bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SurfDock is a Surface-Informed Diffusion Generative Model for Reliable and Accurate Protein-ligand Complex Prediction
Authors: Cao Duanhua , Chen Mingan , Zhang Runze , Yu Jie , Jiang Xinyu , Fan Zhehuan , Zhang Wei , Zheng Mingyue
Published: December 2023

In the field of structure-based drug design, accurately predicting the binding conformation of ligands to proteins is a long-standing objective. Despite recent advances in deep learning yielding various methods for predicting protein-ligand complex structures, these AI-driven approaches frequently fall short of traditional docking methods in practice and often yield structures that lack physical and chemical plausibility. To overcome these limitations, we present SurfDock, an advanced geometric diffusion network, distinguished by its ability to integrate multiple protein representations including protein sequence, three-dimensional structural graphs, and surface-level details into its equivariant architecture. SurfDock employs a generative diffusion model on a non-Euclidean manifold, enabling precise optimization of molecular translations, rotations, and torsions for reliable binding poses generation. Complemented by a mixture density network for scoring using the same comprehensive representation, SurfDock achieves significantly improved docking success rates over all existing methods, excelling in both accuracy and adherence to physical constraints. Equipped with post-docking energy minimization as an optional feature, the plausibility of generated poses is further enhanced. Importantly, SurfDock demonstrates excellent generalizability to unseen proteins and extensibility to virtual screening tasks with state-of-the-art performance. We consider it a transformative contribution that could serve as an invaluable asset in structure-based drug design.
Fine-tuning protein language models boosts predictions across diverse tasks
Authors: Schmirler Robert , Heinzinger Michael , Rost Burkhard
Published: December 2023

Prediction methods inputting embeddings from protein Language Models (pLMs) have reached or even surpassed state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance on many protein prediction tasks. In natural language processing (NLP) fine-tuning large Language Models (LLMs) has become thede factostandard. In contrast, most pLM-based protein predictions do not back-propagate to the pLM. Here, we compared the fine-tuning of three SOTA pLMs (ESM2, ProtT5, Ankh) on eight different tasks. Two results stood out. Firstly, task-specific supervised fine-tuning almost always improved downstream predictions. Secondly, parameter-efficient fine-tuning could reach similar improvements consuming substantially fewer resources at up to 4.5-fold acceleration of training over fine-tuning full models. Our results suggested to always try fine-tuning, in particular for problems with small datasets, such as for fitness landscape predictions of a single protein. For ease of adaptability, we provided easy-to-use notebooks to fine-tune all models used during this work for per-protein (pooling) and per-residue prediction tasks athttps://github.com/RSchmirler/data-repo_plm-finetune-eval.
Chandipura Virus forms cytoplasmic inclusion bodies through phase separation and proviral association of cellular protein Kinase R and stress granules protein TIA-1
Authors: Sarkar Sharmistha , Ganguly Surajit , Ganguly Nirmal K. , Sarkar Debi. P. , Sharma Nishi Raj
Published: December 2023

Negative-strand RNA viruses form cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) representing virus replication foci through phase separation or bio-molecular condensation of viral and cellular proteins, as a hallmark of their infection. Alternatively, mammalian cells form stalled-mRNA containing antiviral stress granules (SGs), as a consequence of phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) through condensation of several RNA-binding proteins including TIA-1. Whether and how Chandipura virus (CHPV), an emerging human pathogen causing influenza-like illness, coma and death; forms IBs and evades antiviral SGs, remains unknown. By confocal imaging on CHPV-infected Vero-E6 cells, we found that CHPV infection doesn’t induce formation of distinct canonical SGs. Instead, CHPV proteins condense and co-localize together with SG-proteins to form heterogeneous IBs, which ensued independent of the activation of eIF2α and eIF2α Kinase, Protein Kinase R (PKR). Interestingly, siRNA-mediated depletion of PKR or TIA-1 significantly decreased viral transcription and virion production. Moreover, CHPV infection also caused condensation and recruitment of PKR to IBs. Compared to SGs, IBs exhibited significant rapidity in disassembly dynamics. Altogether, our study demonstrates that CHPV-replication co-optimizing with SG-proteins and revealing unprecedented proviral role of TIA-1/PKR, may have implication in understanding the mechanisms regulating CHPV-IB formation, and designing antiviral therapeutic.

Importance

CHPV is an emerging tropical pathogen reported to cause acute influenza-like-illness and encephalitis in children with very high mortality rate of ∼70%. Lack of a vaccines and an effective therapy against CHPV makes it a potent pathogen for causing an epidemic in tropical parts of globe. Given these forewarnings, it is of paramount importance that CHPV biology must be understood comprehensively. Targeting of host factors offers several advantages over targeting the viral components due to in general higher mutation rate in viral genome. In this study, we aimed at understanding the role of those cellular RNA binding proteins in CHPV replication, which form SGs. Our study helps understand participation of cellular factors in CHPV replication and could help develop effective therapeutics against the virus.
The Horizontal Ladder Test (HLT) protocol: A novel, optimized, and reliable means of assessing motor coordination inSus scrofa domesticus
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Gutierrez Ana G. , Vega Arlette , Willms Joshua O. , Driskill Jackson , Panthagani Praneetha , Sanchez Jordan , Aguilera Monica , Backus Brittany , Bailoo Jeremy D. , Bergeson Susan E.
Published: December 2023

Pigs can be an important model for preclinical biological research, including neurological diseases such as Alcohol Use Disorder. Such research often involves longitudinal assessment of changes in motor coordination as the disease or disorder progresses. Current motor coordination tests in pigs are derived from behavioral assessments in rodents and lack critical aspects of face and construct validity. While such tests may permit for the comparison of experimental results to rodents, a lack of validation studies of such tests in the pig itself may preclude the drawing of meaningful conclusions. Here, we present a novel, optimized, and reliable horizontal ladder test (HLT) test protocol for evaluating motor coordination in pigs and an initial validation of its construct validity using voluntary alcohol consumption as an experimental manipulation.

Abstract Figure
Differential gene expression underpinning production of distinct sperm morphs in the wax mothGalleria mellonella
Authors: Moth Emma , Messer Fiona , Chaudhary Saurabh , White-Cooper Helen
Published: December 2023

Male Lepidoptera makes two distinct sperm types; each ejaculate contains both eupyrene sperm, which can fertilise the egg, and apyrene sperm, which are not fertilisation competent. These sperm have distinct morphologies, unique functions, and different proteomes. Their production is highly regulated, however very few genes with specific roles in production of one or other morph have been described. We present the first comparative transcriptomics study of precursors of eupyrene and apyrene sperm to identify genes potentially implicated in regulating or enacting the distinct differentiation programmes. Differentially expressed genes included genes with potential roles in transcriptional regulation, cell cycle and sperm morphology. We identified gene duplications generating paralogues with functions restricted to one or other morph. However phylogenetic analysis also revealed evolutionary flexibility in expression patterns of duplicated genes between different Lepidopteran species. Improved understanding of Lepidopteran reproduction will be vital in targeting prevalent pests in agriculture, and on the flip side, ensuring the fertility and thus survival of pollinator populations in response to environmental stress.
Impairments in the early consolidation of spatial memories via group II mGluR agonism in the mammillary bodies
Authors: Milczarek Michal M. , Perry James C. , Amin Eman , Haniffa Salma , Hathaway Thomas , Vann Seralynne D.
Published: December 2023

mGluR2 receptors are widely expressed in limbic brain regions associated with memory, including the hippocampal formation, retrosplenial and frontal cortices, as well as subcortical regions including the mammillary bodies. mGluR2/3 agonists have been proposed as potential therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders, however, there is still little known about the role of these receptors in cognitive processes, including memory consolidation. To address this, we assessed the effect of the mGluR2/3 agonist, eglumetad, on spatial memory consolidation in both mice and rats. Using the novel place preference paradigm, we found that post-sample injections of eglumetad impaired subsequent spatial discrimination when tested 6 hours later. Using the immediate early gene c-fosas a marker of neural activity, we showed that eglumetad injections reduced activity in a network of limbic brain regions including the hippocampus and mammillary bodies. To determine whether the systemic effects could be replicated with more targeted manipulations, we performed post-sample infusions of the mGluR2/3 agonist 2R,4R-APDC into the mammillary bodies. This impaired novelty discrimination on a place preference task and an object-in-place task, again highlighting the role of mGluR2/3 transmission in memory consolidation and demonstrating the crucial involvement of the mammillary bodies in post-encoding processing of spatial information.
Class-specific sensing of HIV-1 antigens by the B cell antigen receptor depends on the CH1 domain
Authors: Ortiz Yaneth , Anasti Kara , Pane Advaiti K. , Cronin Ken , Alam S. Munir , Reth Michael
Published: December 2023

How different classes of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) sense viral antigens used in vaccination protocols is poorly understood. Here we study antigen binding and sensing of Ramos B cells expressing BCRs of either the IgM or IgG1 class with a specificity for the CD4-binding-site of the envelope (Env) protein of the human immune deficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). We find that, in spite of their identical antigen binding site, the two BCR classes differ drastically from each other in that the IgM-BCR and IgG1-BCR bind preferentially to monovalent and polyvalent antigens, respectively. By generating an IgM/IgG1 chimeric BCR we found that the class-specific antigen-sensing behavior can be transferred with the CH1γ domain from the IgG1-BCR to the IgM-BCR. Our results indicate that the class-switching process not only results in the production of antibody classes with different effector functions but also alters the antigen sensing of secondary B lymphocytes. These findings suggest that antigen valency in existing vaccination protocols should be modified and altered between primary versus secondary (booster) immunization.
Yeast EndoG prevents genome instability by degrading cytoplasmic DNA
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Xin , Fox Jordan , Yu Ruofan , Thakre Pilendra , McCauley Brenna , Nikoloutsos Nicolas , Li Qian , Hastings P. J. , Dang Weiwei , Chen Kaifu , Ira Grzegorz
Published: December 2023

In metazoans release of mitochondrial DNA or retrotransposon cDNA to cytoplasm can cause sterile inflammation and disease. Cytoplasmic nucleases degrade these DNA species to limit inflammation. It remains unknown whether degradation these DNA also prevents nuclear genome instability. To address this question, we decided to identify the nuclease regulating transfer of these cytoplasmic DNA species to the nucleus. We used an amplicon sequencing-based method in yeast enabling analysis of millions of DSB repair products.NuclearmtDNA (NUMTs) and retrotransposon cDNA insertions increase dramatically in nondividing stationary phase cells. Yeast EndoG (Nuc1) nuclease limits insertions of cDNA and transfer of very long mtDNA (>10 kb) that forms unstable circles or rarely insert in the genome, but it promotes formation of short NUMTs (∼45-200 bp). Nuc1 also regulates transfer of cytoplasmic DNA to nucleus in aging or during meiosis. We propose that Nuc1 preserves genome stability by degrading retrotransposon cDNA and long mtDNA, while short NUMTs can originate from incompletely degraded mtDNA. This work suggests that nucleases eliminating cytoplasmic DNA play a role in preserving genome stability.
Phylogenomics resolves key relationships inRumexand uncovers a dynamic history of independently evolving sex chromosomes
Authors: Hibbins Mark S. , Rifkin Joanna L. , Choudhury Baharul I. , Voznesenka Olena , Sacchi Bianca , Yuan Meng , Gong Yunchen , Barrett Spencer C. H. , Wright Stephen I.
Published: December 2023

Sex chromosomes have evolved independently many times across eukaryotes. Despite a considerable body of literature on the evolution of sex chromosomes, the causes and consequences of variation in the formation, degeneration, and turnover of sex chromosomes remain poorly understood. Comparative approaches in groups with sexual system variation can be valuable for understanding these questions. Plants are well-suited to such comparative studies, with many lineages containing relatively recent origins of dioecy and sex chromosomes as well as hermaphroditic close relatives.Rumexis a diverse genus of flowering plants harboring significant sexual system variation, including hermaphroditic and dioecious clades with XY sex chromosomes. Previous disagreement in the phylogenetic relationships among key species have rendered the history of sex chromosome evolution uncertain. Resolving this history is important to the development ofRumexas a system for the comparative study of sex chromosome evolution. Here, we leverage new transcriptome assemblies from 11 species representing the major clades in the genus, along with a whole-genome assembly generated for a pivotal hermaphroditic species, to further resolve the phylogeny and history of sex chromosome evolution inRumex. Using phylogenomic approaches, we find evidence for two independent origins of sex chromosomes and introgression from unsampled taxa in the genus. Comparative genomics reveals massive chromosomal rearrangements in a dioecious species, with evidence for a complex origin of the sex chromosomes through multiple chromosomal fusions. However, we see no evidence of elevated rates of fusion on the sex chromosome in comparison with autosomes, providing no support for an adaptive hypothesis for the sex chromosome expansion. Overall, our results highlight the dynamic nature of sex chromosome systems inRumexand illustrate the utility of the genus as a model for the comparative study of sex chromosome evolution.
Molecular Species Determination of Cyathostomins from Horses in Ireland
Authors: Byrne Orla , Gangotia Disha , Crowley John , Zintl Annetta , Kiser Liam , Boxall Olivia , McSweeney Daniel , O’Neill Fiona , Dunne Stacey , Lamb Breanna Rose , Walshe Nicola , Mulcahy Grace
Published: December 2023

Cyathostomins are globally important equine parasites, responsible for both chronic and acute pathogenic effects. The occurrence of mixed infections with numerous cyathostomin species hinders our understanding of parasite epidemiology, host-parasite dynamics and species pathogenicity. There have been few studies of cyathostomin species occurring in horses in Ireland, where temperate climatic conditions with year-round rainfall provide suitable conditions for infection of grazing animals with bursate nematodes. Here, we amplified and sequenced the ITS-2 region of adult worms harvested at post-mortem from 11 adult horses between August 2018 and June 2020, and recorded species prevalence and abundance of worms recovered from the caecum, right ventral colon and left dorsal colon, using both BLAST and IDTAXA for taxonomic attribution. Phylogenetic relationships and community composition were also recorded and compared with other relevant studies, including a global meta-analysis. Overall, our results agree with previous studies that there does not seem to be a major difference in cyathostomin species occurrence in equids in different geographical regions. We confirmed the results of other workers in relation to the difficulties in discriminating betweenCylicostephanus calicatusandCoronocyclus coronatuson the basis of ITS-2 sequences.
ARHGAP32 as a novel RhoGAP interacting with desmoplakin is required for desmosomal organization and assembly
Authors: Li Hua , Wang Yan , He Yinzhen , Liu Xiayu , Duan Xiufen , Zhou Kaiyao , Wu Gangyun , Ning Wenxiu
Published: December 2023

Desmosomes are specialized cell-cell junctions that play a critical role in maintaining tissue barrier integrity, particularly in mechanically stressed tissues. The assembly of desmosomes is regulated by the cytoskeleton and its regulators, and desmosomes also function as a central hub for regulating F-actin. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between desmosomes and F-actin, particularly involving RhoGAP or RhoGEF proteins, remain unclear. In our study, we identified that ARHGAP32, a Rho GTPase-activating protein, is located in desmosomes through its interaction with DSP via its GAB2-interacting domain. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene knockout system, we confirmed that ARHGAP32 is required for proper desmosomal organization, maturation, and length regulation. Notably, the loss of ARHGAP32 resulted in increased formation of F-actin stress fibers and phosphorylation of MYOSIN at T18/S19, indicating enhanced actomyosin contractility. Furthermore, inhibition of ROCK1 kinase activity using Y27632 effectively restored desmosomal organization. Moreover, we demonstrated that the regulation of desmosomes by ARHGAP32 is crucial for maintaining the integrity of epithelial cell sheets. Collectively, our study unveils ARHGAP32 as a RhoGAP present at desmosomes, potentially facilitating the crosstalk between desmosomes and F-actin. Its presence is indispensable for desmosomal assembly and the preservation of epithelial cell sheet integrity by regulating actomyosin contractility.
New insights on the role ofSlDMR6-1in drought avoidance in tomato
Authors: Alex Maioli , Federica De Marchi , Danila Valentino , Silvia Gianoglio , Davide Patono , Fabio Miloro , Yuling Bai , Cinzia Comino , Sergio Lanteri , Claudio Lovisolo , Alberto Acquadro , Andrea Moglia
Published: December 2023

The DOWNY MILDEW RESISTANCE 6 (DMR6) protein is a 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) and Fe(II)-dependent oxygenase, involved in salicylic acid (SA) metabolism, and its inactivation in tomato was found to increase SA levels and to confer disease-resistance against several pathogens. SA is also recognized as an abiotic stress-tolerance enhancer, and we tested the resistance to drought stress inSldmr6-1tomato mutants generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 technique.

Wild-type (WT) tomato cultivar ‘San Marzano’ and itsSldmr6-1mutants were subjected to water deprivation for 7 days. At the end of the period, while WT plants exhibited severe wilting, the T2Sldmr6-1mutant plants showed turgid leaves and maintained higher Soil Relative Water Content (SRWC).Sldmr6-1mutants adopted a water saving behaviour reducing transpiration rate (E) by decreasing stomatal conductance (Gs). Assimilation rate (A) decreased in parallel to E under drought stress, resulting in no alteration of the CO2concentration in the sub-stomatal chamber (Ci) and increasing the Water Use Efficiency (WUE, A/E). Defence mechanisms of the photosynthetic machinery triggered inSldmr6-1mutants, that under drought stress showed up-regulation of the genesSlAPXandSlGST(anti-oxidant related) as well as down-regulation ofSlCYP707A2gene, which is involved in ABA catabolism. Our results suggest that the disabling ofSlDMR6-1in tomato plants leads to a drought-avoidance strategy through tight control of stomatal closure controlling water loss. In addition, it was highlighted, for the first time in tomato, thatSldmr6-1mutants showed reduced susceptibility toPhytophthora infestans, the causal agent of Late Blight.
Retractions covered by retraction watch from 2017 to 2022: a perspective from Indian researchers
Authors: R. Shimray Somipam , Tiwari Sakshi , Ramaiah Chennupati Kodand
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine characteristics of retracted publications from Indian authors and inspect a relationship between journal impact factor (JIF) and the number of authors (NoA).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examined the general characteristics of retracted publications and investigated the correlation between JIF and NoA from Indian authors from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022. Data were mined from retraction watch http://retractiondatabase.org/ (n = 1,459) and determined the year of publication, year of retraction, authors, journals, publishers and causes of the retractions. A journal citation report was extracted to gather the JIFs.

Findings

About one-third of retracted papers were published in 2020; 2022 has the highest retraction rate (723); studies with two authors represent about one-third (476) of the published articles; Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing (354) has the highest number of retractions; Springer published the most retracted papers (674); and the majority of the journal (1,133) is indexed in journal citation reports, with impact factor extending from 0.504 to 43.474. Retraction due to legal reasons/legal threats was the most predominant reason for retraction.

Originality/value

This study reflects growth in author collaborations with a surge in the JIF. This study recommends that quick retraction is essential to reduce the adverse effects of faulty research.
The differential effect of three types of conflicting online reviews on perceived informativeness
Authors: Xian Chunyi , Vali Hessam , Tian Ruwen , Xu Jingjun David , Yildirim Mehmet Bayram
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The authors investigate the varying impact of three categories of conflicting consumer reviews (i.e. conflicting opinions on attributes of a product item, conflicting ratings of an item and the intensity of conflicting reviews of an item) on the potential customers' perceived informativeness, which is expected to affect the perceived correct purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

To test their proposed hypotheses, the authors conducted an experiment using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design for each conflict type comprising two levels (low vs high).

Findings

The results of this study found that conflicting opinions on product attributes can enhance potential customers' perceptions of informativeness and subsequent correct purchase decisions while conflicting ratings and the intensity of conflicting reviews can diminish potential customers' perceptions of informativeness. In addition, conflicting ratings negatively moderate the effect of conflicting attributes on perceived informativeness such that the positive effect of conflicting attributes on perceived informativeness will be less prominent when conflicting ratings are present (vs absent).

Originality/value

While potential customers are browsing product descriptions, reviews and comments from other purchasers are also playing a role in influencing a potential customer's purchase decision. However, given the different experiences and temperaments of individuals, the subjective remarks and ratings of individuals are sometimes inconsistent or even conflicting, which can lead to confusion among potential customers. The authors categorize the positive or negative effects of the three conflicting reviews based on the two dimensions of ease of capture and product diagnosticity. The findings can help platforms optimize the display of product reviews to help potential customers make more accurate purchase decisions.
Molecular simulation for food protein–ligand interactions: A comprehensive review on principles, current applications, and emerging trends
Authors: Jin Zihan , Wei Zihao
Published: December 2023

In recent years, investigations on molecular interaction mechanisms between food proteins and ligands have attracted much interest. The interaction mechanisms can supply much useful information for many fields in the food industry, including nutrient delivery, food processing, auxiliary detection, and others. Molecular simulation has offered extraordinary insights into the interaction mechanisms. It can reflect binding conformation, interaction forces, binding affinity, key residues, and other information that physicochemical experiments cannot reveal in a fast and detailed manner. The simulation results have proven to be consistent with the results of physicochemical experiments. Molecular simulation holds great potential for future applications in the field of food protein–ligand interactions. This review elaborates on the principles of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Besides, their applications in food protein–ligand interactions are summarized. Furthermore, challenges, perspectives, and trends in molecular simulation of food protein–ligand interactions are proposed. Based on the results of molecular simulation, the mechanisms of interfacial behavior, enzyme‐substrate binding, and structural changes during food processing can be reflected, and strategies for hazardous substance detection and food flavor adjustment can be generated. Moreover, molecular simulation can accelerate food development and reduce animal experiments. However, there are still several challenges to applying molecular simulation to food protein–ligand interaction research. The future trends will be a combination of international cooperation and data sharing, quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics, advanced computational techniques, and machine learning, which contribute to promoting food protein–ligand interaction simulation. Overall, the use of molecular simulation to study food protein–ligand interactions has a promising prospect.
Analysis of friction ridge evidence for trace amounts of paracetamol in various pharmaceutical industries by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Czarnomska Martyna , Lewkowicz Aneta , Pierpaoli Mattia , Gruszczyńska Emilia , Kasprzak Magdalena , Gryczyński Zygmunt , Bojarski Piotr , Steinborn Sławomir , Woźniewski Krzysztof
Published: December 2023

The detection of potentially harmful substances presents a multifaceted challenge. On one hand, it can directly save lives, on the other, it can significantly aid and enhance police work, thereby increasing the effectiveness of investigations. The research conducted in this study primarily aims to identify paracetamol in fingerprints, considering situations involving direct contact of a person with paracetamol either chronically or in a single dose. The identification procedure presented, utilizing Raman spectroscopy, aims to rapidly detect the xenobiotic following ingestion by an individual, which involves touching the tablet with their fingers—this can be termed as touch evidence in forensic science investigations. Additionally, the authors focus on assessing the impact of additives present in drugs containing paracetamol as the main active ingredient. The screening results obtained will enable us to analyze the composition of drugs in terms of potentially toxic substances, and their influence on the physicochemical activity of the active substance. We successfully identified the paracetamol molecule using a noninvasive forensic trace detection method. Samples in the form of common drugs containing 500 mg of paracetamol were studied. Throughout the study, comprehensive validation of the method was ensured through the utilization of a statistical model, which excluded sensitivity to the presence of other substances, whether additives or from the external environment. The proposed approach to trace the content of substances in fingerprint using Raman scattering analysis provides a useful starting point to enhance current analytical methods not only in forensic science but also in toxicology.
Clinical and genetic characteristics of maturity‐onset diabetes of the young type 13: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Chen Yaning , Hu Xiaodong , Zhao Mingwei
Published: December 2023

Objective

Maturity‐onset diabetes of the young type 13 (MODY13), a rare type of monogenic diabetes, is often misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes. To improve early diagnosis and precise treatment, we performed a systematic review and analysis of the literature about MODY13.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese BioMedical (CBM) Literature Database, and Wanfang Database were searched using the following search terms: “MODY13,” “KCNJ11 maturity‐onset diabetes of the young,” “KCNJ11‐MODY,” “maturity‐onset diabetes of the young type 13,” and “neonatal diabetes mellitus KCNJ11.” The demography, clinical characteristics, and gene mutations of patients were expressed with descriptive statistical methods.

Results

A total of 33 reports were included in this study, including 75 patients and 28 types of mutations. Thirty‐six patients were male. The mean onset age was 25.20 ± 15.26 years. The averages of recorded body mass index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting C‐peptide were 23.45 ± 4.56kg/m2, 10.07 ± 1.96%, and 0.31 ± 0.23nmol/L, respectively. Most of the mutation sites were located in the cytosolic region of N‐ and C‐terminal domains of Kir6.2. Seven patients were reported to have diabetic chronic complications.

Conclusion

MODY13 was diagnosed later than other types of MODY and was associated with low fasting C‐peptide. Mutation sites of MODY13 were mostly concentrated in N‐ and C‐terminal intracellular domains. The majority of KCNJ11 gene mutations causing MODY 13 were from G to A. The incidence rates of chronic complications were lower than type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

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Current applications of algorithmic artificial intelligence in interventional radiology: A review of the literature
Authors: O'Brien Andrew J , Vrazas John I , Clements Warren
Published: December 2023

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving area of technology whose integration into healthcare delivery infrastructure is predicted to have profound implications for medicine delivery in the 21st century. Artificial intelligence as it relates to healthcare is a term used to cover a wide scope of computer‐based algorithms whose application varies from patient selection to enhancements in imaging and postoperative prognostication. This article reviews the literature to contextualise how AI is currently being implemented in interventional radiology. This review considers the literature from a preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative perspective.
Deep learning‐based facial analysis for predicting difficult videolaryngoscopy: a feasibility study
Authors: Xia M. , Jin C. , Zheng Y. , Wang J. , Zhao M. , Cao S. , Xu T. , Pei B. , Irwin M. G. , Lin Z. , Jiang H.
Published: December 2023

While videolaryngoscopy has resulted in better overall success rates of tracheal intubation, airway assessment is still an important prerequisite for safe airway management. This study aimed to create an artificial intelligence model to identify difficult videolaryngoscopy using a neural network. Baseline characteristics, medical history, bedside examination and seven facial images were included as predictor variables. ResNet‐18 was introduced to recognise images and extract features. Different machine learning algorithms were utilised to develop predictive models. A videolaryngoscopy view of Cormack‐Lehane grade of 1 or 2 was classified as ‘non‐difficult’, while grade 3 or 4 was classified as ‘difficult’. A total of 5849 patients were included, of whom 5335 had non‐difficult and 514 had difficult videolaryngoscopy. The facial model (only including facial images) using the Light Gradient Boosting Machine algorithm showed the highest area under the curve (95%CI) of 0.779 (0.733–0.825) with a sensitivity (95%CI) of 0.757 (0.650–0.845) and specificity (95%CI) of 0.721 (0.626–0.794) in the test set. Compared with bedside examination and multivariate scores (El‐Ganzouri and Wilson), the facial model had significantly higher predictive performance (p < 0.001). Artificial intelligence‐based facial analysis is a feasible technique for predicting difficulty during videolaryngoscopy, and the model developed using neural networks has higher predictive performance than traditional methods.
Integrating novel immunotherapeutic approaches in organ‐preserving therapies for bladder cancer
Authors: Michaud Éva , Mansure José Joao , Kassouf Wassim
Published: December 2023

Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy with significant morbidity and mortality. Over the years, the landscape of bladder cancer treatment has witnessed notable advancements, particularly in the realm of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising adjunct to organ‐preserving approaches, harnessing the immune system's potential to target and eliminate cancer cells. Organ preservation strategies offer viable alternatives to radical cystectomy to avoid the morbidities associated with radical surgery, as well as to respond to the needs of patients unfit for or who have refused surgery. However, the challenge lies in achieving durable disease control while minimizing treatment‐related toxicities. This review highlights the significance of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti‐programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD‐L1) antibodies, in the treatment of localized bladder cancer. The clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, as both neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in combination with radiation or chemotherapy, is discussed. Moreover, the potential of immunotherapies beyond immune checkpoint inhibition, including combinations with bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) instillations and/or investigational gene therapies, is explored. Furthermore, the predictive value of the tumour immune microenvironment for the success of these strategies is examined. Understanding the complex interplay between tumour immunity and therapeutic interventions can aid in identifying predictive biomarkers and tailoring personalized treatment strategies. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to optimize the use of immunotherapy in conjunction with organ‐preserving therapies, potentially leading to enhanced patient outcomes and quality of life.
Pharmaceutical management of acute radiation dermatitis in the German speaking radiation oncology community
Authors: Layer Julian P. , Layer Katharina , Glasmacher Andrea R. , Sarria Gustavo R. , Böhner Alexander M. C. , Layer Yonah L. , Dejonckheere Cas S. , Wiegreffe Shari , Nour Youness , Caglayan Lara , Grau Franziska , Feyer Petra , Baumert Brigitta G. , Baumann René , Krug David , Scafa Davide , Leitzen Christina , Landsberg Jennifer , Giordano Frank A. , Schmeel Leonard Christopher ,   German‐speaking Radiation Dermatitis Survey Group
Published: December 2023

Background

Radiation dermatitis (RD) remains the most common side effect in radiation therapy (RT) with various pharmaceutical options available for prevention and treatment. We sought to determine pharmaceutical management patterns of radiation dermatitis among radiation oncology professionals.

Methods

We conducted a survey on RD among the German‐speaking community of radiation oncologists inquiring for their opinion on preventive and therapeutic pharmaceutical approaches for acute RD.

Results

244 health professionals participated. Dexpanthenol lotion is the agent most widely used both for prevention (53.0%) and treatment (76.9%) of RD, followed by urea (29.8%) for prevention and corticosteroids (46.9%) for treatment. A wide range of substances is used by participants, though the overall experience with them is rather limited. 32.5% of participants do generally not recommend any preventative treatment. 53.4% of participants recommend alternative medicine for RD management. While seldomly used, corticosteroids were considered most effective in RD therapy, followed by dexpanthenol and low‐level laser therapy. A majority of participants prefers moist over dry treatment of moist desquamation and 43.8% prescribe antiseptics.

Conclusions

Pharmaceutical management of RD in the German‐speaking radiation oncology community remains controversial, inconsistent, and partially not supported by evidence‐based medicine. Stronger evidence level and interdisciplinary consensus is required amongst practitioners to improve these care patterns.
Cassirer's concept of a symbolic form reconsidered
Authors: Kreis Guido
Published: December 2023

In the first two sections of the following remarks, I will establish a working definition of Cassirer's concept of a symbolic form. Symbolic forms are primarily forms of expression (1). Furthermore, they must be conceived as forms of world‐disclosure and forms of mind and spirit (2). Finally, I will highlight the key elements of Cassirer's analysis of the practical dimension of symbolic forms (3). I argue that a reconsideration of the concept of a symbolic form will naturally let the philosophy of symbolic forms adopt the shape of a critical theory of society.
Parental microprotections: Testing measurement equivalence in Black, Latinx, and White families
Authors: Dotterer Aryn M. , Ferguson Melissa , Schwartz Sarah , James Anthony G.
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study examined measurement equivalence of parental microprotections in Black, Latinx, and White families.

Background

Microprotections refer to the small daily caring, supportive, and loving behaviors Black parents engage in to counteract the negative effects of racism and discrimination. It is possible that this parenting practice applies to other families in which adolescents are at risk for discrimination because of social identities and/or membership in a stigmatized group (e.g., Latinx adolescents, sexual minority adolescents).

Methods

Participants were parent–adolescent dyads (N = 395) from across the United States. Adolescents were in Grades 9 through 12, and approximately one third of the families identified as Black/African American (n = 131), one third as Hispanic/Latinx (n = 132), and one third as White (n = 132).

Results

Measurement equivalence was evaluated through a series of multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Results showed strict measurement invariance in parent reports of parental microprotections across all three racial/ethnic groups. Adolescent reports of mothers' microprotections demonstrated strict measurement invariance and adolescent reports of fathers' microprotections achieved configural measurement invariance.

Conclusion

These results support the use of the Parental Microprotections Scale in African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and White families.

Implications

Parental microprotections are one way that parents can nurture hope, happiness, and health despite discrimination that adolescents may face. The Parental Microprotections Scale may be useful for family science practitioners and researchers who are interested in evaluating potential supports in adolescents and their families.
VON DER ‘MACHT, WELT ZU MACHEN’: RADIKALE DEMOKRATIE IN SHARON DODUA OTOOS ADAS RAUM*
Authors: Daldrup Alrik
Published: December 2023

Drawing on Jacques Rancièreʼs radical democratic concept of dissensus, my article centres on the epistemic, affective and verbal forms of resistance depicted in Sharon Dodua Otooʼs debut novel Adas Raum. In four diegetic narrative strands, a police order of the visible and the sayable damages and assimilates the characters’ lives. According to Jamika Ajalon, stories are lost in colonised space, but at the same time self‐determined stories have been shared generation after generation in order to stay alive. The everyday of Ada, but also of supposedly minor characters, such as the survivors of the Irish famine Lizzie and Alfie, is not only the site of violent Othering. Interconnected through different historical eras, the characters imagine other worlds at the margins. They develop creative counter‐strategies and safer spaces which can be understood, with Davina Cooper, as everyday utopias. I will show that the dissensual tension between experiencing the world as it is and the search for a better future can be seen as a central leitmotif of the novel. By giving back agency to marginalised subjects in narratives of resistance, Otoo's novel can be seen as an aesthetic artefact that brings to life world‐making, dissensual images which political activists can appropriate in their fight for equality and freedom.
Predictors of poor health‐related quality of life among people living with HIV aged ≥60 years in the PISCIS cohort: Findings from the Vive+ project
Authors: Bruguera Andreu , Egea‐Cortés L. , Mesías‐Gazmuri J. , Palacio ‐Vieira J. , Forero C. G. , Miranda C. , Saumoy M. , Fernández E. , Navarro G. , Orti A. , Miró J. M. , Casabona J. , Reyes‐Urueña J. ,   PISCS Study Group
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Advancements in and accessibility to effective antiretroviral therapy has improved the life expectancy of people living with HIV, increasing the proportion of people living with HIV reaching older age (≥60 years), making this population's health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) more relevant. Our aim was to identify the determinants of poor HRQoL in people living with HIV aged ≥60 years and compare them with those of their younger counterparts.

Methods

We used data from the ‘Vive+’ study, a cross‐sectional survey conducted between October 2019 and March 2020, nested within the PISCIS cohort of people living with HIV in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Spain. We used the 12‐item short‐form survey (SF‐12), divided into a physical component summary (PCS) and a mental component summary (MCS), to evaluate HRQoL. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator for variable selection and used multivariable regression models to identify predictors.

Results

Of the 1060 people living with HIV (78.6% males) who participated in the study, 209 (19.7%) were aged ≥60 years. When comparing older people living with HIV (≥60 years) and their younger counterparts, older people exhibited a worse PCS (median 51.3 [interquartile range {IQR} 46.0–58.1] vs. 46.43 [IQR 42.5–52.7], p < 0.001) but a similar MCS (median 56.0 [IQR 49.34–64.7] vs. 57.0 [IQR 48.9–66.3], p = 0.476). In the multivariable analysis, cognitive function correlated with a PCS (β correlation factor [β] −0.18, p = 0.014), and depressive symptoms and satisfaction with social role correlated with an MCS (β 0.61 and β −0.97, respectively, p < 0.001) in people living with HIV aged ≥60 years.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms, poor cognitive function, and lower satisfaction with social roles predict poorer HRQoL in older people living with HIV. These factors need to be considered when designing targeted interventions.
Understanding variation in children's reading comprehension: A dynamic approach
Authors: Gruhn Sophie , Segers Eliane , Keuning Jos , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: December 2023

Background

Reading comprehension is an interactive process. Yet, instructional needs are usually identified with isolated componential tests. This study examined whether a dynamic approach, in which componential abilities are measured within the same text and global text comprehension is facilitated via feedback, can help in understanding variation in children's reading comprehension.

Objectives

With a pretest‐posttest control group design, componential abilities before and after feedback were related to growth in global text comprehension within the same text.

Methods

At pretest, third to fifth graders read 30 short texts, each followed by one global text comprehension question. This was repeated at posttest, but additional questions were asked with feedback prior to each global text comprehension question. The vocabulary group received two vocabulary questions with feedback (n = 97). The vocabulary plus integration group received two vocabulary questions and one sentence‐integration question with feedback (n = 98). The control group (n = 98) only answered the global text comprehension questions.

Results and Conclusion

Participants in the experimental conditions who needed feedback (i.e., lower‐skilled) experienced a decrease in global text comprehension, whereas this was not found for the control group and participants in the experimental groups who did not need feedback (i.e., higher‐skilled). There was also less decrease among those lower‐skilled participants who had profited from the feedback.

Implications

It is concluded from explorative analyses that not feedback but the overall design caused the decrease. Conceptually, the dynamic approach is worth further research.
Validation of no‐biopsy pathway for the diagnosis of celiac disease in Asian adults: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Pachisia Aditya Vikram , Kumari Alka , Mehta Shubham , Ahmed Anam , Chauhan Ashish , Agarwal Ankit , Dwarkanathan Vignesh , Rajpoot Sachin , Prasad Shubham , Kumar Sanjay , Sinha Saroj Kant , Sharma Divya , Rajput Mahender , Das Prasenjit , Falodia Sushil , Kochhar Rakesh , Ramakrishna BS , Ahuja Vineet , Makharia Govind
Published: December 2023

Background and Aim

While European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition advocates a no‐biopsy pathway for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CeD) in children if IgA anti‐tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti‐tTG ab) titer is ≥10‐fold upper limit of normal (ULN) and have a positive IgA anti‐endomysial antibody (EMA); the data for anti‐tTG Ab titer‐based diagnosis of CeD in adults is still emerging. We planned to validate if IgA anti‐tTG Ab titer ≥10‐fold predicts villous abnormalities of modified Marsh grade ≥2 in Asian adult patients with CeD.

Methods

We recruited 937 adult patients with positive anti‐tTG Ab from two databases, including AIIMS Celiac Clinic and Indian National Biorepository. The diagnosis of definite CeD was made on the basis of a positive anti‐tTG Ab and the presence of villous abnormalities of modified Marsh grade ≥2.

Results

Of 937 adult patients with positive anti‐tTG Ab, 889 (91.2%) showed villous abnormalities of modified Marsh grade ≥2. Only 47.6% of 889 adults with CeD had anti‐ tTG Ab titers of ≥10‐fold. The positive predictive value (PPV) and specificity of anti tTG Ab titer ≥10‐fold for predicting modified Marsh grade ≥2 were 99.8% and 98%, respectively. At anti‐tTG Ab titer ≥11‐fold, specificity and PPV were 100% for predicting villous abnormalities of modified Marsh grade ≥2.

Conclusions

Approximately 50% of adults with CeD may benefit from the no biopsy pathway, reducing the health burden and risks of gastroscopy/anesthesia.