bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Considering vertical space reveals hidden links and increased modularity of plant–frugivore networks
Authors: Li Hai‐Dong , Tang Linfang , Jia Chenxi , Holyoak Marcel , Fründ Jochen , Huang Xiaoqun , Xiao Zhishu
Published: April 2023

Plant–frugivore networks often display vertical structure in forest communities because of vertical distribution of fruit resources and animal feeding niches on and under trees. However, how vertical stratification of fruit sources and animal feeding niches affect the structure and functioning of frugivory networks has not previously been well studied. We used infrared cameras under trees and direct observations on trees to extensively sample the whole frugivory networks in a subtropical forest in Southwest China. We analyzed the structure of on‐the‐tree, under‐the‐tree, space‐free aggregated (where links lacked vertical spatial information), and space‐based aggregated frugivory networks (where links included vertical spatial information). We uncovered vertical differentiation in frugivore composition (dissimilarity > 0.7) and less than 5% overlap of links occurring both under and on trees. Network analyses revealed high complementarity between the under‐ and on‐the‐tree frugivory networks. Modularity and specialization increased when space‐based hidden links (i.e. considering spatial locations) were included. Overall, we conclude that consideration of vertical structure (on‐the‐tree versus under‐the‐tree) in frugivore networks can enhance our understanding of the seed dispersal process and frugivore co‐existence in forests.
Effect of Bone Cement Thickness on the Risk of Scalded Skin in Joint Surgery
Authors: Li Binglong , Han Kaifei , Yu Yang , He Junyi , Sun Houyi , Lu Qunshan , Li Lei , Zheng Tong , Zhang Baoqing , Liu Peilai
Published: April 2023

Objective

Bone cement releases a large amount of heat as it polymerizes. Skin burns caused by discarded bone cement are not well understood during arthroplasty. It is important to study the correlates and mechanisms of scalding and to accurately evaluate the severity of burns to guide treatment decisions.

Methods

Standardized burns were created in eight anesthetized rabbits using different thicknesses of bone cement. Bone cement was uniformly stirred to make thicknesses of 1 mm, 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, and 20 mm and a 20 × 40 mm cuboid. Bone cement samples were then placed on the back of a rabbit, and the temperature changes were recorded with an industrial digital thermometer. One hour later, the appearance of scalded skin was observed, and the rabbits were euthanized. The scalded parts were cut to make pathological sections and stained with HE, and the differences in the depth of the scalded skin caused by different thicknesses of bone cement were observed under a light microscope.

Results

Damage caused by 1 mm‐, 4 mm‐, 8 mm‐, 12 mm‐, 16 mm‐, and 20 mm‐thick bone cement samples mainly involved the epidermis, the papillary dermis, the reticular dermis layer, and the full thickness of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue. The maximum temperature of 1 mm, 4 mm, 8 mm, and 12 mm bone cementation had a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference between 12 mm, 16 mm, and 20 mm samples (p = 0.856). The time to severe scalding with bone cement at temperatures above 70°C was significantly different between different thicknesses (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The heat released by different thicknesses of bone cement leads to different maximum temperatures and the duration of severe burns, resulting in different degrees of skin burns. Attention should be paid to discarded bone cement to prevent this potential complication in knee arthroplasty.
Relationship of Pelvic Positional Change with Leg Length and Offset Measurement in Experimental Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Kikuchi Naoya , Kawamura Haruo , Nishino Tomofumi , Mishima Hajime
Published: April 2023

Objective

During total hip arthroplasty (THA), both pelvic and femur positions affect leg length (LL) and offset (OS) measurements because LL and OS calipers depend on the fixed reference points on the pelvis and femur, respectively. However, LL and OS measurement errors because of pelvic positional changes have not been described. This study aimed to clarify the effects of pelvic positional changes on LL and OS measurements in relation to the pelvic reference using a THA simulator.

Methods

We developed an experimental THA simulator using Sawbones models of the hemipelvis and femur that facilitated modification of the obliquity, tilt, and rotation of the pelvis. Using an LL and OS caliper, LL and OS measurement errors due to pelvic positional changes were determined with the femoral position fixed. Measurements were performed from two pelvic reference positions: the iliac tubercle (P1) and the top of the iliac crest intersecting the line of the femoral long axis (P2).

Results

Concerning pelvic obliquity, the total error of LL was 25.0 mm in P1 and 26.5 mm in P2, while the total error of OS was 13.0 mm in P1 and 10.9 mm in P2. For pelvic tilt, the total error of LL was 9.0 mm in P1 and 3.8 mm in P2, while the total error of OS was 0.5 mm in P1 and 1.0 mm in P2. Regarding pelvic rotation, the total error of LL was 13.8 mm in P1 and 3.2 mm in P2, while the total error of OS was 3.8 mm in P1 and 4.0 mm in P2.

Conclusions

Pelvic positional changes alter LL and OS measurements. The acceptable range (error <2 mm) on LL and OS measurement errors of pelvic obliquity was only 2°, regardless of the pelvic reference position. The pelvic reference position should be at the top of the iliac crest intersecting the line of the long axis of the femur because of a small LL measurement error with pelvic tilt and rotation.
Efficacy of procedural treatments for pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa: A systematic review
Authors: Masson Rahul , Parvathala Neha , Ma Elaine , Shih Terri , Atluri Swetha , Sayed Christopher J. , Hogeling Marcia , Shi Vivian Y. , Hsiao Jennifer L.
Published: April 2023

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, inflammatory skin disease that has historically been understudied in the pediatric population. Procedural interventions, such as surgical excisions, skin grafts, and lasers, are important for comprehensive HS disease management. However, there is a lack of data on procedural treatments for HS in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the efficacy and safety of procedural treatments for HS in pediatric patients. In April 2022, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for articles on the efficacy of procedural treatments for HS in patients <18 years of age. Two independent reviewers extracted data from relevant studies. From 1974 to 2021, 23 articles with 81 patients were identified. Patients' Hurley stages included stage I (9.1%, 1/11), II (36.4%, 4/11), and III (54.5%, 6/11). The most extensively studied procedural interventions include negative pressure wound therapy (n = 30), surgical excision with skin graft/flap (n = 19), and endoscopic electrode or laser treatment (n = 11). In all, promising response rates for procedural management strategies were observed in the literature but the findings were largely based on case reports/series. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), especially those geared toward minimally invasive procedural treatments, are needed to help guide clinicians on the most efficacious treatment modalities for pediatric patients with HS.
Governor's political affiliation and stringent COVID‐19 policy
Authors: Wang Chan , Kim Yushim , Mossberger Karen
Published: April 2023

The political affiliation of governors has been highlighted as the most important predictor of a state's aggressiveness in responding to the pandemic, that is, Democratic governors advocated for more stringent policies than their Republican counterparts. However, of the 39 states that issued a statewide stay‐at‐home order (SAHO) mandate, nearly half were led by Republican governors. Using a qualitative comparative analysis, we find that gubernatorial partisanship alone cannot explain SAHO mandates. If partisanship played a role at all, it did so only in states with large metropolitan areas or with fewer public health resources. Regardless of the governor's partisanship, the combination of problem severity and public health resources was sufficient to produce a stringent policy outcome. Emphasis on gubernatorial decisions as purely political overlooks material needs relevant for future pandemic response and the potential for evidence and future coordination.
Short‐ and long‐run labor market adjustment to import competition
Authors: Blyde Juan , Busso Matias , Park Kyunglin , Romero Dario
Published: April 2023

By exploiting spatial variation in import exposure arising from initial differences in industry specialization, we analyze how local labor markets in Mexico adjusted to increased Chinese‐import competition over different time horizons. The initial adjustment to the shock took various forms: a decline in the number of wage employees, a substitution of wage employees with piece‐rate or outsourced workers, and a substitution of formal employees with informal employees. The negative effects on employment were mainly associated with job destruction from exiting firms, particularly those that were small and medium‐sized. During periods in which employment fell, the population that actively participated in the labor force fell. The negative short‐ and medium‐run effects mostly disappeared after 20 years.
Export capacity and capital stock augmentation through imports: Evidence from Sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Co Catherine Y.
Published: April 2023

This paper investigates the capital goods imports of Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries from 2002 to 2017. The composition of capital goods imports has become less diverse over time in more than half of the countries studied. Colonial ties no longer determine the sourcing of capital goods as China is now the top source. Trade gravity regressions using the Poisson pseudo‐maximum‐likelihood estimator show that bilateral exports of non‐primary products by SSA countries and their low‐income peers are associated with increased net stock of imported general‐purpose capital goods. Additionally, there is evidence that the net stock of some types of imported equipment and machinery is associated with increased non‐primary exports of items utilising these capital goods with elasticity estimates ranging from 0.10 to 1.10. Thus, there is some form of economic restructuring in the region gleaned from increased exports of non‐primary products brought about by capital stock augmentation through imports.
‘A just price is future’: The capital–life conflict in a viticulture region (El Penedès)
Authors: Homs Ramírez de la Piscina Patricia
Published: April 2023

El Penedès is an area of Catalonia (northeastern Spain) characterised by its viticulture activity. Its landscape and territorial identity are marked by vineyards and the creation of still and sparkling wines such ascava. This article analyses the tensions between the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, sociocultural and environmental) among viticulturist practices and discourses in El Penedès. Through 2 years (2019–2021) of fieldwork in the region (participant observation and interviews), I have observed the (un)sustainabilities of viticulturists in four different contexts: the expansion of organic production, quantity‐orientedcavaproduction, the effects of territorial policies on vineyards and the permanent farmers’ demonstrations demanding just prices and a decent life (vida digna). Viticulturists are threatened by agro‐industrial drifts that squeeze their livelihoods and impede the sustainability of life. Thus, the viticulturists’ current situation exemplifies the capital–life conflict explored by feminist economists in other fields. The article contributes to the study of sustainability in light of social reproduction in the viticulture sector and provides empirical evidence of other economic rationalities among viticulturists that differ from the hegemonic economic rationality based on capital accumulation.
Preliminary evaluation of penile papule dermatoses with reflectance confocal microscopy in children
Authors: Chen Lixin , Wang Ying , Zhang Wanxing , Su Haihui , Li Qinfeng
Published: April 2023

Background

Owing to their similar appearance, lichen striatus (LS), lichen nitidus (LN), juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG), and molluscum contagiosum (MC) on the penis often lead to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, especially in children. In vivo evaluation of penile dermatoses with reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is helpful in the diagnosis of these ambiguous lesions in children.

Methods

We recruited 12 patients with LS, nine with LN, seven with JXG, and nine with MC and evaluated the characteristics and distinguishing features of the four kinds of papule dermatoses on the penis using RCM.

Results

The four dermatoses all had unique RCM features. LS generally showed focally destroyed dermal papillary rings, with numerous mononuclear cell clusters aggregated inside the papillary rings, and highly refractive clumps were observed. For LN, the dermal papillary rings were completely destroyed and arranged in a solitary, enlarged, cavity‐like structure, in which round cells, particulate matter structures, and plump cellular structures were aggregated; the adjacent skin was completely normal. In JXG, the dermal papillary rings were significantly dilated, and the superficial dermis was filled with different‐sized large bright ring cells; smaller, refractive, roundish structures; and particulate matter. For MC, the normal structures completely disappeared; the lesions were arranged in a crater‐shaped structure; and a mass‐like substance formed by the aggregation of multiple, uniform, roundish structures was observed within the crater.

Conclusion

RCM allows for real‐time visualization of major key diagnostic and distinguishing features of four papule dermatoses, LS, LN, JXG, and MC, on the penis in children.
The challenges of integrating explainable artificial intelligence into GeoAI
Authors: Xing Jin , Sieber Renee
Published: April 2023

Although explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) promises considerable progress in glassboxing deep learning models, there are challenges in applying XAI to geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI), specifically geospatial deep neural networks (DNNs). We summarize these as three major challenges, related generally to XAI computation, to GeoAI and geographic data handling, and to geosocial issues. XAI computation includes the difficulty of selecting reference data/models and the shortcomings of attributing explanatory power to gradients, as well as the difficulty in accommodating geographic scale, geovisualization, and underlying geographic data structures. Geosocial challenges encompass the limitations of knowledge scope—semantics and ontologies—in the explanation of GeoAI as well as the lack of integrating non‐technical aspects in XAI, including processes that are not amenable to XAI. We illustrate these issues with a land use classification case study.
Using habitat suitability models for multiscale forensic geolocation analysis
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Miller Jennifer A. , Grubesic Tony H. , Jha Shalene
Published: April 2023

Pollen is one of the most durable environmental materials that law enforcement agencies recover as trace evidence from people and objects. Although links between objects and geographic locations are essential during legal investigations, the approach of using pollen and other microbial fingerprints to build these links in an analytical framework is still underutilized. This study uses bees as objects that are mobile and collects environmental traces as a test case to determine the efficacy of predictive geolocation efforts with recovered pollen and species distribution models at both subcontinental and global scales. Results demonstrate promising performance in both the predictive capability of species distribution models and identification of possible location history of bees at both study extents. When coupling pollen with other categories of evidentiary items, this geographic attribution framework can aid law enforcement personnel in refining investigation priorities and optimizing search strategies.
Enabling geosimulations for global scale: Spherical geographic automata
Authors: Addae Bright , Dragićević Suzana
Published: April 2023

Several complex dynamic spatial systems are operating on the global scale. Their representation with existing geosimulation models is limited to planar level and do not consider the curvature of the Earth's surface. Thus, the objective of this study is to propose and develop a spherical geographic automata (SGA) modeling approach to represent and simulate dynamic spatial processes at the global level. The proposed SGA model is implemented for three case studies including simulations of: (1) Game of Life as population dynamics; (2) urban land‐use growth; and (3) deforestation all operating on the spherical Earth's surface. Simulation results indicate that the proposed SGA modeling approach can represent spatial processes such as expansion and shrinkage dynamics on the Earth's surface. The proposed approach has the potential to be adopted to represent different complex systems such as ecological, epidemiological, socioeconomic, and Earth systems processes to support environmental management and policymaking at the global level.
The involvement of allosteric effectors and post‐translational modifications in the control of plant central carbon metabolism
Authors: Hartman Matías D. , Rojas Bruno E. , Iglesias Alberto A. , Figueroa Carlos M.
Published: April 2023

Plant metabolism is finely orchestrated to allow the occurrence of complementary and sometimes opposite metabolic pathways. In part this is achieved by the allosteric regulation of enzymes, which has been a cornerstone of plant research for many decades. The completion of the Arabidopsis genome and the development of the associated toolkits for Arabidopsis research moved the focus of many researchers to other fields. This is reflected by the increasing number of high‐throughput proteomic studies, mainly focused on post‐translational modifications. However, follow‐up ‘classical’ biochemical studies to assess the functions and upstream signaling pathways responsible for such modifications have been scarce. In this work, we review the basic concepts of allosteric regulation of enzymes involved in plant carbon metabolism, comprising photosynthesis and photorespiration, starch and sucrose synthesis, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Additionally, we revisit the latest results on the allosteric control of the enzymes involved in these pathways. To conclude, we elaborate on the current methods for studying protein–metabolite interactions, which we consider will become crucial for discoveries in the future.
Comparison of the quantity and antimicrobial activity of host defence peptides in ear canals between healthy and atopic dogs: A preliminary study
Authors: Santoro Domenico
Published: April 2023

Background

Host defence peptides (HDPs) are involved in cutaneous immune defence. The secretion of HDPs in the ears of healthy normal and noninfected atopic dogs has not been measured.

Hypotheses/Objectives

The aim of this study was to quantify the concentrations of β‐defensins (cBD3)‐like and cathelicidin (cCath) HDPs in ears of healthy and atopic dogs without infectious otitis, additionally to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of the HDPs obtained.

Animals

Ten healthy and 20 atopic dogs with mild inflammatory, noninfectious otitis were included.

Materials and Methods

Absence of infection was determined by cytological evaluation, and the severity of clinical signs, if present, was assessed by a previously validated score (Otitis Externa Scoring System for Clinical Study, OTIS‐3). The left ear canal of each dog was rinsed with 2 mL of sodium phosphate buffer. The solution obtained was analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to quantify HDPs. Additionally, aural secretions were incubated with two concentrations (5 × 105 and 5 × 104 colony‐forming units/mL) of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and the bacterial density measured after 24 h of incubation. Data were statistically analysed. Significance was set as p ≤ 0.05.

Results

There was a significantly lower concentration of HDPs from atopic ears when compared with those from normal healthy dogs (cBD3‐like: p = 0.0007; cCath: p = 0.049). There was minimal to variable antimicrobial activity in the aural secretions of both groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

This study showed, for the first time, that the ear canals of atopic dogs with mild noninfectious otitis contain a lower concentration of cBD3‐like and cCath HDPs than those of healthy dogs with normal ears. A consistent antimicrobial activity was not present in the aural secretions from either group.
Square function estimates and local smoothing for Fourier integral operators
Authors: Gao Chuanwei , Liu Bochen , Miao Changxing , Xi Yakun
Published: April 2023

We prove a variable coefficient version of the square function estimate of Guth–Wang–Zhang. By a classical argument of Mockenhaupt–Seeger–Sogge, it implies the full range of sharp local smoothing estimates for ‐dimensional Fourier integral operators satisfying the cinematic curvature condition. In particular, the local smoothing conjecture for wave equations on compact Riemannian surfaces is settled.
A Combined Approach Using Water Quality Indexes and Statistical Analyses to Assess the Urban Surface Runoff: a Case Study in São Paulo Coastal Zone, Brazil
Authors: Roveri Vinicius , Guimarães Luciana Lopes , Correia Alberto Teodorico
Published: April 2023

Although the most conventional methods to determine the quality of an aquatic ecosystem are aimed to evaluate its physicochemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological characteristics, the monitoring of a large number of environmental variables can represent a high cost for developing countries like Brazil. However, a combined approach using water quality indexes and statistical analyses may help us to monitor water quality through a previous selection of a few key environmental variables. In this context, the objective of this study was to highlight the set of environmental variables most useful to assess the urban channels water quality of Guarujá, Brazil, whose diffuse loads flow continuously into four tourist beaches (Tombo, Enseada, Perequê and Iporanga). For this purpose, three different methods were applied: (i) an existent published large data set (30 environmental variables: 28 physicochemical/microbiological, plus 2 ecotoxicological) obtained during a previous monitoring of the urban drainage channels of these beaches; (ii) the potential risks for the aquatic local fauna and flora through established water quality indexes, such as IMPC, TSI and ALPI; and (iii) through statistical methods such as Cohen D test, Standardized Odds Ratio and Logistic Regression, the set of environmental variables with the greatest potential to cause acute and chronic toxicity in urban channels waters. This combined approach using water quality indexes and statistical analyses was effective to successfully reduce the number of environmental variables needed to assess the ecological status of this coastal area. Moreover, this combined approach was useful to gather intuitive and user-friendly environmental information that could help decision makers (i.e., public authorities and environmental agencies) to plan and perform low-cost and effective monitoring plans in different coastal zones worldwide, namely in developing countries such as Brazil.
A New Approach for Structural Monitoring Based on Terrestrial Laser Scan Data Using Control Planes
Authors: Alves Samir De Souza Oliveira , Rodríguez Felipe Andrés Carvajal , Sampaio Lívia Faria , De Medeiros Leandro Ítalo Barbosa , Wiggers Dayane , Veiga Luís Augusto Koenig , Klein Ivandro
Published: April 2023

Laser scanning is a survey method that enables the obtaining of several data points on surfaces through the observation of horizontal and vertical angles and electronic distance measurements. The result of these observations is a set of 3D points named point clouds, which can be obtained from scans using total stations or the Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS). Currently, the use of TLS in geodetic structural deformation monitoring activities is under evaluation, since this technique can provide a greater number of points in a shorter period, when compared to scans performed by total stations. In this research, the feasibility of using control planes for geodetic monitoring was investigated in a controlled laboratory environment, exploring the current trend of parameterization of point clouds. From the development of an Experimental Plane Control (EPC) containing a flat surface that could be inclined in a controlled way, simultaneous scans with TLS and total station were carried out at different inclinations of the control plane. Both surveys were done in frontal scan mode (minimum plane inclination of 0º53’ and maximum plane inclination of 3º28’) and in oblique mode (plane inclination of 1º09’), where the plane inclination angles were generated by the rotation in EPC base, considering the first plane position as reference to inclination calculating. From parametrization of point clouds, a new approach was developed to test the significance of the estimated inclination angle of the plane in relation to a reference position. The results showed that it is possible to confirm that the inclined angles were statistically significant, but that the TLS scanning position can interfere in the determination of these data for monitoring purposes.
Specific Residues in the C-Terminal Domain of the Human Metapneumovirus Phosphoprotein Are Indispensable for Formation of Viral Replication Centers and Regulation of the Function of the Viral Polymerase Complex
Authors: Thompson Rachel Erin , Edmonds Kearstin , Dutch Rebecca Ellis
Published: April 2023

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infects global populations, with severe respiratory tract infections occurring in infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. There are currently no FDA-approved therapeutics available to prevent or treat HMPV infection.
Regulation of High-Affinity Iron Acquisition, Including Acquisition Mediated by the Iron Permease FtrA, Is Coordinated by AtrR, SrbA, and SreA in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Yap Annie , Volz Ricarda , Paul Sanjoy , Moye-Rowley W. Scott , Haas Hubertus
Published: April 2023

Aspergillus fumigatus
is the most common filamentous fungal pathogen infecting humans. Iron acquisition via siderophores has previously been shown to be essential for virulence of this mold species.
Adaptation of Prokaryotic Toxins for Negative Selection and Cloning-Independent Markerless Mutagenesis in Streptococcus Species
Authors: Li Lena , Krieger Madeline , Qin Hua , Zou Zhengzhong , Kreth Jens , Merritt Justin
Published: April 2023

Multiple medically significant
Streptococcus
species, such as
S. mutans
, have highly sophisticated genetic systems available, largely as a consequence of their amenability to genetic manipulation via natural competence. Despite this, few options are available for the creation of markerless mutations in streptococci, especially within wild-type strains.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals an Eicosapentaenoic Acid Accumulation Mechanism in a
Schizochytrium
sp. Mutant
Authors: Ou Ying , Li Yaqi , Feng Shoushuai , Wang Qiong , Yang Hailin
Published: April 2023

Schizochytrium
, a marine eukaryotic microorganism, has emerged as a candidate for the commercial production of PUFAs. EPA is an omega-3 PUFA with preventive and therapeutic effects against cardiovascular diseases, schizophrenia, and other disorders.
HIV-Infected Patients as a Model of Aging
Authors: Toljić Boško , Milašin Jelena , De Luka Silvio R. , Dragović Gordana , Jevtović Djordje , Maslać Aleksandar , Ristić-Djurović Jasna L. , Trbovich Alexander M.
Published: April 2023

This article is focused on the dynamics of human aging. Moreover, its interdisciplinary approach is applicable to various systems that are aging.
Functional Characterization of Plasmid-Borne
rmpADC
Homologues in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Yang Xuemei , Liu Xiaoxuan , Chan Edward Wai-Chi , Zhang Rong , Chen Sheng
Published: April 2023

Klebsiella pneumoniae
has become the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogen in hospital settings, with a very high mortality rate worldwide. Factors contributing to the virulence of
K. pneumoniae
are the overproduction of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) as well as the hypermucoviscosity (HMV) phenotype.
Diagnostic Utility of a Mycobacterium Multiplex PCR Detection Panel for Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections
Authors: Uwamino Yoshifumi , Aono Akio , Tomita Yu , Morimoto Kozo , Kawashima Masahiro , Kamata Hirofumi , Sasaki Yuka , Nagai Hideaki , Hasegawa Naoki , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: April 2023

Species identification is important for the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections and decisions on treatment regimens. The Myco-Panel test accurately detects clinically common mycobacterial species that cause respiratory infections from clinical respiratory samples and mycobacterial suspensions.
Precise U-Pb dating of incremental calcite slickenfiber growth: Evidence for far-field Eocene fold reactivation in Ireland
Authors: Monchal V. , Drost K. , Chew D.
Published: April 2023

The Variscan orogen in southern Ireland and Britain is characterized by an intensely deformed, E-W–trending fold-and-thrust belt. Farther north in Ireland, the Carboniferous North Dublin Basin exhibits tight chevron folds and kinematically linked en echelon vein sets, along with bedding-parallel veins with slickenfibers. This deformation is assumed to be Variscan in age, despite lying 150 km north of the supposed Variscan “front.” The laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating of these calcite veins undertaken for this study showed that relict Variscan U-Pb ages are very poorly preserved. Instead, late Eocene ages were obtained from many calcite veins, including fold hinge breccias and bedding-parallel slickenfiber veins associated with N-S shortening (flexural slip). Also, U-Pb ages from one bedding-parallel vein showed protracted flexural slip over ~5 m.y. during late Eocene times. Detection of the growth domains within this vein was facilitated by the imaging approach to LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating adopted in this study, which can identify age-homogeneous domains by integrating spatial U-Pb isotopic information with maps of petrogenetically diagnostic major and trace elements. The late Eocene fold reactivation phase was hitherto undetected on the Irish mainland, but regional Cenozoic N-directed shortening has been documented in Mesozoic–Cenozoic sequences of the southern Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, southern England, and the Paris Basin. We attribute late Eocene fold reactivation to far-field, N-directed shortening associated with the Alpine/Pyrenean orogenies. It is likely that many Variscan or Caledonian folds, particularly in southern onshore Ireland, were reactivated during Eocene–Oligocene shortening, which has not been recognized to date because of the lack of post-Variscan markers (e.g., dikes, Mesozoic–Cenozoic cover sequences).
Staff competence in caring for LGBTQ+ patients in the paediatric emergency department
Authors: Kelleher Sean T , Barrett Michael J , Durnin Sheena , Fitzpatrick Patrick , Higgins Agnes , Hall Dani
Published: April 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess the competency of paediatric emergency department (PED) multidisciplinary staff in caring for LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, + inclusive of all identities) adolescents.

Design

This was an observational study within which participants were required to complete the LGBT-Development of Clinical Skills Scale self-assessment tool of clinical competence.

Setting

It was conducted across three PEDs and one urgent care centre pertaining to the Children’s Health Ireland healthcare group.

Participants

Doctors, nurses and healthcare workers were eligible to participate. Exclusion criteria: non-front facing staff; prior completion of an eLearning module intended to serve as a future educational intervention.

Main outcome measures

Participants were assessed on: (1) attitudinal awareness towards LGBTQ+ individuals; (2) knowledge of LGBTQ+ health issues and (3) clinical preparedness in caring for LGBTQ+ patients. Each domain is scored out of a maximum of 7 points.

Results

71 eligible participants completed the study. 40/71 (56%) were doctors, and 31/71 (44%) were nurses. The mean score for attitudinal awareness was 6.54/7 (SD 0.59), indicating overall positive attitudes. The mean score for knowledge was lower (5.34/7, SD 1.03) and lowest for clinical preparedness (3.39/7, SD 0.94). Participants were less confident in caring for transgender than LGB patients and scored very low when asked if they had received adequate training in caring for transgender young people (2.11/7).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates positive attitudes towards LGBTQ+ patients among PED staff. However, there was a gap in knowledge and clinical preparedness. Increased training in caring for LGBTQ+ young people is necessary.
Interactions between long-term ambient particle exposures and lifestyle on the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes: insight from a large community-based survey
Authors: Cai Huanle , Du Zhicheng , Lin Xiao , Lawrence Wayne R , Hopke Philip K , Rich David Q , Lin Shao , Xiao Jianpeng , Deng Xinlei , Qu Yanji , Lin Ziqiang , Wang Xinran , Ju Xu , Chen Shirui , Zhang Yuqin , Wu Wenjing , Wang Ying , Gu Jing , Hao Yuantao , Zhang Wangjian
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Evidence on the interaction of lifestyle and long-term ambient particle (PM) exposure on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, particularly their combined condition is limited. We investigate the associations between PM and these outcomes and whether the associations were modified by various lifestyles.

Methods

This was a large population-based survey during 2019–2021 in Southern China. The concentrations of PM were interpolated and assigned to participants by the residential address. Hypertension and diabetes status were from questionnaires and confirmed with the community health centres. Logistic regression was applied to examine the associations, followed by a comprehensive set of stratified analyses by the lifestyles including diet, smoking, drinking, sleeping and exercise.

Results

A total of 82 345 residents were included in the final analyses. For each 1 μg/m3increase in PM2.5, the adjusted OR for the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and their combined condition were 1.05 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.06), 1.07 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.08) and 1.05 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.06), respectively. We observed that the association between PM2.5and the combined condition was greatest in the group with 4–8 unhealthy lifestyles (OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.13) followed by the group with 2–3 and those with 0–1 unhealthy lifestyle (Pinteraction=0.026). Similar results and trends were observed in PM10and/or in those with hypertension or diabetes. Individuals who consumed alcohol, had inadequate sleep duration or had poor quality sleep were more vulnerable.

Conclusion

Long-term PM exposure was associated with increased prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and their combined condition, and those with unhealthy lifestyles suffered greater risks of these conditions.
YY1 complex in M2 macrophage promotes prostate cancer progression by upregulating IL-6
Authors: Chen Saisai , Lu Kai , Hou Yue , You Zonghao , Shu Chuanjun , Wei Xiaoying , Wu Tiange , Shi Naipeng , Zhang Guangyuan , Wu Jianping , Chen Shuqiu , Zhang Lihua , Li Wenchao , Zhang Dingxiao , Ju Shenghong , Chen Ming , Xu Bin
Published: April 2023

Background

Tumor-associated macrophages are mainly polarized into the M2 phenotype, remodeling the tumor microenvironment and promoting tumor progression by secreting various cytokines.

Methods

Tissue microarray consisting of prostate cancer (PCa), normal prostate, and lymph node metastatic samples from patients with PCa were stained with Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and CD163. Transgenic mice overexpressing YY1 were constructed to observe PCa tumorigenesis. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro experiments, including CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out, RNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing, and liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) assays, were performed to investigate the role and mechanism of YY1 in M2 macrophages and PCa tumor microenvironment.

Results

YY1 was highly expressed in M2 macrophages in PCa and was associated with poorer clinical outcomes. The proportion of tumor-infiltrated M2 macrophages increased in transgenic mice overexpressing YY1. In contrast, the proliferation and activity of anti-tumoral T lymphocytes were suppressed. Treatment targeting YY1 on M2 macrophages using an M2-targeting peptide-modified liposome carrier suppressed PCa cell lung metastasis and generated synergistic anti-tumoral effects with PD-1 blockade. IL-4/STAT6 pathway regulated YY1, and YY1 increased the macrophage-induced PCa progression by upregulating IL-6. Furthermore, by conducting H3K27ac-ChIP-seq in M2 macrophages and THP-1, we found that thousands of enhancers were gained during M2 macrophage polarization, and these M2-specific enhancers were enriched in YY1 ChIP-seq signals. In addition, an M2-specific IL-6 enhancer upregulated IL-6 expression through long-range chromatin interaction with IL-6 promoter in M2 macrophages. During M2 macrophage polarization, YY1 formed an LLPS, in which p300, p65, and CEBPB acted as transcriptional cofactors.

Conclusions

Phase separation of the YY1 complex in M2 macrophages upregulated IL-6 by promoting IL-6 enhancer–promoter interactions, thereby increasing PCa progression.
Variations in current clinical practice of postoperative pericardial effusion: a questionnaire study
Authors: van Dinter Stefan , Li Wilson , Wollersheim Laurens , Rodwell Laura , van Royen Niels , Dieker Hendrik-Jan , Verhagen Ad
Published: April 2023

Objective

Postoperative pericardial effusion (PPE) occurs frequently after cardiac surgery, potentially leading to life-threatening cardiac tamponade. Specific treatment guidelines are currently lacking, possibly leading to variations in clinical practice. Our goal was to assess clinical PPE management and evaluate variation between centres and clinicians.

Methods

A nationwide survey was sent to all interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons in the Netherlands, regarding their preferred diagnostic and treatment modality of PPE. Clinical preferences were explored utilising four patient scenarios, each with a high/low echocardiographic and clinical suspicion of cardiac tamponade. Scenarios were also stratified by three PPE sizes (<1 cm, 1–2 cm, >2 cm).

Results

In total, 46/140 interventional cardiologists and 48/120 cardiothoracic surgeons responded (27/31 contacted centres). Cardiologists favoured routine postoperative echocardiography in all patients (44%), whereas cardiothoracic surgeons preferred routine imaging after specific procedures, especially mitral (85%) and tricuspid (79%) valve surgery. Overall, pericardiocentesis (83%) was preferred over surgical evacuation (17%). Regarding all patient scenarios, cardiothoracic surgeons significantly preferred evacuation compared with cardiologists (51% vs 37%, p<0.001). This was also observed with cardiologists employed in surgical centres compared with non-surgical centres (43% vs 31%, p=0.02). Inter-rater analysis varied from poor to near-excellent (к 0.22–0.67), suggesting varying PPE treatment preferences within one centre.

Conclusion

There is significant variation in the preferred management of PPE between hospitals and clinicians, even within the same centre, possibly due to the lack of specific guidelines. Therefore, robust results of a systematic approach to PPE diagnosis and treatment are needed to formulate evidence-based recommendations and optimise patient outcome.
Eugenol, menthol and other flavour chemicals in kreteks and ‘white’ cigarettes purchased in Indonesia
Authors: Cohen Joanna E , Amalia Beladenta , Luo Wentai , McWhirter Kevin J , Masanga Braden C , Pankow James F
Published: April 2023

Background

Flavoured tobacco products are not restricted in Indonesia, a country with about 68 million adults who smoke. Most use clove-mixed tobacco cigarettes (‘kreteks’); non-clove (‘white’) cigarettes are also available. Although the use of flavour chemicals has been identified by WHO as promoting tobacco use, little has been reported for Indonesia about the levels of flavourants in either kreteks or ‘white cigarettes’.

Methods

22 kretek brand variants and nine ‘white’ cigarette brand variants were purchased in Indonesia during 2021/2022; one of the kretek packs contained three colour-coded variants, giving a total sample number of 24 for the kreteks. Chemical analyses gave the mg/stick (=mg/(filter+rod)) values for 180 individual flavour chemicals that included eugenol (a clove-flavoured compound), four other clove-related compounds and menthol.

Results

Eugenol was present at significant levels in all 24 kreteks (2.8–33.8 mg/stick), but was essentially absent in all of the cigarettes. Menthol was present in 14 of 24 kreteks, with levels ranging from 2.8 to 12.9 mg/stick, and in five of the nine cigarettes, with levels ranging from 3.6 to 10.8 mg/stick. Other flavour chemicals were also found in many of the kretek and cigarette samples.

Conclusions

In this small sample, we found numerous variations of flavoured tobacco products offered by multinational and national companies in Indonesia. Given the body of evidence that flavours make tobacco products more appealing, regulation of clove-related compounds, menthol and other flavour chemicals should be considered in Indonesia.
Modelling environmental impacts associated with the removal of productivity-enhancing technologies from Canadian feedlots: a case study
Authors: Boonstra Emily , Aboagye Isaac A. , McAllister Tim A. , Legesse Getahun , Mengistu Genet F. , Fulawka Deanne L. , Cordeiro Marcos R.C. , Ribeiro Gabriel O. , McGeough Emma , Ominski Kim H.
Published: April 2023

Greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions, land and water use associated with feedlot cattle ( n = 40 hd treatment−1 trial−1) treated with or without productivity-enhancing technologies were modelled for a multiyear study ( n = 4). Heifers (H) were assigned to the following treatments: (1) implanted (HTBA); (2) provided with melengestrol acetate (HMGA); (3) nonimplanted control, weight-adjusted (CON_Adj) to achieve the same final carcass weight (CW) as 1 (HCON_AdjTBA); or (4) CON_Adj to achieve the CW as 2 (HCON_AdjMGA). Steers (S) were assigned as follows: (1) implanted (STBA); (2) implanted and provided with ractopamine hydrochloride (SRAC; conducted in the last 2 years); (3) CON_Adj to achieve the same CW as 1 (SCON_AdjTBA); or (4) CON_Adj to achieve the same CW as 2 (SCON_AdjRAC). The GHG and NH3 emissions from HTBA, HMGA, STBA, and SRAC were 3.8%, 3.0%, 10.1%, and 8.5% lower and 4.3%, 2.9%, 7.4%, and 7.6% lower, respectively, than the respective control cattle. The land required to produce feed was also reduced by 6.6%, 4.8%, 9.9%, and 10.9%, while water use was reduced by 6.4%, 4.8%, 10.1%, and 11.1% for HTBA, HMGA, STBA, and SRAC, respectively. This modelling study clearly demonstrates that conventional beef production systems have a lower environmental footprint than nonconventional systems.
Genes influencing deposition of melanin in breast muscle of the Xuefeng black bone chicken based on bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Xu Mingming , Tang Shengguo , Liu Xu , Deng Yuying , He Changqing , Guo Songchang , Qu Xiangyong
Published: April 2023

The Xuefeng black bone chicken (XFBC) represents an important poultry genetic resource. However, the darkness in breast muscle is heterogeneous. The molecular genetic mechanisms underlying melanogenesis of breast muscle in XFBC remains unclear. This study used RNA-seq to compare the difference in transcriptome between hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation of breast muscle. Six cDNA libraries were constructed for hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation groups in XFBC. We identified 395 differently expressed genes (DEGs) between hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation group ( P < 0.05, |log2FC|≥1). Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated several differentially enriched biological functions and pathways involved in melanogenesis of the breast muscle. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) GO analysis identified two significant gene sets, including the pathways of pigment metabolic process and transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity. GSEA–KEGG analysis identified the process of tyrosine metabolism and several genes related with melanogenesis in breast muscle of the XFBC. The protein–protein interaction network was constructed and eight genes were clustered in the module. We identified nine hub genes, including TYR, TYRP1, DCT, GPR143, MLANA, SLC24A5, GPNMB, MLPH, and EDNRB2. Taken together, the DEGs and hub genes identified in the study provide a solid basis for the study of the genetic regulatory mechanisms involved the melanogenesis in the breast muscle of the XFBC.
Liquid argon light collection and veto modeling in GERDA Phase II
Authors: Agostini M. , Alexander A. , Araujo G. R. , Bakalyarov A. M. , Balata M. , Barabanov I. , Baudis L. , Bauer C. , Belogurov S. , Bettini A. , Bezrukov L. , Biancacci V. , Bossio E. , Bothe V. , Brugnera R. , Caldwell A. , Calgaro S. , Cattadori C. , Chernogorov A. , Chiu P. -J. , Comellato T. , D’Andrea V. , Demidova E. V. , Di Giacinto A. , Di Marco N. , Doroshkevich E. , Fischer F. , Fomina M. , Gangapshev A. , Garfagnini A. , Gooch C. , Grabmayr P. , Gurentsov V. , Gusev K. , Hakenmüller J. , Hemmer S. , Hofmann W. , Hult M. , Inzhechik L. V. , Csáthy J. Janicskó , Jochum J. , Junker M. , Kazalov V. , Kermaïdic Y. , Khushbakht H. , Kihm T. , Kilgus K. , Kirpichnikov I. V. , Klimenko A. , Knöpfle K. T. , Kochetov O. , Kornoukhov V. N. , Krause P. , Kuzminov V. V. , Laubenstein M. , Lehnert B. , Lindner M. , Lippi I. , Lubashevskiy A. , Lubsandorzhiev B. , Lutter G. , Macolino C. , Majorovits B. , Maneschg W. , Manzanillas L. , Marshall G. , Miloradovic M. , Mingazheva R. , Misiaszek M. , Morella M. , Müller Y. , Nemchenok I. , Neuberger M. , Pandola L. , Pelczar K. , Pertoldi L. , Piseri P. , Pullia A. , Rauscher L. , Redchuk M. , Riboldi S. , Rumyantseva N. , Sada C. , Sailer S. , Salamida F. , Schönert S. , Schreiner J. , Schütt M. , Schütz A. -K. , Schulz O. , Schwarz M. , Schwingenheuer B. , Selivanenko O. , Shevchik E. , Shirchenko M. , Shtembari L. , Simgen H. , Smolnikov A. , Stukov D. , Sullivan S. , Vasenko A. A. , Veresnikova A. , Vignoli C. , von Sturm K. , Wegmann A. , Wester T. , Wiesinger C. , Wojcik M. , Yanovich E. , Zatschler B. , Zhitnikov I. , Zhukov S. V. , Zinatulina D. , Zschocke A. , Zsigmond A. J. , Zuber K. , Zuzel G. ,   Gerda collaboration
Published: April 2023

The ability to detect liquid argon scintillation light from within a densely packed high-purity germanium detector array allowed the Gerda experiment to reach an exceptionally low background rate in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of $${}^{76}$$

76

Ge. Proper modeling of the light propagation throughout the experimental setup, from any origin in the liquid argon volume to its eventual detection by the novel light read-out system, provides insight into the rejection capability and is a necessary ingredient to obtain robust background predictions. In this paper, we present a model of the Gerda liquid argon veto, as obtained by Monte Carlo simulations and constrained by calibration data, and highlight its application for background decomposition.