bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student experiences of professionalism and role models in an oral and maxillofacial surgery internship: A qualitative study
Authors: Sebastian Tim , Prade Amelie , Keis Oliver , Schramm Alexander , Öchsner Wolfgang
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Dental students have a clear concept of professionalism and the importance of role models. Our aim was to determine how dental students experience their first oral and maxillofacial surgery internship in terms of their concept of professionalism and their perception of role models.

Methods

From June to August 2020, semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with 22 dental students in their eighth and ninth semesters at the Medical Faculty of the University of Ulm. The interviews were transcribed and evaluated by qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.

Results

The students' concept of dental professionalism was shaped by the elements of a good approach to patients, professional competence, and manual skills. This perception was not changed by the internship. Having a role model was seen as an important learning strategy, and role models were perceived in both positive and negative ways. Role models were perceived as positive if they corresponded to the student's concept of professionalism and as negative if they did not correspond to this concept, especially with regard to social interaction or the approach to patients. Students' reactions to discrepancies between their own moral values and the role models' behaviour were characterised by passivity and withdrawal. With regard to potential future careers, positive internship experiences supported student goals, whereas negative experiences raised doubts about them.

Conclusion

Supervising dentists may still underestimate the considerable impact of internships, and their awareness of this impact needs to be increased. Students' reactions to conflicts between reality and their own values do not appear to be constructive. One approach to solving this problem may be to include discussions of professional development in curricula.
Combined tracers reveal the multi‐dimensionality of resource partitioning among sympatric forage fish
Authors: Saavedra Nicole E. , Rush Scott A. , Olin Jill A. , Paterson Gordon
Published: December 2022

Quantifying the multi‐dimensional nature of resource partitioning in‐situ represents a fundamental challenge for understanding how environmental conditions contribute to the co‐existence of sympatric species. For aquatic poikilotherms, the availability of temperatures at or near optima generally define the ranges and limitations of species biology and ecology. Specifically, how poikilotherms partition this abiotic resource remains a broader unknown in aquatic ecology.

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) co‐occur throughout Lake Ontario and are known to share common prey resources. Here, we used a combination of trophic tracers (stable isotopes), pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs), and bioenergetic modelling to illustrate resource partitioning of diet items and thermal habitat among Lake Ontario prey fish species. We predicted that the combined use of δ13C, δ15N, and PCBs will capture the multi‐dimensional nature of resource partitioning among coexisting species inhabiting similar compartments within this ecosystem.

The δ13C and δ15N values confirmed our understanding of trophic relationships among these species. A bioenergetic model predicted temperature occupancies for each species and for individuals during the open water growing season when prey consumption rates are likely to be maximised and the PCB congener profiles were highly correlated with these predictions. Three‐dimensional niche modelling demonstrated that ecological tracer assimilation is probably a direct result of species behavioural thermoregulation during the open water growing season when temperatures are at or near physiological optima.

These results demonstrate that the ability of aquatic poikilotherms to track optimal temperatures and exploit habitat and food resources is captured by their PCB congener profiles. Consumer PCB congener profiles integrate not only the specific prey resources consumed, but also the predominant thermal conditions under which those resources were acquired and assimilated and that subsequently regulate individual and species growth. Given their global ubiquity and capacity for interpretation under the assumptions applied to ecological tracers, consumer PCB profiles could greatly advance our understanding of the mechanisms regulating resource partitioning, especially among aquatic poikilotherms.
Soil nematode abundances drive agroecosystem multifunctionality under short‐term elevated CO2 and O3
Authors: Wang Jianqing , Shi Xiuzhen , Lucas‐Borja Manuel Esteban , Guo Qiling , Mao Jiaoyan , Tan Yunyan , Zhang Guoyou
Published: December 2022

The response of soil biotas to climate change has the potential to regulate multiple ecosystem functions. However, it is still challenging to accurately predict how multiple climate change factors will affect multiple ecosystem functions. Here, we assessed the short‐term responses of agroecosystem multifunctionality to a factorial combination of elevated CO2 (+200 ppm) and O3 (+40 ppb) and identified the key soil biotas (i.e., bacteria, fungi, protists, and nematodes) concerning the changes in the multiple ecosystem functions for two rice varieties (Japonica, Nanjing 5055 vs. Wuyujing 3). We provided strong evidence that combined treatment rather than individual treatments of short‐term elevated CO2 and O3 significantly increased the agroecosystem multifunctionality index by 32.3% in the Wuyujing 3 variety, but not in the Nanjing 5055 variety. Soil biotas exhibited an important role in regulating multifunctionality under short‐term elevated CO2 and O3, with soil nematode abundances better explaining the changes in ecosystem multifunctionality than soil biota diversity. Furthermore, the higher trophic groups of nematodes, omnivores‐predators served as the principal predictor of agroecosystem multifunctionality. These results provide unprecedented new evidence that short‐term elevated CO2 and O3 can potentially affect agroecosystem multifunctionality through soil nematode abundances, especially omnivores‐predators. Our study demonstrates that high trophic groups were specifically beneficial for regulating multiple ecosystem functions and highlights the importance of soil nematode communities for the maintenance of agroecosystem functions and health under climate change in the future.
Understanding the effect of MPEG‐PCE's microstructure on the adsorption and hydration of OPC
Authors: Emaldi Iñaki , Erkizia Edurne , Leiza Jose Ramon , Dolado Jorge S.
Published: December 2022

Polycarboxylic ethers or polycarboxylate (PCEs) are one of the most employed superplasticizers in construction. However, the understanding of their microstructure–property relationship is still incomplete. Recently, a theoretical model was proposed that relates the microstructure–conformation of the PCE to its effect on the adsorption onto cement particles and cement hydration time. In this work, the effects of a wide range of PCEs with different side chain lengths (P = 5, Group 1; P = 20, Group 2; and P = 45 and 113, Group 3) having flexible backbone worm conformation except one which has stretch backbone worm conformation (P = 113) were experimentally investigated for their effect on adsorption and cement hydration. It is found that PCEs from Group 1 show electrostatic repulsion as dispersing mechanism, unlike PCEs from Groups 2 and 3. Furthermore, the prediction of the theoretical model is also assessed for all the studied PCEs. Only Group 1 PCEs (shortest side chains) showed deviation from the theoretical predictions, and it was attributed to their different behaviors from the standard PCEs for which the theoretical model was developed.
Sustainable food systems and diets in dietetic training standards: an international content analysis
Authors: Higgins Madalyn , Strother Heather , Burkhart Sarah , Carlsson Liesel , Meyer Nanna L. , Spiker Marie , Wegener Jessica
Published: December 2022

Background

Low professional confidence and perceived competence create tangible barriers to integrating sustainable food systems (SFS) and diets into dietetic practice. One opportunity to facilitate more systemic integration into dietetic education and training is to include these concepts in professional standards. To better understand the barrier of low professional confidence and perceived competence for engagement with SFS‐related practice, the purpose of this research was to investigate dietetic training standards for SFS content and to highlight opportunities for growth within the profession. Questions posed by this research are: (1) how, if at all, are SFS and diets articulated in dietetic training standards, and (2) to what level of cognitive complexity?

Methods

A content analysis of dietetic training standards documents was conducted between 15 April and 15 September 2021. Search terms included ‘sustain*’ or ‘sustainable’, ‘food systems’ and/or ‘diets’. Extracted data with applicable SFS content were analysed for level of cognitive complexity requirements.

Results

Of 47 National Dietetics Associations, researchers obtained 23 dietetic training standards documents, of which 16 included SFS‐related content. The majority of documents used broad descriptors of the concepts, with little granularity and at a lower level of cognitive complexity.

Conclusions

Adoption of more robust frameworks for sustainability with specific learning outcomes that can be adapted to regional contexts would strengthen higher education curricula and thus the profession's ability to contribute more meaningfully to SFSs and diets.
Clinical outcomes after lip injection procedures—Comparison of two hyaluronic acid gel fillers with different product properties
Authors: Hilton Said , Frank Konstantin , Alfertshofer Michael , Cotofana Sebastian
Published: December 2022

Background

Transient swelling is common after lip injections with hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers. Swelling and other injection‐site reactions may relate to the injection procedure itself, or to gel properties, which differ between fillers due to differences in manufacturing methods.

Objectives

To evaluate safety and effectiveness of lip injections with two HA fillers manufactured using different gel technologies.

Methods

In a study sample of 40 subjects, treatment with two soft tissue filler product (HARK or HAJUS) was randomly assigned. Subjects were injected with 0.5 cc per upper and lower lip using a standardized injection procedure. Early‐onset adverse events (AEs) were assessed by evaluation up to Day 14. Aesthetic improvement, subject satisfaction, and AEs post‐Day 14 were assessed up to 24 weeks.

Results

In subjects treated with HARK, the intensity of early onset swelling, erythema, and pain/tenderness was lower than in subjects treated with HAJUS. Aesthetic improvement was achieved in both groups, and most subjects were satisfied with the appearance of their lips. Treatment‐related AEs post‐Day 14 mostly related to the implant site; most were mild‐to‐moderate, and none were serious.

Conclusions

The intensity of early‐onset swelling, and other injection‐site reactions was lower in subjects treated with HARK than in subjects treated with HAJUS. Since both the injection volume and injection procedure were standardized, the difference in local tolerability between the two HA fillers may relate to differences in gel properties. Aesthetic improvement, subject satisfaction, and AE profiles post‐Day 14, however, were similar between filler groups.
Real and assumed sexual minority status: Longitudinal associations with depressive symptoms
Authors: Martin‐Storey Alexa , Benner Aprile D.
Published: December 2022

Sexual minority status persists in being linked to poorer adolescent mental health. Using a longitudinal sample (N = 845), we examined how youth's own same‐gender attraction and their perceptions of peers' beliefs about their same‐gender attraction (i.e., assumed attraction) were associated with trajectories of depressive symptoms from grade eight (when students are typically 13–14 years old) to grade 10. Reporting either same‐gender attraction, assumed same‐gender attraction or both were associated with higher initial levels of depressive symptoms that persisted over time compared to youth with real and assumed other‐gender attraction only. These links were partially mediated by experiences of discrimination. Findings suggest the importance of understanding adolescent perceptions of peer beliefs in the association between same‐gender attraction and depressive symptoms.
When I say … anti‐racist praxis
Authors: Thambinathan Vivetha , Kinsella Elizabeth Anne
Published: December 2022

'@darthvethar and @eakinsella explore praxis as an approach for medicine to navigate Dr. Angela Davis’ powerful quote: “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non‐racist, we must be anti‐racist”.
Parkinson's disease and nocturnal polyuria
Authors: Sakakibara Ryuji , Shimizu Ayami , Takahashi Osamu , Ogata Tsuyoshi , Sawai Setsu , Uchiyama Tomoyuki , Yamamoto Tatsuya
Published: December 2022

Background

The question of whether Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have nocturnal polyuria (NP) has not yet been fully answered.

Objectives

To determine whether NP was present in PD patients and if so, what its relevant factors were.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis. We had 36 consecutive referred PD patients: age, 71.5 years (range, 54–83 years); 24 men, 12 women; mean disease duration, 2.5 years (1.0–4.5 years); Hoehn and Yahr motor scale, 3.0 (2.0–3.5); all ambulatory; all on treatment. All the PD patients completed a lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS questionnaire) and a bladder diary, and underwent urodynamics testing.

Results

NP was identified in 56% of patients. NP was more common in patients with nocturia (p < 0.05), and in patients with urodynamic detrusor overactivity (p < 0.01). There was no relation between NP and gender, age, PD medications, blood pressure, or comorbid diabetes.

Conclusions

A total of 56% of PD patients had NP, which had a close relation with detrusor overactivity (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that in PD, the loss of dopaminergic neurons leads to NP (hypothalamic circuit) and detrusor overactivity (nigrostriatal circuit).
The root‐knot nematode effector MiMSP32 targets host 12‐oxophytodienoate reductase 2 to regulate plant susceptibility
Authors: Verhoeven Ava , Finkers‐Tomczak Anna , Prins Pjotr , Valkenburg‐van Raaij Debbie R. , van Schaik Casper C. , Overmars Hein , van Steenbrugge Joris J. M. , Tacken Wannes , Varossieau Koen , Slootweg Erik J. , Kappers Iris F. , Quentin Michaël , Goverse Aska , Sterken Mark G. , Smant Geert
Published: December 2022

To establish persistent infections in host plants, herbivorous invaders, such as root‐knot nematodes, must rely on effectors for suppressing damage‐induced jasmonate‐dependent host defenses. However, at present, the effector mechanisms targeting the biosynthesis of biologically active jasmonates to avoid adverse host responses are unknown.

Using yeast two‐hybrid, in planta co‐immunoprecipitation, and mutant analyses, we identified 12‐oxophytodienoate reductase 2 (OPR2) as an important host target of the stylet‐secreted effector MiMSP32 of the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. MiMSP32 has no informative sequence similarities with other functionally annotated genes but was selected for the discovery of novel effector mechanisms based on evidence of positive, diversifying selection.

OPR2 catalyzes the conversion of a derivative of 12‐oxophytodienoate to jasmonic acid (JA) and operates parallel to 12‐oxophytodienoate reductase 3 (OPR3), which controls the main pathway in the biosynthesis of jasmonates. We show that MiMSP32 targets OPR2 to promote parasitism of M. incognita in host plants independent of OPR3‐mediated JA biosynthesis.

Artificially manipulating the conversion of the 12‐oxophytodienoate by OPRs increases susceptibility to multiple unrelated plant invaders. Our study is the first to shed light on a novel effector mechanism targeting this process to regulate the susceptibility of host plants.
Work‐on‐demand in patchwork capitalism: The peculiar case of Uber's fleet partners in Poland
Authors: Mika Bartosz , Polkowska Dominika
Published: December 2022

In recent years, global corporations entering Central and Eastern European (CEE) markets have begun to adapt to existing legal regulations through innovative means. Uber's entry into Polish market, for example, involved the use of a supplementary entity—a fleet partner. Based on 42 interviews with Uber drivers in Poland (conducted between 2018 and 2020) and two in‐depth interviews with fleet partners (2021), this article investigates the prerequisites necessary for the emergence of fleet partners within a work‐on‐demand platform and their role in the relationships between different stakeholders. Using the concept of patchwork capitalism adapted for CEE countries, this study shows that additional entities took advantage of institutional hybridity, situating themselves as the intermediary between a global giant and a local regulator, and thereby creating a patchwork gig economy.
Trials of trustworthiness between Ethiopian lawyers and Chinese clients
Authors: Driessen Miriam
Published: December 2022

Legal representation requires trust. How is trust given and gained in lawyer‐client relations that are tainted by mistrust? In this article I examine interactions between Ethiopian lawyers and their Chinese clients to show how both parties mitigate mistrust to enable productive legal representation across radical difference. This process not only involves patience and persistence but also prompts clients to put trust on trial. First, they do so by closely monitoring their lawyers or testing them through choreographed situations of trusting in which the stakes are low or the transfer of trust carefully controlled. Second, by cultivating loyalty and proximity they attempt to further enhance the predictability of the other's future actions to ensure the desired outcome of trust.
A fungal pathogen is unlikely to be the cause of abnormal vertical growth syndrome in macadamia
Authors: Zakeel Mohamed C. M. , Geering Andrew D. W. , Akinsanmi Olufemi A.
Published: December 2022

Abnormal vertical growth (AVG) in macadamia is a syndrome that reduces flowering and alters tree architecture, resulting in significant yield losses. The epidemiological parameters suggest the cause is probably a biotic agent with the ability to modulate plant hormone production or signalling. To determine if a fungal pathogen is the cause of AVG, we compared the fungal profile of macadamia trees with or without AVG symptoms using conventional culturing and DNA metabarcoding techniques. A diverse range of fungi was isolated from leaf, root and stem samples of macadamia cultivars HAES 344 and A16. The abundance of the isolated fungi was at least three‐fold higher in trees with AVG symptoms than in trees at the non‐AVG site. Similar results were obtained using DNA metabarcoding. Although the fungal genus Sebacina was the most dominant in the DNA metabarcoding, whereas Diaporthe (>40%) was dominant using the culturing techniques, no unique fungal species was consistently associated with all AVG samples. Therefore, we conclude that it is unlikely that the cause of AVG in macadamia is a fungal pathogen.
Sodium butyrate attenuates peritoneal fibroproliferative process in mice
Authors: De Lazari Marcela Guimarães Takahashi , Viana Celso Tarso Rodrigues , Pereira Luciana Xavier , Orellano Laura Alejandra Ariza , Ulrich Henning , Andrade Silvia Passos , Campos Paula Peixoto
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to identify the bio‐efficacy of sodium butyrate (NaBu) on preventing the development of peritoneal fibrovascular tissue induced by implantation of a synthetic matrix in the abdominal cavity.

Polyether–polyurethane sponge discs were implanted in the peritoneal cavity of mice, which were treated daily with oral administration of NaBu (100 mg/kg). Control animals received water (100 μl). After 7 days, the implants were removed for assessment of inflammatory, angiogenic and fibrogenic markers.

Compared with control values, NaBu treatment decreased mast cell recruitment/activation, inflammatory enzyme activities, levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and the proteins p65 and p50 of the nuclear factor‐κB pathway. Angiogenesis, as determined by haemoglobin content, vascular endothelial growth factor levels and the number of blood vessels in the implant, was reduced by the treatment. In NaBu‐treated animals, the predominant collagen present in the abdominal fibrovascular tissue was thin collagen, whereas in control implants it was thick collagen. Transforming growth factor‐β1 levels were also lower in implants of treated animals. Sodium butyrate downregulated the inflammatory, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis axes of the fibroproliferative tissue induced by the intraperitoneal synthetic matrix. This compound has potential to control/regulate chronic inflammation and adverse healing processes in the abdominal cavity.
Fluid inclusion evidence for overpressure-induced shale oil accumulation
Authors: Wang Yingqi , Cao Jian , Hu Wenxuan , Zhi Dongming , Tang Yong , Xiang Baoli , He Wenjun
Published: December 2022

Shale oil is becoming increasingly important in the global energy market, but its accumulation mechanism is not fully understood. We present novel and direct fluid inclusion data from the Lower Permian Fengcheng Formation, Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, northwest China. Shortite veins in this source rock contain abundant two-phase gas-liquid hydrocarbon inclusions and coeval aqueous inclusions. The inclusions have highly variable degrees of bubble filling (5–80 vol% vapor) and homogenization temperature differences between oil and aqueous inclusions (~50 °C), which demonstrate that fluid (oil-gas-water) immiscibility occurred at high pressures. The hydrocarbon inclusions record different levels of fluid over-pressure (32.9–43.0 MPa), with a paleopressure coefficient of 1.3–1.7. Episodic fluid over-pressure release resulted in shale oil accumulation, with faults/fractures acting as important migration pathways. Oil from deeper and more mature source rocks within the Fengcheng Formation was expelled upward to the shale oil reservoir. These processes are common and important in shale oil systems. These results show that the accumulation of unconventional hydrocarbons occurs pervasively within the reservoirs, and fluid displacement is critical in exploration and exploitation.
Supplemental Material: Tracing the protoliths of the garnet amphibolitic and retrogressed eclogitic slices and a conceptual tectonic model for their emplacement onto the Central Menderes Massif, Turkey: New geochemical data and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry
Authors: Gürsu Semih , al. et
Published: December 2022

Figures S1–S5 and Tables S1–S12.
School lives of adolescent school students living with chronic physical health conditions: a qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Spencer Bethan K C , Wright Judy , Flemming Kate , Cottrell David , Pini Simon
Published: December 2022

Objective

Assess the existing evidence base in order to synthesise the current qualitative findings for the impact of chronic health conditions on the school lives of young people.

Design

Qualitative evidence synthesis using thematic synthesis.

Patients

Young people aged 11–18 years with a chronic health condition from one of the following groups: oncology, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, asthma, rheumatology, neuromuscular, colorectal, chronic pain, allergies and dermatology.

Outcome measure

Qualitative findings and discussions present in included studies formed the data for the thematic synthesis.

Results

From a search identifying 19 311 records, a sample of 35 papers were included. The included papers represented 15 countries and primarily employed interviews as part of data collection. Thematic synthesis resulted in six themes: ‘keeping up/catching up/missing out/looking forward’; ‘identity’; ‘relationship with peers’; ‘normality and difference’; ‘autonomy’; ‘relationships with staff’.

Conclusions

Thematic synthesis highlighted the commonalities, rather than divergence, of issues for young people across different chronic conditions. Policies need to be based on the experiences of the people they aim to provide for, and while attendance and attainment remain important, there is clearly more that needs to be considered when gathering data, designing interventions and developing policies to support this population. It may also be advisable for clinical professionals to include the broader psychosocial aspects of school life in discussions and plans to support young people with long-term conditions.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021278153.
Hospital policies can create barriers to good management of opioid withdrawal
Authors: Saul Helen , Gursul Deniz , Deeney Brendan , Harris Magdalena , Holland Adam
Published: December 2022

The study

Harris M, Holland A, Lewer D, et al. Barriers to management of opioid withdrawal in hospitals in England: a document analysis of hospital policies on the management of substance dependence.
BMC Med
2022;20:151.

To read the full NIHR Alert, go to:
https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/many-hospital-policies-create-barriers-to-good-management-of-opioid-withdrawal/
Prognostic relevance of quantitative and longitudinal MOG antibody testing in patients with MOGAD: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Gastaldi Matteo , Foiadelli Thomas , Greco Giacomo , Scaranzin Silvia , Rigoni Eleonora , Masciocchi Stefano , Ferrari Sergio , Mancinelli Chiara , Brambilla Laura , Mancardi Margherita , Giacomini Thea , Ferraro Diana , Della Corte Marida , Gallo Antonio , Di Filippo Massimiliano , Benedetti Luana , Novi Giovanni , Versino Maurizio , Banfi Paola , Iorio Raffaele , Moiola Lucia , Turco Emanuela , Sartori Stefano , Nosadini Margherita , Ruggieri Martino , Savasta Salvatore , Colombo Elena , Ballante Elena , Jarius Sven , Mariotto Sara , Franciotta Diego
Published: December 2022

Background

IgG antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) define a subset of associated disorders (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disorders (MOGAD)) that can have a relapsing course. However, information on relapse predictors is scarce. The utility of retesting MOG-IgG over time and measuring their titres is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the clinical relevance of longitudinal MOG-IgG titre measurement to predict relapses in patients with MOGAD.

Methods

In this retrospective multicentre Italian cohort study, we recruited patients with MOGAD and available longitudinal samples (at least one >3 months after disease onset) and tested them with a live cell-based assay with endpoint titration (1:160 cut-off). Samples were classified as ‘attack’ (within 30 days since a disease attack (n=59, 17%)) and ‘remission’ (≥31 days after attack (n=295, 83%)).

Results

We included 102 patients with MOGAD (57% adult and 43% paediatric) with a total of 354 samples (83% from remission and 17% from attack). Median titres were higher during attacks (1:1280 vs 1:640, p=0.001). Median onset titres did not correlate with attack-related disability, age or relapses. Remission titres were higher in relapsing patients (p=0.02). When considering the first remission sample available for each patient, titres >1:2560 were predictors of relapsing course in survival (log rank, p<0.001) and multivariate analysis (p<0.001, HR: 10.9, 95% CI 3.4 to 35.2). MOG-IgG seroconversion to negative was associated with a 95% relapse incidence rate reduction (incidence rate ratio: 0.05, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Persistent MOG-IgG positivity and high remission titres are associated with an increased relapse risk. Longitudinal MOG-IgG titres could be useful to stratify patients to be treated with long term immunosuppression.
Zinc supplementation ameliorates type 2 diabetes markers through the enhancement of total antioxidant capacity in overweight patients
Authors: Nazem Mohammad Reza , Asadi Mojgan , Adelipour Maryam , Jabbari Niloofar , Allameh Abdolamir
Published: December 2022

Background

Evidence show that the recommended dose of zinc may not be sufficient for controlling pathological conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on the oxidative status in overweight T2DM. In addition, the routine glycaemic parameters were determined and compared in zinc-treated and placebo groups.

Methods

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 70 patients with T2DM were selected. They were divided into two groups for supplementation of 50 mg zinc gluconate or placebo (zinc group, n=35; placebo group, n=35) per day for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from all the individuals in the zinc group and controls for analysis.

Results

The results showed that zinc supplementation to patients with T2DM for 8 weeks significantly inhibited serum levels of lipid peroxidation (25%), nitrotyrosine (30%) and total oxidant status levels (25%, p<0.05). Nevertheless, the total antioxidant capacity was significantly elevated (16%) following zinc intake by patients with T2DM.

Conclusions

These data, together with our previous report, may suggest that the control in the glycaemic condition in overweight patients with T2DM is correlated with the antioxidative/oxidative balance following intake of 50 mg zinc supplementation for 8 weeks. Under these circumstances, the clinical and glycaemic indices, including fasting blood glucose, insulin, haemoglobin A1c and homeostasis model of assessment–insulin resistance, were controlled.

Trial registration number

IRCT2015083102.
Pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block for hip arthroscopy: a randomized,
double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Amato Peter E , Coleman John R , Dobrzanski Tomasz P , Elmer Donald A , Gwathmey Frank W , Slee April E , Hanson Neil A
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Arthroscopic hip surgery is associated with significant
postoperative pain. Femoral nerve blocks have been shown to improve
postoperative analgesia at the expense of quadriceps weakness. The
pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block could be an alternative that may
improve postoperative analgesia while preserving quadriceps strength.
Our hypothesis was that a PENG block would provide superior
postoperative analgesia compared with a sham block following
arthroscopic hip surgery.

Methods

Subjects presenting for arthroscopic hip surgery were randomized in
a 1:1 ratio to either an ultrasound-guided unilateral, single-injection
PENG block (PENG group) with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine or a sham
injection with 5 mL of 0.9% normal saline (Sham group) prior to
receiving general anesthesia. The primary outcome of this study was
worst pain score within 30 min of emergence from anesthesia. Secondary
outcomes included opioid consumption, patient satisfaction with
analgesia, opioid-related adverse events, and persistent opioid use at 1
week.

Results

Sixty-eight subjects, 34 from the PENG group and 34 from the Sham
group, completed the study per protocol. Analysis of the primary outcome
demonstrated a mean difference in pain scores of −0.79 (95% CI −1.96 to
0.37; p=0.17) between the PENG and Sham groups immediately following
surgery. No secondary outcomes showed statistically significant
differences between groups.

Discussion

This study demonstrates that a preoperative PENG block does not
improve analgesia following arthroscopic hip surgery.

Trial reigstration number

NCT04508504
Gardenia jasminoidesExtract GJ-4 Alleviates Memory Deficiency of Vascular Dementia in Rats through PERK-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway
Authors: Yuan Fang-Yu , Ju Cheng , Zang Cai-Xia , Liu Hui , Shang Mei-Yu , Ning Jing-Wen , Yang Yang , Ma Jing-Wei , Li Gen , Yu Yang , Yao Xin-Sheng , Bao Xiu-Qi , Zhang Dan
Published: December 2022

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is involved in the pathological process of vascular dementia (VD). GJ-4 is extracted from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis and has been reported to have protective roles in ischemia-related brain damage. However, the role of GJ-4 in ERS has not been elucidated. We established a VD rat model through bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (2-VO). The rats were intragastrically administrated with GJ-4 (10, 25, and 50[Formula: see text]mg/kg) and nimodipine (10[Formula: see text]mg/kg). Data from a Morris water maze test showed that GJ-4 could significantly alleviate learning and memory deficits in VD rats. Nissl and cleaved caspase-3 staining revealed that GJ-4 can inhibit apoptosis and thus exert a protective role in the brain of 2-VO rats. Western blot results suggested that GJ-4 significantly reduced ERS-related protein expression and inhibited apoptosis through suppression of the PERK/eIF2[Formula: see text]/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway. For in vitro studies, the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) SH-SY5Y model was employed. Western blot and Hoechst 33342/PI double staining were utilized to explore the effects of crocetin, the main active metabolite of GJ-4. Like GJ-4 in vivo, crocetin in vitro also decreased ERS-related protein expression and inhibited the activation of the PERK/eIF2[Formula: see text]/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway. Thus, crocetin exerted similar protective roles on OGD challenged SH-SY5Y cells in vitro. In summary, GJ-4 and crocetin reduce the ERS in the brain of VD rats and SY5Y cells subjected to OGD and inhibit neuronal apoptosis through suppression of the PERK/eIF2[Formula: see text]/ATF4/CHOP pathway, suggesting that GJ-4 may be useful for the treatment of VD.
Bifurcations and Chaos in Three-Coupled Ramp-Type Neurons
Authors: Horikawa Yo
Published: December 2022

The bifurcations and chaos in autonomous systems of two- and three-coupled ramp-type neurons are considered. An asymmetric piecewise linear function is employed for the output function of neurons in order to examine changes in the bifurcations from a sigmoid output function to a ramp output function. Steady solutions in the systems are obtained exactly and they undergo discontinuous bifurcations because the systems are piecewise linear. Periodic solutions and homoclinic/heteroclinic orbits in the systems are obtained by connecting local solutions in linear domains at borders and solving transcendental equations. The bifurcations of the periodic solutions are calculated with the Poincaré maps and the Jacobian matrices, which are also derived rigorously. A stable periodic solution in a two-neuron oscillator of the Wilson–Cowan type with three couplings remains in the case of a ramp neuron. A chaotic attractor of Rössler type emerges in a network of three ramp neurons with six couplings, which is due to two saddle-focuses. The network consists of the two-neuron oscillator and one bypass neuron connected through three couplings. One-dimensional Poincaré maps show the generation of the chaotic attractor through a cascade of period-doubling bifurcations. Further, multiple homoclinic orbits based at a saddle are generated from the destabilization of two focuses when asymmetry in the output function is large. This homoclinicity causes qualitative change in the bifurcations of the periodic solutions as the output function of neurons changes from sigmoid to ramp.
Exploring Dynamical Matching and Recrossing on a Mesa Potential Energy Surface
Authors: García-Garrido Víctor J. , Wiggins Stephen
Published: December 2022

Potential energy surfaces (PES) having the topographical features of a mesa, or caldera, play an important role in describing the mechanisms of many organic chemical reactions. The main geometrical characteristics of a caldera are a shallow minimum and a collection of index-1 saddles that surround the minimum region. We introduce in this work a new type of caldera PES that allows us to vary certain specific features of its landscape. We refer to these features as flatness and tilting, and we develop analytical techniques that allow us to quantify these features. We study three classes of trajectories associated with the mesa, depending on their dynamical fates: dynamical matching trajectories, that enter the flat region and exit by crossing the index-1 saddle diametrically opposite to the entrance saddle, trapped trajectories, that are permanently trapped in the mesa region, and recrossing trajectories, that enter the mesa region and exit by crossing the same index-1 saddle that they crossed to enter. We consider how flatness, tilting and total energy affect the total fraction of each of these types of trajectories for a fixed ensemble of initial conditions.
Graph Neural Pre-training for Recommendation with Side Information
Authors: Liu Siwei , Meng Zaiqiao , Macdonald Craig , Ounis Iadh
Published: December 2022

Leveraging the side information associated with entities (i.e., users and items) to enhance recommendation systems has been widely recognized as an essential modeling dimension. Most of the existing approaches address this task by theintegration-based scheme, which incorporates the entity side information by combining the recommendation objective with an extra side information-aware objective. Despite the growing progress made by the existing integration-based approaches, they are largely limited by the potential conflicts between the two objectives. Moreover, the heterogeneous side information among entities is still under-explored in these systems. In this article, we propose a novelpre-training schemeto leverage the entity side information by pre-training entity embeddings using the multi-graph neural network. Instead of jointly training with two objectives, ourpre-training schemefirst pre-trains two representation models under the entity multi/single relational graphs constructed by their side information and then fine-tunes their embeddings under an existing general representation-based recommendation model. Our proposed multi-graph and single-graph neural networks can generate within-entity knowledge-encapsulated embeddings, while capturing the heterogeneity from the entity side information simultaneously, thereby improving the performance of the underlying recommendation model. An extensive evaluation of our pre-training scheme fine-tuned under four general representation-based recommender models, namely, MF, NCF, NGCF, and LightGCN, shows that effectively pre-training embeddings with both the user’s and item’s side information can significantly improve these original models in terms of both effectiveness and stability.
Hierarchical and Hybrid Organizational Structures in Open-source Software Projects: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Joblin Mitchell , Eckl Barbara , Bock Thomas , Schmid Angelika , Siegmund Janet , Apel Sven
Published: December 2022

Despite the absence of a formal process and a central command-and-control structure, developer organization in open-source software (OSS) projects are far from being a purely random process. Prior work indicates that, over time, highly successful OSS projects develop a
hybrid
organizational structure that comprises a
hierarchical
part and a
non-hierarchical
part. This suggests that hierarchical organization is not necessarily a global organizing principle and that a fundamentally different principle is at play below the lowest positions in the hierarchy. Given the vast proportion of developers are in the non-hierarchical part, we seek to understand the interplay between these two fundamentally differently organized groups, how this
hybrid structure
evolves, and the trajectory individual developers take through these structures over the course of their participation. We conducted a longitudinal study of the full histories of 20 popular OSS projects, modeling their organizational structures as networks of developers connected by communication ties and characterizing developers’ positions in terms of hierarchical (sub)structures in these networks. We observed a number of notable trends and patterns in the subject projects: (1) hierarchy is a pervasive structural feature of developer networks of OSS projects; (2) OSS projects tend to form hybrid organizational structures, consisting of a hierarchical and a non-hierarchical part; and (3) the positional trajectory of a developer starts loosely connected in the non-hierarchical part and then tightly integrate into the hierarchical part, which is associated with the acquisition of experience (tenure), in addition to coordination and coding activities. Our study (a) provides a methodological basis for further investigations of hierarchy formation, (b) suggests a number of hypotheses on prevalent organizational patterns and trends in OSS projects to be addressed in further work, and (c) may ultimately guide the governance of organizational structures.
Computing with B-series
Authors: Ketcheson David I. , Ranocha Hendrik
Published: December 2022

We present BSeries.jl, a Julia package for the computation and manipulation of B-series, which are a versatile theoretical tool for understanding and designing discretizations of differential equations. We give a short introduction to the theory of B-series and associated concepts and provide examples of their use, including method composition and backward error analysis. The associated software is highly performant and makes it possible to work with B-series of high order.
Psychometric Properties of the Bangla Brief Suicide Cognitions Scale among University Level Students
Authors: Arafat S. M. Yasir , Hussain Fahad , Amin Rizwana , Menon Vikas , Islam Md Khayrul , Redwan A. S. M. , Khan Md Abdullah Saeed
Published: December 2022

Objectives. Assessment of suicide cognition would help to measure the enduring suicide risk and to predict the risk of a suicide attempt. However, no previous attempt was identified to validate the suicide cognition scale in Bangla. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Brief Suicide Cognitions Scale (BSCS) in Bangla. Methods. We conducted this validation study among 529 medical and university students. We collected the responses by Google Forms with the translated version of BSCS from 20 August to 20 October 2022. We assessed internal consistency form of reliability, face validity, content validity, construct validity, concurrent validity, and discriminant validity. Results. The mean age of the respondents was

23.32
±
1.73

years; 52.5% were males, 92% were single, 75% were undergraduate students, 40.24% were studying in medical schools, 18.53% had a chronic illness, 9.45% had a mental illness, 4.16% had a family history of suicide, and 11.15% had previous nonfatal attempts. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.84, and factor analysis revealed unidimensional construct with six items with a good model fit. The BSCS showed acceptable convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion. This study assessed the psychometric properties of Bangla BSCS among students which found acceptable reliability and validity. Further studies could test the validation especially among clinical samples to assess the predictive validity of the instrument.
Abstract A011: Epigenetic vulnerabilities in patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids
Authors: Tran Loan , Tezerji Raheleh Sheibani , Malla Carlos Uziel Perez , Malzer Anna , Logo Ajna , Misura Katarina , Mair Theresia , Dillinger Thomas , Kuroll Madeleine , Atanasova Velina , Kabiljo Julijan , Schachner Helga , Wöran Katharina , Stift Judith , Dolznig Helmut , Pulverer Walter , Bergmann Michael , Egger Gerda
Published: December 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Here, we established human patient-derived colorectal cancer organoid cultures (PDOs) to decipher the patient-specific DNA methylation profile and drug sensitivity towards 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Organoid lines (n=15) were generated from adjacent normal mucosa and tumor tissue located in different anatomical sites of the colon and rectum. The derived PDOs were characterized on a histopathological level and reproduced the grade and differentiation capacity of their parental tumors. Additional genotypic profiling of PDOs showed a high degree of similarity to the original patient tumors. However, the stability of the DNA methylation landscape of human cancer organoids remains largely unknown. In genome-wide methylation analysis of long-term organoid cultures (up to 6 months in culture), we observed surprisingly stable methylation signatures that recapitulates the patient’s profile whilst demonstrating the vast intertumoral heterogeneity among patients. Strikingly, we identified a tumor-specific methylation signature that consisted of 39 CpG sites, which were unmethylated in normal epithelial cells but highly (91-96%) methylated in all tumor cells analyzed. This signature allows for the estimation of the percentage of tumor content in resected tissues and might represent potent biomarkers for early CRC diagnostics. Notably, it has been demonstrated that PDOs have the potential to predict clinical outcome and response to chemo- and radiation therapy in patients. Herein, drug screening with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine revealed heterogeneous responses and a clustering into drug sensitive, median and resistant organoid lines. ATAC- and RNA-seq analyses identified pathways rendering drug sensitivity and resistance. Our findings highlight the utility of PDOs as an advanced model system to study the role of the epigenome, especially DNA methylation, and its impact on tumor burden and vulnerability towards epigenetic modifiers.

Citation Format: Loan Tran, Raheleh Sheibani Tezerji, Carlos Uziel Perez Malla, Anna Malzer, Ajna Logo, Katarina Misura, Theresia Mair, Thomas Dillinger, Madeleine Kuroll, Velina Atanasova, Julijan Kabiljo, Helga Schachner, Katharina Wöran, Judith Stift, Helmut Dolznig, Walter Pulverer, Michael Bergmann, Gerda Egger. Epigenetic vulnerabilities in patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Cancer Epigenomics; 2022 Oct 6-8; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(23 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A011.
Abstract A015: Cancer co-dependency mapping identifies a functional interplay between PRC2 and MLL-MEN1 complex in lymphoma
Authors: Chen Xiao , Li Yinglu , Lu Chao
Published: December 2022

Interplays between chromatin-associated complexes and modifications critically contribute to the partitioning of epigenome into stable and functionally distinct domains. Yet there is a lack of systematic identification of chromatin crosstalk mechanisms, limiting our understanding of the dynamic transition between chromatin states during development and disease. Here we perform co-dependency mapping of genes encoding nuclear proteins using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated fitness screens in pan-cancer cell lines to quantify gene-gene functional relationships. We identify 84 co-dependency modules and further define the molecular context underlying the essentiality of these modules by incorporating mutational, epigenome, gene expression and drug sensitivity profiles of cell lines. These analyses assign new protein complex functions and biochemical interactions, and predict new chromatin crosstalk, including an unexpected co-dependency between two transcriptionally counteracting chromatin complexes - polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and MLL-MEN1 complex. We show that PRC2-mediated H3K27 tri-methylation regulates the genome-wide distribution of MLL1 and MEN1. In lymphoma cells with EZH2 gain-of-function mutations, the re-localization of MLL-MEN1 complex drives oncogenic gene expression and results in a hypersensitivity to pharmacologic inhibition of MEN1. Together, our findings provide a resource for discovery of trans-regulatory interactions as mechanisms of chromatin regulation and potential targets of synthetic lethality.

Citation Format: Xiao Chen, Yinglu Li, Chao Lu. Cancer co-dependency mapping identifies a functional interplay between PRC2 and MLL-MEN1 complex in lymphoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Cancer Epigenomics; 2022 Oct 6-8; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(23 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A015.