicted by our analytical model is consistent with observations. We also notice that, at fixed gas surface density, ΣSFR tends to increase with D/G, i.e. we can modify the Kennicutt–Schmidt law empirically with a dependence on D/G to match observations better.
The pride of lions around Messier 105
Authors: Karachentsev Igor D , Kaisina Elena I , Karachentseva Valentina E
Published: February 2023

We undertook a search for new dwarf galaxies in the Leo-I group using the data from the DECaLS digital sky survey. Five new presumed members of this group have been found in a wide vicinity of ${\rm M}\, 105 ({\rm NGC}\, 3379$). Currently, the group has a population of 83 galaxies, 33 of which have measured radial velocities. More than half of the group members belong to early types with no signs of ongoing star formation. About a quarter of the galaxies are outside the group’s virial radius, R= 385 kpc. The presence of multiple systems with a size of about 15 kpc is evident in the group, but there are no noticeable global flat or filamentary substructures. The luminosity function of the group looks to be deficient in galaxies with absolute magnitudes in the interval MB = [−18, −15] mag. The ${\rm M}\, 105$ group is characterized by a radial velocity dispersion of 136 km s−1, orbital mass estimate (5.76 ± 1.32) × 1012 M⊙, and the total mass-to-K-band-luminosity ratio (17.8 ± 4.1)M⊙/L⊙. The neighbouring group of galaxies around ${\rm M}\, 66 ({\rm NGC}\, 3627$) has a similar virial radius, 390 kpc, velocity dispersion, 135 km s−1, and total mass-to-luminosity ratio, (15.6 ± 3.9)M⊙/L⊙. Both groups in the Leo constellation are approaching the Local Group with a velocity of about 100 km s−1. In the background of the ${\rm M}\, 105$ group, we noted a group of 6 galaxies with an unusually low virial mass-to-luminosity ratio, MT/LK = (4.1 ± 2.2) M⊙/L⊙.
Improving circumbinary planet detections by fitting their binary’s apsidal precession
Authors: Baycroft Thomas A , Triaud Amaury H M J , Faria João , Correia Alexandre C M , Standing Matthew R
Published: February 2023

Apsidal precession in stellar binaries is the main non-Keplerian dynamical effect impacting the radial-velocities of a binary star system. Its presence can notably hide the presence of orbiting circumbinary planets because many fitting algorithms assume perfectly Keplerian motion. To first order, apsidal precession ($\dot{\omega }$) can be accounted for by adding a linear term to the usual Keplerian model. We include apsidal precession in the kima package, an orbital fitter designed to detect and characterize planets from radial velocity data. In this paper, we detail this and other additions to kima that improve fitting for stellar binaries and circumbinary planets including corrections from general relativity. We then demonstrate that fitting for $\dot{\omega }$ can improve the detection sensitivity to circumbinary exoplanets by up to an order of magnitude in some circumstances, particularly in the case of multiplanetary systems. In addition, we apply the algorithm to several real systems, producing a new measurement of aspidal precession in KOI-126 (a tight triple system), and a detection of $\dot{\omega }$ in the Kepler-16 circumbinary system. Although apsidal precession is detected for Kepler-16, it does not have a large effect on the detection limit or the planetary parameters. We also derive an expression for the precession an outer planet would induce on the inner binary and compare the value this predicts with the one we detect.
Probing LHAASO galactic PeVatrons through gamma-ray and neutrino correspondence
Authors: Sarmah Prantik , Chakraborty Sovan , Joshi Jagdish C
Published: February 2023

Recently, Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) has detected several Galactic point sources of ultra high energy (UHE; Eγ > 100 TeV) gamma-rays. These gamma-rays are possibly created in leptonic or hadronic interactions of cosmic rays (CRs) of PeV energies. In the hadronic channel (p − p interaction), the gamma-rays are accompanied by neutrinos. The detection of neutrinos is therefore crucial in understanding CR acceleration in such objects. To estimate the neutrino flux, we adopt the two LHAASO sources (J2226+6057, J1908+0621) found to be spatially associated with the supernova remnants (SNR G106.3+2.7, SNR G40.5–0.5). For these two sources, the detected TeV-PeV gamma-ray spectra are found to be unusually hard (with spectral index ∼1.8). We develop a model of gamma-ray and neutrino emission based on the above two prototypes. The neutrino fluxes from these two sources are found to be below the IceCube sensitivity, but are detectable in upcoming IceCube-Gen2 and KM3NeT experiments. We further estimate the neutrino fluxes from similar other 10 LHAASO PeVatron sources and most of them are found to be detectable in IceCube-Gen2 and KM3NeT. Finally, we explore our model parameters, in particular the spectral power-law index and estimate the future potential of the neutrino detectors to probe CR acceleration in such Galactic sources.
Photometric follow-up of 43 new eclipsing white dwarf plus main-sequence binaries from the ZTF survey
Authors: Brown Alex J , Parsons Steven G , van Roestel Jan , Rebassa-Mansergas Alberto , Breedt Elmé , Dhillon Vik S , Dyer Martin J , Green Matthew J , Kerry Paul , Littlefair Stuart P , Marsh Thomas R , Munday James , Pelisoli Ingrid , Sahman David I , Wild James F
Published: February 2023

Wide-field time-domain photometric sky surveys are now finding hundreds of eclipsing white dwarf plus M dwarf binaries, a population encompassing a wealth of information and potential insight into white dwarf and close binary astrophysics. Precise follow-up observations are essential in order to fully constrain these systems and capitalize on the power of this sample. We present the first results from our programme of high-speed multiband photometric follow-up. We develop a method to measure temperatures, (model-dependent) masses, and radii for both components from the eclipse photometry alone and characterize 34 white dwarf binaries, finding general agreement with independent estimates using an alternative approach while achieving around a factor of 2 increase in parameter precision. In addition to these parameter estimates, we discover a number of interesting systems – finding four with sub-stellar secondaries, doubling the number of eclipsing examples, and at least six, where we find the white dwarf to be strongly magnetic, making these the first eclipsing examples of such systems and key to investigating the mechanism of magnetic field generation in white dwarfs. We also discover the first two pulsating white dwarfs in detached and eclipsing post-common-envelope binaries – one with a low-mass, likely helium core, and one with a relatively high mass, towards the upper end of the known sample of ZZ Cetis. Our results demonstrate the power of eclipse photometry, not only as a method of characterizing the population, but as a way of discovering important systems that would have otherwise been missed by spectroscopic follow-up.
Toxicity and assimilation of cellulosic copper nanoparticles require α-arrestins in S. cerevisiae
Authors: Nurmalasari Ni Putu Dewi , Winans Matthew J , Perroz Katelyn , Bovard Victoria R , Anderson Robert , Smith Steve , Gallagher Jennifer E G
Published: February 2023

The increased use of antimicrobial compounds such as copper into nanoparticles changes how living cells interact with these novel materials. The increased use of antimicrobial nanomaterials combats infectious disease and food spoilage. Fungal infections are particularly difficult to treat because of the few druggable targets, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides an insightful model organism to test these new materials. However, because of the novel characteristics of these materials, it is unclear how these materials interact with living cells and if resistance to copper-based nanomaterials could occur. Copper nanoparticles built on carboxymethylcellulose microfibril strands with copper (CMC-Cu) are a promising nanomaterial when imported into yeast cells and induce cell death. The α-arrestins are cargo adaptors that select which molecules are imported into eukaryotic cells. We screened α-arrestins mutants and identified Aly2, Rim8, and Rog3 α-arrestins, which are necessary for the internalization of CMC-Cu nanoparticles. Internal reactive oxygen species in these mutants were lower and corresponded to the increased viability in the presence of CMC-Cu. Using lattice light-sheet microscopy on live cells, we determined that CMC-Cu were imported into yeast within 30 min of exposure. Initially, the cytoplasmic pH decreased but returned to basal level 90 min later. However, there was heterogeneity in response to CMC-Cu exposure, which could be due to the heterogeneity of the particles or differences in the metabolic states within the population. When yeast were exposed to sublethal concentrations of CMC-Cu no resistance occurred. Internalization of CMC-Cu increases the potency of these antimicrobial nanomaterials and is likely key to preventing fungi from evolving resistance.
Red light-emitting short Mango-based system enables tracking a mycobacterial small noncoding RNA in infected macrophages
Authors: Bychenko Oksana S , Khrulev Alexei A , Svetlova Julia I , Tsvetkov Vladimir B , Kamzeeva Polina N , Skvortsova Yulia V , Tupertsev Boris S , Ivanov Igor A , Aseev Leonid V , Khodarovich Yuriy M , Belyaev Evgeny S , Kozlovskaya Liubov I , Zatsepin Timofei S , Azhikina Tatyana L , Varizhuk Anna M , Aralov Andrey V
Published: February 2023

Progress in RNA metabolism and function studies relies largely on molecular imaging systems, including those comprising a fluorogenic dye and an aptamer-based fluorescence-activating tag. G4 aptamers of the Mango family, typically combined with a duplex/hairpin scaffold, activate the fluorescence of a green light-emitting dye TO1-biotin and hold great promise for intracellular RNA tracking. Here, we report a new Mango-based imaging platform. Its key advantages are the tunability of spectral properties and applicability for visualization of small RNA molecules that require minimal tag size. The former advantage is due to an expanded (green-to-red-emitting) palette of TO1-inspired fluorogenic dyes, and the truncated duplex scaffold ensures the latter. To illustrate the applicability of the improved platform, we tagged Mycobacterium tuberculosis sncRNA with the shortened aptamer-scaffold tag. Then, we visualized it in bacteria and bacteria-infected macrophages using the new red light-emitting Mango-activated dye.
Crystal structures of the NAD+-II riboswitch reveal two distinct ligand-binding pockets
Authors: Peng Xuemei , Liao Wenjian , Lin Xiaowei , Lilley David M J , Huang Lin
Published: February 2023

We present crystal structures of a new NAD+-binding riboswitch termed NAD+-II, bound to nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and nicotinamide riboside (NR). The RNA structure comprises a number of structural features including three helices, one of which forms a triple helix by interacting with an A5 strand in its minor-groove, and another formed from a long-range pseudoknot. The core of the structure (centrally located and coaxial with the triplex and the pseudoknot) includes two consecutive quadruple base interactions. Unusually the riboswitch binds two molecules of ligand, bound at distinct, non-overlapping sites in the RNA. Binding occurs primarily through the nicotinamide moiety of each ligand, held by specific hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions with the pyridyl ring. The mode of binding is the same for NMN, NR and the nicotinamide moiety of NAD+. In addition, when NAD+ is bound into one site it adopts an elongated conformation such that its diphosphate linker occupies a groove on the surface of the RNA, following which the adenine portion inserts into a pocket and makes specific hydrogen bonding interactions. Thus the NAD+-II riboswitch is distinct from the NAD+-I riboswitch in that it binds two molecules of ligand at separate sites, and that binding occurs principally through the nicotinamide moiety.
Linker histone H1 modulates defense priming and immunity in plants
Authors: Sheikh Arsheed H , Nawaz Kashif , Tabassum Naheed , Almeida-Trapp Marilia , Mariappan Kiruthiga G , Alhoraibi Hanna , Rayapuram Naganand , Aranda Manuel , Groth Martin , Hirt Heribert
Published: February 2023

Linker H1 histones play an important role in animal and human pathogenesis, but their function in plant immunity is poorly understood. Here, we analyzed mutants of the three canonical variants of Arabidopsis H1 histones, namely H1.1, H1.2 and H1.3. We observed that double h1.1h1.2 and triple h1.1h1.2h1.3 (3h1) mutants were resistant to Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea infections. Transcriptome analysis of 3h1 mutant plants showed H1s play a key role in regulating the expression of early and late defense genes upon pathogen challenge. Moreover, 3h1 mutant plants showed enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and activation of mitogen activated protein kinases upon pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) treatment. However, 3h1 mutant plants were insensitive to priming with flg22, a well-known bacterial PAMP which induces enhanced resistance in WT plants. The defective defense response in 3h1 upon priming was correlated with altered DNA methylation and reduced global H3K56ac levels. Our data place H1 as a molecular gatekeeper in governing dynamic changes in the chromatin landscape of defense genes during plant pathogen interaction.
A Women in Medicine Trainees’ Council: a model for women trainee professional development
Authors: Warner A Sofia C , Ufere Nneka N , Patel Naomi J , Lau Emily S , Uchida Amiko M , Hills-Dunlap Kelsey , Bromberg Gabrielle K , Cunningham Elizabeth A , Tagerman Michelle D , Mills Gabrielle G , Palamara Kerri , Rigotti Nancy A , Burnett-Bowie Sherri-Ann M , Yeh Doreen DeFaria , Tanguturi Varsha K
Published: February 2023

Women physicians are promoted less often, more likely to experience harassment and bias, and paid less than their male peers. Although many institutions have developed initiatives to help women physicians overcome these professional hurdles, few are specifically geared toward physicians-in-training. The Women in Medicine Trainees’ Council (WIMTC) was created in 2015 to support the professional advancement of women physicians-in-training in the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Medicine (MGH-DOM). In a 2021 survey, the majority of respondents agreed that the WIMTC ameliorated the challenges of being a woman physician-in-training and contributed positively to overall wellness. Nearly all agreed that they would advise other training programs to implement a similar program. We present our model for women-trainee support to further the collective advancement of women physicians.
RADON CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENT AND DOSE ESTIMATION IN NON-URANIUM MINES IN CHINA (2019–21)
Authors: Yanchao Song , Qingzhao Zhang , Hongxing Cui , Changsong Hou , Pinhua Zhang , Yunyun Wu
Published: February 2023

The radon concentration in selected non-uranium mines from 2019 to 2021 in China are presented. By using of solid-state nuclear track detector, a total of 110 non-uranium mines in 13 provinces and autonomous regions were monitored, and the data were analyzed according to the mineral categories. The arithmetic mean of radon concentration in underground metal mines and nonmetallic mines were 1180 and 162 Bq m−3, respectively, and the standard deviations were 2850 and 151 Bq m−3, respectively. Correspondingly, the average annual effective dose of metal miners was 12.7 mSv and that of nonmetal miners was 1.75 mSv. It was noted that the radon concentration in some metal mines is not optimal in China. It is suggested that the ventilation should be strengthened in some metal mines. Besides, it is still necessary to control occupational radon exposure of non-uranium miners as low as reasonably achievable, and non-uranium mines should be managed by classification.
Social Deafferentation and the Relation Between Loneliness and Hallucinations
Authors: Brederoo Sanne G , de Boer Janna N , Linszen Mascha M J , Blom Renske E , Begemann Marieke J H , Sommer Iris E C
Published: February 2023

Background and Hypothesis

The social deafferentation hypothesis (SDA) has been proposed as an explanatory mechanism of hallucinations, based on the theory that social withdrawal triggers the initial phase of schizophrenia. The current study tests the SDA by assessing how loneliness is associated with different types of hallucinations. Under the SDA, increased loneliness is hypothesized to affect the occurrence of hallucinations that carry social meaning, but not of nonsocial hallucinations.

Study Design

As part of an online survey, 2038 adolescents and young adults from the general population (median age 21 years; 75% female) filled out the Questionnaire for Psychotic Experiences, and the shortened De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Binomial logistic regression was used to investigate the effects of loneliness severity on past month prevalence of hallucinations, and on the presence of social versus nonsocial hallucinations.

Study Results

Loneliness increased the prevalence of hallucinations across modalities in the past month. Moreover, stronger degree of loneliness increased the likelihood of hearing voices or laughter, and of hallucinating being touched. Conversely, loneliness decreased the likelihood of experiencing the nonsocial hallucination of a tingling feeling. As expected, loneliness did not increase the prevalence of experiencing nonsocial hallucinations. Surprisingly, neither was loneliness associated with experiencing felt presence.

Conclusions

Our results are novel in showing that loneliness specifically increases the likelihood of hearing human sounds such as voices or laughter, or feeling a human touch. Hallucinations without social meaning were not more likely to be experienced with increasing loneliness. This forms a confirmation of the SDA.
Paracingulate Sulcus Length and Cortical Thickness in Schizophrenia Patients With and Without a Lifetime History of Auditory Hallucinations
Authors: Ćurčić-Blake Branislava , de Vries Annemarie , Renken Remco J , Marsman Jan Bernard C , Garrison Jane , Hugdahl Kenneth , Aleman André
Published: February 2023

Background

It has been theorized that hallucinations, a common symptom of schizophrenia, are caused by failures in reality monitoring. The paracingulate sulcus (PCS) has been implicated as a brain structure supporting reality monitoring with the absence or shorter length of PCS associated with an occurrence of hallucinations in schizophrenia. The absence or shorter length of PCS has been associated with an occurrence of hallucinations. There are inconsistent findings in the literature regarding the role of the asymmetry of this structure for hallucinations. Here, we investigated the length of the PCS and cortical thickness of surrounding structures in patients with a lifetime history of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH).

Design

Seventy-seven patients and twenty-eight healthy controls (HC) underwent an anatomical MRI scan. PCS length and cortical thickness were estimated using Mango brain visualization and FreeSurfer, respectively. Patients with AVH (n = 45) and patients without AVH were compared (n = 32) to the controls.

Results

PCS length significantly differed between HC and patient groups (F(2,102) = 3.57, P = .032) in the left but not in the right sulcus. We found significantly longer PCS between HC and AVH group but no difference between patient groups. Similarly, we found significant thinning of cortical structures including structures surrounding anterior parts of PCS between HC and patients either in general or per group, but no significant differences were observed between patient groups.

Conclusions

PCS length in the left hemisphere is shorter in schizophrenia patients with hallucinations as compared to HC subjects. The patient group without hallucinations was in between those 2 groups. Cortical thickness of neighboring areas of PCS is diminished in patient groups relative to the healthy comparison subjects. The role of lateralization and functional involvement of the PCS region in processes underlying hallucinations, such as reality monitoring, needs further clarification.
Recreational Drug Use and Distress From Hallucinations in the General Dutch Population
Authors: van der Weijden-Germann Monique , Brederoo Sanne G , Linszen Mascha M J , Sommer Iris E C
Published: February 2023

Background and Hypothesis

Distress associated with auditory (AH) and visual (VH) hallucinations in the general population was found to be predictive of later need for mental healthcare. It is, therefore, important to understand factors relating to the distress individuals experience from their hallucinations. Hallucinations can easily occur under substance-induced states, but recreational drug use is also known as a self-medication strategy. The current study, therefore, investigated whether recreational drug use by individuals from the general population is associated with the degree of distress experienced from AH and/or VH.

Study Design

Drug use and distress severity associated with AH (N = 3.041) and/or VH (N = 2.218) were assessed by means of an online survey in the general Dutch population (>14 years of age).

Study Results

Multiple linear regression revealed that while past month consumption of alcohol was associated with less AH- and VH-related distress, past month cannabis use was associated with more AH- and VH-related distress. Furthermore, past month use of nitrous oxide was associated with more severe VH-related distress.

Conclusion

Recreational use of alcohol, cannabis, and nitrous oxide may play important differential roles in the degree of distress associated with AH and VH in individuals from the general population. The consumption of these substances could form a potential risk factor for the development of distressing hallucinations or function as a signal marker for their occurrence. Due to the cross-sectional design of the current study, the causal relation between recreational drug use and distressing hallucinations remains to be elucidated.
How Long Does Madness Take? Time and the Construction of Mental Illness in Community Mental Health Work
Authors: Whooley Owen
Published: February 2023

How do temporal understandings shape the construction of social problems and the work of addressing them? This article takes up a social problem with an explicit time dimension – severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) – to advocate for a focus on time in the analysis of social problems. Drawing on interviews with community mental health workers (n=100) and observations of a police department and a psychiatric emergency department, I show how the work of these organizations yields two distinct sociotemporal orders – what I deem pursuing quick closure for police and rushing to wait for emergency hospital staff. The sociotemporal orders influence how these workers construct and approach the problem of SPMI. While these sociotemporal orders enable coordination within organizations, they produce temporal incongruence across organizations, which leads to conflict and undermines wider system coordination. Because police and hospital staff are not on the same time, their organizations are not on the same page. This article underscores the extent to which local constructions of social problems carry temporal assumptions that have practical effects on the work of ameliorating such problems. I conclude by discussing how this temporal analysis provides insight into the operation of power in community mental health.
Postnatal administration of S-adenosylmethionine restores developmental AHR activation-induced deficits in CD8+ T-cell function during influenza A virus infection
Authors: Post Christina M , Myers Jason R , Winans Bethany , Lawrence B Paige
Published: February 2023

Developmental exposures can influence life-long health; yet, counteracting negative consequences is challenging due to poor understanding of cellular mechanisms. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) binds many small molecules, including numerous pollutants. Developmental exposure to the signature environmental AHR ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) significantly dampens adaptive immune responses to influenza A virus in adult offspring. CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are crucial for successful infection resolution, which depends on the number generated and the complexity of their functionality. Prior studies showed developmental AHR activation significantly reduced the number of virus-specific CD8+ T cells, but impact on their functions is less clear. Other studies showed developmental exposure was associated with differences in DNA methylation in CD8+ T cells. Yet, empirical evidence that differences in DNA methylation are causally related to altered CD8+ T-cell function is lacking. The 2 objectives were to ascertain whether developmental AHR activation affects CTL function, and whether differences in methylation contribute to reduced CD8+ T-cell responses to infection. Developmental AHR triggering significantly reduced CTL polyfunctionality, and modified the transcriptional program of CD8+ T cells. S-adenosylmethionine, which increases DNA methylation, but not Zebularine, which diminishes DNA methylation, restored polyfunctionality and boosted the number of virus-specific CD8+ T cells. These findings suggest that diminished methylation, initiated by developmental exposure to an AHR-binding chemical, contributes to durable changes in antiviral CD8+ CTL functions later in life. Thus, deleterious consequence of development exposure to environmental chemicals is not permanently fixed, opening the door for interventional strategies to improve health.
Biosimilars for Pediatric Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Survey
Authors: Maltz Ross M. , McClinchie Madeline G. , Boyle Brendan M. , McNicol Megan , Morris Grant A. , Crawford Erin C. , Moses Jonathan , Kim Sandra C.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Biosimilars are biological agents that have been demonstrated to have similar safety and efficacy profiles as the originator. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perspectives of pediatric gastroenterologists in the United States (U.S.) toward biosimilar use and to explore factors that impact their comfort level with prescribing infliximab biosimilars.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed to pediatric gastroenterology physicians from the U.S. via a listserv (Pediatric gastroenterology Bulletin Board). Respondent’s demographics were recorded. Using a 6-point Likert scale, the survey assessed the respondent’s perceptions toward biosimilars and initiating switches from the originator to biosimilar agent along with factors impacting provider’s comfort level. Fischer exact tests were used to detect statistically significant differences in responses for hypotheses of interest.

Results:

One hundred thirty-nine pediatric gastroenterologists completed the online survey (response rate 5.4%). Eighty-seven percent of respondents reported being comfortable prescribing infliximab biosimilars to anti-tumor necrosis factor naive patients, and 69% reported being comfortable doing a one-time switch if the patient was in clinical remission. Factors that negatively impacted a respondent’s comfort level included respondents not practicing at an ImproveCareNow (ICN) center and managing less than 50 patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Conclusions:

Nearly 90% of pediatric gastroenterologists felt comfortable prescribing an infliximab biosimilar, and 70% felt comfortable with a one-time switch to the biosimilar if the patient was in clinical remission. Involvement in ICN a learning health system and caring for higher numbers of patients with IBD was associated with increased provider comfort with biosimilar use.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Urinary Retention in Patients With Cervical Cancer
Authors: Bai Zhilan , Zuo Yan , Huang Wenxia , Yao Li
Published: February 2023

Background

The literature is inconsistent on the prevalence and risk factors of urinary retention in patients with cervical cancer.

Objective

The aim of this study was to review the literature on the prevalence of urinary retention in patients with cervical cancer and consolidate the risk factors.

Methods

For this meta-analysis, eligible articles published in English or Chinese by December 10, 2021, were systematically searched for and retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid-Embase Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus. Prevalence, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for meta-analysis.

Results

Twenty-five studies were included in the analysis. The pooled overall prevalence was 0.26 (95% CI, 0.21-0.30, I
2 = 95.0%). The identified risk factors were age (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.19), urinary tract infection (UTI) (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.48-7.49), surgical extent (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.27-6.85), and catheter indwelling time (OR, 3.44; 95% CI, 2.43-3.87).

Conclusions

The prevalence of urinary retention in patients with cervical cancer is 0.26. Older age, UTI, longer catheter indwelling time, and a larger surgical extent may increase the risk of urinary retention. Clinicians should identify patients at risk and adopt interventions such as individualized catheter care.

Implications for Practice

Nursing staff should assess the risk of urinary retention in a patient with cervical cancer according to her age, presence of UTI, surgical extent, and catheterization time. A carefully chosen surgical procedure and interventions such as individualized education, timely catheter removal, treatment of UTI, and rehabilitation should be offered.
Cooperativity between H3.3K27M and PDGFRA poses multiple therapeutic vulnerabilities in human iPSC-derived diffuse midline glioma avatars
Authors: Skinner Kasey R. , Koga Tomoyuki , Miki Shunichiro , Gruener Robert F. , Grigore Florina-Nicoleta , Torii Emma H. , Seelig Davis M. , Suzuki Yuta , Kawauchi Daisuke , Lin Benjamin , Malicki Denise M. , Chen Clark C. , Benveniste Etty N. , Patel Rakesh P. , McFarland Braden C. , Huang R. Stephanie , Jones Chris , Mackay Alan , Miller C. Ryan , Furnari Frank B.
Published: February 2023

Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a leading cause of brain tumor death in children. In addition to hallmark H3.3K27M mutations, significant subsets also harbor alterations of other genes, such asTP53andPDGFRA. Despite the prevalence of H3.3K27M, the results of clinical trials in DMG have been mixed, possibly due to the lack of models recapitulating its genetic heterogeneity. To address this gap, we developed human iPSC-derived tumor models harboring TP53R248Qwith or without heterozygous H3.3K27M and/or PDGFRAD842Voverexpression. The combination of H3.3K27M and PDGFRAD842Vresulted in more proliferative tumors when gene-edited neural progenitor (NP) cells were implanted into mouse brains compared to NP with either mutation alone. Transcriptomic comparison of tumors and their NP cells of origin identified conserved JAK/STAT pathway activation across genotypes as characteristic of malignant transformation. Conversely, integrated genome-wide epigenomic and transcriptomic analyses, as well as rational pharmacologic inhibition, revealed targetable vulnerabilities unique to the TP53R248Q; H3.3K27M; PDGFRAD842Vtumors and related to their aggressive growth phenotype. These includeAREG-mediated cell cycle control, altered metabolism, and vulnerability to combination ONC201/trametinib treatment. Taken together, these data suggest that cooperation between H3.3K27M and PDGFRA influences tumor biology, underscoring the need for better molecular stratification in DMG clinical trials.
Pro-inflammatory polarization and colorectal cancer modulate alternative and intronic polyadenylation in primary human macrophages
Authors: Wilton Joana , de Mendonça Filipa Lopes , Pereira-Castro Isabel , Tellier Michael , Nojima Takayuki , Costa Angela M , Freitas Jaime , Murphy Shona , Oliveira Maria Jose , Proudfoot Nicholas J , Moreira Alexandra
Published: February 2023

Macrophages are essential cells of the immune system that alter their inflammatory profile depending on their microenvironment. Alternative polyadenylation in the 3’UTR (3’UTR-APA) and intronic polyadenylation (IPA) are mechanisms that modulate gene expression, in particular in cancer and activated immune cells. Yet, how polarization and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells microenvironment affect 3’UTR-APA and IPA in primary human macrophages remains unknown. Here, primary human monocytes were isolated from healthy donors, differentiated and polarized into a pro-inflammatory state and ChrRNA-Seq and 3’RNA-Seq were performed to quantify gene expression and characterize new 3’UTR-APA and IPA mRNA isoforms. Our results show that polarization of human macrophages from naïve to a pro-inflammatory state causes a marked increase both in proximal polyA site selection in the 3’UTR and in IPA events, in genes relevant for macrophage functions. Additionally, we found a negative correlation between differential gene expression and IPA during pro-inflammatory polarization of primary human macrophages. As macrophages are abundant immune cells in the CRC microenvironment that either promote or abrogate cancer progression, we investigated how indirect exposure to CRC cells affects macrophage gene expression and 3’UTR-APA and IPA mRNA events. Co-culture with CRC cells alters the inflammatory phenotype of macrophages, increases the expression of pro-tumoral genes and induce 3’UTR-APA alterations. Notably, some of these gene expression differences were also found in tumour-associated macrophages of CRC patients, indicating that they are physiological relevant. Upon macrophage pro-inflammatory polarizationSRSF12is the pre-mRNA processing gene that is most upregulated. AfterSRSF12knockdown in M1 macrophages there is a global downregulation of gene expression, in particular in genes involved in gene expression regulation and in immune responses. Our results reveal new 3’UTR-APA and IPA mRNA isoforms produced during pro-inflammatory polarization of primary human macrophages and CRC co-culture that may be used in the future as diagnostic or therapeutic tools.