bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-appraisal of bronchus-first right upper lobectomy as an alternative routine procedure
Authors: Utsumi Takahiro , Hino Haruaki , Maru Natsumi , Matsui Hiroshi , Taniguchi Yohei , Saito Tomohito , Murakawa Tomohiro
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVES

Postoperative air leakage is a major complication of lung resection, particularly right upper lobectomy. However, various surgical procedures can reduce postoperative complications and shorten the drainage period. The current study aimed to analyse the utility of bronchus-first right upper lobectomy as an alternative routine procedure.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the data of 225 (53.7%) patients who underwent bronchus-first right upper lobectomy and 194 (46.3%) patients who underwent the conventional bronchus-last right upper lobectomy at our institution from 2015 to 2022. In patients with incomplete fissures who underwent bronchus-first right upper lobectomy, the bronchus was dissected 1st, followed by the pulmonary artery and vein, and then, the interlobar fissure was divided. We compared the outcomes of 2 procedures and analysed the surgical utility of bronchus-first right upper lobectomy.

RESULTS

The surgical outcomes and postoperative morbidity comparing bronchus-first and bronchus-last procedure were as follows: median operation time (min) 103/126 (P < 0.001), median bleeding amount (ml) 28/55 (P = 0.003), incomplete lobulation rate (%) 35.1/24.2 (P = 0.02), incidence of prolonged air leakage (%) 2.2/3.1 (P = 0.76) and rate of fellow surgeon’s operation (%) 28.0/4.6 (P < 0.001). The procedure was associated with a decreased incidence of prolonged air leakage. The 4-year overall survival rates did not significantly differ between the 2 groups (P = 0.24).

CONCLUSIONS

Bronchus-first right upper lobectomy can prevent postoperative air leakage in patients with incomplete fissure. Additionally, as an alternative routine procedure, it is associated with a shorter surgical duration and a lower volume of blood loss regardless of interlobar fissure and operator’s experience.
Differential pheromone profile as a contributor to premating isolation between two sympatric sibling fruit fly species
Authors: Castro-Vargas Cynthia , Oakeshott John Graham , Yeap Heng Lin , Lacey Michael J , Lee Siu Fai , Park Soo Jean , Taylor Phillip Warren , Pandey Gunjan
Published: June 2024

Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) and Bactrocera neohumeralis (Hardy) are sibling fruit fly species that are sympatric over much of their ranges. Premating isolation of these close relatives is thought to be maintained in part by allochrony—mating activity in B. tryoni peaks at dusk, whereas in B. neohumeralis, it peaks earlier in the day. To ascertain whether differences in pheromone composition may also contribute to premating isolation between them, this study used solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterize the rectal gland volatiles of a recently collected and a more domesticated strain of each species. These glands are typical production sites and reservoirs of pheromones in bactrocerans. A total of 120 peaks were detected and 50 were identified. Differences were found in the composition of the rectal gland emissions between the sexes, species, and recently collected versus domesticated strains of each species. The compositional variation included several presence/absence and many quantitative differences. Species and strain differences in males included several relatively small alcohols, esters, and aliphatic amides. Species and strain differences in females also included some of the amides but additionally involved many fatty acid esters and 3 spiroacetals. While the strain differences indicate there is also heritable variation in rectal gland emissions within each species, the species differences imply that compositional differences in pheromones emitted from rectal glands could contribute to the premating isolation between B. tryoni and B. neohumeralis. The changes during domestication could also have significant implications for the efficacy of Sterile Insect Technique control programs.
Recent advances in the multifaceted functions of Cys2/His2-type zinc finger proteins in plant growth, development, and stress responses
Authors: Lu Yuchun , Wang Kaili , Ngea Guillaume Legrand Ngolong , Godana Esa Abiso , Ackah Michael , Dhanasekaran Solairaj , Zhang Yu , Su Yingying , Yang Qiya , Zhang Hongyin
Published: June 2024

Recent research has highlighted the importance of Cys2/His2-type zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZFPs) in plant growth and in responses to various stressors, and the complex structures of C2H2-ZFP networks and the molecular mechanisms underlying their responses to stress have received considerable attention. Here, we review the structural characteristics and classification of C2H2-ZFPs, and consider recent research advances in their functions. We systematically introduce the roles of these proteins across diverse aspects of plant biology, encompassing growth and development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, and in doing so hope to lay the foundations for further functional studies of C2H2-ZFPs in the future.
How Video Game Music Plays Us
Authors: Ayers William R.
Published: June 2024

In an analysis of 3D action-adventure video games, William R. Ayers highlights the modular nature of their music. These musical modules require player input to be activated, and this is a part of the interactivity that games afford. But, as Ayers demonstrates, such musical interactivity and modularity is not unique to this genre of video games; these games continue a tradition of musical practice that can be traced back to the early years of silent film, where accompanists in the theater were provided not with complete scores but with cue categories or topics aligned with the film’s scenes. These plot or mood topics formed the basis for the accompanist’s selection of musical pieces; a practice of creating narrative pathways through films, and a practice that, as Ayers shows, is still extant in the use of interactive musical modules to support gameplay in 3D action-adventure games.
Ambiguity and Vagueness in Video Game Sound
Authors: Grimshaw-Aagaard Mark
Published: June 2024

Mark Grimshaw-Aagaard makes the case that focus should be placed on the study of ambiguity and vagueness in relation to video game sound design and analysis. In this, he proffers the opinion that ambiguity and vagueness should be utilized as video game sound design tools not least as an antidote to the dead-end of deathly realism. Grimshaw-Aagaard begins his chapter with a brief survey of ambiguity in language and vagueness in the natural sciences, before he demonstrates how an understanding of our perception’s ability to easily resolve and deal with these everyday facts of life can enhance video game sound design.
Playground Disco
Authors: Fritsch Melanie
Published: June 2024

Melanie Fritsch explains in her chapter that, despite media attention during the COVID-19 pandemic helping to highlight the release of video games depicting dance club culture—games often used by those unable to physically partake in clubbing—such depictions and the virtual experiences they bring with them are nothing new. Equally, discos and clubs have been used to market new games—a practice that can be traced back to at least the 1970s. Fritsch explores this overlooked relationship, showing the manifold ways in which game developers have explored and exploited club culture and social practices and suggesting that this naturally occurs because both forms provide experiential opportunities for staging “ludic possibility spaces.”
Of Guitar Heroes and Rocksmiths
Authors: Duby Marc
Published: June 2024

Marc Duby uses J. J. Gibson’s theories of ecological psychology and his concept of affordances to explore the links between electric guitar-playing and music video games such as Guitar Hero and Rocksmith. The chapter uses this framework to probe aspects of guitar heroism, networks of technology used to create signature sounds, and questions of authenticity and play in the chosen music video games. Throughout, Duby questions the valorization of the music played on actual instruments over the music produced by players of guitar games, suggesting instead that, while such games have in some cases inspired players to turn to real electric guitars, guitar games hold the promise of an “as yet unexplored musicality.”
Introduction
Authors: Gibbons William , Grimshaw-Aagaard Mark
Published: June 2024

Using the metaphor of video game “hub worlds,” in the Introduction the editors outline the overall purpose, structure, and contents of the handbook. Just as hubs provide a convenient central location for players to gather, exchange ideas, or level up, this volume presents a starting point for the journey into video game music and sound. The chapters, organized by topic into nine major sections, reflect a wide range of disciplines and approaches to the study of game audio drawn from musicology, music theory, sound studies, music cognition, and related fields. Following an overview of each section of the book, brief summaries of each chapter are provided.
Towards Reliable Detection of Introgression in the Presence of Among-Species Rate Variation
Authors: Koppetsch Thore , Malinsky Milan , Matschiner Michael
Published: June 2024

The role of interspecific hybridization has recently seen increasing attention, especially in the context of diversification dynamics. Genomic research has now made it abundantly clear that both hybridization and introgression—the exchange of genetic material through hybridization and backcrossing—are far more common than previously thought. Besides cases of ongoing or recent genetic exchange between taxa, an increasing number of studies report “ancient introgression”— referring to results of hybridization that took place in the distant past. However, it is not clear whether commonly used methods for the detection of introgression are applicable to such old systems, given that most of these methods were originally developed for analyses at the level of populations and recently diverged species, affected by recent or ongoing genetic exchange. In particular, the assumption of constant evolutionary rates, which is implicit in many commonly used approaches, is more likely to be violated as evolutionary divergence increases. To test the limitations of introgression detection methods when being applied to old systems, we simulated thousands of genomic datasets under a wide range of settings, with varying degrees of among-species rate variation and introgression. Using these simulated datasets, we showed that some commonly applied statistical methods, including the D-statistic and certain tests based on sets of local phylogenetic trees, can produce false-positive signals of introgression between divergent taxa that have different rates of evolution. These misleading signals are caused by the presence of homoplasies occurring at different rates in different lineages. To distinguish between the patterns caused by rate variation and genuine introgression, we developed a new test that is based on the expected clustering of introgressed sites along the genome and implemented this test in the program Dsuite.
Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Displaced Proximal Humerus Fractures in Adolescents: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Pooya , Torres-Izquierdo Beltran , Tippabhatla Abhishek , Denning Jaime , Vidyadhar Upasani , Sanders Julia , Goldstein Rachel , Baldwin Keith
Published: June 2024

Background:

Proximal humerus fractures (PHFx) constitute around 2% of all pediatric fractures. Although younger children with displaced fractures often undergo nonoperative treatments, optimal treatment for adolescents is not well defined. The study aimed to assess the outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment of displaced proximal humerus fractures in adolescents via a prospective multicenter study.

Methods:

This prospective study assessed adolescents aged 10 to 16 years with displaced PHFx from 2018 to 2022 at 6 level 1 trauma centers. Displacement criteria for inclusion were >50% shaft diameter or angulation >30 degrees on AP/lateral shoulder X-rays. Operative versus nonoperative treatment was decided by the treating physician. Radiographic and clinical data were collected at 6 weeks, 3, and 6 months. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included: Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMIS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and QuickDASH questionnaires. Patients were further grouped into a severe displacement cohort, defined as angulation >40° or displacement >75%. Clinical and radiographic data were compared between the 2 treatment cohorts.

Results:

Out of 78 enrolled patients, 36 (46%) underwent operative treatment. Patients treated operatively were significantly older (13.5 vs. 12.2 y, P<0.001) and exhibited greater mean angulation on AP shoulder view at presentation (31.1° vs. 23.5°, P<0.05). All PROs improved over time. At 6 weeks, operative patients demonstrated superior PROMIS upper extremity scores based on the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) (46.4 vs. 34.3, P=0.027); however, this distinction disappeared by 3 months. In a subanalysis of 35 patients with severe displacement, 21 (60.1%) underwent surgical intervention. No metrics showed significant differences between treatment modalities, with all PROs achieving population norm values by 3 months. Range of motion showed no difference between operative and nonoperative treatments, irrespective of fracture displacement.

Conclusion:

We found no differences in PROs and ROM between operative and nonoperative treatments of PHFx. If not contraindicated, nonoperative treatment may reduce healthcare costs and risks associated with surgery and should be considered for displaced adolescent proximal humerus fractures, irrespective of fracture displacement.

Level of Evidence:

II
Behavioral Assessment With the Coma Recovery Scale—Revised Is Safe and Feasible in Critically Ill Patients With Disorders of Consciousness
Authors: Woodward Matthew R. , Wells Chris L. , Arnold Shannon , Dorman Farra , Ahmed Zaka , Morris Nicholas A. , Ciryam Prajwal , Podell Jamie E. , Chang Wan-Tsu W. , Zimmerman W. Denney , Motta Melissa , Butt Bilal , Pergakis Melissa B. , Labib Mohamed , Wang Ting I. , Edlow Brian L. , Badjatia Neeraj , Braun Robynne , Parikh Gunjan Y.
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVES:

Accurate classification of disorders of consciousness (DoC) is key in developing rehabilitation plans after brain injury. The Coma Recovery Scale—Revised (CRS-R) is a sensitive measure of consciousness validated in the rehabilitation phase of care. We tested the feasibility, safety, and impact of CRS-R-guided rehabilitation in the ICU for patients with DoC after acute hemorrhagic stroke.

DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:

This single-center study was conducted in the neurocritical care unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

PATIENTS:

We analyzed records from consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), who underwent serial CRS-R assessments during ICU admission from April 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021, where CRS-R less than 8 is vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS); CRS-R greater than or equal to 8 is a minimally conscious state (MCS).

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Outcomes included adverse events during CRS-R evaluations and associations between CRS-R and discharge disposition, therapy-based function, and mobility. We examined the utility of CRS-R compared with other therapist clinical assessment tools in predicting discharge disposition. Seventy-six patients (22 SAH, 54 ICH, median age = 59, 50% female) underwent 276 CRS-R sessions without adverse events. Discharge to acute rehabilitation occurred in 4.4% versus 41.9% of patients with a final CRS-R less than 8 and CRS-R greater than or equal to 8, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 13.4; 95% CI, 2.7–66.1; p < 0.001). Patients with MCS on final CRS-R completed more therapy sessions during hospitalization and had improved mobility and functional performance. Compared with other therapy assessment tools, the CRS-R had the best performance in predicting discharge disposition (area under the curve: 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72–0.94; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Early neurorehabilitation guided by CRS-R appears to be feasible and safe in the ICU following hemorrhagic stroke complicated by DoC and may enhance access to inpatient rehabilitation, with the potential for lasting benefit on recovery. Further research is needed to assess generalizability and understand the impact on long-term outcomes.
Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Current Treatments
Authors: Yang Xinyu , Bayliss George , Zhuang Shougang
Published: June 2024

Obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) is a kidney disease characterized by glomerulomegaly with or without focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. With the increase in worldwide obesity rates, the number of ORG patients has also risen rapidly. Approximately 10% of ORG patients have been found to progress to the end stage of renal disease 6.2 years after diagnosis. The pathogenesis of ORG is complex, involving altered renal hemodynamics, activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, insulin resistance, and abnormal lipid metabolism and adipokines. Despite the numerous strategies to lose weight as treatment for ORG, ranging from lifestyle and diet changes to bariatric surgery and medications, approved and marketed weight-loss drugs often have potential side effects and perform below expectations. Recently, new glucose-lowering drugs that also reduce body weight and improve kidney function have garnered attention. In particular, several large clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy and safety of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in reducing weight and preserving kidney function. This article provides a brief review of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of ORG.
Development of a Human Trafficking Flowsheet for Clinical Forensic Examiners
Authors: Sonsiadek Jennifer S. , DeVore Heather K. , Toliver Christine , Yingling Cara
Published: June 2024

When trafficked patients are identified in the healthcare setting, clinical forensic examiners, including sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), may be consulted to provide medical care and to collect forensic evidence. However, using a standard sexual assault protocol and documentation form may not completely identify or address the unique needs of these patients. Our SANE program sought to improve the healthcare approach to trafficked patients by developing a trafficking-specific documentation flowsheet. The goal of this quality improvement project was to guide a clinical forensic examiner through a comprehensive examination while addressing specific patient needs and optimizing trauma-informed service delivery. We gathered several local multidisciplinary human trafficking specialists together to provide expert recommendations and feedback during the creation process. Both paper and electronic forms of the flowsheet were designed. SANEs completed the flowsheet on 22 patient encounters and filled out a utilization review survey describing their experience. Feedback data collected through the utilization review process guided further modifications to the flowsheet, which were then implemented into clinical practice guidelines. We found that engaging multidisciplinary specialists and community partners both enhanced the effectiveness of the flowsheet and supported the learning needs of our SANEs. We recommend that clinical forensic programs that wish to develop a similar flowsheet collaborate with local professional agencies to meet the unique needs of the populations within their catchment area and use examiner feedback to maximize the usefulness of the flowsheet.
Comparison of efficacy and safety between robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced mid-low rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Xin-Mao , Bai Xiao , Wang Hai-Qi , Dai Dong-Qiu
Published: June 2024

Background:

To some extent, the robotic technique does offer certain benefits in rectal cancer surgery than laparoscopic one, while remains a topic of ongoing debate for rectal cancer patients who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT).

Methods:

Potential studies published until January 2024 were obtained from Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed. Dichotomous and continuous variables were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% CIs, respectively. A random effects model was used if the I
2 statistic >50%; otherwise, a fixed effects model was used.

Results:

Eleven studies involving 1079 patients were analysed. The robotic-assisted group had an 0.4 cm shorter distance from the anal verge (95% CI: −0.680 to −0.114, P=0.006) and 1.94 times higher complete total mesorectal excision (TME) rate (OR=1.936, 95% CI: 1.061–3.532, P=0.031). However, the operation time in the robotic-assisted group was 54 min longer (95% CI: 20.489–87.037, P=0.002) than the laparoscopic group. In addition, the robotic-assisted group had a lower open conversion rate (OR=0.324, 95% CI: 0.129–0.816, P=0.017) and a shorter length of hospital stay (WMD=−1.127, 95% CI: −2.071 to −0.184, P=0.019).

Conclusion:

Robot-assisted surgery offered several advantages over laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced mid-low rectal cancer following NCRT in terms of resection of lower tumours with improved TME completeness, lower open conversion rate, and shorter hospital stay, despite the longer operative time.
Genetic background of pulmonary (vascular) diseases – how much is written in the codes?
Authors: Eichstaedt Christina A. , Haas Simon O. , Shaukat Memoona , Grünig Ekkehard
Published: June 2024

Purpose of review

To provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying genetic defects of pulmonary (vascular) diseases and novel treatment avenues.

Recent findings

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the prime example of a pulmonary vascular disease, which can be caused by genetic mutations in some patients. Germline mutations in the BMPR2 gene and further genes lead to vessel remodelling, increase of pulmonary vascular resistance and onset of heritable PAH. The PAH genes with the highest evidence and strategies for genetic testing and counselling have been assessed and evaluated in 2023 by international expert consortia. Moreover, first treatment options have just arisen targeting the molecular basis of PAH.

Apart from PAH, this review touches on the underlying genetic causes of further lung diseases including alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis, familial pulmonary fibrosis and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. We point out the main disease genes, the underlying pathomechanisms and novel therapies trying not only to relieve symptoms but to treat the molecular causes of the diseases.
Anaplastic Large-cell Lymphoma in Children: State of the Art in 2023
Authors: Khoubila Nisrine , Sraidi Sofia , Madani Abdellah , Tazi Illias
Published: June 2024

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is a rare disease and account for approximately 10% to 15% of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas. They are characterized by extended stages, a high frequency of B signs and extra nodal involvement. Multiagent chemotherapy cures ∽60% to 75% of patients and relapse occurs in 35% of cases. For relapsed patients, various treatments ranging from vinblastine monotherapy to therapeutic intensification with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been evaluated, but there is currently no consensus on the optimal therapeutic strategy. New therapeutic perspectives are being evaluated for relapses and refractory forms as well as high-risk forms including monoclonal antibodies (Anti CD30), ALK inhibitors, and CART cells.
To the Parents of the Boy We Lost
Authors: Gauguet Stefanie
Published: June 2024

Recently, we took care of a teenage boy in our PICU who had been struggling with a lifelong chronic illness and accompanied him and his parents during the last few days of his life. We had the privilege of getting to know him and his parents quite well during the last few years, as he required hospitalization several times during this time. We saw how extremely dedicated his parents had been to him and his care, how they left no stone unturned and sacrificed everything they could to help him have the best quality of life possible. I happened to not be on service, nor know about the moment when he passed away. I also missed when his funeral took place. I wanted to reach out to his parents, to express how much his life and their love for him had meant to me, too, and to find some closure. So I wrote this short poem for them, and for all the other parents, who have to go through the most difficult time a parent can ever go through—as a pediatric intensivist, a Mom who has never been where they had to go, a fellow human being, and a grieving friend.
Targetable ERBB2/HER2 Mutations in Gynecologic Malignancies: Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Correlations
Authors: Manrai Padmini A. , McHenry Austin , Sun Tong , Santin Alessandro D. , Ratner Elena , Lin Douglas I. , Elvin Julia A. , Hui Pei , Buza Natalia
Published: June 2024

Targeted anti-HER2 therapy has been recently added to the standard treatment recommendations in endometrial serous carcinoma. Current eligibility requires testing for HER2 overexpression and/or gene amplification by immunohistochemistry and by fluorescence in situ hybridization. However, clinical trials have also demonstrated the efficacy of anti-HER2 drugs against activating ERBB2/HER2 mutations in a variety of solid tumor types, and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan is now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed at evaluating the detailed clinical, histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics of gynecologic malignancies with ERBB2/HER2 mutations. We identified 16 tumors with 19 ERBB2/HER2 mutations in our departmental archives: 11 endometrial primaries, 2 endocervical adenocarcinomas, 1 ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma, 1 tubo-ovarian undifferentiated carcinoma, and 1 high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma of Mullerian origin. ERBB2/HER2 mutations most often involved the tyrosine kinase domain (52.6%), and the most frequent specific mutation was R678Q (31.6%), involving the juxtamembrane domain. More than half (54.5%) of endometrial carcinomas and half of all tumors were MMR-deficient, resulting from MSH6 loss in all but 2 tumors. None of the tumors (0%) were POLE-mutated, while 18.8% were TP53-mutated. HER2 IHC was negative (score 0 or 1+) in 12 tumors (67%) and equivocal (score 2+) in 4 tumors (33%), whereas none of the tumors were scored as HER2 3+. Score 2+ was associated with R678Q, L755S, I767M mutations, and ERBB2/HER2 rearrangement with a breakpoint in exon 23. Concurrent ERBB2/HER2 amplification was identified in 2 endometrial carcinomas, with HER2/CEP17 ratios of 3.1 and 3.5. We also queried the cBioportal database, which revealed 70 ERBB2/HER2-mutant gynecologic tumors with a total of 77 ERBB2/HER2 mutations, most often involving the active site of the tyrosine kinase domain (n=36; 46.8%), and the most common specific mutation was S310F (n=20; 26%), located in the extracellular domain. Our results provide important details regarding the clinicopathological and molecular associations of potentially actionable ERBB2/HER2 mutations in endometrial carcinoma and other gynecological cancer types and contribute to addressing clinical treatment needs and improving pathology testing recommendations in the future.
Interictal Electroencephalography and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reveals Involvement of Mesial Anterior Frontal Structures in Patients With Hyperkinetic Semiology Type I
Authors: Kokkinos Vasileios
Published: June 2024

Purpose:

This work investigates the presence of common anatomic regions associated with interictal activity in patients with hyperkinetic seizures type I by means of concurrent electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods:

Six patients with hyperkinetic seizures type I were evaluated with video-EEG and electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging in the context of their presurgical evaluation. Statistical Parametric Mapping was used to perform a correlation study between the occurrence of interictal spikes on EEG and suprathreshold blood oxygen level–dependent changes in the whole-brain volume.

Results:

In all patients, Statistical Parametric Mapping revealed suprathreshold blood oxygen level–dependent clusters in the mesial anterior frontal areas, including the rostral mesial superior frontal gyrus and the anterior cingulate, associated with the patients' typical interictal activity.

Conclusions:

The electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging findings contribute to our understanding of hyperkinetic seizures type I semiology generation and can inform stereo-EEG targeting for surgical planning in refractory cases.
Goal-oriented temperature management in severely traumatized children in the emergency department: an evidence-based practice project
Authors: Wang Wenchao , Zhang Yanhong , Ling Fang , Hu Shenjie , Gu Ying
Published: June 2024

Introduction and objectives:

Hypothermia commonly occurs in trauma patients. Evidence-based practices for hypothermia prevention are not strictly followed by all medical staff in the emergency department. This study aimed to assess compliance with evidence-based practices regarding goal-oriented temperature management for severely traumatized children in a Chinese hospital.

Methods:

This project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to translate evidence into practice. The Integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework was used to identify barriers to compliance with best practices. A goal-oriented temperature management strategy for trauma patients was developed based on the identified barriers, along with a simulation training module, and the supply of warming materials. Field observation, review of medical records, and interviews with medical staff and patients were used to assess baseline and follow-up audit compliance with best practices.

Results:

Twelve criteria were audited in the baseline and follow-up audits, with 11 and 37 trauma patients, respectively. In the follow-up audit, compliance with all criteria increased, with a reduction in shivering and cold discomfort scores. Except for two patients who died, hypothermia did not occur in any of the patients.

Conclusions:

The JBI Evidence Implementation Framework was used to successfully improve compliance with best practices. Future audits should be conducted to sustain the evidence-based behavior of all medical staff.

Spanish abstract:

http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A234
Experimental neutrino physics in a nuclear landscape
Authors: Parno D. S. , Poon A. W. P. , Singh V.
Published: June 2024

There are profound connections between neutrino physics and nuclear experiments. Exceptionally precise measurements of single and double beta-decay spectra illuminate the scale and nature of neutrino mass and may finally answer the question of whether neutrinos are their own anti-matter counterparts. Neutrino–nucleus scattering underpins oscillation experiments and probes nuclear structure, neutrinos offer a rare vantage point into collapsing stars and nuclear fission reactors and techniques pioneered in neutrino nuclear physics experiments are advancing quantum sensing technologies. In this article, we review current and planned efforts at the intersection of neutrino and nuclear experiments.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The liminal position of Nuclear Physics: from hadrons to neutron stars’.
Mathematical modelling of fracture waves in a blocky medium with thin compliant interlayers
Authors: Sadovskaya Oxana V. , Sadovskii Vladimir M.
Published: June 2024

Physical mechanisms that contribute to the generation of fracture waves in condensed media under intensive dynamic impacts have not been fully studied. One of the hypotheses is that this process is associated with the blocky structure of a material. As the loading wave passes, the compliant interlayers between blocks are fractured, releasing the energy of self-balanced initial stresses in the blocks, which supports the motion of the fracture wave. We propose a new efficient numerical method for the analysis of the wave nature of the propagation of a system of cracks in thin interlayers of a blocky medium with complex rheological properties. The method is based on a variational formulation of the constitutive relations for the deformation of elastic–plastic materials, as well as the conditions for contact interaction of blocks through interlayers. We have developed a parallel computational algorithm that implements this method for supercomputers with cluster architecture. The results of the numerical simulation of the fracture wave propagation in tempered glass under the action of distributed pulse disturbances are presented.

This article is part of the theme issue 'Non-smooth variational problems with applications in mechanics'.
Coevolutionary hotspots favour dispersal and fuel biodiversity in mutualistic landscapes under environmental changes
Authors: Cosmo Leandro G. , Acquaviva Julia N. , Guimarães Jr. Paulo R. , Pires Mathias M.
Published: June 2024

Mutualistic interactions are key to sustaining Earth’s biodiversity. Yet, we are only beginning to understand how coevolution in mutualistic assemblages can shape the distribution and persistence of species across landscapes. Here, we combine the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution with metacommunity dynamics to understand how geographically structured selection can shape patterns of richness, dispersal, extinction and persistence of mutualistic species. In this model, species may experience strong or weak reciprocal selection imposed by mutualisms within each patch (i.e. hotspots and coldspots, respectively). Using numerical simulations, we show that mutualistic coevolution leads to a concentration of species richness at hotspots. Such an effect occurs because hotspots sustain higher rates of colonization and lower rates of extinction than coldspots, whether the environment changes or not. Importantly, under environmental changes, coldspots fail to sustain a positive colonization-to-extinction balance. Rather, species persistence within coldspots relies on hotspots acting as biodiversity sources and enhancing population dispersal across the landscape. In fact, even a few hotspots in the landscape can fuel the spatial network of dispersal of populations in the metacommunity. Our study highlights that coevolutionary hotspots can act as biodiversity sources, favouring colonization and allowing species to expand their distribution across landscapes even in changing environments.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics’.
Cannibalism facilitated by parasite infection induces dispersal in a semi-aquatic insect
Authors: Regimbal Nicole L. , Baines Celina B.
Published: June 2024

Parasites are known to have direct effects on host dispersal ability and motivation. Yet, parasites have a variety of impacts on host populations, including shaping predation and cannibalism rates, and therefore may also have indirect effects on host dispersal; these indirect pathways have not been studied. We tested the hypothesis that parasites influence host dispersal through effects on cannibalism using backswimmers (
Notonecta undulata
) and Hydrachnidia freshwater mites. Mite parasitism impedes swimming in backswimmers, which we found increased their vulnerability to cannibalism. We imposed a manipulation that varied cannibalism rates across experimental populations consisting of a mix of backswimmers with and without simulated parasites. Using simulated parasites allowed us to examine the effects of cannibalism without introducing infection risk. We found that the odds of dispersal for infected backswimmers increased by 2.25
×
with every 10% increase in the risk of being cannibalized, and the odds of dispersal for healthy backswimmers increased by 2.34× for every additional infected backswimmer they consumed. Our results suggest that cannibalism was used as an energy source for dispersal for healthy individuals, while the risk of being eaten motivated dispersal in infected individuals. These results elucidate the complex ways that parasites impact host populations and strengthen our understanding of host–parasite interactions, including host and parasite population stability and spread.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics’.
Induction of territorial behavior and dominance hierarchies in laboratory mice
Authors: Battivelli Dorian , Boldrini Lucas , Jaiswal Mohit , Patil Pradnya , Torchia Sofia , Engelen Elizabeth , Spagnoletti Luca , Kaspar Sarah , Gross Cornelius T.
Published: June 2024

Territorial behaviors comprise a set of coordinated actions and response patterns found across animal species that promote the exclusive access to resources. House mice are highly territorial with a subset of males consistently attacking and chasing competing males to expel them from their territories and performing urine marking behaviors to signal the extent of their territories. Natural variation in territorial behaviors within a mouse colony leads to the formation of dominance hierarchies in which subordinate males can reside within the territory of a dominant male. While the full repertoire of such territorial behaviors and hierarchies has been extensively studied in wild-derived mice in semi-natural enclosures, so far they have not been established in the smaller enclosures and with the genetically-defined laboratory strains required for the application of neural recording and manipulation methods. Here, we present a protocol to induce an extensive repertoire of territorial behaviors in small enclosures in laboratory mice, including a method for the simultaneous tracking of urine marking behavior in mouse pairs. Using this protocol we describe the emergence of robust dominant-subordinate hierarchies between pairs of CD1 outbred or CD1xB6 F1 hybrid mice, but unexpectedly not in C57BL/6 inbred animals. Our behavioral paradigm opens the door for neurocircuit studies of territorial behaviors and social hierarchy in the laboratory.
Metabolite T2relaxation times decrease across the adult lifespan in a large multi-site cohort
Authors: Hupfeld Kathleen E. , Murali-Manohar Saipavitra , Zöllner Helge J. , Song Yulu , Davies-Jenkins Christopher W. , Gudmundson Aaron T. , Simičić Dunja , Simegn Gizeaddis , Carter Emily E. , Hui Steve C. N. , Yedavalli Vivek , Oeltzschner Georg , Porges Eric C. , Edden Richard A. E.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Relaxation correction is crucial for accurately estimating metabolite concentrations measured usingin vivomagnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). However, the majority of MRS quantification routines assume that relaxation values remain constant across the lifespan, despite prior evidence of T2changes with aging for multiple of the major metabolites. Here, we comprehensively investigate correlations between T2and age in a large, multi-site cohort.

Methods

We recruited approximately 10 male and 10 female participants from each decade of life: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+ years old (n=101 total). We collected PRESS data at 8 TEs (30, 50, 74, 101, 135, 179, 241, and 350 ms) from voxels placed in white-matter-rich centrum semiovale (CSO) and gray-matter-rich posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). We quantified metabolite amplitudes using Osprey and fit exponential decay curves to estimate T2.

Results

Older age was correlated with shorter T2for tNAA, tCr3.0, tCr3.9, tCho, Glx, and tissue water in CSO and PCC; rs= −0.21 to −0.65, allp<0.05, FDR-corrected for multiple comparisons. These associations remained statistically significant when controlling for cortical atrophy. T2values did not differ across the adult lifespan for mI. By region, T2values were longer in the CSO for tNAA, tCr3.0, tCr3.9, Glx, and tissue water and longer in the PCC for tCho and mI.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the importance of considering metabolite T2changes with aging in MRS quantification. We suggest that future 3T work utilize the equations presented here to estimate age-specific T2values instead of relying on uniform default values.
Genetic ablation of the TET family in retinal progenitor cells impairs photoreceptor development and leads to blindness
Authors: Dvoriantchikova Galina , Moulin Chloe , Fleishaker Michelle , Almeida Vania , Pelaez Daniel , Lam Byron L. , Ivanov Dmitry
Published: June 2024

Rod and cone photoreceptors are critical for vision, and their loss leads to blindness. Photoreceptors are epigenetically unique, because the promoters of the genes required for the development and function of these neurons are hypermethylated in retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and hypomethylated in photoreceptors. However, the mechanism responsible for DNA demethylation during the differentiation of RPCs into photoreceptors and its role in photoreceptor development and function were unknown. We hypothesized that the Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) family of dioxygenases plays a key role in this mechanism. To this end, we knocked out all TET genes in RPCs and characterized the TET-deficient and control retinas using various approaches including electron microscopy, electroretinogram (ERG) tests, RNA-seq, whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), and 5hmC-Seal. We found that genetic ablation of the TET family prevents demethylation of the promoters of genes essential for rod specification and for rod and cone maturation during the differentiation of RPCs into photoreceptors. Preservation of methylated cytosines in the promoters of these genes significantly reduced their expression, which was confirmed by western blot analysis. This impaired expression leads to the underdevelopment or complete absence of outer segments and synaptic termini in the photoreceptors of TET-deficient retinas, which results in loss of rod and cone function, as assayed by ERG. These function-deprived, underdeveloped photoreceptors die over time, which leads to blindness.
Temporal multi-omic analysis of COVID-19 in end-stage kidney disease
Authors: Stephenson Emily , Macdonald-Dunlop Erin , Dratva Lisa M , Lindeboom Rik G.H. , Tuong Zewen Kelvin , Tun Win Min , Buang Norzawani B , Ballereau Stephane , Cabantaus Mia , Peñalver Ana , Prigmore Elena , Ferdinand John R , Stewart Benjamin J , Gisby Jack , Malik Talat , Clarke Candice L , Medjeral-Thomas Nicholas , Prendecki Maria , McAdoo Stephen , Portet Anais , Willicombe Michelle , Sandhu Eleanor , Pickering Matthew C. , Botto Marina , Teichmann Sarah A. , Haniffa Muzlifah , Clatworthy Menna R. , Thomas David C. , Peters James E.
Published: June 2024

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at high risk of severe COVID-19. We performed longitudinal single cell multi-omic immune profiling of ESKD patients with COVID- 19, sampled during two waves of the pandemic. Uniquely, for a subset of patients, we obtained samples before and during acute infection, allowing intra-individual comparison. Using single- cell transcriptome, surface proteome and immunoreceptor sequencing of 580,040 high-quality cells, derived from 187 longitudinal samples from 61 patients, we demonstrate widespread changes following infection. We identified gene expression signatures of severity, with the majority of pathways differentiating mild from severe disease in B cells and monocytes. For example, gene expression ofPLAC8, a receptor known to modulate SARS-CoV-2 entry to cells, was a marker of severity in CD14+ monocytes. Longitudinal profiling demonstrated distinct temporal molecular trajectories in severe versus mild disease, including type 1 and type 2 interferon signalling,MHCgene expression and, in B cells, a proliferative signature (KRASandMYC). Evaluation of clonal T cell dynamics showed that the fastest expanding clones were significantly enriched in known SARS-CoV-2 specific sequences and shared across multiple patients. Our analyses revealed novel TCR clones likely reactive to SARS- CoV-2. Finally, we identified a population of transcriptionally distinct monocytes that emerged in peripheral blood following glucocorticoid treatment. Overall, our data delineate the temporal dynamics of the immune response in COVID-19 in a high-risk population and provide a valuable open-access resource.
An endogenous GLP-1 circuit engages VTA GABA neurons to regulate mesolimbic dopamine neurons and attenuate cocaine seeking
Authors: Merkel Riley , Hernandez Nicole , Weir Vanessa , Zhang Yafang , Rich Matthew T. , Crist Richard C. , Reiner Benjamin C. , Schmidt Heath D.
Published: June 2024

Recent studies show that systemic administration of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist is sufficient to attenuate the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior, an animal model of relapse. However, the neural mechanisms mediating these effects and the role of endogenous central GLP-1 signaling in cocaine seeking remain unknown. Here, we show that voluntary cocaine taking decreased plasma GLP-1 levels in rats and that chemogenetic activation of GLP-1-producing neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) that project to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) decreased cocaine reinstatement. Single nuclei transcriptomics and FISH studies revealed GLP-1Rs are expressed primarily on GABA neurons in the VTA. Usingin vivofiber photometry, we found that the efficacy of a systemic GLP-1R agonist to attenuate cocaine seeking was associated with increased activity of VTA GABA neurons and decreased activity of VTA dopamine neurons. Together, these findings suggest that targeting central GLP-1 circuits may be an effective strategy toward reducing cocaine relapse and highlight a novel functional role of GABAergic GLP-1R-expressing midbrain neurons in drug seeking.
Appraising the natural root-knot nematode resistance inSolanum sisymbriifolium, a wild relative of potato
Authors: Ko Itsuhiro , Caplan Allan B. , Kuhl Joseph C. , Gleason Cynthia
Published: June 2024

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are a major pest of Solanum and other economically important crops worldwide. Two species of RKNs (Meloidogyne chitwoodiandMeloidogyne hapla) are persistent threats to potato growers of the United States. These RKNs infect potato roots and tubers, causing tuber blemishes that decrease potato market value and significantly impact the profitability of the infected potato crop. Due to environmental, health, and economic concerns, the longstanding control methods of using soil fumigants and post-plant nematicides are not favored by producers and consumers. Therefore, deploying RKN resistant cultivars is an alternative method to control RKN damage. However, there is no genetic resistance to RKN in commercially-available, cultivated potatoes. Therefore, the critical first step to breed a RKN resistant plant is to identify a genetic source of RKN resistance. A wildSolanumspecies,Solanum sisymbriifolium,also known as litchi tomato, can effectively control several agronomically important species of plant parasitic nematodes.Solanum sisymbriifoliumis completely resistant to RKNs; only a few nematodes enter the plant roots and those that do, cannot establish a feeding site. To understand its ability to prevent RKNs from forming feeding sites, we performed transcriptomic analysis ofS. sisymbriifoliumroots inoculated with the Northern root knot nematode,M. hapla. Combined with the annotation of the recently publishedS. sisymbriifoliumgenome assembly, we discovered 13 differentially expressed resistance-related genes upon nematode inoculation. By transforming potatoes with candidate resistance genes fromS. sisymbriifolium, we aim to understand the strong genetic resistance inS. sisymbriifoliumand whether those genes are necessary and sufficient to drive resistance to RKN in potatoes. This information will help us understand gene functions and help us generate RKN resistance in relevantSolanumcrops.