bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra/inter‐observer reliability of cystoscopic sphincter evaluation in men undergoing sling surgery
Authors: Tutolo Manuela , Laenen Annouschka , Rosiello Giuseppe , De Ridder Dirk , Bruyneel Luk , Cornelissen Jan , Van der Aa Frank
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To assess the intra/inter‐observer reliability of cystoscopic sphincter evaluation (CSE) in men undergoing sling surgery for urinary incontinence and if possible to evaluate its correlation with the final clinical decision.

Patients and methods

Two expert urologists prospectively filmed and recorded, incontinent patient's cystoscopies according to a standard scenario. Anonymised recordings where randomly offered to the same observer twice. The observers (medical students, urology residents and full urologist with 0–5, 5–10, >10 years of practice, respectively) were asked to assess and score the recordings without knowing any of the patients’ characteristics.

Results

In total, 37 recordings were scored twice by the 26 observers. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for intra‐observer reliability of the CSE was 0.54 (moderate), 0.58 (moderate) and 0.60 (substantial) for medical students, residents, and urologists, respectively. However, when stratifying observers according to their experience, the lowest agreement values were found between experts with >10 years of experience. The inter‐observer reliability for the CSE ICCs ranged between 0.31and 0.53, with the lowest ICC value observed between urologists (0.31).

Conclusions

The study demonstrates poor intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability of the CSE. According to these results, a CSE does not add valuable information to the clinical evaluation. In this scenario, it should not be considered in isolation from the patient's characteristics.
Marine Isotope Stage 11c in Europe: Recent advances in marine–terrestrial correlations and their implications for interglacial stratigraphy – a review
Authors: Candy Ian , Oliveira Dulce , Parkes Daniel , Sherriff Jennifer , Thornalley David
Published: April 2024

The interglacial known as MIS 11c (c. 426 000–396 000 years ago) receives intensive international interest because of its perceived role as an analogue for the current interglacial and its importance for understanding future climate change. Here we review the current understanding of the stratigraphy of this interglacial in Europe. This study considers (i) the evidence for the environmental history of this interglacial as reconstructed from the varved lake records from northern Europe, (ii) the climate history of MIS 11c as preserved in the long pollen records of southern Europe and (iii) a comparison of both of these with marine records from the North Atlantic. The result of this review is a discussion of the evidence for millennial and centennial scale climate change found in European records of MIS 11c, the patterns of warming that are seen across this interglacial and the discrepancy in aspects of the duration of this interglacial that seems to exist between the marine and terrestrial records of this warm period. A review of the recent advances in the study of MIS 11c in Europe confirms its importance for understanding both the past evolution of the Holocene and the future patterns of long‐term climate change.
Calcium‐sensing receptor regulates Kv7 channels via Gi/o protein signalling and modulates excitability of human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons
Authors: Chuinsiri Nontawat , Siraboriphantakul Nannapat , Kendall Luke , Yarova Polina , Nile Christopher J. , Song Bing , Obara Ilona , Durham Justin , Telezhkin Vsevolod
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition with unmet medical needs, can be characterised as hyperexcitability of nociceptive neurons caused by dysfunction of ion channels. Voltage‐gated potassium channels type 7 (Kv7), responsible for maintaining neuronal resting membrane potential and thus excitability, reside under tight control of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). Calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) is a GPCR that regulates the activity of numerous ion channels, but whether CaSR can control Kv7 channel function has been unexplored until now.

Experimental Approach

Experiments were conducted in recombinant cell models, mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons using patch‐clamp electrophysiology and molecular biology techniques.

Key Results

Our results demonstrate that CaSR is expressed in recombinant cell models, hiPSC‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons and mouse DRG neurons, and its activation induced depolarisation via Kv7.2/7.3 channel inhibition. The CaSR‐Kv7.2/7.3 channel crosslink was mediated via the Gi/o protein‐adenylate cyclase‐cyclicAMP‐protein kinase A signalling cascade. Suppression of CaSR function demonstrated a potential to rescue hiPSC‐derived nociceptive‐like neurons from algogenic cocktail‐induced hyperexcitability.

Conclusion and Implications

This study demonstrates that the CaSR‐Kv7.2/7.3 channel crosslink, via a Gi/o protein signalling pathway, effectively regulates neuronal excitability, providing a feasible pharmacological target for neuronal hyperexcitability management in neuropathic pain.
A conceptual framework on the role of magnetic cues in songbird migration ecology
Authors: Karwinkel Thiemo , Peter Annika , Holland Richard A. , Thorup Kasper , Bairlein Franz , Schmaljohann Heiko
Published: April 2024

Migrating animals perform astonishing seasonal movements by orienting and navigating over thousands of kilometres with great precision. Many migratory species use cues from the sun, stars, landmarks, olfaction and the Earth's magnetic field for this task. Among vertebrates, songbirds are the most studied taxon in magnetic‐cue‐related research. Despite multiple studies, we still lack a clear understanding of when, where and how magnetic cues affect the decision‐making process of birds and hence, their realised migratory behaviour in the wild. This understanding is especially important to interpret the results of laboratory experiments in an ecologically appropriate way. In this review, we summarise the current findings about the role of magnetic cues for migratory decisions in songbirds. First, we review the methodological principles for orientation and navigation research, specifically by comparing experiments on caged birds with experiments on free‐flying birds. While cage experiments can show the sensory abilities of birds, studies with free‐flying birds can characterise the ecological roles of magnetic cues. Second, we review the migratory stages, from stopover to endurance flight, in which songbirds use magnetic cues for their migratory decisions and incorporate this into a novel conceptual framework. While we lack studies examining whether and when magnetic cues affect orientation or navigation decisions during flight, the role of magnetic cues during stopover is relatively well studied, but mostly in the laboratory. Notably, many such studies have produced contradictory results so that understanding the biological importance of magnetic cues for decisions in free‐flying songbirds is not straightforward. One potential explanation is that reproducibility of magnetic‐cue experiments is low, probably because variability in the behavioural responses of birds among experiments is high. We are convinced that parts of this variability can be explained by species‐specific and context‐dependent reactions of birds to the study conditions and by the bird's high flexibility in whether they include magnetic cues in a decision or not. Ultimately, this review should help researchers in the challenging field of magnetoreception to design experiments meticulously and interpret results of such studies carefully by considering the migration ecology of their focal species.
Evaluation and discovery of novel benzothiazole derivatives as promising hits against Leishmania infantum
Authors: Lapierre Thibault Joseph William Jacques Dit , Farago Danilo Nascimento , de Moura Lodi Cruz Mariza Gabriela Faleiro , de Melo Resende Daniela , de Oliveira Adriane Cristina Rosa , dos Santos Brenda Rosa Macedo , de Oliveira Souza Felipe , Michelan‐Duarte Simone , Chelucci Rafael C. , Andricopulo Adriano D. , Ferreira Leonardo L. G. , Pilau Eduardo Jorge , Murta Silvane Maria Fonseca , de Oliveira Rezende Júnior Celso
Published: April 2024

An early exploration of the benzothiazole class against two kinetoplastid parasites, Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi, has been performed after the identification of a benzothiazole derivative as a suitable antileishmanial initial hit. The first series of derivatives focused on the acyl fragment of its class, evaluating diverse linear and cyclic, alkyl and aromatic substituents, and identified two other potent compounds, the phenyl and cyclohexyl derivatives. Subsequently, new compounds were designed to assess the impact of the presence of diverse substituents on the benzothiazole ring or the replacement of the endocyclic sulfur by other heteroatoms. All compounds showed relatively low cytotoxicity, resulting in decent selectivity indexes for the most active compounds. Ultimately, the in vitro ADME properties of these compounds were assessed, revealing a satisfying water solubility, gastrointestinal permeability, despite their low metabolic stability and high lipophilicity. Consequently, compounds 5 and 6 were identified as promising hits for further hit‐to‐lead exploration within this benzothiazole class against L. infantum, thus providing promising starting points for the development of antileishmanial candidates.
Preventing extinction in an age of species migration and planetary change
Authors: Lundgren Erick J. , Wallach Arian D. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Schlaepfer Martin A. , Andersson Astrid L. A. , Ramp Daniel
Published: April 2024

International and national conservation policies almost exclusively focus on conserving species in their historic native ranges, thus excluding species that have been introduced by people and some of those that have extended their ranges on their own accord. Given that many of such migrants are threatened in their native ranges, conservation goals that explicitly exclude these populations may overlook opportunities to prevent extinctions and respond dynamically to rapidly changing environmental and climatic conditions. Focusing on terrestrial mammals, we quantified the number of threatened mammals that have established new populations through assisted migration (i.e., introduction). We devised 4 alternative scenarios for the inclusion of assisted‐migrant populations in mainstream conservation policy with the aim of preventing global species extinctions. We then used spatial prioritization algorithms to simulate how these scenarios could change global spatial conservation priorities. We found that 22% (70 species out of 265) of all identified assisted‐migrant mammals were threatened in their native ranges, mirroring the 25% of all mammals that are threatened. Reassessing global threat statuses by combining native and migrant ranges reduced the threat status of 23 species (∼33% of threatened assisted migrants). Thus, including migrant populations in threat assessments provides a more accurate assessment of actual global extinction risk among species. Spatial prioritization simulations showed that reimagining the role of assisted‐migrant populations in preventing species extinction could increase the importance of overlooked landscapes, particularly in central Australia, Europe, and the southwestern United States. Our results indicated that these various and nonexhaustive ways to consider assisted‐migrant populations, with due consideration of potential conservation conflicts with resident taxa, may provide unprecedented opportunities to prevent species extinctions.
Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of isoniazid affected by NAT2 polymorphisms in patients with tuberculosis: A systematic review
Authors: Surarak Thanakorn , Chumnumwat Supatat , Nosoongnoen Wichit , Tragulpiankit Pramote
Published: April 2024

N‐acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genetic polymorphisms might alter isoniazid metabolism leading to toxicity. We reviewed the impact of NAT2 genotype status on the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of isoniazid, a treatment for tuberculosis (TB). A systematic search for research articles published in Scopus, PubMed, and Embase until August 31, 2023, was conducted without filters or limits on the following search terms and Boolean operators: “isoniazid” AND “NAT2.” Studies were selected if NAT2 phenotypes with pharmacokinetics or efficacy or safety of isoniazid in patients with TB were reported. Patient characteristics, NAT2 status, isoniazid pharmacokinetic parameters, early treatment failure, and the prevalence of drug‐induced liver injury were extracted. If the data were given as a median, these values were standardized to the mean. Forty‐one pharmacokinetics and 53 safety studies were included, but only one efficacy study was identified. The average maximum concentrations of isoniazid were expressed as supratherapeutic concentrations in adults (7.16 ± 4.85 μg/mL) and children (6.43 ± 3.87 μg/mL) in slow acetylators. The mean prevalence of drug‐induced liver injury was 36.23 ± 19.84 in slow acetylators, which was significantly different from the intermediate (19.49 ± 18.20) and rapid (20.47 ± 20.68) acetylators. Subgroup analysis by continent showed that the highest mean drug‐induced liver injury prevalence was in Asian slow acetylators (42.83 ± 27.61). The incidence of early treatment failure was decreased by genotype‐guided isoniazid dosing in one study. Traditional weight‐based dosing of isoniazid in most children and adults yielded therapeutic isoniazid levels (except for slow acetylators). Drug‐induced liver injury was more commonly observed in slow acetylators. Genotype‐guided dosing may prevent early treatment failure.
Needle and syringe sharing among people who have recently injected drugs in Australia: The ETHOS Engage Study
Authors: Farooq Abdullah , Valerio Heather , Wheeler Alice , Martinello Marianne , Henderson Charles , Silk David , Degenhardt Louisa , Read Phillip , Dore Gregory J. , Grebely Jason , Cunningham Evan B. ,   the ETHOS Engage Study Group
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Understanding needle/syringe sharing is crucial for reducing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and reinfection. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with needle/syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in Australia, including those previously receiving HCV treatment.

Methods

The ETHOS Engage study was an observational cohort study which collected self‐reported survey data on demographic and drug use information from people who inject drugs attending drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs over two waves between May 2018 and June 2021. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with needle/syringe sharing.

Results

Overall, 1555/2395 people enrolled in ETHOS Engage (65%) injected drugs in the past month. Among these, 432 (28%) reported needle/syringe sharing in the past month and 276 (18%) reported receptive sharing. Factors associated with receptive sharing included younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.30), recent incarceration (aOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.40–2.94), more frequent injecting (≥daily vs. less than weekly; aOR 2.59; 95% CI 1.75–3.84) and unstable housing (aOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.26–2.52). Among 560 participants with prior HCV treatment, 87 (16%) reported receptive sharing with younger age (aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.45–4.05) and daily or greater injection frequency (aOR 2.51; 95% CI 1.31–4.83) associated with receptive sharing.

Discussion and Conclusions

Needle/syringe sharing was common among this population accessing harm reduction services. This study identifies high‐risk populations with needle/syringe sharing. Research is needed to optimise HCV treatment to ensure people with ongoing risk behaviours receive adequate harm reduction following treatment to prevent reinfection.
‘The wild west of medicine’: A qualitative investigation of the factors influencing Australian health‐care practitioners' delivery of medicinal cannabis
Authors: Dobson Olivia , Barber Michaela , Graham Myfanwy , Carter Adrian , Savic Michael
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Strong patient interest in the use of medicinal cannabis to treat various clinical indications has sparked global legislative changes. Practitioners are vital in implementing regulatory changes and facilitating patient access to medicinal cannabis, however, little is currently known about the factors influencing practitioners' uptake. Recent rapid increases in practitioner applications to prescribe medicinal cannabis in Australia provides a unique backdrop to examine the current factors influencing prescribing behaviours. This qualitative study examined Australian practitioners' perspectives on prescribing medicinal cannabis to provide a comprehensive exploration of the potential factors influencing uptake in clinical practice.

Methods

Seventeen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Australian health‐care practitioners. Transcripts were analysed using the Framework approach to thematic analysis and cross‐mapped to appropriate domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results

We identified four themes related to the barriers and facilitators to prescribing medicinal cannabis: (i) clinical capabilities needed to prescribe; (ii) prescribing an unapproved therapeutic good; (iii) negative attitudes towards prescribers in the medical community; and (iv) divergent beliefs about clinical utility.

Discussion and Conclusions

Practitioners face multiple pervasive barriers to prescribing medicinal cannabis. Beliefs about clinical utility appear to be highly influential in shaping prescribing behaviours. Moreover, our findings suggest that a medicinal cannabis ‘specialisation’ has emerged within the Australian medical community. Findings demonstrate that a range of complex and multifaceted factors influence practitioners' medicinal cannabis prescribing behaviours. We highlight several considerations for policy and practice to support safe and appropriate patient access to medicinal cannabis in this emerging area of clinical practice.
Multifactorial structuring in a local guild of coprophilic scarab beetles from theMexicantransition zone: Analyses of ecological hypotheses
Authors: Moctezuma Victor , Halffter Gonzalo , Escobar Federico
Published: April 2024

Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain the environmental gradients‐biotic structuring relationship. Nevertheless, several inconsistencies have arisen when only one hypothesis is chosen to explain the biological diversity patterns. Our aim is to test a multiple hypotheses approach to explain the structure of a coprophilic scarab local guild.

Coprophilic Scarabaeoidea beetles were sampled for 33 sites along the study region (Los Chimalapas, Oaxaca, Mexico). Several environmental variables were used to test four hypotheses for geographic gradients: Productivity, ambient energy, habitat heterogeneity and temporal heterogeneity. Generalised linear mixed models were used to test the relationship of the hypotheses on the abundance, species richness and Shannon‐Wiener diversity of the local guild. Moreover, canonical correspondence analysis was performed to analyse the effects on species composition.

Abundance was negatively affected by the simultaneous effect between two habitat heterogeneity factors, while both species richness (positive effect) and Shannon‐Wiener diversity (negative effect) were mainly related to productivity, and species composition was mainly explained by habitat heterogeneity.

We conclude that multiple hypotheses, both based on species‐energy and heterogeneity, need to be considered to explain biotic setting of communities, ensembles, assemblages, local guilds and other complex biotic systems.
Profiling genome‐wide methylation in two maples: Fine‐scale approaches to detection with nanopore technology
Authors: McEvoy Susan L. , Grady Patrick G. S. , Pauloski Nicole , O'Neill Rachel J. , Wegrzyn Jill L.
Published: April 2024

DNA methylation is critical to the regulation of transposable elements and gene expression and can play an important role in the adaptation of stress response mechanisms in plants. Traditional methods of methylation quantification rely on bisulfite conversion that can compromise accuracy. Recent advances in long‐read sequencing technologies allow for methylation detection in real time. The associated algorithms that interpret these modifications have evolved from strictly statistical approaches to Hidden Markov Models and, recently, deep learning approaches. Much of the existing software focuses on methylation in the CG context, but methylation in other contexts is important to quantify, as it is extensively leveraged in plants. Here, we present methylation profiles for two maple species across the full range of 5mC sequence contexts using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long‐reads. Hybrid and reference‐guided assemblies were generated for two new Acer accessions: Acer negundo (box elder; 65x ONT and 111X Illumina) and Acer saccharum (sugar maple; 93x ONT and 148X Illumina). The ONT reads generated for these assemblies were re‐basecalled, and methylation detection was conducted in a custom pipeline with the published Acer references (PacBio assemblies) and hybrid assemblies reported herein to generate four epigenomes. Examination of the transposable element landscape revealed the dominance of LTR Copia elements and patterns of methylation associated with different classes of TEs. Methylation distributions were examined at high resolution across gene and repeat density and described within the broader angiosperm context, and more narrowly in the context of gene family dynamics and candidate nutrient stress genes.
‘How to adapt forests?’—Exploring the role of leaf trait diversity for long‐term forest biomass under new climate normals
Authors: Billing Maik , Sakschewski Boris , von Bloh Werner , Vogel Johannes , Thonicke Kirsten
Published: April 2024

Forests, critical components of global ecosystems, face unprecedented challenges due to climate change. This study investigates the influence of functional diversity—as a component of biodiversity—to enhance long‐term biomass of European forests in the context of changing climatic conditions. Using the next‐generation flexible trait‐based vegetation model, LPJmL‐FIT, we explored the impact of functional diversity on long‐term forest biomass under three different climate change scenarios (video abstract: https://www.pik‐potsdam.de/~billing/video/2023/video_abstract_billing_et_al_LPJmLFIT.mp4). Four model set‐ups were tested with varying degrees of functional diversity and best‐suited functional traits. Our results show that functional diversity positively influences long‐term forest biomass, particularly when climate warming is low (RCP2.6). Under these conditions, high‐diversity simulations led to an approximately 18.2% increase in biomass compared to low‐diversity experiments. However, as climate change intensity increased, the benefits of functional diversity diminished (RCP8.5). A Bayesian multilevel analysis revealed that both full leaf trait diversity and diversity of plant functional types contributed significantly to biomass enhancement under low warming scenarios in our model simulations. Under strong climate change, the presence of a mixture of different functional groups (e.g. summergreen and evergreen broad‐leaved trees) was found more beneficial than the diversity of leaf traits within a functional group (e.g. broad‐leaved summergreen trees). Ultimately, this research challenges the notion that planting only the most productive and climate‐suited trees guarantees the highest future biomass and carbon sequestration. We underscore the importance of high functional diversity and the potential benefits of fostering a mixture of tree functional types to enhance long‐term forest biomass in the face of climate change.
A zinc‐finger protein Moc3 functions as a transcription activator to promote RNAi‐dependent constitutive heterochromatin establishment in fission yeast
Authors: Mori Miyuki , Sato Michiaki , Takahata Shinya , Kajitani Takuya , Murakami Yota
Published: April 2024

In fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, constitutive heterochromatin defined by methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me) and its binding protein Swi6/HP1 localizes at the telomere, centromere, and mating‐type loci. These loci contain DNA sequences called dg and dh, and the RNA interference (RNAi)‐dependent system establishes and maintains heterochromatin at dg/dh. Bi‐directional transcription at dg/dh induced by RNA polymerase II is critical in RNAi‐dependent heterochromatin formation because the transcribed RNAs provide substrates for siRNA synthesis and a platform for assembling RNAi factors. However, a regulator of dg/dh transcription during the establishment of heterochromatin is not known. Here, we found that a zinc‐finger protein Moc3 localizes dh and activates dh‐forward transcription in its zinc‐finger‐dependent manner when heterochromatin structure or heterochromatin‐dependent silencing is compromised. However, Moc3 does not localize at normal heterochromatin and does not activate the dh‐forward transcription. Notably, the loss of Moc3 caused a retarded heterochromatin establishment, showing that Moc3‐dependent dh‐forward transcription is critical for RNAi‐dependent heterochromatin establishment. Therefore, Moc3 is a transcriptional activator that induces RNAi to establish heterochromatin.
Tumour budding as a prognostic biomarker in biopsies and resections of neoadjuvant‐treated rectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Aherne Susan , Donnelly Mark , Ryan Éanna J , Davey Matthew G , Creavin Ben , McGrath Erinn , McCarthy Aoife , Geraghty Robert , Gibbons David , Nagtegaal Iris , Lugli Alessandro , Kirsch Richard , Martin Sean T , Winter Desmond C , Sheahan Kieran ,   collaborators at the Centre for Colorectal Disease and International Tumour Budding Consortium funded by the Dutch Cancer Society
Published: April 2024

Background

Tumour budding (TB) is a marker of tumour aggressiveness which, when measured in rectal cancer resection specimens, predicts worse outcomes and response to neoadjuvant therapy. We investigated the utility of TB assessment in the setting of neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods and results

A single‐centre, retrospective cohort study was conducted. TB was assessed using the hot‐spot International Tumour Budding Consortium (ITBCC) method and classified by the revised ITBCC criteria. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and AE1/AE3 cytokeratin (CK) stains for ITB (intratumoural budding) in biopsies with PTB (peritumoural budding) and ITB (intratumoural budding) in resection specimens were compared. Logistic regression assessed budding as predictors of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses investigated their utility as a predictor of disease‐free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival. A total of 146 patients were included; 91 were male (62.3%). Thirty‐seven cases (25.3%) had ITB on H&E and 79 (54.1%) had ITB on CK assessment of biopsy tissue. In univariable analysis, H&E ITB [odds (OR) = 2.709, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.261–5.822, P = 0.011] and CK ITB (OR = 2.165, 95% CI = 1.076–4.357, P = 0.030) predicted LNM. Biopsy‐assessed H&E ITB (OR = 2.749, 95% CI = 1.258–6.528, P = 0.022) was an independent predictor of LNM. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, ITB identified on biopsy was associated with worse OS (H&E, P = 0.003, CK: P = 0.009) and DFS (H&E, P = 0.012; CK, P = 0.045). In resection specimens, CK PTB was associated with worse OS (P = 0.047), and both CK PTB and ITB with worse DFS (PTB, P = 0.014; ITB: P = 0.019). In multivariable analysis H&E ITB predicted OS (HR = 2.930, 95% CI = 1.261–6.809) and DFS (HR = 2.072, 95% CI = 1.031–4.164). CK PTB grading on resection also independently predicted OS (HR = 3.417, 95% CI = 1.45–8.053, P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Assessment of TB using H&E and CK may be feasible in rectal cancer biopsy and post‐neoadjuvant therapy‐treated resection specimens and is associated with LNM and worse survival outcomes. Future management strategies for rectal cancer might be tailored to incorporate these findings.
Advances in uterine inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours: Diagnostic challenges and risk stratification
Authors: Umetsu Sarah E , Ladwig Nicholas R
Published: April 2024

The current understanding of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (IMTs) of the gynaecological tract has recently been enhanced by their increased recognition. This increase is largely due to greater accessibility to RNA‐based molecular assays used to identify their defining ALK rearrangements. This review summarises the clinical characteristics, morphological spectrum, immunohistochemical profile and molecular underpinnings of uterine IMT. Additionally, this review discusses practical diagnostic considerations including overlap between uterine IMT and smooth muscle tumours as well as pregnancy‐associated uterine IMT. Finally, we highlight recent literature demonstrating the potential for aggressive behaviour in uterine IMT, including a novel risk stratification model for identifying high‐risk IMT.
Ablation mechanism of C/C–SiC composites in supersonic oxygen‐enriched ablation environment for the internal flow field
Authors: Gao Yong , Wang Jin‐Jin , Zha Bai‐Lin , Sun Zhen‐Sheng , Wang Ling‐Ling , Li Rui‐Feng
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the ablation resistance of C/C–SiC composites using the ground simulation internal flow‐field supersonic oxygen‐rich ablation test technology. The microstructure evolution and ablation mechanism of the composites in a supersonic oxygen‐rich environment were explored by examining the macroscopic and microscopic ablation morphologies of the composites before and after the test. The results demonstrate that C/C–SiC composites exhibit excellent ablation resistance, with mass and linear ablation rates of .46 × 10−2 g/s and .42 × 10−2 mm/s, respectively, after 120 s of ablation in a low gas temperature and high oxygen‐rich ablation thermal environment. As the gas temperature increases, the mass and linear ablation rates of C/C–SiC composites gradually increase, even though the oxygen enrichment within the gas components decreases. When the gas temperature reaches 2178–2491 K, the mass and linear ablation rates increase to 1.31 × 10−2 g/s and .84 × 10−2 mm/s, respectively. Furthermore, at high temperatures above 2650 K, the mass and linear ablation rates of the composites exhibit a geometric multiple increase, reaching 4.73 × 10−2 g/s and 1.89 × 10−2 mm/s, respectively. These findings indicate that the ablation resistance of C/C–SiC composites in the supersonic oxygen‐rich ablation environment is more sensitive to gas temperature than oxygen enrichment. The main factors contributing to the increased ablation rate of C/C–SiC composites in the supersonic oxygen‐rich ablation process include the formation of a glass SiO2 oxide film, transition to molten SiO2, erosion of molten SiO2, and high‐temperature sublimation of the SiC matrix.
Metabolomics reveals how ethylene‐auxin interaction delays tomato ripening maintaining fruit nutritional and sensorial quality
Authors: Tobaruela Eric de Castro , Meza Silvia Leticia Rivero , Massaretto Isabel Louro , Pascoal Grazieli Benedetti , Freschi Luciano , Purgatto Eduardo
Published: April 2024

The antagonistic roles of ethylene and auxin are well established, although the exact role of auxin in ripening regulation remains unclear. A metabolomic approach can be a strategy to understand the role of this phytohormone in improving tomato quality. This study used metabolomic approaches to investigate how the interaction between ethylene and auxin affects tomato fruit nutritional and sensorial quality, with a particular emphasis on aroma metabolites. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro‐Tom) fruits were randomly grouped according to treatment with ethylene (ETHY), auxin (IAA), or both (ETHY + IAA) phytohormones. Fruits without treatment were grouped in CTRL. Ethylene and auxin treatments affected carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose, and glucose), organic acids (citric and malic acids), and amino acids (valine, asparagine, and GABA), with the main volatile organic compounds precursors positively impacting ETHY + IAA aroma compounds. In conclusion, the comparison of metabolome profiles suggests that auxin regulation may overlap the ethylene regulatory system. Furthermore, tomato fruits treated with both phytohormones maintained metabolic profiles similar to those of untreated fruits in delayed ripening conditions, besides the improved tomato aroma.
The role of environmental air and microwave drying on colour values, bioactive properties and phenolic compounds of jalapeno pepper
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed Isam A. , Al Juhaimi Fahad , Uslu Nurhan , Özcan Mehmet Musa , Karrar Emad
Published: April 2024

In this study, the effect of dehydration of some physico‐chemical characteristics, total phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds of green and red jalapeno pepper fruits was investigated. The total carotenoid contents of red and green jalapeno pepper samples were reported to be between 14.15 (fresh) and 129.00 μg/g (540 and 720 W) to 2.8 (fresh) and 27.25 μg/g (720 W), respectively. Total phenolic results of red and green jalapeno pepper samples were recorded between 205.83 (fresh) and 343.93 mg GAE/100 g (540 W) to 81.69 (fresh) and 309.88 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g (air drying), respectively. The highest decrease in L* results (brightness) of both red (32.33) and green (36.45) peppers was determined with air drying. Gallic acid, catechin and kaempferol were the predominant phenolic compounds of jalapeno peppers. Gallic acid amounts of red and green jalapeno pepper samples changed between 3.23 (fresh) and 16.20 mg/100 g (air) to 2.41 (fresh) and 9.30 mg/100 g (air), respectively. Also, catechin amounts of both red and green dehydrated jalapeno pepper fruits were determined between 3.24 (fresh) and 106.33 mg/100 g (900 W) to 2.89 (fresh) and 90.05 mg/100 g (air), respectively. Both conventional and microwave drying has caused the reduction of redness for red pepper and greenness for green pepper. The phenolic components of red jalapeno peppers were partially higher than the green ones.
Colloid‐encapsulated sugarcane polyphenols and their impact on in vitro starch digestibility: enhancing bioaccessibility and α‐amylase inhibitory effect
Authors: Li Hongye , Yue Yi , Jiang Yiming , Wu Yi , Zhang Mengqing , Zeng Xinan , Zhao Wei
Published: April 2024

This study focuses on encapsulation of sugarcane polyphenols (SPs) to assess its impact on their bioaccessibility and efficacy in inhibiting starch digestion, thereby contributing to glycaemic control strategies. The hypothesis posits that encapsulation enhances both the bioaccessibility and functional effectiveness of SPs. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and carrageenan (CAR) were employed as encapsulating agents. The methodology included an evaluation of α‐amylase inhibitory activity and the bioaccessibility of SPs across various encapsulation formulations in vitro digestion, highlighting a specific formulation that combines 0.5% CMC and 0.5% CAR to encapsulate 0.4% SPs. Findings reveal that this formulation significantly increases SPs' bioaccessibility and exhibits the highest α‐amylase inhibitory activity, suggesting its potential to support a low glycaemic index (GI) diet (GI = 54.7). It was observed that the GI is significantly inversely correlated with the bioaccessibility of total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins in SPs, while the bioaccessibility of total flavonoids in SPs showed no significant effect on pGI. Interestingly, SPs encapsulated with CMC were less effective in inhibiting starch digestibility than unencapsulated SPs, attributed to the tight binding of CMC with polyphenols, which limits their interaction with starch and α‐amylase. The study highlights the crucial influence of encapsulation materials on polyphenol functionality and emphasises the need for strategic encapsulation in modulating glycaemic responses. These findings advance the understanding of how processing technologies can optimise the health benefits of dietary bioactives, guiding future research towards functional applications and dietary interventions for glycaemic control.
Melatonin treatment enhances bioactive compound retention, antioxidant activity and shelf‐life of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) during cold storage
Authors: Ahamad Sajeel , Asrey Ram , Singh Awani Kumar , Sethi Shruti , Joshi Alka , Vinod B. R. , Meena Nirmal Kumar , Menaka M. , Choupdar Ganesh Kumar
Published: April 2024

Melatonin (MT), a natural signalling compound derived from tryptophan, has gained significant attention for delaying postharvest ripening and senescence in various fruits and vegetables. In the present study, the effect of MT treatment was evaluated on the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper. Fruits were dipped in various MT concentrations (70, 120, 170, 220 μmol L−1) for 20 min and stored at 10 ± 1 °C for 20 days. The bell pepper treated with 120 μmol L−1 MT significantly suppressed respiration, weight loss and delayed chlorophyll degradation. Additionally, MT (120 μmol L−1) treatment reduced loss of firmness, titratable acidity and retained total phenol, flavonoid and ascorbic acid content. It hindered malondialdehyde accumulation by enhanced DPPH radical scavenging and antioxidant enzyme activity like superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, over the control. Conclusively, 120 μmol L−1 MT prolongs the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper by 20 days with superior sensory quality, surpassing the control by 10 days. Therefore, MT treatment is a commercially useful technology for maintaining quality and prolonging the postharvest shelf‐life of bell pepper.
Pasting, thermal and structural changes of part‐baked bread prepared under freezing conditions
Authors: Silvas‐García María Irene , Ledesma‐Osuna Ana Irene , Buitimea‐Cantúa Nydia Estrellita , Montaño‐Leyva Beatriz , Menchaca‐Armenta Mariela , Gerardo‐Rodríguez Jesús Enrique
Published: April 2024

In frozen part‐baked bread technology, starch is influenced by various processing factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of part‐baking time, freezing rate and frozen storage time on pasting, thermal and structural properties of part‐baked bread. Wheat dough was part‐baked for 0, 3 or 6 min and frozen at −20 °C using two freezing rates: slow (0.15 °C min−1) or fast (1.45 °C min−1). Next, samples were stored in frozen conditions for 56 days and analysed every 14 days for starch damage, pasting properties, thermal and X‐ray analysis. The level of damaged starch increased with 3 min (69.3%), and 6 min (88.8%) of part‐baking time for both freezing rates compared to no part‐baked. In pasting analyses, peak viscosity decreased 27.3% and 38.4% for 3 and 6 min of part‐baking time, respectively, at 0 days of frozen storage; however, this tendency was observed for all frozen storage time. The gelatinisation enthalpy (ΔHg) decreased as part‐baking time increased, showing the maximum reduction at 6 min of part‐baked (94.9%). In X‐ray diffraction analyses at 3 and 6 min of part‐baking, the intensity of the signal increased 4.4% and 10.9%, respectively, probably due to the starch gelatinisation. These results can serve as a valuable guide for developing strategies to enhance the quality of part‐baked bread and improve production performance.
Pain during primary molar local anaesthesia with SleeperOne5 computerized device versus conventional syringe: A randomized, split‐mouth, crossover, controlled trial
Authors: Muller‐Bolla Michèle , Aïem Elody , Joseph Clara , Davit‐Béal Tiphaine , Marquillier Thomas , Esclassan Emmanuelle , Delfosse Caroline , Lopez Serena , Velly Ana Miriam
Published: April 2024

Background

Because of controversial results from clinical studies comparing different dental local anesthesia methods in children, the primary objective of this randomized, split‐mouth, crossover, controlled trial was to compare pain intensity during local anaesthesia (LA) performed with a computer‐controlled LA delivery system (C‐CLADS) versus a conventional syringe (CONV). Secondary objectives included comparisons during dental treatment.

Methods

Participants (4–8 years) with tooth pair requiring similar treatment were recruited from five French hospitals. The right primary molar, which was treated at the first visit, was randomly allocated to one of the anaesthesia groups (either intraosseous with C‐CLADS or infiltration with CONV), whereas the contralateral molar (treated at the second visit) was assigned to the other group. Pain intensity and behaviour outcomes, assessed with the Faces Pain and Venham revised scales, respectively, were compared between groups using Proc mixed. Stratified analyses were performed on dentition and location.

Results

Among 107 participants, the analysis revealed reduced pain perception during LA in the C‐CLADS group compared with the CONV group (−0.72, 95% CI: −1.43, −0.006), but not during dental treatment. Stratified analyses showed that this effect was observed only in primary dentition (p = .006) and mandibular molars (p = .005). Behavioural issues were fewer in the C‐CLADS group than in the CONV group (p = .05) only during injection.

Conclusion

C‐CLADS emerged as the preferable system in primary dentition.
Adhesive restorations in primary dentition: A retrospective analysis of survival rate and associated factors
Authors: Souza‐Oliveira Ana Clara , Paschoal Marco Aurélio Benini , Rezende Thiago , Alvarenga‐Brant Rachel , Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira , Martins‐Pfeifer Carolina Castro
Published: April 2024

Background

Several clinical and individual factors may play a role in the survival rate of dental restorations, such as characteristics related to the child’s age and oral hygiene, and factors associated with the tooth, such as the type of material and number of surfaces to be restored.

Aim

To analyse the survival rate of adhesive restorations on primary teeth and factors associated with restoration survival.

Design

The study included dental records of children aged 3–12 years having received adhesive restorations on primary teeth at a Brazilian dental school between 2009 and 2019. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to plot survival rates using the log‐rank test. A multivariate Cox regression model was run to identify individual and dental factors associated with restoration failure.

Results

The sample comprised 269 restored teeth in 111 children. Survival curves were similar for all materials (p = .20) and types of isolation (p = .05). The annual failure rate was 3.60% for glass ionomer cement, 1.23% for resin‐modified glass ionomer cement and 0.40% for composite resin. The following variables were associated with more failures: Class II restoration compared with Class I (HR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.28–2.99, p < .001), proportion of decayed teeth (HR = 11.89; 95%CI: 2.80–50.57, p < .001) and child's age (HR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.06–1.29, p < .001).

Conclusion

The different materials and types of isolation had similar survival rates. Children with more decayed teeth have an increased risk of restoration failure.
Analysis of risk factors affecting wound healing and wound infection after meningioma resection
Authors: Wang Jianye , Shou Jixin , Gao Haidong , Wang Bingbing , Ding Panfeng , Yang Peng
Published: April 2024

To analyse the risk factors affecting wound healing and infection after spinal meningioma resection surgery. The surgical incision healing of 137 patients who underwent spinal meningioma resection at our hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 was analysed. The data collected included physical examination findings, haematological and biochemical measurements, and various scales assessed upon admission and after surgery. These data were then analysed. The surgical wound healing, infection and postoperative complications were statistically analysed. Multiple logistic regression analysis method was used to conduct risk factor analysis on corresponding indicators; the odds ratio and p value of 95% confidence interval were calculated. Factors such as age and smoking history were significantly negatively correlated with wound healing after meningioma resection (odds ratio < 1.000, p < 0.05), while preoperative albumin and platelet count were significantly positively correlated with wound healing (odds ratio > 1.000, p < 0.05). Age, WHO Meningioma Grading, preoperative albumin and preoperative platelet were significantly negatively correlated with wound infection after meningioma resection (odds ratio < 1.000, p < 0.05). The history of virus infection and history of neurological disorders were significantly positively correlated with wound infection (odds ratio > 1.000, p < 0.05). The influence of each factor is different. Age, smoking history, WHO Meningioma Grading, preoperative albumin, preoperative platelets, history of virus infection and history of neurological disorders had the greatest influence on wound healing and infection after meningioma resection.
Silver nanoparticle dressing: The knowledge of advantages and limits improves the indications in clinical practice
Authors: Budini Valentina , Bassetto Franco , Scarpa Carlotta , Vindigni Vincenzo
Published: April 2024

Silver nanoparticle dressings have gained popularity recently as a way to treat challenging wounds. Notwithstanding the properties of Ag‐NPS (silver nanoparticles) described by several articles, there is a lack of clinical studies that guide healthcare professionals to specific and conscious use. In this case series, Ag‐NPS dressing was tested on a randomized group of 10 patients with complex wounds requiring conservative treatment. Each case was analysed, recording the patient's history, the peculiar characteristics and the progressive changes in the wound. The wound bed and the quality of the peri‐wound skin improved and a decrease in signs of infection was observed. The application of the dressing was simple and comfortable for the patient and it was appreciated for its sealing ability. A few capacity restrictions showed up: those should be read as elements to improve the indications for this peculiar dressing. The thin tissue matrix of the Ag‐NPS dressing does not allow for massive absorption and also performs poorly in reducing little exudate. The reduction in wound width is also limited: reconstructive surgery was required in half of the enrolled patients to achieve wound healing.