bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma Metabolite Profiles Associated with the Amount and Source of Meat and Fish Consumption and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: García‐Gavilán Jesús , Nishi Stephanie K. , Paz‐Graniel Indira , Guasch‐Ferré Marta , Razquin Cristina , Clish Clary B. , Toledo Estefanía , Ruiz‐Canela Miguel , Corella Dolores , Deik Amy , Drouin‐Chartier Jean‐Philippe , Wittenbecher Clemens , Babio Nancy , Estruch Ramon , Ros Emilio , Fitó Montserrat , Arós Fernando , Fiol Miquel , Serra‐Majem Lluís , Liang Liming , Martínez‐González Miguel A. , Hu Frank B. , Salas‐Salvadó Jordi
Published: October 2022

Scope

Consumption of meat has been associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but if plasma metabolite profiles associated with these foods reflect this relationship is unknown. The objective is to identify a metabolite signature of consumption of total meat (TM), red meat (RM), processed red meat (PRM), and fish and examine if they are associated with T2D risk.

Methods and results

The discovery population includes 1833 participants from the PREDIMED trial. The internal validation sample includes 1522 participants with available 1‐year follow‐up metabolomic data. Associations between metabolites and TM, RM, PRM, and fish are evaluated with elastic net regression. Associations between the profiles and incident T2D are estimated using Cox regressions. The profiles included 72 metabolites for TM, 69 for RM, 74 for PRM, and 66 for fish. After adjusting for T2D risk factors, only profiles of TM (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.49), RM (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07‐1.52), and PRM (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07‐1.51) are associated with T2D.

Conclusions

The consumption of TM, its subtypes, and fish is associated with different metabolites, some of which have been previously associated with T2D. Scores based on the identified metabolites for TM, RM, and PRM show a significant association with T2D risk.
On the feasibility of cardiac substructure sparing in magnetic resonance imaging guided stereotactic lung radiotherapy
Authors: van der Pol Luuk H.G. , Hackett Sara L. , Hoesein Firdaus A.A. Mohamed , Snoeren Louk M.W. , Pomp Jacqueline , Raaymakers Bas W. , Verhoeff Joost J.C. , Fast Martin F.
Published: October 2022

Background

Lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has proven an effective treatment for medically inoperable lung tumors, even for (ultra‐)central tumors. Recently, there has been growing interest in radiation‐induced cardiac toxicity in lung radiotherapy. More specifically, dose to cardiac (sub‐)structures (CS) was found to correlate with survival after radiotherapy.

Purpose

Our goal is first, to investigate the percentage of patients who require CS sparing in an magnetic resonance imaging guided lung SBRT workflow, and second, to quantify how successful implementation of cardiac sparing would be.

Methods

The patient cohort consists of 34 patients with stage II–IV lung cancer who were treated with SBRT between 2017 and 2020. A mid‐position computed tomography (CT) image was used to create treatment plans for the 1.5 T Unity MR‐linac (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) following clinical templates. Under guidance of a cardio‐thoracic radiologist, 11 CS were contoured manually for each patient. Dose constraints for five CS were extracted from the literature. Patients were stratified according to their need for cardiac sparing depending on the CS dose in their non‐CS constrained MR‐linac treatment plans. Cardiac sparing treatment plans (CSPs) were then created and dosimetrically compared with their non‐CS constrained treatment plan counterparts. CSPs complied with the departmental constraints and were considered successful when fulfilling all CS constraints, and partially successful if some CS constraints could be fulfilled. Predictors for the need for and feasibility of cardiac sparing were explored, specifically planning target volume (PTV) size, cranio‐caudal (CC) distance, 3D distance, and in‐field overlap volume histograms (iOVH).

Results

47% of the patients (16 out of 34) were in need of cardiac sparing. A successful CSP could be created for 62.5% (10 out of 16) of these patients. Partially successful CSPs still complied with two to four CS constraints. No significant difference in dose to organs at risk (OARs) or targets was identified between CSPs and the corresponding non‐CS constrained MR‐linac plans. The need for cardiac sparing was found to correlate with distance in the CC direction between target and all of the individual CS (Mann–Whitney U‐test p‐values <10−6). iOVHs revealed that complying with dose constraints for CS is primarily determined by in‐plane distance and secondarily by PTV size.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that CS can be successfully spared in lung SBRT on the MR‐linac for most of this patient cohort, without compromising doses to the tumor or to other OARs. CC distance between the target and CS can be used to predict the need for cardiac sparing. iOVHs, in combination with PTV size, can be used to predict if cardiac sparing will be successful for all constrained CS except the left ventricle.
Effects of Chronic Ammonia Exposure on Growth of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) Cultured Under Different Densities
Authors: Sánchez Ortiz Iván Andrés , Bastos Rafael Kopschitz Xavier , Lanna Eduardo Arruda Teixeira
Published: October 2022

Tilapia are among the most widely cultivated fish species in the world, with a high level of importance for freshwater fish production. An important tilapia variety for the international market is genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT; Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus). Multiple studies have been developed to determine the maximum concentrations of ammonia (NH3) recommended for the cultivation of various varieties of tilapia; however, there are no specific data for the cultivation of GIFT. Growth results for GIFT fry exposed to NH3 at 0.50, 0.89, and 1.58 mg/L in 69-d chronic toxicity tests were evaluated. The experiments were conducted in three recirculation aquaculture systems, one for each concentration of NH3. Stocking densities were 33, 66, and 132 fish/m3. Fish were fed ad libitum three times per day. The only mortalities recorded were for treatments with the highest NH3 concentration (1.58 mg/L), which had a cumulative mortality of 89.5%. There were no significant differences in weight gain for the three stocking densities assessed at an NH3 concentration of 0.50 mg/L. Results indicated that GIFT juveniles can be cultured with stocking densities of up to 132 fish/m3 in environments with ammonia concentrations of up to 0.89 mg/L without compromising fish survival, although the daily weight gain was between 30% and 41% lower than the values reported for optimal culture conditions.
What lies behind a fruit crop variety name? A case study of the barnī date palm from al‐‘Ulā oasis, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Gros‐Balthazard Muriel , Battesti Vincent , Flowers Jonathan M. , Ferrand Sylvie , Breil Matthieu , Ivorra Sarah , Terral Jean‐Frédéric , Purugganan Michael D. , Wing Rod A. , Mohammed Nahed , Bourgeois Yann
Published: October 2022

Societal Impact Statement

The oasis of al‐‘Ulā is subject to a vast development operation by the central government of the Saudi monarchy. Agriculture is not strictly speaking the first objective of this initiative, the emphasis being on tourism and thus on the vast historical heritage and landscape qualities of the region. Nevertheless, agriculture and, in particular, phoeniculture remain the main resource for the inhabitants. Characterizing the local date palm agrobiodiversity is key to the sustainable development of oases. In al‐‘Ulā, documenting indigenous knowledge about the locally predominant barnī variety and characterizing its genetic integrity and mode of propagation represents the essential leverage needed by farm development project planners to develop local production.

Understanding how farmers name and categorize their crops in relation to the way they are propagated is critical for a proper assessment of agrobiodiversity. Yet, indigenous knowledge is often overlooked in genetic studies, which may result in an underestimation of crop diversity, thereby preventing its conservation and mobilization for developing sustainable agroecosystems.

Here, we focus on the barnī date palm variety, a local elite variety of al‐‘Ulā oasis, Saudi Arabia. We conducted an ethnobotanical survey on local phoeniculture practices and generated whole‐genome data to determine whether or not barnī palms are exclusively clonally (vegetatively) propagated. Further, we contrasted the genomes of barnī and two other palms from al‐‘Ulā with 112 Phoenix spp. to provide an initial insight into date palm diversity in this oasis.

The survey reveals that the dates of the barnī palm bear distinct names, depending on their quality. Results show that barnī is a true‐to‐type cultivar, indicating clonal propagation by offshoots with name maintenance, even between distinct cultivating situations in al‐‘Ulā and a nearby oasis. Nonetheless, it is distinct from the prominent barnī cultivated in Oman. Its ancestry is comparable to other West Asian date palms, but another palm from this oasis shows influence from North Africa.

What lies behind the cultivar name barnī in al‐‘Ulā and further afield in the Arabian Peninsula has been deciphered through the key disciplinary combination of social anthropology and genetics. Future studies will provide additional insights into the original genetic make‐up of this millennia‐old oasis.
The production of recombinant platelet‐derived growth factor D using the second generation modified vaccinia Ankara viral system
Authors: Najy Abdo J. , Pham Tri , Pradeau‐Aubreton Karine , Drillien Robert , Kim Hyeong‐Reh C.
Published: October 2022

The vaccinia virus expression system is known for the efficient production of recombinant proteins with “appropriate” posttranslational modification using desired mammalian cell lines. However, being a replication competent virus, vaccinia virus poses a health threat to immunocompromised individuals and requires biosafety level 2 (BSL2) laboratory precautions, thereby restricting its use by the scientific community. Development of the host range restricted modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) system has allowed researchers to work with a safer virus even at BSL1. Here, we report on the use of an improved second generation MVA viral system incorporating two selective markers and fluorescent proteins for easier recombinant virus identification. Notably, we demonstrate that this novel system is capable of producing secreted recombinant proteins, a finding not previously reported. Through purification and characterization of wild type and mutant platelet‐derived growth factor D (PDGF D) dimer species, we demonstrate this system is capable of producing the latent full‐length PDGF D dimer, partially processed intermediate dimer (hemidimer), as well as fully processed growth factor domain dimer that show chemical integrity and biological activity. Importantly, this system is amenable to scaling up for the mass production of recombinant PDGF D (rPDGF D) dimer species.
Necrosis of Microcystis aeruginosa causing tannin derivatives in Rhus chinensis stem
Authors: Lim You Jin , Eom Seok Hyun
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Algal infestation in Korean lakes, rivers, and in agroecosystems is a catastrophic problem resulting in contaminated drinking and agricultural irrigation water. Developing allelochemical‐based algicides has previously faced difficulties, including dosage requirements and chemical instability. Despite these challenges, these algicides have enormous potential for eco‐friendly use. This study presents the efficient use of tannin derivatives as antialgal chemicals modeled on a tannin‐rich stem extract of Rhus chinensis in a thermal processing application.

RESULTS

Tannic acids are the key component of algal necrosis in R. chinensis stem extract, and although heat extraction from the stem increased the crude extraction yield 1.8‐fold, the procedure induced the conversion of tannic acids to gallic acid, resulting in lower antialgal activity. Gallotannin showed stronger antialgal activity (The 50% lethal dosage (LD50)= 44.6 mg L−1) than gallic acid (LD50 = 99.2 mg L−1), and the nonheated extract exhibited 3.7‐fold lower LD50 (0.66 g L−1) than the heated extract (LD50 = 2.45 g L−1), resulting in 2.6‐fold higher content of gallotannin.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that heat treatment of R. chinensis stems during the extraction process is not beneficial to algal control because of the acceleration of thermal tannin degradation, despite it showing higher crude extract yields. Therefore, it is suggested extraction processes minimizing the loss of tannic acids should be the preferred methods used to develop tannin‐based natural algicides for controlling algal infestation. Tannic acids showed higher toxicity into necrosis of M. aeruginosa than gallic acid where heat‐processed extraction of R. chinensis stems produces more gallic acid content resulting in thermal degradation of tannic complexes than the extraction of nonthermal treatment. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Critical systems practice 4: Check—Evaluating and reflecting on a multimethodological intervention
Authors: Jackson Michael C.
Published: October 2022

This is the fourth of a series of papers on the stages of critical systems practice. Critical systems practice is a multimethodology that seeks to employ the ideas of critical systems thinking to intervene in and improve complex real‐world ‘messes’. It has four stages—Explore (the problem situation), Produce (an intervention strategy), Intervene (flexibly), and Check (on progress)—called to mind as EPIC. The aim is to set out where thinking has reached on the best way to carry out each of these stages and to invite comment on what more needs doing. This paper discusses the fourth stage, Check. During Check, decision makers, and other stakeholders, evaluate the intervention, reflect on what has happened with a view to improving future interventions, and discuss next steps.
Reasons for not/choosing chemistry: Why advanced level chemistry students in England do/not pursue chemistry undergraduate degrees
Authors: Archer Louise , Francis Becky , Moote Julie , Watson Emma , Henderson Morag , Holmegaard Henriette , MacLeod Emily
Published: October 2022

There are international concerns about decreasing rates of chemistry degree enrolment. This article seeks to understand students' reasons for not/choosing to pursue a chemistry degree, drawing on (i) open‐ended survey responses from a sample of 506 students in England aged 21–22 who had studied advanced level (“A level”) chemistry at age 18 (as either a full A level or a half “AS” level) and had either chosen (n = 70) or not chosen (n = 436) to pursue undergraduate chemistry and (ii) 185 interviews conducted with a subsample of 18 young people who had been longitudinally tracked from age 10 to 22 (with 17 of their parents) who took advanced level chemistry and then either did (n = 5), or did not (n = 13) go on to study for a chemistry degree. Analysis revealed four key reasons for not/choosing chemistry that were present to varying extents in both the quantitative and qualitative data (relative interest, connection and options; experiences of chemistry A level; feeling “not/clever enough”; and views of chemistry jobs). Four additional factors were predominantly found in the qualitative data (associations of chemistry with masculinity; encouragement from a significant adult; views of higher education; and chemistry work experience/outreach). Applying a sociological lens, we suggest that not/choosing chemistry was a relational process, produced through interactions of habitus, capital, and field. We identify conceptual and methodological implications and extrapolate reasons why chemistry degree enrolments may be declining, offering suggestions for how chemistry education might further support participation.
Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia and concomitant lung lobe torsion in a dog
Authors: Álvarez Mínguez Lorena , Bregón David Casado , L'Eplattenier Henry , Petite Audrey
Published: October 2022

A 7‐month‐old, male, entire Weimaraner was referred for surgical repair of a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia. Thoracic radiographs confirmed a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia and showed a vesicular emphysema pattern, suggestive of lung lobe torsion. Herniorrhaphy to repair the peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was performed, and exploratory median sternotomy revealed a torsion of the right middle lung lobe, as well as complete atelectasis of the right caudal lung lobe. Lung lobectomies were performed, and an autologous pericardial flap was used to repair the diaphragmatic defect. A second operation was required because of the suspicion of active bleeding. It was discharged after 6 days of hospitalisation. It is our hypothesis that peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia contributed to the lung lobe torsion due to alterations in the spatial dimensions of the thoracic cavity. Lung lobe torsion has been previously associated with traumatic diaphragmatic herniation in dogs and cats, and has also been reported in a cat with a congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia and chylothorax.
Electroweak phase transition in 2HDM under Higgs, Z-pole, and W precision measurements
Authors: Song Huayang , Su Wei , Zhang Mengchao
Published: October 2022

Abstract

In this work we revisit the existence of a strong first order electroweak phase transition (SFOEWPT) and recent mW precision measurement in the Type-I and Type-II 2HDMs. The $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(100) GeV new scalars in 2HDMs are favored by SFOEWPT, which is necessary for electroweak baryogenesis, and observed mW shift as well. We find that under current constraints, both Type-I and Type-II 2HDM can explain the SFOEWPT, Z-pole, Higgs precision measurements and mW precision measurement of CDF-II at same time, and all these precision measurements are sensitive to heavy Higgs mass splitting in 2HDM. The allowed regions are ∆mA/C ∈ (−400, 400) GeV, tan β ∈ (1, 50), and ∆mA/C ∈ (−200, 300) GeV, tan β ∈ (1, 10) for Type-I and Type-II 2HDM respectively. Furthermore future lepton collider measurements on Higgs and Z boson properties can explore this scenario in more detail or even rule out it.
The infinite product of contraction semigroups on $$l^{1}({\mathbb {N}})$$ and $$l^{\infty }({\mathbb {N}})$$
Authors: Nieznaj Ernest
Published: October 2022

I provide an example of a family of commuting contraction semigroups $$(e^{t B_{n}})_{n\in {\mathbb {N}}}$$

(

e

t

B
n

)

n
∈
N

defined on $$l^{1}({\mathbb {N}})$$

l
1

(
N
)

such that the product semigroup $$\prod _{n=1}^{\infty }e^{tB_{n}}$$

∏

n
=
1

∞

e

t

B
n

exists and has bounded generator. The infinite product of the corresponding family of adjoint semigroups $$(e^{t B_{n}^{*}})_{n\in {\mathbb {N}}}$$

(

e

t

B

n

∗

)

n
∈
N

defined on $$l^{\infty }({\mathbb {N}})$$

l
∞

(
N
)

also exists and its generator is bounded. I give explicit formulae for these generators. The results follow from a general convergence theorem for such semigroups proved in Arendt et al. (J Funct Anal 160: 524–542, 1998).
Iron and iron-related proteins in alcohol consumers: cellular and clinical aspects
Authors: Ferrao Kevin , Ali Najma , Mehta Kosha J.
Published: October 2022

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases. Its pathological spectrum includes the overlapping stages of hepatic steatosis/steatohepatitis that can progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis; both are risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, ALD diagnosis and management pose several challenges. The early pathological stages are reversible by alcohol abstinence, but these early stages are often asymptomatic, and currently, there is no specific laboratory biomarker or diagnostic test that can confirm ALD etiology. Alcohol consumers frequently show dysregulation of iron and iron-related proteins. Examination of iron-related parameters in this group may aid in early disease diagnosis and better prognosis and management. For this, a coherent overview of the status of iron and iron-related proteins in alcohol consumers is essential. Therefore, here, we collated and reviewed the alcohol-induced alterations in iron and iron-related proteins. Reported observations include unaltered, increased, or decreased levels of hemoglobin and serum iron, increments in intestinal iron absorption (facilitated via upregulations of duodenal divalent metal transporter-1 and ferroportin), serum ferritin and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, decrements in serum hepcidin, decreased or unaltered levels of transferrin, increased or unaltered levels of transferrin saturation, and unaltered levels of soluble transferrin receptor. Laboratory values of iron and iron-related proteins in alcohol consumers are provided for reference. The causes and mechanisms underlying these alcohol-induced alterations in iron parameters and anemia in ALD are explained. Notably, alcohol consumption by hemochromatosis (iron overload) patients worsens disease severity due to the synergistic effects of excess iron and alcohol.
Activation of autophagy triggers mitochondrial loss and changes acetylation profile relevant for mechanotransduction in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Jobst Maximilian , Kiss Endre , Gerner Christopher , Marko Doris , Del Favero Giorgia
Published: October 2022

Bladder cells are constantly exposed to multiple xenobiotics and bioactive metabolites. In addition to this challenging chemical environment, they are also exposed to shear stress originating from urine and interstitial fluids. Hence, physiological function of bladder cells relies on a high biochemical and biomechanical adaptive competence, which, in turn, is largely supported via autophagy-related mechanisms. As a negative side of this plasticity, bladder cancer cells are known to adapt readily to chemotherapeutic programs. At the molecular level, autophagy was described to support resistance against pharmacological treatments and to contribute to the maintenance of cell structure and metabolic competence. In this study, we enhanced autophagy with rapamycin (1–100 nM) and assessed its effects on the motility of bladder cells, as well as the capability to respond to shear stress. We observed that rapamycin reduced cell migration and the mechanical-induced translocation potential of Krüppel-like transcription factor 2 (KLF2). These effects were accompanied by a rearrangement of cytoskeletal elements and mitochondrial loss. In parallel, intracellular acetylation levels were decreased. Mechanistically, inhibition of the NAD + -dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) with nicotinamide (NAM; 0.1–5 mM) restored acetylation levels hampered by rapamycin and cell motility. Taken together, we described the effects of rapamycin on cytoskeletal elements crucial for mechanotransduction and the dependency of these changes on the mitochondrial turnover caused by autophagy activation. Additionally, we could show that targeted metabolic intervention could revert the outcome of autophagy activation, reinforcing the idea that bladder cells can easily adapt to multiple xenobiotics and circumvent in this way the effects of single chemicals.
Standardization of Trauma, General Surgical Morbidity and Mortality Conferences: Development and Dissemination of a “Toolkit” in Peru
Authors: Zavala Wong Gabriela , Rodriguez Castro Manuel J. , Huaman Egoavil Eduardo , Valderrama Roberto , Mock Charles N. , Herrera‐Matta Juan J. , Aragon Gianni , Peterson Ryan , Jin Ying , LaGrone Lacey N.
Published: October 2022

Background

Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conferences allow clinicians to review adverse events and identify areas for improvement. There are few reports of structured M&M conferences in low‐ and middle‐income countries and no report of collaborative efforts to standardize them.

Methods

The present study aims to gather general surgeons representing most of Peru's urban surgical care and, in collaboration, with trauma quality improvement experts develop a M&M conferences toolkit with the expectation that its diffusion impacts their reported clinical practice. Fourteen general surgeons developed a toolkit as part of a working group under the auspices of the Peruvian General Surgery Society. After three years, we conducted an anonymous written questionnaire to follow‐up previous observations of quality improvement practices.

Results

A four‐component toolkit was developed: Toolkit component #1: Conference logistics and case selection; Toolkit component #2: Documenting form; Toolkit component #3: Presentation template; and Toolkit component #4: Code of conduct. The toolkit was disseminated to 10 hospitals in 2016. Its effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the results of surveys on quality improvement practices conducted in 2016, before toolkit dissemination (101 respondents) and 2019 (105 respondents). Lower attendance was reported by surgeons in 2019. However, in 2019, participants more frequently described “improve the system” as the perceived objective of M&M conferences (70.5% vs. 38.6% in 2016; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We established a toolkit for the national dissemination of a standardized M&M conference. Three years following the initial assessment in Peru, we found similar practice patterns except for increased reporting of “system improvement” as the goal of M&M conferences.
Fine-Tuned Immune Antagonism and Nodule-Specific Cysteine-Rich Peptides Govern the Symbiotic Specificity Between Alfalfa Cultivars and Ensifer meliloti
Authors: Kang Wenjuan , Li Xiaolong , Zhang Xiaoyan , Shi Shangli
Published: October 2022

Alfalfa expresses significantly distinct sets of genes in response to infection with different rhizobial strains at the below species level (i.e., biotype or strain). However, differences in the transcriptomic profiles of two alfalfa cultivars nodulated by a single rhizobium strain have been largely unexamined. In this study, comparative RNA-seq analysis of two alfalfa cultivars,Medicago sativacv. Gannong No. 3 (G3) and cv. Gannong No. 9 (G9) inoculated with oneEnsifer melilotistrain LL2, with varying symbiotic performance, was conducted, followed by hub gene interaction network construction based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The G9-LL2 symbiotic system showed better nodule formation, nitrogen fixation, and growth characteristics than the G3-LL2 system. Compared with the non-inoculated control, the LL2-inoculated G9 plants (10,053) produced more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than the LL2-inoculated G3 plants (7112). A group of 227 genes displayed completely distinguished expression in G9 (6.63 < log2(FC) < 15.45) and G3 (‒ 3.05 < log2(FC) < 12.05), which are primarily involved in encoding nodule-specific cysteine-rich peptides (NCRs), nodulin, and leghemoglobin. Although genes with predicted roles in nitrogen metabolism were primarily upregulated and almost all of those in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and plant–pathogen interaction were suppressed, interestingly, a consistently higher expression level measured by log2(FC) was observed in G9 plants. Hub gene interaction networks showed that NCRs, late nodulin, and genes related to plant immunity (TIR-NBS-LRR, defensin, thioredoxin, thionine, and polygalacturonase) regulate other genes at the source node positions. After successful initiation of nodulation in both alfalfa cultivars G3 and G9 byE. melilotistrain LL2, G9 achieved preferable outcomes of rhizobia–alfalfa symbiosis by equilibrating the antagonism and compatibility of plant immunity. It elevated PTI, suppressed defense and ETI, and enhanced nitrogen fixation and utilization efficiency by inducing the expression of genes encoding NIN, NFH1, LysM-RLK, LRP, NCRs, nodulin, and leghemoglobin. Hub genes were predominantly associated with highly specific rhizobia–alfalfa symbiosis positively governed by NCRs and fine-tuned immune antagonism, comprising NCRs, late nodulin, and TIR-NBS-LRR. These findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the modification and efficient utilization of semi-compatible and incompatible rhizobial resources.
Influence of interrupted versus continuous suture technique on intestinal anastomotic leakage rate in patients with Crohn’s disease — a propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Mittelstädt Anke , von Loeffelholz Tobias , Weber Klaus , Denz Axel , Krautz Christian , Grützmann Robert , Weber Georg F. , Brunner Maximilian
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Intestinal anastomosis is a crucial step in most intestinal resections, as anastomotic leakage is often associated with severe consequences for affected patients. There are especially two different techniques for hand-sewn intestinal anastomosis: the interrupted suture technique (IST) and the continuous suture technique (CST). This study investigated whether one of these two suture techniques is associated with a lower rate of anastomotic leakage.

Methods

A retrospective review of 332 patients with Crohn’s disease who received at least one hand-sewn colonic anastomosis at our institution from 2010 to 2020 was performed. Using propensity score matching 183 patients with IST were compared to 96 patients with CST in regard to the impact of the anastomotic technique on patient outcomes.

Results

Overall anastomotic leakage rate was 5%. Leakage rate did not differ between the suture technique groups (IST: 6% vs. CST: 3%, p = 0.393). Multivariate analysis revealed the ASA score as only independent risk factor for anastomotic leakage (OR 5.3 (95% CI = 1.2–23.2), p = 0.026). Suture technique also showed no significant influence on morbidity and the re-surgery rate in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the chosen suture technique (interrupted vs. continuous) has no influence on postoperative outcome, especially on anastomotic leakage rate. This finding should be confirmed by a randomized controlled trial.
Volumetry improves the assessment of the vestibular aqueduct size in inner ear malformation
Authors: Weiss Nora M. , Breitsprecher Tabita M. , Pscheidl Alexander , Bächinger David , Volkenstein Stefan , Dazert Stefan , Mlynski Robert , Langner Sönke , Roland Peter , Dhanasingh Anandhan
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is a common finding associated with inner ear malformations (IEM). However, uniform radiologic definitions for EVA are missing and various 2D-measurement methods to define EVA have been reported. This study evaluates VA volume in different types of IEM and compares 3D-reconstructed VA volume to 2D-measurements.

Methods

A total of 98 high-resolution CT (HRCT) data sets from temporal bones were analyzed (56 with IEM; [cochlear hypoplasia (CH; n = 18), incomplete partition type I (IPI; n = 12) and type II (IPII; n = 11) and EVA (n = 15)]; 42 controls). VA diameter was measured in axial images. VA volume was analyzed by software-based, semi-automatic segmentation and 3D-reconstruction. Differences in VA volume between the groups and associations between VA volume and VA diameter were assessed. Inter-rater-reliability (IRR) was assessed using the intra-class-correlation-coefficient (ICC).

Results

Larger VA volumes were found in IEM compared to controls. Significant differences in VA volume between patients with EVA and controls (p < 0.001) as well as between IPII and controls (p < 0.001) were found. VA diameter at the midpoint (VA midpoint) and at the operculum (VA operculum) correlated to VA volume in IPI (VA midpoint: r = 0.78, VA operculum: r = 0.91), in CH (VA midpoint: r = 0.59, VA operculum: r = 0.61), in EVA (VA midpoint: r = 0.55, VA operculum: r = 0.66) and in controls (VA midpoint: r = 0.36, VA operculum: r = 0.42). The highest IRR was found for VA volume (ICC = 0.90).

Conclusions

The VA diameter may be an insufficient estimate of VA volume, since (1) measurement of VA diameter does not reliably correlate with VA volume and (2) VA diameter shows a lower IRR than VA volume. 3D-reconstruction and VA volumetry may add information in diagnosing EVA in cases with or without additional IEM.
Prognostic factors in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia—novel tools for determining patient outcomes
Authors: Sinz Stefanie , Schneider Marcel A. , Graber Simon , Alkadhi Hatem , Rickenbacher Andreas , Turina Matthias
Published: October 2022

Background

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a devastating disease with poor prognosis. Due to the multitude of underlying factors, prediction of outcomes remains poor. We aimed to identify factors governing diagnosis and survival in AMI and develop novel prognostic tools.

Methods

This monocentric retrospective study analyzed patients with suspected AMI undergoing imaging between January 2014 and December 2019. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with confirmed AMI undergoing surgery. Nomograms were calculated based on multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Five hundred and thirty-nine patients underwent imaging for clinically suspected AMI, with 216 examinations showing radiological indication of AMI. Intestinal necrosis (IN) was confirmed in 125 undergoing surgery, 58 of which survived and 67 died (median 9 days after diagnosis, IQR 22). Increasing age, ASA score, pneumatosis intestinalis, and dilated bowel loops were significantly associated with presence of IN upon radiological suspicion. In contrast, decreased pH, elevated creatinine, radiological atherosclerosis, vascular occlusion (versus non-occlusive AMI), and colonic affection (compared to small bowel ischemia only) were associated with impaired survival in patients undergoing surgery. Based on the identified factors, we developed two nomograms to aid in prediction of IN upon radiological suspicion (C-Index = 0.726) and survival in patients undergoing surgery for IN (C-Index = 0.791).

Conclusion

As AMI remains a condition with high mortality, we identified factors predicting occurrence of IN with suspected AMI and survival when undergoing surgery for IN. We provide two new tools, which combine these parameters and might prove helpful in treatment of patients with AMI.
A global survey on the utilization of cryotherapy and compression therapy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Chan Alexandre , Elsayed Amna , Ng Ding Quan , Ruddy Kathryn , Loprinzi Charles , Lustberg Maryam
Published: October 2022

Background

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a serious side effect that is highly prevalent among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. There is a growing use of cryotherapy (CryTx) and compression therapy (ComTx) to prevent CIPN at cancer centers worldwide. In this study, we examined the awareness and recommendation of these modalities and evaluated factors associated with awareness. In addition, we investigated the type of technology utilized, barriers to implementation, and perceived adverse events of CryTx and ComTx.

Methods

Active members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care of Cancer (MASCC) were invited to complete an electronic survey that was sent via SurveyMonkey between September and October 2021. The survey assessed participants’ awareness, recommendation, usage, barriers to utilization, and perceived adverse events of CryTx and ComTx. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were utilized to analyze findings.

Results

Out of 184 participants, 70.1% were physicians, 73.4% had over 10 years of practice, and 49.5% were practicing in an outpatient setting. While more than half (63.3%) of participants indicated awareness of CryTx for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy, less than a quarter (22.8%) indicated recommendation in their practice setting. Factors associated with higher awareness of CryTx for patients receiving taxanes include living in Europe (OR = 2.69, 95% CI [1.28–5.64], p = 0.009), not practicing in an inpatient setting (OR = 3.15, 95% CI [1.45–6.85], p = 0.004), and self-identifying as non-physician (OR = 2.40, 95% CI [1.03–4.37], p = 0.041). Commercial cooling (31.5%) and compression (16.8%) gloves and socks were the most used modalities for CryTx and ComTx, respectively. The most identified barriers to CryTx and ComTx utilization include insufficient evidence (53.5%), logistics (34.8%), and patient discomfort (23.4%). Redness/irritation of skin (27.7%) and numbness/tingling (24.5%) accounted for about half of the perceived adverse events associated with use of CryTx and ComTx.

Conclusion

Results of our global survey illustrated that there are varying modes in the delivery of CryTx and ComTx among cancer centers around the world. Education of the utilization of CryTx and ComTx, in addition to efficacy and implementation studies, is needed to close the gap between awareness and implementation in clinical practice.
Therapeutic strategies for retention of cranioplasty titanium mesh after mesh exposure
Authors: Zhao Yao-Hua , Feng Yu-Hong , Deng Hai-Tao , Huang Wei-Qi , Xu Li-Hong , Meng Xian-Ping , Xie Xu-Gang
Published: October 2022

Background

Titanium mesh exposure after cranioplasty is a possible complication and is usually managed by mesh removal and flap transfer, but the advantages of the rigid prosthesis are then lost. This study aimed to present our experience with negative pressure wound therapy combined with soft tissue dilation for retaining the titanium mesh in patients with mesh exposure after cranioplasty.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients treated between 01/2016 and 05/2019 at the Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University School of Medicine. The wound was cleaned, and a cystic space was created for the tissue dilator, which was used with a self-designed negative pressure dressing. After the target dilation was achieved, the repair was conducted while retaining the titanium mesh.

Results

Eight patients were included (seven males and one female; 53.6 ± 8.8 (range, 43–65) years of age). The exposed mesh area ranged from 1 × 1 to 4 × 5.5 cm. The thinning scalp area around the exposed mesh ranged from 3.6 × 3.8 to 4 × 5.5 cm. Five patients had positive wound cultures and received sensitive antibiotics. The dilator embedding time was 20–28 days. The time of negative pressure wound therapy was 25–33 days. The hospital stay was 30–41 days. Primary wound healing was achieved in all eight patients. There were no signs of recurrence after 6–18 months of follow-up. The cranial CT scans were unremarkable.

Conclusions

Negative pressure wound therapy combined with soft tissue dilation for exposed titanium mesh after cranioplasty might help retain the titanium mesh.
A novel framework for generalizing dynamic movement primitives under kinematic constraints
Authors: Sidiropoulos Antonis , Papageorgiou Dimitrios , Doulgeri Zoe
Published: October 2022

In this work, we propose a novel framework for generalizing a desired trajectory pattern, encoded using Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMP), subject to kinematic constraints. DMP have been extensively used in robotics for encoding and reproducing kinematic behaviours, thanks to their generalization, stability and robustness properties. However, incorporating kinematic constraints has not yet been fully addressed. To this end, we design an optimization framework, based on the DMP formulation from our previous work, for generalizing trajectory patterns, encoded with DMP subject to kinematic constraints, considering also time-varying target and time duration, via-point and obstacle constraints. Simulations highlight these properties and comparisons are drawn with other approaches for enforcing constraints on DMP. The usefulness and applicability of the proposed framework is showcased in experimental scenarios, including a handover, where the target and time duration vary, and placing scenarios, where obstacles are dynamically introduced in the scene.
An Examination of Community Awareness and Understanding of Patron Banning Provisions in Western Australia: Implications for Policy Development and Success
Authors: Farmer Clare , Miller Peter , Kennedy Sally , Saligari Jessica , Gretgrix Emma
Published: October 2022

Individuals who engage in problematic behaviours within Australian night-time entertainment precincts can be banned from entering certain locations. Bans are expected to deter recipients and the wider community from further inappropriate behaviours. The collective effect is intended to reduce crime and increase safety within entertainment precincts. This study examined public awareness and understanding of two patron banning mechanisms (police barring notices and prohibition orders) used across Western Australia (WA). An anonymous survey was completed by 1018 respondents, and interviews were conducted with 54 stakeholders. Survey participants had limited awareness of patron banning: 75% had not heard of police barring notices; 87% had not heard of prohibition orders. Knowledge was higher for individuals directly associated with a ban recipient. Stakeholders also perceived a low level of community awareness and understanding of patron banning. Patron banning may have some merit as a specific deterrent for recipients but, in WA, the lack of public knowledge means that the banning provisions may currently have limited effect as a general deterrent. Public awareness should be increased in order to optimise the direct and consequential effects of patron banning policy.
Explanatory artificial intelligence (YAI): human-centered explanations of explainable AI and complex data
Authors: Sovrano Francesco , Vitali Fabio
Published: October 2022

In this paper we introduce a new class of software tools engaged in delivering successful explanations of complex processes on top of basic Explainable AI (XAI) software systems. These tools, that we call cumulatively Explanatory AI (YAI) systems, enhance the quality of the basic output of a XAI by adopting a user-centred approach to explanation that can cater to the individual needs of the explainees with measurable improvements in usability. Our approach is based on Achinstein’s theory of explanations, where explaining is an illocutionary (i.e., broad yet pertinent and deliberate) act of pragmatically answering a question. Accordingly, user-centrality enters in the equation by considering that the overall amount of information generated by answering all questions can rapidly become overwhelming and that individual users may perceive the need to explore just a few of them. In this paper, we give the theoretical foundations of YAI, formally defining a user-centred explanatory tool and the space of all possible explanations, or explanatory space, generated by it. To this end, we frame the explanatory space as an hypergraph of knowledge and we identify a set of heuristics and properties that can help approximating a decomposition of it into a tree-like representation for efficient and user-centred explanation retrieval. Finally, we provide some old and new empirical results to support our theory, showing that explanations are more than textual or visual presentations of the sole information provided by a XAI.
The spatial dimension of shifting commonsensical understandings
Authors: Karasz Daniele
Published: October 2022

In this article, I engage with the spatial dimensions of Gramsci’s work and look at common sense through a primarily spatial lens. I discuss how changing commonsensical understandings concerning migration do more than redefine persons as “migrants” or “non-migrants.” As such, I underline how socio-spatial relations are also renegotiated symbolically, in practice, and on multiple scales. Thereby, I take the role of common sense in Lefebvre’s idea of spatial production as an entry point for the analysis. I then link this perspective to migration scholarship that discusses how the relational positioning of localities at specific historic conjunctures influences the differentiation between “migrants” and “non-migrants.” The empirical material was gathered in two fieldwork periods in 2011 and 2018 in the Monte Laa neighborhood of Vienna, Austria. I describe the repositioning of the neighborhood in everyday practices and commonsensical imaginaries both in an urban context and the transnational context of Central and Southeast European space. Comparing commonsensical imaginaries from 2018 with those from 2011, the so-called 2015 “refugee crisis” emerges as a moment of conjunctural rupture.
Assessment of Ismailia Canal for irrigation purposes by water quality indices
Authors: Amer Amany S. , Mohamed Walaa S.
Published: October 2022

Ismailia Canal is one of the significant streams of the Nile River in Egypt. The study aimed to determine the water quality of Ismailia Canal based on the regional and seasonal variability of physicochemical parameters, irrigation criteria, and the irrigation water quality index (IWQI). It was observed that the physicochemical parameters were within the acceptable FAO irrigation limits. All cations and anions values were within the acceptable FAO limits for irrigation, except the potassium (K+) concentrations were over the permissible irrigation limits. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) suggested a significant seasonal variation in the canal’s water quality concerning all parameters (p value ˂ 0.05). However, the regional variation among various sites was statistically insignificant (p value > 0.05). Statistical analysis was used to calculate the correlation coefficient between different parameters, and the study showed highly significant correlation coefficients between different pairs of water quality parameters. The correlation matrix showed that the pH significantly affected IWQI (r = 0.661). The irrigation criterion values for Ismailia Canal were good, and the WQI levels for irrigation utilization at all studied sites were satisfactory. Deterioration of water quality may occur due to industrial, municipal, and agricultural activities. Drainage water should be treated before being mixed with irrigation water to improve its suitability for irrigation.
Flower strips as a carbon sequestration measure in temperate croplands
Authors: Harbo Laura Sofie , Schulz Gesa , Heinemann Henrike , Dechow Rene , Poeplau Christopher
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Flower strips have been shown to increase insect biodiversity and improve agricultural yields through increased pollination and pest predation. Less is known about their potential to increase soil organic carbon (SOC). We aimed to investigate the biomass production and SOC sequestration potential of flower strips as a sustainable management option of temperate agricultural soils.

Methods

23 flower strips across varying soil types and climatic regions in Germany were sampled for aboveground and belowground peak biomass in order to estimate the annual carbon input to the soil. Those were used as 23 scenarios to model the potential SOC sequestration of the flower strips compared to a business-as-usual scenario for 1533 sites of the German Agricultural Soil Inventory using the RothC model.

Results

On average, flower strips sequestered 0.48 ± 0.36 Mg C ha−1 year−1 in the initial 20-year period after establishment. Converting 1 % of the total German cropland area into flower strips would thus lead to a mitigation of 0.24 Tg CO2 year−1, which equals 0.4 % of current agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Germany.

We found a negative correlation between C sequestration rate and the number of plant species in the flower strips, mainly related to grasses outcompeting herbaceous species.

Conclusion

Flower strips are one overlooked option for increasing SOC stocks of croplands that has multiple benefits for agro-ecosystems. However, within a flower strip it might not be possible to maximise both plant biodiversity and SOC sequestration.