bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urological stone disease: a 5‐year update of stone management using Hospital Episode Statistics
Authors: Jour Ibrahim , Lam Angela , Turney Ben
Published: March 2022

Objective

To reassess the trends in upper urinary tract (UUT) stone disease burden and management in the UK during the last 5 years.

Methods

The present paper is our third quinquennial analysis of trends in the management of renal stones in England. Data were collected using the Hospital Episode Statistics database for the years 2015–2020 inclusive. These were then analysed, summarized and presented.

Results

The number of UUT stone episodes increased by 2.2% from 86 742 in 2014–2015 to 88 632 in 2019–2020 but annual prevalence remained static at 0.14%. The number of UUT stone episodes in those of working age has remained static but increased by 9% for patients aged > 60 years (from 27 329 to 29 842). The number of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) treatments decreased by 6.8%. There was a further increase in the use of ureteroscopy (URS) between 2015 and 2020 of 18.9%. Within this subgroup, flexible URS had the most rapid increase in use, with a rise of 20.4% from 7108 to 8558 recorded cases. Over the 20‐year period from 2000 to 2020 there was a remarkable 257% increase in URS cases. There was a further decline in open surgery for UUT stone disease by 40%. Stone surgery day‐case numbers have increased by 14.7% (from 31 014 to 35 566), with a corresponding decline in the number of bed days of 14.3%. Emergency cases increased by 40%, while elective cases saw a slight increase of 1.9%.

Conclusion

The present study shows a plateauing in the prevalence of UUT stone disease in England in the last 5 years, with a move towards day‐case procedures and an increase in the proportion of emergency work. For the first time in England, URS has overtaken SWL as the most common procedure for treating UUT stone disease, which might reflect patients' or physicians' preference for a more effective definitive treatment.
Burden of allergic disease among ethnic minority groups in high‐income countries
Authors: Jones Christina J. , Paudyal Priyamvada , West Robert M. , Mansur Adel H. , Jay Nicola , Makwana Nick , Baker Sarah , Krishna Mamidipudi T.
Published: March 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic raised acute awareness regarding inequities and inequalities and poor clinical outcomes amongst ethnic minority groups. Studies carried out in North America, the UK and Australia have shown a relatively high burden of asthma and allergies amongst ethnic minority groups. The precise reasons underpinning the high disease burden are not well understood, but it is likely that this involves complex gene–environment interaction, behavioural and cultural elements. Poor clinical outcomes have been related to multiple factors including access to health care, engagement with healthcare professionals and concordance with advice which are affected by deprivation, literacy, cultural norms and health beliefs. It is unclear at present if allergic conditions are intrinsically more severe amongst patients from ethnic minority groups. Most evidence shaping our understanding of disease pathogenesis and clinical management is biased towards data generated from white population resident in high‐income countries. In conjunction with standards of care, it is prudent that a multi‐pronged approach towards provision of composite, culturally tailored, supportive interventions targeting demographic variables at the individual level is needed, but this requires further research and validation. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of epidemiology, sensitization patterns, poor clinical outcomes and possible factors underpinning these observations and highlight priority areas for research.
Reliability of combined fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsies in the diagnosis of liver lesions: An 8‐year institutional experience
Authors: Shen Yuan , Angelova Evgeniya , Prats Mariana Moreno , Clement Cecilia , Schnadig Vicki , Stevenson‐Lerner Heather , He Jing
Published: March 2022

Objective

Fine needle aspiration (FNA), followed by core needle biopsy (CNB) when needed, was adopted as the standard care for liver lesions in our institution. This study explores the diagnostic efficacy of combined image‐guided FNA and CNB in liver lesion diagnosis.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed all liver FNA cases performed in our institution between January 2010 and September 2018. A total of 550 cases from 531 patients (173 females) with a median age of 59 years (range, 13–90) were identified. All FNA cases were initially assessed with rapid on‐site evaluation, and cell blocks were prepared. A total of 459 FNA specimens with concurrent CNBs were included in the study. Both FNAs and CNBs in the paired sampling were read by a cytopathologist, with expert consultation as needed.

Results

The concordance rate between FNA and CNB was 85.2%. Combined FNA/CNB showed higher sensitivity in detecting malignant tumours when compared to FNA or CNB alone (98%, vs 87% and 92%, p < 0.001), especially for detecting metastatic tumours, hepatocellular carcinoma, and haematopoietic neoplasms (98%, 97%, and 94%, respectively; all p < 0.001). Combined FNA/CNB showed a lower false negative rate in malignant tumours than FNA or CNB alone (2%, vs 13% and 8%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference among FNA, CNB, and combined FNA/CNB in diagnosing benign liver lesions.

Conclusions

Combined liver FNA/CNB has high diagnostic efficacy for malignancy and a lower false negative rate than either procedure alone, especially in metastatic tumours, hepatocellular carcinoma, and haematopoietic neoplasms.
New‐onset refractory status epilepticus as an early manifestation of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults after COVID‐19
Authors: Nawfal Omar , Toufaili Hassan , Dib Georgette , Dirani Maya , Beydoun Ahmad
Published: March 2022

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS‐A) is a rare hyperinflammatory complication with multi‐organ involvement that manifests a few weeks after recovering from a typically mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection. Although encephalopathy and seizures can occur in the acute phase of COVID‐19, the nervous system is infrequently involved in patients with MIS‐A. Herein, we describe the case of a young woman who presented with new‐onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) following a mild COVID‐19 infection associated with symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings that satisfy the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of MIS‐A. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed symmetric T2‐signal increase involving both orbitofrontal lobes, insulae, and hippocampi. One of the notable findings in our patient was the quick response and significant clinical recovery that occurred following initiation of treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin. Our case expands the clinical spectrum of MIS‐A and documents the occurrence of NORSE as one of its early clinical manifestations. A routine comprehensive clinical and laboratory assessment is needed to screen for this underdiagnosed condition, especially in patients with post‐COVID‐19 inflammatory complications.
International court curbing in Geneva: Lessons from the paralysis of the WTO Appellate Body
Authors: Pollack Mark A.
Published: March 2022

The 21st century has witnessed a backlash against many international courts (ICs). Studies of IC backlash have generally taken an optimistic tack, noting that most courts have survived backlash intact or—in the case of the paralyzed Appellate Body (AB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO)—are likely to do so after a temporary period of slumber. In this context, this paper analyzes the United States' successful effort to paralyze the AB, deriving lessons from this deviant case of backlash against one of the world's most active and independent ICs. Undertaken in the context of the “Reversing Delegation” research project, this account is organized in five parts. First, I demonstrate that the creation of the AB was a classic instance of delegation of dispute‐settlement power, and that the AB quickly emerged as an active agent of trade liberalization. Second, I explore the roots of politicization, noting that dissatisfaction with AB jurisprudence preceded the Trump administration, although Trump's delegitimation of the AB was more far‐reaching than that of his predecessors. Third, I examine the administration's use of the veto power to paralyze the AB, an act of de facto de‐delegation. Fourth, I assess the pushback from the many other WTO members that sought to defend the AB, showing how they failed to blunt the US campaign. Fifth, I analyze the remarkably successful outcome of the US attack, and draw lessons for judicial independence and the rule of law in international politics.
No overall impact on body mass index for age change after dolutegravir initiation in a French paediatric cohort
Authors: Frange Pierre , Avettand‐Fenoel Veronique , Veber Florence , Blanche Stephane
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Increased weight gain with dolutegravir use is increasingly scrutinized in adults, but published data in paediatrics are limited and conflicting. This study aimed to provide long‐term data about changes in body mass index (BMI) in French children (aged 3–9 years) and adolescents (aged 10–17 years) receiving dolutegravir.

Patients and methods

This retrospective monocentric study included 97 subjects who received a dolutegravir‐based regimen for ≥12 months in 2014–2021. We evaluated the mean change in age‐ and sex‐matched standardized BMI z score (BMIz) per year of dolutegravir exposure and compared the dynamics of BMIz change during the 12 months pre‐ vs. post‐dolutegravir use when these data were available.

Results

At the time of dolutegravir initiation, most of the subjects were antiretroviral therapy (ART) experienced (89.7%), displayed virological suppression (73.2%), and had normal weight for their age (78.4%). Median follow‐up was 30 months (interquartile range [IQR] 19–45). The mean rate of change in BMIz was +0.03 z score/year of dolutegravir exposure (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.08–0.13) in the entire cohort. It was lower in children than in adolescents (−0.08 [95% CI −0.23–0.08] vs. +0.16 [95% CI 0.06–0.26], respectively; p = 0.04) and in individuals with baseline BMI ≥50th percentile than in those with lower BMI (−0.06 [95% CI −0.14–0.01] vs. +0.08 [95% CI −0.07–0.23], respectively; p = 0.001). Trajectories of BMIz change 12 months pre‐ vs. post‐dolutegravir were similar, except in subjects with baseline BMI ≥50th percentile, whose rate of BMIz change was lower post‐dolutegravir (difference: −0.23 [95% CI −0.46–0.00]; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

We found no evidence of change in BMIz in French children initiating dolutegravir. These reassuring findings maintain the primary position of dolutegravir among paediatric therapeutic options.
High‐strength TiB2‐B4C composite ceramics sintered by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Chen Daimeng , Zhang Kuibao , Zeng Jianjun , Guo Haiyan , Li Bo
Published: March 2022

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is an advanced sintering technique because of its fast sintering speed and short dwelling time. In this study, TiB2, Y2O3, Al2O3, and different contents of B4C were used as the raw materials to synthesize TiB2‐B4C composites ceramics at 1850°C under a uniaxial loading of 48 MPa for 10 min via SPS in vacuum. The influence of different B4C content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TiB2‐B4C composites ceramics are explored. The experimental results show that TiB2‐B4C composite ceramic achieves relatively good comprehensive properties and exceptionally excellent flexural strength when the addition amount of B4C reaches 10 wt.%. Its relative density, Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, and flexural strength reach to 99.20%, 24.65 ± .66 GPa, 3.16 MPa·m1/2, 730.65 ± 74.11 MPa, respectively.
Effect of local ion concentrations on the in vitro reactions of bioactive glass 45S5 particles
Authors: Siekkinen Minna , Karlström Oskar , Hupa Leena
Published: March 2022

Bioglass 45S5 is the most widely used bioactive glass composition in orthopedics to regenerate bone tissue. Although its reactions in vitro and in vivo are well established, the impact of the local environment on the dissolution behavior in the dynamic environment is not fully understood. Here, we show that the ion concentrations released from 45S5 into Tris‐buffer solution and simulated body fluid (SBF) in a cascade system of three reactors in a series significantly differed depending on the ion concentrations in the inflow solutions to each reactor. The ion concentrations and pH of the solutions were measured after each reactor for up to 7 days. Also, the reaction layers at the glass particles were analyzed. The release of Si species into Tris decreased in the consecutive reactors from 92% to 26% and 24% at 168 h. Correspondingly, the release of Si species into SBF decreased from 35% to 20% and 19%. The share of elements in the remaining glass particles markedly varied between the reactors throughout the dissolution. The results imply that gradients of local ion concentrations have an essential effect on the dissolution of 45S5. The results provide guidelines for utilizing Bioglass 45S5 in different bone and soft tissue applications.
Mechanisms of immune regulation by the placenta: Role of type I interferon and interferon‐stimulated genes signaling during pregnancy*
Authors: Ding Jiahui , Maxwell Anthony , Adzibolosu Nicholas , Hu Anna , You Yuan , Liao Aihua , Mor Gil
Published: March 2022

Pregnancy is a unique condition where the maternal immune system is continuously adapting in response to the stages of fetal development and signals from the environment. The placenta is a key mediator of the fetal/maternal interaction by providing signals that regulate the function of the maternal immune system as well as provides protective mechanisms to prevent the exposure of the fetus to dangerous signals. Bacterial and/or viral infection during pregnancy induce a unique immunological response by the placenta, and type I interferon is one of the crucial signaling pathways in the trophoblast cells. Basal expression of type I interferon‐β and downstream ISGs harbors physiological functions to maintain the homeostasis of pregnancy, more importantly, provides the placenta with the adequate awareness to respond to infections. The disruption of type I interferon signaling in the placenta will lead to pregnancy complications and can compromise fetal development. In this review, we focus the important role of placenta‐derived type I interferon and its downstream ISGs in the regulation of maternal immune homeostasis and protection against viral infection. These studies are helping us to better understand placental immunological functions and provide a new perspective for developing better approaches to protect mother and fetus during infections.
Improved chloride binding stability for hydration products of calcium aluminates by phosphorus modification
Authors: Wang Jia‐Ao , Wang Shoude , Henkelman Graeme
Published: March 2022

Improved chloride binding stability for calcium aluminate cements is proposed by the doping of phosphorus. Phosphorus‐modified aluminates clinker has an improved chloride binding stability compared to pristine aluminates, ordinary Portland cement and sulfur‐modified calcium aluminates, as verified by experimental observation. The existence of the newly found phosphorus‐modified Friedel's salt (PFS) accounts for the excellent chloride binding stability, which was understood by density functional theory calculations. Local density of states of the valence band minimum is predominantly localized around P atoms in the PFS, but evenly distributed in the Friedel's salt (FS). The frontier band energy of the partial density of states on Cl and O elements in the PFS is lower than that in the FS by 0.21 and 0.05 eV, respectively. This makes the PFS more stable than the FS salt to ionic attack.
Development of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of the aetiological agents of piscine lactococcosis
Authors: Shahin Khalid , Mukkatira Kaveramma , Yazdi Zeinab , Richey Christine , Kwak Kevin , Heckman Taylor I. , Mohammed Haitham H. , Ortega Cesar , Avendaño‐Herrera Ruben , Keleher Bill , Hyatt Michael W. , Drennan John D. , Adkison Mark , Griffin Matt J. , Soto Esteban
Published: March 2022

Piscine lactococcosis is an emergent bacterial disease that is associated with high economic losses in many farmed and wild aquatic species worldwide. Early and accurate detection of the causative agent of piscine lactococcosis is essential for management of the disease in fish farms. In this study, a TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region was developed and validated. Validation of the qPCR was performed with DNA of previously typed L. petauri and L. garvieae recovered from different aquatic hosts from distinct geographical locations, closely related bacterial species and common pathogens in trout aquaculture. Further diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was investigated by screening of fish, water and faecal samples. The developed qPCR assay showed high specificity, sensitivity and accuracy in detection of L. petauri and L. garvieae with lack of signals from non‐target pathogens, and in screening of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) posterior kidney and environmental samples. The detection limit of the qPCR was four amplicon copies. Moreover, the sensitivity of the qPCR assay was not affected by presence of non‐target DNA from either fish or environmental samples. The robustness, specificity and sensitivity of the developed qPCR will facilitate fast and accurate diagnosis of piscine lactococcosis to establish appropriate control measures in fish farms and aquaria.
Role of glycodeoxycholic acid to induce acute pancreatitis in Macaca nemestrina
Authors: Fauzi Achmad , Suhendro  , Simadibrata Marcellus , Rani Abdul Azis , Sajuthi Dondin , Permanawati  , Amanda Rosvitha , Makmun Dadang
Published: March 2022

Background

Acute pancreatitis exhibits a rapid clinical progression which makes it difficult to observe in human; hence, an experimental animal model is needed. This preliminary study performed an induction of acute pancreatitis using glycodeoxycholic acid (GDOC) in an experimental macaque model.

Methods

GDOC injections (initial dose of 11.20 mg/kg) were administered in an escalating manner at specific time points. The injection was given along the bilio‐pancreatic duct, followed by measurement of vital signs, serum amylase‐lipase, TNF‐α, procalcitonin, oxidative stress parameters, and microscopic and macroscopic findings.

Results

The results indicated that acute pancreatitis occurred following induction with low‐dose GDOC. Serum amylase and lipase levels increased with subsequent GDOC injections. Blood pressure and heart rate were elevated, indicating abdominal pain. Changes in TNF‐α, procalcitonin, and oxidative stress values showed active inflammation. We observed histologic features of pancreatitis and as the dose increased, vasodilation of the splanchnic vasculatures was observed.

Conclusions

Small dose GDOC injection in the bilio‐pancreatic duct may have a role to induce acute pancreatitis in Macaca nemestrina.
Foxes who want to be hedgehogs: Is ethical pluralism possible in psychology's replication crisis?
Authors: Sullivan Paul , Ackroyd John
Published: March 2022

In this article, we draw attention to public‐private dilemmas among psychologists that make sense of the debates around the replication crisis, citation practices and networking practices. We argue that the values of justice and caring map onto the public sphere and private sphere respectively and create the horns of a dilemma for academics. While bureaucratic justice is a publicly revered value of modernity in psychological research that underpins ethics, validity, reliability and equality of opportunity, ‘caring’ is a more subtle value of traditionalism that runs in parallel and is detected only by our psychological practices. In particular, we argue that it is detected by practices such as disputes between the replicated and their replicators in replication studies (understood as a dramatic counter reality) as to who is more ‘careless’ with procedure; citation (including the self‐care of self‐citation) as thanksgiving and incantation of powerful others in enchantment rituals, and the system of professional indebtedness that accrues in ‘kinship’ networks – where kinship is understood broadly as adoption into a research group and its network. The clashes between these values can lead to a sense of hypocrisy and irony in academic life, as incommensurate values split between private and public expression. From this position, we delve into Isaiah Berlin's work on incommensurate values to suggest that ethical pluralism, involving more public recognition of the equal but different ethical demands of these values can help overcome these everyday dilemmas in the public sphere.
16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals altered composition of gut microbiota in postoperative individuals with renal stones
Authors: Deng Qiong , Wang Zhu , Wang Jieyan , Zhang Jianwen , Zhang Ying , Liang Hui
Published: March 2022

Renal stones are a common urological disease with high prevalence and recurrence rates. Characterizing gut microbiome profiles of first-onset renal calculi patients, both before and after surgery, may provide valuable insights and identify potential biomarkers for the disease. In this study, we explored the associations between the gut microbiome and renal stone formation using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. In brief, 20 patients were recruited, and information on health and eating habits within the previous 1–3 months was collected upon admission. A total of 493 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected in 40 specimens, with an average of 67,888 ± 827 reads per sample. The results of OTU-based partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) analysis showed differences between RS1 (fecal specimen before surgery) and RS2 (one month later after surgery) groups, with a significantly higher level of OTU7 in the RS2 group. Taxonomy‑based comparisons of the gut microbiome showed differences in the flora composition, with the prevalence of Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae, Gammaproteobacteria and Escherichia being higher in the RS2 group and the prevalence of Pseudomonadaceae, Pseudomonadales and Pseudomonas being higher in the RS1 group. Correlation analysis showed that an increased prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae, Gammaproteobacteria and Escherichia associated with a decreased level of urea, and a decreased creatinine level was correlated with an increased prevalence of Escherichia. These data strongly suggest that the gut microbiome plays an important role in kidney stone formation, and these findings may provide new insights for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of renal stones.
The untapped potential of macrofossils in ancient plant DNA research
Authors: Schwörer Christoph , Leunda Maria , Alvarez Nadir , Gugerli Felix , Sperisen Christoph
Published: March 2022

The rapid development of ancient DNA analysis in the last decades has induced a paradigm shift in ecology and evolution. Driven by a combination of breakthroughs in DNA isolation techniques, high‐throughput sequencing, and bioinformatics, ancient genome‐scale data for a rapidly growing variety of taxa are now available, allowing researchers to directly observe demographic and evolutionary processes over time. However, the vast majority of paleogenomic studies still focus on human or animal remains. In this article, we make the case for a vast untapped resource of ancient plant material that is ideally suited for paleogenomic analyses: plant remains, such as needles, leaves, wood, seeds, or fruits, that are deposited in natural archives, such as lake sediments, permafrost, or even ice caves. Such plant remains are commonly found in large numbers and in stratigraphic sequence through time and have so far been used primarily to reconstruct past local species presences and abundances. However, they are also unique repositories of genetic information with the potential to revolutionize the fields of ecology and evolution by directly studying microevolutionary processes over time. Here, we give an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art, address important challenges, and highlight new research avenues to inspire future research.
Shift in tree species changes the belowground biota of boreal forests
Authors: Mundra Sunil , Kauserud Håvard , Økland Tonje , Nordbakken Jørn‐Frode , Ransedokken Yngvild , Kjønaas O. Janne
Published: March 2022

The replacement of native birch with Norway spruce has been initiated in Norway to increase long‐term carbon storage in forests. However, there is limited knowledge on the impacts that aboveground changes will have on the belowground microbiota.

We examined which effects a tree species shift from birch to spruce stands has on belowground microbial communities, soil fungal biomass and relationships with vegetation biomass and soil organic carbon (SOC).

Replacement of birch with spruce negatively influenced soil bacterial and fungal richness and strongly altered microbial community composition in the forest floor layer, most strikingly for fungi. Tree species‐mediated variation in soil properties was a major factor explaining variation in bacterial communities. For fungi, both soil chemistry and understorey vegetation were important community structuring factors, particularly for ectomycorrhizal fungi. The relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi and the ectomycorrhizal : saprotrophic fungal ratio were higher in spruce compared to birch stands, particularly in the deeper mineral soil layers, and vice versa for saprotrophs.

The positive relationship between ergosterol (fungal biomass) and SOC stock in the forest floor layer suggests higher carbon sequestration potential in spruce forest soil, alternatively, that the larger carbon stock leads to an increase in soil fungal biomass.
Acute hemodynamic impact of atrioventricular delay and left ventricular pacing vector programming in MultiPoint Pacing
Authors: Hua Wei , Cai Lin , Su Yangang , Xu Wei , Shen Farong , Wang Jingfeng , Gu Min , Badie Nima , Jiang Chunlan , Zhang Shu
Published: March 2022

Background

The benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in heart failure patients have been shown to depend on device programming, particularly atrioventricular delay (AVD) and left ventricular (LV) pacing site selection. This study compared the hemodynamic AVD optimization for commonly used biventricular (BiV) and MultiPoint Pacing(MPP, Abbott) LV vector selection strategies.

Methods

After de novo CRT‐D (Abbott Quadra Assura MP) and quadripolar LV lead (Abbott Quartet) implant, acute LV pressure was measured across a range of AVDs (60–225 ms) in four pacing modes: BiV with most proximal cathode, BiV with most distal cathode, MPP using two cathodes with earliest and latest right ventricle (RV)–LV activation times, and MPP using two cathodes with maximal anatomical separation. Hemodynamic improvement was evaluated by changes in maximum LV pressure first‐derivative versus RV pacing (ΔdP/dt).

Results

Twenty patients (64 years old, 68% male) completed the acute pacing protocol at six centers in China. Hemodynamic improvement versus RV pacing for BiV (proximal), BiV (Distal), MPP (electrical), and MPP (anatomical) was 22.1% ± 13.6%, 23.7% ± 13.4%, 24.5% ± 13.4%, and 25.1% ± 13.9%, respectively. The best MPP setting was marginally superior to the best BiV across all patients (25.8% ± 13.4% vs. 24.5% ± 13.1%, p = .040) and in the majority of patients (75.0% vs. 25.0%, p = .004). AVD programmed as little as 20 ms from optimum significantly reduced the ΔdP/dt benefit for all modes.

Conclusions

The maximal hemodynamic improvement across AV delays in this population was greater with MPP than BiV. Furthermore, patient‐specific AVD programming was critical in achieving the full hemodynamic response for all BiV and MPP modes.
Ventricular tachycardia from myocarditis following COVID‐19 vaccination with tozinameran (BNT162b2, Pfizer‐BioNTech)
Authors: Lin Weiqin , Yip Alfred Chung Lum , Evangelista Lauren Kay Mance , Wong Raymond Ching Chiew , Tan Huay Cheem , Lim Toon Wei , Singh Devinder
Published: March 2022

To combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, many countries have started population vaccination programs using messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines. With the widespread use of such vaccines, reports are emerging worldwide, of the vaccine's association with the development of myocarditis. Younger men are more likely to develop postvaccine myocarditis, which usually presents as self‐limiting chest pain within a week after the second dose. We present a case of myocarditis following vaccination with tozinameran (BNT162b2, Pfizer‐BioNTech), which presented late, with ventricular tachycardia (VT) reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
Dual sourcing: Creating and utilizing flexible capacities with a second supply source
Authors: Federgruen Awi , Liu Zhe , Lu Lijian
Published: March 2022

We study a finite horizon, single product, periodic review inventory system with two supply sources and a salvage option. These supply sources are typically capacitated and capacity levels often need to be reserved or installed in advance of the operational planning horizon. The supply sources may thus be differentiated by their lead times, capacities, and fixed and variable order costs. Salvage options allow for inventory reductions and incur fixed cost and variable revenues. We first analyze the tactical problem of determining an optimal procurement strategy under given capacity profiles at the two suppliers. We then address the strategic model in which optimal capacity profiles, both static and dynamically adjusted, are obtained based on two‐part capacity contracts. We characterize the structure of optimal procurement strategies when the lead times of the two suppliers differ by a single period and the lead time for salvage opportunities matches that of one of the suppliers. For general lead time combinations, we show that the optimal procurement strategies satisfy monotonicity and limited sensitivity properties, and construct effective heuristics and upper and lower bounds based on our structural results.
Capital structure and supply chain capacity investment
Authors: Hu Qiaohai (Joice)
Published: March 2022

This paper studies whether risky borrowing will induce a supplier to expand capacity and thus mitigate a capacity underinvestment problem in supply chains. It demonstrates that the relationship between capacity and capital structure is not as simple as the existing literature suggests. If the supplier is very powerful, it will use a mixed capital structure and build less capacity than if it were equity financed. If the buyer is very powerful, the supplier will use all debt financing and overbuild capacity. In this case, the supplier would not agree to build capacity ex ante if it were prohibited from borrowing. Hence, borrowing is Pareto optimal. Under a more balanced power structure, the supplier may choose all debt financing and overbuild capacity or all equity financing and underbuild capacity, depending on the trade‐off of the bargaining benefits and costs of debt financing.
Hormone and carbohydrate metabolism associated genes play important roles in rhizome bud full‐year germination of Cephalostachyum pingbianense
Authors: Li Lushuang , Xia Tize , Li Bin , Yang Hanqi
Published: March 2022

Cephalostachyum pingbianense is the only woody bamboo species that can produce bamboo shoots in four seasons under natural conditions. So far, the regulatory mechanism of shoot bud differentiation and development is unknown. In the present study, indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR), gibberellin A3 (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) contents determination, RNA sequencing and differentially expressed gene analysis were performed on dormant rhizome bud (DR), growing rhizome bud (GR), and germinative bud (GB) in each season. The results showed that the contents of IAA and ZR increased while ABA content decreased, and GA3 content was stable during bud transition from dormancy to germination in each season. Moreover, rhizome bud germination was cooperatively regulated by multiple pathways such as carbohydrate metabolism, hormone signal transduction, cell wall biogenesis, temperature response, and water transport. The inferred hub genes among these candidates were identified by protein–protein interaction network analyses, most of which were involved in hormone and carbohydrate metabolism, such as HK and BGLU4 in spring, IDH and GH3 in winter, GPI and talA/talB in summer and autumn. It is speculated that dynamic phytohormone changes and differential expression of these genes promote the release of rhizome bud dormancy and contribute to the phenological characteristics of full‐year shooting. Moreover, the rhizome buds of C. pingbianense may not suffer from ecodormancy in winter. These findings would help accumulate knowledge on shooting mechanisms in woody bamboos and provide a physiological insight into germplasm conservation and forest management of C. pingbianense.
Effects of chemical composition on the lung cell response to coal particles: Implications for coal workers' pneumoconiosis
Authors: Song Yong , Southam Katherine , Beamish B. Basil , Zosky Graeme R.
Published: March 2022

Background and objective

Coal mine dust has a complex and heterogeneous chemical composition. It has been suggested that coal particle chemistry plays a critical role in determining the pathogenesis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). In this study, we aimed to establish the association between the detrimental cellular response and the chemical composition of coal particles.

Methods

We sourced 19 real‐world coal samples. Samples were crushed prior to use to minimize the impact of particle size on the response and to ensure the particles were respirable. Key chemical components and inorganic compounds were quantified in the coal samples. The cytotoxic, inflammatory and pro‐fibrotic responses in epithelial cells, macrophages and fibroblasts were assessed following 24 h of exposure to coal particles. Principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise regression were used to determine which chemical components of the coal particles were associated with the cell response.

Results

The cytotoxic, inflammatory and pro‐fibrotic response varied considerably between coal samples. There was a high level of collinearity in the cell responses and between the chemical compounds within the coal samples. PCA identified three factors that explained 75% of the variance in the cell response. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified K2O (p <0.001) and Fe2O3 (p = 0.011) as significant predictors of cytotoxicity and cytokine production, respectively.

Conclusion

Our data clearly demonstrate that the detrimental cellular effects of exposure to coal mine dusts are highly dependent on particle chemistry. This has implications for understanding the pathogenesis of CWP.
SEC1A is a major Arabidopsis Sec1/Munc18 gene in vesicle trafficking during pollen tube tip growth
Authors: Beuder Steven , Lara‐Mondragón Cecilia , Dorchak Alexandria , MacAlister Cora A.
Published: March 2022

Pollen tubes (PTs) grow by the targeted secretion of new cell wall material to their expanding tip region. Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins promote membrane fusion through regulation of the SNARE complex. We have previously shown that disruption of protein glycosylation in the Arabidopsis thaliana hpat1 hpat3 double mutant leads to PT growth defects that can be suppressed by reducing secretion. Here, we identified five point mutant alleles of the SM protein SEC1A as hpat1/3 suppressors. The suppressors increased seed set, reduced PT growth defects and reduced the rate of glycoprotein secretion. In the absence of the hpat mutations, sec1a reduced pollen germination and PT elongation producing shorter and wider PTs. Consistent with a defect in membrane fusion, sec1a PTs accumulated secretory vesicles. Though sec1a had significantly reduced male transmission, homozygous sec1a plants maintained full seed set, demonstrating that SEC1A was ultimately dispensable for pollen fertility. However, when combined with a mutation in another SEC1‐like SM gene, keule, pollen fertility was totally abolished. Mutation in sec1b, the final member of the Arabidopsis SEC1 clade, did not enhance the sec1a phenotype. Thus, SEC1A is the major SM protein promoting pollen germination and tube elongation, but in its absence KEULE can partially supply this activity. When we examined the expression of the SM protein family in other species for which pollen expression data were available, we found that at least one Sec1‐like protein was highly expressed in pollen samples, suggesting a conserved role in pollen fertility in other species.
Autophagy triggered by iron‐mediated ER stress is an important stress response to the early phase of Pi starvation in plants
Authors: Yoshitake Yushi , Shinozaki Daiki , Yoshimoto Kohki
Published: March 2022

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is essential for plant growth. However, Pi is often limiting in soil. Hence, plants have established several mechanisms of response to Pi starvation. One of the important mechanisms is Pi recycling, which includes membrane lipid remodeling and plastid DNA degradation via catabolic enzymes. However, the involvement of other degradation systems in Pi recycling remains unclear. Autophagy, a system for degradation of intracellular components, contributes to recycling of some nutrients, such as nitrogen, carbon, and zinc, under starvation. In the present study, we found that autophagy‐deficient mutants depleted Pi early and exhibited severe leaf growth defects under Pi starvation. The main cargo of autophagy induced by early Pi depleted conditions was the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), indicating that ER‐phagy, a type of autophagy that selectively degrades the ER, is involved in the response to the early phase of Pi starvation for contribution to Pi recycling. This ER‐phagy was suppressed in an INOSITOL‐REQUIRING ENZYME 1 double mutant, ire1a ire1b, in which ER stress responses are defective, suggesting that the early Pi starvation induced ER‐phagy is induced by ER stress. Furthermore, iron limitation and inhibition of lipid‐reactive oxygen species accumulation suppressed the ER‐phagy. Interestingly, membrane lipid remodeling, a response to late Pi starvation, was accelerated in the ire1a ire1b under early Pi‐depleted conditions. Our findings reveal the existence of two different phases of responses to Pi starvation (i.e. early and late) and indicate that ER stress‐mediated ER‐phagy is involved in Pi recycling in the early phase to suppress acceleration of the late phase.
Diversification of SEC15a and SEC15b isoforms of an exocyst subunit in seed plants is manifested in their specific roles in Arabidopsis sporophyte and male gametophyte
Authors: Batystová Klára , Synek Lukáš , Klejchová Martina , Janková Drdová Edita , Sabol Peter , Potocký Martin , Žárský Viktor , Hála Michal
Published: March 2022

The exocyst complex is an octameric evolutionarily conserved tethering complex engaged in the regulation of polarized secretion in eukaryotic cells. Here, we focus on the systematic comparison of two isoforms of the SEC15 exocyst subunit, SEC15a and SEC15b. We infer that SEC15 gene duplication and diversification occurred in the common ancestor of seed plants (Spermatophytes). In Arabidopsis, SEC15a represents the main SEC15 isoform in the male gametophyte, and localizes to the pollen tube tip at the plasma membrane. Although pollen tubes of sec15a mutants are impaired, sporophytes show no phenotypic deviations. Conversely, SEC15b is the dominant isoform in the sporophyte and localizes to the plasma membrane in root and leaf cells. Loss‐of‐function sec15b mutants exhibit retarded elongation of hypocotyls and root hairs, a loss of apical dominance, dwarfed plant stature and reduced seed coat mucilage formation. Surprisingly, the sec15b mutants also exhibit compromised pollen tube elongation in vitro, despite its very low expression in pollen, suggesting a non‐redundant role for the SEC15b isoform there. In pollen tubes, SEC15b localizes to distinct cytoplasmic structures. Reciprocally to this, SEC15a also functions in the sporophyte, where it accumulates at plasmodesmata. Importantly, although overexpressed SEC15a could fully complement the sec15b phenotypic deviations in the sporophyte, the pollen‐specific overexpression of SEC15b was unable to fully compensate for the loss of SEC15a function in pollen. We conclude that the SEC15a and SEC15b isoforms evolved in seed plants, with SEC15a functioning mostly in pollen and SEC15b functioning mostly in the sporophyte.
Explaining the global landscape of foreign direct investment: Knowledge capital, gravity, and the role of culture and institutions
Authors: Schneider Sophie Therese , Wacker Konstantin M.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we empirically re‐assess the question which theoretical motives and empirical models are most suitable to explain global patterns of foreign direct investment (FDI). Compared with previous studies, we use bilateral FDI positions with a much more comprehensive coverage of emerging and developing economies, the IMF's Coordinated Direct Investment Statistics. We apply cross‐validation to assess the performance of the gravity model and the knowledge capital (KK) model and add cultural, institutional and financial factors, as suggested by different theories on FDI determinants. We find the gravity model to achieve the best theory‐consistent out‐of‐sample prediction, particularly when parameter heterogeneity of South and North FDI is allowed for. Controlling for surrounding market potential is important to recover the horizontal effect of the gravity model. Our finding that the gravity model for FDI performs well but requires some degree of parameter heterogeneity and the inclusion of surrounding market potential provides a clear baseline for future empirical studies of FDI determinants. Inclusion of institutional, cultural or financial factors seems less relevant and does not improve the model performance distinctly, although results for those variables are mostly in line with theoretical predictions.
Exosomes and the cardiovascular system: role in cardiovascular health and disease
Authors: Neves Karla B. , Rios Francisco J. , Sevilla‐Montero Javier , Montezano Augusto C. , Touyz Rhian M.
Published: March 2022

Exosomes, which are membrane‐bound extracellular vesicles (EVs), are generated in the endosomal compartment of almost all eukaryotic cells. They are formed upon the fusion of multivesicular bodies and the plasma membrane and carry proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and other cellular constituents from their parent cells. Multiple factors influence their production including cell stress and injury, humoral factors, circulating toxins, and oxidative stress. They play an important role in intercellular communication, through their ability to transfer their cargo (proteins, lipids, RNAs) from one cell to another. Exosomes have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, kidney disease, and inflammatory conditions. In addition, circulating exosomes may act as biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic strategies for several pathological processes. In particular exosome‐containing miRNAs have been suggested as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of myocardial injury, stroke and endothelial dysfunction. They may also have therapeutic potential, acting as vectors to deliver therapies in a targeted manner, such as the delivery of protective miRNAs. Transfection techniques are in development to load exosomes with desired cargo, such as proteins or miRNAs, to achieve up‐regulation in the host cell or tissue. These advances in the field have the potential to assist in the detection and monitoring progress of a disease in patients during its early clinical stages, as well as targeted drug delivery.

image
Comparing accretion disk profiles of Bogush–Galt’sov naked singularity and Kerr black hole
Authors: Karimov R. Kh. , Izmailov R. N. , Potapov A. A. , Nandi K. K.
Published: March 2022

It is well known that the Einstein-scalar system of general relativity can in principle yield non-unique exact spinning naked singularities, which lead to unique Kerr black hole when the scalar field is switched off. It is a challenging task to observationally distinguish these two types of objects. Since accretion process could be a viable diagnostic for this distinction, the purpose of the present work is to explore whether there could be features in the accretion profiles distinguishing the singularity from a Kerr black hole. Here we study the Novikov–Thorne thin accretion to a new spinning naked singularity with a scalar charge $$\sigma $$
σ
recently reported by Bogush and Gal’tsov (BG). Our study reveals that: (1) the conversion efficiency $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
of the BG naked singularity is independent of $$\sigma $$
σ
and (2) the maxima of emissivity profiles for the BG singularity tend to shift towards the inner disk ISCO boundary $$r=r_{{ms }}$$

r
=

r

ms

and peak at a value significantly larger than those of a Kerr black hole with the increase of a, $$\sigma $$
σ
and relative shrinking of $$\sqrt{-g}$$

-
g

. All these effects are quantitatively tabulated, which reveal, for instance, that the flux from the naked singularity could be as high as $$10^{5}$$

10
5

times larger than that of a Kerr black hole. Since these distinguishing features are known to be shared also by other models of naked singularity, it is tempting to speculate that such behavior could be hallmark of naked singularities.
Impact of intrinsic charm amount in the nucleon and saturation effects on the prompt atmospheric $$\nu _{\mu }$$ flux for IceCube
Authors: Goncalves Victor P. , Maciuła Rafał , Szczurek Antoni
Published: March 2022

The predictions for the atmospheric neutrino flux at high energies strongly depend on the contribution of prompt neutrinos, which are determined by the production of charmed mesons in the atmosphere at very forward rapidities. In this paper we estimate the related cross sections taking into account the presence of an intrinsic charm (IC) component in the proton wave function and the QCD dynamics modified by the onset of saturation effects. The impact on the predictions for the prompt neutrino flux is investigated assuming different values for the probability to find the IC in the nucleon ($$P_{ic}$$

P

ic

). We demonstrate that for $$P_{ic} \sim $$

P

ic

∼

1%, the IC component dominates the high-energy prompt neutrino flux. A first comparison with the IceCube data is performed and upper limits on the amount of IC are obtained for the linear and nonlinear descriptions of the QCD dynamics.
The heterogeneous regional effect of mobility on Coronavirus spread
Authors: Amoedo José Manuel , Atrio-Lema Yago , Sánchez-Carreira María del Carmen , Neira Isabel
Published: March 2022

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic struck global society in 2020. The pandemic required the adoption of public policies to control spread of the virus, underlining the mobility restrictions. Several studies show that these measures have been effective. Within the topic of Coronavirus spread, this original paper analyses the effect of mobility on Coronavirus spread in a heterogeneous regional context. A multiple dynamic regression model is used to control sub-national disparities in the effect of mobility on the spread of the Coronavirus, as well as to measure it at the context of Spanish regions. The model includes other relevant explanatory factors, such as wind speed, sunshine hours, vaccinated population and social awareness. It also develops a new methodology to optimise the use of Google trends data. The results reveal heterogeneity among regions, which has important implications for current and future pandemic containment strategies.