bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term assessment of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C after viral cure by direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Ogawa Eiichi , Nakamuta Makoto , Furusyo Norihiro , Kajiwara Eiji , Dohmen Kazufumi , Kawano Akira , Ooho Aritsune , Azuma Koichi , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Satoh Takeaki , Koyanagi Toshimasa , Yamashita Nobuyuki , Ichiki Yasunori , Yamashita Naoki , Kuniyoshi Masami , Yanagita Kimihiko , Amagase Hiromasa , Morita Chie , Sugimoto Rie , Kato Masaki , Shimoda Shinji , Nomura Hideyuki , Hayashi Jun ,   The Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim

Early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence is common, even after achieving hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure. This study was carried out to assess the long‐term trends and predictors of recurrence after HCV cure by direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs).

Methods

This retrospective, multicenter cohort study enrolled 365 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C who required HCC treatment following sustained viral response (SVR) by DAA administration. Patients with HCC recurrence before SVR were excluded. Late HCC recurrence and its predictors beyond the post‐treatment early phase (24 weeks after SVR) were evaluated.

Results

The data of 326 patients were available for the final analysis. The median follow‐up duration from SVR determination was 2.7 years. Median age was 74, and 220 (67.5%) were 70 or over. The corresponding 5‐year cumulative HCC recurrence rates of previous curative and palliative treatment groups were 45.4% and 65.7%, respectively (log‐rank test: P < 0.001). Cox regression multivariable analysis revealed that cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.85, P = 0.021), the number of HCC nodules (≥ 2) (HR 1.52, P = 0.031), and previous palliative HCC treatment (HR 1.71, P = 0.012) were independent predictors of late recurrence, in addition to the predictors of early recurrence; AFP > 7 ng/mL at 12 weeks after DAA administration, time from HCC complete response (CR) to DAA initiation (< 1 year), and the number of HCC treatments necessary to achieve CR (≥ 2).

Conclusions

The evaluation of fibrosis and characteristics of the previous HCC would allow for better HCC recurrence stratification, which would be helpful for developing long‐term surveillance strategies.
Characteristics and progression of childhood‐onset and adult‐onset eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Wong Stephanie , Ellison Samuel , Haj Ali Sara , Hawkes Joanna , Collinson Jane , O'Neill Thomas , Ruszkiewicz Andrew , Moore David , Holloway Richard H , Nguyen Nam Q
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim

The prevalence and incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has been increasing over recent years. However, the natural history remains incompletely understood particularly the differences in disease characteristics and progression of childhood‐onset and adult‐onset EoE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease characteristics and progression of childhood‐onset and adult‐onset EoE.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based study, on 87 adults and 67 children from 2 major tertiary hospitals in South Australia was conducted. Data of those who were diagnosed with EoE between 1999 and 2018 were collected and correlated with medical records.

Results

Of the 87 adults with EoE, 34 (39%) were diagnosed at the age of < 18 years (childhood‐onset EoE). Reflux symptoms were more common in childhood‐onset EoE, whereas asthma was more common in adult‐onset EoE. The median duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis of EoE was > 1–4 years in childhood‐onset disease (44%) and ≥ 10 years in adult‐onset disease (34%). Food impaction was significantly more common on initial presentation in those with adult‐onset EoE, whereas weight loss was more common in childhood‐onset EoE. At the time of questionnaire, regurgitation, abdominal pain, and bloating were more common in childhood‐onset EoE. Those with childhood‐onset EoE were more likely to have multiple symptoms at questionnaire when compared with their adult‐onset counterparts. In both groups, 15% (5/34 childhood‐onset EoE and 8/53 adult‐onset EoE) were asymptomatic at the time of questionnaire.

Conclusion

Childhood‐onset EoE appears to be a progressive disease from childhood to adulthood, however with more inflammatory‐type symptoms post transition compared to those with adult‐onset EoE.
Fisetin for COVID‐19 in skilled nursing facilities: Senolytic trials in the COVID era
Authors: Verdoorn Brandon P. , Evans Tamara K. , Hanson Gregory J. , Zhu Yi , Langhi Prata Larissa G. P. , Pignolo Robert J. , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Wissler‐Gerdes Erin O. , Kuchel George A. , Mannick Joan B. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Khosla Sundeep , Rizza Stacey A. , Walston Jeremy D. , Musi Nicolas , Lipsitz Lewis A. , Kiel Douglas P. , Yung Raymond , LeBrasseur Nathan K. , Singh Ravinder J. , McCarthy Teresa , Puskarich Michael A. , Niedernhofer Laura J. , Robbins Paul D. , Sorenson Matthew , Tchkonia Tamara , Kirkland James L.
Published: August 2021

The burden of senescent cells (SnCs), which do not divide but are metabolically active and resistant to death by apoptosis, is increased in older adults and those with chronic diseases. These individuals are also at the greatest risk for morbidity and mortality from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. SARS‐CoV‐2 complications include cytokine storm and multiorgan failure mediated by the same factors as often produced by SnCs through their senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP can be amplified by infection‐related pathogen‐associated molecular profile factors. Senolytic agents, such as Fisetin, selectively eliminate SnCs and delay, prevent, or alleviate multiple disorders in aged experimental animals and animal models of human chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Senolytics are now in clinical trials for multiple conditions linked to SnCs, including frailty; obesity/diabetes; osteoporosis; and cardiovascular, kidney, and lung diseases, which are also risk factors for SARS‐CoV‐2 morbidity and mortality. A clinical trial is underway to test if senolytics decrease SARS‐CoV‐2 progression and morbidity in hospitalized older adults. We describe here a National Institutes of Health‐funded, multicenter, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of Fisetin for older adult skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents who have been, or become, SARS‐CoV‐2 rtPCR‐positive, including the rationale for targeting fundamental aging mechanisms in such patients. We consider logistic challenges of conducting trials in long‐term care settings in the SARS‐CoV‐2 era, including restricted access, consent procedures, methods for obtaining biospecimens and clinical data, staffing, investigational product administration issues, and potential solutions for these challenges. We propose developing a national network of SNFs engaged in interventional clinical trials.
Effect of intrapartum vitamin D levels on labor pain
Authors: Koyucu Refika G. , Özcan Tuğba
Published: August 2021

Aim

Vitamin D has widespread receptor distribution in the body, and therefore it has vital roles in numerous pathophysiological conditions. It also affects pain manifestation through its functions at various stages of the pain pathways. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intrapartum vitamin D levels on pain experienced by women during the first stage of labor.

Methods

A total of 127 term‐nulliparous women at the early stage of labor were included in the study. Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were measured at the beginning of labor to determine intrapartum vitamin D levels. Labor pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale at different stages of cervical dilation (VAS0, VAS1, VAS2). Postpartum pain (VASpp) and women's birth satisfaction score (BSS) were also evaluated during the early postpartum period.

Results

There was a moderate negative correlation between vitamin D and VAS0 and VAS1 (r2 = 0.4, p = 0.000; r2 = −0.570, p = 0.000, respectively), and a weak negative correlation between vitamin D and VAS2 (r2 = −0.373, p = 0.000). No significant correlation was found between vitamin D and BSS and length of labor (p = 0.127, p = 0.126, respectively).

Conclusion

In nulliparous women with low vitamin D levels, the first stage of labor and the early postpartum period may be more painful. To facilitate management of labor pain, during the antenatal period vitamin D levels should be monitored, and in cases where the levels are deficient, vitamin D supplementation should be started.
Factors associated with paediatric and adolescent Emergency Department presentations involving acute behavioural disturbance events
Authors: Lovett Caitlyn J , Hiles Jo‐Anne , Calver Leonie , Pallas Jeremy D , Thomson Bowe Katherine , Downes Michael A
Published: August 2021

Aim

Studies reporting factors associated with paediatric/adolescent acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in the Emergency Department (ED) are lacking. The aim of this study is to describe paediatric/adolescent ED presentations involving ABD events.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of presentations involving ABD events, identified via hospital security log, to a tertiary referral paediatric ED during the 2017 calendar year. Data reported included: cause of presentation, use of sedation/physical restraint, ED/inpatient length of stay (LOS) and time requiring security staff presence.

Results

From 280 reported ABD episodes 26 were excluded leaving 254 events involving 150 patients across 233 presentations of whom 38 (25.3%) presented on multiple occasions. Median age was 14 years (interquartile range (IQR): 13–16), 132/233 (56.7%) were female, 167/233 (71.7%) primary mental health complaints, 30/233 (12.9%) deliberate self‐harm, 18/233 (7.7%) deliberate self‐poisoning, 11/233 (4.7%) acute intoxication and 7/233 (3.0%) other.

Transport to hospital involved police and ambulance in 124/233 (53.2%), ambulance only 71/233 (30.5%), police only 16/233 (6.9%), relative or carer 20/233 (8.6%), with self‐presentation in 2/233 (0.9%).

Sedation or physical restraint was used in 81/233 (34.8%), both 38/233 (16.3%), restraint only 26/233 (11.2%) and sedation only 17/234 (7.3%). Intra‐muscular droperidol accounted for 57/96 (59.4%) sedations, IM/IV benzodiazepines 15/96 (15.6%), IM/IV ketamine 5/96 (5.2%) and 19/96 (19.8%) other.

Discharge from ED occurred in 171/233 (73.1%) with median ED LOS 5.1 h (IQR: 3.5–7.7) and median hospital LOS 92.4 h (IQR: 47.5–273.4) for those admitted. The Mental Health Act was utilised in 183/233 (78.5%) presentations.

Median security staff time requirement per presentation was 2.4 h (IQR: 1.0–3.9).

Conclusions

Paediatric/adolescent ED presentations involving ABD are primarily due to mental health complaints. Less than half require the use of sedation/physical restraint. Time requiring security staff involvement is a significant resource consumption.
What do children think about doctors' communication at the Teddy Bear Hospital?
Authors: Moore David Edward , White Andrew , Jordan Brigid , Uahwatanasakul Wonie
Published: August 2021

Aim

Excellent communication is essential for health professionals working with children. Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) is an innovative method of developing paediatric communication skills in health‐care students. By exploring the child's perspective of medical students' communication at the TBH, we sought to better understand the role TBH plays in the development of the communication skills in medical students.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 31 children, aged 3–8 years old, who were attending a TBH run by third year medical students at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. These interviews were recorded and transcribed after which themes were generated by inductive content analysis using the programme NVivo 12.

Results

Children used mostly positive language when describing interactions with teddy doctors. However, almost half of the children could not recall the medical students explaining why their teddy was sick or how their teddy would get better. Furthermore, many teddies returned from TBH with medical issues different to their initial presentation.

Conclusions

The communication described at TBH was overwhelmingly positive with children describing little difference between medical students and actual doctors. However, the mismatch in teddy medical issues before and after a visit to TBH along with the lack of understanding on teddy health management plans, suggests the need for further evidence‐based training in communication skills for medical students to improve their ability to communicate with very young children.
Weighting admission scores to balance predictiveness‐diversity: The Pareto‐optimization approach
Authors: Lievens Filip , Sackett Paul R. , De Corte Wilfried
Published: August 2021

Context

Although many medical schools seek to improve diversity, they grapple with the challenge of how to weight the scores of different admission methods to achieve a balance between obtaining high predictiveness and ensuring diversity in the selected student pool. Yet, in large‐scale employment settings, substantial progress has been made on this front: Pareto‐optimization has been introduced as an elegant statistical tool to assist decision makers in determining the weights assigned to selection methods in advance (before the selection has taken place) so that a selection system is designed to achieve an optimal balance as reflected by the trade‐off that one outcome (e.g., predictiveness) cannot be improved without harm to the other outcome (e.g., diversity).

Aims

This paper reviews the theory and research evidence about Pareto‐optimization and explains how Pareto‐optimization permits medical schools to better balance predictiveness and diversity in medical admission systems.

Methods

After reviewing common weighting schemes (unit, regression‐based and ad hoc weighting) and their drawbacks, we introduce the theory and logic of Pareto‐optimization for better balancing predictiveness and diversity. To this end, we also offer an illustrative example. Next, we review the mathematical basis and available research evidence regarding Pareto‐optimization. Finally, we discuss potential criticisms (i.e., complexity and legal concerns).

Conclusions

Compared to traditional unit weighting, regression‐based weighting and ad hoc weighting, Pareto‐optimization leads to substantial increases in diversity intake (up to three times more), while keeping the predictiveness of the selection methods at the same level. Moreover, the Pareto‐optimization is robust to sampling variability and variability of the input selection parameters.
WIND transcription factors orchestrate wound‐induced callus formation, vascular reconnection and defense response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Iwase Akira , Kondo Yuki , Laohavisit Anuphon , Takebayashi Arika , Ikeuchi Momoko , Matsuoka Keita , Asahina Masashi , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Shirasu Ken , Fukuda Hiroo , Sugimoto Keiko
Published: August 2021

Wounding triggers de novo organogenesis, vascular reconnection and defense response but how wound stress evoke such a diverse array of physiological responses remains unknown.

We previously identified AP2/ERF transcription factors, WOUND INDUCED DEDIFFERENTIATION1 (WIND1) and its homologs, WIND2, WIND3 and WIND4, as key regulators of wound‐induced cellular reprogramming in Arabidopsis. To understand how WIND transcription factors promote downstream events, we performed time‐course transcriptome analyses after WIND1 induction.

We observed a significant overlap between WIND1‐induced genes and genes implicated in cellular reprogramming, vascular formation and pathogen response. We demonstrated that WIND transcription factors induce several reprogramming genes to promote callus formation at wound sites. We, in addition, showed that WIND transcription factors promote tracheary element formation, vascular reconnection and resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000.

These results indicate that WIND transcription factors function as key regulators of wound‐induced responses by promoting dynamic transcriptional alterations. This study provides deeper mechanistic insights into how plants control multiple physiological responses after wounding.
Weight loss interventions on health‐related quality of life in those with moderate to severe obesity: Findings from an individual patient data meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Buckell John , Mei Xue W. , Clarke Philip , Aveyard Paul , Jebb Susan A.
Published: August 2021

The relationship between BMI and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) critically affects regulatory approval of interventions for weight loss, but evidence of the association is inconsistent. A higher standard of evidence than that available was sought with an IPD meta‐analysis of 10,884 people enrolled in five randomized controlled trials of intentional weight loss interventions. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations of BMI and HRQoL were estimated in mixed effects models specifying a latent variable for HRQoL. Spline regressions captured nonlinear associations across the range of BMI. In cross‐sectional spline regressions, BMI was not associated with HRQoL for people with a BMI < 30 kg/m2 but was for those with a higher BMI. In longitudinal spline regressions, decreases in BMI were positively associated with HRQoL for people with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. The impact of change in BMI was larger for people with higher BMIs than for those with BMIs under 30 kg/m2. Lower BMI and decreases in BMI were related to higher HRQoL for people living with obesity but not in the population without excess weight. HRQoL gains from weight loss are greater for more severe obesity. Commissioners should use these estimates for future decision making.
Incongruent drivers of network, species and interaction persistence in food webs
Authors: McLeod Anne M. , Leroux Shawn J.
Published: August 2021

Communities can be described by species, interactions and the network of interactions which emerge from these building blocks. Networks are often summarized by diverse metrics which capture key components of network topology, for example, number of trophic levels, number of interactions per species (i.e. degree) and frequency of apparent competition modules (i.e. motifs). Network metrics are often used to predict whole community responses following a perturbation. Understanding whether our predictive capabilities at the network level are maintained at other levels of organization such as species and interaction levels is critical but rarely studied. Our objective was to determine whether we can use different network metrics (e.g. modularity, species roles) to predict which networks, species and interactions will persist following a perturbation. Given the nested structure of interactions, species and networks, we hypothesized that those metrics which were correlated with network persistence would be the same metrics correlated with which species and interactions persist and that the direction of these correlations would be maintained across organizational levels (i.e. network, species and interactions). We used numerical simulations of a dynamic food web model and model selection to test the relationships between network metrics (e.g. degree, modularity, motif profiles) and network, species and interaction‐level persistence. We found that out degree and frequency of both apparent and exploitative competition were the best predictors of species persistence, however all metrics were weak predictors of species persistence. This demonstrates that metrics which predict network persistence are not always the best predictors of species and interaction level persistence. Additionally, metrics can work in opposition depending on the organizational scope examined; for example interaction strength is positively correlated with interaction persistence, but negatively correlated with species persistence. Multiscale analysis of network metrics such as this one, may provide critical insight for advancing network‐based environmental management in the Anthropocene.
Immune mechanisms of Texel sheep to adult and egg stages of Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Weaver Andrew R. , Garza Javier J. , Greiner Scott P. , Bowdridge Scott A.
Published: August 2021

Experimental Haemonchus contortus (Hc) infections revealed that Texel sheep have faecal egg counts (FEC) comparable to parasite‐resistant St. Croix but adult worm burden comparable to parasite‐susceptible Suffolk sheep. The aim of these studies was to further investigate the mechanism causing this disparity. Cellular and humoral immune responses to adult‐ and egg stage Hc were compared amongst St. Croix, Texel and Suffolk sheep. Adult worms and eggs were exposed to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum from the three breeds in vitro. There was a greater IgA binding to eggs when treated with St. Croix and Texel serum (p < .05), and these eggs exhibited a lower hatch rate (p < .05) when exposed to serum and PBMC. Adult worms exposed to St. Croix and Texel‐derived PBMC, and serum had greater binding around the head and reproductive structures than worms exposed to Suffolk‐derived cells and serum. Consequently, egg release tended to be affected by breed (p = .09). To further examine differences, Suffolk and Texel lambs (n = 5/breed) were infected with 10,000 Hc L3 for 30 days. Suffolk sheep had greater egg release per worm than Texel (3.8 vs. 2.1 eggs/worm). Taken together, these data would indicate one of the mechanisms in Texel's targeting adult‐stage Hc reducing worm fecundity.
Comparing the population history of Neotropical annual species: The role of climate change and hybridization between Tithonia tubaeformis and T. rotundifolia (Asteraceae)
Authors: López‐Caamal A. , Tovar‐Sánchez E.
Published: August 2021

Historical climate changes and interspecific gene flow have played an important role in shaping the distribution and genetic diversity of the biota in the Neotropics. In this study, we explored the role of both the Pleistocene climate changes and hybridization on the contemporary geographic structure of two Neotropical weedy species: Tithonia tubaeformis and T. rotundifolia.

Distribution shifts under past and current climate conditions were explored through ecological niche modelling (ENM). We then tested these hypotheses using chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR) data in T. tubaeformis and compared the patterns deduced with those previously reported for T. rotundifolia using the same cpSSR loci. Lastly, we searched for shared haplotypes between species.

Both species exhibited significant downwards altitudinal shifts during the last interglacial (LIG) and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). For instance, T. rotundifolia showed large suitable habitat areas since the LIG at xeric conditions in western Mesoamerica. Tithonia tubaeformis showed a ~five‐fold range contraction during the LIG compared to current climate conditions, followed by a range expansion in the LGM. Despite the large shared refugial areas predicted through ENM, we found a low number of shared haplotypes, suggesting a minor role of hybridization in shaping the geographic structure of these species.

Our results provide additional patterns of the population history of the northern Neotropics during the Quaternary, and we suggest that weedy widespread species are a well‐suited group for the study of the effects of historic climatic changes on the biota of this region.
Policy or scientific messaging? Strategic framing in a case of subnational climate change conflict
Authors: Cann Heather W.
Published: August 2021

Climate change and the implementation of climate‐energy policies remains highly contentious in the United States. Prior research makes clear that the way polices are “framed” powerfully shapes how they are conceptualized. This article explores framing dynamics within a 2015–2016 case of subfederal climate‐energy policy conflict in the state of Illinois, which culminated with the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act: legislation that contained significant environmental initiatives. I investigate this episode through a process tracing case study, incorporating qualitative content analysis and semi‐structured interviews with stakeholders. Results suggest that stakeholders strategically framed their policies in terms of economic benefits, and other aspects of a policy's design, as opposed to focusing on climate change or climate science. In this way, Illinois was able to pass a comprehensive climate‐energy policy with bipartisan support—an outcome infrequently seen in other states around the country.
Climate and transportation policy sequencing in California and Quebec
Authors: Purdon Mark , Witcover Julie , Murphy Colin , Ziaja Sonya , Winfield Mark , Giuliano Genevieve , Séguin Charles , Kaiser Colleen , Papy Jacques , Fulton Lewis
Published: August 2021

We compare flexible low‐carbon regulations in the transportation sector and their interaction and sequencing with greenhouse gas emissions trading systems in California and Quebec. As momentum builds for greater climate action, it is necessary to better understand how carbon markets and other low‐carbon transportation policies influence one another. First, we demonstrate that emissions trading between California and Quebec has been asymmetric, with linking having little influence on carbon prices from California's perspective but leading to a considerable cost reduction from the point of view of Quebec. Second, we present evidence that Quebec has replicated many of California's low‐carbon transportation policies that promote increased electric vehicle use, where Quebec has an advantage, while deferring to the Canadian federal government with regard to policies that incentivize the production of other low‐carbon transportation fuels. Third, we demonstrate that while the stringency of the policy mix of carbon pricing and flexible transportation regulations has increased over time in both jurisdictions, the stringency of flexible regulations has been more aggressively ratcheted up and is expected to continue to dominate. Overall, our findings suggest that the policy sequence observed in California and Quebec can be attributed to the political economy benefits that the selected instruments confer to governments seeking to move from the middle towards the bottom of the clean technology experience curve. We discuss a number of important research questions and associated hypotheses emanating from our findings, which provide the basis for more in‐depth studies involving a larger universe of cases and economic sectors.
Cultivated Participation: Looking Closer at the Relationship Between Education and Participation1
Authors: McCollum Erica T.
Published: August 2021

Researchers have taken aim at the well‐established correlation between higher education and political participation, arguing much of the relationship is spurious. This has created an ongoing debate around what role, if any, education has in supporting participation, and continued questions around what underpins this relationship. Drawing on 63 semi‐structured interviews with young Canadians who went to school in low‐, mid‐, and high‐socioeconomic areas of Vancouver, I argue we can better answer these questions if we look at the influence of higher education in terms of a trajectory instead of an isolated treatment. Within these trajectories, I identify participatory social contexts (social contexts that produce participation as a desirable and expected activity) as key mechanisms that help develop dispositions for political participation. Participatory social contexts are more available to those on a trajectory of higher education, yet the experience of higher education itself appears to be of minor importance to participation.
“HLA‐10‐SNP”: A new qPCR‐based system for rapid, effective, and accurate detection of 10 important SNPs in the HLA region
Authors: Zheng Zhong‐Zheng , Li Dai‐Yang , Du Ke‐Ming , Xu Xiang , Wang Ning‐Juan , Yuan Zhi‐Yang , Li Bo‐An
Published: August 2021

Mastering the SNP content in the HLA region can be based on it to judiciously select unrelated donor stem cells with preferable MHC matching to lower postoperative complications. Herein, quantitative PCR‐based primers and probes were designed for 10 transplants outcome‐associated SNP loci with two‐allelic polymorphism, and then a new detection system (“HLA‐10‐SNP”) was established. Compared with Sanger sequencing, its accuracy has been proven to reach 100%. Additionally, fluorescent PCR typing of 10 important SNPs via this system expressed excellent repeatability (sensitivity, 20 ng). Overall, the new system achieves single‐sample classification precision and easily distinguishable results, equipped with the advantages of simple, rapid, accurate, and effective, promising to acquire widespread popularization and application in clinical settings.
A novel HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*50:04:02, detected in a Russian hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Loginova Maria , Smirnova Daria , Kutyavina Svetlana , Paramonov Igor , Zarubin Maksim
Published: August 2021

HLA‐B*50:04:02 differs from HLA‐B*50:04:01 by two silent mutations.
A genome‐wide association study reveals that the 2‐oxoglutarate/malate translocator mediates seed vigor in rice
Authors: Li Wenjun , Yang Bin , Xu Jiangyu , Peng Liling , Sun Shan , Huang Zhibo , Jiang Xiuhua , He Yongqi , Wang Zhoufei
Published: August 2021

Seed vigor is an important trait for the direct seeding of rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we examined the genetic architecture of variation in the germination rate using a diverse panel of rice accessions. Four quantitative trait loci for germination rate were identified using a genome‐wide association study during early germination. One candidate gene, encoding the 2‐oxoglutarate/malate translocator (OsOMT), was validated for qGR11. Disruption of this gene (Osomt mutants) reduced seed vigor, including seed germination and seedling growth, in rice. Functional analysis revealed that OsOMT influences seed vigor mainly by modulating amino acid levels and glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle processes. The levels of most amino acids, including the Glu family (Glu, Pro, Arg, and GABA), Asp family (Asp, Thr, Lys, Ile, and Met), Ser family (Ser, Gly, and Cys), and others (His, Ala, Leu, and Val), were significantly reduced in the mature grains and the early germinating seeds of Osomt mutants compared to wild type (WT). The glucose and soluble sugar contents, as well as adenosine triphosphate levels, were significantly decreased in germinating seeds of Osomt mutants compared to WT. These results provide important insights into the role of OsOMT in seed vigor in rice.
Protagonists of War
Authors: Fagel Raymond
Published: August 2021

Julián Romero, Sancho Dávila, Cristóbal de Mondragón, and Francisco de Valdés were prominent Spanish military commanders during the first decade of the Revolt in the Low Countries (1567–1577). Occupying key positions in this conflict, they featured as central characters in various war narratives and episodical descriptions of the events they were involved in, ranging from chronicles, poems, theatre plays, engravings, and songs to news pamphlets. To this day, they still figure as protagonists of historical novels: brave heroes in some, cruel oppressors in others. Yet personal, first-hand accounts also exist. Archival research into the letters written by these commanders now makes it possible to include their perspectives and the way they describe their own experiences. Looking through the eyes of four Spanish commanders, Protagonists of War provides the reader with an alternative reading of the Revolt, contrasting the subjective experiences of these protagonists with fictionalised perceptions.
Martin Versfeld
Authors: Wolff Ernst
Published: August 2021

Martin Versfeld (1909–1995) is one of South Africa’s greatest philosophers, appreciated by academics and activists, poets and the broader public. His masterful prose spans the tension between disquiet and joy. Detractor of the violent trends of modernity, a critic of apartheid from the first hour, he was among the first philosophers of ecology. At the same time he celebrated the generosity of the world and advocated an ethics of simplicity, drawing on mediaeval theology and Eastern wisdom. His philosophy offered food for thought in dark times of the 20th century, as it still does for us in the 21st century. This first book-length study on Versfeld is an invitation to think with him on justice and exploitation, cultural difference and human nature, religion and the environment, time and connectedness.
Experimental Investigation of Secondary Flows and Length Reduction for a Low-Pressure Compressor Transition Duct
Authors: Tsakmakidou Dimitra , Mariah Ian , Walker A. Duncan , Hall Chris , Simpson Harry
Published: August 2021

The need to reduce fuel-burn and emissions is pushing turbofan engines toward geared architectures with higher bypass ratios and small ultrahigh-pressure ratio cores. However, this increases the radial offset between compressor spools leading to a more challenging design for compressor transition ducts. For the duct connecting the fan to the engine core, this is further complicated by poor-quality flow generated at the fan hub, which is characterized by low total pressure and large rotating secondary flow structures. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of a new rotor designed to produce these larger flow structures and examines their effect on the performance of an engine sector stators (ESS) and compressor transition duct. Aerodynamic data were collected via five-hole probes, for time-averaged pressures and velocities and phase-locked hot-wire anemometry to capture the rotating secondary flows. The data showed that larger structures promoted mixing through the ESS increasing momentum exchange between the core and boundary layer flows. Measurements within the duct showed a continued reduction in the hub boundary layer, suggesting the duct had moved further from separation. Consequently, an aggressive duct with 12.5% length reduction was designed and tested and measurements confirmed the duct remained fully attached. Total pressure loss was slightly increased over the ESS, but this was offset by reduced loss in the duct due to improved flow quality. Overall, this length reduction represents a significant cumulative effect in reduced fuel-burn and emissions over the life of an engine.
Test and Theory for a Refined Structural Model of a Hirth Coupling
Authors: Kim Baik Jin , Oh Joseph , Palazzolo Alan
Published: August 2021

Hirth coupling transmits high torques in the rotating assemblies of compressors and turbines. Their mating surface contacts cause local changes in lateral shaft stiffness. This is affected by the teeth geometry, contact surface area, coupling preload, and surface finish at the contact faces. Industry practice ignores localized lateral flexibility from the Hirth coupling, or is guided by limited experience-based rules of thumb. The authors provide a novel modeling approach utilizing 3D solid finite elements which accounts for contact deformations, intricate interface teeth geometries, stress concentration, and surface finish. This provides an increased accuracy localized stiffness model for the Hirth coupling, to improve rotordynamic response predictions. Free–free natural frequencies of a test rotor including a Hirth coupling are experimentally measured. The rotor is instrumented with strain gauges for preload force measurements, and the Hirth coupling contacting surface profiles are measured with a stylus type surface profiler. A GW contact model is obtained from the measured surface profiles. An iterative computation algorithm is utilized to calculate Hirth coupling contact stiffness and contact pressure at the complex-shaped contact surfaces. Predicted and measured natural frequencies are compared versus preload.
Fretting Fatigue—An Integral Simulation Approach to Strengthening by Shot Peening
Authors: Gerken Patrick , Richter Christoph H.
Published: August 2021

Fretting fatigue is a limiting factor in blade attachment design for turbomachinery. Shot peening is known to be a strength increasing measure against fatigue. It is applied not only to free surfaces of components under fatigue but also to contacting surfaces subject to fretting fatigue. The present work examines the effect of shot peening on fretting fatigue resistance in fixtures of rotor blades. The chosen integral approach allows the consideration of shot peening and subsequent fretting loading in one simulation. Thus, the residual stresses and material strengthening as well as the surface waviness due to the shot peening process are included in the fretting fatigue simulation. To achieve reasonable computation times a two-dimensioinal model, calibrated to a three-dimensional unit cell model, is employed. A comparative study on fatigue endurance limits is presented for the cases with and without shot peening. With view to the different failure mechanisms met in these two cases, an initiation evaluation is carried out with the Sines criterion for the unpeened condition; a fracture mechanics approach is shown to be necessary for the evaluation of the shot peened condition.
Lymphatic-specific intracellular modulation of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling improves lymphatic growth and function
Authors: Kataru Raghu P. , Baik Jung Eun , Park Hyeung Ju , Ly Catherine L. , Shin Jinyeon , Schwartz Noa , Lu Theresa T. , Ortega Sagrario , Mehrara Babak J.
Published: August 2021

The lymphatic network can be expanded in size and function by enhancing intracellular VEGFR3 signaling.
Burning the Candle at Both Ends: Have Exoribonucleases Driven Divergence of Regulatory RNA Mechanisms in Bacteria?
Authors: Mediati Daniel G. , Lalaouna David , Tree Jai J.
Published: August 2021

Regulatory RNAs have emerged as ubiquitous gene regulators in all bacterial species studied to date. The combination of sequence-specific RNA interactions and malleable RNA structure has allowed regulatory RNA to adopt different mechanisms of gene regulation in a diversity of genetic backgrounds.
Inhibiting Type VI Secretion System Activity with a Biomimetic Peptide Designed To Target the Baseplate Wedge Complex
Authors: Cherrak Y. , Filella-Merce I. , Schmidt V. , Byrne D. , Sgoluppi V. , Chaiaheloudjou R. , Betzi S. , Morelli X. , Nilges M. , Pellarin R. , Durand E.
Published: August 2021

New therapeutic options are urgently needed to fight drug-resistant and life-threatening infections. In contrast to antibiotics that inhibit the growth pathways of bacteria, the antivirulence strategy is a promising approach to disarm pathogens by interfering with bacterial virulence factors without exerting evolutionary pressure.
Viral Suppression of RIPK1-Mediated Signaling
Authors: Udawatte Darshika J. , Rothman Alan L.
Published: August 2021

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) has emerged as a key upstream regulator of cell death and inflammation. RIPK1-mediated signaling governs the outcome of signaling pathways initiated by tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), TLR4, retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-I)/melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA-5), and Z-binding protein 1 (ZBP1) by signaling for NF-κB activation, mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) and IRF3/7 phosphorylation, and cell death via apoptosis and necroptosis.
Evolution towards Virulence in a
Burkholderia
Two-Component System
Authors: Schaefers Matthew M. , Wang Benjamin X. , Boisvert Nicole M. , Martini Sarah J. , Bonney Sarah L. , Marshall Christopher W. , Laub Michael T. , Cooper Vaughn S. , Priebe Gregory P.
Published: August 2021

Infections caused by members of the
Burkholderia cepacia
complex (BCC) are a serious concern for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) as these bacteria are often resistant to many antibiotics. During long-term infection of CF patients with BCC, mutations in genes encoding the FixLJ system often become prevalent, suggesting that these changes may benefit the bacteria during infection.
Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: a Dynamic Interkingdom Biofilm Disease of
Candida
and
Lactobacillus
Authors: McKloud Emily , Delaney Christopher , Sherry Leighann , Kean Ryan , Williams Shanice , Metcalfe Rebecca , Thomas Rachael , Richardson Riina , Gerasimidis Konstantinos , Nile Christopher J. , Williams Craig , Ramage Gordon
Published: August 2021

RVVC is a significant burden, both economically and for women's health, but its prevalence is poorly documented globally due to the levels of self-treatment. Identifying triggers for development and recurrence of VVC and the pathogenesis of the microbes involved could considerably improve prevention and treatment options for women with recurrent, azole-resistant cases.
Robotic enucleation of a biliary adenofibroma
Authors: Blears Elizabeth , Uemura Tadahiro , Bunker Mark
Published: August 2021

A 69-year-old man was referred to the hepatobiliary surgeons for mild enlargement of an asymptomatic cystic liver lesion found on routine screening in 2017 that measured 3.7×3.6×4.3 cm. Work-up with MRI revealed a complex multilocular cyst that had enlarged to 6.6×5.5×4.6 cm. Other work-up was unremarkable. He had a Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 1; therefore, a surgical excision was planned due to the possibility for malignancy. A robotic approach with enucleation of the lesion was undertaken, with plans for return for a wider resection if pathological examination revealed malignancy. The lesion was noted to be a biliary adenofibroma, an exceptionally rare lesion that is thought to be benign, but requires excision due to potential malignant degeneration. The patient was discharged home the following day and has had minimal pain in his postoperative course.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy caused by infusion reaction to paclitaxel
Authors: Micho Ulbeh Tarec , Sara Amir , Uddin Mohammed M , Bell Kendall , Elmograbi Adel , Cardozo Shaun
Published: August 2021

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) secondary to an infusion reaction is extremely rare in the literature. Here, we present an unusual case of TCM in a patient with cervical squamous cell carcinoma who presented with acute hypoxic respiratory failure following the initiation of the first-cycle paclitaxel infusion therapy.
Implementing screening for social determinants of health using the Core 5 screening tool
Authors: Bradywood Alison , Leming-Lee Treasa "Susie" , Watters Richard , Blackmore Craig
Published: August 2021

Social determinants of health (SDOH) have been documented to underpin 80% of overall health and are being increasingly recognised as key factors in addressing tertiary health outcomes. Yet, despite the widespread acceptance of the association of SDOH with health outcomes, more than two-thirds of hospitals do not screen for social risk factors that indicate individual-level adverse SDOH. Such screening for social risk factors represents the first step in connecting patients with resources and documents the prevalence of social needs. The aim of this project was to implement the Core 5 social risk screening tool and evaluate its efficacy and usability in identifying social risk factors in a presurgical spine population. Prior to this implementation, screening for social risk had not been performed. The Model for Improvement provided a framework for implementing and evaluating the Core 5 social risk screening tool. Methods included implementation of a patient self-report social risk screening tool, referral workflow to connect patients with needed resources and evaluation of staff feasibility in using the Core 5 tool. The results indicated that the screening tool identified patients with social risk factors and staff reported perceptions of efficacy and usability in clinical workflow. Overall, 52 of 88 (59%) of subjects in the presurgical spine population were effectively screened. Of these, five patients (10%) had identified social needs that needed to be addressed prior to surgery. The staff usability survey for the Core 5 tool demonstrated high acceptance and usability, with an average score of 4.4 (out of 5). Future work should evaluate the efficacy of the screening tool in other ambulatory and tertiary settings.
Education can Improve Clinician Confidence in Information Sharing and Willingness to Refer to Stem Cell Clinical Trials for Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Paton Madison Claire Badawy , Finch-Edmondson Megan , Galea Claire , Garrity Natasha , Fahey Michael Collingwood , Novak Iona
Published: August 2021

To progress stem cell therapies for cerebral palsy, clinicians need to openly engage with patients about emerging evidence and be willing to refer to relevant clinical trials, if and when appropriate. To assess whether education can change clinicians’ confidence in information sharing and willingness to refer to relevant clinical trials, an online questionnaire was distributed at a scientific conference before and after a professional workshop on cell therapies for cerebral palsy. Of the 42 participants who completed the survey, 26 self-identified as clinicians. Of these, 81% had had patients ask about stem cells, yet in the pre-workshop questionnaire indicated they were not confident answering questions about cell therapies. Clinicians were most commonly asked about stem cell treatments provided by private clinics, stem cell research and current evidence. Post-workshop, knowledge and confidence regarding stem cells, as well as likelihood to refer to clinical trials using therapies with a strong evidence base (eg, umbilical cord blood/placental cells), significantly increased (p<0.001). This study highlights that by offering resources and education, clinician confidence and willingness to refer to cell therapy trials can improve; this may help drive the stem cell research landscape and support patient decision-making.
The oldest occurrence of brachylophosaurin hadrosaurids in Canada
Authors: Thompson Michael G.W. , Bedek Fern V. , Schröder-Adams Claudia , Evans David C. , Ryan Michael J.
Published: August 2021

Hadrosaurids are a diverse and widely distributed group of ornithischian dinosaurs that are particularly well represented in the upper Campanian Dinosaur Park Formation of the Belly River Group of Alberta. However, the origin of this hadrosaurid diversity in Alberta is poorly understood, as the lower Campanian terrestrial deposits of the underlying Oldman and Foremost formations of the group have produced comparatively few body fossils. Here we provide the first description of a partially articulated hadrosaurid and hadrosaurid material from a bonebed from the Foremost Formation and refer it to the brachylophosaurin Probrachylophosaurus sp. indet. The material represents the oldest occurrence of Brachylophosaurini in Alberta and the oldest known hadrosaurid diagnostic to the genus level from Canada. In Alberta, Hadrosaurinae display a distinct pattern of replacement with the tribes Brachylophosaurini and Kritosaurini being confined to the lower to middle Campanian strata (below the marine Bearpaw Formation) and replaced above the Bearpaw Formation by members of Saurolophini (Prosaurolophus, Saurolophus) and Edmontosaurini (Edmontosaurus), with the latter clade persisting to the end of the Maastrichtian. Although the worldwide stratigraphic distribution of the Hadrosaurinae is complex, this pattern generally holds true for northern Laramidian hadrosaurine tribes, suggesting that their pattern of evolution and replacement may be driven by some common underlying factor such as an environmental response to fluctuations in the margins of the Western Interior Seaway due to sea level change.