bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DECIDE: Delphi Expert Consensus Statement on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Dysplasia Shared Management Decision-Making
Authors: Kabir Misha , Thomas-Gibson Siwan , Tozer Phil J , Warusavitarne Janindra , Faiz Omar , Hart Ailsa , Allison Lisa , Acheson Austin G , Atici Semra Demirli , Avery Pearl , Brar Mantaj , Carvello Michele , Choy Matthew C , Dart Robin J , Davies Justin , Dhar Anjan , Din Shahida , Hayee Bu’Hussain , Kandiah Kesavan , Katsanos Konstantinos H , Lamb Christopher Andrew , Limdi Jimmy K , Lovegrove Richard E , Myrelid Pär , Noor Nurulamin , Papaconstantinou Ioannis , Petrova Dafina , Pavlidis Polychronis , Pinkney Thomas , Proud David , Radford Shellie , Rao Rohit , Sebastian Shaji , Segal Jonathan P , Selinger Christian , Spinelli, Antonino , Thomas Kathryn , Wolthuis Albert , Wilson Ana
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease colitis-associated dysplasia is managed with either enhanced surveillance and endoscopic resection or prophylactic surgery. The rate of progression to cancer after a dysplasia diagnosis remains uncertain in many cases and patients have high thresholds for accepting proctocolectomy. Individualised discussion of management options is encouraged to take place between patients and their multidisciplinary teams for best outcomes. We aimed to develop a toolkit to support a structured, multidisciplinary and shared decision-making approach to discussions about dysplasia management options between clinicians and their patients.

Methods

Evidence from systematic literature reviews, mixed-methods studies conducted with key stakeholders, and decision-making expert recommendations were consolidated to draft consensus statements by the DECIDE steering group. These were then subjected to an international, multidisciplinary modified electronic Delphi process until an a priori threshold of 80% agreement was achieved to establish consensus for each statement.

Results

In all, 31 members [15 gastroenterologists, 14 colorectal surgeons and two nurse specialists] from nine countries formed the Delphi panel. We present the 18 consensus statements generated after two iterative rounds of anonymous voting.

Conclusions

By consolidating evidence for best practice using literature review and key stakeholder and decision-making expert consultation, we have developed international consensus recommendations to support health care professionals counselling patients on the management of high cancer risk colitis-associated dysplasia. The final toolkit includes clinician and patient decision aids to facilitate shared decision-making.
Interactions between integrated pest management, pollinator supplementation, and normalized difference vegetation index in pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae), production
Authors: Waithaka Nduta A , Kasina Muo , Samita Namikoye E , Guantai Mary M , Omuse Evanson R , Toukem Nadia K , Lattorff H Michael G , Abdel-Rahman Elfatih M , Adan Marian , Mohamed Samira A , Dubois Thomas
Published: May 2023

Sustainable production of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) partly relies on integrated pest management (IPM) and pollination services. A farmer-managed field study was carried out in Yatta and Masinga Sub-Counties of Machakos County, Kenya, to determine the effectiveness of a recommended IPM package and its interaction with stingless bee colonies (Hypotrigona sp.) for pollinator supplementation (PS). The IPM package comprised Lynfield traps with cuelure laced with the organophosphate malathion, sprays of Metarhizium anisopliae (Mechnikoff) Sorokin isolate ICIPE 69, the most widely used fungal biopesticide in sub-Saharan Africa, and protein baits incorporating spinosad. Four treatments—IPM, PS, integrated pest and pollinator management (which combined IPM and PS), and control—were replicated 4 times. The experiment was conducted in 600 m2 farms in 2 normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) classes during 2 growing seasons (October 2019–March 2020 and March–July 2020). Fruits showing signs of infestation were incubated for emergence, fruit fly trap catches were counted weekly, and physiologically mature fruits were harvested. There was no effect of IPM, PS, and NDVI on yield across seasons. This study revealed no synergistic effect between IPM and PS in suppressing Tephritid fruit fly population densities and damage. Hypotrigona sp. is not an efficient pollinator of pumpkin. Therefore, we recommend testing other African stingless bees in pumpkin production systems for better pollination services and improved yields.
The evaluation and management of coagulopathies in the intensive therapy units
Authors: Galli Mattia , Angiolillo Dominick J
Published: May 2023

Coagulopathies are common in intensive therapy units (ITUs) and may represent both the cause and the consequence of a critically ill status. Because coagulopathies are associated with increased complications in terms of both increased ischemic and bleeding events, the prevention, assessment, and treatment of these clinical conditions are important issues to be considered in the ITU. In this review, we explore the pathophysiological mechanisms, discuss the most common causes, and provide practical recommendations on the assessment and treatment of coagulopathies in the ITU.
‘That Little Book’: R.Y. Jennings, The Acquisition of Territory in International Law
Authors: Storr Cait
Published: May 2023

The Acquisition of Territory in International Law has been an indispensable work in the field for 60 years. It remains so, if for shifting reasons. Robert Jennings’ treatment of the applicable law is so succinct, and his bald statements of fact as to the nature of international law so unapologetic, that the text will invariably reward close re-reading by international lawyers of all persuasions. Acquisition of Territory goes far beyond its apparent brief of summarizing the relevant lex lata and offering an expert opinion on key issues of lex ferenda. Viewed from the right light, the work is a prism that refracts the world of early 1960s international law. Jennings deftly sidesteps and postpones fundamental questions of anti-colonial justice that some would have expected to be addressed in a lecture series on the acquisition of territory given in December 1962. The reading down of global anti-colonial movements to a ‘policy question’ beyond the strict concerns of jurists says much of the culture of British international law in the early 1960s. Jennings uses law to relegate calls for colonizing powers to be held to account to some future time, in some differently constituted international system. Amongst his kind, then and now, he is hardly alone.
Competing with fad products: erroneous health beliefs and market outcomes
Authors: Bauner Christoph , Lavoie Nathalie
Published: May 2023

We study how erroneous nutrition assumptions affect manufacturers’ profits and consumer surplus and how the government could intervene to improve welfare. In our model, two manufacturers produce a conventional product and a fad version misperceived to bring health benefits. We compare the laissez-faire outcome to two outcomes: one without false beliefs and the other with information provision reducing the false belief’s prevalence. We find that false beliefs about the health benefits of fad products lower consumer surplus and total welfare under some conditions. Information provision generally increases total welfare, but, in some situations, this occurs at the expense of consumer surplus.
Takotsubo syndrome is a coronary microvascular disease: experimental evidence
Authors: Dong Feng , Yin Liya , Sisakian Hamayak , Hakobyan Tatevik , Jeong Lacey S , Joshi Hirva , Hoff Ellianna , Chandler Selena , Srivastava Geetika , Jabir Abdur Rahman , Kimball Kelly , Chen Yeong-Renn , Chen Chwen-Lih , Kang Patrick T , Shabani Parisa , Shockling Lindsay , Pucci Thomas , Kegecik Karlina , Kolz Christopher , Jia Zhenyu , Chilian William M , Ohanyan Vahagn
Published: May 2023

Background and aims

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a conundrum without consensus about the cause. In a murine model of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), abnormalities in myocardial perfusion played a key role in the development of TTS.

Methods and results

Vascular Kv1.5 channels connect coronary blood flow to myocardial metabolism and their deletion mimics the phenotype of CMD. To determine if TTS is related to CMD, wild-type (WT), Kv1.5−/−, and TgKv1.5−/− (Kv1.5−/− with smooth muscle-specific expression Kv1.5 channels) mice were studied following transaortic constriction (TAC). Measurements of left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening (FS) in base and apex, and myocardial blood flow (MBF) were completed with standard and contrast echocardiography. Ribonucleic Acid deep sequencing was performed on LV apex and base from WT and Kv1.5−/− (control and TAC). Changes in gene expression were confirmed by real-time-polymerase chain reaction. MBF was increased with chromonar or by smooth muscle expression of Kv1.5 channels in the TgKv1.5−/−. TAC-induced systolic apical ballooning in Kv1.5−/−, shown as negative FS (P < 0.05 vs. base), which was not observed in WT, Kv1.5−/− with chromonar, or TgKv1.5−/−. Following TAC in Kv1.5−/−, MBF was lower in LV apex than in base. Increasing MBF with either chromonar or in TgKv1.5−/− normalized perfusion and function between LV apex and base (P = NS). Some genetic changes during TTS were reversed by chromonar, suggesting these were independent of TAC and more related to TTS.

Conclusion

Abnormalities in flow regulation between the LV apex and base cause TTS. When perfusion is normalized between the two regions, normal ventricular function is restored.
Spatial and temporal niche separation of Methanomassiliicoccales phylotypes in temperate fens
Authors: Weil Micha , Wang Haitao , Zak Dominik , Urich Tim
Published: May 2023

The hydrogen-dependent and methylotrophic order Methanomassiliicoccales consists of the families Methanomethylophilaceae and Methanomassiliicoccaceae. While Methanomethylophilaceae are comparatively well studied, there is a lack of knowledge on Methanomassiliicoccaceae. In this 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing-based study we investigated the temporal and spatial dynamics of the Methanomassiliicoccales in drained and rewetted sites of three common temperate fen peatlands. A 2.5-year monitoring of the fen microbiome composition at three peat depths revealed a dynamic methanogen and Methanomassiliicoccales composition across space and time. Four Methanomassiliicoccales phylotypes were found and they were differentially distributed between the fen types. The wetland cluster phylotype was omnipresent and dominant in abundance in all sites along all depths. The Methanomassiliicoccus phylotype was highly abundant in topsoil while the AB364942 phylotype was exclusively found in deeper regions of the rewetted percolation fen. The phylotype affiliated with Methanomassiliicoccales strain U3.2.1 was only detected in the rewetted percolation fen. We discuss the distribution of the four phylotypes with implications for their ecophysiology, where oxygen tolerance and substrate spectrum might play major roles. In conclusion, the Methanomassiliicoccales are widespread and account for a significant proportion of methanogens, which might suggest their importance for methane emissions from peatlands.
After a century of nisin research - where are we now?
Authors: Field Des , Fernandez de Ullivarri Miguel , Ross R Paul , Hill Colin
Published: May 2023

It is almost a century since nisin was discovered in fermented milk cultures, coincidentally in the same year that penicillin was first described. Over the last 100 years this small, highly modified pentacyclic peptide has not only found success in the food industry as a preservative but has also served as the paradigm for our understanding of the genetic organization, expression, and regulation of genes involved in lantibiotic biosynthesis—one of the few cases of extensive post-translation modification in prokaryotes. Recent developments in understanding the complex biosynthesis of nisin have shed light on the cellular location of the modification and transport machinery and the co-ordinated series of spatio-temporal events required to produce active nisin and provide resistance and immunity. The continued unearthing of new natural variants from within human and animal gastrointestinal tracts has sparked interest in the potential application of nisin to influence the microbiome, given the growing recognition of the role the gastrointestinal microbiota plays in health and disease. Moreover, interdisciplinary approaches have taken advantage of biotechnological advancements to bioengineer nisin to produce novel variants and expand nisin functionality for applications in the biomedical field. This review will discuss the latest progress in these aspects of nisin research.
CG hypermethylation of the bHLH39 promoter regulates its expression and Fe deficiency responses in tomato roots
Authors: Zhu Huihui , Han Guanghao , Wang Jiayi , Xu Jiming , Hong Yiguo , Huang Li , Zheng Shaojian , Yang Jianli , Chen Weiwei
Published: May 2023

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for all organisms, including plants, whose limited bioavailability restricts plant growth, yield, and nutritional quality. While the transcriptional regulation of plant responses to Fe deficiency have been extensively studied, the contribution of epigenetic modulations, such as DNA methylation, remains poorly understood. Here, we report that treatment with a DNA methylase inhibitor repressed Fe deficiency-induced responses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) roots, suggesting the importance of DNA methylation in regulating Fe deficiency responses. Dynamic changes in the DNA methylome in tomato roots responding to short-term (12 hours) and long-term (72 hours) Fe deficiency identified many differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and DMR-associated genes. Most DMRs occurred at CHH sites under short-term Fe deficiency, whereas they were predominant at CG sites following long-term Fe deficiency. Furthermore, no correlation was detected between the changes in DNA methylation levels and the changes in transcript levels of the affected genes under either short-term or long-term treatments. Notably, one exception was CG hypermethylation at the bHLH39 promoter, which was positively correlated with its transcriptional induction. In agreement, we detected lower CG methylation at the bHLH39 promoter and lower bHLH39 expression in MET1-RNA interference lines compared with wild-type seedlings. Virus-induced gene silencing of bHLH39 and luciferase reporter assays revealed that bHLH39 is positively involved in the modulation of Fe homeostasis. Altogether, we propose that dynamic epigenetic DNA methylation in the CG context at the bHLH39 promoter is involved in its transcriptional regulation, thus contributing to the Fe deficiency response of tomato.
Meager Milk: Lasting Consequences for Adult Daughters of Primiparous Mothers Among Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Pittet Florent , Hinde Katie
Published: May 2023

Synopsis

Among mammals, primipara who initiate reproduction before full maturity can be constrained in their maternal investment, both due to fewer somatic resources and tradeoffs between their own continued development and reproductive effort. Primipara are particularly limited in their capacity to synthesize milk during lactation, the costliest aspect of reproduction for most mammals, especially primates due to long periods of postnatal development. Due to reduced milk transfer, Firstborns may be at elevated risk for long-term consequences of deficits in early life endowment from their primiparous mothers. Here we investigated mass, growth, stature, and lactation performance among N = 273 adult daughters across N = 335 reproductions, who were their own mother’s Firstborn or Laterborn progeny, among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at the California National Primate Research Center. We further explored mass during infancy of the offspring of Firstborn and Laterborn mothers. Firstborns had accelerated growth during infancy, but had slowed growth during juvenility, compared to Laterborns. Although both Firstborns and Laterborns were the same age at reproductive debut, Firstborns had lower body mass, an effect that persisted throughout the reproductive career. Available milk energy, the product of milk energetic density and milk yield, was on average 16% lower for Firstborns compared to Laterborns, a difference that was only partially mediated by their lower mass. Despite differences in their mothers’ energy provision through milk, the mass of infants of Firstborn and Laterborn mothers did not differ at peak lactation, suggesting that infants of Firstborns devote a higher proportion of milk energy to growth than infants of Laterborns. To date few studies have explored how early life conditions shape capacities to synthesize milk and milk composition. Our findings contribute new information among primates on how early life maternal endowments are associated with persistent effects long after the period of maternal dependence well into reproductive maturity.
Validating an approach to overcome the immeasurable time bias in cohort studies: a real-world example and Monte Carlo simulation study
Authors: Oh In-Sun , Jeong Han Eol , Lee Hyesung , Filion Kristian B , Noh Yunha , Shin Ju-Young
Published: May 2023

Background

Immeasurable time bias arises from the lack of in-hospital medication information. It has been suggested that time-varying adjustment for hospitalization may minimize this potential bias. However, whereas we examined this issue in one case study, there remains a need to assess the validity of this approach in other settings.

Methods

Using a Monte Carlo simulation, we generated synthetic immeasurable time-varying hospitalization-related factors of duration, frequency and timing. Nine scenarios were created by combining three frequency scenarios and three duration scenarios, where the empirical cohort distribution of hospitalization was used to simulate the ‘timing’. We used Korea’s healthcare database and a case example of β-blocker use and mortality among patients with heart failure. We estimated the gold-standard hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI using inpatient and outpatient drug data, and that of the pseudo-outpatient setting using outpatient data only. We assessed the validity of adjusting for time-varying hospitalization in nine different scenarios, using relative bias, confidence limit ratio (CLR) and mean squared error (MSE) compared with the empirical gold-standard estimate across bootstrap resamples.

Results

With the real-world gold standard (HR 0.73; 95% CI 0.67–0.80) as the reference estimate, adjusting for time-varying hospitalization (0.71; 0.63–0.80) effectively reduced the immeasurable time bias and had the following performance metrics across the nine scenarios: relative bias (range: –7.08% to 0.61%), CLR (1.28 to 1.36) and MSE (0.0005 to 0.0031).

Conclusions

The approach of adjusting for time-varying hospitalization consistently reduced the immeasurable time bias in Monte Carlo simulated data.
Efficacy and safety of molnupiravir for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Malin Jakob J , Weibel Stephanie , Gruell Henning , Kreuzberger Nina , Stegemann Miriam , Skoetz Nicole
Published: May 2023

Background

The role of molnupiravir for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment is unclear.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review until 1 November 2022 searching for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving COVID-19 patients comparing molnupiravir [±standard of care (SoC)] versus SoC and/or placebo. Data were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses. Certainty of evidence was assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach.

Results

Nine RCTs were identified, eight investigated outpatients (29 254 participants) and one inpatients (304 participants). Compared with placebo/SoC, molnupiravir does not reduce mortality [risk ratio (RR) 0.27, 95% CI 0.07–1.02, high-certainty evidence] and probably does not reduce the risk for ‘hospitalization or death’ (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.55–1.20, moderate-certainty evidence) by Day 28 in COVID-19 outpatients. We are uncertain whether molnupiravir increases symptom resolution by Day 14 (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02–1.41, very-low-certainty evidence) but it may make no difference by Day 28 (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.92–1.19, low-certainty evidence). In inpatients, molnupiravir may increase mortality by Day 28 compared with placebo (RR 3.78, 95% CI 0.50–28.82, low-certainty evidence). There is little to no difference in serious adverse and adverse events during the study period in COVID-19 inpatients/outpatients treated with molnupiravir compared with placebo/SoC (moderate- to high-certainty evidence).

Conclusions

In a predominantly immunized population of COVID-19 outpatients, molnupiravir has no effect on mortality, probably none on ‘hospitalization or death’ and effects on symptom resolution are uncertain. Molnupiravir was safe during the study period in outpatients although a potential increase in inpatient mortality requires careful monitoring in ongoing clinical research. Our analysis does not support routine use of molnupiravir for COVID-19 treatment in immunocompetent individuals.
Myeloid Sarcoma of the Breast: A Diagnostic Dilemma With Pathologic Correlation
Authors: Hsu Joyce , Factor Rachel , Lowell Dorothy A , Sobolewski Robin , Ghate Sujata V
Published: May 2023

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare extramedullary solid tumor arising most often in patients with current or subsequent acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients of all ages may present with involvement of the skin, lymph nodes, intestinal tract, bone, and/or central nervous system. Isolated involvement of the breast is rare, and only a small number of cases have been described in the literature. Breast MS may present as a palpable mass on clinical evaluation. In this broad literature review from 2010 to 2022, the most common findings on mammography are either solitary or multiple masses, followed by architectural distortion and, less commonly, no discrete findings. Sonography may demonstrate hypoechoic or mixed echogenicity mass(es) with circumscribed or indistinct, not discrete margins. Myeloid sarcoma may present as an enhancing mass or nonmass enhancement on breast MRI and is typically moderately radiotracer avid on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET. At histopathology, MS is characterized by myeloid blasts in varying stages of granulocytic or neutrophilic maturation; diagnosis typically requires immunophenotyping. There is no consensus for treatment of MS, although systemic chemotherapy for AML is often used as MS is considered the tissue equivalent of AML. This article will discuss and illustrate imaging and pathology findings when the breast is involved by MS.
Characterizing the vector competence of Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae and Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to transmit cotton leafroll dwarf virus to cotton in the United States
Authors: Heilsnis Brianna , Mahas Jessica B , Conner Kassie , Pandey Sudeep , Clark Wilson , Koebernick Jenny , Srinivasan Rajagopalbabu , Martin Kathleen , Jacobson Alana L
Published: May 2023

Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) is a yield-limiting, aphid-transmitted virus that was identified in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in the United States of America in 2017. CLRDV is currently classified in the genus Polerovirus, family Solemoviridae. Although 8 species of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are reported to infest cotton, Aphis gossypii Glover is the only known vector of CLRDV to this crop. Aphis gossypii transmits CLRDV in a persistent and nonpropagative manner, but acquisition and retention times have only been partially characterized in Brazil. The main objectives of this study were to characterize the acquisition access period, the inoculation access period, and retention times for a U.S. strain of CLRDV and A. gossypii population. A sub-objective was to test the vector competence of Myzus persicae Sulzer and Aphis craccivora Koch. In our study, A. gossypii apterous and alate morphs were able to acquire CLRDV in 30 min and 24 h, inoculate CLRDV in 45 and 15 min, and retain CLRDV for 15 and 23 days, respectively. Neither M. persicae nor A. craccivora acquired or transmitted CLRDV to cotton.
Plant diversity and ecological intensification in crop production systems
Authors: Brooker Rob W , Hawes Cathy , Iannetta Pietro P M , Karley Alison J , Renard Delphine
Published: May 2023

Ecological intensification (EI) is the enhancement of ecosystem services to complement or substitute for the role of anthropogenic inputs in maintaining or increasing yields. EI has potential to increase farming’s environmental sustainability, e.g. reducing environmentally harmful management activities while sustaining yields. EI is based upon ecological processes which in turn are influenced by biodiversity. We review how biodiversity, particularly vascular plant diversity, can regulate ecosystem processes relevant to EI at multiple spatial scales. At an individual plant genotype level, complementarity in functional traits has a direct impact on productivity. At in-field, population level, mixtures of crop types confer resilience to minimize the risk of pest and disease incidence and spread. Scaling up to the field level, a diversity of non-crop plants (i.e. weeds) provides resources necessary for in-field functional processes, both below ground (carbon inputs, decomposition) and above ground (resource continuity for pollinators and natural enemies). At the landscape scale, mosaics of semi-natural and managed vegetation provide buffers against extreme events through flood and drought risk mitigation, climate amelioration and pest population regulation. Overall this emphasizes the importance of heterogeneity across scales in maintaining ecosystem functions in farmland. Major research challenges highlighted by our review include the need: to better integrate plant functional diversity (from traits to habitat scales) into cropping system design; to quantify the (likely interactive) contribution of plant diversity for effective EI relative to other management options; and to optimize through targeted management the system function benefits of biodiversity for resilient, efficient and productive agroecosystems.
Nonparametric group variable selection with multivariate response for connectome-based modelling of cognitive scores
Authors: Roy Arkaprava
Published: May 2023

We study association between the structural connectivity and cognitive profiles using a multi-response nonparametric regression model. The cognitive profiles are quantified by seven cognitive test scores, and structural connectivity is represented by nine nodal attributes of connectivity graphs. These nodal centralities together encode different connectivity profiles in the brain network. Nodal attributes may be grouped together for each node, motivating us to introduce group sparsity for feature selection, and radial basis function (RBF)-nets are used to quantify the regression effects. An efficient computation algorithm is developed. Applying our proposed method to Human Connectome Project data, we obtain several interesting findings related to cognitive functioning.
The impact of directly observed therapy on the efficacy of Tuberculosis treatment: a Bayesian multilevel approach
Authors: Nobre Widemberg S , Schmidt Alexandra M , Moodie Erica E M , Stephens David A
Published: May 2023

We propose and discuss a Bayesian procedure to estimate causal effects for multilevel observations in the presence of confounding. This work is motivated by an interest in determining the causal impact of directly observed therapy on the successful treatment of Tuberculosis. We focus on propensity score regression and covariate adjustment to balance the treatment allocation. We discuss the need to include latent local-level random effects in the propensity score model to reduce bias in the estimation of causal effects. A simulation study suggests that accounting for the multilevel nature of the data with latent structures in both the outcome and propensity score models has the potential to reduce bias in the estimation of causal effects.
Contrastive Focus Reduplication in Kuwaiti Arabic
Authors: Albader Yousuf B
Published: May 2023

This study examines a case of total reduplication in Kuwaiti Arabic known as contrastive focus reduplication (i.e. complete copying of words or phrases). For example, tišrab čāy ḥalīb willa ČĀY–čāy? ‘Would you like to drink tea with milk, or TEA–tea’ [denoting black tea as opposed to karak chai]. The study explores the morpho-semantic properties of this construction in the dialect, shows the different meanings it allows and how it elucidates the permissible lexical units that can be reduplicated. The reduplication of a lexical item can be applied to a range of grammatical and lexical categories. Over 150 samples were collected by observing contrastive focus reduplication from participants’ (male and female native Kuwaiti speakers in their twenties and seventies) natural speech in everyday conversations. This study contributes to research on the prosody and grammar of the dialect and the theory of semantics, thereby enhancing understanding of reduplication and repetition in Semitic dialectology.1
Effects of landscape cover and yard features on feral and free-roaming cat (Felis catus) distribution, abundance and activity patterns in a suburban area
Authors: Johansson Emily P , DeGregorio Brett A
Published: May 2023

Feral and free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are invasive predators throughout the world. In some areas, cats occur in higher densities than native mammalian predators and can have severe effects upon prey populations. We set 48 wildlife game cameras in residential yards in Arkansas, USA, to evaluate which landscape and yard features influenced cat abundance occurring in yards. In addition, we quantified the daily activity patterns of free-roaming cats and explored how habitat features or predator activity influenced the timing of cat activity. We found that cats were present in 70.8% of yards with an average of three recognizable individuals per yard. Abundance of cats was higher than all native mesopredators except for raccoon (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Cat abundance and minimum population decreased when forest cover was high within 400 m of the camera. Cats were active at all times of the day but tended to be more diurnal in areas closer to city centers or in agricultural settings. Conversely, cats were more nocturnal later in the summer and in areas that had high levels of predator activity. Our results indicate that cats are widespread in this region and their relative abundance is driven more by landscape features than by yard features, possibly due to their large home ranges. Cats may alter their activity to better coexist with predators. Alteration in yard features is unlikely to be an effective deterrent for cats and more direct control measures may be necessary.
Metabolic and morphostructural plasticity of environmental and animal strains of Nannizzia gypsea
Authors: Corrêa-Junior Dario , Avellar-Moura Igor , Araújo Glauber R de S , de Andrade Iara Bastos , Almeida-Silva Fernando , Ramos Mariana Lucy Mesquita , Almeida-Paes Rodrigo , Frases Susana
Published: May 2023

Nannizzia gypsea is a geophylic agent of human and animal dermatophytosis. This study compares the metabolic and morphostructural plasticity of N. gypsea strains isolated from moss, sand, and a dog. The in vitro metabolic plasticity included the detection of extracellular enzymes, thermotolerance, resistance to oxidative stress, and assessment of fungal growth. Structural plasticity studies included cell surface hydrophobicity, electronegativity, and size of macroconidia. Virulence was assessed on a Tenebrio molitor model. The strains showed low thermotolerance and susceptibility to oxidative stress, and were producers of keratinase, lipase, and catalase. Nannizzia gypsea strains were unable to produce hemolysin, esterase, and phospholipase, although they were able to grow with different carbon sources. The electronegative properties of the surface did not vary between the strains under study. The knowledge about N. gypsea metabolic and morphostructural plasticity could be crucial for the development of therapeutic strategies and control of dermatophytosis.
Identifying disappearance of a white dwarf binary with LISA
Authors: Seto Naoki
Published: May 2023

We discuss the prospect of identifying a white dwarf binary merger by monitoring disappearance of its nearly monochromatic gravitational wave. For a 10 yr operation of the laser interferometer space antenna (LISA), the chance probability of observing such an event is roughly estimated to be 20 per cent. By simply using short-term coherent signal integrations, we might determine the merger time with an accuracy of ∼3–10 d. Also considering its expected sky localizability ∼0.1–0.01 deg2, LISA might make an interesting contribution to the multimessenger study on a merger event.
Gravity waves in strong magnetic fields
Authors: Rui Nicholas Z , Fuller Jim
Published: May 2023

Strong magnetic fields in the cores of stars are expected to significantly modify the behaviour of gravity waves: this is likely the origin of suppressed dipole modes observed in many red giants. However, a detailed understanding of how such fields alter the spectrum and spatial structure of magnetogravity waves has been elusive. For a dipole field, we analytically characterize the horizontal eigenfunctions of magnetogravity modes, assuming that the wavevector is primarily radial. For axisymmetric modes (m = 0), the magnetogravity wave eigenfunctions become Hough functions, and they have a radial turning point for sufficiently strong magnetic fields. For non-axisymmetric modes (m ≠ 0), the interaction between the discrete g-mode spectrum and a continuum of Alfvén waves produces nearly discontinuous features in the fluid displacements at critical latitudes associated with a singularity in the fluid equations. We find that magnetogravity modes cannot propagate in regions with sufficiently strong magnetic fields, instead becoming evanescent. When encountering strong magnetic fields, ingoing gravity waves are likely refracted into outgoing slow magnetic waves. These outgoing waves approach infinite radial wavenumbers, which are likely to be damped efficiently. However, it may be possible for a small fraction of the wave power to escape the stellar core as pure Alfvén waves or magnetogravity waves confined to a very narrow equatorial band. The artificially sharp features in the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin-separated solutions suggest the need for global mode solutions which include small terms neglected in our analysis.
Neighbourhood effects on loneliness among adolescents
Authors: Marquez Jose , Qualter Pamela , Petersen Kimberly , Humphrey Neil , Black Louise
Published: May 2023

Background

Loneliness is a growing public health concern, but little is known about how place affects loneliness, especially during adolescence. This is the first study to examine the influence of neighbourhoods on loneliness in early-to-mid adolescence.

Methods

Baseline data from the #BeeWell cohort study in Greater Manchester (England), including 36 141 adolescents (aged 12–15 years) across 1590 neighbourhoods, were linked to neighbourhood characteristics using administrative data at the level of lower super output areas and analysed using multilevel regression.

Results

Neighbourhood differences explained 1.18% of the variation in loneliness. Ethnic, gender and sexual orientation inequalities in loneliness varied across neighbourhoods. Several neighbourhood characteristics predicted loneliness at the individual level, including skills deprivation among children and young people, lower population density and perceptions of the local area (feeling safe; trust in local people; feeling supported by local people; seeing neighbours as helpful; the availability of good places to spend free time). Finally, a longer distance from home to school was associated with significantly higher loneliness.

Conclusions

Neighbourhoods account for a small but significant proportion of the variation in adolescent loneliness, with some neighbourhood characteristics predicting loneliness at the individual level, and loneliness disparities for some groups differing across neighbourhoods.
The Design of Macroprudential Stress Tests
Authors: Orlov Dmitry , Zryumov Pavel , Skrzypacz Andrzej
Published: May 2023

We study the design of stress tests that provide information about aggregate and idiosyncratic risk in banks’ portfolios and impose contingent capital requirements. In the optimal static test, an adverse scenario fails all weak and some strong banks, limiting the stigma of failure. Sequential tests outperform static tests. Under natural conditions, the optimal sequential test consists of a precautionary recapitalization, followed by a scenario that fails only weak banks, similar to TARP in 2008, followed by SCAP in 2009. Our results also shed light on the Federal Reserve’s decision to test the banks twice in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Complete Genome Sequence Data of Pseudomonas bijieensis SP1 Associated with Root Soft Rot of Yam Bean
Authors: Chu Honglong , Peng Shunqiao , Li Zhengxi , Gao Yong , Zhang Yanan
Published: May 2023

Pseudomonas bijieensis is a newly established species with antifungal activity. Here, we report the high-quality and complete genome sequence for P. bijieensis strain SP1, created by hybrid assembly using both short reads and long reads. The length of the circular chromosome is about 6.67 Mb, with a GC content of 60.89%. Bioinformatic analyses revealed gene clusters for the biosynthesis of antimicrobial metabolites 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol as well as bacterial secretion systems (type I to III and type V to VI). Interestingly, this strain can cause soft rot symptoms in the roots of yam bean, showing the potential to be a plant pathogen. The genomic data will be a valuable resource for exploring the virulence mechanism and antifungal activity of this strain.
Posttranscriptional regulation of the prostaglandin E receptor spliced‐isoform EP3‐γ and its implication in pancreatic β‐cell failure
Authors: Srivastava Rohit , Horwitz Margalit , Hershko‐Moshe Anat , Bronstein Shirly , Ben‐Dov Iddo Z. , Melloul Danielle
Published: May 2023

In Type 2 diabetes (T2D), elevated lipid levels have been suggested to contribute to insulin resistance and β‐cell dysfunction. We previously reported that the expression of the PGE2 receptor EP3 is elevated in islets of T2D individuals and is preferentially stimulated by palmitate, leading to β‐cell failure. The mouse EP3 receptor generates three isoforms by alternative splicing which differ in their C‐terminal domain and are referred to as mEP3α, mEP3β, and mEP3γ. We bring evidence that the expression of the mEP3γ isoform is elevated in islets of diabetic db/db mice and is selectively upregulated by palmitate. Specific knockdown of the mEP3γ isoform restores the expression of β‐cell‐specific genes and rescues MIN6 cells from palmitate‐induced dysfunction and apoptosis. This study indicates that palmitate stimulates the expression of the mEP3γ by a posttranscriptional mechanism, compared to the other spliced isoforms, and that the de novo synthesized ceramide plays an important role in FFA‐induced mEP3γ expression in β‐cells. Moreover, induced levels of mEP3γ mRNA by palmitate or ceramide depend on p38 MAPK activation. Our findings suggest that mEP3γ gene expression is regulated at the posttranscriptional level and defines the EP3 signaling axis as an important pathway mediating β‐cell‐impaired function and demise.
Kupffer cell pyroptosis mediated by METTL3 contributes to the progression of alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Pan Xue‐sheng , Li Bo‐wen , Wang Li‐li , Li Ning , Lin Hui‐min , Zhang Jin , Du Na , Zhu Yue‐qin , Wu Xian , Hu Cheng‐mu , Wu Wen‐yong , Hou Hui , Zhao Hong‐chuan , Liao Song‐yan , Yang Ya‐nan , Huang Yan
Published: May 2023

Chronic alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH). Previous studies have shown that direct injury of hepatocytes is the key factor in its occurrence and development. However, our study shows that the role of Kupffer cells in ASH cannot be ignored. We isolated Kupffer cells from the livers of ASH mice and found that alcohol consumption induced Kupffer cell pyroptosis and increased the release of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). Furthermore, we screened the related m6A enzyme methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) from liver Kupffer cells, and found that silencing METTL3 alleviated inflammatory cytokine eruption by Kupffer cell pyroptosis in ASH mice. In vitro, we silenced METTL3 with lentivirus in BMDMs and RAW264.7 cells and confirmed that METTL3 could reduce pyroptosis by influencing the splicing of pri‐miR‐34A. Together, our results revealed a critical role of KC pyroptosis in ASH and highlighted the mechanism by which METLL3 relieves cell pyroptosis, which could be a promising therapeutic strategy for ASH.
Typewriter Tinnitus: Value of ABR as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Indicator
Authors: Sun Huiying , Yang Ruizhe , Jiang Hong , Tian Xu , Zhao Yang , Gao Zhiqiang , Wu Haiyan
Published: May 2023

Introduction:

Typewriter tinnitus refers to a special kind of staccato tinnitus, which is mostly described by patients as Morse code, popcorn, or machine-gun. It has been accepted that the mechanism of typewriter tinnitus is caused by the neurovascular compression of the cochleovestibular nerve. Patients who suffered from typewriter tinnitus have exhibited a good response to carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, but there is a risk of recurrence after treatment cessation. The present study aims to determine the value of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in diagnosing typewriter tinnitus and predicting relapse after drug withdrawal.

Methods:

Patients who presented with typewriter tinnitus from March 2019 to March 2022 were included for the present retrospective study. The auditory and vestibular test results and drug treatment effects were collected and analyzed. Patients with idiopathic unilateral subjective tinnitus, who were matched by age to patients with typewriter tinnitus at a ratio of 2:1, were consecutively recruited for the control group.

Results:

Eighteen patients with typewriter tinnitus and 38 controls were included. Ears with typewriter tinnitus had longer interpeak latency (IPL) I-III, and wave III and V latencies, and a higher ratio of IPL I-III ≥2.3 ms based on ABR, when compared to the unaffected side and controls (p<0.05). Seventeen patients with typewriter tinnitus responded positively to medication. Among these patients, seven patients had a relapse after drug cessation, while 10 patients did not have a relapse. The relapse group had significantly longer IPL I-III and wave V latency, older age, and poorer hearing, when compared to the nonrelapse group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, IPL I-III had the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the optimal cutoff was 2.4 ms (sensitivity, 100.0%; specificity, 66.7%). There were no significant differences in other demography or other clinical test results between the relapse and nonrelapse groups (p > 0.05). Ramsay Hunt syndrome and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders were identified in two cases.

Conclusion:

Prolonged IPL I-III based on ABR can help in the diagnosis of typewriter tinnitus and its prognosis after treatment cessation. Patients with IPL I-III greater than 2.4 ms, older age and poorer hearing are more likely to relapse. In addition to the neurovascular conflict of the cochleovestibular nerve, the etiologies of neuroinflammation and demyelinating diseases are also possible for typewriter tinnitus.
Lung Abscess and Pyothorax in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Utsumi Shu , Ohshimo Shinichiro , Ishii Junki , Nishikimi Mitsuaki , Shime Nobuaki
Published: May 2023

The mortality rate of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation remains high. This study determined the percentage and characteristics of patients who developed lung abscesses or pyothorax and their mortality rates among adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU who required mechanical ventilation. Of the 64 patients with COVID-19 assessed, 30 (47%) developed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), of whom 6 (20%) developed pyothorax or lung abscess. There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics, treatment after ICU admission, or outcomes between those with and without these complications, except for age. VAP complicated by Lung abscess or pyothorax was caused by a single organism, with Staphylococcus aureus (n = 4) and Klebsiella species (n = 2) being the primary causative agents. Occur infrequently in patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation. Large-scale studies are required to elucidate their effects on clinical outcomes.
Behavioral effects induced by the cannabidiol analogs HU-502 and HU-556
Authors: Colodete Débora A. E. , Silva Nicole R. , Pedrazzi João Francisco C. , Fogaça Manoela V. , Cortez Isadora , Del-Bel Elaine A. , Breuer Aviva , Mechoulam Raphael , Gomes Felipe V. , Guimarães Francisco S.
Published: May 2023

Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid that lacks the psychotomimetic properties of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive Cannabis sativa component. Cannabidiol has several potential therapeutic properties, including anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic; however, cannabidiol has low oral bioavailability, which can limit its clinical use. Here, we investigated if two cannabidiol analogs, HU-502 and HU-556, would be more potent than cannabidiol in behavioral tests predictive of anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic effects. Different doses (0.01–3 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) of HU-556 and HU-502 were tested in male Swiss mice submitted to the elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swimming test (FST), and amphetamine-induced-prepulse inhibition (PPI) disruption and hyperlocomotion. Cannabidiol is effective in these tests at a dose range of 15–60 mg/kg in mice. We also investigated if higher doses of HU-556 (3 and 10 mg/kg) and HU-502 (10 mg/kg) produced the cannabinoid tetrad (hypolocomotion, catalepsy, hypothermia, and analgesia), which is induced by THC-like compounds. HU-556 (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) increased the percentage of open arm entries (but not time) in the EPM, decreased immobility time in the FST, and attenuated amphetamine-induced PPI disruption. HU-502 (1 and 3 mg/kg) decreased amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion and PPI impairment. HU-556, at high doses, caused catalepsy and hypolocomotion, while HU-502 did not. These findings suggest that similar to cannabidiol, HU-556 could induce anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic-like effects and that HU-502 has antipsychotic properties. These effects were found at a dose range devoid of cannabinoid tetrad effects.