bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Supplemental Medial Buttress Plate Fixation for High-Energy Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in Young Adults
Authors: Collinge Cory A. , Harris Payton , Sagi H. Claude , Rodriguez-Buitrago Andres , Beltran Michael J. , Mitchell Phillip M. , Mir Hassan R. , Lebus George F. , Tornetta Paul , de la Fuente Guadalupe ,   Young Femoral Neck Fracture Working Group
Published: February 2023

Objectives:

To evaluate whether augmenting traditional fixation with a femoral neck buttress plate (FNBP) improves clinical outcomes in young adults with high-energy displaced femoral neck fractures.

Design:

Multicenter retrospective matched cohort comparative clinical study.

Setting:

Twenty-seven North American Level 1 trauma centers.

Patients:

Adult patients younger than 55 years who sustained a high-energy (nonpathologic) displaced femoral neck fracture.

Intervention:

Operative reduction and stabilization of a displaced femoral neck fracture with (group 1) and without (group 2) an FNBP.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Complications including failed fixation, nonunion, osteonecrosis, malunion, and need for subsequent major reconstructive surgery (early revision of reduction and/or fixation), proximal femoral osteotomy, or arthroplasty.

Results:

Of 478 patients younger than 55 years treated operatively for a displaced femoral neck fracture, 11% (n = 51) had the definitive fixation augmented with an FNBP. One or more forms of treatment failure occurred in 29% (n = 15/51) for group 1 and 49% (209/427) for group 2 (P < 0.01). When FNBP fixation was used, mini-fragment (2.4/2.7 mm) fixation failed significantly more often than small-fragment (3.5 mm) fixation (42% vs. 5%, P < 0.01). Irrespective of plate size, anterior and anteromedial plates failed significantly more often than direct medial plates (75% and 33% vs. 9%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The use of a femoral neck buttress plate to augment traditional fixation in displaced femoral neck fractures is associated with improved clinical outcomes, including lower rates of failed fixation, nonunion, osteonecrosis, and need for secondary reconstructive surgery. The benefits of this technique are optimized when a small-fragment (3.5 mm) plate is applied directly to the medial aspect of the femoral neck, avoiding more anterior positioning.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Use of Biologics for the Treatment of Inflammatory Conditions of the Pouch
Authors: Godoy-Brewer Gala , Salem George , Limketkai Berkeley , Selaru Florin M. , Grossen Alyssa , Policarpo Tatiana , Haq Zadid , Parian Alyssa M.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Patients with medically-refractory ulcerative colitis or advanced neoplasia are often offered an ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis to restore bowel continuity. However, up to 50% of patients can suffer from inflammatory conditions of the pouch, some of which require biological therapy to treat. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of each biological agent for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the pouch.

Materials and Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was performed in the major databases from inception through February 11, 2020, for studies assessing the efficacy of biologics in chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) and Crohn’s disease (CD) of the pouch. Both prospective and retrospective studies were included. The primary outcomes of interest were complete and partial responses were defined within each study. χ2 test was used to compare variables.

Results:

Thirty-four studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Sixteen studies (N=247) evaluated the use of infliximab (IFX), showing complete response in 50.7% and partial response in 28.1% for CARP, and complete response in 66.7% and partial response in 20% for CD of the pouch. Seven studies (n=107) assessed the efficacy of adalimumab. For CARP, 33.3% of patients had a complete response, and 38.1% had a partial response, whereas for CD of the pouch, 47.7% experienced a complete response, and 24.6% had a partial response. Three studies (n=78) reported outcomes with the use of ustekinumab, showing 50% complete response and 3.8% partial response for CARP. For the CD of the pouch, 5.8% had a complete response and 78.8% had a partial response. Seven studies (n=151) reported the efficacy of vedolizumab, showing 28.4% complete response and 43.2% partial response in patients with CARP, whereas 63% of patients experienced partial response in CD of the pouch. IFX had higher rates of complete response in CARP compared with adalimumab (P=0.04) and compared with vedolizumab (P=0.005), but not compared with ustekinumab (P=0.95). There were no new safety signals reported in any of the studies.

Conclusions:

Biologics are safe and efficacious in the treatment of chronic, refractory inflammatory conditions of the pouch. IFX seems to be more efficacious than adalimumab and vedolizumab for CARP. Further prospective, head-to-head evaluations are needed to compare biological therapies in the treatment of CARP and CD of the pouch.
Shifting the power: scale-up of access to point-of-care and self-testing for sexually transmitted infections in low-income and middle-income settings
Authors: Khumalo Fezile , Passmore Jo-Ann S. , Manhanzva Monalisa , Meyer Bahiah , Duyver Menna , Lurie Micaela , Tanko Ramla F. , Masson Lindi
Published: February 2023

Purpose of review

Point-of-care (POC) testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can provide complementary coverage to existing HIV testing services in LMICs. This review summarizes current and emerging technologies for detecting STIs in LMICs, with an emphasis on women, discharge-causing infections (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis), true POC, self-testing, ethics, and economic considerations related to equitable access.

Recent findings

The WHO have recently adapted guidelines for treatment of STIs in women that advise the use of true-POC or near-POC tests to improve case finding. The number of rapid, sensitive, and specific POC diagnostics for STIs has increased significantly over the past 10 years, although adoption of these in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited. Barriers to POC adoption by patients include the cost of tests, the inconvenience of lengthy clinic visits, low perceived risk, stigma, lack of partner notification, and lack of trust in healthcare providers. Lowering the cost of true POC lateral flow devices, interfacing these with digital or eHealth technologies, and enabling self-testing/self-sampling will overcome some of these barriers in LMICs. Ensuring linkage of diagnostic tests to subsequent care remains one of the major concerns about self-testing, irrespective of geography, although available evidence from HIV self-testing suggests that linkage to care is similar to that for facility-based testing.

Increasing access to sensitive STI true POC tests will strengthen reproductive healthcare in LMICs. Although HIV self-testing is demonstrably useful in LMICs, there is an urgent need for randomized trials evaluating the utility and cost-effectiveness of similar tests for other sexually transmitted infections.
Epidemiological Investigation of Facial Soft Tissue Injury in Chinese Preschool Children
Authors: Sun Haiyang , Yao Ping , Zitkovsky Helen , Tang Dongsheng , Gao Zhiquan , Wang Xinyu , Xu Kai , Tao Anqi , Tan Xiaoyan
Published: February 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric facial soft tissue injuries of Chinese preschool-aged children in Hangzhou Plastic Surgery Hospital.

Methods

Medical records of preschool-aged children's facial injuries, 6 years and younger, from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected. Sex; age; time of injury; length of stay; causes of injury; location, type, length, and depth of wound; anesthesia methods; and treatment and evaluation of postoperative scars were analyzed.

Results

There were 10,862 cases (male, 6780 cases; female, 4082 cases) in the group. The ratio of male to female was 1.66:1. Mean age was 3.4 (±1.6) years; the youngest was 1 month old. The time of injury occurred frequently between 9:00 and 13:00 and 16:00 to 21:00, with the most common incident time being between 19:00 and 20:00. Collision injury was the main cause of injury (9822 [90.43%]). The most frequently injured area was the forehead (4874 [44.87%]). The main form of injury was laceration wound (9721 [89.45%]). The depth of injuries was mainly middle layer (adipose or muscular layer) (6299 [57.99%]). The length of injuries was 1.7 (±0.9) cm, ranging from 0.2 to 10.5 cm. Furthermore, 9110 cases were repaired by plastic surgeries and 1 or more antiscar measures. After 6-month to 2-year follow-up, 9 cases of animal scratch or bite, lip penetrating wound, or bumping teeth were infected and 26 cases had scar hyperplasia. The others achieved satisfactory results, and the scars were not obvious.

Conclusion

Preschool-aged children's facial injuries have predictable patterns of occurrence, and targeted preventive measures can reduce the incidence rates. After facial injury, children should present for timely plastic surgery treatment and accept combined antiscarring measures to minimize postoperative scarring.
Anatomic Study of the Integrity of the Breast Lymphatic Network With Indocyanine Green in Breast Implant Surgery Through the Axillary Approach
Authors: Claudic Yannis , Perruisseau-Carrier Anne , Ta Pierre , Seizeur Romuald , Hu Weiguo
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The performance of a prosthetic breast augmentation through the axilla always makes the surgeon fear the possibility of damage to the breast lymphatic network. Indocyanine green is a fluorescent marker allowing the analysis of the lymphatic system. This anatomical work aims at demonstrating, thanks to the use of indocyanine green, whether the realization of a prosthetic breast augmentation by axillary way leads to lesions of the breast lymphatic network and also seeks to show the feasibility of detecting the axillary sentinel node after axillary breast augmentation.

Material and Method

This is an anatomical study. After injection of indocyanine green in the periareolar area, a prosthetic breast augmentation was performed through the axilla. At the end of the procedure, a change in the distribution of indocyanine green in the skin or its abnormal presence was sought: at the level of the skin incision, the prosthetic space, or in contact with the prosthesis itself. The presence of green in these situations was synonymous with a lesion of the lymphatic network. In the opposite case, we considered that the lymphatic system was respected. After sampling, an axillary lymph node we also looked for the presence of indocyanine green at its contact.

Results

We performed 22 breast injections. The lymphatic network could be demonstrated in 15 of them. Among these 15 injections, 12 (80%) were in favor of a preservation of the lymphatic network, whereas 3 (20%) evoked a lesion of the lymphatic network. In all subjects (100%), an axillary lymph node was found with the presence of indocyanine green within it.

Conclusion

Our study is in favor of a preservation of the lymphatic network during a prosthetic breast augmentation by axillary way. Furthermore, with the collection of an axillary lymph node containing the dye from each subject, this work demonstrates the feasibility of axillary sentinel node detection with indocyanine green after axillary breast augmentation. Further work on live subjects and on a larger number of subjects would be necessary to confirm these results.
Virtual and In-Person Day Camps for the Craniofacial Community
Authors: Modi Rishi N. , Bryan Jaimie L. , Liu Amy , Gosman Amanda A.
Published: February 2023

Children with congenital craniofacial conditions (CFCs) and their families may stand to benefit from day camps offering tailored psychosocial support and resources. Nonprofit ConnectMed International has held virtual and in-person day camps in San Diego for this community since 2018. We administered surveys before and after a series of day camps to understand the needs of this community and benefits perceived programming offered. Although studies have reported the psychosocial benefits of camps for children with rare diseases, few have examined the specific benefit for children with CFCs and their parents. Herein, we present the findings of our survey study as the first article to report a needs assessments and psychosocial benefits of day camps for children with CFCs and their parents.
The Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap
Authors: Leach Garrison A. , Clark Robert C. , Tong Solomon , Dean Riley A. , Segal Rachel M. , Blair Sarah L. , Reid Chris M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Historically, breast-conserving surgery may not be pursued when the oncologic deformity is too significant and/or not tolerant of radiotherapy. Reconstruction using recruitment of upper abdominal wall tissue based on the intercostal artery perforating vessels can expand breast conservation therapy indications for cases that would otherwise require mastectomy. This report aims to describe the expanded use of the intercostal artery perforator (ICAP) as well as detail its ease of adoption.

Methods

All patients who underwent ICAP flaps for reconstruction of partial mastectomy defects at a single institution were included. Demographic data, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Intercostal artery perforator flap outcomes are compared with standard alloplastic reconstruction after mastectomy.

Results

Twenty-seven patients received ICAP flaps compared with 27 unilateral tissue expanders (TE). Six cases included nipple-areolar reconstruction, and 6 included skin resurfacing. The average defect size was 217.7 (30.3–557.9) cm3. Plastic-specific operative time was significantly longer in the ICAP cohort (P < 0.01) with no difference in total operative time (P > 0.05). Length of stay was significantly longer, and major postoperative complications were significantly more common in TE patients (P < 0.01, P > 0.05). Seven TE patients required outpatient opiate refills (26%) versus 1 ICAP patient (4%) (P = 0.02). One ICAP patient required additional surgery. Patients reported satisfaction with aesthetic outcomes. Average follow-up in the ICAP cohort was 7 months.

Conclusions

Lumpectomy reconstruction using ICAP flaps can effectively expand breast conservation therapy indications in resection of breast skin, nipple-areola, or large volume defects. This technique is adoptable and of limited complexity. Enhancing breast-conserving surgery may improve outcomes compared with mastectomy reconstruction. Intercostal artery perforator patients may require fewer opioids, shorter hospital stays, and lower operative burden.
Safety and Efficacy of Liposomal Bupivacaine Supraclavicular Nerve Blocks in Open Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Brown Ciara A. , Ghanouni Arian , Williams Rachel , Payne Samuel H. , Ghareeb Paul A.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common fractures requiring surgical fixation. The literature varies regarding opioid prescribing habits, opioid consumption, and postoperative pain scores. We hypothesized that the preoperative administration of a liposomal bupivacaine (LB) supraclavicular nerve block would be safe and effective in controlling postoperative pain.

Methods

A standardized pain management protocol was implemented at a single institution from July 2021 to March 2022 for patients undergoing open reduction internal fixation of DRF. Protocol elements included a preoperative LB supraclavicular nerve block and a multimodal postoperative pain regimen. Primary clinical outcomes included postoperative pain scores and number of opioid tablets consumed.

Results

Twenty patients underwent a newly implemented protocol. The average age was 56 years. Mean number of oxycodone 5-mg tablets consumed was 4.1 (median, 2.5), and mean visual analog scale pain score at first postoperative appointment was 2.8. There were no incidences of missed acute carpal tunnel postoperatively. When compared with an institutional historical control (n = 189), number of opioid pills prescribed was reduced by 60% (21.4 vs 8.6 tablets, P < 0.0001), and no patients had unscheduled health care contact because of uncontrolled pain (22% vs 0%, P < 0.016).

Conclusions

Liposomal bupivacaine supraclavicular nerve blocks are safe and effective in the treatment of postoperative pain after open reduction internal fixation of DRF. Patients consumed <5 oxycodone tablets on average, which is less than many recommend prescribed quantities (>20–30 tablets). Patients had low pain scores (2.8/10) at the first postoperative follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the utility of LB in this clinical setting.
Big little lies: a compendium and simulation ofp-hacking strategies
Authors: Stefan Angelika M. , Schönbrodt Felix D.
Published: February 2023

In many research fields, the widespread use of questionable research practices has jeopardized the credibility of scientific results. One of the most prominent questionable research practices isp-hacking. Typically,p-hacking is defined as a compound of strategies targeted at rendering non-significant hypothesis testing results significant. However, a comprehensive overview of thesep-hacking strategies is missing, and current meta-scientific research often ignores the heterogeneity of strategies. Here, we compile a list of 12p-hacking strategies based on an extensive literature review, identify factors that control their level of severity, and demonstrate their impact on false-positive rates using simulation studies. We also use our simulation results to evaluate several approaches that have been proposed to mitigate the influence of questionable research practices. Our results show that investigatingp-hacking at the level of strategies can provide a better understanding of the process ofp-hacking, as well as a broader basis for developing effective countermeasures. By making our analyses available through a Shiny app and R package, we facilitate future meta-scientific research aimed at investigating the ramifications ofp-hacking across multiple strategies, and we hope to start a broader discussion about different manifestations ofp-hacking in practice.
Preparation and tribological properties of multi-layer graphene/silicon dioxide composites-based solid lubricant coatings at elevated temperatures
Authors: Wang Wei , Chang Wenjuan , Ding Shijie , Qu Yishen , Gao Yuan , Wang Kuaishe
Published: February 2023

The solid lubricating coatings have an important role in hot metal forming. However, traditional lubricants cannot be applied to the harsh working conditions. In this investigation, the novel solid lubricant coatings including multi-layer graphene (MLG)/silicon dioxide (SiO
2
) composites and sodium metaphosphate phosphate were prepared. The high-temperature tribological properties of the solid lubricant coatings were investigated by friction and wear tester. The experimental results showed that SiO
2
nanoparticles were evenly grafted by sol–gel method on the surface of MLG, forming MLG/SiO
2
composites. MLG/SiO
2
composites presented excellent thermal stability at 800°C. In the range of 400–800°C, the average coefficients of friction (COFs) were decreased from 0.3936 to 0.3663, and then increased from 0.3663 to 0.4226. Based on the analysis of wear scar, the lubrication mechanisms of the solid lubricating coatings were proposed. The low interlayer shear of MLG and the ball bearing of SiO
2
nanoparticles are the main reason for the reduction of COFs. In addition, the tribo-chemical reaction film formed on the frictional interface could protect the contact surfaces from severe damage. The findings would be beneficial for developing novel lubricants for hot metal forming process.
Pore topology analysis in porous molecular systems
Authors: Anipa Verity , Tarzia Andrew , Jelfs Kim E. , Alexandrov Eugeny V. , Addicoat Matthew A.
Published: February 2023

Porous molecular materials are constructed from molecules that assemble in the solid-state such that there are cavities or an interconnected pore network. It is challenging to control the assembly of these systems, as the interactions between the molecules are generally weak, and subtle changes in the molecular structure can lead to vastly different intermolecular interactions and subsequently different crystal packing arrangements. Similarly, the use of different solvents for crystallization, or the introduction of solvent vapour, can result in different polymorphs and pore networks being formed. It is difficult to uniquely describe the pore networks formed, and thus we analyse 1033 crystal structures of porous molecular systems to determine the underlying topology of their void spaces and potential guest diffusion networks. Material-agnostic topology definitions are applied. We use the underlying topological nets to examine whether it is possible to apply isoreticular design principles to porous molecular materials. Overall, our automatic analysis of a large dataset gives a general insight into the relationships between molecular topologies and the topological nets of their pore network. We show that while porous molecular systems tend to pack similarly to non-porous molecules, the topologies of their pore distributions resemble those of more prominent porous materials, such as metal–organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks.
Can a present-day thermal niche be preserved in a warming climate by a shift in phenology? A case study with sea turtles
Authors: Laloë Jacques-Olivier , Hays Graeme C.
Published: February 2023

How species respond to climate change may impact their extinction probability. Here we link climatology and ecology to tackle a globally important conservation question. For sea turtles, there are concerns that climate warming will cause both the feminization of populations as well as reduced hatchling survival. For 58 nesting sites across the world spanning all seven sea turtle species, we investigated whether warming might be avoided by shifts in nesting phenology to a cooler part of the year. We show that even with the most extreme phenological shift that has been reported to date—an 18-day advance in nesting per °C increase in sea surface temperature (SST)—temperatures will continue to increase at nesting sites with climate warming. We estimate that SST at nesting sites will rise by an average of 0.6°C (standard deviation = 0.9°C,
n
= 58) when we model a 1.5°C rise in SST combined with a best-case-scenario shift in nesting. Since sea turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination, these temperature rises could lead to increasingly female-biased sex ratios as well as reduced hatchling production at sites across the world. These findings underscore concerns for the long-term survival of this iconic group.
From species descriptions to diversity patterns: the validation of taxonomic data as a keystone for ant diversity studies reproducibility and accuracy
Authors: Feitosa Rodrigo M. , Silva Thiago S. R. , Camacho Gabriela P. , Ulysséa Mônica A. , Ladino Natalia , Oliveira Aline M. , de Albuquerque Emília Z. , Ribas Carla R. , Schmidt Fernando A. , Morini Maria Santina de C. , da Silva Rogério R. , Dáttilo Wesley , de Queiroz Antônio C. M. , Baccaro Fabrício B. , Santos Jean C. , Carvalho Karine S. , Sobrinho Tathiana G. , Quinet Yves P. , Moraes Aline B. , Vargas André B. , Torezan-Silingardi Helena Maura , Souza Jorge Luiz P. , Marques Tatianne , Izzo Thiago , Lange Denise , dos Santos Iracenir A. , Del-Claro Kleber , Nahas Larissa , Paolucci Lucas , Soares Stela A. , Harada Ana Y. , Rabello Ananza M. , da Costa-Milanez Cinthia B. , Diehl-Fleig Eduardo , Campos Renata B. F. , Solar Ricardo , Frizzo Tiago , DaRocha Wesley , Nogueira Anselmo
Published: February 2023

Research findings in natural sciences need to be comparable and reproducible to effectively improve our understanding of ecological and behavioural patterns. In this sense, knowledge frontiers in biodiversity studies are directly tied to taxonomic research, especially in species-rich tropical regions. Here we analysed the taxonomic information available in 470 studies on Brazilian ant diversity published in the last 50 years. We aimed to quantify the proportion of studies that provide enough data to validate taxonomic identification, explore the frequency of studies that properly acknowledge their taxonomic background, and investigate the primary resources for ant identification in Brazil. We found that most studies on Brazilian ant diversity (73.6%) explicitly stated the methods used to identify their specimens. However, the proportion of papers that provide complete data for the repository institutions and vouchered specimens is vanishingly small (5.8%). Additionally, only 40.0% of the studies consistently presented taxon authorities and years of description, rarely referencing taxonomic publications correctly. In turn, the number of specialists and institutions consulted for ant identification in Brazil has increased in the last years, along with the number of studies that explicitly provide their taxonomic procedures for ant identification. Our findings highlight a shift between generations regarding the recognition of taxonomy as fundamental science, deepening our understanding of biodiversity.
Generic catastrophic poverty when selfish investors exploit a degradable common resource
Authors: Gros Claudius
Published: February 2023

The productivity of a common pool of resources may degrade when overly exploited by a number of selfish investors, a situation known as the tragedy of the commons. Without regulations, agents optimize the size of their individual investments into the commons by balancing incurring costs with the returns received. The resulting Nash equilibrium involves a self-consistency loop between individual investment decisions and the state of the commons. As a consequence, several non-trivial properties emerge. For
N
investing actors we prove rigorously that typical payoffs do not scale as 1/
N
, the expected result for cooperating agents, but as (1/
N
)
2
. Payoffs are hence reduced with regard to the functional dependence on
N
, a situation denoted catastrophic poverty. We show that catastrophic poverty results from a fine-tuned balance between returns and costs. Additionally, a finite number of oligarchs may be present. Oligarchs are characterized by payoffs that are finite and not decreasing when
N
increases. Our results hold for generic classes of models, including convex and moderately concave cost functions. For strongly concave cost functions the Nash equilibrium undergoes a collective reorganization, being characterized instead by entry barriers and sudden death forced market exits.
A rational approach to beam path planning in additive manufacturing: the inverse heat placement problem
Authors: Yang Yue , Billingham John , Axinte Dragos , Liao Zhirong
Published: February 2023

High demand for components with complex geometries at macro and micro levels drives the development of additive manufacturing (AM). However, the scientific basis for designing energy beam scanning strategies (e.g. beam scanning speed, beam path, beam power) still relies on trial and error approaches (i.e. experimental/simulation of predefined beam trajectories) followed by the evaluation of process outcomes (e.g. structural/metallurgical properties of the built parts); this is the Direct Problem. To address such drawbacks, this paper reports, for the first time, a mathematical model for selecting key parameters related to beam exposure time in AM processes as an attempt to improve the build part's uniform properties, i.e. the
Inverse Heat Placement Problem.
Our algorithm yields variable beam scanning speeds and optimized beam paths for achieving a desired maximum temperature distribution (uniform or target pattern) and is suitable for different circumstances and scanning strategies dependent on the print part configuration. Here, raster and spiral predefined beam paths are chosen as examples. Variable beam scanning speeds and optimized beam paths obtained from our algorithm are able to induce a desirable uniform maximum temperature distribution compared with the conventional approach of constant beam scanning speeds and a predefined beam path.
Queens control caste allocation in the ant
Cardiocondyla obscurior
Authors: Schultner Eva , Wallner Tobias , Dofka Benjamin , Brülhart Jeanne , Heinze Jürgen , Freitak Dalial , Pokorny Tamara , Oettler Jan
Published: February 2023

Social insect queens and workers can engage in conflict over reproductive allocation when they have different fitness optima. Here, we show that queens have control over queen-worker caste allocation in the ant
Cardiocondyla obscurior
, a species in which workers lack reproductive organs. We describe crystalline deposits that distinguish castes from the egg stage onwards, providing the first report of a discrete trait that can be used to identify ant caste throughout pre-imaginal development. The comparison of queen and worker-destined eggs and larvae revealed size and weight differences in late development, but no discernible differences in traits that may be used in social interactions, including hair morphology and cuticular odours. In line with a lack of caste-specific traits, adult workers treated developing queens and workers indiscriminately. Together with previous studies demonstrating queen control over sex allocation, these results show that queens control reproductive allocation in
C. obscurior
and suggest that the fitness interests of colony members are aligned to optimize resource allocation in this ant.
Effects of thermal fluctuations on biological processes: a meta-analysis of experiments manipulating thermal variability
Authors: Slein Margaret A. , Bernhardt Joey R. , O'Connor Mary I. , Fey Samuel B.
Published: February 2023

Thermal variability is a key driver of ecological processes, affecting organisms and populations across multiple temporal scales. Despite the ubiquity of variation, biologists lack a quantitative synthesis of the observed ecological consequences of thermal variability across a wide range of taxa, phenotypic traits and experimental designs. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis to investigate how properties of organisms, their experienced thermal regime and whether thermal variability is experienced in either the past (prior to an assay) or present (during the assay) affect performance relative to the performance of organisms experiencing constant thermal environments. Our results—which draw upon 1712 effect sizes from 75 studies—indicate that the effects of thermal variability are not unidirectional and become more negative as mean temperature and fluctuation range increase. Exposure to variation in the past decreases performance to a greater extent than variation experienced in the present and increases the costs to performance more than diminishing benefits across a broad set of empirical studies. Further, we identify life-history attributes that predictably modify the ecological response to variation. Our findings demonstrate that effects of thermal variability on performance are context-dependent, yet negative outcomes may be heightened in warmer, more variable climates.
Spatially and temporally varying selection influence species boundaries in two sympatric
Mimulus
Authors: Tataru Diana , Wheeler Emma C. , Ferris Kathleen G.
Published: February 2023

Spatially and temporally varying selection can maintain genetic variation within and between populations, but it is less well known how these forces influence divergence between closely related species. We identify the interaction of temporal and spatial variation in selection and their role in either reinforcing or eroding divergence between two closely related
Mimulus
species. Using repeated reciprocal transplant experiments with advanced generation hybrids, we compare the strength of selection on quantitative traits involved in adaptation and reproductive isolation in
Mimulus guttatus
and
Mimulus laciniatus
between two years with dramatically different water availability
.
We found strong divergent habitat-mediated selection on traits in the direction of species differences during a drought in 2013, suggesting that spatially varying selection maintains species divergence. However, a relaxation in divergent selection on most traits in an unusually wet year (2019), including flowering time, which is involved in pre-zygotic isolation, suggests that temporal variation in selection may weaken species differences. Therefore, we find evidence that temporally and spatially varying selection may have opposing roles in mediating species boundaries. Given our changing climate, future growing seasons are expected to be more similar to the dry year, suggesting that in this system climate change may actually increase species divergence.
Circadian rhythm entrainment of the jewel wasp,
Nasonia vitripennis
, by antagonistic interactions of multiple spectral inputs
Authors: Wang Yifan , Belušič Gregor , Pen Ido , Beukeboom Leo W. , Wertheim Bregje , Stavenga Doekele G. , Hut Roelof A.
Published: February 2023

Circadian light entrainment in some insects is regulated by blue-light-sensitive cryptochrome (CRY) protein that is expressed in the clock neurons, but this is not the case in hymenopterans. The hymenopteran clock does contain CRY, but it appears to be light-insensitive. Therefore, we investigated the role of retinal photoreceptors in the photic entrainment of the jewel wasp
Nasonia vitripennis
. Application of monochromatic light stimuli at different light intensities caused phase shifts in the wasp's circadian activity from which an action spectrum with three distinct peaks was derived. Electrophysiological recordings from the compound eyes and ocelli revealed the presence of three photoreceptor classes, with peak sensitivities at 340 nm (ultraviolet), 450 nm (blue) and 530 nm (green). An additional photoreceptor class in the ocelli with sensitivity maximum at 560–580 nm (red) was found. Whereas a simple sum of photoreceptor spectral sensitivities could not explain the action spectrum of the circadian phase shifts, modelling of the action spectrum indicates antagonistic interactions between pairs of spectral photoreceptors, residing in the compound eyes and the ocelli. Our findings imply that the photic entrainment mechanism in
N. vitripennis
encompasses the neural pathways for measuring the absolute luminance as well as the circuits mediating colour opponency.
Photoperiod-driven concurrent changes in hypothalamic and brainstem transcription of sleep and immune genes in migratory redheaded bunting
Authors: Tiwari Jyoti , Sur Sayantan , Yadav Anupama , Kumar Raj , Rai Niraj , Rani Sangeeta , Malik Shalie
Published: February 2023

The molecular regulation of sleep in avian migrants is still obscure. We thus investigated this in migratory redheaded buntings, where four life-history states (LHS; i.e. non-migratory, pre-migratory, migratory and refractory states) were induced. There was increased night-time activity (i.e.
Zugunruhe
) during the migratory state with reduced daytime activity. The recordings of the sleep–wake cycle in buntings showed increased night-time active wakefulness coupled with drastically reduced front and back sleep during migratory phase. Interestingly, we found the buntings to feed and drink even after lights-off during migration. Gene expression studies revealed increased hypothalamic expression of glucocorticoid receptor (
nr3c1
), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (
il1b
and
il6
) in pre-migratory and migratory states, respectively, whereas in brainstem Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 (
camk2
) was upregulated during the migratory state. This suggested a heightened pro-inflammatory state during migration which is a feature of chronic sleep loss, and a possible role of Ca
2+
signalling in promoting wakefulness. In both the hypothalamus and brainstem, the expression of melatonin receptors (
mel1a
and
mel1b
) was increased in the pre-migratory state, and growth hormone-releasing hormone (
ghrh
, known to induce sleep) was reduced during the migratory state. The current results demonstrate key molecules involved in the regulation of sleep–wake cycle across LHS in migratory songbirds.
Ceftazidime–avibactam resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 37: a decade of persistence and concealed evolution
Authors: Arcari Gabriele , Polani Riccardo , Bruno Francesco , Capitani Valerio , Sacco Federica , Menichincheri Gaia , Raponi Giammarco , Carattoli Alessandra
Published: February 2023

The first reports of carbapenem-resistant

Enterobacterales

in our hospital date back to 2006. In that period, few ertapenem-resistant but meropenem-susceptible

Klebsiella pneumoniae

isolates belonging to sequence type (ST) 37 were retrieved from clinical samples. These strains produced the CTX-M-15 extended spectrum β-lactamase, OmpK35 was depleted due to a nonsense mutation, and a novel OmpK36 variant was identified. Yet, starting from 2010,

Klebsiella pneumoniae

carbapenemase (KPC)-producing ST512 isolates started prevailing and ST37 vanished from sight. Since 2018 the clinical use of the combination of ceftazidime–avibactam (CZA) has been introduced in clinical practice for the treatment of bacteria producing serine-β-lactamases, but KPC-producing, CZA-resistant

K. pneumoniae

are emerging. In 2021, four CZA-resistant ST37 isolates producing KPC variants were isolated from the same number of patients. blaKPC gene cloning in

Escherichia coli

was used to define the role of those KPC variants on CZA resistance, and whole genome sequencing was performed on these isolates and on three ST37 historical isolates from 2011. CZA resistance was due to mutations in the blaKPC genes carried on related pKpQIL-type plasmids, and three variants of the KPC enzyme have been identified in the four ST37 strains. The four ST37 isolates were closely related to each other and to the historical isolates, suggesting that ST37 survived without notice in our hospital for 10 years, waiting to re-emerge as a CZA-resistant

K. pneumoniae

clone. The ancestor of these contemporary isolates derives from ST37 wild-type porin strains, with no other mutations in chromosomal genes involved in conferring antibiotic resistance (parC, gyrA, ramR, mgrB, pmrB).
Improved Diagnostic of Spotted Fevers via Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification with One Step Strand Displacement
Authors: Lakhotia Simren , Riedel Timothy E.
Published: February 2023

1.

Spotted fever rickettsiosis plagues countries around the world. One of the deadliest of this group, Rickettsiarickettsii, responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, is an emerging tickborne illness in North America. The predominant clinical diagnostic is PCR based but does not work until disease has progressed to a severe phase of infection, at which point the outcome of a full recovery is significantly decreased. An alternative, loop mediated isothermal amplification through one-step strand displacement (LAMP-OSD) assay, was developed to improve diagnostic speed and sensitivity. Synthetic dsDNA genes from the 17 kDa surface antigen precursor (AY281069.1) amplified between fifteen minutes to an hour and were detected to concentrations as low as 102copies/μL. This RMSF LAMP-OSD assay shows promise to deliver results in just a few hours and the detection limit is potentially 100 times more sensitive than qPCR based assays.
Macrodomain Mac1 of SARS-CoV-2 Nonstructural Protein 3 Hydrolyzes Diverse ADP-ribosylated Substrates
Authors: Chea Chanbora , Lee Duck-Yeon , Kato Jiro , Ishiwata-Endo Hiroko , Moss Joel
Published: February 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a global pandemic that resulted in more than 6-million deaths worldwide. The virus encodes several non-structural proteins (Nsps) that contain elements capable of disrupting cellular processes. Among these Nsp proteins, Nsp3 contains macrodomains, e.g., Mac1, Mac2, Mac3, with potential effects on host cells. Mac1 has been shown to increase SARS-CoV-2 virulence and disrupt ADP-ribosylation pathways in mammalian cells. ADP-ribosylation results from the transfer of the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD+to various acceptors, e.g., proteins, DNA, RNA, contributing on a cell’s biological processes. ADP-ribosylation is the mechanism of action of bacterial toxins, e.g., Pseudomonas toxins, diphtheria toxin that disrupt protein biosynthetic and signaling pathways. On the other hand, some viral macrodomains cleavage ADP-ribose-acceptor bond, generating free ADP-ribose. By this reaction, the macrodomain-containing proteins interfere ADP-ribose homeostasis in host cells. Here, we examined potential hydrolytic activities of SARS-CoV-2 Mac1, 2, and 3 on substrates containing ADP-ribose. Mac1 cleaved α-NAD+, but not β-NAD+, consistent with stereospecificity at the C-1” bond. In contrast to ARH1 and ARH3, Mac1 did not require Mg2+for optimal activity. Mac1 also hydrolyzedO-acetyl-ADP-ribose and ADP-ribose-1”-phosphat, but not Mac2 and Mac3. However, Mac1 did not cleave α-ADP-ribose-(arginine) and ADP-ribose-(serine)-histone H3 peptide, suggesting that Mac1 hydrolyzes ADP-ribose attached to O- and N-linked functional groups, with specificity at the catalytic site in the ADP-ribose moiety. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 Mac1 may exert anti-viral activity by reversing host-mediated ADP-ribosylation. New insights on Nsp3 activities may shed light on potential SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic targets.

IMPORTANCE

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, encodes 3 macrodomain-containing proteins, e.g., Mac1, Mac2, Mac3, within non-structural proteins 3 (Nsp3). Mac1 was shown previously to hydrolyze ADP-ribose-phosphate. Inactivation of Mac1 reduced viral proliferation. Here we report that Mac1, but not Mac2 and Mac3, has multiple activities, i.e., Mac1 hydrolyzed. α-NAD+andO-acetyl-ADP-ribose. However, Mac1 did not hydrolyze β-NAD+, ADP-ribose-serine on a histone 3 peptide (aa1-21), and ADP-ribose-arginine, exhibiting substrate selectivity. These data suggest that Mac1 may have multi-function as a α-NAD+consumer for viral replication and a disruptor of host-mediated ADP-ribosylation pathways. Understanding Mac1’s mechanisms of action is important to provide possible therapeutic targets for COVID-19.
Photobiomodulation Therapy for a Novel Olfactory Dysfunction Ischemic Stroke Model
Authors: Shalaby Reham. A , Qureshi Muhammad Mohsin , Khan Mohd. Afzal , Salam S. M. Abdus , Kwon Hyuk Sang , Lee Kyung Hwa , Chung Euiheon , Kim Young Ro
Published: February 2023

A.

Background

Ischemic stroke typically accompanies numerous disorders ranging from somatosensory dysfunction to cognitive impairments, inflicting its patients with various neurologic symptoms. Among pathologic outcomes, post-stroke olfactory dysfunction is frequently observed. Despite the well-known prevalence, therapy options for such compromised olfaction are limited, likely due to the complexity of the olfactory bulb architecture, which encompasses both the peripheral and central nervous systems. As photobiomodulation (PBM) emerged for treating stroke-associated symptoms, the effectiveness of PBM on the stroke-induced impairment of the olfactory function was explored.

Purpose

To address the efficacy of PBM therapy on the olfactory bulb damage caused by ischemic stroke using both behavioral and histologic and inflammatory markers in the newly developed stroke mouse models.

Methods

Novel mouse models with olfactory dysfunction were prepared using photothrombosis (PT) in the olfactory bulb on day 0. Moreover, post-PT PBM was performed daily from day 2 to day 7 by irradiating the olfactory bulb using an 808 nm laser with the fluence of 40 J/cm2(325 mW/cm2for 2 minutes per day). The buried food test (BFT) was used for scoring behavioral acuity in the food-deprived mice to assess the olfactory function before PT, after PT, and after PBM. Histopathological examinations and cytokine assays were performed on the mouse brains harvested on day 8.

Results

The results from BFT were specific to the individual, with positive correlations between the baseline latency time measured before PT and alterations at the ensuing stages for both the PT and PT+PBM groups. Also in both groups, the correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between the early and late latency time changes independent of PBM, implicating a common recovery mechanism. In particular, the PBM treatment largely accelerated the recovery of impaired olfaction after PT with the suppression of inflammatory cytokines while enhancing both the glial and vascular factors (e.g., GFAP, IBA-1, and CD31).

Conclusions

The PBM therapy during the acute phase of ischemia improves the compromised olfactory function by modulating the microenvuronment and tissue inflammation.
Tax avoidance and cost of debt: does integrated report assurance matter?
Authors: Medhioub Nermine , Boujelbene Saoussen
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study examines the association between corporate tax avoidance and the cost of debt (COD). It also investigates the moderating effect of integrated report (IR) assurance on tax avoidance/COD relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 76 South African companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from 2010 to 2020, the authors built and estimated regression models using the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) method. The authors significantly mitigated the endogeneity concerns using propensity score matching (PSM), difference-in-differences (DID) analysis and fixed effects regression.

Findings

The authors found that tax-avoiding firms pay higher costs of debt due to information asymmetries and agency problems. Bankers systematically reflect the increase in tax avoidance by adjusting the COD upward. However, results show that the assured IR disclosure mitigates these problems, which decreases the COD for tax avoidance strategies adopters. Using a quasi-natural experiment, well-grounded evidence was provided showing that the decrease in the COD for debtors who engage in tax avoidance practices is attributed to the availability of an assured IR.

Practical implications

This study provides plausible evidence in favor of the role that an assured IR can play in capital allocation decisions. Consequently, it is likely to push policymakers in South Africa and other countries to set standards for IR assurance.

Originality/value

This is the first study that investigates and validates the role of IR assurance in solving the controversy about the “tax saving effect” vs. “risk exposure effect” that bankers face while identifying debtors with successful (non-risky/cash-saving) tax avoidance practices and those with non-successful (risky) ones.