bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can the Public–Private Business Model Provide a Sustainable Quality Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program in Low- and Middle-Income Countries?
Authors: Kim Stephany , Seshadrinathan Sreemathi , Jenkins Kathy J , Murala John S
Published: February 2023

Over 90% of the world's children with congenital heart disease do not have access to cardiac care. Although many models provide pediatric cardiac surgery in low- and middle-income countries, sustainability poses a barrier. We explore one model providing care for the underserved in Chennai, India, that came into existence through trial and error over 30 years across three phases. Phase 1 was a Tamilnadu state government–sponsored program that soon became unsustainable with unmet demands. Phase 2 utilized a grassroots foundation of a public–private partnership (PPP) with few donors and a hospital with suboptimal infrastructure. Phase 3 is the ongoing fine-tuning of the PPP model, with upgraded infrastructure and a well-trained team. Through indigenization, an average cardiac surgery costs Rupees (Rs.) 1,80,000 ($2400). The government funds Rs. 60,000 to 80,000 ($800-$1066.67), and the rest is funded through the fund pool. The goal is to perform 100 free surgeries annually by maintaining a fund pool of Rs. 50 lakhs ($66,666.67), which supplements government funds. This ensures equitable distribution of funds with no compromise on resources (disposables, single-use cannulas, etc). Our model ensures the dignity of the patient, fair compensation for workers, and is practical, affordable, and easily adaptable. Thus far, this model provided free cardiac surgery for 357 children from Risk Adjusted Congenital Heart Surgery Score of 1 to 4, with an overall mortality of 2.73%. The prerequisites for this model are having a “spark plug,” a dedicated surgical team, a partnership with state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a steady flow of funds.
Validity and Reliability of the Thai Versions of the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and Tegner Activity Scale
Authors: Itthipanichpong Thun , Moonwong Songthai , Thamrongskulsiri Napatpong , Prasathaporn Niti , Kuptniratsaikul Somsak , Tegner Yelverton , Lysholm Jack , Tanpowpong Thanathep
Published: February 2023

Background:

Functional or quality of life questionnaires are important tools in clinical investigations. The Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and Tegner Activity Scale are knee-specific questionnaires that are widely used to assess knee function.

Purpose:

To translate both questionnaires into Thai and to assess the validity and reliability of the Thai versions of the Lysholm and adjusted Tegner scales.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The Lysholm and Tegner scales were translated into Thai by using the forward-backward translation protocol. Because cultural modifications were made to the sports used to measure activity on the Tegner scale, the authors of this study refer to the Thai version as the “Thai adjusted Tegner scale.” The reliability and validity of the translated scales were evaluated by obtaining the responses of 60 consecutive patients (mean age, 40.5 years; 34 male, 26 female); the patients also completed the Thai version of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF). Criterion validity was tested by correlating the scores from both translated questionnaires with those from the Thai IKDC-SKF, while reliability was assessed by measuring test-retest reliability and internal consistency.

Results:

The Thai Lysholm scale showed a strong correlation with the Thai IKDC-SKF ( r = 0.89), while the Thai adjusted Tegner scale showed a moderate correlation with the Thai IKDC-SKF ( r = 0.60). The intrarater and test-retest reliability measures were excellent for the Thai Lysholm (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.94 and 0.98, respectively) and moderate to good for the Thai adjusted Tegner (ICC, 0.73 and 0.86, respectively). The internal consistency for the Thai Lysholm was acceptable at all the time points (Cronbach alpha, 0.71-0.73).

Conclusion:

The Thai Lysholm and Thai adjusted Tegner scales adequately retained the characteristics of the original versions. They can be considered reliable instruments for Thai patients with knee-related problems.
Design and Fabrication of Bistratal Functional Anionic Polyurethane Membrane on the Surface of Cashmere Fiber Based on Foaming Micro-Coating and the Studies of its Structure–Activity Relationships
Authors: Quan Heng , Wang Yang , Xu Lin , Ren Jingzhi , Wei Zengfeng
Published: February 2023

This research aims to reinforce the hand-feeling and washing fastness of anti-pilling and antistatic cashmere textiles based on a traditional “addition” technique. The technical proposal that effectively controls the distribution of polymer on cashmere textiles, based on foaming micro-coating technology, is studied and compared to prevent the superabundant polymer being fixed in the gaps between yarns/fibers and to ensure the graphene is semi-embedded in the membrane of “Table coating.” A couple of flexible hydrophilic anionic polyurethanes are used in micro-coating processing of cashmere purposefully. The effects of different coating technique on pilling, static, anti-ultraviolet, and washing resistance of coated cashmere textiles are studied. The results show that the semi-embedded graphene in the table coating membrane is meaningful to the static resistance. The pilling resistance of cashmere textile covered by polymer membranes is enhanced from grade 1–2 to grade 4–5 when the weight gain rate of “Bottom coating” polyurethane reaches 1.5% (o.w.f.), and its static voltage half-life decreases from 170 s to less than 2 s. In addition, the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value of coated cashmere is doubled, and anti-pilling and anti-static effects can withstand five washings.
‘Suffering ought not to be’: Adorno on the dialectics of memory
Authors: Kuebler Felicitas
Published: February 2023

In recent decades, social and cultural memories have been much discussed in human geography. In line with an increasing interest in the nexus between memory and social justice, this article theoretically investigates the political geographies of remembering and its emancipatory potential. Surveying recent literature on the topic, I argue for a more nuanced consideration of capitalist thought forms as generally hindering remembrance. To pin down this argument, I draw on Theodor W. Adorno’s negative dialectics, stressing the all-encroaching totality of capitalist thought forms while adhering to the hope of overcoming them. While this perspective stresses how capitalist relations render remembrance precarious, it also enables us to conceptualize spontaneous, embodied moments of memory as acts of resistance against the dominance of these capitalist thought forms. Thus, this article introduces negative dialectics as an approach to consider how places of memory might challenge capitalist relations by circumventing the respective thought forms and transforming society through tenderness and solidarity between diverse people.
Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Oncological Outcomes for Patients Living With Cancer
Authors: Murphy Lara , Sherifali Diana , Ali Muhammad Usman , Ibrahim Sarah
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the association between preexisting diabetes in persons living with cancer on diabetes and oncology-related health outcomes. Understanding this association is of priority because the incidence of both cancer and diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide.

Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted in collaboration with an expert health sciences librarian. Two authors independently conducted the screening, data collection, and extraction processes. The risk of bias was assessed using several tools, depending on the study design. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The alpha threshold was 0.05. All analyses were performed using R statistical software (Metaphor and Demeter packages).

Results

A total of 45 studies met the selection criteria, but 23 were excluded from the synthesis because they did not have the ranked outcome or correct comparison (persons with and without diabetes), totaling 22 studies included in the meta-analysis. In comparison to participants without preexisting diabetes, participants with preexisting diabetes and cancer were found to have a significantly higher risk of infection and cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and renal complications. Concurrent preexisting diabetes and cancer were also associated with increased health care service utilization and length of hospital stay.

Conclusion

The findings from this review highlight the importance of optimal concurrent management of both diseases by overcoming the compartmentalization of medical specializations through (1) integrated, multidisciplinary, shared, and coordinated clinical care pathways between oncology and diabetes health care providers/teams and (2) the continued development of evidence-based clinical guidelines.
DIY or die? A typology of DIY careers in the Portuguese independent music scenes
Authors: Oliveira Ana
Published: February 2023

This article addresses the DIY career building strategies in the Portuguese independent music scenes. Is it anchored on the reading of DIY careers as a pattern of promoting employability, in a context marked by major transformations in the music industries and the precarization of professional trajectories. Drawing from interviews with 71 individuals involved in the production and mediation of Portuguese independent music, we seek to understand how these actors build their DIY careers considering their different positions within the music scenes, the strategies used to negotiate their careers, and the way DIY is present. For this, we conduct a typological reading of these careers to identify different career profiles. Based on a mixed-methods approach, we identify five distinct career profiles: ‘catch-all musicians’, ‘non-stop musicians’, ‘mediator musicians’, ‘author musicians’, and ‘mediators’. In their differences, these trajectories are marked by DIY ethos and praxis, from their beginnings to the present day.
On seagulls, hedgehogs, and foxes: Representation, reconstruction, and the challenge of getting from here to there
Authors: Lake Robert W.
Published: February 2023

The common bond linking feminist theories of identity politics and process ontologies is that, while differing in their ontological presuppositions, both are modes of representation of an external reality, asserting an unverifiable correspondence between our mental representations and an antecedent, external reality. To escape the quagmire of representationalism, Ihnji Jon turns to transitionalist pragmatism in a radical move that redirects attention from intellectual debates between contending theorists to charting a route to practical reconstruction. Jon's pragmatist turn transcends enduring dualisms that have hampered knowledge production since the Greeks while posing daunting challenges to the purpose and process of political practice and social inquiry.
Hexokinase 2-mediated glycolysis supports inflammatory responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis in gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Su Wenqi , Li Jingwen , Jiang Lishan , Lei Lang , Li Houxuan
Published: February 2023

Background

When infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis, gingival fibroblasts undergo metabolic reprogramming, and rely on aerobic glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation for rapid energy replenishment. Hexokinases (HKs) are catalysts for glucose metabolism, and HK2 constitutes the major HK inducible isoform. The objective of this study is to determine whether HK2-mediated glycolysis promotes inflammatory responses in inflamed gingiva.

Methods

Levels of glycolysis-related genes were assessed in normal and inflamed gingiva. Human gingival fibroblasts were harvested and infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis in order to mimic periodontal inflammation. 2-deoxy-d-glucose, an analogue of glucose, was used to block HK2-mediated glycolysis, while small interfering RNA was used to knock down HK2 expression. The mRNA and protein levels of genes were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. HK2 activity and lactate production were assessed by ELISA. Cell proliferation was assessed by confocal microscopy. The generation of reactive oxygen species was assessed by flow cytometry.

Results

Elevated expression of HK2 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 was observed in the inflamed gingiva. P. gingivalis infection was shown to promote glycolysis in human gingival fibroblasts, as evidenced by increased gene transcription of HK2 and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3, cell glucose consumption, and HK2 activity. Inhibition and knockdown of HK2 resulted in reduced cytokine production, cell proliferation, and reactive oxygen species generation. Furthermore, P. gingivalis infection activated the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling pathway, thus promoting HK2-mediated glycolysis and proinflammatory responses.

Conclusions

HK2-mediated glycolysis promotes inflammatory responses in gingival tissues, and therefore glycolysis can be targeted in order to inhibit the progression of periodontal inflammation.
Children’s eating behaviours and related constructs: conceptual and theoretical foundations and their implications
Authors: Russell Alan , Jansen Elena , Burnett Alissa J. , Lee Jookyeong , Russell Catherine G.
Published: February 2023

Background

There is a substantial body of research on children’s eating behaviours (e.g., food responsiveness and fussiness) and related constructs (e.g., eating in the absence of hunger, appetite self-regulation). This research provides a foundation for understanding children’s dietary intakes and healthy eating behaviours, as well as efforts at intervention, whether in relation to food avoidance, overeating and/or trajectories to excess weight gain. The success of these efforts and their associated outcomes is dependent on the theoretical foundation and conceptual clarity of the behaviours and constructs. This, in turn contributes to the coherence and precision of the definitions and measurement of these behaviours and constructs. Limited clarity in these areas ultimately creates uncertainty around the interpretation of findings from research studies and intervention programs. At present there does not appear to be an overarching theoretical framework of children’s eating behaviours and associated constructs, or for separate domains of children’s eating behaviours/constructs. The main purpose of the present review was to examine the possible theoretical foundations of some of the main current questionnaire and behavioural measures of children’s eating behaviours and related constructs.

Methods

We reviewed the literature on the most prominent measures of children’s eating behaviours for use with children aged ~ 0–12 years. We focused on the explanations and justifications for the original design of the measures and whether these included theoretical perspectives, as well as current theoretical interpretations (and difficulties) of the behaviours and constructs.

Results

We found that the most commonly used measures had their foundations in relatively applied or practical concerns rather than theoretical perspectives.

Conclusions

We concluded, consistent with Lumeng & Fisher (1), that although existing measures have served the field well, to advance the field as a science, and better contribute to knowledge development, increased attention should be directed to the conceptual and theoretical foundations of children’s eating behaviours and related constructs. Suggestions for future directions are outlined.
Leidenfrost green synthesis method for MoO3 and WO3 nanorods preparation: characterization and methylene blue adsorption ability
Authors: Moghazy Marwa A.
Published: February 2023

Environmental pollution is a critical issue due to its impact on humans and other organisms. An important demand nowadays is the need for a green method to synthesize nanoparticles to remove pollutants. Therefore, this study focuses for the first time on synthesizing the MoO3 and WO3 nanorods using the green and self-assembled Leidenfrost method. The XRD, SEM, BET and FTIR analyses were used to characterize the yield powder. The XRD results emphasize the formation of WO3 and MoO3 in nanoscale with crystallite sizes 46.28 and 53.05 nm and surface area 2.67 and 24.72 m2 g−1, respectively. A comparative study uses synthetic nanorods as adsorbents to adsorb methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solutions. A batch adsorption experiment was performed to investigate the effects of adsorbent doses, shaking time, solution pH and dye concentration to remove MB dye. The results demonstrate that the optimal removal was achieved at pH 2 and 10 with 99% for WO3 and MoO3, respectively. The experimental isothermal data follow Langmuir for both adsorbents with a maximum adsorption capacity of 102.37 and 151.41 mg g−1 for WO3 and MoO3.
Endocrine complications of anorexia nervosa
Authors: Haines Melanie S.
Published: February 2023

An important component in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) is the evaluation and management of its endocrine complications, including functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and increased fracture risk. The body’s adaptive response to chronic starvation results in many endocrine abnormalities, most of which are reversible upon weight restoration. A multidisciplinary team with experience in treating patients with AN is critical to improving endocrine outcomes in patients with this disorder, including in women with AN who are interested in fertility. Much less is understood about endocrine abnormalities in men, as well as sexual and gender minorities, with AN. In this article, we review the pathophysiology and evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of endocrine complications in AN, as well as discuss the status of clinical research in this area.
P-SV-wave propagation in heterogeneous media: Velocity-stress distributional finite-difference method
Authors: Masson Yder , Virieux Jean
Published: February 2023

We have developed a 2D distributional-finite-difference (DFD) algorithm for modeling the propagation of seismic waves in heterogeneous media in the time domain. We revisit the classic staggered finite-difference algorithm by substituting the standard finite-difference operators with the recently introduced DFD operators with the methodological differences we underline. We find that the DFD operators improve the simulation accuracy while maintaining the simple structure of the finite-difference algorithm. Thanks to its weak formalism, the newly developed algorithm accurately and naturally accounts for the free surface, which is a substantial improvement for finite-difference approaches. Moreover, we develop an efficient factorization for the DFD operators. It limits the computational cost of the proposed algorithm to twice that of the finite-difference algorithm. Numerical examples demonstrate that the extra computational burden is well compensated by the superior accuracy of the DFD operators.
P/S-wave separation of multicomponent seismic data at the land surface based on deep learning
Authors: Huang He , Wang Tengfei , Cheng Jiubing
Published: February 2023

P/S-wave separation is a key step for data processing in multicomponent seismic exploration. The conventional methods rely on either the prior information of near-surface elastic properties or the carefully selected parameters to estimate the polarization directions of the P- and S-modes when arriving at the geophones. In the case of complex wave propagation or the near-surface elastic parameters being unavailable, the conventional methods fail to achieve a high-quality P/S separation. The P/S-wave separation of multicomponent seismic data recorded at the land surface can be regarded as a nonlinear problem of point-by-point image prediction and addressed by using the powerful ability for feature extraction of a deep neural network. To obtain an accurate, abundant, and representative labeled data set, a variety of elastic models are constructed through geologically reasonable data augmentation, followed by elastic forward modeling and Helmholtz decomposition. A convolutional neural network is trained with these labeled data to predict scalar P- and S-wave recordings from the multicomponent data in a data-driven manner. Eventually, a novel approach of P/S-wave separation is established for multicomponent seismic imaging with the help of deep learning, which can work without prior knowledge of the near-surface elastic parameters. Numerical examples indicate that, by constructing an augmented labeled data set for training, our method significantly improves the generalization of the deep neural network and thus enables the trained neural network to achieve more accurate P/S-wave separation than the conventional model-driven method for the target data.
Multi-Institutional Randomized Phase II Trial of Gefitinib for Previously Treated Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Fukuoka Masahiro , Yano Seiji , Giaccone Giuseppe , Tamura Tomohide , Nakagawa Kazuhiko , Douillard Jean-Yves , Nishiwaki Yutaka , Vansteenkiste Johan , Kudoh Shinzoh , Rischin Danny , Eek Richard , Horai Takeshi , Noda Kazumasa , Takata Ichiro , Smit Egbert , Averbuch Steven , Macleod Angela , Feyereislova Andrea , Dong Rui-Ping , Baselga José
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of two doses of gefitinib (Iressa [ZD1839]; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE), a novel epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with pretreated advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter phase II trial. Two hundred ten patients with advanced NSCLC who were previously treated with one or two chemotherapy regimens (at least one containing platinum) were randomized to receive either 250-mg or 500-mg oral doses of gefitinib once daily.

RESULTS

Efficacy was similar for the 250- and 500-mg/d groups. Objective tumor response rates were 18.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5 to 27.3) and 19.0% (95% CI, 12.1 to 27.9); among evaluable patients, symptom improvement rates were 40.3% (95% CI, 28.5 to 53.0) and 37.0% (95% CI, 26.0 to 49.1); median progression-free survival times were 2.7 and 2.8 months; and median overall survival times were 7.6 and 8.0 months, respectively. Symptom improvements were recorded for 69.2% (250 mg/d) and 85.7% (500 mg/d) of patients with a tumor response. Adverse events (AEs) at both dose levels were generally mild (grade 1 or 2) and consisted mainly of skin reactions and diarrhea. Drug-related toxicities were more frequent in the higher-dose group. Withdrawal due to drug-related AEs was 1.9% and 9.4% for patients receiving gefitinib 250 and 500 mg/d, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Gefitinib showed clinically meaningful antitumor activity and provided symptom relief as second- and third-line treatment in these patients. At 250 mg/d, gefitinib had a favorable AE profile. Gefitinib 250 mg/d is an important, novel treatment option for patients with pretreated advanced NSCLC.
Identifying Early-Phase Clinical Trial Participants at Risk for Experiencing Worse Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Lundquist Debra M. , Jimenez Rachel , Durbin Sienna , Horick Nora , Healy Megan , Johnson Andrew , Bame Viola , Capasso Virginia , McIntyre Casandra , Cashavelly Barbara , Juric Dejan , Nipp Ryan D.
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE:

To identify early-phase clinical trial (EP-CT) participants at risk for experiencing worse clinical outcomes and describe receipt of supportive care services.

METHODS:

A retrospective review of the electronic health records of consecutive patients enrolled in EP-CTs from 2017 to 2019 examined baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and receipt of supportive care services. The validated Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) prognosis score was calculated using data at the time of EP-CT enrollment (scores range from 0 to 3; scores ≥ 2 indicate poor prognosis). Differences in patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and receipt of supportive care services were compared on the basis of RMH scores.

RESULTS:

Among 350 patients (median age = 63.2 years [range, 23.0-84.3 years], 57.1% female, 98.0% metastatic cancer), 31.7% had an RMH score indicating a poor prognosis. Those with poor prognosis RMH scores had worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; P < .001), shorter time on trial (HR, 1.53; P < .001), and lower likelihood of completing the dose-limiting toxicity period (odds ratio, 0.42; P = .006) versus those with good prognosis scores. Patients with poor prognosis scores had greater risk of emergency room visits (HR, 1.66; P = .037) and hospitalizations (HR, 1.69; P = .016) while on trial, and earlier hospice enrollment (HR, 2.22; P = .006). Patients with poor prognosis scores were significantly more likely to receive palliative care consultation (46.8% v 27.6%; P < .001), but not other supportive care services.

CONCLUSION:

This study found that RMH prognosis score could identify patients at risk for decreased survival, shorter time on trial, and greater use of health care services. The findings underscore the need to develop supportive care interventions targeting EP-CT participants' distinct needs.
Single Cell Analysis of Human Thyroid Reveals the Transcriptional Signatures of Aging
Authors: Hong Yourae , Kim Hyun Jung , Park Seongyeol , Yi Shinae , Lim Mi Ae , Lee Seong Eun , Chang Jae Won , Won Ho-Ryun , Kim Je-Ryong , Ko Hyemi , Kim Seon-Young , Kim Seon-Kyu , Park Jong-Lyul , Chu In-Sun , Kim Jin Man , Kim Kun Ho , Lee Jeong Ho , Ju Young Seok , Shong Minho , Koo Bon Seok , Park Woong-Yang , Kang Yea Eun
Published: February 2023

The thyroid gland plays a critical role in the maintenance of whole-body metabolism. However, aging frequently impairs homeostatic maintenance by thyroid hormones due to increased prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis. To understand the specific aging-related changes of endocrine function in thyroid epithelial cells, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of 54 726 cells derived from pathologically normal thyroid tissues from 7 patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Thyroid endocrine epithelial cells were clustered into 5 distinct subpopulations, and a subset of cells was found to be particularly vulnerable with aging, showing functional deterioration associated with the expression of metallothionein (MT) and major histocompatibility complex class II genes. We further validated that increased expression of MT family genes are highly correlated with thyroid gland aging in bulk RNAseq datasets. This study provides evidence that aging induces specific transcriptomic changes across multiple cell populations in the human thyroid gland.
Successful therapeutic intervention in new mouse models of frizzled 2-associated congenital malformations
Authors: Liegel Ryan P. , Michalski Megan N. , Vaidya Sanika , Bittermann Elizabeth , Finnerty Erin , Menke Chelsea A. , Diegel Cassandra R. , Zhong Zhendong A. , Williams Bart O. , Stottmann Rolf W.
Published: February 2023

Frizzled 2 (FZD2) is a transmembrane Wnt receptor. We previously identified a pathogenic human FZD2 variant in individuals with FZD2-associated autosomal dominant Robinow syndrome. The variant encoded a protein with a premature stop and loss of 17 amino acids, including a region of the consensus dishevelled-binding sequence. To model this variant, we used zygote microinjection and i-GONAD-based CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing to generate a mouse allelic series. Embryos mosaic for humanized Fzd2W553* knock-in exhibited cleft palate and shortened limbs, consistent with patient phenotypes. We also generated two germline mouse alleles with small deletions: Fzd2D3 and Fzd2D4. Homozygotes for each allele exhibit a highly penetrant cleft palate phenotype, shortened limbs compared with wild type and perinatal lethality. Fzd2D4 craniofacial tissues indicated decreased canonical Wnt signaling. In utero treatment with IIIC3a (a DKK inhibitor) normalized the limb lengths in Fzd2D4 homozygotes. The in vivo replication represents an approach for further investigating the mechanism of FZD2 phenotypes and demonstrates the utility of CRISPR knock-in mice as a tool for investigating the pathogenicity of human genetic variants. We also present evidence for a potential therapeutic intervention.
The X chromosome still has a lot to reveal – revisiting Hermann Henking's work on firebugs
Authors: Paliulis Leocadia , Fabig Gunar , Müller-Reichert Thomas
Published: February 2023

In 1891, the existence of an X chromosome was noted for the first time. Hermann Henking was studying spermatocyte divisions of the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus and observed that one chromosome behaved differently than all of the rest of the chromosomes. Henking called this chromosome ‘Element x’. Henking's discovery of the X element (later called X chromosome) initiated more than a century of fascinating genetics and cell biology, forming the foundation of several avenues of research in biology. His work led to exploration of a number of questions in a wide range of model systems and very soon to the abandonment of the firebug as a model for studies on the behavior of chromosomes in meiosis. Here, we argue that studies on both bivalent and univalent chromosome behavior in general, and work on how to solve chromosome lagging to prevent aneuploidy in particular, should lead us back to using the firebug as a model for error correction during cell division.
Evolutionary trade-offs in osmotic and ionic regulation and expression of gill ion transporter genes in high latitude, cold clime Neotropical crabs from the ‘end of the world’
Authors: McNamara John Campbell , Maraschi Anieli Cristina , Tapella Federico , Romero Maria Carolina
Published: February 2023

Osmoregulatory findings on crabs from high Neotropical latitudes are entirely lacking. Seeking to identify the consequences of evolution at low temperature, we examined hyperosmotic/hypo-osmotic and ionic regulation and gill ion transporter gene expression in two sub-Antarctic Eubrachyura from the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego. Despite sharing the same osmotic niche, Acanthocyclus albatrossis tolerates a wider salinity range (2–65‰ S) than Halicarcinus planatus (5–60‰ S); their respective lower and upper critical salinities are 4‰ and 12‰ S, and 63‰ and 50‰ S. Acanthocyclus albatrossis is a weak hyperosmotic regulator, while H. planatus hyperosmoconforms; isosmotic points are 1380 and ∼1340 mOsm kg−1 H2O, respectively. Both crabs hyper/hypo-regulate [Cl−] well with iso-chloride points at 452 and 316 mmol l−1 Cl−, respectively. [Na+] is hyper-regulated at all salinities. mRNA expression of gill Na+/K+-ATPase is salinity sensitive in A. albatrossis, increasing ∼1.9-fold at 5‰ compared with 30‰ S, decreasing at 40–60‰ S. Expression in H. planatus is very low salinity sensitive, increasing ∼4.7-fold over 30‰ S, but decreasing at 50‰ S. V-ATPase expression decreases in A. albatrossis at low and high salinities as in H. planatus. Na+/K+/2Cl− symporter expression in A. albatrossis increases 2.6-fold at 5‰ S, but decreases at 60‰ S versus 30‰ S. Chloride uptake may be mediated by increased Na+/K+/2Cl− expression but Cl− secretion is independent of symporter expression. These unrelated eubrachyurans exhibit similar systemic osmoregulatory characteristics and are better adapted to dilute media; however, the expression of genes underlying ion uptake and secretion shows marked interspecific divergence. Cold clime crabs may limit osmoregulatory energy expenditure by hyper/hypo-regulating hemolymph [Cl−] alone, apportioning resources for other energy-demanding processes.
Multiscale flow between the branches and polyps of gorgonians
Authors: Hamlet Christina L. , Strickland W. Christopher , Battista Nicholas , Miller Laura A.
Published: February 2023

Gorgonians, including sea fans, are soft corals well known for their elaborate branching structure and how they sway in the ocean. This branching structure can modify environmental flows to be beneficial for feeding in a particular range of velocities and, presumably, for a particular size of prey. As water moves through the elaborate branches, it is slowed, and recirculation zones can form downstream of the colony. At the smaller scale, individual polyps that emerge from the branches expand their tentacles, further slowing the flow. At the smallest scale, the tentacles are covered in tiny pinnules where exchange occurs. In this paper, we quantified the gap to diameter ratios for various gorgonians at the scale of the branches, the polyp tentacles and the pinnules. We then used computational fluid dynamics to determine the flow patterns at all three levels of branching. We quantified the leakiness between the branches, tentacles and pinnules over the biologically relevant range of Reynolds numbers and gap-to-diameter ratios, and found that the branches and tentacles can act as either leaky rakes or solid plates depending upon these dimensionless parameters. The pinnules, in contrast, mostly impede the flow. Using an agent-based modeling framework, we quantified plankton capture as a function of the gap-to-diameter ratio of the branches and the Reynolds number. We found that the capture rate depends critically on both morphology and Reynolds number. The results of the study have implications for how gorgonians modify ambient flows for efficient feeding and exchange.
Isolated congenital facial nerve agenesis
Authors: Gill Amarit Kay , Raghavan Ashok , Bhargava Eishaan Kamta
Published: February 2023

An otherwise healthy 2-month-old boy was referred to ENT for a congenital right facial palsy, with a birth history of difficult ventouse delivery. Initially, a traumatic cause was suspected, however subsequent MR 3D-FIESTA (T2weighted) imaging demonstrated a right facial nerve agenesis with normal appearances of the remainder of the brain parenchyma, cranial nerves and parotid glands. There were no syndromic features or hearing difficulties. Isolated congenital nerve agenesis is a rare condition, with very few case reports available in the literature. Pre-natal 4D ultrasound imaging further supports the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first published pre-natal ultrasound image of congenital facial nerve palsy. The infant has been referred for consideration of nerve reconstruction surgery, and is receiving multi-disciplinary input from ENT, Physiotherapy and Ophthalmology, the latter for prevention of exposure keratitis.
Virtual biopsy in abdominal pathology: where do we stand?
Authors: Defeudis Arianna , Panic Jovana , Nicoletti Giulia , Mazzetti Simone , Giannini Valentina , Regge Daniele
Published: February 2023

In recent years, researchers have explored new ways to obtain information from pathological tissues, also exploring non-invasive techniques, such as virtual biopsy (VB). VB can be defined as a test that provides promising outcomes compared to traditional biopsy by extracting quantitative information from radiological images not accessible through traditional visual inspection. Data are processed in such a way that they can be correlated with the patient’s phenotypic expression, or with molecular patterns and mutations, creating a bridge between traditional radiology, pathology, genomics, and artificial intelligence (AI). Radiomics is the backbone of VB, since it allows the extraction and selection of features from radiological images, feeding them into AI models in order to derive lesions' pathological characteristics and molecular status. Presently, the output of VB provides only a gross approximation of the findings of tissue biopsy. However, in the future, with the improvement of imaging resolution and processing techniques, VB could partially substitute the classical surgical or percutaneous biopsy, with the advantage of being non-invasive, comprehensive, accounting for lesion heterogeneity, and low cost. In this review, we investigate the concept of VB in abdominal pathology, focusing on its pipeline development and potential benefits.
Structural analysis of MALAT1 long noncoding RNA in cells and in evolution
Authors: Monroy-Eklund Anais , Taylor Colin , Weidmann Chase A. , Burch Christina , Laederach Alain
Published: February 2023

Although not canonically polyadenylated, the long noncoding RNA MALAT1 (metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1) is stabilized by a highly conserved 76-nt triple helix structure on its 3′ end. The entire MALAT1 transcript is over 8000 nt long in humans. The strongest structural conservation signal in MALAT1 (as measured by covariation of base pairs) is in the triple helix structure. Primary sequence analysis of covariation alone does not reveal the degree of structural conservation of the entire full-length transcript, however. Furthermore, RNA structure is often context dependent; RNA binding proteins that are differentially expressed in different cell types may alter structure. We investigate here the in-cell and cell-free structures of the full-length human and green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) MALAT1 transcripts in multiple tissue-derived cell lines using SHAPE chemical probing. Our data reveal levels of uniform structural conservation in different cell lines, in cells and cell-free, and even between species, despite significant differences in primary sequence. The uniformity of the structural conservation across the entire transcript suggests that, despite seeing covariation signals only in the triple helix junction of the lncRNA, the rest of the transcript's structure is remarkably conserved, at least in primates and across multiple cell types and conditions.
The genome sequence of the pied hoverfly, Scaeva pyrastri (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Hawkes William , Sivell Olga , Sivell Duncan ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective, Massy Richard , Wotton Karl R. ,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Scaeva pyrastri (the pied hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 320 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into four chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the assembled X chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.3 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 11,352 protein coding genes.
The genome sequence of the Forest Cuckoo Bee, Bombus sylvestris (Lepeletier, 1832)
Authors: Crowley Liam M. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Bombus sylvestris (the Forest Cuckoo Bee; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Apidae). The genome sequence is 303 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 24 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 23.6 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl has identified 13,025 protein coding genes.
The genome sequence of the Coronet, Craniophora ligustri (Denis and Schiffermüller, 1775)
Authors: Boyes Douglas ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective, Boyes Clare ,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Craniophora ligustri (the Coronet; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 438 megabases in span. The whole assembly is scaffolded into 32 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z and W sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.3 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,834 protein coding genes.
Effect of hypertension on uric acid metabolism in patients with gout
Authors: Dolenha Arsen , Ochał Justyna , Karwanska Aleksandra , Matyka Kamila , Uniłowska Izabela , Kojder Ewa , Kulbat Aleksandra , Dovzhuk Yuliia , Chmielarz Filip , Ferschke Anna
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThe most common pаthologicаl condition аssociаted with gout is hypertension (HT). The mаin orgаn responsible for this process is the kidneys. The development of chronic tubulointerstitiаl nephritis in the course of gout leаds to ischemiа of the renаl pаrenchymа, аctivаtion of the renin-аngiotensin-аldosterone system (RааS), sodium аnd wаter retention in the body, which leаds to the development of hypertension. The kidneys, on the other hаnd, аre responsible for the metаbolism аnd excretion of uric аcid from the body, so their dаmаge аccordingly leаds to the deteriorаtion of this process. In pаtients with gout, the level of uric аcid determines the severity of gouty аrthritis, dаmаge to blood vessels аnd joints. Therefore, it is extremely importаnt to know the specifics of uric аcid metаbolism in pаtients with gout, since the effectiveness of the prescribed hypouricemic therаpy depends on it. Aim of the studyThe аim of the study wаs to аnаlyze the metаbolism of uric аcid in pаtients with gout аnd concomitаnt аrteriаl hypertension, аnd to determine the impаct of concomitаnt metаbolic disorders on the excretory function of the kidneys. ConclusionThe results of the conducted reseаrch prove thаt: 1. Pаtients with gout with concomitаnt hypertension hаve more pronounced metаbolic disorders thаn pаtients with gout without hypertension. This is mаnifested by impаired cаrbohydrаte tolerаnce, аn increаse in totаl cholesterol, triglycerides аnd а decreаse in HDL levels.2. Pаtients with gout аnd hypertension hаve deeper renаl dysfunction, which is mаnifested by а tendency to decreаse GFR аnd increаse creаtinine levels compаred to pаtients with gout without hypertensive syndrome.3. Violаtion of uric аcid metаbolism in pаtients with gout аnd аrteriаl hypertension is mаnifested by аn increаse in the reаbsorption process аnd а decreаse in the filtrаtion process of uric аcid, which results in higher rаtes of uricemiа.
Comparison of groin lymph node anatomy in patients with upper-extremity lymphedema and healthy subjects using contrast-enhanced computed tomography
Authors: Lee Tae-Yul , Kim Hyung-kyu , You Hi-Jin , Kim Deok-Woo
Published: February 2023

Purpose: Lymphedema is a chronic disease that affects patients’ quality of life. Vascularized groin lymph node transfer is a reliable treatment that requires detailed anatomic knowledge of the superficial inguinal lymph nodes (SILNs). This study compared the anatomy of SILNs between patients with upper-extremity lymphedema and individuals without lymphedema using pelvic computed tomography (CT).Methods: The CT scans of 17 patients (the patient group) with upper-extremity lymphedema and 34 individuals without lymphedema (the normal group) were studied. The reference point was marked 3 cm perpendicularly below one-third of the line from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. The number, distance, and concentration of SILNs were measured relative to the reference point.Results: The SILNs in the normal group had a mean count of 6.47±1.19, a mean distance from the reference point of 21.10±9.66 mm, and a mean concentration of 84%. The patient group had a mean lymph node count of 7.68±1.63, a mean distance of 22.48±9.51 mm, and a mean concentration of 77%. The normal and patient groups had significantly different mean lymph node counts (p=0.01). The mean distance from the reference point (p=0.07) and the mean lymph node concentration (p=0.20) did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: Pelvic CT is a reliable method to evaluate the anatomy of SILNs in detail. A statistically significant difference was found in the number of lymph nodes between the lymphedema patient group and the normal group, but not in their distribution.
Local Hero
Authors: Stone Tom
Published: February 2023

GROWING UP IN MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND, AND STUDYING ENGINEERING, PAUL DOUGLAS WAS, AT THE VERY START OF HIS CAREER, INEXORABLY DRAWN TO THE OFF-HIGHWAY PRODUCTION FACILITY THAT IS PART OF THE LIFE OF HIS HOMETOWN. HE HAS SPENT TIME AWAY, BUT HAS ALWAYS COME BACK. AND NOW, AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TEREX TRUCKS, HE LOOKS AS IF HE'S IN FOR THE LONG HAUL. iVT MEETS THE REGION'S INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE FRONTMAN, AND FINDS OUT WHY HE'S ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE SUPERSTARS OF THE FUTURE
The Great Destroyer
Authors: Seco Alberto , Stone Tom
Published: February 2023

NAMED AFTER ATTILA THE HUN'S HORSE, ALBERTO SECO'S NEW CONCEPT HIGH-REACH EXCAVATOR, OTHAR, HAS THE VERSATILITY AND DESTRUCTIVE POWER TO LAY ANY STRUCTURE TO WASTE
New Heights
Authors: Harry Rachelle
Published: February 2023

THE NEW SERIES III IS JCB'S FINEST RANGE OF AGRICULTURAL LOADALLS TO DATE. WITH FEATURES INCLUDING A STATE-OF-THE-ART CAB AND DUAL TECH TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLES ARE SET TO BE GO-TO MACHINES FOR ANY AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION
Disruptive Innovation
Authors: Fontana Paolo , Todsen Jørgen Peter
Published: February 2023

WHAT IF YOU COULD AMPLIFY HYDRAULIC FORCE WITHOUT ADDING ANY EXTRA BULK TO YOUR VEHICLE? A GROUNDBREAKING INNOVATION ENABLES YOU TO DO JUST THAT, HELPING TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY MACHINE
More Than Just a Display
Authors: Wendling Arnaud
Published: February 2023

CUTTING-EDGE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE CORRECT FUNCTIONING OF OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Final Stage?
Authors: Donlevy Michael
Published: February 2023

WITH STAGE V EMISSIONS REGULATIONS ABOUT TO COME INTO FORCE IN THE EU, iVT TAKES A LOOK AT HOW FAR THE INDUSTRY HAS COME IN THE LAST 19 YEARS AND CONSIDERS HOW MUCH MORE EFFICIENT DIESEL ENGINES CAN BECOME
Made in India
Authors: Roper Jack
Published: February 2023

AS INTERNATIONAL OEMs TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE GROWING MARKET FOR OFF-HIGHWAY MACHINERY IN INDIA, THEY WILL HAVE TO COMPETE WITH ONE OF THE LONGEST ESTABLISHED PLAYERS IN THE REGION - JCB
A Module Family
Authors: Baier Paul
Published: February 2023

THE CAPABILITIES AND EASE-OF-USE OF HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE SYSTEMS ARE BEING ENHANCED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF A RANGE OF NEW, INTELLIGENT CANBUS MODULES
Stage V Competitor
Authors: Lepore Fabio
Published: February 2023

CATALYST TECHNOLOGIES APPEARING ON THE MARKET ARE ENSURING INDUSTRIAL VEHICLES MEET TOUGHER EMISSIONS LEGISLATION WHILE ALSO OFFERING HIGH LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE
Smart Warehouse Technology
Authors: van Dijk Linda
Published: February 2023

GOOD VISIBILITY AROUND MACHINERY AND VEHICLES IMPROVES SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY IN WAREHOUSES AND DISTRIBUTION CENTERS
A Forgotten Hero?
Authors: Sampson Ben
Published: February 2023

A group of volunteers is working hard to resurrect an under-appreciated WW2 aircraft used before it vanishes forever
Next Generation
Authors: Norman Helen
Published: February 2023

Alstom’s new Canadian innovation hub will draw on Québec's environmental leadership to develop green mobility solutions suited for the North American rail market