bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Sakuma Masayoshi , Maeda Atsuyuki , Takayama Yuichi , Takahashi Takamasa , Aoyama Hiroki , Takahashi Daigoro , Hosoi Takahiro
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Studies comparing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) for ampullary carcinoma (AC) are limited. This study aimed to compare short‐ and long‐term outcomes between LPD and OPD for AC.

Methods

This study included patients with AC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with curative intention at Ogaki Municipal Hospital from April 2008 to March 2023.

Results

Fifty‐five patients underwent LPD (n = 26) or OPD (n = 29). There were no significant differences in the demographics between the two groups. The LPD group had a significantly longer operative time (268 vs. 225 min), less blood loss (125 vs. 450 mL), and shorter postoperative hospital stay (18 vs. 23 days) than the OPD group. There was no significant difference in the morbidity ratio. Fewer lymph nodes were harvested in the LPD group than OPD group (9.5 vs. 16.0), but there were no significant differences in lymph node metastasis or pathological stages. There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) or recurrence‐free survival (RFS). The 3‐ and 5‐year OS rates in the LPD group and the OPD group were 63.0% and 54%, 64.8%, and 61.2%, respectively. The 3‐ and 5‐year RFS rates were 57.4% and 57.4%, 58.1%, and 54.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

LPD for AC had short‐ and long‐term outcomes comparable with those of OPD. LPD could be considered the standard treatments for AC because of less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay.
Comparison of surgical outcomes of da Vinci surgical systems X and Xi: A single‐center study
Authors: Nagata Hiroki , Komatsu Hiroaki , Yamamoto Koji , Okawa Masayo , Hikino Kohei , Iida Yuki , Wada Ikumi , Ikebuchi Ai , Sawada Mayumi , Azuma Yukihiro , Sato Shinya , Harada Tasuku , Taniguchi Fuminori
Published: July 2024

Background

The da Vinci surgical systems (X and Xi) are fourth‐generation systems marketed by Intuitive Inc. The X system is less expensive than the Xi system. This study compared the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent hysterectomy using the X and Xi systems.

Methods

Data from 172 patients who underwent robot‐assisted total hysterectomies by four surgeons between April 2019 and March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in a single‐center study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical system used. Approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of the Tottori University Hospital (22A134). All patients provided opt‐out consent in accordance with the institutional guidelines.

Results

Operative time (126.6 ± 29.5 for X, 138.2 ± 38.5 for Xi, p = .227) and console time (92.9 ± 27.0 for X, 105.5 ± 34.7 for Xi, p = .089) were insignificantly shorter in group X than in group Xi after propensity score matching for age, body mass index, nulliparity, previous history of abdominal or pelvic surgery, preoperative diagnosis, and surgical approach. No significant differences between X and Xi were observed in a subgroup analysis of patients who underwent robot‐assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy without lymphadenectomy (operative time: 199.0 ± 26.5 for X, 221.5 ± 45.1 for Xi, p = .227; console time: 162.1 ± 25.0 for X, 178.3 ± 0.314 for Xi, p = .314).

Conclusion

Perioperative outcomes for the X and Xi da Vinci surgical systems were equivalent. The cost‐effective X system may allow the widespread use of robotic surgeries.
‘X’ marks the spot! Utilising factor Xa inhibitors to optimise thromboprophylaxis in multiple myeloma
Authors: Costa Thomaz Alexandre , Felix Nicole , Richter Joshua
Published: July 2024

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among multiple myeloma patients. Chang and colleagues' findings indicate that factor Xa inhibitors are as effective as warfarin in preventing VTE without raising the risk of gastrointestinal or intracranial bleeding complications.

Commentary on: Chang et al. The comparative efficacy and safety of factor Xa inhibitors and warfarin for primary thromboprophylaxis in multiple myeloma patients undergoing immunomodulatory therapy. Br J Haematol 2024;205:473‐477.
Unravelling controls on multi‐source‐to‐sink systems: A stratigraphic forward model of the early–middle Cenozoic of the SW Barents Sea
Authors: Lasabuda Amando P. E. , Chiarella Domenico , Sømme Tor O. , Grundvåg Sten‐Andreas , Doré Anthony G. , Primadani Grandika , Rydningen Tom Arne , Laberg Jan Sverre , Hanssen Alfred
Published: July 2024

Source‐to‐sink dynamics are subjected to complex interactions between erosion, sediment transfer and deposition, particularly in an evolving tectonic and climatic setting. Here we use stratigraphic forward modelling (SFM) to predict the basin‐fill architecture of a multi‐source‐to‐sink system based on a state‐of‐the‐art numerical approach. The modelling processes consider key source‐to‐sink parameters such as water discharge, sediment load and grain size to simulate various sedimentary processes and transport mechanisms reflecting the dynamic interplay between erosion in the catchment area, subsidence, deposition and filling of the basin. The Cenozoic succession along the SW Barents Shelf margin provides a key area to examine controls on source‐to‐sink systems along a transform margin that developed during the opening of the North Atlantic when Greenland and Eurasian plates were separated (ca. 55 Ma onwards). Moreover, the gradual cooling which culminated in major glaciations in the northern hemisphere during the Quaternary (ca. 2.7 Ma), has affected the spatio‐temporal evolution of the sediment routing along the western Barents Shelf margin. This study aims to characterize the relative importance of different source areas within the source‐to‐sink framework through SFM. In the early Eocene, the SW Barents Shelf experienced a relatively equal sediment delivery from three principal source areas: (i) Greenland to the north, (ii) the Stappen High to the east, representing a local source terrain, and (iii) a major southern source (Fennoscandia). In the middle Eocene, our best‐fit modelling scenario suggests that the northern and the local eastern sources dominated over the southern source, collectively supplying large amounts of sand into the basin as evidenced by the submarine fans in Sørvestsnaget Basin. In the Oligocene (ca. 33 Ma) and Miocene (ca. 23 Ma), significant amounts of sediments were sourced from the east due to shelf‐wide uplift. Finally, this study highlights the dynamic nature and controls of sediment transfer in multi‐source‐to‐sink systems and demonstrates the potential of SFM to unravel tectonic and climatic signals in the stratigraphic record.
4‐Octyl itaconate blocks GSDMB‐mediated pyroptosis and restricts inflammation by inactivating granzyme A
Authors: Gong Wenbin , Fu Hangyu , Yang Kui , Zheng Tao , Guo Kun , Zhao Wei
Published: July 2024

GSDMB‐mediated pyroptosis facilitates a pro‐inflammatory immune microenvironment and needs to be tightly regulated to avoid excessive inflammation. Here, we provide evidence that itaconate and its cell‐permeable derivative 4‐octyl itaconate (4‐OI) can significantly inhibit GSDMB‐rendered pyroptotic activity independent of Nrf2. 4‐OI interferes proteolytic process of GSDMB by directly modifying Cys54, Cys148 and Ser212 on granzyme A (GrzA), a serine protease that site‐specifically cleaves the inter‐domain linker of GSDMB, instead of interaction with GSDMB, thereby blocking pyroptosis and exerts anti‐inflammatory effects. Moreover, 4‐OI alleviates inflammation by suppressing GSDMB‐induced pyroptotic cell death during acute colitis models in intestinal epithelial GSDMB conditional transgenic mice. Our data expand the role of 4‐OI as a crucial immunometabolic derivative that regulates innate immunity and inflammation through a newly identified posttranslational modification, and targeting of pyroptosis by 4‐OI therefore holds potent therapeutic potential for primarily inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases.
Cardiovascular and non‐renal complications of chronic kidney disease: Managing risk
Authors: Rossing Peter , Hansen Tine Willum , Kümler Thomas
Published: July 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) currently affects approximately 850 million people globally and is continuing to increase in prevalence as well as in importance as a cause of death. The excess mortality related to CKD is mostly caused by an increase in cardiovascular disease. This includes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as many promoters of atherosclerosis, such as blood pressure, lipid levels and hypercoagulation, are increased in people with CKD. Diabetes is a leading cause of CKD contributing to the risk of CVD, and obesity is also increasingly prevalent. Management of these risk factors is therefore very important in CKD, and to reduce risk of CKD progression. Heart failure is also more prevalent in CKD and, again, many risk factors are shared. The concept of foundational pillars in the management of heart failure has been adapted to the treatment of CKD, with many organ‐protective interventions, such renin‐angiotensin system blockade, sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibition and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism, reducing the risk for mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but also for progression of CKD. Atrial fibrillation is also more common with CKD and affects the management of the former. In this review these non‐renal complications of CKD are discussed, along with how the risk of these complications should be managed. Many new opportunities have demonstrated heart and kidney organ protection, but implementation is a challenge.
Eosinophils in hidradenitis suppurativa patients exhibit pro‐inflammatory traits, implicating a potential pathogenic role in the disease
Authors: Renert‐Yuval Yael , Gonzalez Juana , Garcet Sandra , Williams Samuel C. , Moreno Ariana , Krueger James G.
Published: July 2024

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful nodules, abscesses and purulent secretions in intertriginous regions. Intense pruritus frequently accompanies HS lesions, adding further discomfort for patients. While Th17 pathway activation is implicated in HS pathogenesis, disease mechanisms are still not fully understood, and therapeutics are lacking. Previous reports raise a potential role for eosinophils in HS, showing a strong association of eosinophil levels with disease severity. To investigate eosinophils in HS, we recruited patients and matched healthy controls and then performed flow‐cytometry studies, eosinophil stimulation assays, and lesional skin staining for eosinophils. We found that HS patients reported similar levels of pain and itch. Compared to matched controls, HS blood exhibited decreased mature eosinophils and increased numbers of immature eosinophils, coupled with a significant increase in dermal eosinophilic infiltrates. Additionally, IL‐17RA+ eosinophils were highly and significantly correlated with multiple HS‐related clinical scores. In both stimulated and unstimulated conditions, HS eosinophils showed an inflammatory phenotype versus controls, including an increase in costimulatory T‐ and B‐cell markers (e.g. CD5 and CD40) following all stimulations (TNFα/IL‐17A/IL‐17F). These findings highlight the significance of pruritus in HS and suggest a higher turnover of eosinophils in HS blood, potentially due to the consumption of eosinophils in skin lesions. Our data delineate the features and functions of eosinophils in HS and suggest that eosinophils participate in disease pathogenesis, advancing Th17‐related inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate eosinophils' response to current HS treatments and their potential as a therapeutic target in the disease.
Assessment order and faking behavior
Authors: Wallace Brett L. , Burns Gary N.
Published: July 2024

Personality testing is a critical component of organizational assessment and selection processes. Despite nearly a century of research recognizing faking as a concern in personality assessment, the impact of order effects on faking has not been thoroughly examined. This study investigates whether the sequence of administering personality and cognitive ability measures affects the extent of faking. Previous research suggests administering personality measures early in the assessment process to mitigate adverse impact; however, models of faking behavior and signaling theory imply that test order could influence faking. In two simulated applicant laboratory studies (Study 1 N = 172, Study 2 N = 174), participants were randomly assigned to complete personality measures either before or after cognitive ability tests. Results indicate that participants who completed personality assessments first exhibited significantly higher levels of faking compared to those who took cognitive ability tests first. These findings suggest that the order of test administration influences faking, potentially due to the expenditure of cognitive resources during cognitive ability assessments. To enhance the integrity of selection procedures, administrators should consider the sequence of test administration to mitigate faking and improve the accuracy of personality assessments. This study also underscores the need for continued exploration of contextual factors influencing faking behavior. Future research should investigate the mechanisms driving these order effects and develop strategies to reduce faking in personality assessments.
Beyond surgery: Pre‐ and post‐operative care in children with ankyloglossia
Authors: Smart Sharon , Grant Hayley , Tseng Raymond J.
Published: July 2024

Background

Surgical intervention for tongue‐tie, or ankyloglossia performed by paediatric dentists can alleviate symptoms and improve functional abilities in infants and children. Despite widespread practice, there are currently no established clinical guidelines or consistent approaches for pre‐ and post‐operative care of children.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore approaches to pre‐ and post‐operative care for children with ankyloglossia having frenum surgery.

Design

A scoping review of peer‐reviewed articles in four electronic databases was conducted. Intervention studies that reported on pre‐ or post‐operative regimens for infants, children and adolescents (0 to 18 years) with a diagnosis of tongue‐tie or ankyloglossia, who had surgical intervention such as frenotomy or frenectomy, were included and quality assessments performed.

Results

Twenty‐three studies were identified, with seven studies incorporating both pre‐ and post‐operative care, and 16 studies focussing solely on post‐operative care. Tongue exercises were commonly prescribed, and only three studies examined the relationship between post‐operative care and recovery outcomes. Considerable variability existed in study design, prescribed care and outcome measures.

Conclusion

There was substantial variability in pre‐ and post‐operative care protocols, including dosage, frequency and duration of exercises and other care regimens for infants and children having frenum surgery. Further research is needed to determine the most effective course of pre‐ and post‐operative care for children undergoing frenum surgery.
The real effect of CDS trading: Evidence from corporate employment
Authors: Lai Shaojie , Liu Shiang , Pu Xiaoling , Zhang Jianing
Published: July 2024

This paper examines whether the inception of credit default swaps (CDS) trading curbs corporate employment. We show that firms with CDS trading have significantly lower employment growth. Our baseline results are robust to alternative measures of corporate employment growth, various approaches that mitigate endogeneity concerns due to omitted variables and reverse causality, and additional control variables. The decrease in firms' employment growth after CDS trading is more pronounced in firms with larger financial constraints and lower CEO risk‐taking. In addition, we find that the inception of CDS trading affects employment growth through the financial distress channel. Further analysis finds that the inception of CDS trading could mitigate the labor over‐investment problem, stimulating employment efficiency. Our evidence suggests that corporate employment growth is reduced after the initiation of CDS trading due to the heightened cost of defaults.
Why did the Hornbill not cross the river? Upland habitats rather than a physical barrier limit the distribution of the Brown Hornbill
Authors: Chaitanya Ramamoorthi , Naniwadekar Rohit , Meiri Shai
Published: July 2024

Aim

In continuous environments, niche limits of species often determine their distribution limits. However, when these limits spatially coincide with a perceived dispersal barrier, the determinants of species' ranges may be confounded. We investigate the distribution pattern of the Brown Hornbill (Aves: Bucerotidae), which spans significant riverine barriers, but stops south of the Brahmaputra River. Considering its preference for low‐elevation evergreen forests, we posit that the lack of sufficient habitats north of the Brahmaputra prevents dispersal of the Brown Hornbill, and not the river itself.

Location

The Brahmaputra valley and the Indo‐Burma hotspot.

Taxa

Anorrhinus austeni, Aceros nipalensis.

Methods

We analysed citizen‐science occurrence data on hornbill presence against a suite of climatic, canopy‐specific and topographical predictors to model the environmental niche of the Brown Hornbill. We used presence‐only maximum entropy modelling in an information theoretic framework, in conjunction with constructing binary logistic regression models using presence and pseudoabsence data. We compared niche models of the Brown Hornbill and the Rufous‐necked hornbill, a close relative with a similar distribution, but which has spanned the Brahmaputra River.

Results

Despite the presence of suitable wet‐evergreen forests north of the Brahmaputra River, the hilly terrains in the region act as a biogeographic barrier for the Brown Hornbill, which prefers lowland evergreen forests. Further, highly suitable regions for the Brown and the Rufous‐necked Hornbills precisely delineate low and high‐elevation evergreen forests respectively, indicating that these birds are separated along an elevational axis.

Main Conclusions

The Brahmaputra River lies at the cusp of two subtly different environmental regimes. It may therefore serve as the niche limit for certain organisms and not as a physical obstacle to their dispersal. Our study implicitly predicts how widespread deforestation prevalent in the lowland evergreen forests of this region adversely impacts the distributions of organisms that depend on them, such as the Brown Hornbill. Further, our study proffers an approach to ascertain determinants of species distributions in a hypothesis testing framework.
Life‐history of the spiny butterfly ray, Gymnura altavela (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes), kept under human care in a marine aquarium
Authors: Teixeira‐Leite Clara V. , Marcante Santana Francisco , Franco Valle Rafael , Takasuka Veronica , Felix de Góes Matheus , Peruch Bonatelli Shayra , Santos Sergio Ricardo , Vianna Marcelo
Published: July 2024

The Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium (AquaRio) is the first to successfully maintain and reproduce the spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela), providing unique information about the species' biology. Seven rays were kept in captivity between 2018 and 2023, two captured on the southeastern coast of Brazil and five born in the aquarium. The applied abiotic conditions and nutrition allowed for the survival, growth, and reproduction of these individuals. Growth parameters (asymptotic disk width—DW∞ and growth coefficient—k) were estimated based on the von Bertalanffy model using the Fabens method for males and females separately. The best models estimated DW∞ = 106.47 cm and k = 0.396 for males and DW∞ = 172.2 cm and k = 0.190 for females. Sexual dimorphism was corroborated, with females reaching larger sizes and presenting slower growth rates than males. The estimated k values were higher than those estimated for rays of similar size to G. altavela in the natural environment, probably due to the constant water temperature (around 25.5°C), food abundance, low population density, reduced predation rates, and high water quality in the captive environment. A comparison of the captivity findings with other studies on G. altavela age and growth in the Atlantic and Mediterranean indicates a broad phenotypic plasticity regarding growth. Three G. altavela reproductions were recorded, with size at birth appearing to be a key factor for pup's survival. Behavioral pattern observations associated with reproduction are also described, encompassing chasing and copulation, whereas the species’ internal morphology is described through coelomic cavity ultrasound scanning.
Designing a Data Privacy Course
Authors: Sheridan Patricia M. , Waldman Marc
Published: July 2024

Today's college students increasingly rely on technology in their daily activities, and a basic awareness of data privacy is becoming essential from both a personal and professional standpoint. This article describes the design of an interdisciplinary undergraduate course focused on data privacy law. It outlines the key content areas that encompass the foundational principles of this emerging field and includes descriptions of hands‐on exercises that illustrate the technical and managerial elements of a comprehensive privacy compliance program. The course framework and sample assignments can serve as a model for other faculty seeking to teach data privacy law to undergraduate students.
Effect of Er,Cr: YSGG laser debonding treatment on the optical properties and surface roughness of ceramic laminate veneers: An in vitro study
Authors: Abo Zaid Amira , Ebeid Kamal , Wahsh Marwa , El Demellawy Mohamed
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of (Er,Cr: YSGG) laser debonding treatment on optical properties and surface roughness of veneers made of different ceramic materials.

Materials and Methods

Thirty bovine incisors were prepared to receive laminate veneers and divided into three groups (n = 10) according to ceramic material where group (E): IPS e.max CAD, group (S): Vita Suprinity, and group (C): Celtra Duo. Blocks were sectioned into 0.5 mm thickness plates and cemented on the labial surface of incisors using resin cement. The Er,Cr: YSGG laser was applied to each specimen at 4.5 W and 25 Hz for group E and at 6 W and 25 Hz for groups S and C. Color change (△E00), translucency parameter (TP) and surface roughness in µm (Ra) values were measured and calculated before and after laser treatment. Data were analyzed using two‐way mixed model ANOVA at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results

The highest mean △E00 value was recorded in group E (1.35 ± 0.09) followed by group S (1.08 ± 0.16) and then group C (0.93 ± 0.10) with a significant difference between them (p < 0.001). All groups exceeded the perceptibility threshold but remained below the acceptability threshold. No statistically significant difference was found in TP except for group E (p = 0.019). Ra values after laser debonding showed significantly higher values than before laser treatment in all three groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Er,Cr: YSGG laser can be safely used for debonding ceramic veneers without altering the optical properties but it does increase the roughness of debonded ceramic restorations.
Impact of particle size of cereals and soyabean meal on the intestinal development of weanling pigs and growth performance after an enteric challenge with F4‐positive enterotoxigenic E. coli
Authors: Hulshof Tetske G. , Resink Jan Willem , Van Hees Hubèrt M. J.
Published: July 2024

The objectives were to determine the interactive effect of particle size of soyabean meal (SBM) and whole wheat, barley and wheat bran (CER) on growth performance of weanling pigs after an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 challenge (Experiment 1) and on gastrointestinal (GIT) development immediately after weaning (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 consisted of 192 pigs (24 ± 3 days of age; 7.4 ± 1.1 kg weaning bodyweight [BW]) selected for Escherichia coli (E. coli) F4 susceptibility. Pigs were given an oral E. coli inoculum at postweaning day 7, to induce an enteric health challenge. Experiment 2 consisted of 40 pigs (24 ± 3 days of age; 7.2 ± 1.0 kg weaning BW) that were killed on postweaning day 8 or 9, to determine the effects of particle size on GIT development and functionality. Four experimental diets were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design: (1) coarse CER and coarse SBM, (2) coarse CER and fine SBM (CERcSBMf), (3) fine CER and coarse SBM, or (4) fine CER and fine SBM (CERfSBMf). Results showed no interaction between SBM and CER coarseness on growth performance, GIT development and functionality. Diarrhoea incidence was higher (p < 0.05) for CERfSBMf during the 2 weeks following the E. coli challenge compared to the other diets. Daily gain and feed intake during this period were higher (p < 0.05) for pigs fed CERc compared to CERf. Empty stomach weight tended to be greater by 8% (p = 0.09) for CERc compared to CERf. Gastric protein (p = 0.05) and starch (p = 0.04) disappearances were greater for SBMf compared to SBMc. Thus, CERcSBMf resulted in the best growth performance and lowest diarrhoea incidence during the 2 weeks following the E. coli challenge, which may be explained by changes in stomach functionality but not by changes in other parts of the GIT.
The biogeographic and evolutionary processes shaping population divergence in Laupala
Authors: Blankers Thomas , Shaw Kerry L.
Published: July 2024

Speciation generates biodiversity and the mechanisms involved are thought to vary across the tree of life and across environments. For example, well‐studied adaptive radiations are thought to be fuelled by divergent ecological selection, but additionally are influenced heavily by biogeographic, genomic and demographic factors. Mechanisms of non‐adaptive radiations, producing ecologically cryptic taxa, have been less well‐studied but should likewise be influenced by these latter factors. Comparing among contexts can help pinpoint universal mechanisms and outcomes, especially if we integrate biogeographic, ecological and evolutionary processes. We investigate population divergence in the swordtail cricket Laupala cerasina, a wide‐spread endemic on Hawai'i Island and one of 38 ecologically cryptic Laupala species. The nine sampled populations show striking population genetic structure at small spatio‐temporal scales. The rapid differentiation among populations and species of Laupala shows that neither a specific geographical context nor ecological opportunity are pre‐requisites for rapid divergence. Spatio‐temporal patterns in population divergence, population size change, and gene flow are aligned with the chronosequence of the four volcanoes on which L. cerasina occurs and reveal the composite effects of geological dynamics and Quaternary climate change on population dynamics. Spatio‐temporal patterns in genetic variation along the genome reveal the interplay of genetic and genomic architecture in shaping population divergence. In early phases of divergence, we find elevated differentiation in genomic regions harbouring mating song loci. In later stages of divergence, we find a signature of linked selection that interacts with recombination rate variation. Comparing our findings with recent work on complementary systems supports the conclusion that mostly universal factors influence the speciation process.
Dermoscopy aids in differentiating café‐au‐lait macules from congenital melanocytic nevi in patients with darker skin phototypes
Authors: Shah Asghar , Hawryluk Elena B. , Seiverling Elizabeth V.
Published: July 2024

Dermoscopy aids in the diagnosis and management of pigmented growths and disorders of pigmentation in children. However, there is limited literature on the dermoscopic appearance of café‐au‐lait macules (CALMs) and congenital melanocytic nevi in patients with dark skin. We report two cases of young children with dark skin and many hyperpigmented patches in whom dermoscopy was utilized to accurately diagnose CALMs and facilitate testing for neurofibromatosis.
Differential regulation of belowground rhizospheric ecosystem by biological and chemical nitrogen supplies: implications for maize yield enhancement mechanisms
Authors: Zhang B. , Nasar J. , Dong S. , Zhou X. , Gao Q.
Published: July 2024

Nitrogen (N) content affects aboveground maize growth and nutrient absorption by altering the belowground rhizospheric ecosystem, impacting both yield and quality. However, the mechanisms through which different N supply methods (chemical and biological N supplies) regulate the belowground rhizospheric ecosystem to enhance maize yield remain unclear.

To address this issue, we conducted a field experiment in northeast China, comprising three treatments: maize monocropping without N fertilizer application (MM), maize/alfalfa intercropping without N fertilizer application (BNF), and maize monocropping with N fertilizer application (CNS). The MM treatment represents the control, while the BNF treatment represents the biological N supply form, and CNS treatment represents the chemical N supply form. In the autumn of 2019, samples of maize and rhizospheric soil were collected to assess parameters including yield, rhizospheric soil characteristics, and microbial indicators.

Both BNF and MM significantly increased maize yield and different yield components compared with MM, with no statistically significant difference in total yield between BNF and CNS. Furthermore, BNF significantly improved N by 12.61% and available N (AN) by 13.20% compared with MM. Furthermore, BNF treatment also significantly increased the Shannon index by 1.90%, while the CNS treatment significantly increased the Chao1 index by 28.1% and ACE index by 29.49%, with no significant difference between CNS and BNF. However, CNS had a more pronounced impact on structure of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community compared to BNF, inducing more significant fluctuations within the microbial network (modularity index and negative cohesion index). Regarding N transformation pathways predicted by bacterial functions, BNF significantly increased the N fixation pathway, while CNS significantly increased assimilatory nitrate reduction. In CNS, AN, NO3‐N, NH4‐N, assimilatory nitrate reduction, and community structure contributed significantly to maize yield, whereas in BNF, N fixation, community structure, community stability, NO3‐N, and NH4‐N played significant roles in enhancing maize yield.

While CNS and BNF can achieve comparable maize yields in practical agricultural production, they have significantly different impacts on the belowground rhizosphere ecosystem, leading to different mechanisms of yield enhancement.
Salt stress alters the cell wall components and structure in Miscanthus sinensis stems
Authors: van der Cruijsen Kasper , Al Hassan Mohamad , van Erven Gijs , Kollerie Nicole , van Lent Bas , Dechesne Annemarie , Dolstra Oene , Paulo Maria‐João , Trindade Luisa M.
Published: July 2024

Miscanthus is a perennial grass suitable for the production of lignocellulosic biomass on marginal lands. The effects of salt stress on Miscanthus cell wall composition and its consequences on biomass quality have nonetheless received relatively little attention. In this study, we investigated how exposure to moderate (100 mM NaCl) or severe (200 mM NaCl) saline growing conditions altered the composition of both primary and secondary cell wall components in the stems of 15 Miscanthus sinensis genotypes. The exposure to stress drastically impacted biomass yield and cell wall composition in terms of content and structural features. In general, the observed compositional changes were more pronounced under severe stress conditions and were more apparent in genotypes with a higher sensitivity towards stress. Besides a severely reduced cellulose content, salt stress led to increased pectin content, presumably in the form of highly branched rhamnogalacturonan type I. Although salt stress had a limited effect on the total lignin content, the acid‐soluble lignin content was strongly increased in the most sensitive genotypes. This effect was also reflected in substantially altered lignin structures and led to a markedly reduced incorporation of syringyl subunits and p‐coumaric acid moieties. Interestingly, plants that were allowed a recovery period after stress ultimately had a reduced lignin content compared to those continuously grown under control conditions. In addition, the salt stress‐induced cell wall alterations contributed to an improved enzymatic saccharification efficiency.
Methyl jasmonate‐induced bHLH42 mediates tissue‐specific accumulation of anthocyanins via regulating flavonoid metabolism‐related pathways in Caitai
Authors: Zhang Dingyu , Sun Lixue , Xi Dandan , Li Xiaofeng , Gao Lu , Miao Liming , Luo Yong , Tian Miaomiao , Zhu Hongfang
Published: July 2024

Anthocyanin is a type of plant secondary metabolite beneficial to human health. The anthocyanin content of vegetable and fruit crops signifies their nutritional quality. However, the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation, especially tissue‐specific accumulation, in Caitai, as well as in other Brassica rapa varieties, remains elusive. In the present study, taking advantage of three kinds of Caitai cultivars with diverse colour traits between leaves and stems, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis and identified the molecular pathway of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Caitai leaves and stems, respectively. Our further investigations demonstrate that bHLH42, which is robustly induced by MeJA, closely correlates with tissue‐specific accumulation of anthocyanins in Caitai; bHLH42 upregulates the expression of flavonoid/anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes to activate anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, importantly, overexpression of bHLH42 significantly improves the anthocyanin content of Caitai. Our analysis convincingly suggests that bHLH42 induced by jasmonic acid signalling plays a crucial role in tissue‐specific accumulation of anthocyanins in Caitai.
Income disparities and risk: Geographical manifestations of extreme inequities in the United States
Authors: Greenberg Michael R. , Schneider Dona
Published: July 2024

We examined hazard and risk‐related metrics of the highest‐ and lowest‐income counties and municipalities in each U.S. state. Indicators of natural and anthropogenic hazards, health outcomes, location of locally unwanted land uses, food insecurity, and other metrics were used to measure social and environmental justice. As expected, the highest‐income places have better health outcomes, access to assets that protect health, and high municipal ratings of place quality compared with their poorest counterparts. Yet, they also have higher natural hazard risks and are more likely to live near concentrations of anthropogenic hazards. That is, high‐income places have a lot to lose. Although the poorest jurisdictions demonstrate cumulative disadvantages, those in rural areas are exposed to less dense motor vehicle traffic and other hazards and risks associated with urban life. Relationships between income and the geography of hazards and risks are not simple. Even the highest‐income areas face challenges. We suggest improvements in databases and tools to increase the focus on and monitoring of the breadth of risks people face in all areas.
HIIT at Home: Enhancing Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Older Adults—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fosstveit Sindre H. , Berntsen Sveinung , Feron Jack , Joyce Kelsey E. , Ivarsson Andreas , Segaert Katrien , Lucas Samuel J. E. , Lohne‐Seiler Hilde
Published: July 2024

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a 6‐month home‐based high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention to improve peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak) and lactate threshold (LT) in older adults.

Methods

Two hundred thirty‐three healthy older adults (60–84 years; 54% females) were randomly assigned to either 6‐month, thrice‐weekly home‐based HIIT (once‐weekly circuit training and twice‐weekly interval training) or a passive control group. Exercise sessions were monitored using a Polar watch and a logbook for objective and subjective data, respectively, and guided by a personal coach. The outcomes were assessed using a modified Balke protocol combining V̇O2peak and LT measures. General linear regression models assessed between‐group differences in change and within‐group changes for each outcome.

Results

There was a significant between‐group difference in the pre‐to‐post change in V̇O2peak (difference: 1.8 [1.2; 2.3] mL/kg/min; exercise: +1.4 [1.0; 1.7] mL/kg/min [~5%]; control: −0.4 [−0.8; −0.0] mL/kg/min [approximately −1.5%]; effect size [ES]: 0.35). Compared with controls, the exercise group had lower blood lactate concentration (−0.7 [−0.9; −0.4] mmol/L, ES: 0.61), % of peak heart rate (−4.4 [−5.7; −3.0], ES: 0.64), and % of V̇O2peak (−4.5 [−6.1; −2.9], ES: 0.60) at the intensity corresponding to preintervention LT and achieved a higher treadmill stage (% incline) at LT (0.6 [0.3; 0.8]; ES: 0.47), following the intervention.

Conclusion

This study highlights the effectiveness of a home‐based HIIT intervention as an accessible and equipment‐minimal strategy to induce clinically meaningful improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults. Over 6 months, the exercise group showed larger improvements in all outcomes compared with the control group. Notably, the LT outcome exhibited a more pronounced magnitude of change than V̇O2peak.
Syntactic Variations in Referential Metonymy
Authors: Wu Zhen
Published: July 2024

This paper explores the syntactic variations of concord in sentences involving referential metonymy in English. Apart from the standard type in which syntactic agreement is shown between the metonymic NP and the verbs or pronouns that follow, this article also discusses and summarizes other types where there are various degrees of disagreement. Moreover, this paper formalizes the principles of Ruiz de Mendoza and Díez (2004) by introducing the metonymic function, and proposes simplification of these principles based on the notion of metonymy as a contingency. Finally, this paper discusses other possible factors – both contextual and non‐contextual – that may lead to these syntactic variations.
SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody levels and long COVID occurrence in blood donors
Authors: Avelino‐Silva Vivian I. , Bruhn Roberta , Zurita Karla G. , Deng Xutao , Yu Elaine A. , Grebe Eduard , Stone Mars , Lanteri Marion C. , Spencer Bryan R. , Busch Michael P. , Custer Brian
Published: July 2024

Background

Long COVID is a common condition lacking consensus definition; determinants remain incompletely understood. Characterizing immune profiles associated with long COVID could support the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Methods

We used a survey to investigate blood donors' infection/vaccination history and acute/persistent symptoms following COVID‐19. The prevalence of long COVID was evaluated using self‐report and an adapted definition from the RECOVER study. We evaluated factors associated with long COVID, focusing on anti‐spike and anti‐nucleocapsid SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies. Lastly, we investigated long COVID clinical subphenotypes using hierarchical clustering.

Results

Of 33,610 participants, 16,003 (48%) reported having had COVID‐19; 1853 (12%) had self‐reported long COVID, 685 (4%) met an adapted RECOVER definition, and 2050 (13%) met at least one definition. Higher anti‐nucleocapsid levels measured 12–24 weeks post‐infection were associated with higher risk of self‐reported and RECOVER long COVID. Higher anti‐spike IgG levels measured 12–24 weeks post‐infection were associated with lower risk of self‐reported long COVID. Higher total anti‐spike measured 24–48 weeks post‐infection was associated with lower risk of RECOVER long COVID. Cluster analysis identified four clinical subphenotypes; patterns included neurological and psychiatric for cluster 1; neurological and respiratory for cluster 2; multi‐systemic for cluster 3; and neurological for cluster 4.

Discussion

Long COVID prevalence in blood donors varies depending on the adopted definition. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies were time‐dependently associated with long COVID; higher anti‐nucleocapsid levels were associated with higher risk; and higher anti‐spike levels were associated with lower risk of long COVID. Different underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms may be associated with distinct clinical subphenotypes.
Unraveling Heteronormativity inside Colombian Family Law: Juridical Perspectives on the Economic Differences between Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Couple Relationships
Authors: Arboleda Restrepo Juan Camilo
Published: July 2024

This research paper analyzes the sufficiency of the economic implications of couples’ relationships regulation for same-sex couples after both marriage and unmarried cohabitation laws were judicially extended on these family forms in Colombia. I start describing the existing regimes for these marital relationships in Colombian law and how heterosexuality and economic dependence are embedded inside the regulations’ origins and current developments. Then, I identify the categories that show slight differences between same-sex and opposite-sex couples like the likelihood of having children and its impact on caregiving distribution, the domestic tasks allocation and the existing gender differences in access to the labor market and the income disparity. Based on these differing features and a theoretical framework that warns about sameness discourses that obscure the differences between gay, lesbian, and straight families, I critically analyze some empirical studies conducted in Colombia that reveal existing differences between heterosexual and homosexual households. This analysis invites future research to gather the absent data in Colombia concerning same-sex families to bring proposals of legal interpretation and law reform that are better equipped for all family forms.
Clickable tryptophan modification for late-stage diversification of native peptides
Authors: Xiao Yisa , Zhou Haiyan , Shi Pengfei , Zhao Xueqian , Liu Han , Li Xuechen
Published: July 2024

As the least abundant residue in proteins, tryptophan widely exists in peptide drugs and bioactive natural products and contributes to drug-target interactions in multiple ways. We report here a clickable tryptophan modification for late-stage diversification of native peptides, via catalyst-free
C
2-sulfenylation with 8-quinoline thiosulfonate reagents in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). A wide range of groups including trifluoromethylthio (SCF
3
), difluoromethylthio (SCF
2
H), (ethoxycarbonyl)difluoromethylthio (SCF
2
CO
2
Et), alkylthio, and arylthio were readily incorporated. The rapid reaction kinetics of Trp modification and full tolerance with other 19 proteinogenic amino acids, as well as the super dissolving capability of TFA, render this method suitable for all kinds of Trp-containing peptides without limitations from sequences, hydrophobicity, and aggregation propensity. The late-stage modification of 15 therapeutic peptides (1.0 to 7.6 kilodaltons) and the improved bioactivity and serum stability of SCF
3
- and SCF
2
H-modified melittin analogs illustrated the effectiveness of this method and its potential in pharmacokinetic property improvement.
Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal genes and signaling pathways involved in the response to two insect hormones in the insect-fungal pathogen
Hirsutella satumaensis
Authors: Qu Jiaojiao , Feng Yongli , Zou Xiao , Zhou Yeming , Cao Wei
Published: July 2024

The insect hormones ecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone III (JH) have been demonstrated to stimulate the secretion of conidia mucilage and pigments in
Hirsutella satumaensis
. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, comparative transcriptome and proteome analyses were performed to identify the fungal genes and proteins of
H. satumaensis
that are up- or downregulated in response to insect hormones. A total of 17,407 unigenes and 1,016 proteins in conidia mucilage were identified. The genes involved in response to the hormones were classified into four functional groups: (
1
) stress response-related genes that are required for the removal of reactive oxygen species (glutathione synthetase, c7144) and genes involved in the response to osmotic stress in the hemocoel, such as those encoding proteins involved in the G, mTOR, and MAPK signaling pathways (
2
); insect hormone metabolic genes, including genes encoding ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase, ecdysteroid-22-kinase, and a key aldehyde dehydrogenase in a juvenile hormone synthesis pathway (
3
); secretory proteins that share homology with those of the host
Bombyx mori
, including fibrohexamerin, sericin 1, metalloprotease 1 protein, and silk gum protein, which were revealed by the omics data; and (
4
) proteins related to amino sugar metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation that were specifically expressed in mucilage in response to 20E and JH, respectively. These findings revealed that
H. satumaensis
can mount effective responses by modulating the expression of genes involved in the detoxification, adaptation, and evasion of insect hormone-mediated immune responses, providing fresh insights into fungal pathogen-host insect interactions.

IMPORTANCE

Insect hormones are highly important for the regulation of insect growth, development, and immune system function. Thus, the expansion of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) could be affected by these hormones when they inhabit the host hemocoel. However, the molecular basis of EPF in response to insect hormones has yet to be determined. Our results revealed that EPF are impacted by 20E and JH, both of which act as signals, as these hormones lead to changes in metabolic pathways of the fungus, thus demonstrating a direct relationship between the fungus and the hormones. Furthermore, adaptive strategies, such as the use of ecdysone-inactivating enzymes and secreted filamentous proteins in
H. satumaensis
, which strongly resemble those of the host insect, have been discovered, thus illustrating the importance of adaptation to insect hormones for a better understanding of the interaction between insects and EPF.