bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silicon alleviates drought damage by increasing antioxidant and photosynthetic performance in cowpea
Authors: de Sousa Leite Wallace , de Souza Miranda Rafael , de Moura Rocha Maurisrael , Dutra Alexson Filgueiras , Santos Amanda Soares , da Silva Alana Cavalcante , de Brito Flávia Marques , de Sousa Ricardo Silva , de Araújo Ademir Sergio Ferreira , do Nascimento Clístenes Williams Araújo , Zuffo Alan Mario , de Alcântara Neto Francisco
Published: June 2023

Water deficits have been considered the most restrictive environmental constraint on agricultural production worldwide. The current study aimed to investigate the role of silicon nutrition (Si) in activating defence mechanisms against drought damage in cowpea cultivars. The experiments were carried out in a randomized block design in a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two cowpea cultivars (BRS Novaera and BRS Tumucumaque), two water regimes (control well‐irrigated and water deficit) and four Si levels (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mM). Plant growth and physiological and biochemical indicators were evaluated 28 days after drought imposition. Drought significantly reduced the photosynthetic pigments (Chl b and Chl total), gas exchanges (net photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance) and, consequently, all growth parameters of cowpea plants compared with well‐irrigated plants. However, Si at 2.0 mM activated critical responses in the BRS Novaera cultivar under drought, almost recovering plant performance and increasing drought tolerance. The beneficial Si‐induced effects were closely related to increased accumulation of Si, carbohydrates and free amino acids that likely promoted osmoregulation and were associated with an improved antioxidant system composed of proline and the activity of SOD, CAT and APX. These metabolic alterations were sufficient to enable enhanced net photosynthesis and plant growth. In conclusion, Si counteracts the deleterious effects of water deficit by efficiently inducing antioxidant defence and photosynthetic performance in Novaera plants. Si nutrition may constitute a potential strategy to cultivate cowpea plants in water‐scarce areas from arid and semiarid regions.
One‐step fabrication of Li2TiO3 ceramic pebbles using pulsed YAG laser
Authors: Mukai Keisuke
Published: June 2023

A large amount of Li‐containing ceramic breeder pebbles is packed in the solid breeding blanket of a nuclear fusion reactor. Several pebble fabrication technologies have been proposed in previous studies, including wet process, emulsion method, extrusion spheronization, additive manufacturing, and melt process. However, a simple, energy‐effective, and scalable fabrication technology remains to be developed for the automated mass production and reprocessing of used radioactive pebbles post‐operation. Selective laser melting potentially enables the quick and automated fabrication of breeder pebbles. Herein, we employ a high‐power density pulse laser to produce ceramic breeder pebbles. A pulsed YAG laser was irradiated over a lithium metatitanate (Li2TiO3) powder bed in air, and the corresponding temperature was monitored using fiber‐type infrared pyrometers. Spherical Li2TiO3 pebbles were successfully fabricated in a single step with an average diameter of 0.78 ± 0.13 μm and the sintering density of 87.4% ± 5.6% (input power: 7.9 J/pulse). The irradiated Li2TiO3 powder melted and turned spherical under surface tension and rapidly solidified, resulting in uniaxial fine grains and a decrease in the degree of long‐range cation ordering.
Schisandra extract ameliorates arthritis pathogenesis by suppressing the NF‐κB and MAPK signalling pathways
Authors: Han Seong Jae , Lee Hyemi , Nam Jiho , Pan Cheol‐Ho , Jeon Jimin , Yang Siyoung
Published: June 2023

Schisandra chinensis is a medicinal plant used to treat various diseases. Extracts from the leaves or fruits of S. chinensis and their components are used in osteoarthritis (OA). The OA inhibitory effect of schisandrol A, one of its components, has been previously confirmed. We aimed to confirm the OA inhibitory effect of Schisandra (including components like schisandrol A) to identify why the inhibitory effect of the Schisandra extract is better. First, we investigated the effects of the Schisandra extract on OA as a potential therapeutic. Experimental OA was induced in a mouse model via destabilized medial meniscus surgery. The animals were orally administered the Schisandra extract; the inhibition of cartilage destruction was confirmed using histological analysis. In vitro analysis showed that the Schisandra extract attenuated osteoarthritic cartilage destruction by regulating IL‐1β‐induced MMP3 and COX‐2 levels. The Schisandra extract inhibited IL‐1β‐induced degradation of IκB (NF‐κB pathway) and IL‐1β‐induced phosphorylation of p38 and JNK (mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway). RNA‐sequencing analysis showed that the Schisandra extract decreased the expression of IL‐1β‐induced MAPK and NF‐κB signalling pathway‐related genes more than schisandrol A alone. Therefore, Schisandra extract may be more effective than schisandrol A in preventing OA progression by regulating MAPK and NF‐κB signalling.
Geriatrics Fellows Learning Online And Together (Geri‐a‐FLOAT): A sustainable model of learning and support
Authors: Beiting Kimberly J. , Chippendale Ryan Z. , Goroncy Anna , Duggan Maria C.
Published: June 2023

Background

Geriatrics Fellows Learning Online And Together (Geri‐a‐FLOAT) is a virtual curriculum designed to convene fellows nationwide for learning and peer support. This paper presents the expansion and evaluation of the program from the “Wave 1” pilot to the “Wave 2” year‐long curriculum.

Methods

Kern's six‐step approach to curriculum development was used to develop the Wave 2 curriculum. Participation was collected via Zoom. Post‐session web‐based surveys evaluated participant satisfaction regarding speaker, content, and overall session quality; intent‐to‐change; and a free‐response section. A one‐year follow‐up survey sent to participants with valid e‐mail addresses assessed sustained knowledge, skills, and behavior change.

Results

Nineteen sessions were held with mean (SD) of 23 (13) participants per session, totaling 182 unique participants. Fifteen of 19 sessions were evaluated with 96 evaluations completed (mean [SD] 6 [4] evaluations per session). Mean (SD) ratings per session that were excellent or above average was 100% (0) for content, 99% (4) for speaker, and 99% (4) overall. Mean (SD) evaluations per session noting intent to change was 90% (14). Respondents reported helpful aspects as sharing resources and examples, perspectives and experiences of others, professional connections, and collaborative discussion. Of 127 participants with valid e‐mail addresses, 40 (response rate = 31%) completed the one‐year follow‐up survey. Mean (SD) respondents reporting some or significant sustained impact was 89% (7) across all learning outcomes.

Conclusions

This virtual, national curriculum for geriatrics fellows was well‐received and associated with high rates of self‐reported, sustained impact one‐year post curriculum. Geri‐a‐FLOAT may be a model to standardize education and build collaboration and peer support across a discipline.
Sex‐based differences in the association between loneliness and polypharmacy among older adults in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Im James H. B. , Bronskill Susan E. , Strauss Rachel , Gruneir Andrea , Guan Jun , Boblitz Alexa , Lu Mindy , Rochon Paula A. , Savage Rachel D.
Published: June 2023

Background

Emerging evidence shows loneliness is associated with polypharmacy and high‐risk medications in older adults. Despite notable sex‐based differences in the prevalence in each of loneliness and polypharmacy, the role of sex in the relationship between loneliness and polypharmacy is unclear. We explored the relationship between loneliness and polypharmacy in older female and male respondents and described sex‐related variations in prescribed medication subclasses.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of representative data from the Canadian Community Health Survey—Healthy Aging cycle (2008/2009) linked to health administrative databases in Ontario respondents aged 66 years and older. Loneliness was measured using the Three‐Item Loneliness Scale, with respondents classified as not lonely, moderately lonely, or severely lonely. Polypharmacy was defined as five or more concurrently‐prescribed medications. Sex‐stratified multivariable logistic regression models with survey weights were used to assess the relationship between loneliness and polypharmacy. Among those with polypharmacy, we examined the distribution of prescribed medication subclasses and potentially inappropriate medications.

Results

Of the 2348 individuals included in this study, 54.6% were female respondents. The prevalence of polypharmacy was highest in those with severe loneliness both in female (no loneliness, 32.4%; moderate loneliness, 36.5%; severe loneliness, 44.1%) and male respondents (32.5%, 32.2%, and 42.5%). Severe loneliness was significantly associated with greater adjusted odds of polypharmacy in female respondents (OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.01–2.50) but this association was attenuated after adjustment in male respondents (OR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.56–1.80). Among those with polypharmacy, antidepressants were more commonly prescribed in female respondents with severe loneliness (38.7% [95% CI: 27.3–50.0]) compared to those who were moderately lonely (17.7% [95% CI: 9.3–26.2]).

Conclusions

Severe loneliness was independently associated with polypharmacy in older female but not male respondents. Clinicians should consider loneliness as an important risk factor in medication reviews and deprescribing efforts to minimize medication‐related harms, particularly in older women.
Genetic ablation of Saposin‐D in Krabbe disease eliminates psychosine accumulation but does not significantly improve demyelination
Authors: Watanabe Takashi , Tsuboi Kazuhito , Matsuda Nobuaki , Ishizuka Yuta , Go Shinji , Watanabe Etsuko , Ono Ayaka , Okamoto Yasuo , Matsuda Junko
Published: June 2023

Krabbe disease is an inherited demyelinating disease caused by a genetic deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme galactosylceramide (GalCer) β‐galactosidase (GALC). The Twitcher (Twi) mouse is a naturally occurring, genetically and enzymatically authentic mouse model that mimics infantile‐onset Krabbe disease. The major substrate for GALC is the myelin lipid GalCer. However, the pathogenesis of Krabbe disease has long been explained by the accumulation of psychosine, a lyso‐derivative of GalCer. Two metabolic pathways have been proposed for the accumulation of psychosine: a synthetic pathway in which galactose is transferred to sphingosine and a degradation pathway in which GalCer is deacylated by acid ceramidase (ACDase). Saposin‐D (Sap‐D) is essential for the degradation of ceramide by ACDase in lysosome. In this study, we generated Twi mice with a Sap‐D deficiency (Twi/Sap‐D KO), which are genetically deficient in both GALC and Sap‐D and found that very little psychosine accumulated in the CNS or PNS of the mouse. As expected, demyelination with the infiltration of multinucleated macrophages (globoid cells) characteristic of Krabbe disease was milder in Twi/Sap‐D KO mice than in Twi mice both in the CNS and PNS during the early disease stage. However, at the later disease stage, qualitatively and quantitatively comparable demyelination occurred in Twi/Sap‐D KO mice, particularly in the PNS, and the lifespans of Twi/Sap‐D KO mice were even shorter than that of Twi mice. Bone marrow‐derived macrophages from both Twi and Twi/Sap‐D KO mice produced significant amounts of TNF‐α upon exposure to GalCer and were transformed into globoid cells. These results indicate that psychosine in Krabbe disease is mainly produced via the deacylation of GalCer by ACDase. The demyelination observed in Twi/Sap‐D KO mice may be mediated by a psychosine‐independent, Sap‐D‐dependent mechanism. GalCer‐induced activation of Sap‐D‐deficient macrophages/microglia may play an important role in the neuroinflammation and demyelination in Twi/Sap‐D KO mice.

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Telenursing needs and influencing factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhou Jian , Dang Wantai , Luo Zongting , Fan Xinxin , Shi Hui , Deng Na , Xiong Guizhi
Published: June 2023

Aims and Objectives

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the demand for telenursing and the chronic illness resources available to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as well as the factors that affect this requirement.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

This study included 586 participants with T2DM. A telenursing needs questionnaire developed by the research team was used to assess the telenursing needs of patients with T2DM, and the Chinese version of the Chronic Illness Resources Survey was used to assess the participants' community chronic disease resources. A one‐way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were used to determine the factors influencing the demand for telenursing and to estimate the relationship between chronic illness resources and the need for telenursing. The STROBE checklist was followed.

Results

The patients' telenursing needs, ranked from high to low, are as follows: individualized skills and safety; basic disease care; psychological and spiritual needs; respect and social support; and high‐level health management. The chronic disease resource score was 3.47 ± .02, which suggested that patients with T2DM have relatively rich disease resources. Multiple regression analyses showed that resources for chronic diseases, the course of diabetes and complications, family income and other chronic diseases accounted for 79.6% of the variance in T2DM patients' telenursing needs.

Conclusions

The telenursing needs of patients with T2DM are prominent, and primarily focus on basic nursing needs for the disease. To some extent, chronic disease resources affect the telenursing needs of patients with T2DM.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

It is crucial to pay attention to research on telenursing for T2DM patients from the patients' perspective. Enhancing resources for chronic diseases may help meet the telenursing needs of T2DM patients.

Patient or Public Contribution

Parents and diabetes management specialists participated in designing the telenursing needs questionnaire.
Specialization in Bank Lending: Evidence from Exporting Firms
Authors: PARAVISINI DANIEL , RAPPOPORT VERONICA , SCHNABL PHILIPP
Published: June 2023

We develop a novel approach for measuring bank specialization using granular data on borrower activities and apply it to Peruvian exporters and their banks. We find that borrowers seek credit from banks that specialize in their export destinations, both when expanding exports and when exporting to new countries. Firms experiencing country‐specific export demand shocks adjust borrowing disproportionately from specialized banks. Specialized bank credit supply shocks affect exports disproportionately to countries of specialization. Our results demonstrate that firm credit demand is bank‐ and activity‐specific, which reduces banking competition and affects the transmission and amplification of shocks through the banking sector.
Thought Work: The Hesitant Transition to Nationalism in China's 1980s
Authors: Zhou Luyang
Published: June 2023

Many scholars note that since the early 1990s, the CCP has been invoking Chinese nationalism to rescue the party's declining ideological legitimacy. Probing China's political indoctrination (thought work), this article makes two contributions to such conventional consensus. First, empirically it argues that the rise of nationalism in the 1990s was not altogether new. Instead, from the early 1980s, the CCP had been switching to “patriotism.” Second, this article argues that the communist regime's transition to nationalism was hesitant. It was an interactive process whereby multiple layers of the society and elite, confused alike, worked together to explore whether and how to embrace nationalism. The nation‐building also bore the imprint of the revolutionary and state‐socialist past. This article suggests that though the nation‐state has become the dominant political format of the world, as a pattern it fuses with a society's traditions, preconditions, and internal struggles. Such fusions made nation‐building in the non‐Western world unseparated from quasi‐national legacies such as revolution and socialism and could yield consequences other than capitalism and democracy.
Increased risk of retinopathy of prematurity since increasedO2saturation targets: A multi‐centre study
Authors: Isaacs Michael , Shah Shaheen P , Dai Shuan , Cartwright David
Published: June 2023

Background/Aims

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of visual impairment in premature neonates. The BOOST II, SUPPORT and COT trials recommended increasing O2saturation targets for pre‐term neonates to reduce mortality; however, this is a risk factor for ROP. We aimed to determine whether these targets increased prevalence of ROP among pre‐term neonates and higher risk groups.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study conducted using data from the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network. 17 298 neonate cohort born 2012–2018 at <32 weeks' GA and/or <1500 g BW was analysed. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated for post‐2015 risk of: any ROP; ROP ≥ Stage 2; and treated ROP. Sub‐analysis stratified at <28 GA, < 26 weeks' GA, <1500 g BW and <1000 g BW was performed.

Results

Risk of any ROP increased in the post‐2015 group (aOR = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14–1.32), <28 weeks' GA (aOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.17–1.46), <26 weeks (aOR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.28–1.91), <1500 g (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.14–1.34) and <1000 g (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.20–1.50). ROP ≥ Stage 2 increased at <28 weeks (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.16–1.46), <26 weeks (aOR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.28–1.91), <1500 g (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.08–1.30), and <1000 g (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.13–1.42).

Conclusion

O2therapy guidelines since 2015 have resulted in decreased mortality but increased risk of ROP. Individualised NICU adjustments of ROP screening/follow‐up methods are necessary to address the clinical burden.
Palynological and macroscopic characters evidence infer the evolutionary history and insight into pollination adaptation in Impatiens (Balsaminaceae)
Authors: Song Yong‐Xiu , Hu Tian , Peng Shuai , Cong Yi‐Yan , Hu Guang‐Wan
Published: June 2023

The genus Impatiens comprises more than 1000 species and displays enormous morphological diversity. As a taxon that is notoriously difficult to classify morphologically, the taxonomic significance of pollen morphology has been discussed in previous studies. However, there was only limited study on the evolution of palynological and macroscopic character in this genus before. In this paper, we observed pollen of 143 species of Impatiens, including all representatives of infrageneric groups and discussed their taxonomic value. Meanwhile, based on the reconstructed phylogenetic framework, we selected five pollen traits, and nine macroscopic traits including both vegetative and reproductive organs for evolutionary analysis. The character reconstruction showed that the morphology and number of aperture, granules in lumina, seed number of per capsule, number of sepals, lateral united petals connate, spur length, and phyllotaxy could be identified as unambiguous, while other characters were ambiguous in the last common ancestor of Impatiens. The results of comprehensively macroscopic characters and palynological evidence suggest that these traits experienced a complicated evolution, exhibit high levels of instability and variability and occur character multiple reversals in the evolutionary processes of Impatiens due to different selection pressures. In addition, we found that there is an evident mosaic evolution in this genus. Pollen and macroscopic character are conserved with a slower evolutionary rate in the I. subgen. Clavicarpa, however, these characters showed higher diversity with a rapid rate of evolution in the I. subgen. Impatiens. Furthermore, the relationship between floral morphology and pollinators was discussed.
Functional recovery after ischemic stroke: Impact of different sleep health parameters
Authors: Denis Claire , Jaussent Isabelle , Guiraud Lily , Mestejanot Caroline , Arquizan Caroline , Mourand Isabelle , Chenini Sofiène , Abril Beatriz , Wacongne Anne , Tamisier Renaud , Baillieul Sébastien , Pepin Jean‐Louis , Barateau Lucie , Dauvilliers Yves
Published: June 2023

Sleep disturbances after ischaemic stroke include alterations of sleep architecture, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, daytime sleepiness and insomnia. Our aim was to explore their impacts on functional outcomes at month 3 after stroke, and to assess the benefit of continuous positive airway pressure in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Ninety patients with supra‐tentorial ischaemic stroke underwent clinical screening for sleep disorders and polysomnography at day 15 ± 4 after stroke in a multisite study. Patients with severe obstructive apnea (apnea–hypopnea index ≥ 30 per hr) were randomized into two groups: continuous positive airway pressure‐treated and sham (1:1 ratio). Functional independence was assessed with the Barthel Index at month 3 after stroke in function of apnea–hypopnea index severity and treatment group. Secondary objectives were disability (modified Rankin score) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale according to apnea–hypopnea index. Sixty‐one patients (71.8 years, 42.6% men) completed the study: 51 (83.6%) had obstructive apnea (21.3% severe apnea), 10 (16.7%) daytime sleepiness, 13 (24.1%) insomnia, 3 (5.7%) depression, and 20 (34.5%) restless legs syndrome. Barthel Index, modified Rankin score and Stroke Scale were similar at baseline and 3 months post‐stroke in the different obstructive sleep apnea groups. Changes at 3 months in those three scores were similar in continuous positive airway pressure versus sham‐continuous positive airway pressure patients. In patients with worse clinical outcomes at month 3, mean nocturnal oxygen saturation was lower whereas there was no association with apnea–hypopnea index. Poorer outcomes at 3 months were also associated with insomnia, restless legs syndrome, depressive symptoms, and decreased total sleep time and rapid eye movement sleep.
The damaging duo: Obesity and excess dietary salt contribute to hypertension and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Watso Joseph C. , Fancher Ibra S. , Gomez Dulce H. , Hutchison Zachary J. , Gutiérrez Orlando M. , Robinson Austin T.
Published: June 2023

Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among adults worldwide. In this review, we focus on two of the most critical public health challenges that contribute to hypertension—obesity and excess dietary sodium from salt (i.e., sodium chloride). While the independent effects of these factors have been studied extensively, the interplay of obesity and excess salt overconsumption is not well understood. Here, we discuss both the independent and combined effects of excess obesity and dietary salt given their contributions to vascular dysfunction, autonomic cardiovascular dysregulation, kidney dysfunction, and insulin resistance. We discuss the role of ultra‐processed foods—accounting for nearly 60% of energy intake in America—as a major contributor to both obesity and salt overconsumption. We highlight the influence of obesity on elevated blood pressure in the presence of a high‐salt diet (i.e., salt sensitivity). Throughout the review, we highlight critical gaps in knowledge that should be filled to inform us of the prevention, management, treatment, and mitigation strategies for addressing these public health challenges.
Serum zinc and periodontitis in non‐diabetic smoking and non‐smoking adults: NHANES 2011–2014
Authors: Zhou Fangjing , Yao Shixin , Shan Fanxiu , Zhou Yang
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum zinc with periodontitis in non‐diabetics based on smoking status, using a representative sample of adults in the United States.

Methods

A total of 1051 participants who underwent full‐mouth periodontal examination and serum zinc testing were enrolled from NHANES 2011 to 2014. The covariate‐adjusted association of serum zinc concentrations with periodontitis was explored using multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic spines, and sensitivity analysis.

Results

The mean age of the 1051 adults was 54.5 years, 59.37% were male, and 20.65% had periodontitis. Analysis of the results showed that serum zinc was associated with periodontitis. The overall adjusted odds of periodontitis were 9% (odds ratio [OR]: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83–1.00) and 14% (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75–0.98) for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively. Smokers with T3 serum zinc exhibited a 53% reduction in the fully adjusted odds of periodontitis (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23–0.96), when compared to the reference group (T1 serum zinc), with serum zinc as the categorical variable.

Conclusions

Serum zinc levels were associated with the risk of periodontitis in non‐diabetic smokers but not non‐smokers.
Destigmatizing the Exegetical Attribution of Lies: The Case of Kant
Authors: Proops Ian , Sorensen Roy
Published: June 2023

Charitable interpreters of David Hume set aside his sprinkles of piety. Better to read him as lying than as clumsily inconsistent. We argue that the attribution of lies can pay dividends in historical scholarship no matter how strongly the theorist condemns lying. Accordingly, we show that our approach works even with one of the strongest condemners of lying: Immanuel Kant. We argue that Kant lied in his scholarly work and even in the first Critique. And we defend the claim that this lie attribution, strange as it may sound, amounts to a kind of scholarly charity.
Learning‐based encoded target detection on iteratively orthorectified images for accurate fisheye calibration
Authors: Dong Haonan , Yao Jian , Gong Ye , Li Li , Cao Shaosheng , Li Yuxuan
Published: June 2023

Fisheye camera calibration is an essential task in photogrammetry. However, previous calibration patterns and the robustness of the adjoint processing methods are limited due to the fisheye distortion and various lighting. This problem leads to additional manual intervention in the data collection. Moreover, it is arduous to accurately detect the board target under fisheye's distortion. To increase the robustness in this task, we present a novel encoded board “Meta‐Board” and a learning‐based target detection method. Additionally, an automatic image orthorectification is integrated to alleviate the distortion effect on the target iteratively until convergence. A low‐cost control field with the proposed boards is built for the experiment. Results on both virtual and real camera lenses and multi‐camera rigs show that our method can be robustly used in calibrating the fisheye camera and reaches state‐of‐the‐art accuracy.
A decrease of mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase increases the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 by dermal fibroblasts through the induction ofERstress
Authors: Katsuyama Yushi , Okano Yuri , Masaki Hitoshi
Published: June 2023

Background

We previously reported that the level of mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase (MITOL) protein in fibroblasts was decreased by UVA and that the knock‐down (KD) of MITOL increased the secretion of matrix metalloprotease‐1 (MMP‐1) by fibroblasts. A recent study reported that MITOL suppresses endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by stabilizing the interaction between ER and mitochondria (MT) through the ubiquitination of mitofusin 2. These facts suggest that a decrease of MITOL would increase the secretion of MMP‐1 through ER stress, but the detailed mechanism of that process in dermal fibroblasts remains unclear. Thus, this study was conducted to clarify the involvement of ER stress in the oversecretion of MMP‐1 induced by the decreased MT quality caused by MITOL‐KD.

Methods

MITOL‐KD normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDFs) were prepared by treating them with MITOL‐small interfering RNA, after which their MMP‐1 protein levels were measured. ER stress in NHDFs was evaluated by measuring the mRNA levels of spliced X‐box binding protein 1 (sXBP1) and the protein levels of inositol‐requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α).

Results

MITOL‐KD NHDFs enhanced the secretion of MMP‐1 via interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) elicited by the activation of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB). The secretion of MMP‐1 could be abrogated by a neutralizing IL‐6 antibody and by JSH23, which is an inhibitor of NF‐κB activation. Furthermore, MITOL‐KD NHDFs as well as UVA‐irradiated NHDFs showed increased ER stress levels. In addition, tunicamycin, which is an inducer of ER stress, also increased MMP‐1 secretion.

Conclusion

These results suggested that the decrease of MITOL caused the oversecretion of MMP‐1 via NF‐κB‐IL‐6 signaling through the activation of ER stress in fibroblasts.
Inflammatory responses during trichomoniasis: The role of Toll‐like receptors and inflammasomes
Authors: Jafarzadeh Abdollah , Nemati Maryam , Salarkia Ehsan , Yadav Sonal , Aminizadeh Najmeh , Jafarzadeh Sara , Yadav Manisha
Published: June 2023

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and inflammasomes belong to the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of innate immunity identifying conserved compounds produced by pathogens or discharged by injured cells. Different cell subsets in the human urogenital system, such as epithelial cells and infiltrating leukocytes, express different kinds of TLRs (such as TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9) as well as inflammasomes (such as NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2). Various types of theTrichomonas vaginalis‐derived components such as glycosyl‐phosphatidylinositol (GPI),T. vaginalis virus(TVV), Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) and flagellin can be recognized by TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR5, respectively, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the cervicovaginal mucosa. TheT. vaginalis‐induced inflammasomes can lead to pyroptosis as well as the release of IL‐1β and IL‐18 promoting innate and adaptive immune responses. The PRR‐mediated responses toT. vaginalismay contribute to the induction of protective immune responses, local inflammation, promotion of co‐infections, or even the development of malignancies, for example, prostate cancer. The protective or pathogenic roles of the TLRs and inflammasomes during trichomoniasis are highlighted in this review. A better understanding of PRR‐mediated responses provides invaluable insights to develop effective immunotherapeutic strategies againstT. vaginalisinfection.
The clinical performance and population health impact of birthweight‐for‐gestational age indices at term gestation
Authors: John Sid , Joseph K. S. , Fahey John , Liu Shiliang , Kramer Michael S.
Published: June 2023

Background

The assessment of birthweight for gestational age and the identification of small‐ and large‐for‐gestational age (SGA and LGA) infants remain contentious, despite the recent creation of the Intergrowth 21st Project and World Health Organisation (WHO) birthweight‐for‐gestational age standards.

Objective

We carried out a study to identify birthweight‐for‐gestational age cut‐offs, and corresponding population‐based, Intergrowth 21st and WHO centiles associated with higher risks of adverse neonatal outcomes, and to evaluate their ability to predict serious neonatal morbidity and neonatal mortality (SNMM) at term gestation.

Methods

The study population was based on non‐anomalous, singleton live births between 37 and 41 weeks' gestation in the United States from 2003 to 2017. SNMM included 5‐min Apgar score <4, neonatal seizures, need for assisted ventilation, and neonatal death. Birthweight‐specific SNMM was modelled by gestational week using penalised B‐splines. The birthweights at which SNMM odds were minimised (and higher by 10%, 50% and 100%) were estimated, and the corresponding population, Intergrowth 21st, and WHO centiles were identified. The clinical performance and population impact of these cut‐offs for predicting SNMM were evaluated.

Results

The study included 40,179,663 live births and 991,486 SNMM cases. Among female singletons at 39 weeks' gestation, SNMM odds was lowest at 3203 g birthweight, and 10% higher at 2835 g and 3685 g (population centiles 11th and 82nd, Intergrowth centiles 17th and 88th and WHO centiles 15th and 85th). Birthweight cut‐offs were poor predictors of SNMM, for example, the cut‐offs associated with 10% and 50% higher odds of SNMM among female singletons at 39 weeks' gestation resulted in a sensitivity, specificity, and population attributable fraction of 12.5%, 89.4%, and 2.1%, and 2.9%, 98.4% and 1.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Reference‐ and standard‐based birthweight‐for‐gestational age indices and centiles perform poorly for predicting adverse neonatal outcomes in individual infants, and their associated population impact is also small.
Effect of theGnRHstimulation test on Canine Prostatic‐Specific Esterase (CPSE)
Authors: Ferré‐Dolcet Lluis , Pisu Maria Carmela , Attard Simona , Romagnoli Stefano
Published: June 2023

The gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is used to investigate testicular production of testosterone (T) when performing a breeding soundness examination. In male dogs with fertility problems, the prostate should also be investigated as prostatic conditions may frequently lower semen quality. Serum concentrations of canine prostatic‐specific esterase (CPSE) increase in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). When performing a breeding soundness examination in a male dog, GnRH administration is frequently done at the beginning of the process and then both T and CPSE are assayed on the same serum sample collected 1 h following the GnRH injection. The aim of this study was to assess whether or not the administration of GnRH may alter CPSE concentrations in dogs with a healthy prostate. Twenty‐eight client‐owned intact adult male dogs were included in the study. Following a 7‐day sexual rest all male dogs underwent a clinical examination and an ultrasonographic examination of the prostatic gland. Prostatic size and parenchyma of every tested dog were evaluated by ultrasonography to assess prostatic conditions. Two different GnRH stimulation protocols were used,A = gonadorelin 50μg/dog SC (n = 15) andB = buserelin 0.12 μg/kg IV (n = 13). T and CPSE concentrations were measured before and 1 h after GnRH administration by a laser‐induced fluorescence analysis. Buserelin and gonadorelin were equally effective in causing a significant increase in serum T concentrations in the post GnRH sample. When considering the 28 dogs together, CPSE concentrations did not change following the stimulation test with either GnRH compound; however, in 4/28 cases, the post GnRH value was markedly increased to values compatible with a diagnosis of BPH. There was no difference in the action of buserelin or gonadorelin in causing an increase in serum T concentrations. CPSE secretion was increased in approximately 15% of dogs treated with either buserelin or gonadorelin. Therefore, whenever performing diagnostic testing in intact male dogs, CPSE should not be assayed on a post‐GnRH serum sample.
The logic of regulatory impact assessment: From evidence to evidential reasoning
Authors: Rantala Kati , Alasuutari Noora , Kuorikoski Jaakko
Published: June 2023

Agencies involved in generating regulatory policies promote evidence‐based regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) to improve the predictability of regulation and develop informed policy. Here, we analyze the epistemic foundations of RIAs. We frame RIA as reasoning that connects various types of knowledge to inferences about the future. Drawing on Stephen Toulmin's model of argumentation, we situate deductive and inductive reasoning steps within a schema we call the impact argument. This approach helps us identify inherent uncertainties in RIAs, and their location in different types of reasoning. We illustrate the theoretical section with impact assessments of two recent legislative proposals produced by the European Commission. We argue that the concept of “evidence‐based regulatory impact assessment” is misleading and should be based on the notion of “regulatory impact assessment as evidential reasoning,” which better recognizes its processual and argumentative nature.
How are emotions and beliefs expressed in legislative testimonies? An advocacy coalition approach
Authors: Gabehart Kayla M. , Fullerton Allegra H. , Crawford Anna M. , Weible Christopher M.
Published: June 2023

While emotions are an inherent component of the human experience that influence behavior, values, and beliefs, they have largely been left out of policy process studies theoretically and methodologically. Using the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF), with its focus on how individuals coalesce into coalitions around a set of common beliefs, we begin to situate emotions as a critical component of belief systems and discourse about public policies. This study analyzes legislative testimony from four policies debated during the 2021 Colorado Legislative Session using discourse analysis to identify the emotions and coalitional beliefs. We find that policy actors express emotions and beliefs similarly to other policy actors in the same coalition and differently from policy actors in the opposing coalition. We conclude this paper by discussing the theoretical and methodological contributions of including emotions in the ACF. The move to incorporate the analysis of emotional expressions, and hence the study of affect, into the ACF mirrors the ongoing incorporation of how people feel in politics and not just how they think.
Group‐based comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) for adults with Tourette syndrome or chronic tic disorders: A pilot study
Authors: Bekk Morten , Meland Karete J. , Moen Erna , Nøstvik Liv I. , Gausdal Anne‐Line , Hummelen Benjamin
Published: June 2023

Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) administered individually is an effective treatment for tics. However, the effectiveness of CBIT administered in groups for adults with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorders has not been investigated yet. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of group‐based CBIT with respect to reduction of tic severity and tic‐related impairment, as well as improvement of tic‐related quality of life. Data from 26 patients were included in the intention‐to‐treat analyses. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale was used to assess total tic severity and tic‐related impairment. The Gilles de la Tourette – Quality of Life Scale was used to assess tic‐related quality of life. These measures were administered at three points in time: at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 1‐year follow‐up. The results showed a significant reduction of total tic severity from pretreatment to 1‐year follow‐up, with larges effect sizes. Tic‐related impairment and tic‐related quality of life also improved significantly, although the effect sizes were smaller. Motor tics showed a stronger reduction than vocal tics. Additional analysis revealed that all change was achieved during treatment and that this effect was maintained from posttreatment to 1‐year follow‐up. The results of this study indicate that group‐based CBIT is a promising treatment for tics.
Assessing replicability with the sceptical p$$ p $$‐value: Type‐I error control and sample size planning
Authors: Micheloud Charlotte , Balabdaoui Fadoua , Held Leonhard
Published: June 2023

We study a statistical framework for replicability based on a recently proposed quantitative measure of replication success, the sceptical ‐value. A recalibration is proposed to obtain exact overall Type‐I error control if the effect is null in both studies and additional bounds on the partial and conditional Type‐I error rate, which represent the case where only one study has a null effect. The approach avoids the double dichotomization for significance of the two‐trials rule and has larger project power to detect existing effects over both studies in combination. It can also be used for power calculations and requires a smaller replication sample size than the two‐trials rule for already convincing original studies. We illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology in an application to data from the Experimental Economics Replication Project.
A single nucleotide substitution in exon 5 produced the novel allele, HLA‐B*40:01:83
Authors: Quan Zhan‐Rou , Zou Hong‐Yan , Zhou Dan
Published: June 2023

HLA‐B*40:01:83, carrying a single nucleotide substitution in exon 5 is described.
Comparison of theTONOVETPlus®, TonoVet®, and Tono‐Pen Vet™ tonometers in normal cats and cats with glaucoma
Authors: Kiland Julie A. , Terhaar Hannah M. , Walleck Hannah E. , Chen Nickolas , McDaniel Kyle , McLellan Gillian J.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To determine the accuracy, precision, and clinical applicability of the ICare® TONOVET Plus (TVP) in cats.

Animals and Procedures

IOP readings obtained with the TVP were compared to values obtained concurrently with the original TONOVET (TV01) and Tono‐Pen Vet™ (TP) in 12 normal cats (24 eyes) and 8 glaucomatousLTBP2‐mutant cats (13 eyes) in vivo. Reproducibility of TVP readings was also assessed for three observers in the above cats. The anterior chambers of five different normal cat eyes were cannulated ex vivo. IOP was measured with the TVP, TV01, and TP at manometric IOPs ranging from 5 to 70 mmHg. Data were analyzed by linear regression, ANOVA and Bland–Altman plots. ANOVA was used to assess reproducibility of TVP readings obtained by different observers and an ANCOVA model controlled for variation of individual cats.p < .05 was considered significant.

Results

TVP values strongly correlated with TV01 values (y = 1.045x + 1.443,R2 = .9667). The TP significantly underestimated IOP relative to the TVP and TV01, particularly at high IOP. IOP values obtained by 1 observer were significantly higher (~1 mmHg average) compared to the other 2 observers via ANCOVA analysis (p = .0006479 andp = .0203). Relative to manometry, the TVP and TV01 were significantly more accurate (p < .0001) and precise (p < .0070) than the TP in ex vivo eyes.

Conclusions

IOP readings obtained with the TVP and TV01 are broadly interchangeable between models and between observers, but subtle differences may be important in a research context. TP readings vastly underestimate high IOP in feline glaucoma.
Effect of Flow Resistance of Floating-Type Check Valves on Heat Transfer Characteristics of an Oscillating Heat Pipe
Authors: Ando Makiko , Okamoto Atsushi , Nagai Hiroki
Published: June 2023

An oscillating heat pipe with check valves (CVOHP) is an attractive heat transfer device for future spacecraft with considerable heat dissipation and ground applications. This study aims to clarify the effect of the flow resistance of floating-type check valves on the heat transfer characteristics of the CVOHP using a one-dimensional slug flow model, which simulates the five-turn CVOHP used in the on-orbit experiment by the authors. The numerical simulations were conducted for different flow resistances, positions, and numbers of check valves. The results showed that the thermal resistance of the CVOHP increases with the flow resistance of the check valves, while there is no significant effect on the startup characteristics. The thermal resistance increased by more than 100% in the worst case, and the recommended flow resistance coefficient of the check valve was below 100 in this study for high thermal performance. The thermal resistance increases with an increasing number of high-resistance check valves but is less affected by the position of the valve. Additionally, the higher the heat input, the greater the effect of the flow resistance of the check valves. According to the findings in this study, it is necessary to control the flow resistance of the floating-type check valves at a low level for the high thermal performance of a CVOHP.
Rubidium focused ion beam induced platinum deposition
Authors: Li Y. , Xu S. , Sezen M. , Bakan Misirlioglu F. , Vredenbregt E. J. D.
Published: June 2023

This work presents characterization of focused ion beam induced deposition (FIBID) of platinum using both rubidium and gallium ions. Trimethylplatinum [(MeCp)Pt(Me)3] was used as the deposition precursor. Under similar beam energies, 8.5 keV for Rb+ and 8.0 keV for Ga+, and beam current, near 10 pA, the two ion species deposited Pt films at 0.90 and 0.73 μm3/nC, respectively. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy shows that Rb+ FIBID-Pt consists of similar Pt contents (49% for Rb+ FIBID and 37% for Ga+ FIBID) with much lower primary ion contents (5% Rb and 27% Ga) than Ga+ FIBID-Pt. The deposited material was also measured to have a resistivity of 8.1×104 μΩcm for the Rb+ FIBID-Pt and 5.7×103 μΩcm for Ga+ FIBID-Pt.
Rheo-PIV of yield-stress fluids in a 3D-printed fractal vane-in-cup geometry
Authors: Medina-Bañuelos Esteban F. , Marín-Santibáñez Benjamín M. , Chaparian Emad , Owens Crystal E. , McKinley Gareth H. , Pérez-González José
Published: June 2023

The vane-in-cup (VIC) geometry has been widely used for the rheological characterization of yield-stress fluids because it minimizes slip effects at the liquid/solid interface of the rotating geometry and reduces sample damage during the loading process. However, severe kinematic limitations arising from the spatial complexity of mixed shear and extensional flow have been identified for quantitative rheometrical measurements in complex fluids. Recently, vanes with fractal cross sections have been suggested as alternatives for accurate rheometry of elastoviscoplastic fluids. In this work, the steady fractal vane-in-cup (fVIC) flow of a Newtonian fluid and a nonthixotropic Carbopol® 940 microgel as well as the unsteady flow of a thixotropic κ-Carrageenan gel are analyzed using rheo-particle image velocimetry (Rheo-PIV). We describe the velocity distributions in all cases and show that the fVIC produces an almost axisymmetric flow field and rotation rate-independent “effective radius” when used with both the Newtonian fluid and the microgel. These findings are supported by 2D simulation results and enable the safe use of both the Couette analogy and the torque-to-stress conversion scheme for a 24-arm fVIC as well as validate it as a reliable rheometrical tool for characterization of a variety of complex fluids. With the κ-Carrageenan gel, however, axial shearing/compression while inserting the rheometric tool into the sample also accelerates syneresis that ultimately results in shear banding for Couette and fVIC flows. By comparing results obtained using the 24-arm fVIC with other conventional geometries, we investigate the effect that the lateral and cross-sectional (shearing/compressing) area of the measuring fixture have on disrupting the κ-Carrageenan gel during its insertion.