bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying organellar ultrastructure in cryo-electron tomography using a surface morphometrics pipeline
Authors: Barad Benjamin A. , Medina Michaela , Fuentes Daniel , Wiseman R. Luke , Grotjahn Danielle A.
Published: February 2023

Cellular cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) enables three-dimensional reconstructions of organelles in their native cellular environment at subnanometer resolution. However, quantifying ultrastructural features of pleomorphic organelles in three dimensions is challenging, as is defining the significance of observed changes induced by specific cellular perturbations. To address this challenge, we established a semiautomated workflow to segment organellar membranes and reconstruct their underlying surface geometry in cryo-ET. To complement this workflow, we developed an open-source suite of ultrastructural quantifications, integrated into a single pipeline called the surface morphometrics pipeline. This pipeline enables rapid modeling of complex membrane structures and allows detailed mapping of inter- and intramembrane spacing, curvedness, and orientation onto reconstructed membrane meshes, highlighting subtle organellar features that are challenging to detect in three dimensions and allowing for statistical comparison across many organelles. To demonstrate the advantages of this approach, we combine cryo-ET with cryo-fluorescence microscopy to correlate bulk mitochondrial network morphology (i.e., elongated versus fragmented) with membrane ultrastructure of individual mitochondria in the presence and absence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Using our pipeline, we demonstrate ER stress promotes adaptive remodeling of ultrastructural features of mitochondria including spacing between the inner and outer membranes, local curvedness of the inner membrane, and spacing between mitochondrial cristae. We show that differences in membrane ultrastructure correlate to mitochondrial network morphologies, suggesting that these two remodeling events are coupled. Our pipeline offers opportunities for quantifying changes in membrane ultrastructure on a single-cell level using cryo-ET, opening new opportunities to define changes in ultrastructural features induced by diverse types of cellular perturbations.
Segregation of Ca2+ signaling in olfactory signal transduction
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroko , Kurahashi Takashi
Published: February 2023

Olfactory signal transduction is conducted through a cAMP-mediated second messenger cascade. The cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration increases through the opening of CNG channels, a phenomenon that underlies two major functions, namely, signal boosting and olfactory adaptation. Signal boosting is achieved by an additional opening of the Ca2+-activated Cl− channel whereas adaptation is regulated by Ca2+ feedback to the CNG channel. Thus, the influx of Ca2+ and the resultant increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels play seemingly opposing effects: increasing the current while reducing the current through adaptation. The two functions could be interpreted as compensating for each other. However, in real cells, both functions should be segregated. Ca2+ dynamics in olfactory cilia need to be directly measured, but technical difficulties accompanying the thin structure of olfactory cilia have prevented systematic analyses. In this study, using a combination of electrophysiology, local photolysis of caged cAMP, and Ca2+ imaging, we found that free Ca2+ in the local ciliary cytoplasm decreased along with a reduction in the current containing Ca2+-activated Cl− components returning to the basal level, whereas Ca2+-dependent adaptation persisted for a longer period. The activity of Cl− channels is highly likely to be regulated by the free Ca2+ that is present only immediately after the influx through the CNG channel, and an exclusive interaction between Ca2+ and Ca2+-binding proteins that mediate the adaptation may modulate the adaptation lifetime.
Frustration, Joy, and Shards of Fact
Authors: Klann Mary
Published: February 2023

This paper explores the connections between archival research and teaching as an adjunct faculty member and mother. The form of the essay is an example of the “I-Search paper,” a first-person account of the research process. In I-Search papers, authors start with the “search story,” where they explain their initial research questions, then describe their “search results” in detail, including the primary sources they found, and end with a reflection on the research process. This essay is two I-Search papers in one—bringing together the experience of reading about students’ historical research experiences with the author's own version of a research story. The essay is about teaching and research and their intersections, and especially what teaching has taught the author about research. The account of the individual research experience touches on the archival experiences of frustration and boredom, and the tension between wanting to find something in the archives and coming away with something else, and ends with a reflection on how our personal circumstances can impact our research.
Personality as a Predictor of Disability in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Jacot de Alcântara Isabele , Voruz Philippe , Allali Gilles , Fragnoli Chloé , Antoniou Maria Paraskevi , Lalive Patrice Henri , Péron Julie Anne
Published: February 2023

Objective

As personality changes and personality disorders are frequently observed in multiple sclerosis (MS), personality may be a prognostic factor for this disease. The present study investigated the influence of personality on disability, progression, and treatment adherence in MS.

Method

Personality was assessed in 41 patients with Relapsing–Remitting MS (30 females; mean age = 42.63 years) using the NEO Personality Inventory—3rd edition. Disability was measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale, and treatment adherence information was collected from the Swiss MS Cohort. Correlation, multiple linear and partial least square regressions were performed to examine relations between personality, disability, and treatment adherence in MS.

Results

After accounting for age and time since disease onset, our analysis revealed that Neuroticism (β = 0.32, p = 0.01) and its Vulnerability facet (β = 0.28, p < 0.05) predicted greater disability, whereas Extraversion (β = −0.25, p = 0.04) and its Activity facet (β = −0.23, p < 0.05) predicted milder disability. Regarding disability progression, correlational analysis revealed that it was negatively correlated with Extraversion (r = −0.44, p = 0.02) and the Feelings facet of Openness (r = −0.41, p = 0.03), but regressions failed to highlight any predictive links. No significant results could be demonstrated for treatment adherence.

Conclusions

Overall, our study showed that some personality traits can impact disability in MS, indicating that these should be considered in clinical practice, as they could be used to adapt and improve patients’ clinical support.
A computational framework of routine test data for the cost-effective chronic disease prediction
Authors: Liu Mingzhu , Zhou Jian , Xi Qilemuge , Liang Yuchao , Li Haicheng , Liang Pengfei , Guo Yuting , Liu Ming , Temuqile Temuqile , Yang Lei , Zuo Yongchun
Published: February 2023

Chronic diseases, because of insidious onset and long latent period, have become the major global disease burden. However, the current chronic disease diagnosis methods based on genetic markers or imaging analysis are challenging to promote completely due to high costs and cannot reach universality and popularization. This study analyzed massive data from routine blood and biochemical test of 32 448 patients and developed a novel framework for cost-effective chronic disease prediction with high accuracy (AUC 87.32%). Based on the best-performing XGBoost algorithm, 20 classification models were further constructed for 17 types of chronic diseases, including 9 types of cancers, 5 types of cardiovascular diseases and 3 types of mental illness. The highest accuracy of the model was 90.13% for cardia cancer, and the lowest was 76.38% for rectal cancer. The model interpretation with the SHAP algorithm showed that CREA, R-CV, GLU and NEUT% might be important indices to identify the most chronic diseases. PDW and R-CV are also discovered to be crucial indices in classifying the three types of chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental illness). In addition, R-CV has a higher specificity for cancer, ALP for cardiovascular disease and GLU for mental illness. The association between chronic diseases was further revealed. At last, we build a user-friendly explainable machine-learning-based clinical decision support system (DisPioneer: http://bioinfor.imu.edu.cn/dispioneer) to assist in predicting, classifying and treating chronic diseases. This cost-effective work with simple blood tests will benefit more people and motivate clinical implementation and further investigation of chronic diseases prevention and surveillance program.
Oncological surgery follow-up and quality of life: meta-analysis
Authors: Wullaert Lissa , Voigt Kelly R , Verhoef Cornelis , Husson Olga , Grünhagen Dirk J
Published: February 2023

Background

Previous trials found that more intensive postoperative surveillance schedules did not improve survival. Oncological follow-up also provides an opportunity to address psychological issues (for example anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence). This systematic review assessed the impact of a less intensive surveillance strategy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), emotional well-being, and patient satisfaction.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane database, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar to identify studies comparing different follow-up strategies after oncological surgery and their effect on HRQoL and patient satisfaction, published before 4 May 2022. A meta-analysis was conducted on the most relevant European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscales.

Results

Thirty-five studies were identified, focusing on melanoma (4), colorectal (10), breast (7), prostate (4), upper gastrointestinal (4), gynaecological (3), lung (2), and head and neck (1) cancers. Twenty-two studies were considered to have a low risk of bias, of which 14 showed no significant difference in HRQoL between follow-up approaches. Five studies with a low risk of bias showed improved HRQoL or emotional well-being with a less intensive follow-up approach and three with an intensive approach. Meta-analysis of HRQoL outcomes revealed no negative effects for patients receiving less intensive follow-up.

Conclusion

Low-intensity follow-up does not diminish HRQoL, emotional well-being, or patient satisfaction.
Madrigal or canzona? Performing intellectual and sensual pleasure in Jacopo Tintoretto’s Women making music
Authors: Swanson Barbara
Published: February 2023

The vague mythological context of Jacopo Tintoretto’s Women making music (after 1566, Dresden Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister) has puzzled scholars, resulting in little consensus regarding the allegorical meaning of the work. H. Colin Slim, for example, emphasized the orderly disposition of bodies in the painting, suggesting a musical-cosmological reading of the work. Liana de Girolami Cheney, on the other hand, includes the sensual in her reading, suggesting that the painting represents the dual natures of Venus.

In this article, I build on Cheney’s dual reading of the work but focus differently on the partbooks and performance, exploring how the painting blurs lines between painting as performance, and music-making as visual experience, resulting in a painted performable image. I first demonstrate how the music in the depicted partbooks encodes two divergent ways of experiencing the painting: one characterized by learned and clever allusions in the case of Andrea Gabrieli’s madrigal Quando lieta, and the other through pleasure and the erotic in the case of the anonymous canzona napolitana Dolc’amorose. By using the partbooks as interpretative clues, I argue that the painting contributes to the Renaissance paragone between painting and music, in particular a shift away from early 16th-century associations between painting, music and reason towards a celebration of the manual, sensory and embodied acts of painting. This interpretation of the painting requires the viewer to identify the songs through a combined strategy of seeing and singing, with the painting sounding differently depending on which music the viewer performs: the intricate and elevated madrigal or the sensually pleasing canzona. Seen thus, the painting blurs lines between painting and music, visual and aural, object and performance, introducing an element of ‘play’ that decentres any one allegorical meaning.
Intimate partner violence complaints during COVID-19 lockdown in Spain: a cross-sectional and a case–control study
Authors: Sanz-Barbero Belén , Estévez-Garcia Francisco , La Parra-Casado Daniel , Lopez-Ossorio Juan J , Vives-Cases Carmen
Published: February 2023

Background

During the COVID-19 lockdown, a large proportion of the women exposed to intimate partner violence had to live with their abusers full-time. This study analyzes the new official complaints that were filed during the lockdown in Spain.

Methods

Data from the Comprehensive Monitoring System for Cases of Gender Violence from the Ministry of the Interior, Spain. Using logistic regression models, the complaints registered during the lockdown were compared to those registered in the previous year. Subsequently, we analysed association between the seriousness of the incident reported and the period in which the complaint was filed.

Results

Official complaints decreased by 19% during the lockdown. The probability of complaints during lockdown mainly increased when victims had a relationship with the abusers [odds ratio (OR) = 1.33] and when they lacked social support (OR = 1.22). The probability that the complaints were associated with previous jealousy (OR = 0.87), previous harassment behaviours (OR = 0.88) or the victim’s fear for minors’ safety (OR = 0.87) decreased. In addition, during lockdown increased the probability that the complaints filed were due to incidents of severe physical violence (OR = 1.17); severe psychological violence against women with minors in their charge (OR = 1.22); and severe violence due to threats (OR = 1.53) when the woman had previously suffered harassment.

Conclusions

The decrease in new complaints during the studied period and the increase in their severity evidence difficulties in seeking help due to the lockdown. In situations of confinement, it is necessary to design measures that protect women with a lack of social support, and at those who live with the aggressor.
A descriptive study of COVID-19 cases in primary and secondary schools in the Maltese islands: a nationwide experience
Authors: Cuschieri Liliana , Deguara Michelle , Bartolo Dale , Calleja Neville , Gauci Charmaine
Published: February 2023

Background

As part of the measures to contain the initial cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in 2020, all educational facilities were closed in March 2020 and remained so for the remainder of that scholastic year. When they reopened in October 2020, most educational facilities on the Maltese islands did so with various mitigation measures in place.

Methods

A Schools Contact Tracing Team (SCTT) dedicated to the management of COVID-19 cases within schools was set up and networks established between the Ministries responsible for Health and Education to facilitate timely communication and, consequently, effective contact tracing. All cases pertaining to educational facilities, be they students, teaching or non-teaching staff were assessed and managed by this Team.

Results

Between October 2020 and June 2021, the SCTT assessed 2603 COVID-19 cases within educational facilities in Malta. The highest rate of cases overall was observed in teaching staff (56.53/1000). In 72.45% of cases, no contacts were identified as high risk and thus nobody was placed in quarantine. In 3.07% of school cases >21 high-risk contacts were placed in mandatory quarantine together with their household members. Only 11% of the cases were epi-linked to another positive case within school.

Conclusions

The strong collaboration between the health and education authorities combined with strict measures observed in schools ensured that schools remained open throughout most of this pandemic. This study describes the processes by which contact tracing for COVID-19 cases in Maltese schools was carried out and analyses the data collected throughout the scholastic year 2020–21.
Investigating chirality in quorum sensing by analysis ofBurkholderia cepaciaandVibrio fischeriwith comprehensive chiral LC–MS/MS and GC–MS/MS methods
Authors: Portillo Abiud E , Dhaubhadel Umang , Horacek Ondrej , Sung Y-S , Armstrong Daniel W
Published: February 2023

N-acyl homoserine lactones (N-HLs) are signaling molecules used by Gram-negative bacteria in a phenomenon called quorum sensing. Bacteria will detect N-HLs as a way of monitoring their population which, upon reaching a critical level, will express a specific phenotype. An example is the expression of bioluminescence by Vibrio fischeri. Most studies have not considered the chirality of these molecules nor have they used highly sensitive detection methods. Here, the production of d,l-N-HLs are monitored for V. fischeri, Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and P. putida, using highly sensitive tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Novel N-HLs are reported for both V. fischeri and B. cepacia, including a plethora of previously unknown d-N-HLs, including the first d-N-HLs containing oxo and hydroxy functionalities. Anomalously, N-HLs were not detected in any cultures of P. fluorescens and P. putida, which are species that previously were reported to produce N-HLs. However, it is apparent that differences in the reported occurrence and levels of N-HLs can result from (a) different strains of bacteria, (b) different growth media and environmental conditions, and (c) sometimes false-positive results from detection methodologies. Time studies of V. fischeri suggest the possibility that separate synthetic and elimination pathways exist between d- and l-N-HLs. Possible biological processes that could be the source of d-N-HL production are considered.
Fault-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in regions with low strain rates and a thick seismogenic layer: a case study from Malawi
Authors: Williams J N , Werner M J , Goda K , Wedmore L N J , De Risi R , Biggs J , Mdala H , Dulanya Z , Fagereng Å , Mphepo F , Chindandali P
Published: February 2023

Historical and instrumental earthquake catalogs in low strain rate regions are not necessarily indicative of the long-term spatio-temporal distribution of seismicity. This implies that probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) should also consider geologic and geodetic data through fault-based seismogenic sources. However, it is not always clear how on-fault magnitude-frequency distributions (MFDs) should be described and, if the seismogenic layer is especially thick, how fault sources should be extrapolated down-dip. We explore these issues in the context of a new PSHA for Malawi, where regional extensional rates are 0.5–2 mm yr−1, the seismogenic layer is 30–40-km thick, the instrumental catalog is ∼60 yr long and fault-based sources were recently collated in the Malawi Seismogenic Source Model. Furthermore, Malawi is one of several countries along the East African Rift where exposure to seismic hazard is growing, but PSHA does not typically consider fault sources. We use stochastic event catalogs to explore different fault source down-dip extents and MFDs. Our PSHA indicates that hazard levels are highest for a Gutenberg–Richter on-fault MFD, even at low probabilities of exceedance (2 per cent in 50 yr), whilst seismic hazard levels are also sensitive to how relatively short (<50 km) fault sources are extrapolated down-dip. For sites close to fault sources (<40 km), seismic hazard levels are doubled compared to previous instrumental-seismicity based PSHA in Malawi. Cumulatively, these results highlight the need for careful fault source modelling in PSHA of low strain rate regions and the need for new fault-based PSHA elsewhere in the East Africa Rift.
Feasibility and sustainability of a school-based platform for integrated delivery of HPV vaccination with adolescent health services in Tanzania: qualitative insights from stakeholders
Authors: Rosen Joseph G , Guillaume Dominique , Mlunde Linda B , Njiro Belinda J , Munishi Castory , Mlay Davis , Gerste Amelia , Holroyd Taylor A , Giattas Mary Rose , Morgan Christopher , Kyesi Furaha , Tinuga Florian , Ishengoma Joseline , Sunguya Bruno F , Limaye Rupali J
Published: February 2023

To meet lofty human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization goals in Tanzania, the Ministry of Health integrated HPV vaccination with adolescent health services using a school-based approach. A qualitative study was conducted in June–July 2021, examining the feasibility and sustainability of an integrated service package, HPV Plus. In-depth interviews with 46 programme implementers (i.e. health-care workers and teachers) and planning stakeholders (i.e. government officials and school administrators) in Dar es Salaam and Njombe Regions explored enablers and constraints to HPV Plus programme implementation, including resource and staffing requirements. Two facilitators and three barriers to HPV Plus feasibility and sustainability were identified from thematic analysis of interviews. Interviewed stakeholders emphasized the programme’s feasibility, especially if the efficiencies offered by a school-based platform were optimized. Implementation facilitators included (1) optimized service delivery efficiency through a school-based platform and (2) resources saved by combining adolescent health services and HPV immunization into a single programme package. Key barriers to HPV Plus feasibility and sustainability were (1) time, space and resource constraints (e.g. commodity stockouts and challenges delivering the complete service package to large cohorts of students within allotted times); (2) human resource gaps and increased workloads within the health workforce and (3) insufficient referral mechanisms linking schools to health facilities. Scaling up HPV Plus will require proactive commodity procurement and security; resource mobilization to reach ambitious service delivery targets and close co-ordination of programme implementation with school administrators.
Vertebrae reveal industrial-era increases in Atlantic bluefin tuna catch-at-size and juvenile growth
Authors: Andrews Adam J , Di Natale Antonio , Addis Piero , Piattoni Federica , Onar Vedat , Bernal-Casasola Darío , Aniceti Veronica , Carenti Gabriele , Gómez-Fernández Verónica , Garibaldi Fulvio , Morales-Muñiz Arturo , Tinti Fausto
Published: February 2023

Climate change and size-selective overexploitation can alter fish size and growth, yet our understanding of how and to what extent is limited due to a lack of long-term biological data from wild populations. This precludes our ability to effectively forecast population dynamics and support sustainable fisheries management. Using modern, archived, and archaeological vertebrae dimensions and growth rings of one of the most intensely exploited populations, the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, BFT), we estimated catch-at-size and early-life growth patterns from the 3rd century bce to the 21st century ce to understand responses to changes in its environment. We provide novel evidence that BFT juvenile growth increased between the 16th–18th, 20th, and 21st centuries, and is correlated with a warming climate and likely a decrease in stock biomass. We found it equally plausible that fisheries-induced evolution has acted to increase juvenile BFT growth, driving earlier maturation as a result of size-selective exploitation. Coincidently, we found limited evidence to suggest a long history of large ( >200 cm FL) BFT capture. Instead, we found that the catch-at-size of archaeological BFT was relatively small in comparison with more intensive, 20th and 21st century tuna trap fisheries which operated further from shore. This complex issue would benefit from studies using fine-scale biochronological analyses of otoliths and adaptation genomics, throughout the last century especially, to determine evolutionary responses to exploitation, and further disentangle the influence of temperature and biomass on fish growth.
Fishing impacts on age structure may conceal environmental drivers of body size in exploited fish populations
Authors: Rutterford Louise A , Genner Martin J , Engelhard Georg H , Simpson Stephen D , Hunter Ewan
Published: February 2023

Using analysis of field survey size-at-age data, we examine responses of European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) to spatial differences in environmental variables in the North Sea.

Using available samples of plaice aged 1–7, northern and southern migrating groups of males and females grew differently. However, length-at-age growth patterns were not corroborated by complementary otolith-based estimates. Southern females and males were smaller than their northern counterparts until age 3. Southern males remained smaller up to age 7; by contrast southern and northern females reached similar size-at-age by year 4.

Due to covariation, the influence of spatially variable environmental conditions was equivocal. However, temperature, depth, fishing pressure, phosphate levels, distance from shore, and conspecific density were all significant predictors of size for plaice aged 1–7.

Our results suggest that fishing impacts on age structure limit the potential to examine the role of environmental variation on body size. For fish that rarely reach their full potential age and size, expected metabolic responses to warming may remain unexpressed, challenging predictions in a changing climate.
Increasing serum iron levels and their role in the risk of infectious diseases: a Mendelian randomization approach
Authors: Butler-Laporte Guillaume , Farjoun Yossi , Chen Yiheng , Hultström Michael , Liang Kevin Y H , Nakanishi Tomoko , Su Chen-Yang , Yoshiji Satoshi , Forgetta Vincenzo , Richards J Brent
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Increased iron stores have been associated with elevated risks of different infectious diseases, suggesting that iron supplementation may increase the risk of infections. However, these associations may be biased by confounding or reverse causation. This is important, since up to 19% of the population takes iron supplementation. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to bypass these biases and estimate the causal effect of iron on infections.

Methods

As instrumental variables, we used genetic variants associated with iron biomarkers in two genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of European ancestry participants. For outcomes, we used GWAS results from the UK Biobank, FinnGen, the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative or 23andMe, for seven infection phenotypes: ‘any infections’, combined, COVID-19 hospitalization, candidiasis, pneumonia, sepsis, skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) and urinary tract infection (UTI).

Results

Most of our analyses showed increasing iron (measured by its biomarkers) was associated with only modest changes in the odds of infectious outcomes, with all 95% odds ratios confidence intervals within the 0.88 to 1.26 range. However, for the three predominantly bacterial infections (sepsis, SSTI, UTI), at least one analysis showed a nominally elevated risk with increased iron stores (P <0.05).

Conclusion

Using MR, we did not observe an increase in risk of most infectious diseases with increases in iron stores. However for bacterial infections, higher iron stores may increase odds of infections. Hence, using genetic variation in iron pathways as a proxy for iron supplementation, iron supplements are likely safe on a population level, but we should continue the current practice of conservative iron supplementation during bacterial infections or in those at high risk of developing them.
Evaluating the role of a hospital pharmacist in a cardiac day ward
Authors: Lau Grace , Vo Tin , Rivers Graham
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the role of clinical pharmacists in cardiac day wards.

Methods

A service evaluation was conducted during 24 February 2020–27 March 2020 to assess the role of clinical pharmacists for all patients admitted to an Australian tertiary hospital cardiac day ward.

Key findings

Overall, 297 patients were included. Medication review occurred for 80% (237/297) and a best possible medication history was obtained for 65% (193/297) of patients. Acceptance of interventions for medication-related problems was 93% (84/90). When compared with medication plans outlined in standard catheterisation laboratory documentation without pharmacist input, a pharmacist medication review resulted in increased documentation of medication plans in the patient’s medical record at the time of discharge (20% (1/5) versus 95% (142/150), P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Pharmacists can optimise the medication management of patients in cardiac day wards by performing medication review, and facilitating implementation and communication of medication changes at hospital discharge to patients and primary healthcare providers.
Identification, characterization and chemical management ofAlternaria alternatacausing blackcurrant leaf spot in China
Authors: Xu Chuzhen , Zhang Jing , Zhou Jiangruihang , Zheng Yanyan , Huang Wei , Qin Dong , Huo Junwei , Li Yonggang
Published: February 2023

Aim

The aims of this study were to identify the pathogen causing blackcurrant leaf spot, assess the pathogenicity of different isolates, the host range, and the sensitivity to common fungicides, and test the effectiveness of field control for controlling A. alternata in blackcurrants in China, and potentially elsewhere.

Methods and results

In 2020 and 2021, an uncommon leaf spot on blackcurrants was observed in Harbin (125°42′-130°10′E, 44°04′-46°40′N), Heilongjiang Province, China. Based on morphological, molecular characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses, 10 fungal isolates, identified as Alternaria alternata, were obtained from infected blackcurrant leaves of 10 infected plants in this study. To our knowledge, this is the first description of A. alternata as a causal agent of leaf spot on blackcurrants in China. A. alternata has a wide host range and infects eight of the 10 crop and ornamental plants evaluated, namely Sorbus pohuashanensis, Malus pumila, Rosa davurica, Padus racemosa, Hippophae rhamnoides, Crataegus pinnatifida, Pyrus ussuriensis, and Sambucus williamsii, but not Viburnum trilobum and Prunus tomentosa. Moreover, ten blackcurrant cultivars were screened and found to have contrasting levels of resistance to A. alternata. One was moderately resistant, four were resistant, four were susceptible, and one was highly susceptible. The A. alternata isolate was most sensitive to propiconazole-azoxystrobin, with EC50 values of 0.0038 μg ml−1 and efficacy ranging between 83.34% and 84.13% at 317 μg ml−1 in the field.

Conclusions

The work reported that A. alternata is the pathogen that causes blackcurrant leaf spot in northern China. It can infect a variety of crops and ornamental plants. Considering the control cost and effect, propiconazole-azoxystrobin is more suitable for controlling leaf spot in the field.
Characterization and Double-Antibody Sandwich ELISA Application of a Monoclonal Antibody Against Akabane Virus Nucleocapsid Protein
Authors: Chen Dongjie , Wang Jingjing , Wei Fang , Jing Hongli , Wang Di , Zhang Zhou , Lin Xiangmei , Wu Shaoqiang
Published: February 2023

Background

Akabane virus (AKAV) is a Culicoides-borne Orthobunyavirus that is teratogenic to the fetus of cattle and small ruminant species.

Objective

This study aimed to develop an effective diagnostic assay for the detection of AKAV using produced monoclonal antibody (mAb).

Method

First, the mAb against N protein of AKAV was produced and characterized by Western blot (WB) and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assays. Then, the linear epitope of AKAV N protein against the mAb was identified and the mAb was applied to establish a double-antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA).

Results

One AKAV N-reactive monoclonal mAb was generated and designated as 2D3. WB and IFA assays indicated that 2D3 could react with both recombinant N protein and AKAV isolate TJ2016. The linear epitope recognized by mAb 2D3 was located at amino acids 168–182 of AKAV N protein. The DAS-ELISA established on based mAb 2D3 was able to detect both the purified AKAV N protein (with a detection limit of 6.25 ng/mL) and AKAV-infected cell culture supernatant (with a detection limit of 250 TCID50/mL).

Conclusions

Taken together, we successfully prepared a mAb 2D3 against AKAV N protein and identified its corresponding linear epitope, and then established a DAS-ELISA for the detection of AKAV antigen.

Highlights

A produced mAb against AKAV N protein was used to define a linear epitope of AKAV and establish a DAS-ELISA for AKAV antigen detection.
Trust in interagency collaboration: The role of institutional logics and hybrid professionals
Authors: Gøtzsche-Astrup Oluf , Lindekilde Lasse , Maria Fjellman Anna , Bjørgo Tore , Solhjell Randi , Haugstvedt Håvard , Sivenbring Jennie , Andersson Malmros Robin , Kangasniemi Mari , Moilanen Tanja , Magnæs Ingvild , Wilchen Christensen Tina , Mattsson Christer
Published: February 2023

Interagency collaboration among social workers, teachers, and police is key to countering violent extremism in the Nordic countries by securing comprehensive assessment of cases of concern. Yet, previous research indicates that different institutional logics—perceptions of fundamental goals, strategies, and grounds for attention in efforts to counter violent extremists—exist across professions and challenge collaboration and trust building in practice. In this article, we empirically investigate these claims across social workers (n = 1,105), teachers (n = 1,387), and police (n = 1,053) in four Nordic countries: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Using results from online surveys with professionals, we investigate the distribution of a ‘societal security logic’ and a ‘social care logic’ across professions and the degree to which these institutional logics translate into mutual trust. Through a comparison of institutional logics among practitioners with and without practical experience of interagency collaboration, we investigate whether and how institutional logics tend to mix and merge in hybrid organizational spaces. We conclude that differences in institutional logics across professions are differences in degree rather than in kind, but that such differences are important in shaping mutual trust and that experiences of interagency collaboration are correlated with a convergence toward a ‘social care logic’ conception of countering violent extremism.
Bayesian model comparison for mortality forecasting
Authors: Wong Jackie S T , Forster Jonathan J , Smith Peter W F
Published: February 2023

Stochastic models are appealing for mortality forecasting in their ability to generate intervals that quantify uncertainties underlying the forecasts. We present a fully Bayesian implementation of the age-period-cohort-improvement (APCI) model with overdispersion, which is compared with the Lee–Carter model with cohorts. We show that naive prior specification can yield misleading inferences, where we propose Laplace prior as an elegant solution. We also perform model averaging to incorporate model uncertainty. Our findings indicate that the APCI model offers better fit and forecast for England and Wales data spanning 1961–2002. Our approach also allows coherent inclusion of multiple sources of uncertainty, producing well-calibrated probabilistic intervals.
An extremely rare neoplasm ‘atypical spindle cell pleomorphic lipomatous tumor’: a case report
Authors: Lugwaja Paul William Itule , Ringo Yona , Mchele Godfrey , Mtaturu Gabriel
Published: February 2023

Spindle cell lipoma is a rare histological variant of lipoma accounting for 1.5% of adipocytes tumors. It is composed of an admixture of mature adipocytes and fibroblast-like spindle cells in a myxoid stroma. Retroperitoneal atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor are extremely rare only a single report in the literature reported. Herein we describe a case of a giant lipomatous tumor that was causing partial bowel obstruction. Successful excision with en block resection of the tumor, distal ureter and posterior wall of the bladder was achieved by teamwork between gastrointestinal surgeons and Urologist. The bladder defect was repaired, and left ureteric reimplantation was done. The patient made a good recovery with excellent progress. He has resumed his normal activities as a farmer.
The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in pregnant women and the correlated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Taştekin Ouyaba Ayşe , Infal Kesim Selma
Published: February 2023

Background

Sexual functions are negatively affected during pregnancy with the emergence of physical, hormonal, mental, emotional, and behavioral changes; however, there is no cumulative knowledge about the global prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in pregnant women and the correlated factors in SD.

Aim

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of SD among pregnant women and the factors correlated with their SD scores.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies focusing on SD in pregnant women were conducted in the PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Turkish Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Ovid databases by using the following combination of keywords: “pregnant” OR “pregnancy” AND “sexual dysfunction.”

Outcomes

Nearly 70% of pregnant women were at risk for SD. The age of the pregnant woman, the spouse’s age, and the duration of marriage were negatively correlated with the SD score, while the education level was positively correlated with it.

Results

Initially, 5644 studies were identified: 693 studies were evaluated for eligibility and 668 were removed following the exclusion criteria. A total of 25 studies involving 6871 pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled SD prevalence in pregnant women was 69.7% (95% CI, 59.9%-77.9%).

Clinical Implications

The results of this study can be used in the organization of prenatal care, especially for pregnant women at high risk for SD.

Strengths and Limitations

This meta-analysis is the first to reveal the global prevalence of SD and the factors correlated with SD scores in pregnant women. The most important limitation of this study is that it analyzes documents showing pregnant women at risk for SD according to an unconfirmed measurement tool for pregnant women.

Conclusion

Most pregnant women experience SD symptoms. More research is needed, specifically on validated tools that assess pregnancy-specific SD symptoms.
Water use efficiency across scales: from genes to landscapes
Authors: Vadez Vincent , Pilloni Raphael , Grondin Alexandre , Hajjarpoor Amir , Belhouchette Hatem , Brouziyne Youssef , Chehbouni Ghani , Kharrou Mohamed Hakim , Zitouna-Chebbi Rim , Mekki Insaf , Molénat Jérôme , Jacob Frédéric , Bossuet Jérôme
Published: February 2023

Water scarcity is already set to be one of the main issues of the 21st century, because of competing needs between civil, industrial, and agricultural use. Agriculture is currently the largest user of water, but its share is bound to decrease as societies develop and clearly it needs to become more water efficient. Improving water use efficiency (WUE) at the plant level is important, but translating this at the farm/landscape level presents considerable challenges. As we move up from the scale of cells, organs, and plants to more integrated scales such as plots, fields, farm systems, and landscapes, other factors such as trade-offs need to be considered to try to improve WUE. These include choices of crop variety/species, farm management practices, landscape design, infrastructure development, and ecosystem functions, where human decisions matter. This review is a cross-disciplinary attempt to analyse approaches to addressing WUE at these different scales, including definitions of the metrics of analysis and consideration of trade-offs. The equations we present in this perspectives paper use similar metrics across scales to make them easier to connect and are developed to highlight which levers, at different scales, can improve WUE. We also refer to models operating at these different scales to assess WUE. While our entry point is plants and crops, we scale up the analysis of WUE to farm systems and landscapes.
A dentifrice containing salivary enzymes and xylitol exhibits superior antimicrobial activity in vitro against adherent Streptococcus mutans compared to a chlorhexidine dentifrice
Authors: O'Connor Mackenzie , Harrison Grant , Lenahan Declan , Moran Gary P
Published: February 2023

Human saliva contains natural antimicrobial enzymes. In this in-vitro study, we evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a dentifrice containing a salivary enzyme complex (SEC) with xylitol versus a standard 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) dentifrice. Adherent cells of Streptococcus gordonii, Strep. mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp polymorphum, and Corynebacterium matruchotii were exposed to SEC-xylitol and CHX dentifrices for 2 min and viable CFUs were enumerated. Exposure to the SEC-xylitol dentifrice resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial viability, which was greater than that shown by the CHX dentifrice, against all organisms tested. The SEC-xylitol dentifrice also exhibited greater antimicrobial activity against all organsims in well diffusion assays compared to CHX. Dentifrice activity was also evaluated against a three species community of Strep. gordonii, Strep. mutans, and Coryne. matruchotii using bacterial live/dead stain. The SEC-xylitol dentifrice was at least as effective as CHX in removal of the multispecies community. The combination of SEC and xylitol generates a highly effective antimicrobial dentifrice with greater antibacterial activity than a standard 0.12% CHX formulations. SEC and xylitol combinations are worthy of further investigation for routine use and in the management of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
The collisional and photoionized plasma in the polarized NLS1 galaxy Mrk 1239
Authors: Buhariwalla Margaret Z , Gallo Luigi C , Mao J , Komossa S , Jiang J , Gonzalez A , Grupe D
Published: February 2023

Mrk 1239 is a highly polarized NLS1 in the optical band, whose 0.3–3 keV spectrum has remained remarkably consistent over more than two decades of observation. Previous analysis of this object suggested that the soft X-ray band was dominated by emission lines (collisionally and/or photoionized) from the distant host galaxy as the X-ray emission from the central engine was highly obscured. New XMM–Newton data of Mrk 1239 are presented here to investigate the soft X-ray band of this galaxy with high resolution. The first RGS spectra of this source reveal a plethora of ionized emission lines originating from two distinct plasmas, one collisionally ionized and the other photoionized at approximately equal brightness. The best-fitting model uses apec and xstar grids to account for the collisionally ionized and photoionized components, respectively. The fit improves significantly if the photoionized material is allowed to outflow at ≈500 km s−1, matching the outflow velocity of the forbidden O vii emission line. From constraints on the ionization and density of the photoionized material, we can estimate the location of it to be no further than a few pc from the central source, around the outer radius of the torus, which is consistent with the O vii(f) emission line. Properties of the collisionally ionized plasma are consistent with star formation rate (SFR) of $\approx 3 \hbox{$\rm \, M_{\odot }$}\textrm {yr}^{-1}$, which is comparable with several previous measurements of the SFR in this galaxy.
Broad-band X-ray properties of black holes GRS 1758−258 and 1E 1740.7−2942: AstroSat and NuSTAR results
Authors: Bhuvana G R , U Aneesha , D Radhika , Agrawal Vivek K , Mandal Samir , Katoch Tilak , Nandi Anuj
Published: February 2023

We present the results on broad-band X-ray properties of persistent black hole binaries GRS 1758−258 and 1E 1740.7−2942 using AstroSat, NuSTAR, and Swift–XRT observations carried out during 2016–2022. We perform spectral modelling of both sources after eliminating the contamination in their LAXPC spectra from nearby X-ray sources. Preliminary spectral modelling using Comptonization and line emission (∼6.4 keV) models suggest that GRS 1758−258 occupies both dim-soft state (kTbb = 0.37 ± 0.01 keV, Γ ∼ 5.9, $L_{bol}=1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of Eddington luminosity LEdd) and hard state (Γ = 1.64–2.22, kTe = 4–45 keV, Lbol = 1–5 per cent LEdd) that requires a multicolour disc blackbody model (kTin = 0.54 ± 0.01 keV) occasionally. 1E 1740.7−2942 instead is found only in hard state (Γ = 1.67–2.32, kTe = 5–16 keV, Lbol = 1–2 per cent LEdd). Reflection properties of both sources are studied by applying relativistic reflection model RELXILL to the broad-band spectra. Our results from AstroSat and NuSTAR consistently unveiled the presence of a Comptonizing region along with an ionized reflection region (ionization parameter log ξ = 2.7–3.8 and 2.7–4.7 erg cm s−1 in GRS 1758−258 and 1E 1740.7−2942, respectively) in both sources. Reflection modelling revealed GRS 1758−258 to have a high metal abundance ($A_{fe}=3.9^{+0.4}_{-0.3}$ times solar metal abundance) and inclination angle (i) of 61 ± 2°. In case of 1E 1740.7−2942, i is constrained to be 55 ± 1°. Finally, we discuss the implication of our findings in the context of accretion dynamics by comparing our results with the previous studies.
Chemical enrichment of the ICM within the virgo cluster – I. Radial profiles
Authors: Gatuzz Efrain , Sanders J S , Dennerl K , Liu A , Fabian A C , Pinto C , Eckert D , Russell H , Tamura T , Walker S A , ZuHone J
Published: February 2023

We present a detailed analysis of the elemental abundances distribution of the Virgo cluster using XMM–Newton observations. We included in the analysis a new EPIC-pn energy scale calibration which allow us to measure velocities with uncertainties down to Δv ∼150 km s−1. We investigate the radial distribution of O, Ne, Mg, Si, Ar, S, Ca, Ni, and Fe. We found that the best-fitting model is close to a single-temperature component for distances >80 kpc and the cooler gas is more metal rich. Discontinuities in temperature are found around ∼30 and ∼90 kpc, which correspond to the radius of the cold fronts. We modelled elemental X/Fe ratio profiles with a linear combination of SNIa and SNcc models. We found a flat radial distribution of SNIa ratio over the total cluster enrichment, which supports an early ICM enrichment scenario, with most of the metals present being produced prior to clustering.