bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Gadamerian approach to nursing: Merging philosophy with practice
Authors: Rentmeester Casey , Liebzeit Meghan
Published: June 2023

Philosophy is commonly criticized for being too abstract and detached from practical spheres. Upon chronicling how philosophy has gained this reputation, the authors explore the philosophical fields of phenomenology and hermeneutics that have explicitly attempted to merge philosophy with everyday life contexts. In recent decades, phenomenology and hermeneutics have been applied to healthcare. In the realm of nursing, Patricia Benner's nursing theory is especially informed by phenomenology, which is briefly explored through her relationship with one of her mentors, the philosopher Hubert Dreyfus. The authors then turn their attention to Hans‐Georg Gadamer's philosophy in an attempt to mine concepts relevant to the practice of nursing. Gadamer juxtaposed the human sciences from the natural sciences and thought that both needed different approaches: whereas natural sciences are guided by episteme, that is, universal knowledge, human sciences are guided by phronesis, that is, practical wisdom. Gadamer's philosophy is especially helpful in understanding how to cultivate phronesis in nursing wherein a nurse relies upon one's clinical experience to masterfully navigate each unique patient relationship. Nurses must serve as authorities in the realm of healthcare but also be open to the authority of their patients, who ultimately choose their course of treatment in our contemporary era of patient autonomy. Gadamer's philosophy can help us understand why phronesis requires not only practice but also reflection on that practice to be appropriately cultivated. The authors apply this to the realm of nursing in showing how both practice—clinically and via simulation—and reflection—through journaling or dialogue—are necessary for phronesis to emerge.
What does the evidence tell us about merit principles and government performance?
Authors: Oliveira Eloy , Abner Gordon , Lee Shinwoo , Suzuki Kohei , Hur Hyunkang , Perry James L.
Published: June 2023

In October 2020, President Donald Trump sought to convert many US federal civil servants to at‐will employees by executive order. Trump's initiative, referred to as Schedule F, has stimulated a partisan debate about dismantling the merit system in the US federal government. A substantial international body of evidence has developed during the last three decades about the effects of administrative practices associated with meritocracy and the likely consequences of changes to civil service systems, such as those embedded in Schedule F. This article employs guidelines established under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) to conduct a systematic review of the evidence to address the question: What does the evidence tell us about merit principles and government performance? This systematic review summarizes what empirical research tells us about effects of civil service practices, such as meritocratic appointments, meritocratic advancement, and tenure protection, for government performance and the quality of government. The findings indicate that factors such as meritocratic appointments/recruitment, tenure protection, impartiality, and professionalism are strongly associated with higher government performance and lower corruption. We conclude by discussing implications of our findings for public policy and management and for future research.
Recent advances in the genetics underlying wheat grain protein content and grain protein deviation in hexaploid wheat
Authors: Paina C. , Gregersen P. L.
Published: June 2023

Wheat is one of the most important global crops and selection for better performance has been ongoing since ancient times. As a quantitative trait controlled by the interplay of several genomic loci and under the strong influence of the environment, grain protein content (GPC) is of major interest in breeding programs. Here, we review the most recent contributions to the genetics underlying wheat GPC and grain protein deviation (GPD, representing the relationship between grain protein content and yield), together with the performance of genomic prediction models characterizing these traits. A total of 364 significant loci related to GPC and GPD are positioned on the hexaploid wheat genome, highlighting genomic regions where significant independent QTL overlap, with special focus on two regions located on chromosomes 3A and 5A. Some of the corresponding homoeologous sequences co‐locate with significant independent QTL reported on the B and D subgenomes. Overlapping independent QTL from different studies are indicative of genomic regions exhibiting stability across environments and genotypes, with promising candidates for improving grain quality.
Families of patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia notice progression from symptoms of disorientation and visual memory disturbance
Authors: Honjo Yasuyuki , Kawasaki Ippei , Nagai Kuniaki , Harada Shun , Ogawa Noriyuki
Published: June 2023

Background

Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD) is the most common cognitive disease, but patients’ families may notice some symptoms yet not recognise that they indicate ADD. This study investigated the symptoms that families notice as ADD as the disease progresses.

Methods

New outpatients diagnosed with ADD (n = 315) at five memory clinics completed two cognitive assessments, the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS‐R) and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). During an interview, family members completed the Functional Assessment Staging Test (FAST), an observational assessment tool that classifies ADD progression into seven stages. We then examined the relationship of the family‐assessed FAST score with clinician‐assessed HDS‐R and MMSE domain scores by comparing between patients with FAST 1–3 and FAST 4–7. Next, we divided the FAST 4–7 group into the FAST 4–5 and FAST 6–7 subgroups and divided the FAST 1–3 group into the FAST 1–2 and FAST 3 subgroups.

Results

Surprisingly, half of the families did not recognise that the symptoms indicated ADD. Scores for orientation of time and place on the HDS‐R and MMSE and for visual memory on the HDS‐R were significantly related to family‐assessed FAST score. Moreover, the orientation of time and place score on both scales and visual memory on the HDS‐R were significantly worse in the FAST 4–7 group than in FAST 1–3 group. In the FAST 4–7 group, scores for age on the HDS‐R and for reading and drawing on the MMSE were significantly worse in the FAST 6–7 subgroup. In the analysis of the FAST 1–3 group, there was no significant difference among the HDS‐R and MMSE domains between the FAST 1–2 and FAST 3 subgroups.

Conclusions

Family members of patients with ADD tend to notice the progression of ADD from the symptoms of disorientation and visual memory.
Causes of pregnancy arrest in the canine species
Authors: Fontbonne Alain
Published: June 2023

In the canine species, early pregnancy arrest before 30–40 days of pregnancy will induce intra‐uterine embryonic or foetal resorption, with very few clinical signs. If no genital examination by ultrasound is performed at that time, it will often remain unnoticed and the bitch will be qualified as infertile. It is only when pregnancy stops at a later stage, mostly after 40 days, that clinical signs will be seen. Expulsion of aborted foetuses or placentas may be observed, although the dam frequently eats the expelled tissues. Intra‐uterine mummification may also occur. This article reviews the causes of pregnancy termination in the bitch, both at the embryonic and the foetal stages, reported in the literature. Canine brucellosis is by far the most important disease concerned in this aspect. There is an important current concern about this disease, due to the fact that several outbreaks have been observed recently in Europe, and that it is a very contagious disease; it may be an underestimated zoonosis. Other bacterial causes of pregnancy arrest are sporadic. There is, however, a growing attention towards the microbiological content of raw food diets which are more and more popular among dog breeders and may—if badly prepared—contain abortifacient bacteria such asCampylobacter jejuniorListeria monocytogenes. The abortifacient role of endogenous vaginal bacteria and mycoplasms remains unclear and may be related to an imbalanced vaginal flora with subsequent ascending bacterial contamination of the uterus. The role of Canine Herpesvirus on abortion is controversial and probably not frequent. Other viruses have been shown experimentally to induce abortion but their natural occurrence in this respect remains unknown. The same applies to the parasiteNeospora caninumwhich is suspected, but not proven, potentially to induce pregnancy arrest in bitches. Among non‐infectious causes, uterine pathology such as cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) or sub‐clinical post‐mating endometritis which can cause infertility and may also induce embryonic resorption. The role of luteal insufficiency in pregnancy arrest is probably overestimated.
Mammary carcinoma: Comparative oncology between small animals and humans—New therapeutic tools
Authors: Frénel Jean‐Sébastien , Nguyen Frédérique
Published: June 2023

The poor outcomes associated with mammary carcinomas (MCs) in dogs and cats in terms of locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis and survival, highlight the need for better management of mammary cancers in small animals. By contrast, the outcomes of women with breast cancer (BC) have dramatically improved during the last 10 years, notably thanks to new therapeutic strategies. The aim of this article was to imagine what could be the future of therapy for dogs and cats with MCs if it became inspired from current practices in human BC. This article focuses on the importance of taking into account cancer stage and cancer subtypes in therapeutic plans, on locoregional treatments (surgery, radiation therapy), new developments in endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy. Ideally, multimodal treatment regimens would be chosen according to cancer stage and cancer subtypes, and according to predictive factors that are still to be defined.
Attachment security and how to get it
Authors: Chopik William J. , Weidmann Rebekka , Oh Jeewon
Published: June 2023

Attachment theory has become a dominant framework for understanding people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with respect to close relationships. People often want to and are motivated to improve their personalities and their relationships. Can attachment orientations change across the lifespan? And if so, what facilitates change? Will insecure people stay insecurely attached across their life or is there hope for change? The current review provides a bird's eye view of the research on how and why attachment orientations change in adulthood. We provide some descriptive information for how attachment changes across the lifespan and how much of this variation is attributable to early life experiences. Then, we focus on the processes that are thought to engender attachment‐related changes over time. Finally, we provide some directions for future research to help fill some holes in the field's understanding about attachment orientations and how they change over time.
Prosocial orientation and COVID‐19 vaccine willingness in the U.S.
Authors: Canevello Amy , Jiang Tao , Magid Kirby , Perry Jasmine , Crocker Jennifer
Published: June 2023

Despite evidence of the safety and effectiveness of COVID‐19 vaccines and their wide availability, many in the U.S. are not vaccinated. Research demonstrates that prosocial orientations predict COVID‐19 health behaviors (e.g., social distancing) and vaccination intentions, however, little work has examined COVID‐19 vaccination willingness in the U.S. since vaccines were approved. Findings from two U.S. samples show that, in contrast to other COVID‐19 health behaviors, vaccine willingness in unvaccinated people is unrelated to prosocial orientation. Study 2 demonstrates that the lack of association between vaccine willingness and prosocial orientation in unvaccinated participants was specific to those with stronger beliefs that COVID‐19 vaccines are ineffective. Thus, in prosocial people, perceptions of vaccines' ineffectiveness may undermine COVID‐19 vaccine willingness.
Agree and the subjects of specificational clauses
Authors: Bejar Susana , Kahnemuyipour Arsalan
Published: June 2023

This article investigates agreement in Persian sentences with a specificational copular clause embedded under the epistemic modal tavānestan ‘can’. We argue that this structure is a raising structure. It exhibits agreement on both the embedded and modal verbs. Crucially, while the subject fails to control agreement in the embedded clause, it successfully controls agreement on the modal. We argue that the subject's failure to form an Agree relation in the embedded specificational clause is due to its defective feature structure, resulting in agreement with the lower noun phrase instead, this being an accessible goal as well. In the matrix clause, the lower noun phrase is inaccessible, due to the presence of an intervening domain boundary. This triggers probe reduction, a process that impoverishes the feature structure of the probe, expanding the set of possible goals to include the subject. We extend this analysis to subject agreement in simple specificational clauses in languages like English.
Tuberculosis in pregnancy
Authors: Raveendran Ainharan , Keepanasseril Anish , Balu Ravi Kumar , Shetty Ashalatha , Chetty Mahendran
Published: June 2023

Key content

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important global cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

With increasing migration, cases of tuberculosis in pregnancy or the puerperium are increasing in resource‐rich nations with advanced health care systems.

Diagnosis may be delayed given the overlap of some of the symptoms with that of pregnancy.

Timely diagnosis is essential to initiate appropriate treatment and prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Learning objectives

To understand the relevant global and UK epidemiology of the disease, including recent goals set by the World Health Organization and the UK.

To review the pathophysiology of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, and of latent and active TB.

To learn how to identify high‐risk women for antenatal assessment and gain an awareness of the screening tests available for latent TB.

To gain awareness of the clinical symptoms, diagnosis and therapeutic management of active tuberculosis, including management of any drug resistance.

To understand management of the neonate within high‐risk groups and where the mothers have diagnosed latent or active TB.

Ethical issues

Pregnant women with TB should be fully counselled about the benefits, risks, and alternate options of management.

Should healthcare professionals with high risk of acquiring TB infection be exempt from managing TB infection?

Management of TB in HIV‐positive women provides additional challenges.

Breastfeeding issues around seropositive mothers should be considered.
Kinematics and Trajectory Planning of the Masonry Robot
Authors: Zhao Jing-Shan , Wei Song-Tao , Sun Xiao-Cheng , Ji Jun-Jie
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes a mechanical system for a masonry robot comprising four parts: an omnidirectional mobile platform, a lifting platform, a six-degrees-of-freedom manipulator, and a grasping mechanism. The robot is specifically designed to carry out brick masonry on construction sites and is equipped to move bricks smoothly with slurry to their intended location. To prevent mortar from being shaken off the brick, the grasping mechanism is required to maintain optimal velocity and optimized acceleration. To implement online trajectory planning with velocity and acceleration constraints, the paper suggests an approach based on screw theory for resolving the inverse kinematics of the masonry robot. This method allows the inverse kinematic equations to be used to determine a unique solution for all joints of the redundant driver of the masonry robot. The approach and strategy are validated through numerical simulations of trajectory planning using a fifth-degree polynomial.
Tribological Performance and In Situ-Generated Oxidative Layer of Cobalt-Based Alloy From 25 °C to 800 °C
Authors: Huang Hui , Yi Gewen , Wan Shanhong , Kong Charlie , Pham Sang T.
Published: June 2023

The friction and wear performances of Haynes 25 alloy sliding against Si3N4 in a ball-on-disk configuration are investigated from room temperature (RT) to 800 °C. The friction-induced changes of morphology and chemical composition in the surface and subsurface regions of the wear tracks were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the friction coefficient (COF) decreases considerably via temperature, while the wear-rate increases and then decreases with temperature. During dry-sliding contact, the spontaneous formation of multiple metal oxides on the rubbing surface varies as a function of the test temperature, being responsible for either wear loss and/or a change of friction coefficient. The results of this study indicate that the presence of the glazed surface of Haynes 25 helps to lower friction. At 800 °C, a glaze layer with a multilayer structure appears on the rubbing surfaces, leading to the lowest friction coefficient and wear-rate.
Polydopamine-based nanomedicines for efficient antiviral and secondary injury protection therapy
Authors: Yin Na , Zhang Zhongmou , Ge Yongzhuang , Zhao Yuzhen , Gu Zichen , Yang Yue , Mao Lu , Wei Zhanyong , Liu Junjie , Shi Jinjin , Wang Zhenya
Published: June 2023

Viral infections continue to threaten human health. It remains a major challenge to efficiently inhibit viral infection while avoiding secondary injury. Here, we designed a multifunctional nanoplatform (termed as ODCM), prepared by oseltamivir phosphate (OP)–loaded polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles camouflaged by the macrophage cell membrane (CM). OP can be efficiently loaded onto the PDA nanoparticles through the π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions with a high drug-loading rate of 37.6%. In particular, the biomimetic nanoparticles can accumulate actively in the damaged lung model of viral infection. At the infection site, PDA nanoparticles can consume excess reactive oxygen species and be simultaneously oxidized and degraded to achieve controlled release of OP. This system exhibits enhanced delivery efficiency, inflammatory storm suppression, and viral replication inhibition. Therefore, the system exerts outstanding therapeutic effects while improving pulmonary edema and protecting lung injury in a mouse model of influenza A virus infection.
Increased PDGFRB and NF-κB signaling caused by highly prevalent somatic mutations in intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Shima Yasuyuki , Sasagawa Shota , Ota Nakao , Oyama Rieko , Tanaka Minoru , Kubota-Sakashita Mie , Kawakami Hirochika , Kobayashi Mika , Takubo Naoko , Ozeki Atsuko Nakanishi , Sun Xiaoning , Kim Yeon-Jeong , Kamatani Yoichiro , Matsuda Koichi , Maejima Kazuhiro , Fujita Masashi , Noda Kosumo , Kamiyama Hiroyasu , Tanikawa Rokuya , Nagane Motoo , Shibahara Junji , Tanaka Toru , Rikitake Yoshiyuki , Mataga Nobuko , Takahashi Satoru , Kosaki Kenjiro , Okano Hideyuki , Furihata Tomomi , Nakaki Ryo , Akimitsu Nobuyoshi , Wada Youichiro , Ohtsuka Toshihisa , Kurihara Hiroki , Kamiguchi Hiroyuki , Okabe Shigeo , Nakafuku Masato , Kato Tadafumi , Nakagawa Hidewaki , Saito Nobuhito , Nakatomi Hirofumi
Published: June 2023

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are a high-risk factor for life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage. Their etiology, however, remains mostly unknown at present. We conducted screening for sporadic somatic mutations in 65 IA tissues (54 saccular and 11 fusiform aneurysms) and paired blood samples by whole-exome and targeted deep sequencing. We identified sporadic mutations in multiple signaling genes and examined their impact on downstream signaling pathways and gene expression in vitro and an arterial dilatation model in mice in vivo. We identified 16 genes that were mutated in at least one IA case and found that these mutations were highly prevalent (92%: 60 of 65 IAs) among all IA cases examined. In particular, mutations in six genes (PDGFRB,AHNAK,OBSCN,RBM10,CACNA1E, andOR5P3), many of which are linked to NF-κB signaling, were found in both fusiform and saccular IAs at a high prevalence (43% of all IA cases examined). We found that mutant PDGFRBs constitutively activated ERK and NF-κB signaling, enhanced cell motility, and induced inflammation-related gene expression in vitro. Spatial transcriptomics also detected similar changes in vessels from patients with IA. Furthermore, virus-mediated overexpression of a mutantPDGFRBinduced a fusiform-like dilatation of the basilar artery in mice, which was blocked by systemic administration of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib. Collectively, this study reveals a high prevalence of somatic mutations in NF-κB signaling pathway–related genes in both fusiform and saccular IAs and opens a new avenue of research for developing pharmacological interventions.
Fusobacterium
infection facilitates the development of endometriosis through the phenotypic transition of endometrial fibroblasts
Authors: Muraoka Ayako , Suzuki Miho , Hamaguchi Tomonari , Watanabe Shinya , Iijima Kenta , Murofushi Yoshiteru , Shinjo Keiko , Osuka Satoko , Hariyama Yumi , Ito Mikako , Ohno Kinji , Kiyono Tohru , Kyo Satoru , Iwase Akira , Kikkawa Fumitaka , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Kondo Yutaka
Published: June 2023

Retrograde menstruation is a widely accepted cause of endometriosis. However, not all women who experience retrograde menstruation develop endometriosis, and the mechanisms underlying these observations are not yet understood. Here, we demonstrated a pathogenic role of
Fusobacterium
in the formation of ovarian endometriosis. In a cohort of women, 64% of patients with endometriosis but <10% of controls were found to have
Fusobacterium
infiltration in the endometrium. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses revealed that activated transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) signaling resulting from
Fusobacterium
infection of endometrial cells led to the transition from quiescent fibroblasts to transgelin (TAGLN)–positive myofibroblasts, which gained the ability to proliferate, adhere, and migrate in vitro.
Fusobacterium
inoculation in a syngeneic mouse model of endometriosis resulted in a marked increase in TAGLN-positive myofibroblasts and increased number and weight of endometriotic lesions. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment largely prevented establishment of endometriosis and reduced the number and weight of established endometriotic lesions in the mouse model. Our data support a mechanism for the pathogenesis of endometriosis via
Fusobacterium
infection and suggest that eradication of this bacterium could be an approach to treat endometriosis.
Antiplasmodial Activity Evaluation of a Bestatin-Related Aminopeptidase Inhibitor, Phebestin
Authors: Ariefta Nanang R. , Pagmadulam Baldorj , Hatano Masaki , Ikeda Noriko , Isshiki Kunio , Matoba Kazuaki , Igarashi Masayuki , Nihei Coh-ichi , Nishikawa Yoshifumi
Published: June 2023

The increasing burden and spread of resistant malaria parasites remains an immense burden to public health. These factors have driven the demand to search for a new therapeutic agent.
No Association between the Plasmodium vivax
crt-o
MS334 or In9
pvcrt
Polymorphisms and Chloroquine Failure in a Pre-Elimination Clinical Cohort from Malaysia with a Large Clonal Expansion
Authors: Rumaseb Angela , Moraes Barros Roberto R. , Sá Juliana M. , Juliano Jonathan J. , William Timothy , Braima Kamil A. , Barber Bridget E. , Anstey Nicholas M. , Price Ric N. , Grigg Matthew J. , Marfurt Jutta , Auburn Sarah
Published: June 2023

Increasing reports of resistance to a frontline malaria blood-stage treatment, chloroquine (CQ), raises concerns for the elimination of
Plasmodium vivax
. The absence of an effective molecular marker of CQ resistance in
P. vivax
greatly constrains surveillance of this emerging threat.
Preprint Peer Review Enhances Undergraduate Biology Students' Disciplinary Literacy and Sense of Belonging in STEM
Authors: Otto Josie L. , McDowell Gary S. , Balgopal Meena M. , Lijek Rebeccah S.
Published: June 2023

Education about scientific publishing and manuscript peer review is not universally provided in undergraduate science courses. Since peer review is integral to the scientific process and central to the identity of a scientist, we envision a paradigm shift where teaching peer review becomes integral to undergraduate science education.
Complete Genome Sequence of Erwinia amylovora Strain 99east-3-1, Isolated from Pyrus sinkiangensis in China
Authors: Fei Nuoya , Yang Yuwen , Song Bo , Zhu Xiaofeng , Guan Wei , Zhao Tingchang
Published: June 2023

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Erwinia amylovora
strain 99east-3-1, which was isolated from
Pyrus sinkiangensis
in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
A revised SNP-based barcoding scheme for typing
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex isolates
Authors: Shitikov Egor , Bespiatykh Dmitry
Published: June 2023

The development of whole-genome sequencing technologies is gradually leading to a more detailed description of the population structure of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC). In this study, we correlated previously published classifications on a collection of more than 10,000 genomes and proposed a new, comprehensive nomenclature that unifies the existing ones. In total, we identified 169 lineages and sublineages of
M. tuberculosis
/
M. africanum
and 9 animal-adapted species. For the purpose of organizing these genotypes in a more streamlined manner, we stratified them into five hierarchical levels. To represent the classification and compare it with the reference, we compiled a confirmatory data set of 670 high-quality isolates, which includes all genotypes and species of MTBC, and this confirmatory data set can serve as a basis for further studies. We proposed a set of 213 robust barcoding single-nucleotide polymorphisms and a suitable workflow for reliable differentiation of genotypes and species within the complex. This work integrates the results of all the major systematized studies to date to provide an understanding of the global diversity of the MTBC population structure. The results of this work may ultimately help to reliably determine the pathogen genotype and associate it with traits that reflect its prevalence, virulence, vaccination, and treatment efficiency, as well as to reliably find natural features revealed during its spread.

IMPORTANCE

Through years of research into the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC), a number of ambiguous phylogenetic classifications have emerged, which often overlap with one another. In the present study, we have combined all major studies on MTBC classification and inferred a unified, most complete to date classification and accompanying SNP barcodes.
Dynamics of Humoral Immunity to Myxoma and Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Viruses in Wild European Rabbits Assessed by Longitudinal Semiquantitative Serology
Authors: Coelho Joana , Pacheco Henrique , Rafael Marta , Jiménez-Ruiz Saúl , Alves Paulo Célio , Santos Nuno
Published: June 2023

This study addresses the long-term dynamics of humoral immunity to two major viral pathogens of the European rabbit, an endangered keystone species of major ecological relevance. Such studies are particularly challenging in free-ranging species, and a combination of longitudinal capture-mark-recapture and semiquantitative serology was used to address this question.
Iron Deficiency Modulates Metabolic Landscape of
Bacteroidetes
Promoting Its Resilience during Inflammation
Authors: Lewis Janina P. , Gui Qin
Published: June 2023

Bacteroidetes
are an important group of anaerobic bacteria abundant both in the oral and gut microbiomes. Although iron is a required nutrient for most living organisms, the molecular mechanisms of adaptation to the changing levels of iron are not well known in this group of bacteria.
Recent Data of Multidisciplinary Studies of the Major Pleistocene Climatic Events: Glaciations, Formation of Ice-Dammed Lakes, and Their Catastrophic Drainage in Altai (Mountains of Southern Siberia)
Authors: Agatova A. R. , Nepop R. K. , Moska P. , Nikitenko B. L. , Bronnikova M. A. , Zhdanova A. N. , Zazovskaya E. P. , Karpukhina N. V. , Kuzmina O. B. , Nepop A. R. , Ovchinnikov I. Yu. , Petrozhitskiy A. V. , Uspenskaya O. N.
Published: June 2023

The use of geological–geomorphological and geochronological (14C, OSL) methods allowed establishing that the bordering mountains of the Chuya basin (Russian Altai) were affected by glaciation as early as the Middle Pleistocene, about 160–180 ka (MIS 6). However, the ice-dammed lake with the highest (up to 2100 m a.s.l.) strandlines in the Chuya and Kurai basins existed later than 90–80 ka, i.e., in the Late Pleistocene. This chronological benchmark limits the influence of the catastrophic outburst floods of the largest lakes on the accumulation of the Inya formation in the Chuya and Katun river valleys. It is confirmed that a large ice-dammed lake existed and had a water level of at least 1730 m a.s.l. in MIS 2 in the Kurai basin. The lake drained no later than 16 ka. Synchronously (about 17–16 ka) the accumulation of diluvial–lacustrine cyclites began in the Inya mouth. It was found that the accumulation of the Saldzhar formation in the Katun River valley between the mouths of the Chuya and Sema rivers was long-lasting during the entire MIS 2 not only as a result of flood events, but also due to gradual hydrological processes. It is necessary to revise the concept adopted by SibRISC in 2018. This concept assumes (i) the absence of ice-dammed lakes in intermont basins of Russian Altai in MIS 2 and (ii) the accumulation of the Inya and Saldzhar catafluvial formations, as well as the high and medium terraces they deposited in the valleys of the Chuya and Katun rivers before 90 ka.
Caryochroite, a Rare Mineral from the Titanosilicate Group: Crystal Structure, Crystal Chemistry, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Soboleva S. V. , Boeva N. M. , Kartashov P. M. , Bortnikov N. S.
Published: June 2023

The crystal structure of the rare mineral caryochroite is determined for the first time using X-ray diffractometry and electron microdiffraction data. The new idealized crystal formula of the mineral is [Na(Sr0.5Ca0.5)Mg]3[Fe$$_{8}^{{3 + }}$$Mn($${\text{Fe}}_{{0.5}}^{{2 + }}{{\square }_{{0.5}}}$$)]10(Ti2Si12)O37(OH)14(Н2О)3. The parameters of the monoclinic unit cell refined by the least square method are a 16.550(3), b 5.281(2), c 24.25(3) Å, β 93.0°, Z = 2, space group P2/n. The crystal structure of caryochroite is a new type of Ti–Si lattice responsible for the large structural channels, which are able to enclose the exchange cations and a high amount of water components (OH groups and H2O molecules).
Trend and Phasing of Carbonate Accumulation in the History of the Earth
Authors: Kuznetsov V. G.
Published: June 2023

In the geological history of the Earth, there has been a significant change in the composition and areas of carbonate accumulation, which reflects the general evolution of the formation of carbonate deposits, paleogeographic and geochemical settings, and different stages of this evolution. At the Archean–Proterozoic boundary, acidic conditions in water reservoirs changed to moderately acidic, which resulted in the appearance of iron carbonates. The second milestone is the Siderian–Rhyacian boundary, when intensive assimilation of CO2 led to the development of alkaline conditions in water reservoirs and the accumulation of Mg carbonates. Carbonate accumulation itself occurred in the inland water reservoirs. The third milestone is the Vendian–Cambrian boundary, when skeletal fauna appeared, and carbonate accumulation became largely biogenic. Along with the basins of the continental block, there appeared new oceanic areas of carbonate accumulation, where the skeletons of nekton organisms became a significant supplier of material. The fourth milestone—the Paleozoic–Mesozoic—was the beginning of the accumulation of the proper oceanic deep-water carbonate sediments. The fifth milestone is associated with the Cretaceous period, when oceanic carbonate accumulation sharply increased due to accumulation of planktonic organisms.
A Tectonic Scheme for the Amerasia Basin of the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Chernykh A. A. , Yakovenko I. V. , Kaminskiy V. D. , Glebovskiy V. Yu. , Korneva M. S. , Bashev I. A.
Published: June 2023

A tectonic scheme of the Amerasia Basin was created for the first time on a 1 : 2 500 000 scale on the basis of integrated analysis of geological and geophysical data. The structural framework of the scheme was developed according to the mapping of the basement surface using reflection seismic sections; the surface was detailed on the basis of potential fields. The results of three-dimensional gravity modeling according to calculation of the Moho depths and consolidated earth crust thickness were used as the basic indicators of the origin of the crust. Tectonic elements of different ranks and kinematics were identified on the seismic sections and traced according to the potential fields. The created scheme is the most detailed out of those published previously. It demonstrates the features of the tectonic structure of individual geostructures and their nature and allows us to draw conclusions about the evolution of the Amerasia Basin.
ST-elevation myocardial infarction after thrombolytic therapy with Tenecteplase for acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Sinclair Jorge Enrique , Plante Marie , Harrison Michael F , Sanghavi Devang K
Published: June 2023

Myocardial infarction (MI) secondary to thrombolytic therapy in the setting of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is a rare but severe complication. This phenomenon has been well documented in the past with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, also known as Alteplase. However, there are no documented reports of MI secondary to Tenecteplase (TNKase), an alternative thrombolytic agent rapidly gaining favour in managing AIS. We report a male patient in his 50s who received TNKase for an AIS and subsequently developed an inferolateral ST elevation MI.
Scrub typhus due to vertical transmission in a neonate: rare presentation of a common tropical infection
Authors: Deglurkar Revati , Thangavel Nanmaaran Periyannan , Murugesan Ambalakkuthan , Plakkal Nishad
Published: June 2023

Vertical transmission as a route of infection has been well reported in many viral infections. Scrub typhus is a zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks which has had a resurgence in recent times in several tropical countries. It affects all age groups including neonates. Reports of neonates affected with scrub typhus are few, and vertical transmission is rare. We report a case, where a newborn was symptomatic with signs of infection within the first 72 hours of life and Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative organism was confirmed by PCR in both mother and baby.
Can we do better? A qualitative study in the East of England investigating patient experience and acceptability of using the faecal immunochemical test in primary care
Authors: Snudden Claudia M , Calanzani Natalia , Archer Stephanie , Honey Stephanie , Pannebakker Merel M , Faher Anissa , Chang Aina , Hamilton Willie , Walter Fiona M
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is increasingly used in UK primary care to triage patients presenting with symptoms and at different levels of colorectal cancer risk. Evidence is scarce on patients’ views of using FIT in this context. We aimed to explore patients’ care experience and acceptability of using FIT in primary care.

Design

A qualitative semi-structured interview study. Interviews were conducted via Zoom between April and October 2020. Transcribed recordings were analysed using framework analysis.

Setting

East of England general practices.

Participants

Consenting patients (aged ≥40 years) who presented in primary care with possible symptoms of colorectal cancer, and for whom a FIT was requested, were recruited to the FIT-East study. Participants were purposively sampled for this qualitative substudy based on age, gender and FIT result.

Results

44 participants were interviewed with a mean age 61 years, and 25 (57%) being men: 8 (18%) received a positive FIT result. Three themes and seven subthemes were identified. Participants’ familiarity with similar tests and perceived risk of cancer influenced test experience and acceptability. All participants were happy to do the FIT themselves and to recommend it to others. Most participants reported that the test was straightforward, although some considered it may be a challenge to others. However, test explanation by healthcare professionals was often limited. Furthermore, while some participants received their results quickly, many did not receive them at all with the common assumption that ‘no news is good news’. For those with a negative result and persisting symptoms, there was uncertainty about any next steps.

Conclusions

While FIT is acceptable to patients, elements of communication with patients by the healthcare system show potential for improvement. We suggest possible ways to improve the FIT experience, particularly regarding communication about the test and its results.
Pericoronary adipose tissue density is increased in patients with recent spontaneous coronary dissection
Authors: Wolny Rafał R , Kwieciński Jacek , Zalewska Joanna , Michałowska Ilona , Kruk Mariusz , Kepka Cezary , Prejbisz Aleksander , Pręgowski Jerzy , Chwała Alicja , Skowroński Jarosław , Kobierska Agata , Ciesielski Radosław , Januszewicz Andrzej , Witkowski Adam , Adlam David , Dey Damini , Kądziela Jacek
Published: June 2023

Objective

Inflammatory activity is one of the potential mechanisms of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). Recently, the pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation (PCAT) derived from CT angiography (CTA) has been established as a method for measuring vascular inflammation. We aimed to characterise the pancoronary and vessel-specific PCAT in patients with and without recent SCAD.

Methods

The study comprised patients with SCAD referred to a tertiary centre between 2017 and 2022 who underwent CTA and were compared with individuals with no prior SCAD. PCAT was analysed on end-diastolic CTA reconstructions along proximal 40 mm of all major coronary vessels as well as the SCAD-related vessel. We analysed 48 patients with recent SCAD (median 6.1 (IQR 3.5–14.9) months since SCAD, 95.8% female) and 48 patients in the group without SCAD.

Results

Pancoronary PCAT was higher in patients with SCAD compared with those without SCAD (−80.6±7.9 vs −85.3 HU±6.1, p=0.002). Vessel-specific PCAT in patients with SCAD compared with patients without SCAD was higher for both the RCA (−80.9±9.5 vs −87.1±6.9 HU, p=0.001) and the LCA (−80.3±7.8 vs −83.4±7.2 HU, p=0.04). In patients with SCAD, PCAT of the SCAD-related vessel was not significantly different from averaged PCAT of unaffected vessels (−81.2±9.2 vs −80.6±7.6, p=0.74). There was no association between PCAT and the interval from SCAD to CTA.

Conclusions

Patients with recent SCAD have higher PCAT compared with patients without SCAD, suggesting an increased perivascular inflammatory activity. This association is not restricted to the dissected vessel.
2,5-dimethylcelecoxib alleviated NK and T-cell exhaustion in hepatocellular carcinoma via the gastrointestinal microbiota-AMPK-mTOR axis
Authors: Pan Banglun , Chen Zhanfei , Zhang Xiaoxia , Wang Zengbin , Yao Yuxin , Wu Xiaoxuan , Qiu Jiacheng , Lin Hua , Yu Liumin , Tu Haijian , Tang Nanhong
Published: June 2023

Background

2,5-dimethylcelecoxib (DMC), a derivative of celecoxib, is an inhibitor of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1). Our previous studies have demonstrated that DMC inhibits the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells to prevent tumor progression. However, the effect and mechanism of DMC on HCC infiltrating immune cells remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, single-cell-based high-dimensional mass cytometry was performed on the tumor microenvironment of HCC mice treated with DMC, celecoxib and MK-886 (a known mPGES-1 inhibitor). Moreover, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was employed to analyze how DMC improved the tumor microenvironment of HCC by remodeling the gastrointestinal microflora.

Results

We found that (1) DMC significantly inhibited the growth of HCC and improved the prognosis of the mice, and this depended on the stronger antitumor activity of natural killer (NK) and T cells; (2) compared with celecoxib and MK-886, DMC significantly enhanced the cytotoxic and stem-like potential, and inhibited exhaustion of NK and T cells; (3) mechanistically, DMC inhibited the expression of programmed cell death protein-1 and upregulated interferon-γ expression of NK and T cells via the gastrointestinal microbiota (Bacteroides acidifaciens, Odoribacter laneus, and Odoribacter splanchnicus)-AMPK-mTOR axis.

Conclusions

Our study uncovers the role of DMC in improving the tumor microenvironment of HCC, which not only enriches the relationship between the mPGES-1/prostaglandin E2 pathway and the antitumor function of NK and T cells, but also provide an important strategic reference for multitarget or combined immunotherapy of HCC.Cite Now
Dominant negative variants inIKZF2cause ICHAD syndrome, a new disorder characterised by immunodysregulation, craniofacial anomalies, hearing impairment, athelia and developmental delay
Authors: Mohajeri Arezoo , Vaseghi-Shanjani Maryam , Rosenfeld Jill A , Yang Gui Xiang , Lu Henry , Sharma Mehul , Lin Susan , Salman Areesha , Waqas Meriam , Sababi Azamian Mahshid , Worley Kim C , Del Bel Kate L , Kozak Frederick K , Rahmanian Ronak , Biggs Catherine M , Hildebrand Kyla J , Lalani Seema R , Nicholas Sarah K , Scott Daryl A , Mostafavi Sara , van Karnebeek Clara , Henkelman Erika , Halparin Jessica , Yang Connie L , Armstrong Linlea ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network,   Care4Rare Canada Consortium, Turvey Stuart E , Lehman Anna
Published: June 2023

Background

Helios (encoded byIKZF2), a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors, is a zinc finger protein involved in embryogenesis and immune function. Although predominantly recognised for its role in the development and function of T lymphocytes, particularly the CD4+regulatory T cells (Tregs), the expression and function of Helios extends beyond the immune system. During embryogenesis, Helios is expressed in a wide range of tissues, making genetic variants that disrupt the function of Helios strong candidates for causing widespread immune-related and developmental abnormalities in humans.

Methods

We performed detailed phenotypic, genomic and functional investigations on two unrelated individuals with a phenotype of immune dysregulation combined with syndromic features including craniofacial differences, sensorineural hearing loss and congenital abnormalities.

Results

Genome sequencing revealedde novoheterozygous variants that alter the critical DNA-binding zinc fingers (ZFs) of Helios. Proband 1 had a tandem duplication of ZFs 2 and 3 in the DNA-binding domain of Helios (p.Gly136_Ser191dup) and Proband 2 had a missense variant impacting one of the key residues for specific base recognition and DNA interaction in ZF2 of Helios (p.Gly153Arg). Functional studies confirmed that both these variant proteins are expressed and that they interfere with the ability of the wild-type Helios protein to perform its canonical function—repressingIL2transcription activity—in a dominant negative manner.

Conclusion

This study is the first to describe dominant negativeIKZF2variants. These variants cause a novel genetic syndrome characterised by immunodysregulation, craniofacial anomalies, hearing impairment, athelia and developmental delay.
Antithrombin III levels in critically ill surgical patients: do they correlate with VTE?
Authors: Bhatti Umar F , Dhillon Navpreet K , Mason Russell , Wang Andrew , Hashim Yassar M , Barmparas Galinos , Ley Eric J
Published: June 2023

Objective

Antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency may result from hereditary or acquired reduction in ATIII levels and is associated with an increase in venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the general population. VTE is a potentially preventable complication in the critically ill surgical patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between ATIII levels and VTE in surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients.

Methods

All patients admitted to the SICU from January 2017 to April 2018 who had ATIII levels drawn were included in the study. An ATIII level below 80% of normal was considered low. The rate of VTE during the same admission was compared among patients with normal and low levels of ATIII. Prolonged length of stay (LOS >10 days) and mortality were also measured.

Results

Of the 227 patients included, 59.9% were male. The median age was 60 years. Overall, 66.9% of patients had low ATIII levels. Trauma patients had a higher rate of normal ATIII levels, whereas those weighing more than 100 kg had a higher rate of low ATIII levels. Patients with low ATIII levels had higher VTE rates compared with those with normal ATIII levels (28.9% vs. 16%, p=0.04). Patients with low ATIII levels also had prolonged LOS (76.3% vs. 60%, p=0.01) and increased mortality (21.7% vs. 6.7%, p<0.01). Trauma patients with VTE were more likely to have normal ATIII levels (38.5% in low ATIII cohort vs. 61.5% VTE in normal ATIII cohort, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Critically ill surgical patients with low ATIII levels have higher incidence of VTE, longer LOS, and higher mortality. In contrast, critically ill trauma patients may have high incidence of VTE even with normal ATIII levels.

Level of evidence

III.
Teaching FAIR in computational chemistry: managing and publishing data using the twin tools of compute portals and repositories
Authors: Rzepa Henry S.
Published: June 2023

The history of the emerging area of tools for managing research resources and the data produced from them is summarised from the perspective of two decades of use in teaching and research at one institution. These tools are a portal or electronic laboratory notebook for computational chemistry interfaced in one direction to a high-performance computing resource and in the other direction to a modern research data repository. The essential features of both these tools are described over two generations of each, with examples of student work cited as examples using persistent identifiers or PIDs, better known as DOIs. Underpinning this is the metadata describing the data being processed. The article outlines the evolution of managing such metadata-rich data and its progress towards what can now be summarised by the acronym FAIR data, itself enabling future emerging areas such as knowledge graphs.