bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congruence between ultraconserved element‐based matrices and phylotranscriptomic datasets in the scorpion Tree of Life
Authors: Santibáñez‐López Carlos E. , Ojanguren‐Affilastro Andrés A. , Graham Matthew R. , Sharma Prashant P.
Published: July 2023

Scorpions are ancient and historically renowned for their potent venom. Traditionally, the systematics of this group of arthropods was supported by morphological characters, until recent phylogenomic analyses (using RNAseq data) revealed most of the higher‐level taxa to be non‐monophyletic. While these phylogenomic hypotheses are stable for almost all lineages, some nodes have been hard to resolve due to minimal taxonomic sampling (e.g. family Chactidae). In the same line, it has been shown that some nodes in the Arachnid Tree of Life show disagreement between hypotheses generated using transcritptomes and other genomic sources such as the ultraconserved elements (UCEs). Here, we compared the phylogenetic signal of transcriptomes vs. UCEs by retrieving UCEs from new and previously published scorpion transcriptomes and genomes, and reconstructed phylogenies using both datasets independently. We reexamined the monophyly and phylogenetic placement of Chactidae, sampling an additional chactid species using both datasets. Our results showed that both sets of genome‐scale datasets recovered highly similar topologies, with Chactidae rendered paraphyletic owing to the placement of Nullibrotheas allenii. As a first step toward redressing the systematics of Chactidae, we establish the family Anuroctonidae (new family) to accommodate the genus Anuroctonus.
Convolutional neural networks combined with feature selection for radio‐frequency fingerprinting
Authors: Baldini Gianmarco , Amerini Irene , Dimc Franc , Bonavitacola Fausto
Published: July 2023

Radio‐frequency fingerprinting is a technique for the authentication and identification of wireless devices using their intrinsic physical features and an analysis of the digitized signal collected during transmission. The technique is based on the fact that the unique physical features of the devices generate discriminating features in the transmitted signal, which can then be analyzed using signal‐processing and machine‐learning algorithms. Deep learning and more specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been successfully applied to the problem of radio‐frequency fingerprinting using a spectral domain representation of the signal. A potential problem is the large size of the data to be processed, because this size impacts on the processing time during the application of the CNN. We propose an approach to addressing this problem, based on dimensionality reduction using feature‐selection algorithms before the spectrum domain representation is given as an input to the CNN. The approach is applied to two public data sets of radio‐frequency devices using different feature‐selection algorithms for different values of the signal‐to‐noise ratio. The results show that the approach is able to achieve not only a shorter processing time; it also provides a superior classification performance in comparison to the direct application of CNNs.
High endothelial venule is a prognostic immune‐related biomarker in patients with resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Zhou Yan , Gu Qian , Zhu Linxi , Zhang Shuo , Wu Hongyan , Pu Xiaohong , Jiang Chunping , Chen Jun
Published: July 2023

Having been reported to be a crucial prognostic factor in solid tumours, the role of high endothelial venule (HEV) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains unclear, however. The data of ICC and healthy individuals were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Meanwhile, a cutting‐edge ICC high‐resolution spatial transcriptome was also acquired before these data were comprehensively analysed using bioinformatics approaches. Moreover, 95 individuals with ICC who had undergone resection surgery were enrolled in this study to investigate the relationship between HEV and tumour microenvironment (TME) applying immunohistochemistry and multiple immunofluorescence techniques. The high‐HEV subtype contains rich immune infiltrates including tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS), CD8+ T cells, and CD20+ B cells. Furthermore, HEV and TLS exhibited a strong relationship of spatial colocalization. Correlated with improved prognostic outcomes in ICC, the high‐HEV subtype could be an independent prognostic indicator for individuals with ICC. This study revealed the association of HEV with immune function and observed a strong spatial colocalization correlation between HEV and TLS. Moreover, correlated with immunotherapeutic response, HEV could improve prognostic outcomes, which may be a potential indicator of immunotherapy pathology in ICC.
Stigma: The Shaming Model
Authors: Allison Euan
Published: July 2023

According to a dominant view of stigma, a person is stigmatized within a community if sufficiently many people within that community hold a bad view of her. I call this the ‘Bad View Model’. In this paper, I argue against the Bad View Model on the grounds that such beliefs are neither necessary nor sufficient for stigma, and that the account cannot explain the distinctive phenomenology of stigma, including certain vulnerabilities to shame. I then develop an alternative that explains these features of stigma, which I call the ‘Shaming Model’. On this view, a person is stigmatized within a community if she is shamed by members of that community, and this is explained by their belief that she has deviated from some social norm and/or standard.
Histopathological characterization of cerebral small vessel disease in epilepsy patients with temporal lobe epilepsy submitted to surgery: A case–control study
Authors: Coelho Pedro , Madureira João , Franco Ana , Peralta Ana Rita , Bentes Carla , Campos Alexandre Rainha , Anink Jasper , Aronica Eleonora , Roque Rafael , Pimentel José
Published: July 2023

Background

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to epilepsy; however, patients with epilepsy also have a significantly increased risk of stroke. The way in which epilepsy contributes to the increased risk of stroke is still uncertain and is ill‐characterized in neuropathological studies. A neuropathological characterization of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in patients with chronic epilepsy was performed.

Methods

Thirty‐three patients with refractory epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis (HS) submitted to epilepsy surgery from a reference center were selected between 2010 and 2020 and compared with 19 autopsy controls. Five randomly selected arterioles from each patient were analyzed using a previously validated scale for cSVD. The presence of CVD disease imaging markers in pre‐surgical brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied.

Results

There were no differences in age (43.8 vs. 41.6 years; p = 0.547) or gender distribution (female gender 60.6% vs. male gender 52.6%; p = 0.575) between groups. Most CVD findings in brain MRI were mild. Patients had a mean time between the epilepsy onset and surgery of 26 ± 14.7 years and were medicated with a median number of three antiseizure medication (ASMs) [IQR 2–3]. Patients had higher median scores in arteriolosclerosis (3 vs. 1; p < 0.0001), microhemorrhages (4 vs. 1; p < 0.0001) and total score value (12 vs. 8.9; p = 0.031) in comparison with controls. No correlation was found between age, number of years until surgery, number of ASMs or cumulative defined daily dosage of ASM.

Conclusion

The present study provides evidence supporting the increased burden of cSVD in the neuropathological samples of patients with chronic epilepsy.
The coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) outbreak is well established on Efate, Vanuatu
Authors: Paudel Sulav , Jackson Trevor A. , Boulekouran Sylvie , Tasale Jeffline , Garae Bill , Allanson Patricia , Ero Mark , Marshall Sean D. G.
Published: July 2023

The presence of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB: Oryctes rhinoceros) was reported on Efate, Vanuatu in 2019. The beetle population was determined to belong to the CRB‐S group (Clade II), similar to populations found in the Bismark Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. An introduction of the CRB‐G group (Clade IA) was discovered in 2021. Damage mapping, beetle trapping and genomic identification show that CRB‐S has now spread around about half of the island from the site of the original introduction. CRB‐G is mainly restricted to the seaport and surrounding areas of Port Vila with some outlying specimens. Through the efforts of Biosecurity Vanuatu, O. rhinoceros is still contained on the Efate group of islands and has not spread to the major copra‐producing islands in other parts of the country. Sanitation efforts appear to have reduced damage from coconut rhinoceros beetle within the zone of first arrival of the pest (Mangaliliu, Efate). Oryctes rhinoceros damage, however, is severe in areas with old plantations and limited sanitation activities (e.g. Mele/Devil's point, Efate). A concerted effort is necessary to contain the beetle on Efate and to reduce further spread and impact on the island.
Near‐infrared radiation causes sebaceous gland enlargement along with an ROS‐dependent augmentation of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in hamsters
Authors: Tanaka Shiho , Sakaue Hiroaki , Koiwai Toshikazu , Okuda Natsuki , Okuyama Katsuki , Horioka Yoshihiko , Hiramatsu Yasunari , Kawashima Makoto , Ishiguro Naoko , Sato Takashi
Published: July 2023

As near‐infrared radiation (NIR), which is a composition of sunlight with an 780–1400 nm wavelength, is associated with skin aging such as wrinkles and slacks, the biological actions of NIR with high dermal penetration remains unclear. In the present study, we found that NIR irradiation (40 J/cm2) at different levels of irradiance (95–190 mW/cm2) using a laboratory device with a xenon flash lamp (780–1700 nm) caused sebaceous gland enlargement concomitantly with skin thickening in the auricle skin of hamsters. The sebaceous gland enlargement resulted from the proliferation of sebocytes due to an increase in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)‐ and lamin B1‐positive cells in vivo. In addition, NIR irradiation transcriptionally augmented the production of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) accompanied with an increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in hamster sebocytes in vitro. Furthermore, the administration of hydrogen peroxide increased the level of EGFR mRNA in the sebocytes. Therefore, these results provide novel evidence that NIR irradiation causes the hyperplasia of sebaceous glands in hamsters by mechanisms in which EGFR production is transcriptionally augmented through ROS‐dependent pathways in sebocytes.
The therapeutic alliance in couple therapy: Patterns by treatment and sex in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy and treatment as usual
Authors: Fang Meng , Morgan Preston , Yzaguirre Melissa M. , Tseng Chi‐Fang , Wittenborn Andrea K.
Published: July 2023

The formation and development of the therapeutic alliance in couple therapy is a complex process and a key contributor to positive treatment outcomes. This study explored differences in trajectories of therapeutic alliance by sex and treatment condition among 24 couples randomized to receive Emotionally Focused Therapy or treatment as usual. The results identified a curvilinear growth pattern for alliance across both treatment groups. Female partners reported higher alliance than male partners after the first session across treatment groups, and female partners receiving Emotionally Focused Therapy reported higher initial alliance than female partners receiving treatment as usual. The rates of change for alliance did not differ by sex or treatment condition. The implications of the change pattern and differences in alliance formation by sex and treatment are discussed.
Coparenting support in the context of difficult children: Mother and father differences
Authors: Johnson Victoria J. , Choi Dongho , Wheeler Lorey A. , Kuo Patty X.
Published: July 2023

While parenting children with difficult behaviors can intensify stress within the entire family system, families may lean on other familial relationships to mitigate that stress. The coparenting relationship is known to play a key role within the family system for child outcomes and familial interactions, but it is not clear whether it eases the stress and challenge of raising a difficult child, nor how that plays out differently for mothers versus fathers. Ninety‐six couples (89.7% married) parenting young children (Mean age = 3.22 years) were included in this study. Using cross‐sectional and aggregated daily response data, actor–partner interdependence models were used to examine how mothers' and fathers' perceived coparenting support lessened or intensified parenting stress and/or daily problems with their child/children—for themselves or their parenting partner. We found that greater coparenting support reported by mothers coincided with stronger links between the mother's report of child difficulty and daily problems encountered by both mothers and fathers. In contrast, when fathers reported greater coparenting support, the intensity between reported child difficulty and daily problems decreased for mothers, and fathers reported lower parenting stress. Coparenting support also moderated associations between parents' perception of child difficulty and daily problems with their children. These results suggest that mothers incur heightened coparenting support from fathers when experiencing more difficult child behavior and that coparenting support experienced by fathers may alleviate parenting challenges for mothers. These findings further contribute to the literature by emphasizing distinct differences between mothers and fathers in coparenting associations within the family system.
Fracture toughness of a rigid polyurethane foam: experimental and numerical investigation by varying the specimen sizes
Authors: Vantadori Sabrina , Carpinteri Andrea , Cerioni Roberto , Ronchei Camilla , Scorza Daniela , Zanichelli Andrea , Marsavina Liviu
Published: July 2023

In the present paper, the fracture toughness of a polyurethane (PUR) foam (manufactured by Necumer GmbH, Germany, under the commercial designation Necuron 651) is experimentally and numerically investigated in order to examine its dependence on the specimen sizes. As a matter fact, to the best knowledge of the present authors, such an analysis is still missing in the technical literature. To perform the experimental campaign, notched PUR foam beams, with different geometrical sizes, are tested under three‐point bending loading, and the Modified Two‐Parameter Model (recently proposed by some of the present authors) is employed to measure the fracture toughness. Subsequently, such an experimental campaign is numerically simulated by applying a micromechanical model, implemented in a non‐linear finite element homemade code. Finally, the results obtained are compared with some experimental data available in the literature, related to the same PUR foam.
Influence of pre‐strain and bake hardening on the static and fatigue strength of a DP600 steel sheet
Authors: Kusch Andrea , Crivelli Daniele , Diviani Luca , Dotta Matteo , Salamina Simone , Berto Filippo
Published: July 2023

The influence of pre‐strain on the tensile and fatigue properties of a dual phase DP600 steel was studied. The material was pre‐strained by uni‐axial tension in rolling and transverse direction. Thereafter, specimens were cut from the deformed plates in parallel or orthogonal to pre‐strain direction. It was found that pre‐strain increases yield and tensile strength. Results suggested that strain path change primarily affects the elastic‐plastic transition during early stage of reloading. Pre‐strained specimens showed an increase in high cycle regimes as a consequence of yield strength increment, irrespective of imposed pre‐straining direction. A modified stress life equation that accounts for pre‐strain was proposed and showed good agreement with experimental data. Bake hardening enhanced both tensile and high cycle fatigue resistance. Walker equation was successfully fitted to account for tensile mean stress. In low cycle fatigue, negligible influence of pre‐strain was observed due to cyclic softening and residual stress relaxation.
Estimating contagion mechanism in global equity market with time‐zone effect
Authors: Wu Boyao , Huang Difang , Chen Muzi
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes a time‐zone vector autoregressive (VAR) model to investigate comovements in the global financial market. Analyzing daily data from 36 national equity markets, we explore the subprime and European debt crises using static analysis and the COVID‐19 crisis through a rolling window method. Our study of comovements using VAR coefficients reveals a resonance effect in the global system. Findings on densities and assortativities suggest the existence of the transmission mechanism in all periods and abnormal structural changes during the crises. Strength analysis uncovers the information transmission mechanism across continents over normal and turmoil periods and emphasizes specific stock markets' unique roles. We examine dynamic continent strengths to demonstrate the contagion mechanism in the global equity market over an extended period. Incorporating the time‐zone effect significantly enhances the VAR model's interpretability. Signed networks provide more information on global equity markets and better identify critical contagion patterns than unsigned networks.
Development of a haemophilia A gene therapy shared decision‐making tool for clinicians
Authors: Limjoco Jacqueline , Thornburg Courtney D.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

As gene therapies are incorporated into clinical practice, shared decision‐making (SDM) is recommended for implementation.

Aim

To inform development of a clinician SDM tool for haemophilia A gene therapy.

Methods

Clinicians at US Hemophilia Treatment Centers completed semi‐structured interviews about their experience with SDM and provided feedback on a clinician SDM tool prototype. Interviews were transcribed verbatim for coding and thematic content analysis.

Results

Ten participants enrolled, eight physicians and two haemophilia nurses. All participants care for adults with haemophilia (1‐27 years of experience) and 7 have gene therapy trials open at their institution. Confidence in having a clinical discussion about gene therapy included none (N = 1), slight (N = 3), moderate (N = 5) and high (N = 1). All participants reported familiarity with SDM and agreed that the tool would be useful for their clinical practice. Key themes in participant feedback for the tool were (1) language and presentation; (2) content; and (3) implementation. Participants highlighted the importance of providing unbiased information and having companion tools with patient‐centric language.

Conclusion

These data highlight the need for SDM tools for haemophilia A gene therapy. Key information to include in the tool are safety, efficacy, cost and detailed information on the gene therapy process. Data should be provided in an unbiased format and allow comparison to other treatments. The tool will be evaluated in clinical practice and refined as clinical trial data and real‐world experience mature.
Fast cultural evolution of Crossbill (Loxia spp.) calls in the Palaearctic
Authors: Martin Ralph , Rochefort Julien , Mundry Roger , Segelbacher Gernot
Published: July 2023

Learned vocal signals of birds provide one of the most comprehensive sources of evidence for culture in animals. Such vocal signals often vary spatially and temporally. Signal variation can be driven by direct factors such as cultural drift and selection or by indirect factors such as changes in the environment, which may affect morphology and therefore acoustic capability. In this study we analysed flight and excitement calls of several call types of the Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra and other crossbill species. Calls were recorded between 1962 and 2019 across the Palaearctic region. We measured acoustic similarity within flight and excitement calls and modelled the size of the effect attributed to temporal and geographical distance. Geographical distance between different sampling locations explained less call variation compared with temporal distance, and temporal variation within the excitement calls was smaller than in the flight calls. We conclude that calls of most call types of Red, Scottish and Parrot Crossbill are an example of cultural evolution. We suggest that excitement calls are less modifiable because they can serve better in dangerous situations when they are stable in time and space. In addition, we found no clear support for increasing or decreasing flight call similarity of call types while or after being in contact, as found in another study from North America. The reasons for the cultural evolution in calls of Palaearctic crossbills remain unclear.
BUSINESS CYCLES WITH CYCLICAL RETURNS TO SCALE
Authors: Hyun Jay , Kim Ryan , Lee Byoungchan
Published: July 2023

We study business cycles with cyclical returns to scale. Contrary to tightly parameterized conventional production functions, we empirically identify strong input complementarity that leads to procyclical returns to scale. We, therefore, propose a flexible translog production function that allows complementarity‐induced procyclical returns to scale. We integrate this function into a standard medium‐scale dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model. Our estimated model with input complementarity (i) features procyclical returns to scale and acyclical price markups, (ii) better matches the cyclicality of factor shares, and (iii) significantly decreases the contribution of markup shocks to output fluctuations relative to those of the standard model.
Optimal growth with labor market frictions
Authors: Guerrazzi Marco
Published: July 2023

In this paper, I build a capital accumulation model in which labor has to be alternatively employed in the production of goods or in the recruitment of workers. Within this setting, I show that (i) the intensive measure of capital may converge towards its stationary value in a non‐monotonic manner, (ii) Pareto‐optimal allocations can also be achieved in a decentralized environment in which the wage is indexed to labor market tightness, and (iii) the consistency of the wage that implements efficient allocations with the competitiveness of the market for goods relies on vanishing values of the discount rate.
The value of blockchain technology in supply chains with capital constraints: from the perspective of demand volatility
Authors: Zhu Shichao , Li Jian , Wang Yajing , Li Yongwu , Dong Xuefan
Published: July 2023

Blockchain technology (BCT) has the potential to revolutionize the supply chain financing (SCF) system and mitigate the detrimental effects of demand volatility on SCF. As one of the first to examine the effects of BCT implementation in SCF from the perspective of demand volatility, we focus on the impacts of BCT on equilibrium and whether the retailer has the incentive to adopt BCT. We perform a comparative analysis of the Stackelberg game involving three parties under scenarios with and without BCT adoption. We find that when the demand volatility reduction coefficient is sufficiently large, BCT can facilitate a reduction of the ordering quantity while still sustaining the same service level, thus avoiding excessive inventory, and reducing the associated risk of bankruptcy. Additionally, the decreased bankruptcy risk enabled the bank to reduce interest rates. The adoption of BCT can improve the profit of the retailer when the adoption cost of BCT is sufficiently low. Our findings provide management insights into when the small and medium‐sized enterprises should adopt BCT and the interactive decision‐making of all parties in the SCF business after BCT adoption.
Operational research models for green technology cross‐licensing with known carbon quota trading prices
Authors: Zhang Qi , Li Yuwei , Lin Gui‐Hua , Zhu Xide
Published: July 2023

Green finance contributes significantly to the openness and transparency of carbon quota trading prices, which is conducive to the development of green technology innovation. With known carbon quota trading prices, we construct game‐based operational research models to analyze fixed‐fee and mixed‐fee cross‐licensing strategies for green technologies between two competing firms under the cap‐and‐trade policy. We compare the equilibrium outcomes of no‐licensing, fixed‐fee, and mixed‐fee cross‐licensing strategies. The findings reveal that product pricing under the fixed‐fee cross‐licensing strategy is beneficial to consumers. The mixed‐fee cross‐licensing strategy is optimal in terms of firms' total profits. When the degree of product substitutions is large and the improvement in carbon emissions is small, firms are more inclined to the no‐licensing strategy. We further introduce the revenue‐sharing contract, which can extend the Pareto improvement domain and improve the performance of green technology cross‐licensing strategies.
Playing the long game: Carrying out principled tests of psychological phenomena before developing formal theories
Authors: Burke Sara Emily , Moss‐Racusin Corinne A.
Published: July 2023

Some participants in the conversation about changing scientific norms have recommended that researchers articulate detailed, formalized theories from the outset. Also, leading psychology journals have historically prioritized research that conveys at least the appearance of a satisfying theoretical conclusion. We argue that simply demonstrating social phenomena is a vital component of the theory‐generation process itself, and that it is counterproductive to require authors to derive all predictions from established theoretical frameworks. Our point goes beyond calling for descriptive and exploratory research: much can be learned by carrying out carefully formulated confirmatory tests of a phenomenon before claiming to know its relationship with past or future theories. The heart of science is the practice of subjecting ideas to systematic, transparent tests, regardless of whether those ideas stem from broad, thoroughly articulated theories or provisional reasoning about phenomena. Publication standards that require definitive theoretical or practical conclusions incentivize hasty ones. We need researchers playing the long game, so we need outlets for research that has not fully established what is going on and why. This special issue aimed to provide such an outlet.
Insecticide application using an unmanned aerial vehicle for Diaphorina citri control in citrus orchards
Authors: Miranda Marcelo Pedreira , Eduardo Wellington Ivo , Scapin Marcelo da Silva , Volpe Haroldo Xavier Linhares , Rodriguez Guilherme Maniezo , Vizoni Moacir Celio , Hakvoort Regina Bernardina Johanna
Published: July 2023

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) combined with other methods to spray insecticides may be a useful technique for controlling Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and consequently managing Huanglongbing. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the efficacy of insecticide application using a UAV for D. citri control in citrus orchards of 1, 4 and 12 years old. In addition, spray deposition was assessed using copper as a marker. Seedlings of sweet orange were attached on the inner canopy and on the outer canopy of citrus trees before spraying insecticide or copper. An additional experiment was performed to assess the effect of 6 and 10 m spray swaths in the 4‐year‐old orchard. Ten adult psyllids were confined to each sprayed seedling. Untreated seedlings were used as a control. The first psyllid confinement was performed 4 h after spraying insecticide. The second, third and fourth confinements were performed 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively, after spraying. In general, insecticide application using a UAV resulted in psyllid mortality higher than 80% after the first and second confinements, regardless of the orchard age and seedling position on the citrus tree (inner or outer). There were no significant differences in D. citri mortality between the spray swaths assessed. Spray deposition on leaves was higher in the outer canopy than in the inner canopy of citrus trees. This study demonstrated, for the first time, the efficacy of insecticide application using a UAV for D. citri control in citrus orchards of different ages. These results broaden the prevailing perspectives on the use of UAVs as complements to ground spraying for psyllid management.
A review: Hydrothermal processing of millets and effect on techno‐functional and nutritional properties
Authors: Deka Gunjana , Dutta Himjyoti , Sharma Paras
Published: July 2023

Millets represent a group of at least 13 highly nutritious, climate‐resilient grain species. Currently being considered as potential replacement to conventional staple food crops, there occurs an urgent necessity for their value addition through processing. Parboiling, heat‐moisture treatment, dry heat processes, and extrusion are the prominent hydrothermal processes for grains. In this article, process principles and research reported on hydrothermally processed millets have been exhaustively reviewed to enable the future positioning of millets in the food industry. Each hydrothermal process is unique and exerts a specific effect on millet properties. Efficiency in the reduction of inherent antinutrient compounds, namely tannins, phytic acid, phenols, and trypsin inhibitors is a key consideration in process designing. Intercomponent interactions in processed millets, namely compound entrapment, Maillard browning, starch–lipid complex, disulfide crosslinking in proteins, protein–lipid complex, tannin–protein complex, and others crucially control the product quality. Processed millet grains and products are established as functional foods, based on biochemical and in vivo studies. The review also identified major gaps in research. With distinct morphological, compositional, and functional differences, each millet variety can be individually dealt for setting process parameters. Being rich in lipid and antioxidant compounds, possibilities for rancidity control need to be examined for stored millet flours. Flours have been mostly used for partial replacement of base flour in developed products. The possibility of using hydrothermally modified millet flours in single flour products can be explored.
Risk factors, quality of life, and oncological effects of refractory anastomotic leakage for laparoscopic intersphincteric resection
Authors: Liu Junguang , Wang Xiaolin , Chen Hekai , Mei Shiwen , Qiu Wenlong , Tang Jianqiang
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim

Refractory anastomotic leakage (RAL) after intersphincteric resection (ISR) usually leads to failure of protective stoma reversal in ultralow rectal cancers. The aim of this study is to assess the risk factors and oncological outcomes of both anastomotic leakage (AL) and RAL, and quality of life (QoL) of RAL after laparoscopic ISR (LsISR).

Methods

A total of 371 ultralow rectal cancer patients with LsISR were enrolled from a tertiary colorectal surgery referral center. Risk factors for AL and RAL were identified by logistic regression. Three‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) of AL and RAL was analyzed by the Cox regression. QoL of RAL group (compared with non‐RAL group) was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐CR29 questionnaires.

Results

The rates of AL and RAL after LsISR accounted for 8.4% (31/371) and 4.6% (17/371) in this cohort, respectively. Non‐left colic artery preservation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.491, P = 0.009), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) (OR = 6.038, P < 0.001), and lower anastomosis height (OR = 5.271, P = 0.010) were independent risk factors for AL, while nCRT (OR = 11.602, P < 0.001) was the only independent risk factor for RAL. Male (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.989, P = 0.014), age > 60 years (HR = 1.877, P = 0.018), and lymph node metastasis (HR = 2.125, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors of poor 3‐year DFS, but not RAL (P = 0.646). RAL patients have significantly worse global health status, worse emotional and social function scores at the late postoperative stage, and worse urinary and sexual function at the early postoperative stage (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was an independent risk factor for RAL after LsISR. RAL shows similar oncological outcomes, but with poor QoL.
Associations of sex, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and days alive and at home among older Medicare beneficiaries recovering from hip fracture
Authors: Mutchie Heather L. , Orwig Denise L. , Gruber‐Baldini Ann L. , Johnson Abree , Magaziner Jay , Falvey Jason R.
Published: July 2023

Background

Males constitute 25% of older adults who experience hip fractures in the United States; a concerning upward trend given poorer health and outcomes among male survivors. Male sex is associated with worse cognitive performance after hip fracture, impacting participation in rehabilitation and long‐term outcomes especially for those with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD). However, little research has evaluated whether sex differences in post‐fracture recovery are greater among those living with ADRD.

Methods

Data were drawn from 2010 to 2017 Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries aged 65 years and older who survived hospitalization for hip fracture (n = 69,581). The primary outcome was days alive and at home (DAAH), a validated patient‐centered claims‐based outcome calculated as 365 days from fracture minus days in hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation facility, emergency department, or time after death. Multivariable Poisson regressions with an interaction term between sex and ADRD status were to model the association between DAAH and ADRD in the 12 months post hip fracture, adjusting for demographics, injury severity, chronic disease burden, and hospital‐level fixed effects.

Results

Compared to females, males were younger and had more comorbidities at the time of fracture. Among survivors, males with ADRD spent a mean of 160.7 DAAH compared to 228.4 for males without ADRD, 177.8 for females with ADRD, and 248.0 for females without ADRD. In adjusted analyses, males without ADRD spent 8.2% fewer DAAH compared to females (rate ratio [RR] = 0.92, 95% CI 0.92–0.92). This relative sex difference increased significantly when comparing those living with ADRD, with males spending an additional 3.3% fewer DAAH (interaction RR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.96–0.97).

Conclusions

Males spend fewer DAAH after hip fracture than females, and this difference increases modestly for males living with ADRD compared to females. This suggests that cognitive impairment may be a small but significant contributor to sex‐based differences observed during hip fracture recovery.
Glycogen accumulation modulates life span in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Brewer M. Kathryn , Torres Pascual , Ayala Victòria , Portero‐Otin Manuel , Pamplona Reinald , Andrés‐Benito Pol , Ferrer Isidro , Gentry Matthew S. , Guinovart Joan J. , Duran Jordi
Published: July 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Glial cells, including astrocytes and microglia, have been shown to contribute to neurodegeneration in ALS, and metabolic dysfunction plays an important role in the progression of the disease. Glycogen is a soluble polymer of glucose found at low levels in the central nervous system that plays an important role in memory formation, synaptic plasticity, and the prevention of seizures. However, its accumulation in astrocytes and/or neurons is associated with pathological conditions and aging. Importantly, glycogen accumulation has been reported in the spinal cord of human ALS patients and mouse models. In the present work, using the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS, we show that glycogen accumulates in the spinal cord and brainstem during symptomatic and end stages of the disease and that the accumulated glycogen is associated with reactive astrocytes. To study the contribution of glycogen to ALS progression, we generated SOD1G93A mice with reduced glycogen synthesis (SOD1G93A GShet mice). SOD1G93A GShet mice had a significantly longer life span than SOD1G93A mice and showed lower levels of the astrocytic pro‐inflammatory cytokine Cxcl10, suggesting that the accumulation of glycogen is associated with an inflammatory response. Supporting this, inducing an increase in glycogen synthesis reduced life span in SOD1G93A mice. Altogether, these results suggest that glycogen in reactive astrocytes contributes to neurotoxicity and disease progression in ALS.

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Perspectives on improving blood pressure control to reduce the clinical and economic burden of hypertension
Authors: Mancia G. , Cappuccio F. P. , Burnier M. , Coca A. , Persu A. , Borghi C. , Kreutz R. , Sanner B.
Published: July 2023

The clinical and economic burden of hypertension is high and continues to increase globally. Uncontrolled hypertension has severe but avoidable long‐term consequences, including cardiovascular diseases, which are among the most burdensome and most preventable conditions in Europe. Yet, despite clear guidelines on screening, diagnosis and management of hypertension, a large proportion of patients remain undiagnosed or undertreated. Low adherence and persistence are common, exacerbating the issue of poor blood pressure (BP) control. Although current guidelines provide clear direction, implementation is hampered by barriers at the patient‐, physician‐ and healthcare system levels. Underestimation of the impact of uncontrolled hypertension and limited health literacy lead to low adherence and persistence among patients, treatment inertia among physicians and a lack of decisive healthcare system action. Many options to improve BP control are available or under investigation. Patients would benefit from targeted health education, improved BP measurement, individualized treatment or simplified treatment regimens through single‐pill combinations. For physicians, increasing awareness of the burden of hypertension, as well as offering training on monitoring and optimal management and provision of the necessary time to collaboratively engage with patients would be useful. Healthcare systems should establish nationwide strategies for hypertension screening and management. Furthermore, there is an unmet need to implement more comprehensive BP measurements to optimize management. In conclusion, an integrative, patient‐focused, multimodal multidisciplinary approach to the management of hypertension by clinicians, payers and policymakers, involving patients, is required to achieve long‐term improvements in population health and cost‐efficiency for healthcare systems.
Amiodarone accumulates two cholesterol precursors in myocardium: A controlled clinical study
Authors: Simonen Piia , Lommi Jyri , Lemström Karl , Tolva Johanna , Sinisalo Juha , Gylling Helena
Published: July 2023

Background

Amiodarone is an effective antiarrhythmic drug, which interferes with cholesterol synthesis. In the human body, it inhibits two enzymes in the cholesterol‐synthesis pathway, followed by increases especially in serum desmosterol and zymostenol concentrations and a decrease in that of serum lathosterol.

Objectives

We explored whether desmosterol and zymostenol accumulate also in myocardial tissue during amiodarone treatment.

Methods

Thirty‐three patients admitted for cardiac transplantation volunteered for the study. Ten patients were on amiodarone treatment (AD group) and 23 were not (control group). The groups were matched as regards demographic and clinical variables. Myocardial samples were obtained from the removed hearts from 31 patients. Cholesterol, non‐cholesterol sterols and squalene were quantified by means of gas–liquid chromatography.

Results

In serum and myocardium, desmosterol was 19‐ and 18‐fold higher and zymostenol 4‐ and 2‐fold higher in the AD group versus the control group (p < 0.001 for all). In contrast, myocardial cholesterol, squalene and lathosterol levels were lower in the AD group than in the control group (p < 0.05 for all). Levels of phytosterols and cholestanol were similar in the serum and myocardium in the two groups. Levels of myocardial and serum desmosterol, zymostenol, lathosterol and phytosterols correlated with each other in both groups (p < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion

Amiodarone treatment caused the accumulation of desmosterol and zymostenol in myocardium. In particular, myocardial desmosterol concentrations were substantially elevated, which may play a part in some of the therapeutic and adverse effects of amiodarone treatment.
LavAtmos: An open‐source chemical equilibrium vaporization code for lava worlds
Authors: van Buchem Christiaan P. A. , Miguel Yamila , Zilinskas Mantas , van Westrenen Wim
Published: July 2023

To date, over 500 short‐period rocky planets with equilibrium temperatures above 1500 K have been discovered. Such planets are expected to support magma oceans, providing a direct interface between the interior and the atmosphere. This provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into their interior compositions through atmospheric observations. A key process in doing such work is the vapor outgassing from the lava surface. LavAtmos is an open‐source code that calculates the equilibrium chemical composition of vapor above a dry melt for a given composition and temperature. Results show that the produced output is in good agreement with the partial pressures obtained from experimental laboratory data as well as with other similar codes from literature. LavAtmos allows for the modeling of vaporization of a wide range of different mantle compositions of hot rocky exoplanets. In combination with atmospheric chemistry codes, this enables the characterization of interior compositions through atmospheric signatures.
DNA methylation markers of age(ing) in non‐model animals
Authors: Tangili Marianthi , Slettenhaar Annabel J. , Sudyka Joanna , Dugdale Hannah L. , Pen Ido , Palsbøll Per J. , Verhulst Simon
Published: July 2023

Inferring the chronological and biological age of individuals is fundamental to population ecology and our understanding of ageing itself, its evolution, and the biological processes that affect or even cause ageing. Epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation (DNAm) at specific CpG sites show a strong correlation with chronological age in humans, and discrepancies between inferred and actual chronological age predict morbidity and mortality. Recently, a growing number of epigenetic clocks have been developed in non‐model animals and we here review these studies. We also conduct a meta‐analysis to assess the effects of different aspects of experimental protocol on the performance of epigenetic clocks for non‐model animals. Two measures of performance are usually reported, the R2 of the association between the predicted and chronological age, and the mean/median absolute deviation (MAD) of estimated age from chronological age, and we argue that only the MAD reflects accuracy. R2 for epigenetic clocks based on the HorvathMammalMethylChip4 was higher and the MAD scaled to age range lower, compared with other DNAm quantification approaches. Scaled MAD tended to be lower among individuals in captive populations, and decreased with an increasing number of CpG sites. We conclude that epigenetic clocks can predict chronological age with relatively high accuracy, suggesting great potential in ecological epigenetics. We discuss general aspects of epigenetic clocks in the hope of stimulating further DNAm‐based research on ageing, and perhaps more importantly, other key traits.
Candida auris from colonisation to candidemia: A four‐year study
Authors: Mulet Bayona Juan Vicente , Tormo Palop Nuria , Salvador García Carme , Guna Serrano María del Remedio , Gimeno Cardona Concepción
Published: July 2023

Background

Candida auris has become a worrisome multi‐drug resistant healthcare‐associated pathogen due to its capacity to colonise patients and surfaces and to cause outbreaks of invasive infections in critically ill patients.

Objectives

This study evaluated the outbreak in our setting in a 4‐year period, reporting the risk factors for developing candidemia in previously colonised patients, the therapeutic measures for candidemia and the outcome of candidemia and colonisation cases among all C. auris isolates and their susceptibility to antifungals.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected from patients admitted to Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia (Spain) from September 2017 to September 2021. A retrospective case–control study was designed to identify risk factors for developing C. auris candidemia in previously colonised patients.

Results

C. auris affected 550 patients, of which 210 (38.2%) had some clinical sample positive. Isolates were uniformly resistant to fluconazole, 20 isolates were resistant to echinocandins (2.8%) and four isolates were resistant to ampfotericin B (0.6%). There were 86 candidemia cases. APACHE II, digestive disease and catheter isolate were proven to be independent risk factors for developing candidemia in previously colonised patients. Thirty‐day mortality rate for C. auris candidemia cases was 32.6%, while for colonisation cases was 33.7%.

Conclusions

Candidemia was one of the most frequent and severe infections caused by C. auris. The risk factors identified in this study should help to detect patients who are at more risk of developing candidemia, as long as an adequate surveillance of C. auris colonisation is performed.
Still on the Stachytarpheta longispicata complex (Verbenaceae): two new narrowly endemic species from the Cerrado domain of Central Brazil
Authors: Henrique Cardoso Pedro , Menini Neto Luiz , Trovó Marcelo
Published: July 2023

Among the Brazilian Stachytarpheta, the small group of species treated as the Stachytarpheta longispicata complex is morphologically recognised by its inflorescences with pedicellate flowers. This character is also present in S. longibracteata and S. rizzoi, two new species herein described based on the morphological species concept. Both species have a restricted distribution in the Cerrado domain, with S. longibracetata found in the Jalapão region (State of Tocantins) and S. rizzoi in the Serra Dourada region (State of Goiás). Detailed diagnosis, morphological comparisons, line drawings, ecological and taxonomic data, provisional conservation status, and a distribution map are provided for each new species. With these findings, we improve the taxonomy of the S. longispicata complex by increasing the number of known species to seven, and providing an identification key for this peculiar group with pedicellate flowers exclusive to the Cerrado.
Nonalcoholic liver disease: Epidemiology, risk factors, natural history, and management strategies
Authors: Agyapong George , Dashti Farzaneh , Banini Bubu A.
Published: July 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and a leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. NAFLD encompasses a heterogeneous clinicopathologic spectrum, ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and progressive fibrosis, which can lead to end‐stage liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Predictive models suggest that over 100 million adults in the United States will have NAFLD by 2030, representing over a third of the population. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of NAFLD risk factors, natural history (including hepatic and extra‐hepatic outcomes), diagnosis, and current management strategies.