bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commercially available artificial intelligence tools for fracture detection: the evidence
Authors: Pauling Cato , Kanber Baris , Arthurs Owen J , Shelmerdine Susan C
Published: January 2024

Missed fractures are a costly healthcare issue, not only negatively impacting patient lives, leading to potential long-term disability and time off work, but also responsible for high medicolegal disbursements that could otherwise be used to improve other healthcare services. When fractures are overlooked in children, they are particularly concerning as opportunities for safeguarding may be missed. Assistance from artificial intelligence (AI) in interpreting medical images may offer a possible solution for improving patient care, and several commercial AI tools are now available for radiology workflow implementation. However, information regarding their development, evidence for performance and validation as well as the intended target population is not always clear, but vital when evaluating a potential AI solution for implementation. In this article, we review the range of available products utilizing AI for fracture detection (in both adults and children) and summarize the evidence, or lack thereof, behind their performance. This will allow others to make better informed decisions when deciding which product to procure for their specific clinical requirements.
Body weight-based iodinated contrast immersion timing for human fetal postmortem microfocus computed tomography
Authors: Simcock Ian C , Shelmerdine Susan C , Hutchinson John Ciaran , Sebire Neil J , Arthurs Owen J
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the length of time required to achieve full iodination using potassium tri-iodide as a contrast agent, prior to human fetal postmortem microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging.

Methods

Prospective assessment of optimal contrast iodination was conducted across 157 human fetuses (postmortem weight range 2-298 g; gestational age range 12-37 weeks), following micro-CT imaging. Simple linear regression was conducted to analyse which fetal demographic factors could produce the most accurate estimate for optimal iodination time.

Results

Postmortem body weight (r2 = 0.6435) was better correlated with iodination time than gestational age (r2 = 0.1384), producing a line of best fit, y = [0.0304 × body weight (g)] − 2.2103. This can be simplified for clinical use whereby immersion time (days) = [0.03 × body weight (g)] − 2.2. Using this formula, for example, a 100-g fetus would take 5.2 days to reach optimal contrast enhancement.

Conclusions

The simplified equation can now be used to provide estimation times for fetal contrast preparation time prior to micro-CT imaging and can be used to manage service throughput and parental expectation for return of their fetus.

Advances in knowledge

A simple equation from empirical data can now be used to estimate preparation time for human fetal postmortem micro-CT imaging.
The CT knee arthrogram revisited
Authors: Chatra Priyank
Published: January 2024

The CT arthrogram is an underrated diagnostic study of the joint. Although MRI is considered superior to CT in joint imaging due to its higher resolution, CT arthrograms provide unique insights into the knee joint, with simultaneous dynamic assessment and an option for management in some conditions. In this pictorial essay, I will discuss the standard techniques and various pathologies affecting the knee joint and their CT arthrography appearance.
Outreach Work in ‘Hard-to-Reach’ Communities: A Critical Analysis of Task Shifting, Contact Making, Establishing Credibility and on-the-Spot, Solution-Focused Assistance
Authors: Gonzalez Benson Odessa , Magan Ifrah Mahamud , Yu Melanie
Published: January 2024

Outreach—the opening up of access to social services, information and opportunities—is arguably a crucial yet understudied aspect of social work practice. This study revisits ‘outreach’ as concept, using data from ‘hard to reach’ communities, specifically refugees. Our findings illuminate ‘task-shifting’, whereby professional service providers sought the help of grassroots community leaders in reaching refugees. Findings also point to issues of bidirectionality, credibility and on-the-spot assistance as aspects of outreach work. Theoretically, we apply a structural lens to problematise ‘access’ as an individual level concept, and instead turn attention to the ‘inaccessibility’ of services instead. We problematise the ‘hard-to-reachness’ of communities, and call instead for examining our services and institutions for their limited reach.
Network dynamics underlying alterations in apparent object size
Authors: Chen Lihong , Wu Baoyu , Yu Haoyang , Sperandio Irene
Published: January 2024

A target circle surrounded by small circles looks larger than an identical circle surrounded by large circles (termed as the Ebbinghaus illusion). While previous research has shown that both early and high-level visual regions are involved in the generation of the illusion, it remains unclear how these regions work together to modulate the illusion effect. Here, we used functional MRI and dynamic causal modelling to investigate the neural networks underlying the illusion in conditions where the focus of attention was manipulated via participants directing their attention to and maintain fixation on only one of the two illusory configurations at a time. Behavioural findings confirmed the presence of the illusion. Accordingly, functional MRI activity in the extrastriate cortex accounted for the illusory effects: apparently larger circles elicited greater activation than apparently smaller circles. Interestingly, this spread of activity for size overestimation was accompanied by a decrease in the inhibitory self-connection in the extrastriate region, and an increase in the feedback connectivity from the precuneus to the extrastriate region. These findings demonstrate that the representation of apparent object size relies on feedback projections from higher- to lower-level visual areas, highlighting the crucial role of top-down signals in conscious visual perception.
piOxi database: a web resource of germline and somatic tissue piRNAs identified by chemical oxidation
Authors: Wang Kai , Perera Bambarendage P U , Morgan Rachel K , Sala-Hamrick Kimberley , Geron Viviana , Svoboda Laurie K , Faulk Christopher , Dolinoy Dana C , Sartor Maureen A
Published: January 2024

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are highly expressed and extensively studied from the germline. piRNAs associate with PIWI proteins to maintain DNA methylation for transposon silencing and transcriptional gene regulation for genomic stability. Mature germline piRNAs have distinct characteristics including a 24- to 32-nucleotide length and a 2ʹ-O-methylation signature at the 3ʹ end. Although recent studies have identified piRNAs in somatic tissues, they remain poorly characterized. For example, we recently demonstrated notable expression of piRNA in the murine soma, and while overall expression was lower than that of the germline, unique characteristics suggested tissue-specific functions of this class. While currently available databases commonly use length and association with PIWI proteins to identify piRNA, few have included a chemical oxidation method that detects piRNA based on its 3ʹ modification. This method leads to reproducible and rigorous data processing when coupled with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Here, we introduce piOxi DB, a user-friendly web resource that provides a comprehensive analysis of piRNA, generated exclusively through sodium periodate treatment of small RNA. The current version of piOxi DB includes 435 749 germline and 9828 somatic piRNA sequences robustly identified from M. musculus, M. fascicularis and H. sapiens. The database provides species- and tissue-specific data that are further analyzed according to chromosome location and correspondence to gene and repetitive elements. piOxi DB is an informative tool to assist broad research applications in the fields of RNA biology, cancer biology, environmental toxicology and beyond.

Database URL:  https://pioxidb.dcmb.med.umich.edu/
Baseline Data and Measurement Instruments Reported in Observational Studies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results from a Systematic Review
Authors: Wong Charlotte , van Oostrom Joep , Pittet Valerie , Bossuyt Peter , Hanzel Jurij , Samaan Mark , Tripathi Monika , Czuber-Dochan Wladyslawa , Burisch Johan , Leone Salvatore , Saldaña Roberto , Baert Filip , Kopylov Uri , Jaghult Susanna , Adamina Michel , Gecse Krisztina , Arebi Naila
Published: January 2024

Background

Heterogeneity in demographic and outcomes data with corresponding measurement instruments [MIs] creates barriers to data pooling and analysis. Several core outcome sets have been developed in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] to homogenize outcomes data. A parallel Minimum Data Set [MDS] for baseline characteristics is lacking. We conducted a systematic review to develop the first MDS.

Methods

A systematic review was made of observational studies from three databases [2000–2021]. Titles and abstracts were screened, full-text articles were reviewed, and data were extracted by two reviewers. Baseline data were grouped into ten domains: demographics, clinical features, disease behaviour/complications, biomarkers, endoscopy, histology, radiology, healthcare utilization and patient-reported data. Frequency of baseline data and MIs within respective domains are reported.

Results

From 315 included studies [600 552 subjects], most originated from Europe [196; 62%] and North America [59; 19%], and were published between 2011 and 2021 [251; 80%]. The most frequent domains were demographics [311; 98.7%] and clinical [289; 91.7%]; 224 [71.1%] studies reported on the triad of sex [306; 97.1%], age [289; 91.7%], and disease phenotype [231; 73.3%]. Few included baseline data for radiology [19; 6%], healthcare utilization [19; 6%], and histology [17; 5.4%]. Ethnicity [19; 6%], race [17; 5.4%], and alcohol/drug consumption [6; 1.9%] were the least reported demographics. From 25 MIs for clinical disease activity, the Harvey–Bradshaw Index [n = 53] and Mayo score [n = 37] were most frequently used.

Conclusions

Substantial variability exists in baseline population data reporting. These findings will inform a future consensus for MDS in IBD to enhance data harmonization and credibility of real-world evidence.
Neopolyploidy increases stress tolerance and reduces fitness plasticity across multiple urban pollutants: support for the “general-purpose” genotype hypothesis
Authors: Turcotte Martin M , Kaufmann Nancy , Wagner Katie L , Zallek Taylor A , Ashman Tia-Lynn
Published: January 2024

Whole-genome duplication is a common macromutation with extensive impacts on gene expression, cellular function, and whole-organism phenotype. As a result, it has been proposed that polyploids have “general-purpose” genotypes that perform better than their diploid progenitors under stressful conditions. Here, we test this hypothesis in the context of stresses presented by anthropogenic pollutants. Specifically, we tested how multiple neotetraploid genetic lineages of the mostly asexually reproducing greater duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) perform across a favorable control environment and 5 urban pollutants (iron, salt, manganese, copper, and aluminum). By quantifying the population growth rate of asexually reproducing duckweed over multiple generations, we found that across most pollutants, but not all, polyploidy decreased the growth rate of actively growing propagules but increased that of dormant ones. Yet, when considering total propagule production, polyploidy increased tolerance to most pollutants, and polyploids maintained population-level fitness across pollutants better than diploids. Furthermore, broad-sense genetic correlations in growth rate among pollutants were all positive in neopolyploids but not so for diploids. Our results provide a rare test and support for the hypothesis that polyploids are more tolerant of stressful conditions and can maintain fitness better than diploids across heterogeneous stresses. These results may help predict that polyploids may be likely to persist in stressful environments, such as those caused by urbanization and other human activities.
Plasma of COVID-19 Patients Does Not Alter Electrical Resistance of Human Endothelial Blood-Brain Barrier In Vitro
Authors: Pociūtė Agnė , Kriaučiūnaitė Karolina , Kaušylė Aida , Zablockienė Birutė , Alčauskas Tadas , Jelinskaitė Augustė , Rudėnaitė Akvilė , Jančorienė Ligita , Ročka Saulius , Verkhratsky Alexei , Pivoriūnas Augustas
Published: January 2024

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 instigated the most serious global health crisis. Clinical presentation of COVID-19 frequently includes severe neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, it is presently unknown whether and to which extent pathological impairment of blood-brain barrier (BBB) contributes to the development of neuropathology during COVID-19 progression. In the present study, we used human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived brain endothelial cells (iBECs) to study the effects of blood plasma derived from COVID-19 patients on the BBB integrity in vitro. We also performed a comprehensive analysis of the cytokine and chemokine profiles in the plasma of COVID-19 patients, healthy and recovered individuals. We found significantly increased levels of interferon γ-induced protein 10 kDa, hepatocyte growth factor, and interleukin-18 in the plasma of COVID-19 patients. However, blood plasma from COVID-19 patients did not affect transendothelial electrical resistance in iBEC monolayers. Our results demonstrate that COVID-19-associated blood plasma inflammatory factors do not affect BBB paracellular pathway directly and suggest that pathological remodeling (if any) of BBB during COVID-19 may occur through indirect or yet unknown mechanisms.
Genetic screens in Saccharomyces cerevisiae identify a role for 40S ribosome recycling factors Tma20 and Tma22 in nonsense-mediated decay
Authors: Pacheco Miguel , D’Orazio Karole N , Lessen Laura N , Veltri Anthony J , Neiman Zachary , Loll-Krippleber Raphael , Brown Grant W , Green Rachel
Published: January 2024

The decay of messenger RNA with a premature termination codon by nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) is an important regulatory pathway for eukaryotes and an essential pathway in mammals. NMD is typically triggered by the ribosome terminating at a stop codon that is aberrantly distant from the poly-A tail. Here, we use a fluorescence screen to identify factors involved in NMD in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to the known NMD factors, including the entire UPF family (UPF1, UPF2, and UPF3), as well as NMD4 and EBS1, we identify factors known to function in posttermination recycling and characterize their contribution to NMD. These observations in S. cerevisiae expand on data in mammals indicating that the 60S recycling factor ABCE1 is important for NMD by showing that perturbations in factors implicated in 40S recycling also correlate with a loss of NMD.
Associations of Lower Extremity Muscle Strength, Area, and Specific Force With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Men: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Langston Marvin E , Cawthon Peggy M , Lu Kaiwei , Scherzer Rebecca , Newman John C , Covinsky Kenneth , Ferrucci Luigi , Simonsick Eleanor M , Bauer Scott R
Published: January 2024

Background

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older men are associated with an increased risk of mobility limitations. Lower extremity muscle quality may represent a novel shared mechanism of both LUTS and mobility limitations.

Methods

We evaluated associations of thigh skeletal muscle measures (strength, area, and specific force) with total LUTS severity (American Urologic Association Symptom Index; AUASI) and voiding and storage subscores among 352 men aged ≥60 years enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Thigh muscle strength (Nm) was defined as maximum concentric 30°/s knee extensor torque, area (cm2), and specific force (Nm/cm2) defined as strength/area. Associations with AUASI score were estimated using multivariable linear regression and linear mixed models.

Results

Mean thigh muscle strength at baseline was 139.7Nm. In cross-sectional multivariable models, each 39Nm increment in thigh muscle strength and 0.28Nm/cm2 increment in specific force was associated with −1.17 point (95% CI: −1.93 to −.41) and −0.95 point (95% CI: −1.63 to −0.27) lower AUASI score, respectively. Similar associations were observed for voiding and storage subscores, although somewhat attenuated. In longitudinal analyses, baseline muscle measures were not associated with annual change in AUASI, and current changes in muscle measures and AUASI were unrelated.

Conclusions

Cross-sectionally, higher thigh muscle strength and specific force were associated with decreased LUTS severity in older men. However, we did not observe concurrent worsening LUTS severity with declining thigh muscle strength, area, or specific force in longitudinal analyses.
Associations of Orthostatic Hypotension and Frailty With Dementia and Mortality in Older Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Xia Xin , Jönsson Linus , Tazzeo Clare , Qiu Chengxuan , Rizzuto Debora , Laukka Erika J , Grande Giulia , Fratiglioni Laura , Vetrano Davide Liborio
Published: January 2024

Background

This study aimed to assess the associations of orthostatic hypotension (OH), in the presence or absence of frailty, with dementia and mortality in older adults.

Methods

We conducted a 15-year population-based cohort study including 2 703 baseline dementia-free individuals from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. At baseline, OH was defined as a decline in systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥20/10 mm Hg 1 minute after standing up from a supine position. Frailty status was defined following Fried’s frailty phenotype. Dementia was diagnosed following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition criteria. Multistate flexible parametric survival models were used to estimate associations of OH and frailty with dementia and mortality.

Results

Robust people with OH (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47–3.54) and frail people without OH (HR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.40–2.82) or with OH (HR = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.82–4.10) had a higher dementia risk than OH-free and robust people. Moreover, frail people, independently of the presence of OH, had higher mortality rate than OH-free and robust people. In individuals who developed dementia during the follow-up period, neither OH nor frailty was significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusions

Older adults with OH, whether robust or frail, may have a higher dementia risk than those without OH. Older adults with OH, when having frailty, may have a higher mortality rate than those without OH. The concurrent assessments of OH and frailty may provide prognostic values in terms of dementia and mortality risk in older adults.
Yo-Yo Dieting Delays Male Drosophila melanogaster Aging Through Enhanced Mitochondrial Function, Relative to Sustained High-Calorie Diet Feeding
Authors: Luo Mengliu , Yuan Qianhua , Xie Yutong , Mai Meiqing , Song Wanhan , Wang Ya , Shi Haimei , Xia Enqin , Guo Honghui
Published: January 2024

Weight regain subsequent to weight reduction resulting from dietary interventions represents a prevalent phenomenon recognized as “Yo-yo dieting.” However, the impact of prolonged Yo-yo dieting on health, especially in relation to the aging process, remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of Yo-yo dieting on the aging process in male Drosophila melanogaster that have been exposed to a high-calorie (HC) diet. Fruit flies were fed with either a consistent HC diet or an alternating regimen of HC and low-calorie diets every 3 days (referred to as “Yo-yo dieting”) for a total of 24 days. Biochemical assays were utilized to quantify levels of oxidative stress and activities of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. The frozen section staining method was employed to assess the presence of lipid droplets, reactive oxygen species, cellular viability, and mitochondrial abundance in tissues. Additionally, we examined the expression of key regulators involved in mitochondrial dynamics and biogenic signaling pathways. Yo-yo dieting resulted in an extension of the fruit flies’ lifespan, concomitant with reduced body weight, decreased body protein content, and lower triglyceride levels compared to continuous a HC diet feeding. Furthermore, Yo-yo dieting ameliorated impairments in motility and intestinal barrier function. Importantly, it improved mitochondrial function and upregulated the expression of essential mitochondrial fusion proteins, namely mitofusin 1 and mitofusin 2, optic atrophy 1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α. Therefore, the practice of Yo-yo dieting extends the lifespan of fruit flies by modulating mitochondrial dynamics and the associated biogenic signaling pathways.
Inequalities in Mortality in the Asia-Pacific: A Cross-National Comparison of Socioeconomic Gradients
Authors: Xu Kim Qinzi , Aw Jessica Yi Han , Payne Collin F
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Social inequalities in mortality are poorly studied in much of the Asia-Pacific. Using data from harmonized nationally representative longitudinal health and aging surveys our study systematically assesses mortality disparities across 3 standardized measures of socioeconomic status in 7 Asia-Pacific countries.

Methods

We used data from multiple waves of 7 representative sample surveys: the Health, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the Indonesian Family Life Survey, the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement survey, the Korean Longitudinal Study on Ageing and the Health, Aging and Retirement in Thailand survey, and the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement. We use Cox proportional hazards modeling to examine how the hazard of mortality differs across domains of social stratification including educational attainment, wealth, and occupational status across countries.

Results

We found consistent and pervasive gradients in mortality risk in the high-income countries by all available measures of social stratification. In contrast, patterns of inequality in adult mortality in middle-income and recently transitioned high-income countries investigated varied depending on the measure of social stratification, with strong gradients by wealth but mixed gradients by education.

Discussion

Analyzing social gradients in mortality in the Asia-Pacific shows that inequalities, especially wealth-based inequalities, in later-life health are present across the region, and that the magnitude of social gradients in mortality is overall larger in high-income countries as compared to middle-income countries.
Cohort Differences in PTSD Symptoms and Military Experiences: A Life Course Perspective
Authors: Kurth Maria L , Witzel Dakota D , Segerstrom Suzanne C , Choun Soyoung , Aldwin, PhD Carolyn M
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

There have been major changes in military service over the past 50 years. Most research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among combat Veterans comes from help-seeking Vietnam and WWII cohorts; results from more recent cohort comparisons are mixed. The present study addressed these gaps by exploring cohort differences among Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Post-9/11 combat Veterans from a life course perspective.

Research Design and Methods

We recruited community-dwelling combat and war zone Veterans (N = 167), primarily from Veterans’ associations in Oregon from three cohorts: Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Post-911. Online surveys assessed current PTSD symptoms, life course (demographics and cohort membership), and experiential variables (combat severity, appraisals of military service, homecoming, and social support).

Results

Cohorts were comparable in demographics and war experiences. Step one of a hierarchical regression found that PTSD symptoms were higher among Veterans of color and those with lower incomes, R2 = 0.37, p < .001. When cohort was added, Vietnam Veterans had higher symptoms than Post-9/11; income and race/ethnicity remained significant, ΔR2 = 0.01, p = .13. The final model added experiential variables, ΔR2 = 0.38, p < .001; cohort and income were no longer significant, although Veterans of color still reported higher symptoms. Those with more undesirable service appraisals and who sought social support had higher symptoms, while desirable appraisals were protective.

Discussion and Implications

From a life course perspective, the particular war zone that Veterans served in was less important than demographics and both service and postservice experiences, suggesting generalizability of risk and protective factors, as well as treatment modalities, across cohorts.
Magma migration below Tancítaro and Paricutin volcanoes revealed by seismology
Authors: Perton M , Legrand D , Macías J L , Cisneros G , Yañez-Sandoval R
Published: January 2024

In this study, we analyse the 2020 seismic swarm that lasted two months and occurred between the Tancítaro and the Paricutin volcanoes in the Michoacán Guanajuato Volcanic Field, Mexico. We developed a new method to automatically detect and locate about 100 000 earthquakes, enabling us to track the magma migration through narrow dykes. Additionally, we reveal the presence of two magma reservoirs from two seismic noise tomography results. The first reservoir is located from 8 to 20 km below sea level and beneath the Tancítaro volcano and probably corresponds to a complex network of dykes and sills. This crustal reservoir is fed by a mantle reservoir with a wide horizontal extension between 35 and 50 km below sea level. The seismic swarm initiated beneath the Tancítaro summit in the lower portion of the crustal magma reservoir. At this stage, the seismicity migration was mainly horizontal, which we interpret as its response to the higher normal stress caused by the gravitational load of Tancítaro. Once the magma was displaced laterally from beneath Tancítaro, magma migration became more vertical. The swarm reached the upper portion of the crustal magma reservoir but did not escape it. We also reveal the effect of a distant but strong tectonic earthquake on the seismic swarm. Before its occurrence, magma migration followed several paths; afterwards, it became more focused along a single path. Finally, after the swarm, we observed a second type of seismicity called post-swarm seismicity, with a lower earthquake rate but with higher magnitudes. The hypocentres were diffuse and horizontally centred on the previous swarm location. Furthermore, some earthquakes were aligned along shallow faults, generating a high seismic risk to the different Tancítaro nearby localities.
Health insurance coverage among incident cancer cases from population-based cancer registries in 49 US states, 2010–2019
Authors: Hu Xin , Yang Nuo Nova , Fan Qinjin , Yabroff K Robin , Han Xuesong
Published: January 2024

Having health insurance coverage is a strong determinant of cancer care access and survival in the United States. The expansion of Medicaid income eligibility under the Affordable Care Act has increased insurance coverage for working-age adults. Using data from the Cancer Incidence in North America (CiNA) in 2010–2019, we identified 6 432 117 incident cancer cases with known insurance status diagnosed at age 18–64 years from population-based registries of 49 states. Considerable variation in Medicaid coverage and uninsured rate exists across states, especially by Medicaid expansion status. Among expansion states, Medicaid coverage increased from 14.1% in 2010 to 19.9% in 2019, while the Medicaid coverage rate remained lower (range = 11.7% – 12.7%) in non-expansion states. The uninsured rate decreased from 4.9% to 2.1% in expansion states, while in non-expansion states, the uninsured rate decreased slightly from 9.5% to 8.1%. In 2019, 111 393 cancer cases (16.9%) had Medicaid coverage at diagnosis (range = 7.6%–37.9% across states), and 48 357 (4.4%) were uninsured (range = 0.5%–13.2%). These estimates suggest that many patients with cancer may face challenges with care access and continuity, especially following the unwinding of COVID-19 pandemic protections for Medicaid coverage. State cancer prevention and control efforts are needed to mitigate cancer care disparities among vulnerable populations.
2. Niccolò Machiavelli
Authors: Unrau Christine
Published: January 2024

Critiquing the Canon: Political Theory draws upon critical scholarship to bring together diverse ways of thinking about and critiquing key thinkers from the canon of political theory. Each chapter is dedicated to a particular thinker and their work, and encourages students to explore the limitations of the canon and ask important questions about whose views might be marginalized, ignored, or sidelined in the construction of ‘canonical’ thought. Pedagogical features include author tutorial videos and end-of-chapter questions to prompt students to develop their own voice and challenge dominant ideas.
3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Authors: Klausen Jimmy Casas
Published: January 2024

Critiquing the Canon: Political Theory draws upon critical scholarship to bring together diverse ways of thinking about and critiquing key thinkers from the canon of political theory. Each chapter is dedicated to a particular thinker and their work, and encourages students to explore the limitations of the canon and ask important questions about whose views might be marginalized, ignored, or sidelined in the construction of ‘canonical’ thought. Pedagogical features include author tutorial videos and end-of-chapter questions to prompt students to develop their own voice and challenge dominant ideas.
Towards the completion of Koch's postulates for the citrus huanglongbing bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
Authors: Zheng Desen , Armstrong Cheryl M , Yao Wei , Wu Bo , Luo Weiqi , Powell Charles , Hunter Wayne , Luo Feng , Gabriel Dean , Duan Yongping
Published: January 2024

Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) is one of the causal agents of huanglongbing (HLB), the most devastating disease of citrus worldwide. Due to the intracellular lifestyle and significant genome reduction, culturing Las in vitro has proven to be extremely challenging. In this study, we optimized growth conditions and developed a semi-selective medium based on the results of nutritional and antibiotic screening assays. Using these optimized conditions, we were able to grow Las in the LG liquid medium with ca.100- to 1000-fold increase, which peaked after 4 to 6 weeks and were estimated to contain 106 to 107 cells/ml. The cultured Las bacteria remained in a dynamic state of growth for over 20 months and displayed limited growth in subcultures. The survival and growth of Las was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization with Las-specific probes and expression of its metabolic genes. Growth of Las in the optimized medium relied on the presence of a helper bacterium, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FLMAT-1 that is multi-drug resistant and dominant in the Las co-culture system. To recapitulate the disease, the co-cultured Las was inoculated back to citrus seedlings via psyllid feeding. Although the Las-positive rate of the fed psyllids and inoculated plants were relatively low, this is the first demonstration of partial fulfillment of Koch’s postulates with significant growth of Las in vitro and a successful inoculation of cultured Las back to psyllids and citrus plants that resulted in HLB symptoms. These results provide new insights into Las growth in vitro and a system for improvement towards axenic culture and anti-Las compound screening.
Diabetes mortality: trends and multi-country analysis of the Americas from 2000 to 2019
Authors: Antini Carmen , Caixeta Roberta , Luciani Silvana , Hennis Anselm J M
Published: January 2024

Background

Diabetes has been increasing worldwide and is now among the 10 leading causes of death globally. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a complication of poorly managed diabetes, is related to high mortality risk. To better understand the situation in the Americas region, we evaluated diabetes and DKD mortality trends over the past 20 years.

Methods

We analysed diabetes and DKD mortality for 33 countries in the Americas from 2000 to 2019. Data were extracted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Estimates and the World Population Prospects, 2019 Revision, estimating annual age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and gaps in the distribution of diabetes and DKD mortality by sex and country. Trend analyses were based on the annual average percentage of change (AAPC).

Results

From 2000 to 2019, the overall mortality trend from diabetes in the Americas remained stable [AAPC: -0.2% (95% CI: -0.4%–0.0%]; however, it showed important differences by sex and by country over time. By contrast, DKD mortality increased 1.5% (1.3%–1.6%) per year, rising faster in men than women, with differences between countries. Central America, Mexico and the Latin Caribbean showed significant increases in mortality for both diseases, especially DKD. In contrast in North America, diabetes mortality decreased whereas DKD mortality increased.

Conclusions

The increase in DKD mortality is evidence of poorly controlled diabetes in the region. The lack of programmes on prevention of complications, self-care management and gaps in quality health care may explain this trend and highlight the urgent need to build more robust health systems based on primary care, prioritizing diabetes prevention and control.
Darcy’s problem coupled with the heat equation under singular forcing: analysis and discretization
Authors: Allendes Alejandro , Campaña Gilberto , Fuica Francisco , Otárola Enrique
Published: January 2024

We study the existence of solutions for Darcy’s problem coupled with the heat equation under singular forcing; the right-hand side of the heat equation corresponds to a Dirac measure. The model studied involves thermal diffusion and viscosity depending on the temperature. We propose a finite element solution technique and analyze its convergence properties. In the case where thermal diffusion is independent of temperature, we propose an a posteriori error estimator and study its reliability and efficiency properties. We illustrate the theory with numerical examples.
Safety and Virologic Impact of Haploidentical NK Cells Plus Interleukin 2 or N-803 in HIV Infection
Authors: Miller Jeffrey S , Rhein Joshua , Davis Zachary B , Cooley Sarah , McKenna David , Anderson Jodi , Escandón Kevin , Wieking Garritt , Reichel Jarrett , Thorkelson Ann , Jorstad Siri , Safrit Jeffrey T , Soon-Shiong Patrick , Beilman Gregory J , Chipman Jeffrey G , Schacker Timothy W
Published: January 2024

Background

Natural killer (NK) cells are dysfunctional in chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection as they are not able to clear virus. We hypothesized that an infusion of NK cells, supported by interleukin 2 (IL-2) or IL-15, could decrease virus-producing cells in the lymphatic tissues.

Methods

We conducted a phase 1 pilot study in 6 persons with HIV (PWH), where a single infusion of haploidentical related donor NK cells was given plus either IL-2 or N-803 (an IL-15 superagonist).

Results

The approach was well tolerated with no unexpected adverse events. We did not pretreat recipients with cyclophosphamide or fludarabine to “make immunologic space,” reasoning that PWH on stable antiretroviral treatment remain T-cell depleted in lymphatic tissues. We found donor cells remained detectable in blood for up to 8 days (similar to what is seen in cancer pretreatment with lymphodepleting chemotherapy) and in the lymph nodes and rectum up to 28 days. There was a moderate decrease in the frequency of viral RNA-positive cells in lymph nodes.

Conclusions

There was a moderate decrease in HIV-producing cells in lymph nodes. Further studies are warranted to determine the impact of healthy NK cells on HIV reservoirs and if restoring NK-cell function could be part of an HIV cure strategy.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03346499 and NCT03899480.
Transposon sequencing reveals the essential gene set and genes enabling gut symbiosis in the insect symbiont Caballeronia insecticola
Authors: Jouan Romain , Lextrait Gaëlle , Lachat Joy , Yokota Aya , Cossard Raynald , Naquin Delphine , Timchenko Tatiana , Kikuchi Yoshitomo , Ohbayashi Tsubasa , Mergaert Peter
Published: January 2024

Caballeronia insecticola is a bacterium belonging to the Burkholderia genus sensu lato, which is able to colonize multiple environments like soils and the gut of the bean bug Riptortus pedestris. We constructed a saturated Himar1 mariner transposon library and revealed by transposon-sequencing that 498 protein-coding genes constitute the essential genome of Caballeronia insecticola for growth in free-living conditions. By comparing essential gene sets of Caballeronia insecticola and seven related Burkholderia s.l. strains, only 120 common genes were identified, indicating that a large part of the essential genome is strain-specific. In order to reproduce specific nutritional conditions that are present in the gut of Riptortus pedestris, we grew the mutant library in minimal media supplemented with candidate gut nutrients and identified several condition-dependent fitness-defect genes by transposon-sequencing. To validate the robustness of the approach, insertion mutants in six fitness genes were constructed and their growth deficiency in media supplemented with the corresponding nutrient was confirmed. The mutants were further tested for their efficiency in Riptortus pedestris gut colonization, confirming that gluconeogenic carbon sources, taurine and inositol, are nutrients consumed by the symbiont in the gut. Thus, our study provides insights about specific contributions provided by the insect host to the bacterial symbiont.
Active microbiota persist in dry permafrost and active layer from Elephant Head, Antarctica
Authors: Wood Claudia , Bruinink Alyssa , Trembath-Reichert Elizabeth , Wilhelm Mary Beth , Vidal Chanel , Balaban Edward , McKay Christopher P , Swan Robert , Swan Barney , Goordial Jackie
Published: January 2024

Dry permafrost is a challenging environment for microbial life due to cold, dry, and often oligotrophic conditions. In 2016, Elephant Head, Antarctica, was confirmed as the second site on Earth to contain dry permafrost. It is geographically distinct from the McMurdo Dry Valleys where dry permafrost has been studied previously. Here, we present the first study of the microbial activity, diversity, and functional potential of Elephant Head dry permafrost. Microbial activity was measured using radiorespiration assays with radiolabeled acetate as a carbon source at 5, 0, and −5°C. Low, but detectable, rates of microbial activity were measured in some samples at 0 and −5°C. This is distinct from previous studies of McMurdo Dry Valley dry permafrost which concluded that dry permafrost represents a cold-arid limit to life on the planet. The isolation of cold-adapted organisms from these soils, including one capable of subzero growth, further supports that the Elephant Head dry active layer and dry permafrost harbor viable microbial life, which may be active in situ. Metagenomic, 16S rRNA gene, and internal transcribed spacer and amplicon sequencing identified similar microbial communities to other Antarctic and cold environments. The Elephant Head microbial community appears to be adapted for survival in cold, dry, and oligotrophic conditions based on the presence of cold adaptation and stress response genes in the metagenomes. Together, our results show that dry permafrost environments do not exclude active microbial life at subzero temperatures, suggesting that the cold, dry soils of Mars may also not be as inhospitable as previously thought.
A multiyear time series (2004–2012) of bacterial and archaeal community dynamics in a changing Arctic Ocean
Authors: Kraemer Susanne A , Ramachandran Arthi , Onana Vera E , Li William K W , Walsh David A
Published: January 2024

Climate change is profoundly impacting the Arctic, leading to a loss of multiyear sea ice and a warmer, fresher upper Arctic Ocean. The response of microbial communities to these climate-mediated changes is largely unknown. Here, we document the interannual variation in bacterial and archaeal communities across a 9-year time series of the Canada Basin that includes two historic sea ice minima (2007 and 2012). We report an overall loss of bacterial and archaeal community richness and significant shifts in community composition. The magnitude and period of most rapid change differed between the stratified water layers. The most pronounced changes in the upper water layers (surface mixed layer and upper Arctic water) occurred earlier in the time series, while changes in the lower layer (Pacific-origin water) occurred later. Shifts in taxonomic composition across time were subtle, but a decrease in Bacteroidota taxa and increase in Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota taxa were the clearest signatures of change. This time series provides a rare glimpse into the potential influence of climate change on Arctic microbial communities; extension to the present day should contribute to deeper insights into the trajectory of Arctic marine ecosystems in response to warming and freshening.
Collaborative metabolisms of urea and cyanate degradation in marine anammox bacterial culture
Authors: Oshiki Mamoru , Morimoto Emi , Kobayashi Kanae , Satoh Hisashi , Okabe Satoshi
Published: January 2024

Anammox process greatly contributes to nitrogen loss occurring in oceanic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), where the availability of NH4+ is scarce as compared with NO2−. Remineralization of organic nitrogen compounds including urea and cyanate (OCN−) into NH4+ has been believed as an NH4+ source of the anammox process in oxygen minimum zones. However, urea- or OCN−- dependent anammox has not been well examined due to the lack of marine anammox bacterial culture. In the present study, urea and OCN− degradation in a marine anammox bacterial consortium were investigated based on 15N-tracer experiments and metagenomic analysis. Although a marine anammox bacterium, Candidatus Scalindua sp., itself was incapable of urea and OCN− degradation, urea was anoxically decomposed to NH4+ by the coexisting ureolytic bacteria (Rhizobiaceae, Nitrosomonadaceae, and/or Thalassopiraceae bacteria), whereas OCN− was abiotically degraded to NH4+. The produced NH4+ was subsequently utilized in the anammox process. The activity of the urea degradation increased under microaerobic condition (ca. 32–42 μM dissolved O2, DO), and the contribution of the anammox process to the total nitrogen loss also increased up to 33.3% at 32 μM DO. Urea-dependent anammox activities were further examined in a fluid thioglycolate media with a vertical gradient of O2 concentration, and the active collaborative metabolism of the urea degradation and anammox was detected at the lower oxycline (21 μM DO).
Homogenization of bacterial plastisphere community in soil: a continental-scale microcosm study
Authors: Sun Yuanze , Wu Mochen , Xie Siyuan , Zang Jingxi , Wang Xiang , Yang Yuyi , Li Changchao , Wang Jie
Published: January 2024

Microplastics alter niches of soil microbiota by providing trillions of artificial microhabitats, termed the “plastisphere.” Because of the ever-increasing accumulation of microplastics in ecosystems, it is urgent to understand the ecology of microbes associated with the plastisphere. Here, we present a continental-scale study of the bacterial plastisphere on polyethylene microplastics compared with adjacent soil communities across 99 sites collected from across China through microcosm experiments. In comparison with the soil bacterial communities, we found that plastispheres had a greater proportion of Actinomycetota and Bacillota, but lower proportions of Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, and Bacteroidota. The spatial dispersion and the dissimilarity among plastisphere communities were less variable than those among the soil bacterial communities, suggesting highly homogenized bacterial communities on microplastics. The relative importance of homogeneous selection in plastispheres was greater than that in soil samples, possibly because of the more uniform properties of polyethylene microplastics compared with the surrounding soil. Importantly, we found that the degree to which plastisphere and soil bacterial communities differed was negatively correlated with the soil pH and carbon content and positively related to the mean annual temperature of sampling sites. Our work provides a more comprehensive continental-scale perspective on the microbial communities that form in the plastisphere and highlights the potential impacts of microplastics on the maintenance of microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Functional prediction of proteins from the human gut archaeome
Authors: Novikova Polina V , Bhanu Busi Susheel , Probst Alexander J , May Patrick , Wilmes Paul
Published: January 2024

The human gastrointestinal tract contains diverse microbial communities, including archaea. Among them, Methanobrevibacter smithii represents a highly active and clinically relevant methanogenic archaeon, being involved in gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. Herein, we present an integrated approach using sequence and structure information to improve the annotation of M. smithii proteins using advanced protein structure prediction and annotation tools, such as AlphaFold2, trRosetta, ProFunc, and DeepFri. Of an initial set of 873 481 archaeal proteins, we found 707 754 proteins exclusively present in the human gut. Having analysed archaeal proteins together with 87 282 994 bacterial proteins, we identified unique archaeal proteins and archaeal–bacterial homologs. We then predicted and characterized functional domains and structures of 73 unique and homologous archaeal protein clusters linked the human gut and M. smithii. We refined annotations based on the predicted structures, extending existing sequence similarity-based annotations. We identified gut-specific archaeal proteins that may be involved in defense mechanisms, virulence, adhesion, and the degradation of toxic substances. Interestingly, we identified potential glycosyltransferases that could be associated with N-linked and O-glycosylation. Additionally, we found preliminary evidence for interdomain horizontal gene transfer between Clostridia species and M. smithii, which includes sporulation Stage V proteins AE and AD. Our study broadens the understanding of archaeal biology, particularly M. smithii, and highlights the importance of considering both sequence and structure for the prediction of protein function.
Interspecific competition prevents the proliferation of social cheaters in an unstructured environment
Authors: Lin Hui , Wang Donglin , Wang Qiaojuan , Mao Jie , Bai Yaohui , Qu Jiuhui
Published: January 2024

Bacterial communities are intricate ecosystems in which various members interact, compete for resources, and influence each other’s growth. Antibiotics intensify this complexity, posing challenges in maintaining biodiversity. In this study, we delved into the behavior of kin bacterial communities when subjected to antibiotic perturbations, with a particular focus on how interspecific interactions shape these responses. We hypothesized that social cheating—where resistant strains shield both themselves and neighboring cheaters—obstructed coexistence, especially when kin bacteria exhibited varied growth rates and antibiotic sensitivities. To explore potential pathways to coexistence, we incorporated a third bacterial member, anticipating a shift in the dynamics of community coexistence. Simulations and experimental bacterial communities confirmed our predictions, emphasizing the pivotal role of interspecific competition in promoting coexistence under antibiotic interference. These insights are crucial for understanding bacterial ecosystem stability, interpreting drug–microbiome interactions, and predicting bacterial community adaptations to environmental changes.