bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic signatures of disease resistance in endangered staghorn corals
Authors: Vollmer Steven V. , Selwyn Jason D. , Despard Brecia A. , Roesel Charles L.
Published: September 2023

White band disease (WBD) has caused unprecedented declines in the Caribbean
Acropora
corals, which are now listed as critically endangered species. Highly disease-resistant
Acropora cervicornis
genotypes exist, but the genetic underpinnings of disease resistance are not understood. Using transmission experiments, a newly assembled genome, and whole-genome resequencing of 76
A. cervicornis
genotypes from Florida and Panama, we identified 10 genomic regions and 73 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that are associated with disease resistance and that include functional protein-coding changes in four genes involved in coral immunity and pathogen detection. Polygenic scores calculated from 10 genomic loci indicate that genetic screens can detect disease resistance in wild and nursery stocks of
A. cervicornis
across the Caribbean.
Sheltering in place
Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe
Carl Safina
Norton, 2023. 384 pp.
Authors: King Barbara J.
Published: September 2023

An orphaned owl’s convalescence inspired an ecologist’s reflections during COVID-19 lockdown
Genetics of coral resilience
Authors: Mydlarz Laura D. , Muller Erinn M.
Published: September 2023

Genome-wide study in staghorn coral identifies markers of disease resistance
Proudly nonprofit
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: September 2023

S
cience
is fortunate that so many authors seek to publish with us. We shoulder enormous responsibility from both our outsized influence on research across many fields and from the journal's impact on the careers of scientists who publish in our pages. Although there can be some cynicism about the role of highly selective “glam journals,” we understand why we are part of conversations that sometimes center around “CNS” (
Cell
,
Nature
,
Science
) periodicals. All three have considerable importance and prominence in the scientific community. But there is a major difference that often gets lost. Whereas
Cell
and
Nature
generate revenue for their parent for-profit companies, Elsevier and Springer Nature,
Science
is published by a nonprofit organization, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and produces no revenue for shareholders. We don't get the word out about this distinction frequently or overtly enough. It's an important contrast because decisions that we make at
Science
and AAAS are driven by putting scientists ahead of profit.
In Other Journals
Authors: Maroso Mattia , Ray L. Bryan , Stern Peter , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Osborne Ian S. , Smith H. Jesse , Stajic Jelena
Published: September 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Faults teamed up 1100 years ago to produce Seattle megaquake—and could do so again
Authors: Price Michael
Published: September 2023

Tree rings give precise dates for ancient temblors, painting alarming picture of seismic risk
MRI study charts organ damage months after COVID-19
Authors: Offord Catherine
Published: September 2023

Imaging revealed no signs of lingering heart problems
Guiding antimicrobial stewardship through thoughtful antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting strategies: an updated approach in 2023
Authors: Pierce Virginia M. , Bhowmick Tanaya , Simner Patricia J.
Published: September 2023

Antimicrobial susceptibility test and report guidelines are an important tool for antimicrobial stewardship programs. Since 1972, Tables 1 within the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M100 document have provided a general framework upon which clinical microbiologists and antimicrobial stewardship teams can build algorithms for susceptibility testing and reporting that meet the specific needs of their institution. Many changes were made to Tables 1 in M100-Ed33 to modernize the content to reflect the landscape of current clinical practice, including the growing armamentarium of antimicrobial agents, the emergence of new mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, the increasing prevalence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, and updated consensus recommendations for first-choice and alternative agents for treatment. With these items in mind, the CLSI Table 1
ad hoc
working group revised Tables 1 with the ultimate goal of supporting institutions in the creation of individualized test and report strategies that support local antimicrobial stewardship program initiatives. These strategies are built on the concepts of selective and cascade reporting. This minireview introduces the concept of CLSI M100-Ed33 Tables 1, describes the changes to Tables 1 introduced in 2023, and provides clinical vignettes that demonstrate how Tables 1 can be used in various scenarios to devise antimicrobial susceptibility test and report strategies.
Evaluation of the Qvella FAST System and the FAST-PBC cartridge for rapid species identification and antimicrobial resistance testing directly from positive blood cultures
Authors: Sy Issa , Bühler Nina , Becker Sören L. , Jung Philipp
Published: September 2023

Blood culture diagnostics require rapid and accurate identification (ID) of pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Standard procedures, involving conventional cultivation on agar plates, may take up to 48 hours or more until AST completion. Recent approaches aim to shorten the processing time of positive blood cultures (PBC). The FAST System is a new technology, capable of purifying and concentrating bacterial/fungal pathogens from positive blood culture media and producing a bacterial suspension called “liquid colony” (LC), which can be further used in downstream analyses (e.g., ID and AST). Here, we evaluated the performance of the FAST System LC generated from PBC in comparison to our routine workflow including ID by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry using Sepsityper, AST by automatized MicroScan WalkAway
plus
and directly inoculated disk diffusion (DD), and MICRONAUT-AM for yeast/fungi. A total of 261 samples were analyzed, of which 86.6% (226/261) were eligible for the comparative ID and AST analyses. In comparison to the reference technique (culture-grown colonies), ID concordance of the FAST System LC and Sepsityper was 150/154 (97.4%) and 123/154 (79.9%), respectively, for Gram positive; 67/70 (95.7%) and 64/70 (91.4%), respectively, for Gram negative. For AST, categorical agreement (CA) of the FAST System LC in comparison to the routine workflow for Gram-positive bacteria was 96.1% and 98.7% for MicroScan and DD, respectively. Similar results were obtained for Gram-negative bacteria with 96.6% and 97.5% of CA for MicroScan and DD, respectively. Taken together, the FAST System LC allowed the laboratory to significantly reduce the time to obtain correct ID and AST (automated MicroScan) results 1 day earlier and represents a promising tool to expedite the processing of PBC.
Signal peptide and N-glycosylation of N-terminal-CD2v determine the hemadsorption of African swine fever virus
Authors: Pérez-Núñez Daniel , García-Belmonte Raquel , Riera Elena , Fernández-Sesma Marta H. , Vigara-Astillero Gonzalo , Revilla Yolanda
Published: September 2023

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the cause of African swine fever (ASF), a devastating disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boar and is currently responsible for the largest animal epidemic. One of the characteristics of ASFV infection, but absent in naturally attenuated strains, is hemadsorption (HAD), a phenomenon that has been linked to virulence. In this study, we have shown that ASFV HAD depends exclusively on the Nt domain of the ASFV CD2v protein during infection. CD2v is a highly glycosylated protein, and we found that glycosylation is essential for HAD. However, despite the higher degree of CD2v glycosylation, only simultaneous N-glycosylation of two Asp residues on the Nt region is the determinant for HAD. On the contrary, we have demonstrated that the presence of a specific signal peptide sequence on CD2v not only influences the degree of CD2v glycosylation but is also critical for HAD, although not for CD2v localization. Finally, we have shown that the CD2v expression during infection of the non-HAD NH/P68 strain is not sufficient for HAD, despite its glycosylation and cell surface localization. Complementation studies of CD2v from NH/P68 with CD2v signal peptides from HAD+ strains indicate (i) that different signal peptides from different genotypes are able to restore HAD and (ii) the existence of a HAD-inhibitory sequence in NH/P68-CD2v. This study lays the molecular basis for ASFV HAD, which could be key for the study of virulent and pathogenic aspects of the virus, as well as the rational development of new vaccines against ASFV.

IMPORTANCE

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the cause of the current major animal epidemic worldwide. This disease affects domestic pigs and wild boars, has spread since 2007 through Russia, Eastern Europe, and more recently to Western European countries, and since 2018 emerged in China, from where it spread throughout Southeast Asia. Recently, outbreaks have appeared in the Caribbean, threatening the Americas. It is estimated that more than 900,000 animals have died directly or indirectly from ASFV since 2021 alone. One of the features of ASFV infection is hemoadsorption (HAD), which has been linked to virulence, although the molecular and pathological basis of this hypothesis remains largely unknown. In this study, we have analyzed and identified the key players responsible of HAD, contributing to the identification of new determinants of ASFV virulence, the understanding of ASFV pathogenesis, and the rational development of new vaccines.
M2a macrophages facilitate resolution of chemically-induced colitis in TLR4-SNP mice
Authors: Vlk Alexandra M. , Prantner Daniel , Shirey Kari Ann , Perkins Darren J. , Buzza Marguerite S. , Thumbigere-Math Vivek , Keegan Achsah D. , Vogel Stefanie N.
Published: September 2023

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an innate immune receptor responsive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human TLR4 that encode an A896G transition at SNP rs4986790 (D299G) and a C1196T transition at SNP rs4986791 (T399I) render individuals hyporesponsive to LPS. In humans, these SNPs are also associated with increased susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Using knock-in mice engineered to express the murine homologs of these human TLR4 mutations (“TLR4-SNP” mice), we have shown that TLR4-SNP mice develop significantly more severe colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) than wild-type (WT) mice, similar to IBD in humans expressing these SNPs. Previous studies have provided indirect evidence for “tissue repair” M2 macrophages (Mφ) in the resolution of colitis. Signaling through the IL-4/IL-13 receptor, IL-4Rα, and the transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ), have been shown to be required for induction of M2a Mφ, and our data provide direct evidence for the involvement of both in the repair of DSS-induced colonic damage. In response to DSS, colons of TLR4-SNP mice produced reduced levels of M2a Mφ marker mRNA and protein, including PPARγ, and therapeutic administration of the PPARγ agonist ligand, rosiglitazone, resolved colitis in TLR4-SNP mice, and increased expression of the M2a protein, Ym1. Together, these data indicate that the failure of TLR4-SNP mice to resolve DSS-induced colitis may be secondary to their failure to induce “tissue repair” M2a Mφ.

Importance

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, impacts millions of individuals worldwide and severely impairs the quality of life for patients. Dysregulation of innate immune signaling pathways reduces barrier function and exacerbates disease progression. Macrophage (Mφ) signaling pathways are potential targets for IBD therapies. While multiple treatments are available for IBD, (i) not all patients respond, (ii) responses may diminish over time, and (iii) treatments often have undesirable side effects. Genetic studies have shown that the inheritance of two co-segregating SNPs expressed in the innate immune receptor, TLR4, is associated with human IBD. Mice expressing homologous SNPs (“TLR4-SNP” mice) exhibited more severe colitis than WT mice in a DSS-induced colonic inflammation/repair model. We identified a critical role for M2a “tissue repair” Mφ in the resolution of colitis. Our findings provide insight into potential development of novel therapies targeting Mφ signaling pathways that aim to alleviate the debilitating symptoms experienced by individuals with IBD.
Complete closed genome sequences of three multidrug-resistant uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Guragain Manita , Kanrar Siddhartha , Bagi Lori , Chen Chin-Yi
Published: September 2023

Infection by antibiotic-resistant extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
may result in treatment failure and thus pose a serious public health threat. Here we report the complete closed genome sequence of three multidrug-resistant (MDR) human uropathogenic
E. coli
isolates using long-read sequencing technology and
de novo
assembly.
Complete coding sequence of two feline panleukopenia virus strains isolated from domestic cats (
Felis catus
) in Tennessee, USA
Authors: Roozitalab Ashkan , Elsakhawy Ola K. , Abouelkhair Mohamed A.
Published: September 2023

Here, we announce the complete coding sequence of two strains of feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) that were obtained from deceased domestic cats in animal shelters in Tennessee. The provided sequence data will contribute to a deeper comprehension of the genetic characteristics and evolutionary patterns of FPLV in the USA.
Vaborbactam increases meropenem susceptibility in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
clinical isolates displaying MexXY and AmpC upregulation
Authors: Castanheira Mariana , Doyle Timothy B. , Hubler Cory M. , DeVries Sean , Shortridge Dee
Published: September 2023

To evaluate the resistance mechanisms among
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
clinical isolates exhibiting meropenem (MEM) MIC values higher than meropenem-vaborbactam (MEV).
P. aeruginosa
clinical isolates collected in US hospitals from 2014 to 2019 were susceptibility tested. Whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing were performed. Results were analyzed for strain typing, acquired β-lactamases, and mutations in chromosomal genes; gene expression was measured for known β-lactam resistance contributors. Results were compared to a control group of 10
P
.
aeruginosa
isolates displaying MIC values at 8 mg/L for meropenem ± vaborbactam (MEM = MEV). Out of 88 isolates displaying MEM > MEV, 33 (37.5%) isolates had reproducibly lower MIC values for meropenem-vaborbactam compared to meropenem when retested. The expression of
mexX
,
mexY
,
mexZ
, and
ampC
was significantly greater among a higher percentage of the MEM > MEV isolates. Furthermore, the association of
mexXY
and
ampC
overexpression was detected in 17/33 MEM > MEV isolates and only 1/10 MEM = MEV isolate. In addition, the
Pseudomonas
-derived cephalosporinase amino acid substitution R79Q was detected among 33.3% of the isolates displaying MEM > MEV, and none of the isolates displayed MEM = MEV. Other resistance mechanisms were not observed or were equally observed in both groups. In rare cases, vaborbactam plays a role in lowering the meropenem MIC values in
P. aeruginosa
clinical isolates likely due to the inhibition of the AmpC gene that was overexpressed in the presence of upregulation of MexXY with or without alterations in the AmpC gene.

IMPORTANCE

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates are intrinsically resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents and meropenem is an important therapeutic option to treat infections caused by this organism. Meropenem-vaborbactam activity is similar to that of meropenem alone against
P. aeruginosa
isolates. Isolates belonging to this species that display lower meropenem-vaborbactam compared to meropenem are rare. We initiated this study to understand the resistance mechanisms that could lead to lower meropenem-vaborbactam MIC values when compared to meropenem alone. We documented that isolates displaying lower meropenem-vaborbactam exhibited overexpression of MexXY and AmpC. In addition, isolates displaying the R79Q PDC (AmpC) mutation were more likely to display lower meropenem-vaborbactam when compared to isolates displaying the same MIC values for these agents.
Burkholderia pseudomallei
BicA protein promotes pathogenicity in macrophages by regulating invasion, intracellular survival, and virulence
Authors: Stockton Jacob L. , Khakhum Nittaya , Stevenson Heather L. , Torres Alfredo G.
Published: September 2023

Burkholderia pseudomallei
(
Bpm
) is the causative agent of melioidosis disease.
Bpm
is a facultative intracellular pathogen with a complex life cycle inside host cells. Pathogenic success depends on a variety of virulence factors with one of the most critical being the type 6 secretion system (T6SS).
Bpm
uses the T6SS to move into neighboring cells, resulting in multinucleated giant cell (MNGC) formation, a strategy used to disseminate from cell to cell. Our prior study using a dual RNA-seq analysis to dissect T6SS-mediated virulence on intestinal epithelial cells identified BicA as a factor upregulated in a T6SS mutant. BicA regulates both type 3 secretion system (T3SS) and T6SSs; however, the extent of its involvement during disease progression is unclear. To fully dissect the role of BicA during systemic infection, we used two macrophage cell lines paired with a pulmonary
in vivo
challenge murine model. We found that Δ
bicA
has a distinct intracellular replication defect in both immortalized and primary macrophages, which begins as early as 1 h post-infection. This intracellular defect is linked with the lack of cell-to-cell dissemination and MNGC formation as well as a defect in T3SS expression. The
in vitro
phenotype translated
in vivo
as Δ
bicA
was attenuated in a pulmonary model of infection, demonstrating a distinct macrophage activation profile and a lack of pathological features present in the wild type. Overall, these results highlight the role of BicA in regulating intracellular virulence and demonstrate that specific regulation of secretion systems has a significant effect on host response and
Bpm
pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE

Melioidosis is an understudied tropical disease that still results in ~50% fatalities in infected patients. It is caused by the Gram-negative bacillus
Burkholderia pseudomallei
(
Bpm
).
Bpm
is an intracellular pathogen that disseminates from the infected cell to target organs, causing disseminated disease. The regulation of secretion systems involved in entry and cell-to-cell spread is poorly understood. In this work, we characterize the role of BicA as a regulator of secretion systems during infection of macrophages
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Understanding how these virulence factors are controlled will help us determine their influence on the host cells and define the macrophage responses associated with bacterial clearance.
Sequence similarity network and protein structure prediction offer insights into the evolution of microbial pathways for ferrous iron oxidation
Authors: Li Liangzhi , Liu Zhenghua , Meng Delong , Liu Yongjun , Liu Tianbo , Jiang Chengying , Yin Huaqun
Published: September 2023

Dissimilatory ferrous iron [Fe(II)] oxidation is a well-established microbial energy generation strategy. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the distribution and evolution of recognized Fe(II) oxidation pathways through comparative analysis. Interestingly, we have discovered a wide range of taxonomic groups that harbor homologs to known Fe(II) oxidation proteins. The presence of these homologs among phylogenetically distant lineages and their frequent association with mobile genetic elements strongly suggest horizontal gene transfer events involving Fe(II) oxidation proteins, such as the
rus
operon of
Acidithiobacillus
and Cyc572 from
Leptospirillum
lineages belonging to classes
Gammaproteobacteria
and
Betaproteobacteria
often present at the hub positions of the protein sequence similarity networks from which homologs of other taxa are derived. In addition, RoseTTAFold predictions have provided valuable insights into the structural characteristics of previously unknown Fe(II) oxidation components. Despite having limited sequence identity, a significant number of acknowledged proteins involved in different Fe(II) oxidation pathways exhibit close structural similarities, including Cyc2 and Cyc572. Collectively, this study significantly enhances our understanding of the distribution and evolution of microbial ferrous iron oxidation pathways.

IMPORTANCE

Microbial Fe(II) oxidation is a crucial process that harnesses and converts the energy available in Fe, contributing significantly to global element cycling. However, there are still many aspects of this process that remain unexplored. In this study, we utilized a combination of comparative genomics, sequence similarity network analysis, and artificial intelligence-driven structure modeling methods to address the lack of structural information on Fe(II) oxidation proteins and offer a comprehensive perspective on the evolution of Fe(II) oxidation pathways. Our findings suggest that several microbial Fe(II) oxidation pathways currently known may have originated within classes
Gammaproteobacteria
and
Betaproteobacteria
.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
epidemiology in Oman: whole-genome sequencing uncovers transmission pathways
Authors: Babiker Hamza A , Al-Jardani Amina , Al-Azri Saleh , Petit Robert A. , Saad Eltaib , Al-Mahrouqi Sarah , Mohamed Reham A.H. , Al-Hamidhi Salama , Balkhair Abdullah A. , Al Kharusi Najma , Al Balushi Laila , Al Zadjali Samiya , Pérez-Pardal Lucía , Beja-Pereira Albano , Babiker Ahmed
Published: September 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) originating from expatriates that hail from high TB-burden countries is hypothesized to play a role in continued TB transmission in Oman. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to assess national TB transmission dynamics. The annual incidence per 100,000 population per year was calculated for nationals and expatriates. A convenience sample of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) isolates from 2018 to 2019 was sequenced and analyzed with publicly available TB sequences from Bangladesh, Tanzania, the Philippines, India, and Pakistan. Relatedness was assessed by generating core-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distances. The incidence of TB was five cases per 100,000 persons in 2018 and seven cases per 100,000 persons in 2020 (

R
2

= 0.34,
P
= 0.60). Incidence among nationals was 3.9 per 100,000 persons in 2018 and 3.5 per 100,000 persons in 2020 (

R
2

= 0.20
, P
= 0.70), and incidence among expatriates was 7.2 per 100,000 persons in 2018 and 12.7 per 100,000 persons in 2020 (

R
2

= 0.74,
P
= 0.34). Sixty-eight local MTB isolates were sequenced and analyzed with 393 global isolates. Isolates belonged to nine distinct spoligotypes. Two isolates, originating from an expatriate and an Omani national, were grouped into a WGS-based cluster (SNP distance < 12), which was corroborated by an epidemiological investigation. Relatedness of local and global isolates (SNP distance < 100) was also seen. The relatedness between MTB strains in Oman and those in expatriate countries of origin can aid inform TB control policy. Our results provide evidence that WGS can complement epidemiological analysis to achieve the End TB strategy goal in Oman.

IMPORTANCE

Tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Oman remains above national program control targets. TB transmission originating from expatriates from high TB-burden countries has been hypothesized to play a role. We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to assess TB transmission dynamics between expatriates and Omani nationals to inform TB control efforts. Available
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates from 2018 to 2019 underwent WGS and analysis with publicly available TB sequences from Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, and Pakistan to assess for genetic relatedness. Our analysis revealed evidence of previously unrecognized transmission between an expatriate and an Omani national, which was corroborated by epidemiological investigation. Analysis of local and global isolates revealed evidence of distant relatedness between local and global isolates. Our results provide evidence that WGS can complement classic public health surveillance to inform targeted interventions to achieve the End TB strategy goal in Oman.
Lactobacillus gallinarum-derived metabolites boost anti-PD1 efficacy in colorectal cancer by inhibiting regulatory T cells through modulating IDO1/Kyn/AHR axis
Authors: Fong Winnie , Li Qing , Ji Fenfen , Liang Wei , Lau Harry Cheuk Hay , Kang Xing , Liu Weixin , To Kenneth Kin-Wah , Zuo Zhong , Li Xiaoxing , Zhang Xiang , Sung Joseph JY , Yu Jun
Published: September 2023

Objective

Gut microbiota is a key player in dictating immunotherapy response. We aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effect of probioticLactobacillus gallinarumand its role in improving anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) efficacy against colorectal cancer (CRC).

Design

The effects ofL. gallinarumin anti-PD1 response were assessed in syngeneic mouse models and azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced CRC model. The change of immune landscape was identified by multicolour flow cytometry and validated by immunohistochemistry staining and in vitro functional assays. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed to identify the functional metabolites.

Results

L. gallinarumsignificantly improved anti-PD1 efficacy in two syngeneic mouse models with different microsatellite instability (MSI) statuses (MSI-high for MC38, MSI-low for CT26). Such effect was confirmed in CRC tumourigenesis model.L. gallinarumsynergised with anti-PD1 therapy by reducing Foxp3+CD25+regulatory T cell (Treg) intratumoural infiltration, and enhancing effector function of CD8+T cells.L. gallinarum-derived indole-3-carboxylic acid (ICA) was identified as the functional metabolite. Mechanistically, ICA inhibited indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) expression, therefore suppressing kynurenine (Kyn) production in tumours. ICA also competed with Kyn for binding site on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and antagonised Kyn binding on CD4+T cells, thereby inhibiting Treg differentiation in vitro. ICA phenocopiedL. gallinarumeffect and significantly improved anti-PD1 efficacy in vivo, which could be reversed by Kyn supplementation.

Conclusion

L. gallinarum-derived ICA improved anti-PD1 efficacy in CRC through suppressing CD4+Treg differentiation and enhancing CD8+T cell function by modulating the IDO1/Kyn/AHR axis.L. gallinarumis a potential adjuvant to augment anti-PD1 efficacy against CRC.
Longitudinal radiological follow-up of individual level non-ischemic cerebral enhancing lesions following endovascular aneurysm treatment
Authors: Guetarni Zakaria , Bernard Remy , Boulouis Grégoire , Labeyrie Marc-Antoine , Biondi Alessandra , Velasco Stéphane , Saliou Guillaume , Bartolini Bruno , Daumas-Duport Benjamin , Bourcier Romain , Janot Kevin , Herbreteau Denis , Michelozzi Caterina , Premat Kevin , Redjem Hocine , Escalard Simon , Bricout Nicolas , Thouant Pierre , Arteaga Charles , Pierot Laurent , Tahon Florence , Boubagra Kamel , Ikka Leon , Chabert Emmanuel , Lenck Stephanie , Guédon Alexis , Consoli Arturo , Saleme Suzana , Forestier Géraud , Di Maria Federico , Ferré Jean-Christophe , Anxionnat René , Eugene Francois , Kerleroux Basile , Dargazanli Cyril , Sourour Nader-Antoine , Clarençon Frédéric , Shotar Eimad
Published: September 2023

Background

Non-ischemic cerebral enhancing (NICE) lesions following aneurysm endovascular therapy are exceptionally rare, with unknown longitudinal evolution.

Objective

To evaluate the radiological behavior of individual NICE lesions over time.

Methods

Patients included in a retrospective national multicentric inception cohort were analyzed. NICE lesions were defined, using MRI, as delayed onset punctate, nodular, or annular foci enhancements with peri-lesion edema, distributed in the vascular territory of the aneurysm treatment, with no other confounding disease. Lesion burden and the longitudinal behavior of individual lesions were assessed.

Results

Twenty-two patients were included, with a median initial lesion burden of 36 (IQR 17–54) on the first MRI scan. Of the 22 patients with at least one follow-up MRI scan, 16 (73%) had new lesions occurring mainly within the first 200 weeks after the date of the procedure. The median number of new lesions per MRI was 6 (IQR 2–16). Among the same 22 patients, 7 (32%) had recurrent lesions. The median persistent enhancement of a NICE lesion was 13 weeks (IQR 6–30). No factor was predictive of early regression of enhancement activity with lesion regression kinetics mainly being patient-dependent.

Conclusions

The behavior of individual NICE lesions was found to be highly variable with an overall patient-dependent regression velocity.
Feasibility and workflow analysis of IV-DSA-based augmented reality-guided brain arteriovenous malformation resection in a hybrid operating room: i-Flow tailored method
Authors: Huang Chih-Wei , Lee Chung-Hsin , Chung Kai-Chen , Tsuei Yuang-Seng
Published: September 2023

Augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a promising technology in various medical fields.1 2 In the context of brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) surgery, AR offers the potential to enhance surgical visualization and improve procedural accuracy.3 4 5 6 This report aims to explore the application of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) from an IV contrast injection (IV-DSA) in AR-guided resection of bAVMs in a neurosurgical hybrid operating room.

The workflow of IV-DSA-based AR-guided surgery for the resection of bAVMs consists of four main components: (1) acquiring source images through i-Flow tailored or multiphase scans (Siemens, Germany); (2) labelling targets in the workstation using Smartbrush software (Brainlab, Westchester, Illinois, USA); (3) using the Brainlab Curve navigation system; and (4) merging microscopic AR fusion using Zeiss Kinevo (AG, Germany). In video 1 we show the entire workflow and introduce i-Flow tailored IV-DSA data acquisition in the hybrid operating room. In summary, IV-DSA-based augmented reality is an innovative technique for bAVM surgery.

Video 1

-i-flow tailored iv-DSA
Genotype and environment interaction on the wood quality of Eucalyptus spp. for energy purposes
Authors: da Cunha Thammi Queuri Gomes , Lima Pedro Augusto Fonseca , Santos Alyne Chaveiro , Novaes Evandro , Sette-Junior Carlos Roberto
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the wood chemical and energetic characteristics of Eucalyptus spp. clones planted in three sites in the Midwest of Brazil. Thus, five clones from Eucalyptus spp. were planted in different sites aiming to determine the qualitative characteristics of the wood resulting from the variation in the tree growth environment and the genetic material. The same clones were planted in the three sites to determine the genotype × environment interaction. The trees were then sampled at 5 years after planting for their physical–chemical and energetic characterization. The results showed that the wood characteristics vary in different proportions according to the clone, just as the growth environment of the trees alters the behavior of the clones for the same characteristics. The edaphic variables affected the wood characteristics, inferring that the water content in the soil has more effect on the wood properties than the water content in the air, mainly on wood basic density. The results of this study indicate that using the appropriate genotype related to the environment conditions determines the wood characteristics, since the wood properties are strongly influenced by the edaphoclimatic variables.
The impact of ionizing radiation compared to drug-induced immunological changes
Authors: Hussien Soha M.
Published: September 2023

Ionizing radiation (IR) activates several signaling pathways. This study shows the impact of acute low-dose IR on crucial cytokines involved in cell-mediated immunity. The immunomodulatory effects of 0.25 and 0.5 Gray (Gy) gamma rays and standard immunomodulatory drugs (cyclophosphamide) on blood counts and significant pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in various inflammatory conditions were tested in 20 rats. Examined was the effect of acute low doses on critical cytokines, which could be utilized as an alternative to current immunosuppressive drugs. One day post-irradiation, serum levels of interferon-gamma (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-2/1-beta were measured. A 0.25 Gy exposure did not affect the detected cytokines or blood cell count compared to the nonirradiated group. On the other hand, 0.5 Gy raises the majority of the immunologically examined cytokines except for INF-γ. Except for INF-γ, cyclophosphamide reduces all of the cytokines examined. As a result, low-dose IR has a less negative influence on essential inflammatory cytokines, permitting its use. More research is needed to determine how low amounts could be used in different immunological disorders.
Simulation and background characterisation of the SABRE South experiment
Authors: Barberio E. , Baroncelli T. , Bignell L. J. , Bolognino I. , Brooks G. , Dastgiri F. , D’Imperio G. , Di Giacinto A. , Duffy A. R. , Froehlich M. , Fu G. , Gerathy M. S. M. , Hill G. C. , Krishnan S. , Lane G. J. , Lawrence G. , Leaver K. T. , Mahmood I. , Mariani A. , McGee P. , McKie L. J. , McNamara P. C. , Mews M. , Melbourne W. J. D. , Milana G. , Milligan L. J. , Mould J. , Nuti F. , Pettinacci V. , Scutti F. , Slavkovská Z. , Spinks N. J. , Stanley O. , Stuchbery A. E. , Taylor G. N. , Tomei C. , Urquijo P. , Vignoli C. , Williams A. G. , Zhong Y. Y. , Zurowski M. J.
Published: September 2023

SABRE (Sodium iodide with Active Background REjection) is a direct detection dark matter experiment based on arrays of radio-pure NaI(Tl) crystals. The experiment aims at achieving an ultra-low background rate and its primary goal is to confirm or refute the results from the DAMA/LIBRA experiment. The SABRE Proof-of-Principle phase was carried out in 2020–2021 at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), in Italy. The next phase consists of two full-scale experiments: SABRE South at the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, in Australia, and SABRE North at LNGS. This paper focuses on SABRE South and presents a detailed simulation of the detector, which is used to characterise the background for dark matter searches including DAMA/LIBRA-like modulation. We estimate an overall background of 0.72 cpd/kg/$$\hbox {keV}_{\hbox {{ee}}}$$

keV
ee

in the energy range 1–6 $$\hbox {keV}_{\hbox {{ee}}}$$

keV
ee

primarily due to radioactive contamination in the crystals. Given this level of background and considering that the SABRE South has a target mass of 50 kg, we expect to exclude (confirm) DAMA/LIBRA modulation at $$4~(5)\sigma $$

4

(
5
)
σ

within 2.5 years of data taking.
Outcomes of Revision Unlinked Total Elbow Arthroplasty for Rheumatoid Elbow
Authors: KODAMA Akira , MIZUSEKI Takaya , ADACHI Nobuo
Published: September 2023

Background: Although unlinked total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is a treatment option for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the elbow, its long-term outcomes were inferior. Moreover, revision TEA could be technically challenging. The unlinked TEA procedure comprises the ease of implant removal at revision and advantage of bone preservation. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes in patients who underwent revision TEA using primary unlinked TEA for rheumatoid elbows. It also aimed to determine whether selecting the unlinked prosthesis for the primary TEA would make revision more accessible and successful.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 13 consecutive patients (14 elbows) who underwent revision TEAs for implant failure due to different aetiologies, excluding septic loosening. Three different unlinked TEA implants were used: the Kudo type-5 with all-polyethylene (AP) ulnar component, Kudo type-5 with metal-backed (MB) ulnar component and K-Now TEA. We evaluated the patients’ pre- and postoperative outcomes, including the range of motion, pain score and Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI).

Results: Among the 14 elbows, 11 were revised using the Kudo type-5 ulnar component (nine and two with AP and MB ulnar component, respectively), and three using the K-Now. We found that each model of TEA had different tendencies to indication for revision surgery. Three more resulted in further failure. The clinical outcomes were assessed in the 11 surviving elbows. Eight of the 11 elbows showed no pain at the final follow-up. However, the remaining three showed only mild pain. The MEPI revealed that seven cases were excellent, two were good and two were fair.

Conclusions: The mode of implant failure was largely dependent on the implant design. Furthermore, partial revision with the same implant design was sufficient in managing implant failure in the early phase. However, conversion from unlinked to linked design could be recommended in patients with progressive failure or instability.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)
Post-traumatic Non-haemophilic Haemosiderotic Synovitis of the Elbow: A Case Report
Authors: HOSOKAWA Takafumi , TAJIKA Tsuyoshi , YAMADA Hiroaki , CHIKUDA Hirotaka
Published: September 2023

Haemosiderotic synovitis (HS) is a rare synovial proliferative disease secondary to haemarthrosis, often with articular cartilage destruction. It is most frequently reported in patients with haemophiliacs, and the knee joint is most frequently affected. However, there are no reports on the elbow joint without haemophiliacs. A 60-year-old woman who had undergone osteosynthesis for a left radial head fracture 8 years earlier came to our clinic with left elbow pain. X-rays and CT scans showed osteopenia and osteoarthritic changes throughout the elbow joint. MRI revealed joint effusion and synovial membrane hyperplasia. Surgical synovectomy and screw removal were performed. The pathological diagnosis of the synovial membrane was HS. Postoperatively, the pain was relieved, osteopenia improved and there was no recurrence of symptoms. This is the first report of non-haemophilic HS of the elbow; post-traumatic HS caused elbow arthropathy, which was improved by screw removal and synovectomy.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
Debris-slides, olistoliths and turbidites: keys to understanding the tectonostratigraphic affinities of a terrane block in a young orogenic belt, Timor-Leste
Authors: Nano Jose , Haig David W. , Fraga Edwin Ornai , Soares Moises , Barros Isaias Santos , McCartain Eujay , Baillie Peter
Published: September 2023

Timor lies at the centre of a rapidly evolving orogenic belt. The Matebian Range, one of its largest mountains, was previously mapped as Lower Miocene neritic Cablac Limestone and regarded as allochthonous (namely, Banda Terrane). New analyses have demonstrated a disjunct stratigraphy, extending from the Lower Jurassic to lowest Miocene and encompassing neritic to abyssal strata. Positioning each stratigraphic unit (six new) on a time v. bathymetry plot and identifying clast types in conglomerates and turbidites allows reconstruction of changes in provenance to depocentres through time. Terrane progression from the northern margin of Gondwana to the southern Sundaland margin (Asia) and then back to the NW margin of the Australian continent is indicated, involving progressive amalgamation and rifting and substantial episodes of uplift, particularly during the Middle Eocene and the Late Oligocene. The youngest unit (Late Oligocene–earliest Miocene) was deposited adjacent to a rapidly rising hinterland (southern Sundaland) very different from that on the coeval Australian margin. The study provides a model for the tectonostratigraphic reconstruction of limestone-dominated mountains in young orogenic belts and demonstrates the importance of using sedimentary clasts in mass-flow deposits to interpret ages and depositional environments of reworked material and to stitch together tectonostratigraphic pathways through time.

Supplementary material:
A description of stratigraphic units, including supplementary figures, a table and Appendices A and B, is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6852387
The tectonics of introversion and extroversion: redefining interior and exterior oceans in the supercontinent cycle
Authors: Martin Erin Lee , Cawood Peter A. , Murphy J. Brendan , Nance R. Damian , Heron Phillip J.
Published: September 2023

Supercontinent amalgamation is described by the end-member kinematic processes of introversion – closure of interior oceans; extroversion – closure of exterior oceans; or orthoversion – amalgamation 90° from the centroid of the previous supercontinent. However, supercontinent formations are often ascribed to contradictory mechanisms; for example, Pangaea has been argued to have formed by introversion from Pannotia/Gondwana, and extroversion from Rodinia. Conflicting interpretations arise partly from attempting to define oceans as interior or exterior based on palaeogeography or the age of the oceanic lithosphere relative to the time of supercontinent breakup. We define interior and exterior oceans relative to the external subduction ring, and associated accretionary orogens that surround amalgamated supercontinents. All oceans within the continental dominated cell and internal to the subduction ring are interior oceans. The exterior ocean is separated from the interior oceans by the subduction ring and bordered by external accretionary orogens. Wilson cycle tectonics dominate the interior continental cell, conversely, subduction of the exterior ocean is doubly vergent and lacks continent–continent collision. For the exterior ocean to close, the subduction ring must collapse upon itself, leading to the collision of external accretionary orogens. Employing this definition, Rodinia formed by extroversion, but all other supercontinents formed by introversion.
From Asset Flow to Status, Action, and Intention Discovery: Early Malice Detection in Cryptocurrency
Authors: Cheng Ling , Zhu Feida , Wang Yong , Liang Ruicheng , Liu Huiwen
Published: September 2023

Cryptocurrency has been subject to illicit activities probably more often than traditional financial assets due to the pseudo-anonymous nature of its transacting entities. An ideal detection model is expected to achieve all three critical properties of early detection, good interpretability, and versatility for various illicit activities. However, existing solutions cannot meet all these requirements, as most of them heavily rely on deep learning without interpretability and are only available for retrospective analysis of a specific illicit type. To tackle all these challenges, we propose Intention Monitor for early malice detection in Bitcoin, where the on-chain record data for a certain address are much scarcer than other cryptocurrency platforms.

We first define asset transfer paths with the Decision Tree based feature Selection and Complement to build different feature sets for different malice types. Then, the Status/Action Proposal module and the Intention-VAE module generate the status, action, intent-snippet, and hidden intent-snippet embedding. With all these modules, our model is highly interpretable and can detect various illegal activities. Moreover, well-designed loss functions further enhance the prediction speed and the model’s interpretability. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets demonstrate that our proposed algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, additional case studies justify that our model not only explains existing illicit patterns but also can find new suspicious characters.
Effect of Annealing Process on Anode Discharge Performance of Aluminum-Air Batteries
Authors: Zheng Guo , Wei Sikang , Zuo Changhao , Sun Yongfen , Xia Huanpei , Han Zhaohui , Xu Lei
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the effect of annealing process on the discharge performance of aluminum air battery anode, the results show that. The annealing treatment after rolling can make the grain of aluminum anode be refined, and the surface of aluminum anode with lower morphology has Bi and Pb precipitation, resulting in pitting corrosion. With the increase of morphology, the element distribution is uniform, and the precipitated phase is dissolved in the aluminum matrix, and the corrosion performance is improved. At the same time, the fine grain reduces the internal potential difference of aluminum anode and improves the corrosion resistance of the anode. The microstructure of aluminum anode with large morphology variable becomes more uniform after annealing, which improves the corrosion resistance of aluminum anode. Compared with the aluminum anode with low morphology, the energy density and specific capacity of the anode with high morphology were increased by 584.35 Wh·kg−1 and 579.61 mAh·g−1, respectively, and the anode efficiency was also increased by 19.45%. The anode efficiency of the high-variant sample was increased by up to 10.74% after annealing. The fine-crystalline aluminum anode exhibited higher discharge voltage and electrochemical performance than the coarse-crystalline aluminum anode at constant current density.
Perspectives of nonmajor undergraduate students on the impact of group discussions in learning physiology
Authors: Asem Elikplimi K.
Published: September 2023

This article reports perspectives of nonmajor undergraduates about group discussions in learning physiology. Three teaching methods were used: traditional lecture alone (lecture), discussion alone (discussion), and combined lecture and discussion (lecture + discussion). Students rated lecture + discussion setting as the most conducive for learning. The rank order of student preference for learning environment was, first, lecture + discussion; second, lecture; and third, discussion. These opinions were similar irrespective of expected grades in the course. Enjoyment of the teaching/learning process and environment is important to students.
Increased intrapulmonary shunt and alveolar dead space post-COVID-19
Authors: Farrow Catherine E. , Robles Robert A. , Prisk G. Kim , Harbut Piotr , Malhotra Atul , Amis Terence C. , Wagner Peter D. , Kairaitis Kristina
Published: September 2023

Using novel methodology quantifying intrapulmonary shunt and alveolar dead space in COVID-19 patients up to 403 days after acute illness, 37% had increased intrapulmonary shunt and 86% had elevated alveolar dead space likely due to independent pathology. Elevated shunt was partially related to severe acute illness, and increased alveolar dead space was weakly related to increasing age. Ventilation was increased in the majority of patients regardless of previous disease severity. These results demonstrate persisting gas exchange abnormalities after recovery.
Comparison of whole body versus thoracic bioimpedance in relation to ultrafiltration volume and systolic blood pressure during hemodialysis
Authors: Schoutteten Melanie K. , Lindeboom Lucas , Brys Astrid , Lanssens Dorien , Smeets Christophe J.P. , De Cannière Hélène , De Moor Bart , Peeters Jacques , Heylen Line , Van Hoof Chris , Groenendaal Willemijn , Kooman Jeroen P. , Vandervoort Pieter M.
Published: September 2023

We examined the role of whole body and thoracic bioimpedance in hemodynamic changes during hemodialysis. Whole body and thoracic bioimpedance signals were strongly related to ultrafiltration volume and moderately, negatively, to changes in blood pressure. This work supports the further development of a wearable device measuring thoracic bioimpedance longitudinally in patients on hemodialysis. As such, it may serve as an innovative tool for continuous hemodynamic monitoring during hemodialysis in hospital or in a home-based setting.