bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengthening health‐focused climate adaptation in Canada: Barriers and interventions
Authors: Rose Desiree , Birchall S. Jeff
Published: December 2023

Climate change poses a dire threat to human health. Within Canada, extreme heat events are contributing to cardiovascular disease, poor air quality is causing respiratory distress, and changing precipitation patterns are resulting in the spread of vector‐borne illness. To minimize these negative health outcomes, adaptation strategies targeted to protecting health are essential. Yet, despite a recognition of this need across levels of government, health‐focused adaptation efforts have been slow to progress. The aim of this short viewpoint paper is to provide a primer for decision makers. Researchers within the public health and environmental science fields have identified several barriers that contribute to this lag in progress, including a lack of understanding within the general public regarding the health risks of climate change, and confusion over jurisdiction and responsibility. Shifting community perceptions and improving intergovernmental coordination may help reduce these barriers, and therefore support Canadians to become more resilient to climate change moving forward.
Soil physics matters for the land–water–food–climate nexus and sustainability
Authors: Wang Gang , Liu Ying , Yan Zhifeng , Chen Dingjiang , Fan Jun , Ghezzehei Teamrat A.
Published: December 2023

Soil is a complex ecosystem within which many species interact and where physicochemical and geological processes occur at different spatiotemporal scales, with strong interactions taking place between ecological and management processes. Soil processes affect the qualities of the food and water that we eat and drink, the regulation of greenhouse gases, and are the foundation of our habitation and transportation infrastructures. However, it is estimated that over 2 billion hectares of lands are degraded, with a further 12 million hectares degraded each year causing the annual loss of 24 billion tons of fertile soil. Soil degradation negatively affects the well‐being of over 3 billion people, costing more than 10% of the annual global GDP via the loss of ecosystem services, and reducing the productivity of 23% of the global terrestrial area. The sustainable management of soil ecosystems is, therefore, fundamental to global food, water, and energy security, especially under increasingly unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change. The land–water–food–energy nexus is central to sustainable development and soil inextricably links these critical domains. Stakeholders and decision‐makers in all four domains are necessarily focusing on the effects of soil degradation on climate change, water resource management, and food production as key to the development of sustainable agricultural practices and policies. A properly integrated approach to managing rural soils is thus required to ensure global water, food, and energy security, whilst increasing and protecting biodiversity. This special issue collects 15 papers on recent advances on soil physical‐, hydrological‐, and biological processes, and linkages with agroecosystem sustainability across experiments, field observations, and methodological breakthroughs.
Presence and size of synovial masses within the navicular bursa correlate well between magnetic resonance imaging and bursoscopy and have a guarded prognosis
Authors: Giorio Maria Elisabetta , Graham Robyn J. , Berner Dagmar , O'Neill Henry D. , Bladon Bruce M.
Published: December 2023

Background

Focal hyperintense lesions within the navicular bursa emanating from the dorsal border of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) can be recognised on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) and have been attributed to lameness in horses. Removal of these lesions, also referred to as synovial masses, by navicular bursoscopy is currently recommended.

Objectives

To investigate the correlation between MRI and navicular bursoscopic findings. It is hypothesised that the prognosis following surgery is proportional to the size of the DDFT lesion.

Study design

Retrospective analysis of clinical records.

Methods

Horses undergoing standing low‐field MRI and navicular bursoscopy with >1 year follow‐up were included. A grading system was developed to classify the size of synovial mass(es) and lesion(s) of the DDFT on MRI and at surgery. Generalised estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between MRI findings and surgery and between outcome and severity of the tendon injury.

Results

Fifty‐nine horses presenting over a 15‐year period (2006–2021) fulfilled inclusion criteria. Ninety navicular bursae were examined both on MRI and endoscopically. There was strong correlation between the size of synovial masses and tendon lesions on MRI and bursoscopy (p < 0.001, OR: 25.61, 95% CI 8.71–75.29 and p < 0.001, OR: 7.34, 95% CI 2.70–19.92, respectively). Size of tendon lesion and synovial mass had no impact on prognosis (p = 0.3, OR: 1, 95% CI 1–1 and p = 0.1, OR: 1, 95% CI 1–1, respectively), which was guarded (30.5% return to previous level of exercise).

Main limitations

Performance data for conservatively treated horses with MRI‐detected synovial masses was not considered, nor was the effect of navicular bursal effusion. Horses were not randomly assigned to treatment protocols.

Conclusion

There is good correlation between MRI and bursoscopic findings of DDFT lesions and synovial masses within the navicular bursa, with no false positives. Size of the synovial masses and DDFT lesions does not influence prognosis following navicular bursoscopy.
Fluoxetine exerts anti‐inflammatory effects on human epidermal keratinocytes and suppresses their endothelin release
Authors: Tóth Kinga Fanni , Ádám Dorottya , Arany József , Ramirez Yesid A. , Bíró Tamás , Drake Jennifer I. , O'Mahony Alison , Szöllősi Attila Gábor , Póliska Szilárd , Kilić Ana , Soeberdt Michael , Abels Christoph , Oláh Attila
Published: December 2023

Fluoxetine is a safe antidepressant with remarkable anti‐inflammatory actions; therefore, we aimed to investigate its effects on immortalized (HaCaT) as well as primary human epidermal keratinocytes in a polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (p(I:C))‐induced inflammatory model. We found that a non‐cytotoxic concentration (MTT‐assay, CyQUANT‐assay) of fluoxetine significantly suppressed p(I:C)‐induced expression and release of several pro‐inflammatory cytokines (Q‐PCR, cytokine array, ELISA), and it decreased the release of the itch mediator endothelins (ELISA). These effects were not mediated by the inhibition of the NF‐κB or p38 MAPK pathways (western blot), or by the suppression of the p(I:C)‐induced elevation of mitochondrial ROS production (MitoSOX Red labeling). Instead, unbiased activity profiling revealed that they were most likely mediated via the inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway. Importantly, the PI3K‐inhibitor GDC0941 fully mimicked the effects of fluoxetine (Q‐PCR, ELISA). Although fluoxetine was able to occupy the binding site of GDC0941 (in silico molecular docking), and exerted direct inhibitory effect on PI3K (cell‐free PI3K activity assay), it exhibited much lower potency and efficacy as compared to GDC0941. Finally, RNA‐Seq analysis revealed that fluoxetine deeply influenced the transcriptional alterations induced by p(I:C)‐treatment, and exerted an overall anti‐inflammatory activity. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that fluoxetine exerts potent anti‐inflammatory effects, and suppresses the release of the endogenous itch mediator endothelins in human keratinocytes, most likely via interfering with the PI3K pathway. Thus, clinical studies are encouraged to explore whether the currently reported beneficial effects translate in vivo following its topical administration in inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses.
Characterization and structural study of a novel β‐N‐acetylgalactosaminidase from Niabella aurantiaca
Authors: Moreno Prieto Eduardo Sebastian , Fjermedal Sune , Siebenhaar Suzana , Vuillemin Marlène , Holck Jesper , Vincentelli Renaud , Gippert Garry P. , Wilkens Casper , Morth Jens Preben , Henrissat Bernard
Published: December 2023

We report here the identification, characterization and three‐dimensional (3D) structure determination of NaNga, a newly identified β‐N‐acetylgalactosaminidase from the Gram‐negative soil bacterium Niabella aurantiaca DSM 17617. When recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, the enzyme selectively cleaved 4‐nitrophenyl‐N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐galactosamine (pNP‐β‐d‐GalpNAc). The X‐ray crystal structure of the protein was refined to 2.5 Å and consists of an N‐terminal β‐sandwich domain and a (β/α)8 barrel catalytic domain. Despite a mere 22% sequence identity, the 3D structure of NaNga is similar to those previously determined for family GH123 members, suggesting it also employs the same substrate‐assisted catalytic mechanism. Inhibition by N‐acetyl‐galactosamine thiazoline (GalNAc‐thiazoline) supports the suggested mechanism. A phylogenetic analysis of its proximal sequence space shows significant clustering of unknown sequences around NaNga with sufficient divergence with previously identified GH123 members to subdivide this family into distinct subfamilies. Although the actual biological substrate of our enzyme remains unknown, examination of the active site pocket suggests that it may be a β‐N‐acetylgalactosaminide substituted by a monosaccharide at O‐3. Analysis of the genomic context suggests, in turn, that this substituted β‐N‐acetylgalactosaminide may be appended to a d‐arabinan from an environmental Actinomycete.
Long‐term changes in the daytime growing season carbon dioxide exchange following increased temperature and snow cover in arctic tundra
Authors: Hermesdorf Lena , Liu Yijing , Michelsen Anders , Westergaard‐Nielsen Andreas , Mortensen Louise Hindborg , Jepsen Malte Skov , Sigsgaard Charlotte , Elberling Bo
Published: December 2023

Increasing temperatures and winter precipitation can influence the carbon (C) exchange rates in arctic ecosystems. Feedbacks can be both positive and negative, but the net effects are unclear and expected to vary strongly across the Arctic. There is a lack of understanding of the combined effects of increased summer warming and winter precipitation on the C balance in these ecosystems. Here we assess the short‐term (1–3 years) and long‐term (5–8 years) effects of increased snow depth (snow fences) (on average + 70 cm) and warming (open top chambers; 1–3°C increase) and the combination in a factorial design on all key components of the daytime carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes in a wide‐spread heath tundra ecosystem in West Greenland. The warming treatment increased ecosystem respiration (ER) on a short‐ and long‐term basis, while gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) was only increased in the long term. Despite the difference in the timing of responses of ER and GEP to the warming treatment, the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 was unaffected in the short term and in the long term. Although the structural equation model (SEM) indicates a direct relationship between seasonal accumulated snow depth and ER and GEP, there were no significant effects of the snow addition treatment on ER or GEP measured over the summer period. The combination of warming and snow addition turned the plots into net daytime CO2 sources during the growing season. Interestingly, despite no significant changes in air temperature during the snow‐free time during the experiment, control plots as well as warming plots revealed significantly higher ER and GEP in the long term compared to the short term. This was in line with the satellite‐derived time‐integrated normalized difference vegetation index of the study area, suggesting that more factors than air temperature are drivers for changes in arctic tundra ecosystems.
Leveraging blockchain technology to combat food fraud in the agri‐food supply chain
Authors: Saha Aditi , Raut Rakesh D. , Kumar Mukesh
Published: December 2023

In an era of increasingly complex and globalised agri‐food supply chains (AFSC), the battle against food fraud has become a pressing concern for both consumers and industry stakeholders. Blockchain technology (BLCT) has emerged as a promising solution to address the challenges of traceability, transparency, and accountability within these supply chains. This paper investigates the enablers that drive the successful implementation of BLCT in combating food fraud. The study uses Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) for analysing the enablers. The enablers were identified using literature review and by consulting industry and academic experts. The study finds that the enablers – immutable ledger, data security, and safety – are important for combating food fraud. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the identified factors and their interrelationships, offering solutions to policymakers and managers. As various industries and stakeholders collaborate to tackle these pressing issues, BLCT has the potential to reshape the AFSC industry by guaranteeing trustworthiness, transparency, and security for all parties involved.
Lifestyle changes and quality of life a year after attending Rapid Access Cardiology Clinics: an observational study
Authors: O'Hagan Edel T. , Thiagalingam Aravinda , Lowe Harry , Min Haeri , Marschner Simone , Jackson Jocelyn , Klimis Harry , Kozor Rebecca , Figtree Gemma , Kritharides Leonard , Chow Clara K.
Published: December 2023

We examined behavioural risk factors and quality of life (QoL) in women and men, younger and older adults 12 months after a Rapid Access Cardiology Clinic (RACC) visit. Routine clinical care data were collected in person from three Sydney hospitals between 2017 and 2018 and followed up by questionnaire at 365 days. 1491 completed the baseline survey, at 1 year, 1092 provided follow‐up data on lifestyle changes, and 811 completed the EQ‐5D‐5L (QoL) survey. 666 (44.7%) were women, and 416 (27.9%) were older than 60 years of age. Almost 50% of participants reported improving physical activity and diet a year after their RACC visit. These changes were less likely in women and older participants.
Polypharmacy in older patients presenting to a tertiary regional health service: identifying correlations between demographics, presentations and length of stay
Authors: Robinson Michael , Vangaveti Venkat , Mokrzecki Sophie , Mallett Andrew J.
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to describe hospital admissions in patients experiencing polypharmacy and evaluate the effects of demographic factors on length of stay (LOS) and polypharmacy. We found that increasing age is associated with increasing polypharmacy rates but decreasing LOS. Females were more likely to experience higher rates of polypharmacy, but males were more likely to have longer LOS. First Nations peoples had higher rates of polypharmacy and longer LOS. Future projects investigating deprescribing methods are critical.
The mental health and substance use treatment experiences of racially and ethnically minoritised women who have experienced sexual violence
Authors: Spaducci Gilda , Oram Sian , Thiara Ravi , Robson Debbie , Peeren Siofra , Gibbs Annie , Trevillion Kylee
Published: December 2023

The mental health and substance use treatment experiences of racially and ethnically minoritised women who have experienced sexual violence is not well understood. To address this we conducted a systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies. Our search strategy included electronic searches of 18 databases and grey literature, citation tracking and reference list screening. Studies were eligible if they presented qualitative data from racially and/or ethnically minoritised women or girls, who had experienced sexual violence at any age and described their experiences of receiving treatment from statutory mental health and/or substance use services. Studies were analysed using meta‐ethnography. Fourteen papers based on 12 individual studies were included. Analysis developed three main themes: (1) understanding minoritised women holistically, (2) processing the trauma and beginning the healing and (3) the need for social connectedness and empowering relationships. For minoritised women to benefit from treatment, mental health and substance use services need to challenge the dynamics of the multiple traumas minoritised women experience. Knowledge and understanding of the racial trauma minoritised women experience is limited and many are subjected to further harm from racist practices occurring in some treatment services. Offering culturally safe, trauma‐informed care which promotes anti‐racist practices may help improve mental health and substance use service responses to minoritised women who have experienced sexual violence.
Mortality benefit with AF ablation: Impact of normal sinus rhythm seen in CABANA and EAST AFnet
Authors: Crawford Michael , Steinberg Benjamin A. , Ranjan Ravi , Konstantinidis Klitos , Navaravong Leenhapong , Bunch Thomas J.
Published: December 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is significantly associated with morbidity and mortality and erodes the quality and quantity of life. It is standard of care to treat patients with AF and an increased risk of stroke with oral anticoagulation therapy, but the more daunting question many clinicians face is whether to pursue a “rate‐only” or “rhythm” control strategy. Historical studies over the years have sought to answer this question but have found no significant difference in major clinical outcomes between the two strategies. There are opportunities based on new data to improve the natural history of the disease. The EAST AFnet trial for the first time revealed a significant morbidity and mortality advantage to rhythm control therapy when performed early in the disease process of AF and in the setting of comprehensive medical management that was maintained. The CABANA trial clearly demonstrated that catheter ablation was a more effective long‐term treatment of AF in general and significantly lowers risk of AF progression compared to medical therapy. Like multiple prior trials of rhythm management strategies, when rhythm control was effective in these trials, independent of therapy assignment, there was a significantly lower risk of adverse outcomes and death. These contemporary data provide optimism that the pervasive mortality risk in patients with AF observed over the past 50 years may be improved by the timing, use, and efficacy of use of therapeutic interventions.
Pan‐cancer analysis identifies the IRF family as a biomarker for survival prognosis and immunotherapy
Authors: Xu Hua‐Guo , Chen Can , Chen Lin‐Yuan , Pan Shiyang
Published: December 2023

IRF family genes have been shown to be crucial in tumorigenesis and tumour immunity. However, information about the role of IRF in the systematic assessment of pan‐cancer and in predicting the efficacy of tumour therapy is still unknown. In this work, we performed a systematic analysis of IRF family genes in 33 tumour samples, including expression profiles, genomics and clinical characteristics. We then applied Single‐Sample Gene‐Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) to calculate IRF‐scores and analysed the impact of IRF‐scores on tumour progression, immune infiltration and treatment efficacy. Our results showed that genomic alterations, including SNPs, CNVs and DNA methylation, can lead to dysregulation of IRFs expression in tumours and participate in regulating multiple tumorigenesis. IRF‐score expression differed significantly between 12 normal and tumour samples and the impact on tumour prognosis and immune infiltration depended on tumour type. IRF expression was correlated to drug sensitivity and to the expression of immune checkpoints and immune cell infiltration, suggesting that dysregulation of IRF family expression may be a critical factor affecting tumour drug response. Our study comprehensively characterizes the genomic and clinical profile of IRFs in pan‐cancer and highlights their reliability and potential value as predictive markers of oncology drug efficacy. This may provide new ideas for future personalized oncology treatment.
Evaluation of the effect of unilateral mastication on the morphology of temporomandibular joint from the perspective of dynamic joint space
Authors: Ma Hedi , Zheng Tinghui , Shao Bingmei , Liu Zhan
Published: December 2023

Background

Unbalanced alterations of temporomandibular joint morphology were associated with unilaterally masticatory habits.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of unilateral mastication on the remodelling of the temporomandibular joint using dynamic joint space.

Methods

Twelve volunteers with non‐maxillofacial deformity and healthy temporomandibular joints were recruited. The 3D models of the mandible and the maxilla were reconstructed according to computed tomography. The subjects were asked to masticate French fries and peanuts unilaterally, which was recorded by a 3D motion capture system. The dynamic joint space during unilateral mastication was analysed.

Results

During early closure, the joint space reduction on the non‐masticatory side was significantly greater than on the masticatory side (p < .05). During later closure, the joint space reduction on the non‐masticatory side was significantly lower than that on the masticatory side (p < .05). The difference in joint space reduction between both sides was greater than the French fries while masticating the peanuts.

Conclusions

Unilateral mastication resulted in a different major pressure area on the bilateral TMJs. Therefore, unilateral mastication might be an essential factor in the bilateral asymmetrical remodelling of the TMJ.
English studies in India: Its past and its future
Authors: Sen Sambudha
Published: December 2023

This essay argues that English departments in India have had two advantages that their counterparts in the west lack. First, the ability to speak and write correctly in English is understood as a social and professional resource and this prompts large numbers of college students to opt for an English major. Second, English literature has unfolded, historically among several highly developed literatures in our regional languages and this, in conjuction with post‐colonial theory, has opened up vast new fields of research for English professors in India. Improved salaries and research facilities after the mid‐eighties began attracting excellent faculty to our best English departments and, by the end of the twentieth century, some of these were poised to compete with the best departments of the world. Despite this, Indian universities are perenially plagued by political interference and corruption and this has made it impossible for several excellent departments and indeed entire universities to sustain excellence.
Nitric oxide‐mediated vasodilation in human bone
Authors: Draghici Adina E. , Ely Matthew R. , Hamner Jason W. , Taylor J. Andrew
Published: December 2023

Objective

Regulation of blood flow to bone is critical but poorly understood, particularly in humans. This study aims to determine whether nitric oxide (NO), a major regulator of vascular tone to other tissues, contributes also to the regulation of blood flow to bone.

Methods

In young healthy adults (n = 16, 8F, 8M), we characterized NO‐mediated vasodilation in the tibia in response to sublingual nitroglycerin and contrasted it to lower leg. Blood flow responses were assessed in supine individuals by continuously measuring tibial total hemoglobin (tHb) via near‐infrared spectroscopy and lower leg blood flow (LBF) as popliteal flow velocity via Doppler ultrasound in the same leg.

Results

LBF increased by Δ9.73 ± 0.66 cm/s and peaked 4.4 min after NO administration and declined slowly but remained elevated (Δ3.63 ± 0.60 cm/s) at 10 min. In contrast, time to peak response was longer and smaller in magnitude in the tibia as tHb increased Δ2.08 ± 0.22 μM and peaked 5.3 min after NO administration and declined quickly but remained elevated (Δ0.87±0.22 μM) at 10 min (p = .01).

Conclusions

In young adults, the tibial vasculature demonstrates robust NO‐mediated vasodilation, but tHb is delayed and diminishes faster compared to LBF, predominately reflective of skeletal muscle responses. Thus, NO‐mediated vasodilation in bone may be characteristically different from other vascular beds.
Prognostic accuracy of SOFA, MEWS, and SIRS criteria in predicting the mortality rate of patients with sepsis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Lan Lin , Zhou Meichi , Chen Xiaoli , Dai Min , Wang Ling , Li Hong
Published: December 2023

Background

In recent years, some studies classified patients with sepsis and predicted their mortality by using some evaluation scales. Several studies reported significant differences in the predictive values of several tools, and the non‐uniformity of the cut‐off value.

Aim

To determine and compare the prognostic accuracy of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria in predicting the mortality of patients with sepsis.

Methods

This study comprised of systematic literature review and meta‐analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases from their establishment to July 31, 2022. The research articles published in the index journals provide sufficient data (true positive, false positive, true negative, and false negative results) for patients with sepsis. The combined sensitivity and specificity of the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the bivariate random effect model (BRM). The hierarchical overall subject working characteristics (HSROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the overall prognosis.

Results

Data of 55 088 patients from 32 studies were included in this meta‐analysis. SOFA had an intermediate sensitivity of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.67–0.78) and a specificity of 0.70 (0.63–0.76). SIRS criteria had the highest sensitivity of 0.75 (0.66–0.82) and the lowest specificity of 0.40 (0.29–0.52). MEWS had the lowest sensitivity of 0.49 (0.40–0.59) and the highest specificity of 0.82 (0.78–0.86).

Conclusions

Among SOFA, MEWS, and SIRS criteria, SOFA showed moderate sensitivity and specificity for predicting mortality in patients with sepsis, the highest sensitivity of SIRS and the strongest specificity of MEWS for predicting mortality in patients with sepsis. The future research direction is to combine the relevant indicators of MEWS and SIRS to develop a measurement tool with high reliability and validity.

Relevance to clinical practice

The review provides useful insights into the prognostic accuracy of different assessment tools in predicting mortality in sepsis patients, which will help clinicians choose the most appropriate tool for early identification and treatment of sepsis. The findings may also contribute to the development of more accurate and reliable prognostic models for sepsis.
The utility of balloon‐based and standard impedance technology to diagnose esophageal mucosal diseases in children
Authors: Rosen Rachel , Du Maritha , Akkara Anna , Catacora Andrea , Wen Anna , Liu Enju , Nurko Samuel
Published: December 2023

Background

Standard impedance catheters and balloon‐based mucosal impedance catheters (BBMI) have been used to assess mucosal integrity and diagnose mucosal diseases. The goal of this study was to determine the age‐related technical issues associated with mucosal balloon inflation, validate the BBMI measurement against a standard impedance probe, and compare software‐generated diagnoses to histologic diagnoses.

Methods

We prospectively recruited patients undergoing endoscopy, during which patients underwent standard mucosal impedance catheters and BBMI measurements. Measurements were compared to each other, to the histologic diagnoses, and to the number of eosinophils per high power field. We then compared the patients' diagnosis to that assigned by the BBMI software.

Key Results

Sixty‐two patients (mean age: 62 ± 62 months) were recruited, including non‐GERD (N = 40), GERD (N = 15), and EoE (N = 7) patients. There were significant differences between the impedance values measured by the two technologies at each esophageal height (p < 0.003). There were significant correlations between the mean impedance values taken by the two catheters in the distal (r2 = 0.272, p = 0.04), mid (r2 = 0.371, p < 0.001), and proximal (r2 = 0.259, p = 0.05) esophagus. There were significant differences in BBMI impedance values across diagnoses in the mid and proximal esophagus (p = 0.024 and 0.025, respectively). While not statistically significant (p = 0.061–0.073), the standard catheter showed similar trends by diagnosis. Using the BBMI diagnostic prediction software, 33%–72% of patients were misclassified.

Conclusion and Inferences

While there was significant variability in impedance values between technologies within patients, regional measurements were consistent across catheters. Automated analyses lacked the sensitivity to diagnose inflammatory disorders.
PHB3 interacts with BRI1 and BAK1 to mediate brassinosteroid signal transduction in Arabidopsis and tomato
Authors: Li Cheng , Zhang Shan , Li Jingjuan , Huang Shuhua , Zhao Tong , Lv Siqi , Liu Jianwei , Wang Shufen , Liu Xiaohui , He Shen , Zhang Yanfeng , Xiao Fangming , Wang Fengde , Gao Jianwei , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: December 2023

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant hormones that are essential in plant growth and development. BRASSINOSTEROID‐INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) and BRI1 ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1 (BAK1), which are located on the plasma membrane, function as co‐receptors that accept and transmit BR signals.

PROHIBITIN 3 (PHB3) was identified in both BRI1 and BAK1 complexes by affinity purification and LC‐MS/MS analysis. Biochemical data showed that BRI1/BAK1 interacted with PHB3 in vitro and in vivo.

BRI1/BAK1 phosphorylated PHB3 in vitro. When the Thr‐80 amino acid in PHB3 was mutated to Ala, the mutant protein was not phosphorylated by BRI1 and the mutant protein interaction with BRI1 was abolished in the yeast two‐hybrid assay. BAK1 did not phosphorylate the mutant protein PHB3T54A. The loss‐of‐function phb3 mutant showed a weaker BR signal than the wild‐type. Genetic analyses revealed that PHB3 is a BRI1/BAK1 downstream substrate that participates in BR signalling. PHB3 has five homozygous in tomato, and we named the closest to AtPHB3 as SlPHB3.1. Biochemical data showed that SlBRI1/SlSERK3A/SlSERK3B interacted with SlPHB3.1 and SlPHB3.3. The CRISPR‐Cas9 method generated slphb3.1 mutant led to a BR signal stunted relatively in tomatoes.

PHB3 is a new component of the BR signal pathway in both Arabidopsis and tomato.
Identification of six novel mutations in EDA from 20 hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia families
Authors: Xing Qin , Zhou Qimin , Li Hongyan , Wang Zhongjie , Li Shun , Wu Jiayu , Zhu Huimin , Liang Desheng , Li Zhuo , Wu Lingqian
Published: December 2023

Objective

To investigate the genetic causes of 22 patients with clinically high suspicion of X‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia from 20 unrelated Chinese families, expand the spectrum of ectodysplasin‐A mutations, and provide more evidence for variants of uncertain significance.

Subjects and Methods

Whole‐exome sequencing was performed and potentially pathogenic variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Western blotting, real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to investigate the preliminary functions of the candidate variants.

Results

Nineteen ectodysplasin‐A variants were identified, six of which were not previously reported. Among these variants, we identified a patient who carried two mutations in ectodysplasin‐A and exhibited more severe phenotypes. Additionally, mutant protein expression levels decreased, whereas mRNA transcription levels increased. Cellular sublocalisation of the variants located in the tumour necrosis factor homologous domain showed that the proteins accumulated in the nucleus, whereas wild‐type proteins remained in the cell membrane. A rare indel variant and two classical splicing variants that lead to exon 7 skipping were detected.

Conclusions

This study provides definitive diagnoses for 20 families with suspected X‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and additional information on clinical heterogeneity and genotype–phenotype relationships.
Integrating several analytical methods to assess strength of ecological processes behind metacommunity assembly
Authors: Huang Ching‐Lin , Zelený David , Chang‐Yang Chia‐Hao
Published: December 2023

Understanding processes and mechanisms of how species assemble in a metacommunity is crucial for illuminating the factors that contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity and developing management decisions. Ecologists have proposed a number of analytical methods for identifying the effects of various ecological processes, but there is no consensus on the best approach. Our study extends the existing framework which synthesizes multiple analytical methods and incorporates community data across space and time to understand the underlying ecological processes. We extended this framework by 1) including null‐model‐based analytical methods; 2) defining metacommunity archetypes that illustrate extreme cases of metacommunities, to observe how well they can be distinguished by different summary statistics, 3) applying the extended framework to real‐world vegetation data from a subtropical forest and interpreting the results, and 4) discussing the potential advantages, limitations, and future directions of applying this framework. We used a process‐based metacommunity simulation model to generate a simulated community dataset and applied random forest (RF) approach to estimate the strength of ecological processes in the process‐based model by considering the summary statistics calculated by the analytical methods as predictors. We also quantified the performance of the trained RF and applied it to estimate the strength of ecological processes in Fushan Forest Dynamics Plot. Our results demonstrate the framework's flexibility in incorporating different analytical methods and its generality to be applied to different community systems. We highlight its theoretical values in evaluating the performance of different statistics or indices in identifying ecological processes and its practical values in assessing the strength of ecological processes underlying real‐world metacommunities. Future improvements should focus on synthesizing statistics that capture specific signals of ecological processes and evaluating the robustness of estimation against dataset complexity and incompleteness.
Tablet‐based tests of everyday visual function in a diabetic macular oedema (DME) clinic waiting area: A feasibility study
Authors: Taylor Deanna J. , Alquiza Paolo J. , Jones Pete R. , Wilson Iain , Bi Wei , Sim Dawn A. , Crabb David P.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

(1) To assess the feasibility of conducting tablet‐based vision tests in hospital clinic waiting areas; (2) To test the hypothesis that increasing severity of diabetic macular oedema (DME) is associated with the performance of tablet‐based surrogates of everyday tasks and self‐reported visual function.

Methods

Sixty‐one people with mild (n = 28), moderate (n = 24) or severe (n = 9) DME performed two tablet‐based tests of ‘real‐world’ visual function (visual search and face recognition) while waiting for appointments in a hospital outpatient clinic. Participants also completed a tablet‐based version of a seven‐item, visual‐functioning (VF‐7) patient‐reported outcome measure. Test performance was compared to previously published 99% normative limits for normally sighted individuals.

Results

Thirty‐four participants (56%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 43%–68%) exceeded normative limits for visual search, while eight (13%; 95% CI 65%–24%) exceeded normative limits for face discrimination. Search duration was significantly longer for people with severe DME than those with mild and moderate DME (p = 0.01). Face discrimination performance was not significantly associated with DME severity. VF‐7 scores were statistically similar across DME severity groups. Median time to complete all elements (eligibility screening, both tablet‐based tasks and the VF‐7) was 22 (quartiles 19, 25) min. Further, 98% and 87% of participants, respectively, reported the search task and face discrimination task to be enjoyable, while 25% and 97%, respectively, reported finding the two tasks to be difficult.

Conclusions

Portable tablet‐based tests are quick, acceptable to patients and feasible to be performed in a clinic waiting area with minimal supervision. They have the potential to be piloted in patients' homes for self‐monitoring.
Negative pressure suction test: An intraoperative airway maneuver to assess effectiveness of surgical correction of tracheobronchomalacia
Authors: Kuo Frederick H. , Elliott Richard A. , Watkins Scott C. , Shieh Hester F. , Smithers Charles J. , Jennings Russell W. , Munoz‐San Julian Carlos
Published: December 2023

Background

Surgical correction of tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) has evolved greatly over the past decade, with select pediatric institutions establishing dedicated surgery and anesthesia teams to navigate the complexities and challenges of surgical airway repairs. Although anesthetic techniques have evolved internally over many years to improve patient safety and outcomes, many of these methods remain undescribed in literature.

Technique

In this article, we describe the intraoperative negative pressure suction test. This simulates the negative pressure seen in awake and spontaneously breathing patients, including the higher pressures seen during coughing which induce airway collapse in patients with TBM. Also known as the Munoz maneuver in surgical literature, this test has been performed on over 300 patients since 2015.

Discussion

The negative pressure suction test allows for controlled intraoperative assessment of surgical airway repairs, replaces the need for risky intraoperative wake‐up tests, increases the chances of a successful surgical repair, and improves anesthetic management for emergence and extubation. We provide a guide on how to perform the test and videos demonstrating its efficacy in intraoperative airway evaluation.

Conclusions

As surgeries to repair TBM become more prevalent in other pediatric institutions, we believe that pediatric patients and anesthesia providers will benefit from the insights and methods described here.
Plasmodesmata‐associated Flotillin positively regulates broad‐spectrum virus cell‐to‐cell trafficking
Authors: Ge Panpan , Lu Hong , Wang Wei , Ma Yonghuan , Li Yi , Zhou Tong , Wei Taiyun , Wu Jianguo , Cui Feng
Published: December 2023

Viral diseases seriously threaten rice production. Plasmodesmata (PD)‐associated proteins are deemed to play a key role in viral infection in host plants. However, few PD‐associated proteins have been discovered in rice to afford viral infection. Here, inspired by the infection mechanism in insect vectors, we identified a member of the Flotillin family taking part in the cell‐to‐cell transport of rice stripe virus (RSV) in rice. Flotillin1 interacted with RSV nucleocapsid protein (NP) and was localized on PD. In flotillin1 knockout mutant rice, which displayed normal growth, RSV intercellular movement was retarded, leading to significantly decreased disease incidence. The PD pore sizes of the mutant rice were smaller than those of the wild type due to more callose deposits, which was closely related to the upregulation of two callose synthase genes. RSV infection stimulated flotillin1 expression and enlarged the PD aperture via RSV NP. In addition, flotillin1 knockout decreased disease incidences of southern rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) and rice dwarf virus (RDV) in rice. Overall, our study reveals a new PD‐associated protein facilitating virus cell‐to‐cell trafficking and presents the potential of flotillin1 as a target to produce broad‐spectrum antiviral rice resources in the future.
Lucky artists
Authors: Prodoehl Christopher
Published: December 2023

Imagine an artist creating new work, a painter applying paint to canvas with a brush, for example. Assuming she acts intentionally, is she responsible for the work she creates? Is she responsible, in particular, for whatever value her finished work has? In the first part of the paper, I formulate an argument for the claim she is not; I call this the Luck Argument. According to that argument, an important aspect of the work's value is due to luck, so not something for which the artist is responsible. I then go on to challenge the Luck Argument. I suggest that intentional control is not the only type of control artists exercise over their bodily activity. There is another type, which I call receptive control. The concept of receptive control makes it possible to challenge a crucial premise in the Luck Argument.
The first three years: The association of early postpartum depressive symptoms with infant and toddler development
Authors: Glasser Saralee , Uziel Moshe , Wagman Shir , Zaworbach Hani , Ferber Yona , Levinson Daphna , Lerner‐Geva Liat
Published: December 2023

Background

The influence of postpartum depression (PPD) on child development has been a source of professional interest and practical relevance.

Objective

This study investigated the association of early PPD symptoms with developmental domains.

Design and method

This historical cohort study included 574,282 children attending Mother Child Healthcare Centers in Israel from January 1, 2014 to July 31, 2020, who underwent at least one developmental screening examination by public health nurses up to age 36 months, and whose mothers completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) postnatally. Developmental milestone tasks included four domains: fine and gross motor, language/communication, and social/behavioral.

Results

The rate of failure to complete age‐appropriate tasks was higher among children whose mothers had scored ≥ 10 on the EPDS on the majority of tasks in every domain.

Discussion

This large population‐based study has demonstrated the association between early maternal postnatal depressive symptoms and failure to meet developmental milestones across domains, until three years. Recommendations for practice focus on the mother, the child, and health policy.
Multivariate analysis of the effects of weather variables on white rust epidemics and yield reduction of mustard over multiple growing seasons
Authors: Singh Manjari , Savary Serge , Setiya Parul , Tewari Anand Kumar , Nain Ajeet Singh
Published: December 2023

Three shrinkage regression and two machine‐learning approaches were evaluated to derive models for the prediction of epidemiological characteristics of white rust of mustard, using data from 112 epidemics in the field. Four epidemiological characteristics were considered: (a) crop age at first appearance of disease, (b) crop age at highest disease severity, (c) highest disease severity in a growing season and (d) area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), along with (e) crop yield to measure the effects of disease on crop performance. We developed models using weather indices to predict these variables using five different approaches: ANN, Elastic Net, LASSO, random forest and ridge regression. One model was developed for each sowing date corresponding to each dependent variable. Two hundred different models were developed. All models performed well at the calibration stage for most of the five variables at all sowing dates. However, at the validation stage, ANN‐derived models outperformed (R2val ~ 1.00, nRMSEV ~0.00 and MBEV ~0.00 in most cases) the three shrinkage regression‐derived models in predicting all five variables. Predictions by random forest‐ and LASSO‐derived models were acceptable for AUDPC and crop yield. Evaluation metrics (including R2val, nRMSEV and MBEV) suggested that ENET‐ and ridge‐derived models do not perform satisfactorily, whereas ANN‐derived models yielded reliable results and thus generate robust predictions. The present work constitutes a systematic effort to compare modelling methods for disease and yield prediction and illustrates the relevance of weather variables in predicting multiple epidemiological variables, and of multiple disease variables as predictors of actual crop yield.
Integrated multi‐omic data and analyses reveal the response pathways of green onion (Allium fistulosum L.) to high‐temperature stress
Authors: Guo Yuanyuan , Zhang Li , Li Yang , Chen Qin , Wen Junli , Tang Juan , Song Huanzhong , Liu Touming , Lv Bingsheng , Kang Dexian , Gao Song , Chen Zhendong
Published: December 2023

With the intensification of the greenhouse effect and the continuous rise of global temperature, high temperatures in summer seriously affect the growth of green onion (Allium fistulosum L.var.caespitosum Makino) and reduce its yield and quality. It is important to study the mechanism of heat tolerance in green onion for selecting and breeding new varieties with high‐temperature tolerance. In this study, we used the heat‐tolerant green onion variety AF60 and heat‐sensitive green onion variety AF35 and measured their physiological indexes under different durations of heat stress. The results showed that high‐temperature stress adversely affected the water content, protein composition and antioxidant system of green onion. In addition, a comprehensive analysis using transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that heat‐tolerant green onions responded positively to heat stress by up‐regulating the expression of heat shock proteins, whereas heat‐sensitive green onions responded to heat stress by activating the galactose metabolic pathway and maintained normal physiological activities. This study revealed the physiological performance and high‐temperature response pathways of different heat‐tolerant green onion cultivars under heat stress. The results further deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanism of green onion's heat stress response.
Insights into the molecular mechanism of Trichoderma stimulating plant growth and immunity against phytopathogens
Authors: Khan Raja Asad Ali , Najeeb Saba , Chen Jie , Wang Rui , Zhang Jing , Hou Jumei , Liu Tong
Published: December 2023

Trichoderma species have received significant interest as beneficial fungi for boosting plant growth and immunity against phytopathogens. By establishing a mutualistic relationship with plants, Trichoderma causes a series of intricate signaling events that eventually promote plant growth and improve disease resistance. The mechanisms contain the indirect or direct involvement of Trichoderma in enhancing plant growth by modulating phytohormones signaling pathways, improving uptake and accumulation of nutrients, and increasing soil bioavailability of nutrients. They contribute to plant resistance by stimulating systemic acquired resistance through salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene signaling. A cascade of signal transduction processes initiated by the interaction of Trichoderma and plants regulate the expression of defense‐related genes, resulting in the synthesis of defense hormones and pathogenesis‐related proteins (PRPs), which collectively improve plant resistance. Additionally, advancements in omics technologies has led to the identification of key pathways, their regulating genes, and molecular interactions in the plant defense and growth promotion responses induced by Trichoderma. Deciphering the molecular mechanism behind Trichoderma's induction of plant defense and immunity is essential for harnessing the full plant beneficial potential of Trichoderma. This review article sheds light on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the positive effects of Trichoderma‐induced plant immunity and growth and opens new opportunities for developing environmentally friendly and innovative approaches to improve plant immunity and growth.