bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A complex case of Vojta’s general abc conjecture and cases of Campana’s orbifold conjecture
Authors: Guo Ji , Wang Julie
Published: March 2024

We show a truncated second main theorem of level one with explicit exceptional sets for analytic maps into

P

2

\mathbb P^2

intersecting the coordinate lines with sufficiently high multiplicities. The proof is based on a greatest common divisor theorem for an analytic map

f
:

C

↦

P

n

f:\mathbb C\mapsto \mathbb P^n

and two homogeneous polynomials in

n
+
1

n+1

variables with coefficients which are meromorphic functions of the same growth as the analytic map

f
f

. As applications, we study some cases of Campana’s orbifold conjecture for

P

2

\mathbb P^2

and finite ramified covers of

P

2

\mathbb P^2

with three components admitting sufficiently large multiplicities. In addition, we explicitly determine the exceptional sets. Consequently, it implies the strong Green-Griffiths-Lang conjecture for finite ramified covers of

G

m
2

\mathbb G_m^2

.
Simulating a hybridization event of a range-expanding sexual cannibal (Argiope bruennichi)
Authors: Franke Sebastian , Schneider Jutta M
Published: March 2024

Hybridization plays an important role in animal speciation. Mediterranean populations of the Palaearctic wasp spider Argiope bruennichi have recently undergone a range expansion northwards. Adaptation to colder winters was facilitated by introgressed alleles derived from Asian populations, hence the resulting hybrids were able to expand geographically. Argiope bruennichi exhibits a highly complex mating system that includes strong sexual conflict and predisposes the species to behaviours that could facilitate directed hybridization and hybrid stabilization. To test this, we simulated a hybridization event with European and Asian spiders and a backcrossing event with southern and northern European spiders by conducting mate choice experiments and mating trials. We found pronounced differences in the cannibalism and monopolization successes between the populations. Asian male spiders were more successful in monopolizing European females than their European conspecifics and more successful than European males with Asian females. This would have led to an increased proportion of these specific offspring in the hybrid population. Our results suggest the mating system as a driving factor in the directional hybridization of Asian males and European females and the establishment of new northern European populations of A. bruennichi. We found no influences of the mating system on the stabilization of the resulting hybrid populations, probably owing to cold survival adaptations being a more important factor.
Grid/lattice therapy: consideration of small field dosimetry
Authors: Das Indra J , Khan Ahtesham Ullah , Dogan Serpil K , Longo Mariaconcetta
Published: March 2024

Small-field dosimetry used in special procedures such as gamma knife, Cyberknife, Tomotherapy, IMRT, and VMAT has been in evolution after several radiation incidences with very significant (70%) errors due to poor understanding of the dosimetry. IAEA-TRS-483 and AAPM-TG-155 have provided comprehensive information on small-fields dosimetry in terms of code of practice and relative dosimetry. Data for various detectors and conditions have been elaborated. It turns out that with a suitable detectors dose measurement accuracy can be reasonably (±3%) achieved for 6 MV beams for fields >1×1 cm2. For grid therapy, even though the treatment is performed with small fields created by either customized blocks, multileaf collimator (MLC), or specialized devices, it is multiple small fields that creates combined treatment. Hence understanding the dosimetry in collection of holes of small field is a separate challenge that needs to be addressed. It is more critical to understand the scattering conditions from multiple holes that form the treatment grid fields. Scattering changes the beam energy (softer) and hence dosimetry protocol needs to be properly examined for having suitable dosimetric parameters. In lieu of beam parameter unavailability in physical grid devices, MLC-based forward and inverse planning is an alternative path for bulky tumours. Selection of detectors in small field measurement is critical and it is more critical in mixed beams created by scattering condition. Ramification of small field concept used in grid therapy along with major consideration of scattering condition is explored. Even though this review article is focussed mainly for dosimetry for low-energy megavoltage photon beam (6 MV) but similar procedures could be adopted for high energy beams. To eliminate small field issues, lattice therapy with the help of MLC is a preferrable choice.
Serratus anterior plane block alone, paravertebral block alone and their combination in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: the THORACOSOPIC double-blind, randomized trial
Authors: Leviel Florent , Fourdrain Alex , Delatre Florian , De Dominicis Florence , Lefebvre Thomas , Bar Stéphane , Alshatri Hamza Yahia , Lorne Emmanuel , Georges Olivier , Berna Pascal , Dupont Hervé , Meynier Jonathan , Abou-Arab Osama
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES

Serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) and paravertebral block (PVB) are well known to reduce pain levels after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, the relative efficacies of each block and a combination of the 2 have not been fully characterized. The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of PVB alone, SAPB alone and the combination of PVB and SAPB with regard to the occurrence and intensity of pain after VATS.

METHODS

We conducted the THORACOSOPIC single-centre, double-blind, randomized trial in adult patients due to undergo elective VATS lung resection. The participants were randomized to PVB only, SAPB only and PVB + SAPB groups. The primary end-point was pain on coughing on admission to the postanaesthesia care unit. The secondary end-points were postoperative pain at rest and on coughing at other time points and the cumulative opioid consumption. Pain was scored on a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

One-hundred and fifty-six patients (52 in each group) were included. On admission to the postanaesthesia care unit, the 3 groups did not differ significantly with regard to the pain on coughing: the visual analogue scale score was 3 (0–6), 4 (0–8) and 2 (0–6) in the PVB, SAPB and PVB + SAPB groups, respectively (P = 0.204). During postoperative care, the overall pain score was significantly lower in the SABP + PVP group at rest and on cough.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of SABP + PVB could be beneficial for pain management in VATS in comparison to SABP or PVB alone.
‘As I Learn From You, I Guess You Learn From Me’: Three Modernists on the Teaching of English
Authors: Pullen Charlie
Published: March 2024

The subject of this essay is the way modernist literary texts represent and think about the teaching of English, especially when it is conceived as a subject grounded within relational pedagogies and experiences of collaboration and interdependence between student and teacher. I begin with an autobiographical reflection on my own experience of teaching a text that calls attention to its pedagogical import, before outlining a view of English that resonates with the work of D.W. Winnicott as well as an existing body of education-focused scholarship in modernist literary studies. The first of three examples at the centre of the essay comes from the long work of experimental modernist fiction Pilgrimage by Dorothy Richardson, who depicts a moment of English teaching based around friendship and equality. The next section examines a moment from D.H. Lawrence’s novel The Rainbow, in which the young Tom Brangwen undergoes a deep and troubling experience listening to his teacher read Shelley’s poem ‘Ode to the West Wind’. The final section reads Langston Hughes’s poem ‘Theme for English B’ as a parable of dialogic learning.
Both nuclear and cytoplasmic polymorphisms are involved in genetic conflicts over male fertility in the gynodioecious snail, Physa acuta
Authors: Laugier Fanny , Saclier Nathanaëlle , Béthune Kévin , Braun Axelle , Konecny Lara , Lefébure Tristan , Luquet Emilien , Plénet Sandrine , Romiguier Jonathan , David Patrice
Published: March 2024

Gynodioecy, the coexistence of hermaphrodites with females, often reflects conflicts between cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) genes and nuclear genes restoring male fertility. CMS is frequent in plants and has been recently discovered in one animal: the freshwater snail, Physa acuta. In this system, CMS was linked to a single divergent mitochondrial genome (D), devoid of apparent nuclear restoration. Our study uncovers a second, novel CMS-associated mitogenome (K) in Physa acuta, demonstrating an extraordinary acceleration of molecular evolution throughout the entire K mitochondrial genome, akin to the previously observed pattern in D. This suggests a pervasive occurrence of accelerated evolution in both CMS-associated lineages. Through a 17-generation introgression experiment, we further show that nuclear polymorphisms in K-mitogenome individuals contribute to the restoration of male function in natural populations. Our results underscore shared characteristics in gynodioecy between plants and animals, emphasizing the presence of multiple CMS mitotypes and cytonuclear conflicts. This reaffirms the pivotal role of mitochondria in influencing male function and in generating genomic conflicts that impact reproductive processes in animals.
Parallel evolution of alternate morphotypes of Chryseobacterium gleum during experimental evolution with Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Duckett Marissa , Taylor Megan N , Bowman Claire , Vega Nic M
Published: March 2024

Microbial evolution within polymicrobial communities is a complex process. Here, we report within-species diversification within multispecies microbial communities during experimental evolution with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We describe morphological diversity in the target species Chryseobacterium gleum, which developed a novel colony morphotype in a small number of replicate communities. Alternate morphotypes coexisted with original morphotypes in communities, as well as in single-species experiments using evolved isolates. We found that the original and alternate morphotypes differed in motility and in spatial expansion in the presence of C. elegans. This study provides insight into the emergence and maintenance of intraspecies diversity in the context of microbial communities.
The Association Between Postural Sway and Preclinical Alzheimer Disease Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Bollinger Rebecca M , Chen Szu-Wei , Krauss Melissa J , Keleman Audrey A , Kehrer-Dunlap Abigail , Kaesler Megan , Ances Beau M , Stark Susan L
Published: March 2024

Background

It is unknown whether older adults with preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD) experience changes in postural sway compared with those without preclinical AD. The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of dual tasking on standing balance, or postural sway, for people with and without preclinical AD.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a longitudinal cohort study. Participants were cognitively normal older adults with and without preclinical AD. Postural sway (path length) was tested using a force plate under standard and dual task balance conditions. Dual task cost (DTC) was calculated to examine performance change in balance conditions. Logistic regression models were used to predict preclinical AD status as a function of DTC.

Results

203 participants (65 preclinical AD+) were included. DTC for path length was significantly greater for participants with preclinical AD (DTC path length mean difference 19.8, 95% CI 2.6–37.0, t(201) = 2.29, p = .024). Greater DTC was significantly associated with increased odds of having preclinical AD (adjusted odds ratio for a 20-unit increase in DTC 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.32).

Conclusions

Older adults with preclinical AD are more likely to demonstrate significantly greater DTC in postural sway than those without preclinical AD. Dual tasking should be integrated into balance and fall risk assessments and may inform early detection of preclinical AD.
Age-Differential Role of Gaze Reinstatement in Recognition Memory for Negative Visual Stimuli
Authors: Xiong Jinli , Gong Xianmin , Yang Quan , Yin Shufei
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Although research has shown that the replay of encoding-specific gaze patterns during retrieval, known as gaze reinstatement, facilitates memory retrieval, little is known about whether it differentially associates with the negativity preference in memory (defined as enhanced memory for negative stimuli relative to neutral stimuli in this study) among younger and older adults. The present study aims to address this research gap.

Methods

A total of 33 older adults (16 women; aged 58–69 years, M = 63.48, SD = 2.98) and 36 younger adults (10 women; aged 18–26 years, M = 20.39, SD = 1.57) completed a remember/know recognition memory task involving negative and neutral pictures. Their eye movements were tracked during both the memory encoding and retrieval phases.

Results

Younger and older adults had better memory for negative than neutral pictures. Older adults exhibited significantly stronger gaze reinstatement for negative than neutral stimuli, while this difference was nonsignificant in younger adults. Moreover, gaze reinstatement is positively linked to memory performance in both age groups.

Discussion

The results suggest that gaze reinstatement may play age-differential roles in the negativity preference of memory. Negative valence may enhance gaze reinstatement, which improves subsequent recognition memory, particularly among older adults. The finding contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the negative preference for memory in different age groups.
A Diary Study of Daily Negative Aging Stereotypes and Goal Pursuit in Older Adults
Authors: Ma Yuting , Zhang Baoshan , Wang Mengze
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the association between negative aging stereotypes and goal pursuit in daily life among older adults. We also explored the roles of stereotype threat and stereotype challenge reactions in mediating this association. Additionally, this study investigated whether variations in these associations exist among older adults based on their self-integrity levels.

Methods

Participants were 100 older adults who completed daily measures assessing negative aging stereotype experiences, threat and challenge reactions, goal pursuit activities, and self-integrity over a week.

Results

More daily experiences of negative aging stereotypes were associated with greater avoidance of responsibilities in goal pursuit and less progress toward goals. Increased threat reactions and decreased challenge reactions were mediators of the association between stereotype experiences and avoidance of responsibilities, as well as that between stereotype experiences and progress toward goals, respectively. Moreover, the associations between threat reactions and avoidance of responsibilities as well as between stereotype experiences and challenge reactions were more pronounced in older adults with lower self-integrity levels.

Discussion

This study is pioneering in demonstrating the real-life interplay between aging stereotypes and goal pursuit among older adults. Its findings not only expand upon the literature concerning aging stereotypes, but also offer theoretical insights for the development of interventions aimed at goal pursuit. These insights have significant implications for fostering healthy aging.
Life-Space Mobility, Transportation, and the Companionship Network of Members of a Hispanic Senior Center
Authors: Mauldin Rebecca L , Parekh Rupal , Connolly John P , Mattingly Stephen P , Mushtaq Aiman , Fujimoto Kayo
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Companions (i.e., friends who spend time together) are important for the well-being of older adults. Senior centers in the United States are places for older adults to participate in group activities and form and maintain companionships. However, differences in mobility and transportation may affect the ability of older adults to leverage senior center activities into actual companionships.

Methods

This social network analysis was conducted to characterize the companionship network among members of a senior center in relation to their life-space mobility and transportation resources. An exponential random graph model was estimated to identify mobility- and transportation-related correlates of the likelihood of a companionship tie among senior center members (N = 42).

Results

Members had an average of 2 companionships with one another (M = 2.2, SD = 2.7). Companionships were more likely for members with greater life-space mobility (p = .009), who attended the senior center more frequently (p = .004), with automobile ownership in their households (p = .034), and who were not transportation cost-burdened (i.e., spent less than 15% of their income on transportation, p = .005). Demographic characteristics, limitations on instrumental activities of daily living, and being at risk for depression were not significantly associated with the likelihood of companionships.

Discussion

These findings extend previous knowledge of the role of life-space mobility and transportation in supporting general social participation for older adults to include the importance of transportation and mobility for having companions within a senior center.
Development of climate informed management scenarios for fisheries in the eastern Bering Sea
Authors: Hollowed Anne Babcock , Holsman Kirstin K , Wise Sarah P , Haynie Alan C , Cheng Wei , Evans Diana C K , Hermann Albert J , Ianelli James N , Kearney Kelly A , Punt Andre E , Reum Jonathan C P , Stram Diana L , Szuwalski Cody S
Published: March 2024

In recognition of the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems worldwide, integrated research teams have coupled climate change projections with social-ecological models to inform management and evaluate adaptation strategies for the fishing industry and fishing communities. A key step in this process is the selection of scenarios that enable improved adaptation strategies and decision-making through engagements with constituents with diverse interests in the future use of marine resources. This paper presents an approach to selecting and refining climate-informed social-ecological scenarios for groundfish and crab fisheries in the eastern Bering Sea. The approach involved: (a) initial model development to provide worked examples; (b) engagement with stakeholders to seek input on climate-related concerns, priorities, and adaptation options; and (c) establishment of pathways for uptake of climate-informed decision support information into existing management systems. This approach narrowed the range of candidate scenarios, identified pressing climate concerns of constituents, and clarified timelines for scheduling modeling projects to address these concerns. Separating evaluation of management strategies (research modeling) from proposed changes to Fishery Management Plans preserved opportunities for public debate of proposed changes through a well-established regulatory review process. Collectively, these outcomes help to advance the development of a regionally relevant climate-ready harvest policy.
Refugee livelihood perspectives: Post-traumatic growth in histories of Vietnamese, Bosnian, and Tamil Refugees in Australia
Authors: Green Sarah , Nguyen Austen Anh , Kandasamy Niro
Published: March 2024

Refugee livelihood studies have mostly focused on policy and international aid programming and have yet to explore refugee people’s long-term development beyond the initial resettlement period. This article examines the experiences of Vietnamese, Bosnian, and Tamil refugees resettled in Australia during the height of the multicultural agenda in the 1980s and 1990s. Drawing on fifty oral histories, the article argues that refugees’ struggle and transformation of trauma in the past fuelled civic engagement in their new host communities. It explores the nexus of refugee lived experiences, livelihoods, and post-traumatic growth in the context of multicultural Australia to consider refugee livelihood as a long-term process. Crossing disciplinary boundaries of history and psychology, the article shows how some refugees re-interpret their trauma as motivation for positive change, a manifestation of post-traumatic growth, expressed as civic engagement, including becoming political actors in response to their histories of trauma, resistance, and growth beyond resettlement.
Quasar Island – three new z ∼ 6 quasars, including a lensed candidate, identified with contrastive learning
Authors: Byrne Xander , Meyer Romain A , Farina Emanuele Paolo , Bañados Eduardo , Walter Fabian , Decarli Roberto , Belladitta Silvia , Loiacono Federica
Published: March 2024

Of the hundreds of z ≳ 6 quasars discovered to date, only one is known to be gravitationally lensed, despite the high lensing optical depth expected at z ≳ 6. High-redshift quasars are typically identified in large-scale surveys by applying strict photometric selection criteria, in particular by imposing non-detections in bands blueward of the Lyman-α line. Such procedures by design prohibit the discovery of lensed quasars, as the lensing foreground galaxy would contaminate the photometry of the quasar. We present a novel quasar selection methodology, applying contrastive learning (an unsupervised machine learning technique) to Dark Energy Survey imaging data. We describe the use of this technique to train a neural network which isolates an ‘island’ of 11 sources, of which seven are known z ∼ 6 quasars. Of the remaining four, three are newly discovered quasars (J0109−5424, z = 6.07; J0122−4609, z = 5.99; J0603−3923, z = 5.94), as confirmed by follow-up and archival spectroscopy, implying a 91 per cent efficiency for our novel selection method; the final object on the island is a brown dwarf. In one case (J0109−5424), emission below the Lyman limit unambiguously indicates the presence of a foreground source, though high-resolution optical/near-infrared imaging is still needed to confirm the quasar’s lensed (multiply imaged) nature. Detection in the g band has led this quasar to escape selection by traditional colour cuts. Our findings demonstrate that machine learning techniques can thus play a key role in unveiling populations of quasars missed by traditional methods.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations Associated With Social Vulnerability by Census Tract: An Opportunity for Intervention?
Authors: Thomas Christine M , Raman Rameela , Schaffner William , Markus Tiffanie M , Ndi Danielle , Fill Mary-Margaret A , Dunn John R , Talbot H Keipp
Published: March 2024

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause hospitalization in young children and older adults. With vaccines and monoclonal antibody prophylaxis increasingly available, identifying social factors associated with severe illnesses can guide mitigation efforts.

Methods

Using data collected by the RSV Hospitalization Surveillance Network from 2016 to 2023, we identified RSV hospitalizations in Tennessee. We linked hospitalization information (eg, patient demographic characteristics and outcome) with population-level variables (eg, social vulnerability and health care insurance coverage) from publicly available data sets using census tract of residence. Hospitalization incidence was calculated and stratified by period (2016–2020 and 2020–2023). We modeled social vulnerability effect on hospitalization incidence using Poisson regression.

Results

Among 2687 RSV hospitalizations, there were 677 (25.2%) intensive care unit admissions and 38 (1.4%) deaths. The highest RSV hospitalization incidences occurred among children aged <5 years and adults aged ≥65 years: 272.8 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI, 258.6–287.0) and 60.6 (95% CI, 56.0–65.2), respectively. Having public health insurance was associated with higher hospitalization incidence as compared with not having public insurance: 60.5 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI, 57.6–63.4) vs 14.3 (95% CI, 13.4–15.2). Higher hospitalization incidence was associated with residing in a census tract in the most socially vulnerable quartile vs the least vulnerable quartile after adjusting for age, sex, and period (incidence rate ratio, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3–1.6).

Conclusions

RSV hospitalization was associated with living in more socially vulnerable census tracts. Population measures of social vulnerability might help guide mitigation strategies, including vaccine and monoclonal antibody promotion and provision to reduce RSV hospitalization.
Partially Linear Models under Data Combination
Authors: D’Haultfœuille X , Gaillac C , Maurel A
Published: March 2024

We study partially linear models when the outcome of interest and some of the covariates are observed in two different datasets that cannot be linked. This type of data combination problem arises very frequently in empirical microeconomics. Using recent tools from optimal transport theory, we derive a constructive characterization of the sharp identified set. We then build on this result and develop a novel inference method that exploits the specific geometric properties of the identified set. Our method exhibits good performances in finite samples, while remaining very tractable. We apply our approach to study intergenerational income mobility over the period 1850–1930 in the U.S. Our method allows us to relax the exclusion restrictions used in earlier work, while delivering confidence regions that are informative.
Secreted in Xylem 6 (SIX6) Mediates Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae Race 1 Avirulence on FW1-Resistant Strawberry Cultivars
Authors: Dilla-Ermita Christine Jade , Goldman Polly , Anchieta Amy , Feldmann Mitchell J. , Pincot Dominique D. A. , Famula Randi A. , Vachev Mishi , Cole Glenn S. , Knapp Steven J. , Klosterman Steven J. , Henry Peter M.
Published: March 2024

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae ( Fof) race 1 is avirulent on cultivars with the dominant resistance gene FW1, while Fof race 2 is virulent on FW1-resistant cultivars. We hypothesized there was a gene-for-gene interaction between a gene at the FW1 locus and an avirulence gene ( AvrFW1) in Fof race 1. To identify a candidate AvrFW1, we compared genomes of 24 Fof race 1 and three Fof race 2 isolates. We found one candidate gene that was present in race 1, was absent in race 2, was highly expressed in planta, and was homologous to a known effector, secreted in xylem 6 ( SIX6). We knocked out SIX6 in two Fof race 1 isolates by homologous recombination. All SIX6 knockout transformants (Δ SIX6) gained virulence on FW1/fw1 cultivars, whereas ectopic transformants and the wildtype isolates remained avirulent. Δ SIX6 isolates were quantitatively less virulent on FW1/fw1 cultivars Fronteras and San Andreas than fw1/fw1 cultivars. Seedlings from an FW1/fw1 × fw1/fw1 population were genotyped for FW1 and tested for susceptibility to a SIX6 knockout isolate. Results suggested that additional minor-effect quantitative resistance genes could be present at the FW1 locus. This work demonstrates that SIX6 acts as an avirulence factor interacting with a resistance gene at the FW1 locus. The identification of AvrFW1 enables surveillance for Fof race 2 and provides insight into the mechanisms of FW1-mediated resistance.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Decoding the Arsenal: Protist Effectors and Their Impact on Photosynthetic Hosts
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Soham , Garvetto Andrea , Neuhauser Sigrid , Pérez-López Edel
Published: March 2024

Interactions between various microbial pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and their plant hosts have traditionally been the focus of phytopathology. In recent years, a significant and growing interest in the study of eukaryotic microorganisms not classified among fungi or oomycetes has emerged. Many of these protists establish complex interactions with photosynthetic hosts, and understanding these interactions is crucial in understanding the dynamics of these parasites within traditional and emerging types of farming, including marine aquaculture. Many phytopathogenic protists are biotrophs with complex polyphasic life cycles, which makes them difficult or impossible to culture, a fact reflected in a wide gap in the availability of comprehensive genomic data when compared to fungal and oomycete plant pathogens. Furthermore, our ability to use available genomic resources for these protists is limited by the broad taxonomic distance that these organisms span, which makes comparisons with other genomic datasets difficult. The current rapid progress in genomics and computational tools for the prediction of protein functions and interactions is revolutionizing the landscape in plant pathology. This is also opening novel possibilities, specifically for a deeper understanding of protist effectors. Tools like AlphaFold2 enable structure-based function prediction of effector candidates with divergent protein sequences. In turn, this allows us to ask better biological questions and, coupled with innovative experimental strategies, will lead into a new era of effector research, especially for protists, to expand our knowledge on these elusive pathogens and their interactions with photosynthetic hosts.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
A Comparison of a Standard Radial Airflow and a Double Volute–Generated Focused Airflow Air Blast Sprayer to Control Scab in Tall Pecan Trees
Authors: Bock Clive H. , Paulk Buck , Hotchkiss Michael W.
Published: March 2024

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a valuable crop in the southern United States. Scab (caused by Venturia effusa) is a major biotic constraint to pecan production in the southeastern region and requires 10 to 15 or more fungicide applications for control. Spray application relies on large standard radial airflow air blast sprayers (SSs). Some SSs have been adapted to include a volute on one side to project spray higher into the canopy because of a decline in coverage with height. A grower-designed and engineered double volute–generated focused airflow air blast sprayer (DVS) was assessed for scab control and spray coverage compared with an SS. Over three seasons, on foliage and fruit, scab control was either equal to or superior using the DVS sprayer. On mature fruit, in 2017, scab severity on the control was 9.07%, on the DVS it was 0.19%, and on the SS it was 0.24%; in 2018 severity was 84.4, 18.4, and 29.1%, respectively; and in 2019 it was 32.7, 7.0, and 11.6%, respectively. There were no discernable gradients in scab severity with tree height with either sprayer in 2017, but in 2018 the difference was significant, with the DVS having a shallower gradient, and in 2019 the DVS slope was numerically less steep compared with the SS. Mature fruit weight was significantly greater on trees treated using the DVS compared with the SS in 2017 and 2018 but was not different in 2019. Spray coverage studies showed that the DVS sprayer had significantly more coverage at heights >13.8 m (up to 19.0 m), ranging from 18.4 to 14.1%, compared with coverage using the SS, which ranged from 7.9 to 2.9%. The slope in decline of spray coverage with height was significantly shallower with the DVS sprayer, and spray profiles reflected these differences. Disease control was improved overall when using the DVS, and the DVS provided greater spray coverage at heights >13.8 m when compared with the SS sprayer. The DVS design may offer economical, superior scab control in pecan orchards where trees are >13.8 m tall.
Cardiac lipotoxicity and fibrosis underlie impaired contractility in a mouse model of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease
Authors: Badmus Olufunto O. , da Silva Alexandre A. , Li Xuan , Taylor Lucy C. , Greer Jennifer R. , Wasson Andrew R. , McGowan Karis E. , Patel Parth R. , Stec David E.
Published: March 2024

The leading cause of death among patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is cardiovascular disease. A significant percentage of MASLD patients develop heart failure driven by functional and structural alterations in the heart. Previously, we observed cardiac dysfunction in hepatocyte‐specific peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha knockout (PparaHepKO), a mouse model that exhibits hepatic steatosis independent of obesity and insulin resistance. The goal of the present study was to determine mechanisms that underlie hepatic steatosis‐induced cardiac dysfunction in PparaHepKO mice. Experiments were performed in 30‐week‐old PparaHepKO and littermate control mice fed regular chow. We observed decreased cardiomyocyte contractility (0.17 ± 0.02 vs. 0.24 ± 0.02 μm, p < 0.05), increased cardiac triglyceride content (0.96 ± 0.13 vs. 0.68 ± 0.06 mM, p < 0.05), collagen type 1 (4.65 ± 0.25 vs. 0.31 ± 0.01 AU, p < 0.001), and collagen type 3 deposition (1.32 ± 0.46 vs. 0.05 ± 0.03 AU, p < 0.05). These changes were associated with increased apoptosis as indicated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining (30.9 ± 4.7 vs. 13.1 ± 0.8%, p < 0.006) and western blots showing increased cleaved caspase‐3 (0.27 ± 0.006 vs. 0.08 ± 0.01 AU, p < 0.003) and pro‐caspase‐3 (5.4 ± 1.5 vs. 0.5 ± 0.3 AU, p < 0.02), B‐cell lymphoma protein 2‐associated X (0.68 ± 0.07 vs. 0.04 ± 0.04 AU, p < 0.001), and reduced B‐cell lymphoma protein 2 (0.29 ± 0.01 vs. 1.47 ± 0.54 AU, p < 0.05). We further observed elevated circulating natriuretic peptides and exercise intolerance in PparaHepKO mice when compared to controls. Our data demonstrated that lipotoxicity, and fibrosis underlie cardiac dysfunction in MASLD.
NGS of brush cytology samples improves the detection of high-grade dysplasia and cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: A retrospective and prospective study
Authors: Boyd Sonja , Mustamäki Taru , Sjöblom Nelli , Nordin Arno , Tenca Andrea , Jokelainen Kalle , Rantapero Tommi , Liuksiala Thomas , Lahtinen Laura , Kuopio Teijo , Kytölä Soili , Mäkisalo Heikki , Färkkilä Martti , Arola Johanna
Published: March 2024

Background:

Biliary dysplasia, a precursor of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), is a common complication of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early CCA who have received oncological treatment are candidates for liver transplantation. The preoperative diagnosis of CCA or HGD is challenging, and the sensitivity of biliary brush cytology (BC) is limited.

Methods:

By using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we retrospectively analyzed archived tissue samples (n=62) obtained from explanted liver tissue and CCA samples to identify oncogenic mutations that occur during primary sclerosing cholangitis carcinogenesis. BC samples were prospectively collected from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=97) referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography to measure the diagnostic utility of NGS combined with BC compared with traditional cytology alone.

Results:

Mutations in KRAS, GNAS, FLT3, RNF43, TP53, ATRX, and SMAD4 were detected in archived CCA or HGD samples. KRAS, GNAS, TP53, CDKN2A, FBXW7, BRAF, and ATM mutations were detected in prospectively collected brush samples from patients with histologically verified CCA or HGD. One patient with low-grade dysplasia in the explanted liver had KRAS and GNAS mutations in brush sample. No mutations were observed in brush samples or archived tissues in liver transplantation cases without biliary neoplasia. While KRAS mutations are common in biliary neoplasms, they were also observed in patients without biliary neoplasia during surveillance.

Conclusions:

In summary, NGS of BC samples increased the sensitivity of detecting biliary neoplasia compared with traditional cytology. Performing NGS on BC samples may help diagnose HGD or early CCA, benefiting the timing of liver transplantation.
A real-time augmented reality system integrated with artificial intelligence for skin tumor surgery: experimental study and case series
Authors: Huang Kai , Liao Jun , He Jishuai , Lai Sicen , Peng Yihao , Deng Qian , Wang Han , Liu Yuancheng , Peng Lanyuan , Bai Ziqi , Yu Nianzhou , Li Yixin , Jiang Zixi , Su Juan , Li Jinmao , Tang Yan , Chen Mingliang , Lu Lixia , Chen Xiang , Yao Jianhua , Zhao Shuang
Published: March 2024

Background:

Skin tumors affect many people worldwide, and surgery is the first treatment choice. Achieving precise preoperative planning and navigation of intraoperative sampling remains a problem and is excessively reliant on the experience of surgeons, especially for Mohs surgery for malignant tumors.

Materials and methods:

To achieve precise preoperative planning and navigation of intraoperative sampling, we developed a real-time augmented reality (AR) surgical system integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance three functions: AI-assisted tumor boundary segmentation, surgical margin design, and navigation in intraoperative tissue sampling. Non-randomized controlled trials were conducted on manikin, tumor-simulated rabbits, and human volunteers in Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease Laboratory to evaluate the surgical system.

Results:

The results showed that the accuracy of the benign and malignant tumor segmentation was 0.9556 and 0.9548, respectively, and the average AR navigation mapping error was 0.644 mm. The proposed surgical system was applied in 106 skin tumor surgeries, including intraoperative navigation of sampling in 16 Mohs surgery cases. Surgeons who have used this system highly recognize it.

Conclusions:

The surgical system highlighted the potential to achieve accurate treatment of skin tumors and to fill the gap in global research on skin tumor surgery systems.
Pulsatile flow increases METTL14-induced m6A modification and attenuates septic cardiomyopathy: an experimental study
Authors: Zhu Shenyu , Wang Kai , Yu Zhexuan , Tang Wei , Zhang Yu , Shinge Shafiu A. , Qiang Yongjia , Liu Hangyu , Zeng Jianfeng , Qiao Kun , Liu Chi , Li Guanhua
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

Septic cardiomyopathy is a sepsis-mediated cardiovascular complication with severe microcirculatory malperfusion. Emerging evidence has highlighted the protective effects of pulsatile flow in case of microcirculatory disturbance, yet the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the alleviation of septic cardiomyopathy associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-generated pulsatile flow.

Methods:

Rat model with septic cardiomyopathy was established and was supported under ECMO either with pulsatile or non-pulsatile flow. Peripheral perfusion index (PPI) and cardiac function parameters were measured using ultrasonography. Dot blot assay was applied to examine the m6A level, while qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expressions of related genes. RNA immunoprecipitation assay was performed to validate the interaction between molecules.

Results:

The ECMO-generated pulsatile flow significantly elevates microcirculatory PPI, improves myocardial function, protects the endothelium, and prolongs survival in rat models with septic cardiomyopathy. The pulsatile flow mediates the METTL14-mediated m6A modification to zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA (messenger RNA), which stabilizes the ZO-1 mRNA depending on the presence of YTHDF2. The pulsatile flow suppresses the PI3K–Akt signaling pathway, of which the downstream molecule Foxo1, a negative transcription factor of METTL14, binds to the METTL14 promoter and inhibits the METTL14-induced m6A modification.

Conclusion:

The ECMO-generated pulsatile flow increases METTL14-induced m6A modification in ZO-1 and attenuates the progression of septic cardiomyopathy, suggesting that pulsatility might be a new therapeutic strategy in septic cardiomyopathy by alleviating microcirculatory disturbance.
Bariatric surgery post-liver transplantation: A Belgian nationwide study
Authors: Onghena Louis , Geerts Anja , Berrevoet Frederik , Pirenne Jacques , Verbeek Jef , Bonaccorsi-Riani Eliano , Dahlqvist Geraldine , Vonghia Luisa , Detry Olivier , Delwaide Jean , Lefere Sander , van Nieuwenhove Yves
Published: March 2024

Weight gain poses a rising concern post-liver transplantation (LT), and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease might impair graft health. The timing is crucial when considering bariatric surgery (BS) in a population with liver disease or transplantation. BS can be considered for post-LT weight gain, although the evidence is limited and the long-term outcome still uncertain. We conducted a national retrospective analysis in 5 Belgian transplant centers and included 25 patients with an LT followed by a bariatric procedure. A total of 187 LT patients without BS were included for comparison. Clinical, biochemical, and outcome data were retrospectively retrieved. In our nationwide cohort, 25 patients had undergone BS post-LT, at a median 3.5 years after LT. Twenty-one (84.0%) patients received a sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Patients were predominantly male (72.0%), with a lower age at time of transplantation compared with the non-BS population (54.5 vs. 60.6,p<0.001). Weight loss was significant and sustained, with a decrease in body mass index from 41.0±4.5 pre-BS to 32.6±5.8 1–3 years post-BS (p<0.001) and 31.1±5.8 3–5 years post-BS (p<0.001). Three pre-BS (12.0%) patients presented with recurrent and one (4.0%) de novo metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease after LT, with 100% resolution post-BS (p=0.016). Notable reductions were observed in alanine transaminase levels (40.5±28.5 U/L to 27.1±25.1 U/L post-BS,p=0.05) and HbA1c levels (6.9±1.6 to 6.0±1.4 post-BS,p<0.001). Three patients were re-transplanted, and eight patients died, of which five (20.0%) due to a nonhepatic malignancy and one (4.0%) due to liver failure. SG is the favored BS post-LT and has proven to be safe and feasible in a post-LT setting with favorable metabolic consequences. SG post-LT is a valid treatment for de novo and recurrent metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease post-LT. Although we report on the largest cohort to date, there is still a need for larger cohorts to examine the effect of BS on patient and graft survival.
Interaction of a Ventricular Assist Device With Patient-Specific Cardiovascular Systems: In-Silico Study With Bidirectional Coupling
Authors: Hahne Mario , Crone Vincenz , Thomas Inga , Wolfgramm Calvin , Liedtke Frieder Kurt Peter , Wurm Frank-Hendrik , Torner Benjamin
Published: March 2024

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to assist the heart function of patients with advanced heart failure. Computational fluid dynamics in VADs are widely applied in the development and optimization, for example, to evaluate blood damage. For these simulations, the pulsating operating conditions, in which the VAD operates, should be included accurately. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the flow in a VAD by interacting with patient-specific cardiovascular systems of heart failure patients. A numeric method will be presented, which includes a patient-specific cardiovascular system model that is bidirectionally coupled with a three-dimensional (3D) flow simulation of the HeartMate 3. The cardiovascular system is represented by a lumped parameter model. Three heart failure patients are considered, based on clinical data from end-stage heart failure patients. Various parameters of the cardiovascular system and the VAD are analyzed, for example, flow rates, pressures, VAD heads, and efficiencies. A further important parameter is the blood damage potential of the VAD, which varies significantly among different patients. Moreover, the predicted blood damage fluctuates within a single heartbeat. The increase in blood damage is evaluated based on the operating conditions. Both, overload and especially partial load conditions during the pulsating operation result in elevated blood damage.
Visual analysis of bone malignancies immunotherapy: A bibliometric analysis from 2010 to 2023
Authors: Shen Kaiyu , Yang Liu , Ke Shuaiyi , Gao Wencang
Published: March 2024

Background:

Bone malignancies (BM), including osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and chordoma, are characterized by high rates of recurrence and mortality, despite the availability of diverse treatment approaches. Immunotherapy has gained increasing importance in cancer treatment. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies that utilize bibliometric analysis to explore immunotherapy for BM.

Methods:

A literature search of English studies on BM and immunotherapy from 2010 to 2023 was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometric analysis tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R Studio were utilized to examine global trends and research hotspots in this field.

Results:

A total of 719 eligible articles, including 528 original research articles and 191 reviews, were analyzed. The number of publications has shown an increasing trend over the past 14 years, particularly in the last 5 years. The majority of the published articles on this topic originated from China (284 articles), followed by the United States and Japan. The institution with the highest number of publications and citations was the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (30 articles; 1638 citations). Dean A. Lee (12 articles) and Richard Gorlick (576 citations) were the authors with the highest contribution in terms of article count and citation count, respectively. Among these journals, Frontiers in Oncology had the highest number of articles (39 articles), while the Journal of Clinical Oncology had the highest number of citations (1878 citations). Additionally, there has been a shift in the keywords from “antitumor activity” and “NK cells” to popular topics such as “PD-L1,” “open label,” and “single arm.”

Conclusion:

A better understanding of the current status and prospects of immunotherapy for BM is crucial for the rationale selection of appropriate BM patients for immunotherapy. This study is expected to help clinical physicians and researchers gain comprehensive insights into the developmental trends of BM immunotherapy, providing practical guidance for the application of immunotherapy in BM patients.
Cervical clear cell carcinoma: Case report and literature review
Authors: Su Dongying , Song Xia , Wu Fang , Fan Shufeng , Li Miaoer
Published: March 2024

Rationale:

Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a highly invasive malignant tumor. CCCs of the female reproductive system occur mostly in the endometrium and ovaries and rarely in the cervix. So, it is difficult to diagnose cervical clear cell carcinoma (CCAC) on imaging. This report helps to further deepen our understanding of CCAC.

Patient concerns:

A 39-year-old female patient presented with vaginal discharge with no obvious cause, elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA125, CA153, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), and underwent ultrasonography (US) CT and MRI examination in our hospital, which showed a mass in the cervix of the uterus, considered of cervical squamous carcinoma.

Diagnoses:

The cervix biopsy guided by vaginoscope biopsy and immunohistochemistry confirmed CCAC, combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging examination, CCAC with pelvic lymph node metastasis was considered.

Interventions and outcomes:

The patient refused further treatment and was discharged from hospital.

Lessons:

CCAC exhibited no specific symptoms, and is slightly different from cervical squamous carcinoma in image features, mainly relying on immunohistochemistry for diagnosis. The reported case raised awareness of CCAC.