bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Forgotten crises’ as forgotten sites of knowledge production for building lasting peace
Authors: Tanyag Maria
Published: June 2024

‘Forgotten crises’ constitute a permanent background to any present and future global humanitarian and development efforts. They represent a significant impediment to promoting lasting peace given concurrent catastrophes exacerbated by climate change. Yet, they are routinely neglected and remain unresolved. Building on critical and feminist approaches, this paper theorises them as forgotten sites of local knowledge production. It asks: what is local knowledge of and from forgotten crises? How can it be recovered and resignified, and what lessons can such knowledge provide at the global level? Drawing on examples from the intersections of conflict, disasters, and pandemics in the Philippines, the paper makes a case for valuing local knowledge arising from forgotten crises because of its potential contribution to adapting global humanitarian and development systems to address crises on multiple fronts. Such epistemic margins are generative of vantage points that can present a fuller account of how different crises interact and how best to respond to them.
Long‐term efficacy of washed microbiota transplantation in overweight patients
Authors: Lin Dejiang , Hu Dongxia , Song Youlin , He Xingxiang , Wu Lei
Published: June 2024

Background

Faecal microbiota transplantation holds promise in mitigating fat accumulation and improving obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the long‐term efficacy of washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) among overweight patients.

Methods

The clinical data pertaining to the treatment of patients with WMT were collected retrospectively. Compared alterations in body mass index (BMI), blood glucose, blood lipids and blood pressure prior to and following WMT treatment. Comprehensive efficacy evaluation and atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) grading evaluation were carried out, with an analysis of gut microbiota composition before and after WMT.

Results

A total of 186 patients were included (80 overweight, 106 normal weight). WMT not only had the effect of improving overweight patients to the normal weight patients (p < .001), but also could significantly reduce BMI in the long term by restoring gut microbiota homeostasis (p < .001). In addition, the BMI improvement value of multi course was more significant than that of single course or double course. WMT had a significant ASCVD downgrade effect on the high‐risk and medium‐risk groups outside 1 year, while it did not increase the risk of upgrading ASCVD for low‐risk group.

Conclusions

WMT could significantly reduce the BMI of overweight patients and still had an improvement effect in the long term.
Hypoperfusion intensity ratio correlates with collaterals and predicts outcome and infarct volume in acute ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Busto Giorgio , Morotti Andrea , Casetta Ilaria , Barra Angelo , Fiorenza Alessandro , Di Pasquale Francesca , Maccaglia Maria Giulia , Toffali Maddalena , Mancini Sara , Carlesi Edoardo , Palumbo Vanessa , Lombardo Ivano , Padovani Alessandro , Fainardi Enrico
Published: June 2024

Background

Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio (HIR) is associated with collaterals and outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We investigated whether a combined assessment of HIR and collaterals could provide an added value.

Methods

Retrospective single‐center study, including AIS patients with large vessel occlusion and endovascular treatment 0–24 h from onset. Predictors of FIV and outcome (90 days modified Rankin Scale 0–1) were investigated with linear and logistic regression respectively. Subjects were stratified in three groups: poor collaterals (grade 0–3) with poor HIR (≥.4), good collaterals (grade 4–5) with poor HIR/poor collaterals with good HIR (<.4) and good collaterals with good HIR.

Results

We included 337 patients (median age 77, 53.1% males), of whom 100 (29.7%) had excellent outcome. One hundred and forty five patients with favourable collateral and HIR profiles had smaller infarct (median poor collaterals with poor HIR 41 mL, good collaterals with poor HIR/poor collaterals with good HIR 21 mL and good collaterals with good HIR 11 mL, p <.001) and higher rates of excellent outcome (poor collaterals with poor HIR 15.7%, good collaterals with poor HIR/poor collaterals with good HIR 26.2% and good collaterals with good HIR 39.3% p =.001). Logistic regression showed that patients with favourable collateral and HIR profiles had the highest odds of good outcome (OR: 3.83, 95% CI 1.62–9.08, p =.002).

Conclusion

Collaterals and HIR are independent predictors of final infarct lesion and outcome in stroke patients and their integration provides an added value. These findings might inform clinical practice and future trials.
Regulation of SETD2 maintains immune regulatory function in macrophages to suppress airway allergy
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Junyi , Liu Xiaoyu , Xiao Xiaojun , Liu Yu , Huang Qinmiao , Li Jing , Li Guoping , Yang Pingchang
Published: June 2024

SET domain‐containing 2 (SETD2) is a histone methyltransferase. It regulates the activity of H3K36me3 to enhance gene transcription. Macrophages (Mϕs) are one of the cell types involved in immune response. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of SETD2 in regulating the immune property of Mϕ. The Mφs were isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and analysed through flow cytometry and RNA sequencing. A mouse strain carrying Mφs deficient in SETD2 was used. A mouse model of airway allergy was established with the ovalbumin/alum protocol. Less expression of SETD2 was observed in airway Mϕs in patients with allergic asthma. SETD2 of M2 cells was associated with the asthmatic clinical response. Sensitization reduced the expression of SETD2 in mouse respiratory tract M2 cells, which is associated with the allergic reaction. Depletion of SETD2 in Mφs resulted in Th2 pattern inflammation in the lungs. SETD2 maintained the immune regulatory ability in airway M2 cells. SETD2 plays an important role in the maintenance of immune regulatory property of airway Mφs.
Evolution of rhodopsin in flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) is associated with depth and migratory behavior
Authors: Macpherson Esme S. B. , Hauser Frances E. , Van Nynatten Alexander , Chang Belinda S. W. , Lovejoy Nathan R.
Published: June 2024

Visual signals are involved in many fitness‐related tasks and are therefore essential for survival in many species. Aquatic organisms are ideal systems to study visual evolution, as the high diversity of spectral properties in aquatic environments generates great potential for adaptation to different light conditions. Flatfishes are an economically important group, with over 800 described species distributed globally, including halibut, flounder, sole, and turbot. The diversity of flatfish species and wide array of environments they occupy provides an excellent opportunity to understand how this variation translates to molecular adaptation of vision genes. Using models of molecular evolution, we investigated how the light environments inhabited by different flatfish lineages have shaped evolution in the rhodopsin gene, which is responsible for mediating dim‐light visual transduction. We found strong evidence for positive selection in rhodopsin, and this was correlated with both migratory behavior and several fundamental aspects of habitat, including depth and freshwater/marine evolutionary transitions. We also identified several mutations that likely affect the wavelength of peak absorbance of rhodopsin, and outline how these shifts in absorbance correlate with the response to the light spectrum present in different habitats. This is the first study of rhodopsin evolution in flatfishes that considers their extensive diversity, and our results highlight how ecologically‐driven molecular adaptation has occurred across this group in response to transitions to novel light environments.
Dyslipidaemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome referred to a teaching hospital in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Marais Adrian David , Hoffman Anne , Blackhurst Diane Mary , van der Spuy Zephne Margeret
Published: June 2024

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) imparts health risks including dyslipidaemia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease that are amenable to lifestyle adjustment and/or medication. We describe dyslipidaemia in women referred to a gynaecological endocrine clinic. Clinical data and endocrine and lipoprotein investigations comprising fasting triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and calculated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were studied along with electrophoresis patterns of apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins. The 1721 participants comprised black, mixed ancestry, white and Indian individuals (9.8%, 83.2%, 5.8% and 1.2%, respectively). The mean ± standard deviation of the age, body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio were 26.0 ± 5.9 years, 32.3 ± 8.3 kg/m2 and waist/hip ratio 0.88 ± 0.11, respectively. Overweight status (BMI 26–30 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2) involved 272 (15.8%) and 1010 (58.7%) individuals, respectively. Morbid obesity (BMI >40 kg/m2) was present in 309 (17.9%) individuals. The TG, TC, HDLC and LDLC concentrations were 1.22 ± 0.86, 4.77 ± 1.02, 1.3 ± 0.36, 2.94 ± 0.94 mmol/L, respectively. LDL hypercholesterolaemia occurred in 753 (43.7%) and exceeded 5 mmol/L in 39 (2.3%) women. Low HDLC (<0.9 mmol/L) affected 122 (7%), hypertriglyceridaemia (>1.7 mmol/L) affected 265 (15.4%) and exceeded 2.5 mmol/L in 91 (5.3%) women. Mixed hyperlipidaemia (TG >1.7, TC >5.0 mmol/L) occurred in 176 (10.2%). Electrophoresis revealed small LDL particles in 79 (4.6%) and dysbetalipoproteinaemia in 13 (0.76%) of the cohort. Small LDL associated with obesity, blood pressure, TG and glucose concentration and higher androgenic state. Many women with PCOS had unfavourable lipoprotein results: mostly moderate changes in TG, HDLC and LDLC. Small LDL is not rare, may aid risk assessment and is best determined directly. Incidental monogenic disorders of lipoprotein metabolism included dysbetalipoproteinaemia, familial hypercholesterolaemia and severe hypertriglyceridaemia. Dyslipidaemia in PCOS requires more careful diagnosis, individualised management and research.
Breaking the concrete ceiling: Resources and strategies for career success amongst Black and Asian minority ethnic women leaders
Authors: Otaye‐Ebede Lilian , Shaffakat Samah
Published: June 2024

Despite ongoing research efforts to resolve the pertinent issues with the underrepresentation of women from Black and Asian Minority Ethnic backgrounds in senior leadership positions, the problem persists. We suggest that one reason for the lack of progress is that management research has predominantly focused on the manifestation of race and gender inequality, the barriers experienced by these women, and the resulting adverse outcomes, with inadequate attention given to practical interventions for resolving these issues. We argue that an urgent and critical paradigm shift from problems to solutions is required in order to advance the field. Using the conservation of resource theory as a lens, we explore the lived experiences of 50 highly successful Black and Asian women and how they navigated the organizational labyrinth to achieve success in their careers. Our findings revealed that despite discriminatory experiences that threatened their career advancement, there were several personal and contextual resources which they drew upon to achieve career success. We develop a resource taxonomy framework illustrating these salient career advancement resources across their career journey, alongside strategies they used to protect these valuable resources. Our findings have theoretical and practical implications for career, leadership and diversity scholars and practitioners.
Short‐term mindsets show co‐development with adolescent delinquency, but not with adolescent cannabis use
Authors: Defoe Ivy N. , van Gelder Jean‐Louis , Ribeaud Denis , Eisner Manuel
Published: June 2024

Guided by General Theory of Crime and Psychosocial Maturity Hypothesis, we investigated co‐development between short‐term mindsets (impulsivity and future orientation) and risk behaviors (cannabis use and delinquency). Parallel process latent growth modeling on three‐wave data from ethnically diverse Swiss adolescents (N = 1365; Mage 13.67 years, 48.6% female), showed baseline‐level associations between short‐term mindsets and risk behaviors, and between the two risk behaviors. Additionally, correlated change (co‐development) existed between short‐term mindsets—particularly impulsivity—and delinquency, but not between short‐term mindsets and cannabis use. These results support the above‐mentioned theories and emphasize the importance of investigating the correlates of change in delinquency and cannabis use separately, as divergent findings might emerge. These divergent findings could partially stem from Switzerland's liberal views on cannabis use.
Perception of Facial Cues to Trustworthiness in Infancy: Insights from the Spatial Frequency Filtering Approach
Authors: Silvestri Valentina , Macchi Cassia Viola
Published: June 2024

A crucial aspect of human social competence is the ability to spontaneously and rapidly infer from facial cues whether others are likely to approach us with friendliness or hostility—that is, trustworthiness. The rapid and automatic nature of these inferences has prompted the claim that they may originate from evolutionary pressures to detect potential threats, thus enhancing our chances of survival. However, the developmental origins of this social skill remain a topic of ongoing debate. Recent evidence shows that infants' brains and looking time behaviors differentiate between faces varying along the trustworthiness continuum, but the question about the nature of the facial cues they rely on remains open. In this review, we propose the spatial frequency (SF) filtering approach (i.e., the selective removal of spatial frequency bands from the image) as a useful tool for investigating this question, and specifically whether infants' discrimination of facial expressions of emotion share common visual and neural mechanisms with discrimination of facial cues associated with trustworthiness inferences. The SF filtering approach could shed light on the neural and perceptual mechanisms underlying trustworthiness perception in infancy, providing insights into whether and how these mechanisms change across development. The evidence gathered through this method would prove critical to the understanding of the developmental origins of trustworthiness perception.
Adherence to AUA guidelines for the work‐up, medical management, surgical evaluation and treatment of BPH: Work from a quality improvement collaborative
Authors: Wahlstedt Eric , Graves John Lee , Wahlstedt John , D'Alessandro Alison , Cranford Will , Freidberg Nicholas A. , Bhalodi Amul , Bell John R. , James Andrew , Bylund Jason , Strup Stephen E. , Harris Andrew
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Previous studies noted varied adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), but studies are yet to quantify adherence to American Urological Association BPH guidelines. We studied guideline adherence in the context of a new quality improvement collaborative (QIC).

Methods

Data were collected as part of a statewide QIC. Medical records for patients undergoing select CPT codes from January 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively reviewed for adherence to selected BPH guidelines.

Results

Most men were treated with transurethral resection of the prostate. Notably, 53.3% of men completed an IPSS and 52.3% had a urinalysis. 4.7% were counseled on behavioral modifications, 15.0% on medical therapy, and 100% on procedural options. For management, 79.4% were taking alpha‐blockers and 59.8% were taking a 5‐ARI. For evaluation, 57% had a PVR, 63.6% had prostate size measurement, 37.4% had uroflowmetry, and 12.3% were counseled about treatment failure. Postoperatively, 51.6% completed an IPSS, 57% had a PVR, 6.50% had uroflowmetry, 50.6% stopped their alpha‐blocker, and 75.0% stopped their 5‐ARI.

Conclusions

There was adherence to preoperative testing recommendations, but patient counseling was lacking in the initial work‐up and preoperative evaluation. We will convey the data to key stakeholders, expand data collection to other institutions, and devise an improvement implementation plan.
Bridging the digital divide: Promoting equal access to online learning for health professions in an unequal world
Authors: Han Siew Ping , Kumwenda Ben
Published: June 2024

Online learning has the potential to enhance open and equitable access to medical education resources globally. Conversely, there are also concerns that it can perpetuate and exacerbate digital inequalities between developed (global North) and developing (global South) countries. In this article, we describe the historical lack of representation of the global South in the design of online medical education, as well as the resulting consequences and potential solutions. We compare the Northern and Southern views of online learning in medical education and identify the different types of barriers to its adoption. We describe how socioeconomic disparities and the historical dominance of the global North over the global South have led to systemic digital inequalities in the design and implementation of online learning in education generally, and in medical education particularly. The lack of representation of global South voices hinders the development of digital learning solutions relevant to local contexts, therefore limiting their effectiveness and sustainability. Thus, we propose approaches to build more equitable partnerships by soliciting local input and local expertise. Further, we discuss the need to maintain local relevance while setting global standards. Overall, we hope to inform and guide the development of more equitable and accessible online education training for a diverse global population.
The invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) disrupts the adaptive function of heteranthery by indiscriminately visiting the pollinating and feeding anthers of Senna arnottiana flowers
Authors: Rego J. O. , Monzón V. H. , Mesquita‐Neto J. N.
Published: June 2024

Heteranthery, the presence of different types of anthers on the same flower, is a floral adaptation that aims to balance the need for pollinators to collect pollen as a food resource while ensuring sufficient pollen for pollination. We investigate the role of heteranthery in the pollination of Senna arnottiana flowers and how it is affected by the behaviour of visiting bee species, with a particular focus on the impact of the invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris.

In three populations of S. arnottiana we measured the size of three sets of anthers and style, stigma–anther separation, pollen quantity and fruit set, and contrasted it with the body size, behaviour, and pollination effectiveness of all floral visitors.

Different bee species visited S. arnottiana flowers, and their foraging behaviour varied. Large‐bodied native bees, including Centris cineraria, Caupolicana sp. and Cadeguala occidentalis, preferentially visited short anthers, whereas B. terrestris, an exotic bumblebee, foraged from both short and long anthers without distinction. In addition, B. terrestris contacted the stigma at a lower rate than large‐bodied native bees.

Instead of concentrating its pollen‐gathering efforts on the feeding anthers, as predicted by the “division of labor” hypothesis, B. terrestris indiscriminately visited both types of anthers similarly. This behaviour of B. terrestris may disrupt the adaptive significance of heteranthery by mixing the roles of pollination and feeding anthers of S. arnottiana. Therefore, our results highlight the potential disruption of this relationship by exotic pollinators and the need to consider it in conservation efforts.
Income‐linked pathways towards sustainable development goals: Analyzing the interplay of green energy, financial inclusion, and militarization in shaping aggregated economic sustainability
Authors: Murtaza Muhammad Ramiz , Hongzhong Fan , Ullah Atta , Kashif Muhammad
Published: June 2024

This research examines the dynamic impact of green energy (GE), financial inclusion (FI), and militarization (MS) on attaining global economic sustainability (EGS, SDG‐8) in 121 nations from 2003 to 2022. Further, explore and compare 44 high‐income, 33 upper‐middle‐income, and 44 low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries for a better understanding of empirical and policy contributions. This study utilized second‐generation econometric methods. Consequently, it employed a two‐step system GMM model, which was validated using the D‐K regression approach. The findings revealed that green energy and financial inclusion benefit EGS across all income levels having a significant and positive impact on economic sustainability. In contrast, militarization has a negative relationship with EGS, which proves it is detrimental to EGS in the overall sample and high‐income countries. However, it positively influences economic sustainability in low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries. Moreover, other factors, such as institutional quality and armed conflicts, have mixed effects on ESG at different income levels. This study also provides persuasive policy measures and implications for achieving global economic sustainability.
Genome‐wide mapping of DNase I hypersensitive sites revealed differential chromatin accessibility and regulatory DNA elements under drought stress in rice cultivars
Authors: Rajkumar Mohan Singh , Tembhare Kunal , Garg Rohini , Jain Mukesh
Published: June 2024

Drought stress (DS) is one of the major constraints limiting yield in crop plants including rice. Gene regulation under DS is largely governed by accessibility of the transcription factors (TFs) to their cognate cis‐regulatory elements (CREs). In this study, we used DNase I hypersensitive assays followed by sequencing to identify the accessible chromatin regions under DS in a drought‐sensitive (IR64) and a drought‐tolerant (N22) rice cultivar. Our results indicated that DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs) were highly enriched at transcription start sites (TSSs) and numerous DHSs were detected in the promoter regions. DHSs were concurrent with epigenetic marks and the genes harboring DHSs in their TSS and promoter regions were highly expressed. In addition, DS induced changes in DHSs (∆DHSs) in TSS and promoter regions were positively correlated with upregulation of several genes involved in drought/abiotic stress response, those encoding TFs and located within drought‐associated quantitative trait loci, much preferentially in the drought‐tolerant cultivar. The CREs representing the binding sites of TFs involved in DS response were detected within the ∆DHSs, suggesting differential accessibility of TFs to their cognate sites under DS in different rice cultivars, which may be further deployed for enhancing drought tolerance in rice.
Multiphase Flow Simulations of Sediment Particles in Mixed-flow Pumps
Authors: Li Wei , Ji Leilei , Agarwal Ramesh , Shi Weidong , Zhou Ling
Published: June 2024

The pumps are energy conversion devices whose main goal is to convert the mechanical or rotational energy of the impeller into the fluid energy. Thus, the understanding of the various sources of energy loss and its reduction has consistently been a focal point of research to improve their efficiency and overall performance as described in Chapters 7–12 [1]. The energy loss in a pump can be categorized into the hydraulic loss, the volumetric loss, and the mechanical loss. The hydraulic loss encompasses the impact loss, the loss due to the vortex resistance, and the loss due to the friction. There have been many studies reported in the literature on the impact loss and the loss due to vortex resistance in the pumps operating with clean water as a working fluid. For example, Shi et al. [2] studied the impact loss at the impeller inlet for varying number of guide vane blades to determine an optimal number of blades to minimize the impact loss. Nie et al. [3] employed the velocity triangles concept to investigate the impeller impact loss, elucidating the impact of inlet angle and flow velocity on the loss. Li et al. [4–6] studied the energy loss caused by the internal vortex flow in the mixed-flow pumps. Ji et al. [7–9] explored the impact of the leakage vortex flow between the tips of the impeller blades on the internal flow field and hydraulic loss in the mixed-flow pumps. They analyzed the energy loss in the mixed-flow pump using the entropy generation theory and conducted the diagnostics. However, pumps are not always under clean water conditions. In practical engineering applications, pumps generally operate in a two-phase flow consisting of the solid sediment particles with water, where the loss due to friction becomes significant. The substantial friction losses occur due to interactions between the particles and the pump walls, among the particles themselves, and between the particles and the moving fluid.
Brief Review of Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Li Wei , Ji Leilei , Agarwal Ramesh , Shi Weidong , Zhou Ling
Published: June 2024

Theoretical hydrodynamics, experimental hydrodynamics, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are the three approaches for the study of problems in hydrodynamics. CFD as a flow simulation tool requires physical models described by the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) of fluid dynamics, appropriate, accurate, and stable numerical algorithms for discretization of the governing equations on a mesh generated inside a chosen computational domain, and computer hardware for the solution of the discretized algebraic equations in the computational domain with appropriate boundary conditions. The discretized algebraic equations are coded to generate a computer code in a computer language (such as Fortran, Fortran 90, C, C++, Java, and Python). The computer code is debugged and validated by conducting benchmark simulations; this computer code is run on computer hardware to obtain the numerical solution of the flow field. In this context, CFD can be considered a multidisciplinary field involving fluid dynamics, numerical mathematics, and computer science, as shown in Fig. 3.1, with the ability to solve complex three-dimensional fluid flow problems [1]. In other words, it employs the computer as a tool to solve the discretized linear algebraic equations in an iterative manner (note that the original equations are non-linear, which are linearized and solved iteratively). Generally speaking, theoretical fluid dynamics provides the physical and mathematical models to describe the conservation laws governing fluid motion, experimental fluid mechanics provides measurements and visualization to discover and explore the physical consequences of fluid motion-related phenomena in an application, and CFD builds a bridge between the theoretical models and experiments since it is difficult to obtain the analytical solutions of the complex 3D fluid motions using the theoretical models and it is costly to build the experimental apparatus and conduct experiments for a wide variety of flows of interest. As a result, CFD has become one of the most important technologies for conducting hydrodynamics/fluid dynamics research. In some sense, CFD can be considered similar to the experimental research, since CFD includes the geometry and physical modeling, solution procedure/process, and debugging in writing a computer code to conduct the numerical simulation with the code; thus, numerical simulation is also sometimes called “numerical experiment.” However, in contrast to experiments, CFD can often provide very detailed three-dimensional flow field data for analysis, design, and optimization of industrial products.
Relationship Between External Training Load and Session Rating of Perceived Exertion Training Impulse in Elite Sprinters
Authors: Thome Matthew , Nimphius Sophia , Jordan Matthew J. , Thorpe Robin T.
Published: June 2024

Purpose: To quantify the change in session rating of perceived exertion training impulse (RPE-TRIMP) that may occur in response to increased running distance at 3 running velocity ranges in elite sprinters. Methods: We monitored training load in elite sprinters (women: n = 7; men: n = 11) using wearable Global Positioning System technology and RPE-TRIMP for a total of 681 individual training sessions during a 22-week competition-preparation period. Internal training load was operationalized by RPE-TRIMP, and external training load was operationalized by distance covered in 3 velocity ranges. A linear mixed-effects model with athlete as a random effect was fit to RPE-TRIMP with total distance covered at ≤69.99% (low-velocity running [LVR]), 70% to 84.99% (high-velocity running [HVR]), and 85% to 100% (very-high-velocity running [VHVR]) of individual maximum velocity. Results: Increased running distance in all 3 velocity ranges (LVR, HVR, and VHVR) resulted in a significant (P < .001) increase in RPE-TRIMP. Coefficients (95% CIs) were .10 (.08–.11) for LVR, .23 (.18–.28) for HVR, and .44 (.35–.53) for VHVR. A 50-m increase in running distance covered in the LVR, HVR, and VHVR velocity ranges was associated with increases in RPE-TRIMP of 5, 11.5, and 22 arbitrary units, respectively. Conclusions: Internal training load, calculated as RPE-TRIMP, increased with increases in total distance covered in the LVR, HVR, and VHVR velocity ranges (P < .001). RPE-TRIMP can be a practical solution for monitoring global training-session load in elite sprinters.
IFI207, a young and fast‐evolving protein, controls retroviral replication via the STING pathway
Authors: Moran Eileen A. , Salas-Briceno Karen , Zhao Wenming , Enya Takuji , Aguilera Alexya N. , Acosta Ivan , Alonzo Francis , Kiani Dara , Behnsen Judith , Alvarez Catalina , Keane Thomas M. , Adams David J. , Lilue Jingtao , Ross Susan R.
Published: June 2024

Mammalian AIM-2-like receptor (ALR) proteins bind nucleic acids and initiate production of type I interferons or inflammasome assembly, thereby contributing to host innate immunity. In mice, the
Alr
locus is highly polymorphic at the sequence and copy number level, and we show here that it is one of the most dynamic regions of the genome. One rapidly evolving gene within this region,
Ifi207
, was introduced to the
Mus
genome by gene conversion or an unequal recombination event a few million years ago.
Ifi207
has a large, distinctive repeat region that differs in sequence and length among
Mus
species and even closely related inbred
Mus musculus
strains. We show that IFI207 controls murine leukemia virus (MLV) infection
in vivo
and that it plays a role in the STING-mediated response to cGAMP, dsDNA, DMXXA, and MLV. IFI207 binds to STING, and inclusion of its repeat region appears to stabilize STING protein. The
Alr
locus and
Ifi207
provide a clear example of the evolutionary innovation of gene function, possibly as a result of host–pathogen co-evolution.

IMPORTANCE

The Red Queen hypothesis predicts that the arms race between pathogens and the host may accelerate evolution of both sides, and therefore causes higher diversity in virulence factors and immune-related proteins, respectively . The
Alr
gene family in mice has undergone rapid evolution in the last few million years and includes the creation of two novel members,
MndaL
and
Ifi207. Ifi207
, in particular, became highly divergent, with significant genetic changes between highly related inbred mice. IFI207 protein acts in the STING pathway and contributes to anti-retroviral resistance via a novel mechanism. The data show that under the pressure of host–pathogen coevolution in a dynamic locus, gene conversion and recombination between gene family members creates new genes with novel and essential functions that play diverse roles in biological processes.
Draft genome sequence of
Intrasporangium
sp. DVR, an actinobacterium of the family
Intrasporangiaceae
isolated from soil in Japan
Authors: Amachi Seigo , Nakajima Nobuyoshi , Yamamura Shigeki
Published: June 2024

Intrasporangium
sp. strain DVR is an actinobacterium of the family
Intrasporangiaceae
isolated from soil in Japan. Here we report the draft genome sequence of strain DVR.
Virulent properties and genomic diversity of
Vibrio vulnificus
isolated from environment, human, diseased fish
Authors: Naknaen Ampapan , Surachat Komwit , Manit Jutamas , Jetwanna Korakot Wichitsa-nguan , Thawonsuwan Jumroensri , Pomwised Rattanaruji
Published: June 2024

The incidence of
Vibrio vulnificus
infections, with high mortality rates in humans and aquatic animals, has escalated, highlighting a significant public health challenge. Currently, reliable markers to identify strains with high virulence potential are lacking, and the understanding of evolutionary drivers behind the emergence of pathogenic strains is limited. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of virulent genotypes and phenotypes to discern the infectious potential of
V. vulnificus
strains isolated from three distinct sources. Most isolates, traditionally classified as biotype 1, possessed the virulence-correlated gene-C type. Environmental isolates predominantly exhibited YJ-like alleles, while clinical and diseased fish isolates were significantly associated with the
nanA
gene and pathogenicity region XII. Hemolytic activity was primarily observed in the culture supernatants of clinical and diseased fish isolates. Genetic relationships, as determined by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis, suggested that strains originating from the same source tended to cluster together. However, multilocus sequence typing revealed considerable genetic diversity across clusters and sources. A phylogenetic analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms of diseased fish strains alongside publicly available genomes demonstrated a high degree of evolutionary relatedness within and across different isolation sources. Notably, our findings reveal no direct correlation between phylogenetic patterns, isolation sources, and virulence capabilities. This underscores the necessity for proactive risk management strategies to address pathogenic
V. vulnificus
strains emerging from environmental reservoirs.

IMPORTANCE

As the global incidence of
Vibrio vulnificus
infections rises, impacting human health and marine aquacultures, understanding the pathogenicity of environmental strains remains critical yet underexplored. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the virulence potential and genetic relatedness of
V. vulnificus
strains, focusing on environmental origins. We conduct an extensive genotypic analysis and phenotypic assessment, including virulence testing in a wax moth model. Our findings aim to uncover genetic and evolutionary factors that drive pathogenic strain emergence in the environment. This research advances our ability to identify reliable virulence markers and understand the distribution of pathogenic strains, offering significant insights for public health and environmental risk management.
Medical student interactions with children in their daily lives
Authors: Uther Penelope , Thomson Johanna , Bartlett Adam William , Kennedy Sean E
Published: June 2024

Learning to communicate effectively with children in clinical interactions can be challenging. This study aimed to determine the extent to which medical students are exposed to children in their daily lives, in order to understand the experience students bring when entering paediatric rotations.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of medical students entering paediatric rotations from two medical schools was conducted. Students were asked to rate the frequency of their interactions with infants, preschool-aged and school-aged children and their confidence in doing so.

Results

339 out of 476 students participated in this study. Interactions with infants and preschool-aged children were rare, with most students reporting interactions once or two times per year or less (83% and 67%, respectively). Students interacted with school-aged children more frequently (43% most weeks or days). Students who interacted more frequently with children were more confident when entering their paediatric placements.

Conclusions

Medical students have limited exposure to infants and preschool-aged children in their daily lives and this affects their confidence. Supervisors should incorporate activities aimed at building confidence interacting with young children early in clinical attachments.
Intrathyroidal thymic carcinoma
Authors: Lee Chun Yun Caroline , Lim Ming Yann , Bundele Manish M , Huang Minyi Lilleen
Published: June 2024

A young woman in her early 30s presented with a right thyroid mass and progressive hoarseness due to a right vocal cord palsy. The preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology was classified as Bethesda V and she underwent a total thyroidectomy and neck dissection. Intraoperatively, the thyroid mass was adherent to the oesophagus, trachea and encasing the right recurrent laryngeal nerve which was sacrificed. Final histopathology diagnosed a rare subtype of thyroid cancer known as intrathyroidal thymic carcinoma (ITC). She was then sent for adjuvant radiotherapy after a multidisciplinary tumour board discussion. This case report highlights the difficulty in preoperative diagnosis of ITC and the importance of immunohistochemical staining in clinching the diagnosis. In view of its rarity, there have been no published consensus on the treatment of ITC, hence we would like to share some learning points through a comprehensive literature review.
Mirvetuximab soravtansine in folate receptor alpha (FRα)–high platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: final overall survival and post hoc sequence of therapy subgroup results from the SORAYA trial
Authors: Coleman Robert L , Lorusso Domenica , Oaknin Ana , Cecere Sabrina Chiara , Denys Hannelore , Colombo Nicoletta , van Gorp Toon , Konner Jason A , Romeo Marin Margarita , Harter Philipp , Murphy Conleth , Wang Yuemei , Esteves Brooke , Method Michael , Matulonis Ursula
Published: June 2024

Objective

The single-arm, phase II SORAYA trial (
NCT04296890
) of mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx in folate receptor alpha (FRα)–high platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (n=105 (efficacy-evaluable)) met its primary endpoint with an objective response rate of 32.4% (95% CI, 23.6 to 42.2). Here we report final SORAYA trial results for overall survival and post hoc objective response rates in subgroups by sequence and number of prior therapies.

Methods

Eligible patients had high-grade serous platinum-resistant ovarian cancer with high FRα expression and one to three prior therapies (prior bevacizumab required). Enrolled participants received 6 mg/kg mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx adjusted ideal body weight intravenously once every 3 weeks until progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or death. Final overall survival and post hoc objective response rates were assessed in efficacy-evaluable participants. The safety population included all patients who received ≥1 dose of mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx.

Results

At data cut-off (December 22, 2022; n=105), final median overall survival was 15.0 months (95% CI, 11.5 to 18.7). Median overall survival in participants with one to two prior therapy lines was 18.7 months (95% CI, 13.8 to not estimable (NE)) and 11.6 months (95% CI, 7.1 to 16.7) with three prior therapy lines. Median overall survival was 15.0 months (95% CI, 11.5 to NE) in participants with prior poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) treatment versus 14.0 months (95% CI, 7.1 to NE) in those without. Objective response rate (data cut-off: November 17, 2021) differed among participants who received mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx as their first treatment in the platinum-resistant setting (34.8%; 95% CI, 23.5 to 47.6) versus a different first treatment (28.2%; 95% CI, 15.0 to 44.9) or had received prior bevacizumab in a platinum-sensitive (34.0%; 95% CI, 24.6 to 44.5) versus platinum-resistant setting (17.6%; 95% CI, 3.8 to 43.4). No new safety signals were observed.

Conclusion

These results support the clinically meaningful efficacy of mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx in FRα-expressing platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, irrespective of prior treatment or sequence.
Developing a Coordinated Registry Network for devices used for acute ischemic stroke intervention: basilar artery occlusion quality assessment pilot
Authors: Mao Jialin , Ansari Sameer A , Siddiqui Adnan H , Sedrakyan Art , Marinac-Dabic Danica , Sheldon Murray , Claffey Mairsíl , Hall Alicia M , Sancheti Harsh , Kim Thomas , Nguyen Nam , Liebeskind David S
Published: June 2024

Background

Real-world data can be helpful in evaluating endovascular therapy (EVT) in ischemic stroke care. We conducted a pilot study to aggregate data on basilar artery occlusion (BAO) EVT from existing registries in the USA. We evaluated the availability, completeness, quality, and consistency of common data elements (CDEs) across data sources.

Methods

We harmonized patient-level data from five registry data sources and assessed the availability, completeness (defined by the presence in at least four data sources), and consistency of CDEs. We assessed data quality based on seven pre-defined critical domains for BAO EVT investigation: baseline patient and disease characteristics; time metrics; description of intervention; adjunctive devices, revascularization scores, complications; post-intervention National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores; discharge disposition; 30-day and 90-day mortality and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores.

Results

The aggregated dataset of five registries included 493 BAO procedures between January 2013 and January 2020. In total, 88 CDEs were screened and 35 (40%) elements were considered prevalent. Of these 35 CDEs, the majority were collected for >80% of cases when aggregated. All seven pre-defined domains for BAO device investigation could be fulfilled with harmonized data elements. Most data elements were collected with consistent or compatible definitions across registries. The main challenge was the collection of 90-day outcomes.

Conclusions

This pilot shows the feasibility of aggregating and harmonizing critical CDEs across registries to create a Coordinated Registry Network (CRN). The CRN with partnerships between multiple registries and stakeholders could help improve the breadth and/or depth of real-world data to help answer relevant questions and support clinical and regulatory decisions.
Wound Tissue Segmentation and Classification Using U-Net and Random Forest
Authors: Arjun V. S. , Chandrasekhar Leena , Jaseena K. U.
Published: June 2024

Analysing wound tissue is a crucial research field for assessing the progression of wound healing. Wounds exhibit certain attributes concerning colour and texture, although these features can vary among different wound images. Research in this field serves multiple purposes, including confirming the presence of chronic wounds, identifying infected wounds, determining the origin of the wound and addressing other factors that classify and characterise various types of wounds. Wounds pose a substantial health concern. Currently, clinicians and nurses mainly evaluate the healing status of wounds based on visual examination. This paper presents an outline of digital image processing and traditional machine learning methods for the tissue analysis of chronic wound images. Here, we propose a novel wound tissue analysis system that consists of wound image pre-processing, wound area segmentation and wound analysis by tissue segmentation. The wound area is extracted using a simple U-Net segmentation model. Granulation, slough and necrotic tissues are the three primary forms of wound tissues. The [Formula: see text]-means clustering technique is employed to assign labels to tissues. Within the wound boundary, the tissue classification is performed by applying the Random Forest classification algorithm. Both segmentation (U-Net) and classification (Random Forest) models are trained, and the segmentation gives 99% accuracy, and the classification model gives 99.21% accuracy.
Multimodal PEAR Chain-of-Thought Reasoning for Multimodal Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Li Yan , Lan Xiangyuan , Chen Haifeng , Lu Ke , Jiang Dongmei
Published: June 2024

Multimodal sentiment analysis aims to predict sentiments from multimodal signals such as audio, video, and text. Existing methods often rely on Pre-trained Language Models (PLMs) to extract semantic information from textual data,
lacking an in-depth understanding of the logical relationships within the text modality
. This article introduces the Multimodal PEAR (Preliminaries, quEstion, Answer, Reason) Chain-of-Thought (MM-PEAR-CoT) reasoning for multimodal sentiment analysis. Inspired by the human thought process when solving complex problems, the PEAR CoT prompt is first proposed to induce Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate text-based reasoning processes and zero-shot sentiment prediction results. However,
text-based CoT reasoning is not always reliable and might contain irrational steps due to the hallucinations of LLMs
. To address this, we further design the Cross-Modal Filtering and Fusion (CMFF) module. The filtering submodule utilizes audio and visual modalities to suppress irrational steps in the CoT, while the fusion submodule integrates high-level reasoning information and cross-modal complementary information in the process of semantic representation learning. Experimental results on two multimodal sentiment analysis benchmark datasets show that high-level reasoning information can help learn discriminative text representation, and cross-modal complementary information can avoid misleading by unreasonable steps in the CoT. MM-PEAR-CoT achieves the best results on both datasets, with improvements of 2.2% and 1.7% in binary classification accuracy on the CMU-MOSI and CMU-MOSEI datasets, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to apply CoT reasoning to multimodal sentiment analysis.
FXR deletion attenuates intestinal barrier dysfunction in murine acute intestinal inflammation
Authors: O’Guinn MaKayla L. , Handler David A. , Hsieh Jonathan J. , Mallicote Michael U. , Feliciano Karina , Gayer Christopher P.
Published: June 2024

Intestinal barrier failure is a hallmark in gut-origin sepsis. We demonstrate that the intestinal barriers of farnesoid-X receptor (FXR) knockout (KO) animals are protected from inflammatory insult using multiple models of acute intestinal inflammation. This protection is due to decreased inflammatory cytokine production and maintenance of tight junctional architecture seen within the KO animals. This is the first report of FXR deletion being protective to the intestinal barrier.
Colonocyte keratins stabilize mitochondria and contribute to mitochondrial energy metabolism
Authors: Nyström Joel H. , Heikkilä Taina R. H. , Thapa Keshav , Pulli Ilari , Törnquist Kid , Toivola Diana M.
Published: June 2024

In this study, we show that colonocyte intermediate filament protein keratin 8 is important for stabilizing mitochondria and maintaining mitochondrial energy metabolism, as keratin 8-deficient colonocytes display smaller, rounder, and more motile mitochondria, diminished mitochondrial respiration, and altered Ca2+ dynamics. Changes in fusion-regulating proteins are rescued with reexpression of keratin 8. These alterations in colonocyte mitochondrial homeostasis contribute to keratin 8-associated colitis pathophysiology.
Supplementary Table 1 from A Personalized Mass Spectrometry–Based Assay to Monitor M-Protein in Patients with Multiple Myeloma (EasyM)
Authors: Liyasova Mariya , McDonald Zac , Taylor Paul , Gorospe Kathleen , Xu Xin , Yao Chenyu , Liu Qixin , Yang Liqiang , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Piza Giovanni , Ma Bin , Reece Donna , Trudel Suzanne
Published: June 2024

The supplementary Table 1 compares the EasyM measurement with other available clinical data.