bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating and/or cutaneous irisin resistance: A novel link among androgenetic alopecia, comorbid metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risks
Authors: Dawoud Noha M. , Dawoud Marwa M. , El Hefnawy Sally M. , Abdellatif Hayam A. , Abdellatif Naglaa H. , Gaafar Sara S. , Seleit Iman
Published: May 2023

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common cause of hair loss in both genders that may be associated with disturbed systemic metabolism. Irisin is a hormone‐like myokine that greatly influences systemic metabolism and is linked to cardiovascular diseases.

Aim

To detect irisin role in AGA and its associated metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular risk.

Patients/Methods

This case–control study included 44 AGA patients of both genders and 22 healthy individuals. Serum irisin level was measured using ELISA and scalp biopsy was taken to detect irisin immunohistochemically. Carotid Doppler ultrasonography was performed to measure carotid intima media thickness (CIMT).

Results

Higher serum irisin was significantly detected in AGA patients (p ˂ 0.001), and in males (p = 0.01) particularly severe cases (p ˂ 0.001). It was significantly higher in AGA patients presenting with MetS and those suffering from dyslipidemia (p ˂ 0.001 for both). Multivariate regression analysis proved BMI (p = 0.01) and serum irisin (p = 0.02) as independent predictors of CIMT abnormality among AGA patients. Regarding cutaneous irisin expression, the epidermal H‐score was significantly higher in AGA patients with MetS compared to those without (p = 0.04). Epidermal H‐score ˃100 was significantly associated with male gender (p = 0.05), severe AGA (p = 0.02), MetS (p = 0.03), dyslipidemia (p = 0.03), and abnormal CIMT (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

High serum irisin and upregulated epidermal irisin expression are associated with the incidence of MetS, dyslipidemia, and CIMT abnormality among AGA patients. This may indicate resistance to irisin, which hinders its favorable cardiometabolic actions. Further studies are warranted to investigate the concept of irisin resistance in AGA patients, which was uniquely discussed in the present study.
Incidence, temporal profile and neuroanatomic correlates of poststroke epilepsy
Authors: Winder Klemens , Bobinger Tobias , Seifert Frank , Mrochen Anne , Haupenthal David , Knott Michael , Dörfler Arnd , Hilz Max J. , Schwab Stefan , Fröhlich Kilian
Published: May 2023

Background and Purpose

The relationship between ischemic stroke site and occurrence of poststroke epilepsy (PSE) is incompletely understood. This study intended to evaluate incidence and temporal profiles of seizures and to correlate ischemic lesion sites with PSE using voxel‐based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM).

Methods

Patients with imaging‐confirmed first‐ever ischemic stroke without prior history of epilepsy were prospectively included. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were assessed. Data on seizures and modified Rankin scale scores were determined within a 90‐day period after stroke onset. Ischemic lesion sites were correlated voxel wise with occurrence of PSE using nonparametric permutation test. Age‐ and sex‐matched patients with first‐ever ischemic strokes without PSE after 90 days served as controls for the VLSM analysis.

Results

The stroke database contained 809 patients (mean age: 68.4 ± 14.2 years) with first‐ever imaging‐confirmed ischemic strokes without history of epilep. Incidence of PSE after 90‐day follow‐up was 2.8%. Five additional patients were admitted to the emergency department with a seizure after 90‐day follow‐up. Fifty percent of the seizures occurred in the acute phase after stroke. PSE patients had higher NIHSS scores and infarct volumes compared to controls without PSE (p < .05). PSE patients had infarcts predominantly involving the cerebral cortex. The hemisphere‐specific VLSM analysis shows associations between PSE and damaged voxels in the left‐hemispheric temporo‐occipital transition zone.

Conclusions

The data indicate that PSE occurs in a small proportion of patients with rather large ischemic strokes predominantly involving the cerebral cortex. Especially patients with ischemic lesions in the temporo‐occipital cortex are vulnerable to develop PSE.
The LRP5 high‐bone‐mass mutation causes alveolar bone accrual with minor craniofacial alteration
Authors: Turkkahraman Hakan , Flanagan Shannan , Zhu Tianli , Bellido Teresita M. , Yuan Xue
Published: May 2023

Background and Objective

Mutations in low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 5 (LRP5) cause various bone diseases. Several mouse models were generated to study the role of LRP5 in bone development. But most of the studies were confined to the appendicular skeleton. The role of LRP5 in the axial skeleton, especially in the craniofacial skeleton, is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the craniofacial phenotype with the LRP5G171V mutation.

Methods

To understand how LRP5 affects craniofacial bone properties, we analyzed LRP5 high‐bone‐mass mutant mice carrying the G171V missense mutation (LRP5HBM). Quantitative microcomputed tomographic imaging and histomorphometric analyses were used to study craniofacial phenotypes and bone density. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo fluorochrome labeling were used to study molecular mechanisms.

Results

LRP5HBM mice showed overall minor changes in the craniofacial bone development but with increased bone mass in the interradicular alveolar bone, edentulous ridge, palatine bone, and premaxillary suture. Elevated osteocyte density was observed in LRP5HBM mice, along with increased Runx2 expression and unmineralized bone surrounding osteocytes. Meanwhile, LRP5HBM mice exhibited increased osteoprogenitors, but no significant changes were observed in osteoclasts. This led to a high‐bone‐mass phenotype, and an increased osteocyte density in the alveolar bone and edentulous ridge.

Conclusion

LRP5HBM mice display increased bone mass in the alveolar bone with minor changes in the craniofacial morphology. Collectively, these data elucidated the important role of LRP5 in axial bone development and homeostasis and provided clues into the therapeutical potential of LRP5 signaling in treating alveolar bone loss.
Role of CXCR5+CD8+ T cells in human hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Zhou Juan , He Xiaojing , Ou Yangjing , Peng Shuang , Li Dan , Zhou Qing , Fu Jingli , Long Yunzhu , Tan Yingzheng
Published: May 2023

The replication of HBV in hepatocytes can be effectively inhibited by lifelong antiviral therapy. Because of the long‐term presence of HBV reservoirs, the virus rebound frequently occurs once the treatment is stopped, which poses a considerable obstacle to the complete removal of the virus. In terms of gene composition, regulation of B cell action and function, CXCR5+CD8+ T cells are similar to CXCR5+CD4+ T follicular helper cells, while these cells are characterized by elevated programmed cell death 1 and cytotoxic‐related proteins. CXCR5+CD8+T cells are strongly associated with progression in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In addition, CXCR5 expression on the surface of CD8+ T cells is mostly an indicator of memory stem cell‐like failure in progenitor cells in cancer that are more responsive to immune checkpoint blocking therapy. Furthermore, the phenomena have also been demonstrated in some viral infections, highlighting the duality of the cellular immune response of CXCR5+CD8+ T cells. This mini‐review will focus on the function of CXCR5+CD8+ T cells in HBV infection and discuss the function of these CD8+ T cells and the potential of associated co‐stimulators or cytokines in HBV therapeutic strategies.
How vulnerable are Wular Lake fishing communities compared to non‐fishing communities in rural Kashmir? Insights and interventions for development
Authors: Atufa Regu , Ananthan Pachampalayam Shanmugam , Argade Shivaji Dadabhau , Qureshi Neha Wajahat
Published: May 2023

Wular Lake, one of the largest wetlands in Asia (13,000 ha in Kashmir Valley) is a biodiversity‐rich Ramsar site supporting nearly 32,000 rural people involved in harvesting fish, water chestnuts, lotus stems and fodder. With 2914 active fishers, Wular Lake contributes 54% of Kashmir's total fish catch. Large‐scale land‐use changes and global warming have resulted in siltation, reduced lake area and alterations in the water flow regime, threatening lake ecology and human livelihoods. A novel census‐based multi‐criteria Socio‐Economic Vulnerability Index (SEVI) was used to assess the vulnerability status of 23 fishing and 115 non‐fishing adjacent villages. All the fishing villages exhibited ‘low’ (0.21–0.40) vulnerability levels, exceptKunasvillage (0.42). Interestingly, no significant differences could be found in vulnerability levels between fishing (23) and non‐fishing (115) villages, although the former exhibited relativelyhighersocial sensitivity. A graphical decision matrix based on sensitivity and adaptive capacity scores provided a snapshot of vulnerability status for each village. Using SEVI scores,drivers(i.e., key indicators responsible for high sensitivity & low adaptive capacity) were identified and corresponding village‐specific development interventions are suggested withKunasas an illustrative case village. Improving education levels, strengthening community and rural infrastructure, and expanding livelihood options were key short‐term strategies for improving resilience in Kashmir's Wular region.
The ever‐increasing necessity of mass spectrometry in dissecting protein post‐translational modifications catalyzed by bacterial effectors
Authors: Jin Jie , Yuan Yi , Xian Wei , Tang Zhiheng , Fu Jiaqi , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: May 2023

Protein post‐translational modifications (PTMs), such as ADP‐ribosylation and phosphorylation, regulate multiple fundamental biological processes in cells. During bacterial infection, effector proteins are delivered into host cells through dedicated bacterial secretion systems and can modulate important cellular pathways by covalently modifying their host targets. These strategies enable intruding bacteria to subvert various host processes, thereby promoting their own survival and proliferation. Despite rapid expansion of our understanding of effector‐mediated PTMs in host cells, analytical measurements of these molecular events still pose significant challenges in the study of host–pathogen interactions. Nevertheless, with major technical breakthroughs in the last two decades, mass spectrometry (MS) has evolved to be a valuable tool for detecting protein PTMs and mapping modification sites. Additionally, large‐scale PTM profiling, facilitated by different enrichment strategies prior to MS analysis, allows high‐throughput screening of host enzymatic substrates of bacterial effectors. In this review, we summarize the advances in the studies of two representative PTMs (i.e., ADP‐ribosylation and phosphorylation) catalyzed by bacterial effectors during infection. Importantly, we will discuss the ever‐increasing role of MS in understanding these molecular events and how the latest MS‐based tools can aid in future studies of this booming area of pathogenic bacteria–host interactions.
Gummy stem blight: One disease, three pathogens
Authors: Seblani Rewa , Keinath Anthony P. , Munkvold Gary
Published: May 2023

Gummy stem blight (GSB) is a major disease of cucurbits worldwide. It is caused by three fungal species that are morphologically identical and have overlapping geographic and host ranges. Controlling GSB is challenging due to the lack of resistant cultivars and the pathogens' significant ability to develop resistance to systemic fungicides. The causal agent of GSB is recognized as a complex of three phylogenetically distinct species belonging to domain Eukaryota, kingdom Fungi, phylum Ascomycota, subphylum Pezizomycotina, class Dothideomycetes, subclass Pleosporomycetida, order Pleosporales, family Didymellaceae, genus Stagonosporopsis, species cucurbitacearum, citrulli, and caricae. Pycnidia are tan with dark rings of cells around the ostiole measuring 120–180 μm in diameter. Conidia are 6–13 μm long, hyaline, cylindrical with round ends, and non‐ or monoseptate. Pseudothecia are black and globose in shape and have a diameter of 125–213 μm. Ascospores are 14–18 × 4–6 μm long, hyaline, ellipsoidal with round ends, and monoseptate with a distinct constriction at the septum. Eight ascospores are found per ascus. The upper end of the apical cell is pointed, whereas the lower end of the bottom cell is blunt. Species‐specific PCR primers that can be used in a multiplex conventional PCR assay are available. The GSB species complex is pathogenic to 37 species of cucurbits from 21 different genera. S. cucurbitacearum and S. citrulli are specific to cucurbits, while S. caricae is also pathogenic to papaya and babaco‐mirim (Vasconcellea monoica), a related fruit. Under favourable environmental conditions, symptoms can appear 3–12 days after spore germination. Leaf spots often start at the leaf margin or extend to the margins. Spots expand and coalesce, resulting in leaf blighting. Active lesions are typically water‐soaked. Cankers are observed on crowns, main stems, and vines. Red to amber gummy exudates are often seen on the stems after cankers develop on cortical tissue.
Invasive fusariosis in acute leukaemia patients—An outbreak in the haematology ward
Authors: Mohorea‐Neata Andreea‐Lacramioara , Ghita Mihaela Camelia , Moroti Ruxandra , Ghiaur Alexandra , Ionescu Bogdan , Tatic Aurelia , Stancioaica Maria Camelia , Bardas Alexandru , Al‐Hatmi Abdullah , Coriu Daniel
Published: May 2023

Fusarium, a common fungus, emerges as a pathogen in severely immunocompromised patients. We present a series of patients who developed invasive fusariosis (IF) during admission to an acute leukaemia ward: an outbreak of 12 cases in June and July 2018, followed by four sporadic cases until 2021. No case was reported earlier. All patients were clustered in the same location with indoor air and water installations found to be contaminated with Fusarium spp. thus a nosocomial outbreak was assumed. Following the water installation replacement, the number of Fusarium cases dramatically dropped to one or two isolated instances per year in the same location. All 16 patients had acute leukaemia and developed IF during severe neutropenia following induction therapy. IF diagnosis was based on positive blood cultures (14 patients) and/or on tissue biopsies (3 patients). The median time from admission to the IF onset was 20 days, and from the first day of severe neutropenia (≤500/mm3) was 11.5 days. All patients were febrile, eight had moderate‐to‐severe myalgias, eight had respiratory involvements: lung lesions and/or sinusitis and seven had characteristic skin lesions. Follow‐up: 12 out of 16 (75%) were alive on Day 90; nine out of 15 (60%) were alive on Month 6. All with intractable neutropenia died. In severely neutropenic febrile patients, the triad of respiratory involvement/skin lesions/severe myalgia may suggest Fusarium aetiology. The ability to recover from neutropenia is critical to surmount IF. The indoor environment in immunocompromised dedicated settings must be constantly controlled.
Decoupling of functional traits from intraspecific patterns of growth and drought stress resistance
Authors: Kerr Kelly L. , Fickle Jaycie C. , Anderegg William R. L.
Published: May 2023

Intraspecific variation in functional traits may mediate tree species' drought resistance, yet whether trait variation is due to genotype (G), environment (E), or G×E interactions remains unknown. Understanding the drivers of intraspecific trait variation and whether variation mediates drought response can improve predictions of species' response to future drought.

Using populations of quaking aspen spanning a climate gradient, we investigated intraspecific variation in functional traits in the field as well as the influence of G and E among propagules in a common garden. We also tested for trait‐mediated trade‐offs in growth and drought stress tolerance.

We observed intraspecific trait variation among the populations, yet this variation did not necessarily translate to higher drought stress tolerance in hotter/drier populations. Additionally, plasticity in the common garden was low, especially in propagules derived from the hottest/driest population. We found no growth–drought stress tolerance trade‐offs and few traits exhibited significant relationships with mortality in the natural populations, suggesting that intraspecific trait variation among the traits measured did not strongly mediate responses to drought stress.

Our results highlight the limits of trait‐mediated responses to drought stress and the complex G×E interactions that may underlie drought stress tolerance variation in forests in dry environments.
Histone chaperones AtChz1A and AtChz1B are required for H2A.Z deposition and interact with the SWR1 chromatin‐remodeling complex in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wu Jiabing , Yang Yue , Wang Jiachen , Wang Youchao , Yin Liufan , An Zengxuan , Du Kangxi , Zhu Yan , Qi Ji , Shen Wen‐Hui , Dong Aiwu
Published: May 2023

The histone variant H2A.Z plays key functions in transcription and genome stability in all eukaryotes ranging from yeast to human, but the molecular mechanisms by which H2A.Z is incorporated into chromatin remain largely obscure.

Here, we characterized the two homologs of yeast Chaperone for H2A.Z‐H2B (Chz1) in Arabidopsis thaliana, AtChz1A and AtChz1B. AtChz1A/AtChz1B were verified to bind to H2A.Z‐H2B and facilitate nucleosome assembly in vitro. Simultaneous knockdown of AtChz1A and AtChz1B, which exhibit redundant functions, led to a genome‐wide reduction in H2A.Z and phenotypes similar to those of the H2A.Z‐deficient mutant hta9‐1hta11‐2, including early flowering and abnormal flower morphologies.

Interestingly, AtChz1A was found to physically interact with ACTIN‐RELATED PROTEIN 6 (ARP6), an evolutionarily conserved subunit of the SWR1 chromatin‐remodeling complex. Genetic interaction analyses showed that atchz1a‐1atchz1b‐1 was hypostatic to arp6‐1. Consistently, genome‐wide profiling analyses revealed partially overlapping genes and fewer misregulated genes and H2A.Z‐reduced chromatin regions in atchz1a‐1atchz1b‐1 compared with arp6‐1.

Together, our results demonstrate that AtChz1A and AtChz1B act as histone chaperones to assist the deposition of H2A.Z into chromatin via interacting with SWR1, thereby playing critical roles in the transcription of genes involved in flowering and many other processes.
Disruption of the amino acid transporter CsAAP2 inhibits auxin‐mediated root development in cucumber
Authors: Yao Xuehui , Li Hujian , Nie Jing , Liu Huan , Guo Yicong , Lv Lijun , Yang Zhen , Sui Xiaolei
Published: May 2023

Amino acid transporters are the principal mediators of organic nitrogen distribution within plants and are essential for plant growth and development. Despite this importance, relatively few amino acid transporter genes have been explored and elucidated in cucumber (Cucumis sativus).

Here, a total of 86 amino acid transporter genes were identified in the cucumber genome. We further identified Amino Acid Permease (AAP) subfamily members that exhibited distinct expression patterns in different tissues.

We found that the CsAAP2 as a candidate gene encoding a functional amino acid transporter is highly expressed in cucumber root vascular cells. CsAAP2 knockout lines exhibited arrested development of root meristem, which then caused the delayed initiation of lateral root and the inhibition of root elongation. What is more, the shoot growth of aap2 mutants was strongly retarded due to defects in cucumber root development.

Moreover, aap2 mutants exhibited higher concentrations of amino acids and lignin in roots. We found that the mutant roots had a stronger ability to acidize medium. Furthermore, in the aap2 mutants, polar auxin transport was disrupted in the root tip, leading to high auxin levels in roots. Interestingly, slightly alkaline media rescued their severely reduced root growth by stimulating auxin pathway.
Fish depth redistributions do not allow maintenance of abundance in a region of rapid change
Authors: Chaikin Shahar , Belmaker Jonathan
Published: May 2023

For marine fishes, stressors such as ocean warming, biological invasions, and fisheries are suggested to drive depth redistributions. However, it is uncertain whether depth redistribution can act to offset the fitness costs associated with adverse changing conditions and allow species to maintain abundance. To better understand the relationship between global changes and depth redistribution, we synthesized bottom trawl surveys spanning two decades in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, a hotspot for warming and biological invasions, and ask three main questions: 1) have species changed their depth distributions?, 2) are patterns of depth change associated with changes in abundance? and 3) do depth and abundance changes differ by species traits and between indigenous and non‐indigenous species (NIS)? We found that patterns of depth change were highly variable. However, the relative abundances of species that exhibit deepening decreased while that of expanding species increased. Cold‐water species deepened more than warm‐water species and decreased in relative abundance. The majority of non‐indigenous fishes expanded their depth ranges over time and increased in relative abundance. The significant link between species' thermal preference and depth changes suggests that warming may drive depth redistributions. However, the variable depth change patterns imply that the hypothesis that species track climate change by deepening may be too simplistic. Finally, at least in the eastern Mediterranean, the deepening of indigenous species (IS) into colder waters was mostly associated with reduced abundance, hence deepening was not sufficient to offset the ecological impacts of global change.
A multicenter case‐control study comparing sun exposure habits and use of photoprotection measures in patients diagnosed with different types of skin cancer
Authors: Navarro‐Bielsa Alba , Gracia‐Cazaña Tamara , Almagro Manuel , Fuente‐Meira Sonia De la , Florez Ángeles , Yélamos Oriol , Montero‐Vilchez Trinidad , González‐Cruz Carlos , Diago Adrián , Abadías‐Granado Isabel , Fuentelsaz Victoria , Colmenero María , Bañuls José , Arias‐Santiago Salvador , Buendía‐Eisman Agustín , Almenara‐Blasco Manuel , Gil‐Pallares Pedro , Gilaberte Yolanda
Published: May 2023

Background

While skin cancer awareness programs have significantly furthered public understanding about the harmful effects of the sun, there is a disparity between photoprotection knowledge and protection practices.

Objective

To compare sun exposure habits and photoprotection measures in patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma versus controls.

Methods

Multicentre case–control observational study carried out by 13 Spanish dermatologists between April 2020 and August 2022. Patients diagnosed with BCC, SCC, or melanoma were considered cases. The control group consisted of individuals with no history of skin cancer.

Results

Of the 254 cases (56.2% female; mean age, 62.67 ± 15.65), 119 (31.2%) had BCC, 62 (16.27%) SCC, and 73 (19.1%) melanoma. The control group consisted of 127 (33.33%) individuals. Avoiding sun exposure between 12:00 and 16:00 was the most commonly used photoprotection measure (habitually/always: 63.1%), followed by the use of sunscreen (habitually/always: 58.9%). Patients with melanoma were less likely to use clothing and shade to avoid sun exposure (p < .05), whereas those with BCC and SCC reported greater use of head coverings (p = .01). BCC and SCC groups reported greater sun exposure 15 years prior, whereas controls reported greater use of sunscreen. However, at the time of this study all groups reported using SPF ≥ 21, and the majority SPF > 50. No differences were observed in photoprotection measures between people with and without a previous history of skin cancer.

Conclusions

We describe differences in photoprotection measures and sun exposure patterns among patients diagnosed with different skin tumor types. Whether these differences may influence the type of tumor each developed will require further investigation.
Invited review: Bovine neonatal morbidity and mortality—Causes, risk factors, incidences, sequelae and prevention
Authors: Mee J. F.
Published: May 2023

The neonatal period may be defined as the first month of the calf's life; it may be considered part of the fourth trimester. It is the most hazardous due to the immaturity of the neonate's immune system and the environmental challenge from infections, the main causes of both bovine neonatal morbidity and mortality. The five most common morbidities causing mortality in neonatal calves are, in descending order, gastrointestinal infections, respiratory infections, abomasal disorders, umbilical infections and developmental abnormalities. This review describes the aetiology, incidence, risk factors and sequelae of these common morbidities and highlights current preventive strategies both at farm and national levels.
Dental needs and conditions of individuals with Lowe syndrome: An observational study
Authors: Lowenstein Adam , Swee Gerald , Finkelman Matthew D. , Tesini David , Loo Cheen Y.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Lowe syndrome (LS) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and eyes, predominantly in males. The aim of this study was to examine dental conditions, dental treatments, and access and/or barriers to care for those with LS compared to healthy individuals.

Methods

Surveys assessing dental conditions, dental treatments, and access and/or barriers to care were administered to families in the Lowe Syndrome Association and families with healthy children who had dental appointments at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) pediatric dental clinic. One parent or a guardian of pediatric patients with LS or not at TUSDM was asked to complete an online survey.

Results

One hundred and eight surveys were obtained (n:58 from the LS group and n:50 from the healthy group). The LS group was significantly more likely (p < .05) to report “crooked/misaligned teeth,” “difficult time chewing,” “bad breath,” and “mouth cysts” and was significantly less likely to report 6‐month examination, “cleaning,” and “filling.” The LS group reported significantly greater difficulty locating a dentist.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that individuals with LS are more vulnerable to developing severe dental conditions and experiencing difficulties in accessing dental care than healthy individuals. Additionally, those who present with this syndrome may be less likely to receive specific necessary dental treatments. As a result, it is essential to offer appropriate dental care and support to individuals with LS to guarantee they achieve optimal oral health.
Is camouflaging autistic traits associated with defeat, entrapment, and lifetime suicidal thoughts? Expanding the Integrated Motivational Volitional Model of Suicide
Authors: Cassidy Sarah , McLaughlin Emily , McGranaghan Rachel , Pelton Mirabel , O'Connor Rory , Rodgers Jacqui
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The current study explored whether camouflaging autistic traits is associated with defeat and entrapment and lifetime suicidal thoughts, as predicted by the Integrated Volitional Model of Suicide (IMV model).

Methods

180 UK undergraduate students (76.7% female 18–67 years) completed a cross‐sectional online survey from February 5 to March 23, 2020, including self‐report measures of defeat and entrapment (SDES), autistic traits (AQ‐10), depression (PHQ‐9), anxiety (GAD‐7), camouflaging autistic traits (CAT‐Q), and lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors (SBQ‐R item 1).

Results

After controlling for age, gender, current depression, and anxiety symptoms, autistic traits accounted for significantly more of the variance in defeat and entrapment (1.1%), and camouflaging accounted for a further 3.2% of the variance. The association between autistic traits and lifetime suicidality was significantly mediated by camouflaging, defeat, and entrapment. After controlling for age, gender, current depression, and anxiety symptoms, defeat and entrapment (but not camouflaging) accounted for significantly more variance in lifetime suicidal thoughts. The interaction between camouflaging, defeat and entrapment predicted significantly less variance in lifetime suicidal thoughts than either variable alone.

Conclusion

Results suggest that camouflaging autistic traits is a transdiagnostic risk factor for lifetime suicidality, relevant to the defeat and entrapment constructs of the IMV model.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by gold nanoparticle characterizes dermal thickening by collagen in bleomycin‐treated skin ex vivo
Authors: Huang Po‐Jung , Lee Chao‐Kuei , Lee Ling‐Hau , Huang Hsiang‐Fu , Huang Yi‐Hsuan , Lan Jia‐Chi , Lee Chih‐Hung
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Current skin imaging modalities, including optical, electron, and confocal microscopy, mostly require tissue fixations that could damage proteins and biological molecules. Live tissue or cell imaging such as ultrasonography and optical coherent microscope may not adequately measure the dynamic spectroscopical changes. Raman spectroscopy has been adopted for skin imaging in vivo, mostly for skin cancer imaging. However, whether the epidermal and dermal thickening in skin could be measured and distinguished by conventional Ramen spectroscopy or the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), a rapid and label‐free method for noninvasive measurement remains unknown.

Methods

Human skin sections from patients of atopic dermatitis and keloid, which represent epidermal and dermal thickening, respectively, were measured by conventional Ramen spectroscopy. In mice, skin sections from imiquimod (IMQ)‐ and bleomycin (BLE)‐treated mice, which reflect the epidermal and dermal thickening, respectively, were measured by SERS, that incorporates gold nanoparticles to generate surface plasma and enhance Raman signals.

Results

Conventional Ramen spectroscopy failed to consistently show the Raman shift in human samples among the different groups. SERS successfully revealed a prominent peak around 1300 cm−1 in the IMQ‐treated skin; and two significant peaks around 1100 and 1300 cm−1 in BLE‐treated group. Further quantitative analysis showed 1100 cm−1 peak was significantly accentuated in the BLE‐treated skin than that in control skin. SERS identified in vitro a similar 1100 cm−1 peak in solutions of collagen, the major dermal biological molecules.

Conclusion

SERS distinguishes the epidermal or dermal thickening in mouse skin with rapid and label‐free measures. A prominent 1100 cm−1 SERS peak in the BLE‐treated skin may result from collagen. SERS might help precision diagnosis in the future.
The novel HLA‐DQB1*03:02:01:14 allele was possibly generated by a recombination event
Authors: Niño Ramírez Jairo Eduardo , Gil‐Etayo Francisco Javier , Jiménez Hernaz Isabel , García Sanz Ramón , Tejeda Velarde Amalia
Published: May 2023

The novel HLA‐DQB1*03:02:01:14 was likely generated by a recombination event between DQB1*03:02:01:01 and DQB1*03:03:02:01.
Active faulting in the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego)
Authors: Bran Donaldo Mauricio , Palma Fermín , Menichetti Marco , Lodolo Emanuele , Bunicontro Stefania , Lozano Jorge Gabriel , Baradello Luca , Winocur Diego , Grossi Maurizio , Tassone Alejandro Alberto
Published: May 2023

In Tierra del Fuego, the Magallanes‐Fagnano Fault System (MFFS) accommodates a significant portion of the relative motion between the South America and Scotia plates. However, it remains unclear whether some of the deformation is partitioned southwards, along the Beagle Channel Fault System (BCFS). In this paper, high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles were used to identify fault‐related ruptures in the submerged Quaternary sediments of the Beagle Channel. Some faults reach the seafloor, affecting marine sediments, indicating they are Holocene in age. The correlation with outcrop data and lineaments mapped onshore suggests the post‐glacial reactivation of two structures: the E‐W striking BCFS and the NW‐SE‐trending Lapataia Fault Zone (LFZ). Whereas the BCFS displays along‐strike variation in throw, the LFZ shows significant normal displacements. These results imply that deformation occurs in a wider and more complex manner than previously thought and highlight the need for a thorough hazard assessment of the area.
Poor hospitalization outcomes in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant with hospital acquired influenza infection
Authors: Ammad Ud Din Mohammad , Jaan Ali , Shahzad Moazzam , Liaqat Hania , McGuirk Joseph , Mushtaq Muhammad Umair
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Although hospital‐acquired influenza infection (HAII) is a known complication among immunocompromised patients, the data in the setting of hospitalization for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐HSCT) are scarce.

Methods

A retrospective study using the National Inpatient sample database was done to determine the impact of HAII on hospitalization outcomes among patients admitted for allo‐HSCT.

Results

The data for 77 103 allo‐HSCT weighted hospitalizations were collected between 2002 and 2019. Among these, only 314 (0.4%) allo‐HSCT cases were billed for HAII. Patients with influenza were more likely to have comorbid conditions like chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that patients with influenza had a higher risk of all‐cause mortality: (odds ratio = 4.87, 95% confidence interval: 3.63–6.54; p < .01). Patients with influenza also had statistically higher odds of developing acute kidney injury, septic shock, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. They also had a significantly longer length of stay (34 days versus 26 days) and adjusted cost for hospitalization ($195 345 versus $121 967).

Conclusion

Our large analysis of real‐world data reveals that patients undergoing allo‐HSCT that develop HAII are at substantially higher risk of inpatient complications and death.

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Visualizing Citizenship in a Bureaucratic Frame
Authors: RAHEJA NATASHA
Published: May 2023

In this article, I focus on how Pakistani Hindu migrant men in India circulate bureaucratic portraits of reportedly forcefully converted women, leveraging the evidentiary value of images within a visual idiom of liberal citizenship. The style of these portraits—rectangularly framed, front‐facing individuals—is akin to the style of passport photos. The images and their captions circulate as visual evidence to reify normative claims to Indian citizenship within a Hindu‐India imaginary. Such images generate veracity through their state‐like form, shaping how migrant men see themselves into recognition. By emphasizing how migrant men adopt a bureaucratic visual convention (the passport‐photo look) to make claims about associative fates based on a shared group status, I expand our understanding of the identity photograph. I argue that bureaucratic framing is an aesthetic register that facilitates claims to citizenship within the visual logics of state recognition.
Direct antiglobulin test positivity in Serbian blood donors in the era of gel card technology
Authors: Grujic Jasmina , Bujandric Nevenka , Malenkovic Goran , Budakov Obradovic Zorana
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives

In the era of gel cards, we aimed to determine the incidence of a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) in a population of blood donors in Serbia and to compare results with the period when a conventional tube technique was used.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 184,171 blood donors over 10 years (2012–2021). Positive DAT results initially were detected after positive result of the compatibility test. After a DAT had been initially performed on fresh blood samples, a control DAT was performed 6 months later.

Results

Using gel cards, we found a low incidence (0.09%) of DAT positivity among 55,254 female and 128,917 male blood donors, with no difference found in the occurrence of a positive DAT between them. Positive DAT moderately positively correlated with increasing age of blood donors, but without statistical significance. The vast majority of blood donors (98.86%) were IgG positive. All donors were in good health, did not take medication or had anaemia or haemolysis. During the period 1980–1989, when the test tube technique was used, we found 0.05% DAT‐positive blood donors.

Conclusion

The incidence of positive DAT results in Serbian blood donors is higher compared with that found using the previous test tube technique, but the incidence is consistent with the findings of other studies.
Incidence of postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing surgical procedures: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Igwe Ezinne Oyidia , Nealon Jessica , O'Shaughnessy Pauline , Bowden Alera , Chang Hui‐Chen (Rita) , Ho Mu‐Hsing , Montayre Jed , Montgomery Amy , Rolls Kaye , Chou Kuei‐Ru , Chen Kee‐Hsin , Traynor Victoria , Smerdely Peter
Published: May 2023

Background

With the increase in life expectancy around the globe, the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) among older people (≥65 years) is growing. Previous studies showed a wide variation in the incidence of POD, from 4% to 53%, with a lack of specific evidence about the incidence of POD by specific surgery type among older people. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to determine the incidence of POD by surgery type within populations 65 years and over.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, and CINAHL were searched until October 2020. Due to the relatively higher number of meta‐analyses undertaken in this area of research, a streamlined systematic meta‐analysis was proposed.

Results

A total of 28 meta‐analyses (comprising 284 individual studies) were reviewed. Data from relevant individual studies (n = 90) were extracted and included in the current study. Studies were grouped into eight surgery types and the incidence of POD for orthopedic, vascular, spinal, cardiac, colorectal, abdominal, urologic, and mixed surgeries was 20%, 14%, 13%, 32%, 14%, 30%, 10%, and 26%, respectively. POD detection instruments were different across the studies, with Confusion Assessment Method (CAM & CAM‐ICU) being the most frequently adopted.

Linking Evidence to Action

This study showed that POD incidence in older people undergoing surgery varied widely across surgery type. The more complex surgeries like cardiac and abdominal surgeries were associated with a higher risk of POD. This highlights the need to include the level of surgery complexity as a risk factor in preoperative assessments.
Ťahyňa virus—A widespread, but neglected mosquito‐borne virus in Europe
Authors: Mravcová Kristína , Camp Jeremy V. , Hubálek Zdeněk , Šikutová Silvie , Vaux Alexander G. C. , Medlock Jolyon M. , Rudolf Ivo
Published: May 2023

Ťahyňa virus (TAHV) is an orthobunyavirus and was the first arbovirus isolated from mosquitoes in Europe and is associated with floodplain areas as a characteristic biotope, hares as reservoir hosts and the mammal‐feeding mosquitoes Aedes vexans as the main vector. The disease caused by TAHV (“Valtice fever”) was detected in people with acute flu‐like illness in the 1960s, and later the medical significance of TAHV became the subject of many studies. Although TAHV infections are widespread, the prevalence and number of actual cases, clinical manifestations in humans and animals and the ecology of transmission by mosquitoes and their vertebrate hosts are rarely reported. Despite its association with meningitis in humans, TAHV is a neglected human pathogen with unknown public health importance in Central Europe, and a potential emerging disease threat elsewhere in Europe due to extreme summer flooding events.
Investigation on the Factors Affecting Teaching Effectiveness of Undergraduate Engineering Programmes
Authors: Sahudin Shuib , Ismail, M.Y  , Maideen N.C.  , Nur Afifah, S.
Published: May 2023

Teaching effectiveness has been a key concern for universities since it pertains to the achievements of skills required for the competitive job market. This study aims to identify the factors that might influence teaching effectiveness. For the purpose of the study, data were collected from the seventh semester students of manufacturing engineering programme and product design engineering programme of one university in the northern Peninsular of Malaysia. A structured questionnaire was used and the responses were gathered with a five point Likert Scale. 130 set of questionnaires were collected and were then analysed with partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS SEM) method. The PLS findings revealed that lecturers’ ability, course characteristics and teaching methods & materials are strong predictors of teaching effectiveness. The outcome of this PLS analysis may pave the way for universities to develop new guidelines so as to improve teaching effectiveness. Consequently, this effective teaching will equip the university graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills required by employers.
Ethical Decision-Making Ability and Cognitive Reasoning among Final Year Engineering Students in a Higher Education Institution in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mathana Amaris Fiona Sivaraman
Published: May 2023

Ethical decision-making is an important element in engineering profession. The objective of this study is to examine final year engineering students’ ethical decision-making ability and cognitive reasoning skills. The research questions aim to investigate the considerations and general steps that students go through in a decision-making process. This study gathered qualitative data through written decisions and interviews. Twelve engineering students in a Malaysian private engineering school were asked to read two ethical vignettes and write down their decisions. This was followed by semi-structured interview questions, in alignment with the steps in an ethical decision-making model, to gauge the students’ reasoning behind their decisions. The interview transcripts were analyzed and common themes that influence the ethical decision- making of students were identified. The analysis focused on ethical sensitivity and ethical judgement of students. Students demonstrated a decent level of ethical sensitivity emphasizing professional responsibility but their ethical judgment varied according to case study. In general, students were able to identify underlying issue and affected parties, but did not give much thought to potential course of action. This study draws reflection on engineering students’ flow of thinking and cognitive reasoning processes when given a situation to deal with. The findings of this study stress the importance of engineering schools integrating relevant case studies or true accounts of engineering practices to develop ethical decision-making ability and cognitive reasoning among future engineers. This would prepare the engineering students to face the ethical challenges in their profession.
Comparative Study of Engineering Design Project Assessment Rubrics to Address the Washington Accord’s Complexity Attributes
Authors: Chia Pao Liew  , Puteh Marlia , Hamzah Siti Hawa
Published: May 2023

Over the years, various reports confirmed the importance of complex problem-solving in the workplace. However, in most cases, engineering educators often fail to design assessment rubrics that drive the ability to solve complex problems among the students. Literature review revealed that the studies of assessment rubrics in higher education have been undertaken in a wide range of disciplines but not in the field of engineering. Hence this study attempts to present the gaps in four assessment rubrics which were designed to assess engineering design projects. It applied comparative case studies to analyze and synthesize the similarities, differences and patterns from the assessment rubrics to produce generalizable knowledge about how and why particular assessment rubrics work or fail to work against the attributes of complex engineering problem solving and complex engineering activities defined by the International Engineering Alliance (2013), and the essential features of rubrics proposed by James Popham (1997). The results showed that engineering rubric designers generally fulfilled the requirements of designing a rubric. The shortcomings, however, it was found that not all-important design skills were addressed and limited characteristics of complex engineering problem solving were practiced by engineering educators, and the absence of complex engineering activities in the design of assessment rubrics. The understanding of these shortcomings is expected to benefit engineering educators in enhancing their instructional materials for implementing complex problem solving in engineering design projects and subsequently improve the ability of the engineering graduates to solve complex problems.
Design of First Year Integrated Courses based on Constructive Alignment
Authors: Zakaria Zaki Yamani , Che Man Siti Hajjar , Mohd. Yusof Khairiyah , Sadikin Aziatul Niza , Ab Aziz Muhammad Arif , Hassim Mimi Haryani , Mustaffa Azizul Azri , Hasbullah Hasrinah
Published: May 2023

A design of chemical engineering 1st year integrated courses based on constructive alignment is presented. Introduction to Engineering (ITE) course is designed to stimulate students’ passion, strengthen their motivation, as well as enhancing their technical knowledge and relevant professional skills. ITE course is integrated with an Industrial Seminar and Profession (ISP) course to support the inclusion of stakeholders by inviting them to givepresentations and bringing students for related site visits. Although the ISP is a one-credit course, it is very important to plan and execute the activities hand-in-hand with the ITE course. In this study, reflection and meta-reflection journals which have been designed to integrate both courses have been analysed thematically to evaluate students’ response on the integration part. Besides that, other activities in ISP such as workshops, industrial visit etc that areintegrated with the design and implementation of cooperative problem based learning (CPBL) activities in ITE are highlighted and discussed. All of the above mentioned integrated CPBL are constructively aligned to achieve both course and program outcomes. Such integrated CPBL activities following constructive alignment saves time and effort among lecturers to fulfil the course and programme objectives.
Assessments of Student’s Emotions and Their Relevance in Online Learning
Authors: Jumaat Nurul Farhana , Ahmad Termidi Nur Syafiqah
Published: May 2023

Emotions are closely related to the feelings that exist in humans as a result of events or factors that occur around them, where they manifest in specific situations. Students' emotions are easily visible in traditional or face-to-face classrooms, and teachers can recognise emotional presence. Emotions can have a positive or negative impact on a student's learning capacity and motivation. Emotions have an indirect impact on student’s cognitive ability to learn. Because of the physical absence of teachers in online learning environments, it is difficult for teachers to see and assess emotions. This concept paper examines the role of emotional presence in the learning process based on a Community of Inquiry framework. This paper also discusses several assessment methods used by previous researchers to assess emotional presence in the online learning environment. The effects of emotional presence on online student learning will also be discussed.