bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viscoelastic properties of thermosensitive gelatin/tragacanth hydrogel as novel ink suitable for additive manufacturing: Effect of various additives on system's viscoelastic characteristics and printability
Authors: Zehtab Minooei H. , Kaffashi B.
Published: July 2023

In this study, a novel hydrogel ink made from gelatin and tragacanth gum was prepared. Two additives and a crosslinking agent were added to improve the viscoelastic properties of the material during gelation and its printability. Alginic acid was introduced as a crosslinking agent along with additives such as rice starch and halloysite nanotubes (HNT). Two rheological measurement modes, rotational and oscillatory, were utilized to measure the steady state viscosity and complex moduli, respectively. Auxiliary measurements such as Fourier‐transform spectroscopy infrared and gel permeation chromatography were implemented to determine the bonds formed and the molecular weight of gelatin and tragacanth gum, respectively. We have demonstrated how these additives can affect fluid uptake by examining them in water at ambient temperature and also in 1× PBS at both ambient and normal body temperatures. The printability was analyzed by the grid pattern dispensed by interconnected filaments. It was observed that the sample containing HNT and rice starch show the best properties. The hydrogel nanocomposite, unlike the pure gelatin films, retains water and buffer solution for 72 h with minimum changes. Moreover, the printability criterion (Pr) was improved from 0.3 for pure gelatin to about 1 for the sample containing alginate, HNT, and rice starch.
Enhancement effect of polyurea coating on the impact resistance of aluminum foam
Authors: Guo Hui , Song Fuchen , Sun Minqian , Chen Yu
Published: July 2023

A polyurea coating was prepared to enhance the impact protection performance of aluminum foam, and its mechanical properties were analyzed. Polyurea‐coated aluminum foam composite specimens were prepared by coating the polyurea on the surface of aluminum foam. The mechanical properties of composite specimens under quasi‐static and dynamic loading were tested, and the stress–strain relationship at different strain rates was analyzed. The deformation process and failure mode of typical specimens under different loading conditions were discussed. The influence of polyurea coating on the energy absorption characteristics of aluminum foam was explained. The results show that when the polyurea is coated on the end surface of aluminum foam specimen, the sawtooth oscillation in the yield plateau stage of the stress–strain curve is weakened. The existence of polyurea coating makes the stress transfer of cell wall of aluminum foam uniform, and can effectively prevent the damage caused by the splash of aluminum foam fragments under high‐speed impact load. Coating polyurea on the opposite to load‐receiving surface of aluminum foam specimen can effectively improve the yield stress of composite specimen under dynamic load, and make the specimen still maintain good integrity after failure. When the polyurea is coated on the end surface of aluminum foam specimen, the final energy absorption per unit volume and the ideal energy absorption efficiency peak of the specimen are improved.
Preparation of high positioning accuracy lattice patterns with polymeric microfibers derived from near‐field electrospinning
Authors: Zhu Long , Liang Junsheng , Li Xiaojian , Su Shijie , Wang Huaan , Xiao Jianping , Sun Lujing , Wang Dazhi
Published: July 2023

Electrospinning is a straightforward and versatile technology that has been broadly applied to the preparation of microfibers. However, the fabrication of complicated patterns with high positioning accuracy is still a challenge. The enhancement of the positioning accuracy is restricted by the bending instability of the jet and the motion stage. Here, an effective method to improve the positioning accuracy of ordered fibers by optimizing printing parameter and printing order is proposed. Highly oriented and uniformly aligned microfiber arrays composed of polyethylene oxide (PEO) fibers with a diameter of 2.8 ± 0.13 μm are deposited by adjusting the process parameters. Moreover, the accumulative return error of the printed pattern was reduced by 30.54 μm in X‐axis and 55.59 μm in Y‐axis using an optimized printing order. The lattice patterns with a high positioning accuracy of 0.98 ± 0.06 μm were obtained, which is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than that of the structure with unoptimized printing order. Results indicate that the method can significantly improve the positioning accuracy of the lattice patterns of polymeric microfibers, which has a promising prospect in the field of high‐precision micro manufacturing.
From probiotics to postbiotics: Concepts and applications
Authors: Liu Chunchen , Ma Ning , Feng Yue , Zhou Min , Li Huahui , Zhang Xiujun , Ma Xi
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the important role of gut microbiota in promoting animal health and regulating immune function in livestock and poultry has been widely reported. The issue of animal health problems causes significant economic losses each year. Probiotics and postbiotics have been widely developed as additives due to their beneficial effects in balancing host gut microbiota, enhancing intestinal epithelial barrier, regulating immunity, and whole‐body metabolism. Probiotics and postbiotics are composed of complex ingredients, with different components and compositions having different effects, requiring classification for discussing their mechanisms of action. Probiotics and postbiotics have considerable prospects in preventing various diseases in the livestock industry and animal feed and medical applications. This review highlights the application value of probiotics and postbiotics as potential probiotic products, emphasizing their concept, mechanism of action, and application, to improve the productivity of livestock and poultry.
Antibiotic prophylaxis in flexible ureterorenoscopy with negative urine culture
Authors: Méndez‐Guerrero Daniela María , Buitrago‐Carrascal Christian , Puentes‐Bernal Andrés Felipe , Cruz‐Arévalo Dilma Alexandra , Camacho ‐Nieto Diego , Calderón Marcelo Andrés , Álvarez‐Restrepo Juan Camilo , Brijaldo‐Carvajal Mayra Alejandra , Perdomo‐Bernal Natalia , Moreno‐Matson María Carolina , Ibañez‐Pinilla Milciades , Daza‐Vergara José
Published: July 2023

Objective

To improve susceptibility profiles of nosocomial bacteria, identifying the difference between infectious complications in patients undergoing endoscopic flexible ureterolithotomy (fURS) with negative urine culture (UC) that received extended antibiotic prophylaxis (EP) compared with standard antibiotic prophylaxis (SP).

Methodology

This is a retrospective, observational, analytical cohort study, comparing infectious complications between patients undergoing fURS with negative UC who received EP versus SP. We include patients with susccessfull fURS, <20‐mm stones and complete information.

Results

Overall, 10.3% of patients had complications, 7.2% of patients had postoperative urinary infection, 1.8% had upper urinary tract infection (UTI) and 1.4% had urinary sepsis. Lower UTI were significantly more likely in the extended prophylaxis group with 6.8% versus 2.7% (RR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.10–7.37, p = 0.030). The risk of upper UTI and sepsis did not show significant differences. A total of 69% patients with postoperative infection had isolated multidrug‐resistant bacteria (MDRB) in the UC, with a higher risk in patients with extended prophylaxis (RR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.33–7.59, p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Patients with negative UC who underwent fURS using extended prophylaxis have two times higher risk of low UTI than patients with standard prophylaxis, without differences in the incidence of upper UTI or urinary sepsis. The risk of MDRB isolation in the postoperative UC is higher in the extended prophylaxis group, therefore we recommend the standard 60‐min preoperative prophylaxis.
Investigating (sequential) unit asking: An unsuccessful quest for scope sensitivity in willingness to donate judgments
Authors: Maier Maximilian , Caviola Lucius , Schubert Stefan , Harris Adam J. L.
Published: July 2023

People exhibit scope insensitivity: Their expressed valuation of a problem is not proportionate with its scope or size. To address scope insensitivity in charitable giving, Hsee et al. (2013) developed the (Classical) Unit Asking technique, where people are first asked how much they are willing to donate to support a single individual, followed by how much they are willing to donate to support a group of individuals. In this paper, we explored the mechanisms, extensions, and limitations of the technique. In particular, we investigated an extension of the technique, which we call Sequential Unit Asking (SUA). SUA asks people a series of willingness‐to‐donate questions, in which the number of individuals to be helped increases in a stepwise manner until it reaches the total group size. Across four studies investigating donation judgments (total
), we did not find evidence that willingness to donate (WTD) judgments to the total group increased with larger groups. Instead, our results suggest that Unit Asking (sequential or classical) increases donation amounts only through a single one‐off boost. Further, we find evidence in three out of four studies that the SUA extension increases WTD judgments over Classical Unit Asking. In a fifth study (
) using a contingent valuation design (instead of donation judgments), we find scope sensitivity using all asking techniques. We conclude that, while it is difficult to create scope sensitivity in WTD judgments, SUA should be considered a promising approach to increase charitable donations.
Primary cardiac sarcomas: A clinicopathologic study in a single institution with 25 years of experience with an emphasis on MDM2 expression and adjuvant therapy for prognosis
Authors: Cho Haeyon , Song In‐Hye , Jo Uiree , Jeong Ji‐Seon , Koo Hyun Jung , Yang Dong Hyun , Jung Sung‐Ho , Song Joon Seon , Cho Kyung‐Ja
Published: July 2023

Background

Primary cardiac sarcomas are rare and their clinicopathologic features are heterogeneous. Among them, particularly intimal sarcoma is a diagnostic challenge due to nonspecific histologic features. Recently, MDM2 amplification reported to be a characteristic genetic event in the intimal sarcoma. In this study, we aimed to identify the types and incidence of primary cardiac sarcomas that occurred over 25 years in tertiary medical institutions, and to find clinicopatholgical significance through reclassification of diagnoses using additional immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Methods

We reviewed the primary cardiac sarcoma cases between January 1993 and June 2018 at Asan Medical Center, South Korea, with their clinicopathologic findings, and reclassified the subtypes, especially using IHC for MDM2 and then, analyzed the significance of prognosis.

Results

Forty‐eight (6.8%) cases of a primary cardiac sarcoma were retrieved. The tumors most frequently involved the right atrium (n = 25, 52.1%), and the most frequent tumor subtype was angiosarcoma (n = 23, 47.9%). Seven cases (53.8%) were newly reclassified as an intimal sarcoma by IHC for MDM2. Twenty‐nine (60.4%) patients died of disease (mean, 19.8 months). Four patients underwent a heart transplantation and had a median survival of 26.8 months. This transplantation group tended to show good clinical outcomes in the earlier stages, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.318). MDM2 positive intimal sarcoma showed the better overall survival (p = 0.003) than undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Adjuvant treatment is beneficial for patient survival (p < 0.001), particularly in angiosarcoma (p < 0.001), but not in intimal sarcoma (p = 0.154).

Conclusion

Our study supports the use of adjuvant treatment in primary cardiac sarcoma, as it was associated with a significantly better overall survival rate. Further consideration of tumor histology may be important in determining the optimal use of adjuvant treatment for different types of sarcomas. Therefore, accurate diagnosis by MDM2 test is important condsidering patient's prognosis and treatment.
The compassionate journey: An exploratory and controlled study assessing self‐compassion‐focussed mindfulness in a nonclinical sample
Authors: Yeshua Maor , Zohar Ada H.
Published: July 2023

The purpose of the current study was to test a self‐compassion‐focussed mindfulness (SCFM) intervention for increasing self‐compassion and decreasing depressive symptoms, as well as to test the effect of initial self‐compassion as a possible moderator. Community volunteers participated in an SCFM group or in a control group and self‐reported at three points in time: at baseline (study, n = 73; control, n = 80), at the end of the 5‐week five‐session intervention (study, n = 57; control, n = 61) and at follow‐up 5 weeks later (study, n = 47; control, n = 50). The SCFM was a Hebrew adaptation based on a mindful self‐compassion programme, which is available online. The SCFM was held in person, in small groups (N < 20) over a 2‐month period. A four‐way interaction was found to be significant [F(2, 186) = 3.70, p = 0.027, η2p = 0.038]. Post hoc tests showed that those who were initially low on self‐compassion and participated in the SCFM experienced relief in their depressive symptoms and that their level of self‐compassion was increased. This implies that self‐compassion is a moderating trait, with the benefit of relieving suffering. By increasing the levels of self‐compassion in individuals, it is possible to improve their psychological health.
The role of dark pattern stimuli and personality in online impulse shopping: An application of S‐O‐R theory
Authors: Abbott Rebecca , Sin Ray , Pedersen Christian , Harris Ted , Beck Talia , Nilsson Simon , Dong Tracy , Wang Yi , Li Yue
Published: July 2023

Online impulse shopping is a growing industry. This paper uses the Stimulus‐Organism‐Response framework to model online impulse purchase behavior using a novel combination of stimuli and organism characteristics. The stimuli: social proof, limited‐quantity scarcity, and high‐demand, are three commonly used website features known as dark patterns. The organism characteristic personality is measured by the big 5 personality traits and persona generated through latent profile analysis. Using the machine learning algorithm XGBoost, impulse purchasing response was predicted separately for each dark pattern stimuli. Results show personality characteristics are important features when predicting consumer impulse purchasing in response to dark pattern messages. Moreover, the personality traits (and personas) most predictive of impulse shopping behavior varied by type of dark pattern. Findings suggest personality influences susceptibility to different dark patterns, indicating a need for tailored interventions to mitigate individual consumer vulnerabilities to impulse shopping.
Buprenorphine to treat OUD in adolescents encouraged by NIDA, psychiatrists
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: July 2023

A recent “secret shopper” study (a three paragraph research letter, actually) has found that only one in four residential treatment centers which treat opioid use disorder (OUD) in adolescents offer buprenorphine. According to the study, which is based on calls made to treatment centers listed on the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) “treatment locator” website, these centers simply do not offer buprenorphine to adolescents.
More than just mild thrombocytopenia: Clinical clues in the diagnosis of germline predisposition to malignancy from a rare ETV6 variant
Authors: Fang Shannon , Botero Juliana Perez , Hackney Lisa R.
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

In the evaluation of patients with longstanding mild thrombocytopenia, emphasis on family history, genetic testing, and collaborative clinical and laboratory‐based family studies can ensure proper diagnosis and monitoring for malignancies.

We report the diagnostic approach to mild and non‐specific thrombocytopenia with unclear genetic findings in two sisters. Genetic sequencing revealed a rare variant in ETS Variant Transcription Factor 6, which is associated with inherited thrombocytopenia with predisposition to hematologic malignancy. Familial studies provided sufficient evidence for a likely pathogenic classification.
Chylous ascites as a rare complication of abdominal trauma in a 7‐year‐old girl: A case report
Authors: Jafari Anahita , Reihani Hamid , Karbasian Fereshteh , Darban Behnaz , Dehghani Seyed Mohsen
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

Abdominal trauma can be one of the causes of chylous ascites in pediatric cases, along with tuberculosis and malignancy. However, a definitive diagnosis is more reasonable to be done by excluding other causes.

Chylous ascites (CA) is a rare type of ascites. Though it has high mortality and morbidity rates, which usually happen due to the rupture of lymph vessels into the peritoneal cavity. Congenital abnormalities, including lymphatic hypoplasia or dysplasia, are the most causes in pediatrics. CA following trauma in children is very rare, and to the best of our knowledge, there are very few reports in this regard. Here, we report a 7‐year‐old girl who was referred to our center with CA after a car accident.
Bifid cardiac apex and spongiform cardiomyopathy in fetus with small microdeletion 16p12.2 of paternal origin. Critical points in family communication on 16p12.2 microdeletion
Authors: Stabile Mariano , Rispoli Anna F. , Capuozzo Maurizio , Ferbo Umberto , Stabile Guglielmo
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

From a literature review, this is the first case of fetal 16p12.2 microdeletion syndrome inherited from a normal father with autopsy description and evidence of spongious cardiomyopathy. First trimester intake of doxycycline could be a cofactor.

Prenatal diagnosis of a 16p12.2 microdeletion, inherited from normal father, is reported in a dysmorphic 20 weeks fetus. Histopathological examination of the myocardium (not present in the 65 cases in literature) showed bifid apex of the heart and spongiotic structure. Correlation between the deleted genes and cardiomyopathy is discussed.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis complicating extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis, a rare manifestation of essential thrombocythemia: A case report
Authors: Agrawal Saurav , Rayamajhi Sandesh , Rayamajhi Aadesh , Karki Susmin , Deo Anand , Kharel Kirti Kala , Lamsal Manoj , Hamal Rabin
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

Clinicians should be mindful of the rare occurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in essential thrombocythemia with extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis, especially when patients with ascites exhibit fever and abdominal pain.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) complicating extensive splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) is a rare manifestation of essential thrombocythemia (ET). In the absence of any hypercoagulable state, JAK2 mutation can be an important risk factor for extensive SVT. Evaluation for SBP is crucial when non‐cirrhotic patient exhibits fever, abdominal pain and tenderness in the background of ascites after ruling out common pathologies such as tubercular peritonitis, acute pancreatitis, Budd‐Chiari syndrome and ovarian malignancy. We present a case of SBP complicating pre‐hepatic portal hypertension with ascites in a 44‐years‐old female. On further evaluation, extensive SVT with portal cavernoma in the setting of ET was identified. She was managed with cytoreductive therapy and anticoagulation, resulting in symptom resolution.
Cancer‐associated fibroblast expression of glutamine fructose‐6‐phosphate aminotransferase 2 (GFPT2) is a prognostic marker in gastric cancer
Authors: Yang Shuo , Li Guoli , Yin Xin , Wang Yufei , Jiang Xinju , Bian Xiulan , Fang Tianyi , Yin Shengjie , Zhang Lei , Xue Yingwei
Published: July 2023

Glutamine fructose‐6‐phosphate aminotransferase 2 (GFPT2) is a rate‐limiting enzyme in hexosamine biosynthesis involved in the occurrence and progress of many cancers. What role it plays in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. In this study, transcriptome sequencing data from the Harbin Medical University (HMU)‐GC cohort and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset were combined with the HMU‐TCGA training cohort to analyze the biological function and clinical significance of GFPT2. The correlation of GFPT2 with immune cells and stromal cells was analyzed in the GC immune microenvironment through transcriptome sequencing data and a public single‐cell sequencing database. In cell lines, GC tissues, and the tissue microarray, GFPT2 protein expression was confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA of GFPT2 was highly expressed in the tumor (p < 0.001), and GC cells and tumors expressed high levels of GFPT2 protein. Compared to low expression, high GFPT2 mRNA expression was associated with higher levels of tumor invasion, higher pathological stages, and poor prognosis (p = 0.02) in GC patients. In a drug susceptibility analysis, GFPT2 mRNA expression was associated with multiple chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity, including docetaxel, paclitaxel, and cisplatin. Gene enrichment analysis found that GFPT2 was mainly primarily involved in the extracellular matrix receptor interaction pathway. The ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA algorithms showed that GFPT2 was associated with immune cell infiltration. In addition, GFPT2 was more likely to be expressed within cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and high levels of GFPT2 expression were highly correlated with four CAFs scores (all p < 0.05). Finally, a prognostic model to assess the risk of death in GC patients was constructed based on GFPT2 protein expression and lymph node metastasis rate. In conclusion, GFPT2 plays an essential role in the function of CAFs in GC. It can be used as a biomarker to assess GC prognosis and immune infiltration.
Race, ethnicity, and experienced racism are associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors
Authors: Karvonen Kristine A. , Balay‐Dustrude Erin , Do Annie , Bradford Miranda C. , Phipps Amanda , Rosenberg Abby R.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Survivors of cancer are at risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. It is not well understood, however, how these outcomes are differentially experienced according to an individual’s exposure to racism. This study sought to evaluate associations of race/ethnicity, and experiences of racism, with adverse health outcomes in survivors of cancer.

Methods

Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database, data from 48,200 survivors between 2014 and 2020 were evaluated. Survey items included negative physical and emotional symptoms as a result of race‐based treatment. Outcomes of interest included days of poor mental and physical health, activity limitations, depression, and inadequate sleep. Associations using prevalence ratios were evaluated.

Results

All historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups were more likely to experience at least one adverse health outcome compared with non‐Hispanic White survivors. Those who physically experienced racism were 2.1 (95% CI, 1.64–2.69) times as likely to report poor physical health, 3.51 (95% CI, 2.61–4.71) times as likely to report poor mental health, 2.14 (95% CI, 1.77–2.58) times as likely to report inadequate sleep, 2.33 (95% CI: 1.91–2.83) times as likely to report depression, and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.04–1.93) times as likely to report activity limitations compared with those who have not experienced racism. Similar associations were observed for emotionally experienced racism.

Discussion

Racial inequities in health outcomes for survivors of cancer from marginalized racial/ethnic groups are well‐established. Experienced racism contributes to adverse health outcomes and widens these disparities. Improving outcomes for survivors of cancer may require screening for experienced racism.

Plain Language Summary

Survivors of cancer from marginalized racial/ethnic populations are more likely to have poor mental and physical health than their non‐Hispanic White counterparts. Whether survivors from certain racial/ethnic populations of smaller size also have poorer health is less well understood.

Generally, individuals who report experienced racism also report poor health, this association has not been studied in survivors of cancer.

This study, from a national survey of survivors of cancer, describes disparities in health outcomes experienced by a variety of racial and ethnic populations. Our findings suggest racism is associated with poor mental and physical health in survivors of cancer.
A phase 2 study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus durvalumab in resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Patel Shetal A. , Gibson Michael K. , Deal Allison , Sheth Siddharth , Heiling Hillary , Johnson Steven M. , Douglas Kathe , Flores Melissa , Blumberg Jeffrey , Lumley Catherine , Yarbrough Wendell G. , Shen Colette , Chera Bhishamjit S. , Bauman Jessica R. , Hackman Trevor , Weiss Jared
Published: July 2023

Background

Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) are treated with surgery followed by adjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy or definitive chemoradiation, but recurrence rates are high. Immune checkpoint blockade improves survival in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC; however, the role of chemo‐immunotherapy in the curative setting is not established.

Methods

This phase 2, single‐arm, multicenter study evaluated neoadjuvant chemo‐immunotherapy with carboplatin, nab‐paclitaxel, and durvalumab in patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC. The primary end point was a hypothesized pathologic complete response rate of 50%. After chemo‐immunotherapy and surgical resection, patients received study‐defined, pathologic risk adapted adjuvant therapy consisting of either durvalumab alone (low risk), involved field radiation plus weekly cisplatin and durvalumab (intermediate risk), or standard chemoradiation plus durvalumab (high risk).

Results

Between December 2017 and November 2021, 39 subjects were enrolled at three centers. Oral cavity was the most common primary site (69%). A total of 35 of 39 subjects underwent planned surgical resection; one subject had a delay in surgery due to treatment‐related toxicity. The most common treatment‐related adverse events were cytopenias, fatigue, and nausea. Post treatment imaging demonstrated an objective response rate of 57%. Pathologic complete response and major pathologic response were achieved in 29% and 49% of subjects who underwent planned surgery, respectively. The 1‐year progression‐free survival was 83.8% (95% confidence interval, 67.4%–92.4%).

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant carboplatin, nab‐paclitaxel, and durvalumab before surgical resection of HNSCC were safe and feasible. Although the primary end point was not met, encouraging rates of pathologic complete response and clinical to pathologic downstaging were observed.
Artificial intelligence and medicine: Mounting risks amid the promise
Authors: Nelson Bryn , Faquin William
Published: July 2023

This news section is written by a medical journalist and offers Cancer Cytopathology readers timely information on events, issues, and personalities of interest to the subspecialty. In this second of a two‐part series, developers have touted artificial intelligence as a boon for both medical research and clinical applications, but plenty of pitfalls are giving ethicists and other experts considerable pause in their use.
Detecting the birth and death of finite‐time coherent sets
Authors: Froyland Gary , Koltai Péter
Published: July 2023

Finite‐time coherent sets (FTCSs) are distinguished regions of phase space that resist mixing with the surrounding space for some finite period of time; physical manifestations include eddies and vortices in the ocean and atmosphere, respectively. The boundaries of FTCSs are examples of Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs). The selection of the time duration over which FTCS and LCS computations are made in practice is crucial to their success. If this time is longer than the lifetime of coherence of individual objects then existing methods will fail to detect the shorter‐lived coherence. It is of clear practical interest to determine the full lifetime of coherent objects, but in complicated practical situations, for example a field of ocean eddies with varying lifetimes, this is impossible with existing approaches. Moreover, determining the timing of emergence and destruction of coherent sets is of significant scientific interest. In this work we introduce new constructions to address these issues. The key components are an inflated dynamic Laplace operator and the concept of semi‐material FTCSs. We make strong mathematical connections between the inflated dynamic Laplacian and the standard dynamic Laplacian, showing that the latter arises as a limit of the former. The spectrum and eigenfunctions of the inflated dynamic Laplacian directly provide information on the number, lifetimes, and evolution of coherent sets.
Psychologists' and psychotherapists' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding the therapeutic use of psychedelics
Authors: Kucsera Aileen , Suppes Trisha , Haug Nancy A.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

This study explored the current knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding psychedelics among mental health professionals in California, where state legislation to decriminalize psychedelics has been proposed.

Method

Two hundred thirty‐seven mental health providers (74% female; mean age 54; 83% White; 46% psychologists) completed a 37‐item online survey between November 2021 and February 2022, disseminated through local and state‐wide professional organizations in California.

Results

Providers endorsed limited knowledge about the risks and benefits of psychedelic use (M = 4.7 and 5.4, respectively, with 10 = high knowledge) and inadequate knowledge to counsel patients on use (45%). Gaps in knowledge related to psychedelic drug scheduling and current use in clinical research were identified. Providers expressed support for additional psychedelic research (97%), approval of recreational (66%) and medical (91%) psychedelic use, belief in the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics (89%), and concerns about safety (33%) and potential psychiatric risks (27%). Results indicated that most providers discuss psychedelic use with patients (73%), yet many do not feel comfortable addressing the effects of use (49%). There were significant correlations between knowledge and attitudes towards psychedelics (r = 0.2, p = .006; r = 0.31, p < .001) and attitudes and clinical practices (r = 0.34, p < .001).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that providers are interested in psychedelic‐assisted treatments and hold favourable attitudes towards the therapeutic use of psychedelics yet lack the knowledge to appropriately counsel patients, highlighting the need for additional provider education about psychedelics.
Clinical Translation of Targeted Protein Degraders
Authors: Kong Nikki R. , Jones Lyn H.
Published: July 2023

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a potentially transformational therapeutic modality with considerable promise. Molecular glue degraders remodel the surface of E3 ligases inducing interactions with neosubstrates resulting in their polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Molecular glues are clinically precedented and have demonstrated the ability to degrade proteins‐of‐interest (POIs) previously deemed undruggable due to the absence of a traditional small molecule binding pocket. Heterobifunctional proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) possess ligands for an E3 complex and the POIs, which are chemically linked together, and similarly hijack the ubiquitin machinery to deplete the target. There has been a recent surge in the number of degraders entering clinical trials, particularly directed toward cancer. Nearly all utilize CRL4CRBN as the E3 ligase, and a relatively limited diversity of POIs are currently targeted. In this review, we provide an overview of the degraders in clinical trials and provide a perspective on the lessons learned from their development and emerging human data that will be broadly useful to those working in the TPD field.
Isolation of Genomic DNA from Mammalian Cells and Fixed Tissue
Authors: Miskimen Kristy L. S. , Miron Penelope L.
Published: July 2023

Examination of DNA variation is central to understanding the function of mammalian cells, tissues, and whole bodies. Extraction of high‐quality DNA from cells and tissues is necessary for innumerable different experiments. We present protocols for the extraction of DNA from both fresh samples and formalin‐fixed tissue. Methods for extracting DNA have been standardized and streamlined over the past couple of decades and many extraction kits are available for a reasonable cost. In addition, many of the extraction procedures can also be automated for even higher throughput sample preparation. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: DNA isolation from whole blood, tissue, and cultured cells

Alternate Protocol: DNA extraction using automated machines

Basic Protocol 2: DNA isolation from saliva and buccal swabs

Basic Protocol 3: DNA isolation from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue
Identification of solvent retention capacity quantitative trait loci by combined linkage and association mapping in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Xiao‐ling Jiang , Hong‐min Li , Yu‐ling An , Ji‐shun Zhao , Yan‐yan Geng , Xiao‐jun Li , Qing‐yun Guan , Mei‐ling Yan , Ji‐chun Tian , Jian‐sheng Chen
Published: July 2023

Solvent retention capacity (SRC) is an important tool for assessing wheat quality by estimating the biochemical characteristics of flour components. Although it has been widely used in wheat breeding programs, its genetic architecture is still poorly understood. Hence, the objective of this study was to find quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with four SRC traits, namely sucrose SRC, sodium carbonate SRC, water SRC and lactic acid SRC, in a recombinant inbred line population consisting of 173 lines descended from Shannong 01–35/Gaocheng 9411 and an association panel of 205 wheat varieties. The 90K single nucleotide polymorphism array was used to genotype both populations. SRC was primarily influenced by genotype, with broad‐sense heritability (H2) ranging from 59.72% to 80.76%. Linkage mapping revealed seven major QTLs on chromosomes 1B, 4B, 5B, and 6B. Among them, QSc1B.6‐27 was repeatedly identified in two different environments, with a 14.7% phenotypic variance explained value. Additionally, 24 significant QTLs, consisting of 57 marker‐trait associations, were identified using association mapping across four environments. Nineteen of them explained more than 10.0% of the phenotypic variance, with QSU6A.141 explaining the most (20.1%). Two common chromosomal regions were discovered when combining the two mapping populations. These regions were located between IACX5803 and BS00067000_51 on chromosome 1B and between IACX557 and CAP11_c3631_75 on chromosome 4B, respectively. In addition, four candidate genes associated with wheat SRC were identified. These findings shed light on the complex genetic mechanisms underlying wheat SRC and may help to genetically enhance wheat quality.
Is breakfast consumption detrimental, unnecessary, or an opportunity for health promotion? A review of cardiometabolic outcomes and functional food choices
Authors: Santos Heitor O. , Tinsley Grant M.
Published: July 2023

Breakfast consumption is generally considered a health‐promoting habit for cardiometabolism, particularly with regard to chrononutrition. Glucose uptake is enhanced by proper insulin secretion triggered by the pancreatic clock, averting metabolic dysregulation related to insulin resistance. Breakfast skipping, in turn, is often considered a behaviour detrimental to health, in part due to putative inverse metabolic actions compared to breakfast consumption, such that breakfast skipping may promote circadian desynchrony. However, most ill health concerns about breakfast skipping are inferred from observational research, and recent well‐controlled randomized clinical trials have shown benefits of breakfast skipping for cardiovascular risk factors. Accordingly, this review describes the effects of breakfast consumption versus breakfast skipping on cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and glycaemic and lipid indices). In addition, the view of breakfast consumption as an opportunity for functional food ingestion is considered to provide further insights into decision‐making practice. Collectively, both breakfast consumption and breakfast skipping can be considered viable habits, but they depend on individual preferences, planning, and the specific foods being consumed or omitted. When consumed, breakfast should consist primarily of functional foods typical for this meal (e.g., eggs, dairy products, nuts, fruits, whole grains, coffee, tea, etc.). While breakfast consumption aligns with chrononutrition principles, breakfast skipping can contribute to a calorie deficit over time, which has the potential for widespread cardiometabolic benefits for patients with overweight/obesity. The concepts and practical considerations discussed in the present review may aid health care personnel in personalising breakfast consumption recommendations for diverse patient populations.
The interaction between land‐use change and fire regimes, directly and indirectly, affects the urban avian assemblages of Darwin, Australia
Authors: Fischer Sarah , Edwards Andrew C. , Garnett Stephen T. , Whiteside Timothy G. , Weber Patrice
Published: July 2023

The interaction between environmental stressors may be a greater threat to biota than any individual ecological threat on its own. Land‐use change and inappropriate fire regimes are known to pose great challenges to biodiversity conservation worldwide. Despite much research being conducted into their singular impacts on ecosystems, very few have investigated how their interaction may be affecting the biota of a region. We used data from surveys in 1998/2000 and 2019/2020 to compare the feeding guild assemblages of bird communities in different habitats within the greater Darwin region. By compiling two sets of spatial data, land‐use change, and fire history mapping, we were able to investigate their interaction and impact on the avian assemblages in the Darwin urban area. Using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) we found that an increase in urbanization significantly affected fire occurrence across study sites. Furthermore, we found that the interaction between land‐use change and fire regimes had a significant effect on species that primarily feed on fruit. We conclude that while an increase in urbanization did not directly affect the avian assemblages, the impact of land‐use change on the fire regimes indirectly impacted urban bird community structures.
Humidity stress and its consequences for male pre‐ and post‐copulatory fitness traits in an insect
Authors: Simmons Leigh W. , Lovegrove Maxine , Du Xin (Bob) , Ren Yonglin , Thomas Melissa L.
Published: July 2023

Global declines in insect abundance are of significant concern. While there is evidence that climate change is contributing to insect declines, we know little of the direct mechanisms responsible for these declines. Male fertility is compromised by increasing temperatures, and the thermal limit to fertility has been implicated as an important factor in the response of insects to climate change. However, climate change is affecting both temperature and hydric conditions, and the effects of water availability on male fertility have rarely been considered. Here we exposed male crickets Teleogryllus oceanicus to either low or high‐humidity environments while holding temperature constant. We measured water loss and the expression of both pre‐ and postmating reproductive traits. Males exposed to a low‐humidity environment lost more water than males exposed to a high‐humidity environment. A male's cuticular hydrocarbon profile (CHC) did not affect the amount of water lost, and males did not adjust the composition of their CHC profiles in response to hydric conditions. Males exposed to a low‐humidity environment were less likely to produce courtship song or produced songs of low quality. Their spermatophores failed to evacuate and their ejaculates contained sperm of reduced viability. The detrimental effects of low‐humidity on male reproductive traits will compromise male fertility and population persistence. We argue that limits to insect fertility based on temperature alone are likely to underestimate the true effects of climate change on insect persistence and that the explicit incorporation of water regulation into our modeling will yield more accurate predictions of the effects of climate change on insect declines.
A multidimensional framework to quantify the effects of urbanization on avian breeding fitness
Authors: Chen Sihao , Liu Yu , Patrick Samantha C. , Goodale Eben , Safran Rebecca J. , Pagani‐Núñez Emilio
Published: July 2023

Urbanization has dramatically altered Earth's landscapes and changed a multitude of environmental factors. This has resulted in intense land‐use change, and adverse consequences such as the urban heat island effect (UHI), noise pollution, and artificial light at night (ALAN). However, there is a lack of research on the combined effects of these environmental factors on life‐history traits and fitness, and on how these interactions shape food resources and drive patterns of species persistence. Here, we systematically reviewed the literature and created a comprehensive framework of the mechanistic pathways by which urbanization affects fitness and thus favors certain species. We found that urbanization‐induced changes in urban vegetation, habitat quality, spring temperature, resource availability, acoustic environment, nighttime light, and species behaviors (e.g., laying, foraging, and communicating) influence breeding choices, optimal time windows that reduce phenological mismatch, and breeding success. Insectivorous and omnivorous species that are especially sensitive to temperature often experience advanced laying behaviors and smaller clutch sizes in urban areas. By contrast, some granivorous and omnivorous species experience little difference in clutch size and number of fledglings because urban areas make it easier to access anthropogenic food resources and to avoid predation. Furthermore, the interactive effect of land‐use change and UHI on species could be synergistic in locations where habitat loss and fragmentation are greatest and when extreme‐hot weather events take place in urban areas. However, in some instances, UHI may mitigate the impact of land‐use changes at local scales and provide suitable breeding conditions by shifting the environment to be more favorable for species' thermal limits and by extending the time window in which food resources are available in urban areas. As a result, we determined five broad directions for further research to highlight that urbanization provides a great opportunity to study environmental filtering processes and population dynamics.
Optimizing the automated recognition of individual animals to support population monitoring
Authors: de Lorm Tijmen A. , Horswill Catharine , Rabaiotti Daniella , Ewers Robert M. , Groom Rosemary J. , Watermeyer Jessica , Woodroffe Rosie
Published: July 2023

Reliable estimates of population size and demographic rates are central to assessing the status of threatened species. However, obtaining individual‐based demographic rates requires long‐term data, which is often costly and difficult to collect. Photographic data offer an inexpensive, noninvasive method for individual‐based monitoring of species with unique markings, and could therefore increase available demographic data for many species. However, selecting suitable images and identifying individuals from photographic catalogs is prohibitively time‐consuming. Automated identification software can significantly speed up this process. Nevertheless, automated methods for selecting suitable images are lacking, as are studies comparing the performance of the most prominent identification software packages. In this study, we develop a framework that automatically selects images suitable for individual identification, and compare the performance of three commonly used identification software packages; Hotspotter, I3S‐Pattern, and WildID. As a case study, we consider the African wild dog, Lycaon pictus, a species whose conservation is limited by a lack of cost‐effective large‐scale monitoring. To evaluate intraspecific variation in the performance of software packages, we compare identification accuracy between two populations (in Kenya and Zimbabwe) that have markedly different coat coloration patterns. The process of selecting suitable images was automated using convolutional neural networks that crop individuals from images, filter out unsuitable images, separate left and right flanks, and remove image backgrounds. Hotspotter had the highest image‐matching accuracy for both populations. However, the accuracy was significantly lower for the Kenyan population (62%), compared to the Zimbabwean population (88%). Our automated image preprocessing has immediate application for expanding monitoring based on image matching. However, the difference in accuracy between populations highlights that population‐specific detection rates are likely and may influence certainty in derived statistics. For species such as the African wild dog, where monitoring is both challenging and expensive, automated individual recognition could greatly expand and expedite conservation efforts.
Distance from human settlements favors wild‐type appearance of feral cats (Felis catus) in Mediterranean woodland
Authors: Dubiner Shahar , Namir Itai , Chen Ron , Levin Eran
Published: July 2023

Camouflage is a common trait enabling animals to avoid detection by predators and prey. Patterns such as spots and stripes are convergent across carnivore families, including felids, and are hypothesized to have adaptive value through camouflage. House cats (Felis catus) were domesticated thousands of years ago, but despite artificial selection for a wide variety of coat colors, the wild‐type pattern of tabby cats is very common. We aimed to determine whether this pattern grants an advantage over other morphs in natural environments. We collected cat images taken with camera traps in natural areas near and far from 38 rural settlements in Israel, to compare the habitat use by feral cats of different colors. We tested the effect of proximity to villages and habitat vegetation (normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI) on the probability of space use by the tabby morph compared to the others. NDVI had a positive effect on site use in both morphs, but non‐tabby cats had a 2.1 higher probability of using the near sites than the far sites, independent of NDVI. The wild‐type tabby cats' probability of site use were equally likely to be unaffected by proximity, or have an interaction of proximity with NDVI whereby the far transects are used with increasing probability in sites of denser vegetation. We hypothesize that the camouflage of tabby cats, more than other colors and patterns, confers an advantage in roaming the woodland habitats for which this pattern evolved. This has both theoretical implications as rare empirical evidence of the adaptive value of fur coloration, and practical implications on managing the ecological impact of feral cats worldwide.