bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of dexmedetomidine combined with local infiltration analgesia on postoperative wound complications in patients with total knee arthroplasty: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Cuifeng , Lv Changli , Gao Juan , Li Chengxue
Published: September 2023

Dexmedetomidine has been demonstrated to be effective in the management of pain in total knee replacement (TKA). Nevertheless, a combination of a local anaesthetic and a dose of dexmedetomidine might be a better choice for post‐operative pain management of TKA. The aim of this research is to determine if the combination of a local anaesthetic with dexmedetomidine during a knee replacement operation can decrease the post‐operation pain. Furthermore, the effectiveness and security of dexmedetomidine combined with topical anaesthetic were evaluated for the management of post‐operative TKA. Based on the research results, the author made a research on the basis of four big databases. The Cochrane Handbook on Intervention Systems Evaluation has also evaluated the quality of the literature. Seven randomized controlled trials have been established from this. It was found that the combination of local anaesthesia and dexmedetomidine had a greater effect on postoperative pain in 4 h (mean difference [MD], −0.9; 95% CI, −1.71, −0.09; p = 0.03), 8 h (MD, −0.52; 95% CI, −0.66, −0.38; p < 0.0001), 12 h (MD, −0.72; 95% CI, −1.04, −0.40; p < 0.0001), 24 h (MD, −0.49; 95% CI, −0.83, −0.14; p = 0.006), 48 h (MD, −0.51; 95% CI, −0.92, −0.11; p = 0.01). Nevertheless, because of the limited number of randomized controlled trials covered by this meta‐analysis, caution should be exercised with regard to data treatment. More high quality research will be required to confirm the results.
Current evidence and opportunities in child and adolescent public mental health: a research review
Authors: Fazel Mina , Soneson Emma
Published: September 2023

Background

A public mental health lens is increasingly required to better understand the complex and multifactorial influences of interpersonal, community and institutional systems on the mental health of children and adolescents.

Methods

This research review (1) provides an overview of public mental health and proposes a new interactional schema that can guide research and practice, (2) summarises recent evidence on public mental health interventions for children and adolescents, (3) highlights current challenges for this population that might benefit from additional attention and (4) discusses methodological and conceptual hurdles and proposes potential solutions.

Results

In our evidence review, a broad range of universal, selective and indicated interventions with a variety of targets, mechanisms and settings were identified, some of which (most notably parenting programmes and various school‐based interventions) have demonstrated small‐to‐modest positive effects. Few, however, have achieved sustained mental health improvements.

Conclusions

There is an opportunity to re‐think how public mental health interventions are designed, evaluated and implemented. Deliberate design, encompassing careful consideration of the aims and population‐level impacts of interventions, complemented by measurement that embraces complexity through more in‐depth characterisation, or ‘phenotyping’, of interpersonal and environmental elements is needed. Opportunities to improve child and adolescent mental health outcomes are gaining unprecedented momentum. Innovative new methodology, heightened public awareness, institutional interest and supportive funding can enable enhanced study of public mental health that does not shy away from complexity.
Recent advancement in integrating artificial intelligence and information technology with real‐world data for clinical decision‐making in China: A scoping review
Authors: Liao Xiwen , Yao Chen , Zhang Jun , Liu Larry Z
Published: September 2023

Objective

Striking innovations and advancements have been achieved with the use of artificial intelligence and healthcare information technology being integrated into clinical real‐world data. The current scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the current status of artificial intelligence‐/information technology‐based clinical decision support tools in China.

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, China National Knowledge Internet, and Wanfang data were searched for both English and Chinese literature. The gray literature search was conducted for commercially available tools. Original studies that focused on clinical decision support tools driven by artificial intelligence or information technology in China and were published between 2010 and February 2022 were included. Information extracted from each article was further synthesized by themes based on three types of clinical decision‐making.

Results

A total of 37 peer‐reviewed publications and 13 commercially available tools were included in the final analysis. Among them, 32.0% were developed for disease diagnosis, 54.0% for risk prediction and classification, and 14.0% for disease management. Chronic diseases were the most popular therapeutic areas of exploration, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Single‐center electronic medical records were the mainstream data sources leveraged to inform clinical decision‐making, with internal validation being predominately used for model evaluation.

Conclusions

To effectively promote the extensive use of real‐world data and drive a paradigm shift in clinical decision‐making in China, multidisciplinary collaboration of key stakeholders is urgently needed.
Hydrofluoric acid concentration and etching time affect differently the microstructure and surface properties of pressed lithium disilicate glass ceramics
Authors: Alves Larissa M. M. , Campos Tiago M. B. , Bergamo Edmara T. P. , Benalcazar Jalkh Ernesto B. , Gierthmuehlen Petra C. , Sailer Irena , Thim Gilmar P. , Strazzi‐Sahyon Henrico B. , Celestrino Marcos , Guimarães Carolina C. L. , Bonfante Estevam A.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effect of different hydrofluoric acid concentrations and etching times on the surface, chemical composition and microstructure of lithium disilicate.

Material and Methods

Ninety specimens of pressed lithium disilicate (LDS) were obtained (IPS e.max Press, Rosetta SP and LiSi Press). The specimens of each material were divided in two groups according to the hydrofluoric acid concentration: 5% and 10% (n = 15/group), and subdivided according to the etching time: 20, 40 and 60 s (n = 5/group). Crystalline evaluations and chemical composition were performed through x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Microstructural analyses were performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), surface roughness (Ra), and material thickness removal evaluation. Thickness removal and Ra data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05).

Results

XRD demonstrated characteristic peaks of lithium disilicate crystals, lithium phosphate and of a vitreous phase for all materials. EDS identified different compositions and SEM confirmed different surface responses to acid etching protocols. Material and etching time influenced Ra and material thickness removal (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hydrofluoric acid concentration and etching time affect the surface characteristics of LDS differently. LiSi Press presented higher resistance to hydrofluoric acid etching compared to e.max Press and Rosetta SP.

Clinical Significance

Applying the appropriate etching protocol is pivotal to avoid excessive material removal and to prevent jeopardize the mechanical and optical properties of the material.
Influence of low temperature hydrodynamic cavitation treatment on shelf life of ascorbic acid‐treated sugarcane juice
Authors: Bhukya Jithender , Mohapatra Debabandya , Naik Ravindra
Published: September 2023

Sugarcane juice has a lower shelf life owing to enzymatic browning as well as microbial activity. To overcome these issues, fresh sugarcane juice was treated with ascorbic acid, a strong antioxidant, and further subjected to low‐temperature hydrodynamic cavitation (LTHC) treatment at 4°C/.35 MPa for 30 min. The AALHC‐treated juice was filled into PET bottles and stored under atmospheric (25 ± 5°C) and refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) conditions. The changes in reducing sugar, total sugar, color (ΔE), microbial load, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of sugarcane juice during the storage period were evaluated. During the storage, better retention of the quality parameters was observed in the AALTHC processed sugarcane juice followed by AA‐treated sugarcane juice and fresh sugarcane juice. Under the atmospheric storage, fresh juice and AA‐treated juice were spoiled within a day, whereas the AALTHC‐treated sugarcane juice could last for 4 days. On the other hand, under the refrigerated storage conditions (4 ± 1°C), the quality of the fresh and AA‐treated sugarcane juice could last only for a week, while the quality of AALTHC could be maintained up to 42 days.

Practical Applications

The current study aims to improve the shelf life of sugarcane juice by low‐temperature orifice‐based hydrodynamic cavitation. Sugarcane juice has a short shelf life owing to high levels of microbiological contamination and enzymatic reactions that begin immediately following extraction. The use of hydrodynamic cavitation technique enables a significant reduction in microbial load as well as spoilage enzymes, with minimum effect on the nutrient profile and sensory qualities. The treatments presented in this study are successful, inexpensive, more practicable, and long‐term enough to be scaled up for larger‐scale production of sugar cane juice. The outcomes of this study may be useful for developing a fortified beverage industry employing low‐temperature hydrodynamic cavitation.
True grit? Comparative anatomy and evolution of gizzards in fishes
Authors: Arnette S. D. , Simonitis L. E. , Egan J. P. , Cohen K. E. , Kolmann M. A.
Published: September 2023

Gut morphology frequently reflects the food organisms digest. Gizzards are organs of the gut found in archosaurs and fishes that mechanically reduce food to aid digestion. Gizzards are thought to compensate for edentulism and/or provide an advantage when consuming small, tough food items (e.g., phytoplankton and algae). It is unknown how widespread gizzards are in fishes and how similar these structures are among different lineages. Here, we investigate the distribution of gizzards across bony fishes to (1) survey different fishes for gizzard presence, (2) compare the histological structure of gizzards in three species, (3) estimate how often gizzards have evolved in fishes, and (4) explore whether anatomical and ecological traits like edentulism and microphagy predict gizzard presence. According to our analyses, gizzards are rare across bony fishes, evolving only six times in a broad taxonomic sampling of 51 species, and gizzard presence is not clearly correlated with factors like gut length or dentition. We find that gizzard morphology varies among the lineages where one is present, both macroscopically (presence of a crop) and microscopically (varying tissue types). We conclude that gizzards likely aid in the mechanical reduction of food in fishes that have lost an oral dentition in their evolutionary past; however, the relative scarcity of gizzards suggests they are just one of many possible solutions for processing tough, nutrient‐poor food items. Gizzards have long been present in the evolutionary history of fishes, can be found in a wide variety of marine and freshwater clades, and likely have been overlooked in many taxa.
Fat deposition, fatty acid profiles, antioxidant capacity and differentially expressed genes in subcutaneous fat of Tibetan sheep fed wheat‐based diets with and without xylanase supplementation
Authors: Zhou Li , Raza Sayed Haidar Abbas , Gao Zhanhong , Hou Shengzhen , Alwutayd Khairiah Mubarak , Aljohani Abdullah S. M. , Abdulmonem Waleed Al , Alghsham Ruqaih S. , Aloufi Bandar Hamad , Wang Zhiyou , Gui Linsheng
Published: September 2023

Xylanase, an exogenous enzyme that plays an essential role in energy metabolism by hydrolysing xylan into xylose, has been shown to positively influence nutrient digestion and utilisation in ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of xylanase supplementation on the back‐fat thickness, fatty acid profiles, antioxidant capacity, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the subcutaneous fat of Tibetan sheep. Sixty three‐month‐old rams with an average weight of 19.35 ± 2.18 kg were randomly assigned to control (no enzyme added, WH group) and xylanase (0.2% of diet on a dry matter basis, WE group) treatments. The experiment was conducted over 97 d, including 7 d of adaption to the diets. The results showed that xylanase supplementation in the diet increased adipocyte volume of subcutaneous fat (p < 0.05), shown by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Gas chromatography showed greater concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 in the subcutaneous fat of controls compared with the enzyme‐treated group (p < 0.05), while opposite trend was seen for the absolute contents of C18:1n9t, C20:1, C18:2n6c, C18:3, and C18:3n3 (p < 0.05). Compared with controls, supplementation with xylanase increased the activity of T‐AOC significantly (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed the presence of 1630 DEGs between the two groups, of which 1023 were up‐regulated and 607 were down‐regulated, with enrichment in 4833 Gene Ontology terms, and significant enrichment in 31 terms (p < 0.05). The common DEGs were enriched in 295 pathways and significantly enriched in 26 pathways. Additionally, the expression of lipid‐related genes, including fatty acid synthase, superoxide dismutase, fatty acid binding protein 5, carnitine palmytoyltransferase 1 A, and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor A were verified via quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. In conclusion, dietary xylanase supplementation was found to reduce subcutaneous fat deposition in Tibetan sheep, likely through modulating the expression of lipid‐related genes.
Voice, disability and ‘end of life’ research: Strategies for including people with intellectual disabilities in qualitative research related to death and dying
Authors: Diaz Marissa A , Sabariego Carla , Bickenbach Jerome E
Published: September 2023

This brief report proposes strategies to support qualitative research with people with intellectual disabilities on topics related to death and dying. We prepared a scoping review on methodological approaches used for qualitative research on death and dying involving participants with intellectual disabilities and a study on perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing end of life settings, conducted with co‐researchers on an online video communication platform. Through conducting these two studies, we found three strategies that we believe will increase the uptake of this research for policymakers, funding bodies and other researchers. The strategies concern research agendas, structured methodological guidance, and allocation of funds. When planning out qualitative research projects about death and dying topics, people with intellectual disabilities must be on the research agendas on topics related to death and dying. To realize this obligation, stakeholders would benefit from structured methodological guidance. The design, planning, and conduct of such studies would benefit greatly from such guidance and would ideally result in the uptake of this type of research. Additionally, proper funding taking into account needed but time‐consuming accommodations for participants is necessary. These strategy options aim to increase the amount of qualitative research that includes people with intellectual disabilities as participants.
New branchedPorolithonspecies (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and Lord Howe Island
Authors: Jeong So Young , Gabrielson Paul W. , Hughey Jeffery R. , Hoey Andrew S. , Cho Tae Oh , Abdul Wahab Muhammad A. , Diaz‐Pulido Guillermo
Published: September 2023

Porolithonis one of the most ecologically important genera of tropical and subtropical crustose (non‐geniculate) coralline algae growing abundantly along the shallow margins of coral reefs and functioning to cement reef frameworks. Thalli of branched, fruticosePorolithonspecimens from the Indo‐Pacific Ocean traditionally have been calledP. gardineri, while massive, columnar forms have been calledP. craspedium. Sequence comparisons of therbcL gene both from type specimens ofP. gardineriandP. craspediumand from field‐collected specimens demonstrate that neither species is present in east Australia and instead resolve into four unique genetic lineages.Porolithon howensissp. nov. forms columnar protuberances and loosely attached margins and occurs predominantly at Lord Howe Island;P. lobulatumsp. nov. has fruticose to clavate forms and free margins that are lobed and occurs in the Coral Sea and on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR);P. parvulumsp. nov. has short (<2 cm), unbranched protuberances and attached margins and is restricted to the central and southern GBR; andP. pinnaculumsp. nov. has a mountain‐like, columnar morphology and occurs on oceanic Coral Sea reefs. ArbcL gene sequence of the isotype ofP. castellumdemonstrates it is a different species from other columnar species. In addition to the diagnosticrbcL andpsbA marker sequences, the four new species may be distinguished by a combination of features including thallus growth form, margin shape (attached or unattached), and medullary system (coaxial or plumose).Porolithonspecies, because of their ecological importance and sensitivity to ocean acidification, need urgent documentation of their taxonomic diversity.
Two neglected but valuable genetic tools for Escherichia coli and other bacteria: In vivo cosmid packaging and inducible plasmid replication
Authors: Cronan John E.
Published: September 2023

In physiology and synthetic biology, it can be advantageous to introduce a gene into a naive bacterial host under conditions in which all cells receive the gene and remain fully functional. This cannot be done by the usual chemical transformation and electroporation methods due to low efficiency and cell death, respectively. However, in vivo packaging of plasmids (called cosmids) that contain the 223 bp cos site of phage λ results in phage particles that contain concatemers of the cosmid that can be transduced into all cells of a culture. An historical shortcoming of in vivo packaging of cosmids was inefficient packaging and contamination of the particles containing cosmid DNA with a great excess of infectious λ phage. Manipulation of the packaging phage and the host has eliminated these shortcomings resulting in particles that contain only cosmid DNA. Plasmids have the drawback that they can be difficult to remove from cells. Plasmids with conditional replication provide a means to “cure” plasmids from cells. The prevalent conditional replication plasmids are temperature‐sensitive plasmids, which are cured at high growth temperature. However, inducible replication plasmids are in some cases more useful, especially since this approach has been applied to plasmids having diverse replication and compatibility properties.
The pederin‐producing bacteria density dynamics in Paederus fuscipes at different developmental stages
Authors: Song Xuhao , Huang Ting , Yan Xianghui , Zuo Mengyuan , Pan Ying , He Hengguo , Li Yujie , Zou Yuan , Du Chao , Zheng Fake , Yang Tingbang
Published: September 2023

Pederin, a defensive toxin in Paederus fuscipes, is produced by an uncultured Gram‐negative symbiont, which establishes a stable symbiotic relationship with a female host before completion of metamorphosis. However, the transmission process of pederin‐producing bacteria (PPB) in P. fuscipes at different life stages remains unknown. Herein, the PPB population dynamics and transcriptome atlas for P. fuscipes development (egg, first‐instar larva, second‐instar larva, pupa, and newly emerged female and male) were characterised. We found that a microbial layer containing PPB covered the eggshell, which could be sterilised by smearing the eggshell with streptomycin. Maternal secretions over the eggshell are likely the main PPB acquisition route for P. fuscipes offspring. The PPB density in eggs was significantly higher than that in other life stages (p < 0.05), which demonstrated that the beetle mothers gave more PPB than the larvae acquired. Physiological changes (hatching and eclosion) led to a decreased PPB density in P. fuscipes. Pattern recognition receptors related to Gram‐negative bacteria recognition were identified from P. fuscipes transcriptomes across various life stages, which might be used to screen genes involved in PPB regulation. These results will help advance future efforts to determine the molecular mechanisms of PPB colonisation of P. fuscipes.
Depression and diet‐related distress among Japanese women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yamada Kanako , Endo Masayuki , Ohashi Kazutomo
Published: September 2023

Although the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal postpartum depression has been reported, the association between these two factors during pregnancy has not been sufficiently examined. We compared pregnant women with and without GDM to clarify the association and examined factors related to depression in pregnant women with GDM. Questionnaires were administered longitudinally to pregnant Japanese women in the third trimester and at 2 and 4 weeks postpartum. One hundred and five and 108 pregnant women with and without GDM, respectively, were included in the study. Of the 105 women with GDM, 20 (19.0%) reported being depressed during pregnancy, which was significantly higher than that among those without GDM (9.3%). Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that depression was significantly positively associated with diet‐related distress and negatively associated with social support among women with GDM. Diet‐related distress and social support are important factors in managing depression in pregnant women with GDM.
Plant trait relationships are maintained within a major crop species: lack of artificial selection signal and potential for improved agronomic performance
Authors: Lemoine Taïna , Violle Cyrille , Montazeaud Germain , Isaac Marney E. , Rocher Aline , Fréville Hélène , Fort Florian
Published: September 2023

The exploration of phenotypic spaces of large sets of plant species has considerably increased our understanding of diversification processes in the plant kingdom. Nevertheless, such advances have predominantly relied on interspecific comparisons that hold several limitations.

Here, we grew in the field a unique set of 179 inbred lines of durum wheat, Triticum turgidum spp. durum, characterized by variable degrees of artificial selection. We measured aboveground and belowground traits as well as agronomic traits to explore the functional and agronomic trait spaces and to investigate trait‐to‐agronomic performance relationships.

We showed that the wheat functional trait space shared commonalities with global cross‐species spaces previously described, with two main axes of variation: a root foraging axis and a slow–fast trade‐off axis. Moreover, we detected a clear signature of artificial selection on the variation of agronomic traits, unlike functional traits. Interestingly, we identified alternative phenotypic combinations that can optimize crop performance.

Our work brings insightful knowledge about the structure of phenotypic spaces of domesticated plants and the maintenance of phenotypic trade‐offs in response to artificial selection, with implications for trade‐off‐free and multi‐criteria selection in plant breeding.
Turkey Is Undergoing A Radical Shift, From Pluralism To Islamic Populism
Authors: Göle Nilüfer
Published: September 2023

For reformists like me, the disappointment runs deep.
Parameniscal Cyst Arthroscopic Excision by the Modified Fat Pad Approach Can Shorten Recovery Time—A New Surgical Method with Retrospective Study
Authors: Li Tao , Li Ran , Shu Yi , Li Yinghao , You Mingke , Li Qi
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Parameniscal cysts can be removed without meniscectomy, but for large or multiloculated meniscal cysts, traditional arthroscopic excision may leave the meniscus unstable. This study aimed to describe a modified fat pad approach for parameniscal cyst arthroscopic excision that retains a stable structure of the synovial margin of the meniscus and to compare the clinical outcomes between the traditional cyst excision and modified excision techniques.

Methods

Fifty‐six patients with parameniscal cysts between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively included in this study with 28 patients in each group. All patients underwent arthroscopic parameniscal cyst excisions with traditional and modified excision techniques respectively in each group. The International Knee Documentation Committee subjective (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Tegner score, active range of motion (ROM) and time to recover full ROM were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes by using the t‐test.

Results

The patient population included 21 males and 35 females, with a mean follow‐up of 29 months. Of these, 28 patients underwent traditional arthroscopic cyst excisions and meniscal sutures, and 28 patients underwent arthroscopic excisions by the modified fat pad approach. There were no significant differences in the IKDC score, Lysholm score, Tegner score or VAS score between the traditional and modified excision groups at the final follow‐up time point. However, the postoperative time to recover full ROM in the modified excision group was significantly lower than those in the traditional excision group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Arthroscopic excision with the modified fat pad approach yielded a shorter pain phase and less time to recover full ROM during recovery compared with the traditional arthroscopic excision. The new method seemed to be effective, as evidenced by the positive clinical outcomes of patients.
Overexpression of BAPT and DBTNBT genes in Taxus baccata in vitro cultures to enhance the biotechnological production of paclitaxel
Authors: Perez‐Matas Edgar , Hidalgo‐Martinez Diego , Moyano Elisabeth , Palazon Javier , Bonfill Mercedes
Published: September 2023

Paclitaxel is one of the most effective anticancer drugs ever developed. Although the most sustainable approach to its production is provided by plant cell cultures, the yield is limited by bottleneck enzymes in the taxane biosynthetic pathway: baccatin‐aminophenylpropanoyl‐13‐O‐transferase (BAPT) and 3′‐N‐debenzoyltaxol N‐benzoyltransferase (DBTNBT). With the aim of enhancing paclitaxel production by overcoming this bottleneck, we obtained distinct lines of Taxus baccata in vitro roots, each independently overexpressing either of the two flux‐limiting genes, BAPT or DBTNBT, through a Rhizobium rhizogenes A4‐mediated transformation. Due to the slow growth rate of the transgenic Taxus roots, they were dedifferentiated to obtain callus lines and establish cell suspensions. The transgenic cells were cultured in a two‐stage system and stimulated for taxane production by a dual elicitation treatment with 1 μm coronatine plus 50 mm of randomly methylated‐β‐cyclodextrins. A high overexpression of BAPT (59.72‐fold higher at 48 h) and DBTNBT (61.93‐fold higher at 72 h) genes was observed in the transgenic cell cultures, as well as an improved taxane production. Compared to the wild type line (71.01 mg/L), the DBTNBT line produced more than four times higher amounts of paclitaxel (310 mg/L), while the content of this taxane was almost doubled in the BAPT line (135 mg/L). A transcriptional profiling of taxane biosynthetic genes revealed that GGPPS, TXS and DBAT genes were the most reactive to DBTNBT overexpression and the dual elicitation, their expression increasing gradually and constantly. The same genes exhibited a pattern of isolated peaks of expression in the elicited BAPT‐overexpressing line.
A twenty year perspective on melanoma therapy
Authors: Flaherty Keith T.
Published: September 2023

Melanoma had long been considered to be particularly addressable with immunotherapy, but that reputation was built on modestly effective cytokine‐based immunotherapy. CTLA‐4 antibody therapy reinforced this legacy, but PD‐1 antibodies transformed the melanoma treatment landscape and lead the way for immunotherapy to become standard treatment for more than half of the advanced cancer population. BRAF mutations were discovered in 8% of all cancer and nearly 50% of melanomas. Successful development of BRAF inhibitors and BRAF/MEK combination therapy in melanoma preceded regulatory approval across all cancer types. No cancer type saw outcomes improved by the same margin as melanoma in the decade of the 2010s.
Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria: A clue to early diagnosis of Aicardi–Goutières syndrome
Authors: Ahmed Fahad , Do Ngan , Vanderver Adeline L. , Treat James R.
Published: September 2023

A 6‐year‐old female with a history of Aicardi–Goutières syndrome (AGS) presented to dermatology clinic with hypopigmented and hyperpigmented macules and patches consistent with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH). Previous genetic workup demonstrated a de novo, heterozygous mutation in the adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR) gene. While the co‐occurrence of AGS and DSH has previously been described in mutations of the ADAR gene, our case highlights the potential association between these disorders that may aid in earlier future diagnosis of AGS.
Information use in public administration and policy decision‐making: A research synthesis
Authors: Cantarelli Paola , Belle Nicola , Hall Jeremy L.
Published: September 2023

This article presents a research synthesis of 162 studies focusing on information use for decision‐making in public administration, management, and policy. The findings reveal that a significant proportion of work is centered around performance management and policy implementation. Notably, around one third of the reviewed studies adopt a behavioral science perspective. The analysis predominantly includes civil servants and citizens as the subjects, with quantitative studies outnumbering qualitative investigations by more than twofold. We identify three distinct components in understanding information use: the objective features of information architecture; the subjective mechanisms involving cognitive biases (i.e., over‐/under‐reaction to irrelevant information features) and decision noise (i.e., heterogeneity); and the moderating role of information user typology. Context should also be taken into account. The article explores how these findings relate to current societal challenges and emphasizes the potential of mixed‐methods, multisample, and/or multisite research in advancing knowledge in this area.
Slit2 suppresses endotoxin‐induced uveitis by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/IKK/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Du Yong , Zhou Linbin , Wen Zijun , Feng Lujia , Zhang Shaochong , Zhang Ting
Published: September 2023

Uveitis is a devastating intraocular inflammatory disease. The secreted leucine‐rich repeat protein slit homologue 2 (Slit2) has been found to be an essential regulator of inflammation. This study aimed to analyse the anti‐inflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of Slit2 in an endotoxin‐induced uveitis (EIU) rat model. In this study, rats with EIU pretreated recombinant human Slit2 (rhSlit2) or a control vehicle by intravitreal injection. The clinical scores were graded under a slit lamp. The protein concentrations and total number of cells in the aqueous humour (AqH) were examined, and the retinal expression of various inflammatory mediators was detected. The levels of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), phosphorylated NF‐κB, IkappaB‐a (IκB‐a), phosphorylated IκB‐a, IKK, phosphorylated IKK, PI3Kp85, phosphorylated PI3Kp85, Akt and phosphorylated Akt were evaluated by western blotting. Treatment with rhSlit2 dramatically diminished the clinical scores of EIU, with significant decreases in inflammatory cell infiltration, protein concentrations, cellulose‐like exudates, the production of ICAM‐1, MCP‐1, TNF‐α and IL‐6 in the AqH; and adhesion of leucocytes. The PI3K/Akt/IKK/NF‐κB pathway was found to be activated in EIU. However, the pre‐treatment of rhSlit2 significantly inhibited the production of ICAM‐1, MCP‐1, TNF‐α, and IL‐6, and inhibited leucocyte adhesion by modulating the PI3K/Akt/IKK/NF‐κB pathway. In conclusion, the intravitreal injection of rhSlit2 alleviated EIU‐related inflammation in Sprague–Dawley rats by reducing the proinflammatory cytokines and leucocyte adhesion; in particular, rhSlit2 may inhibit LPS‐induced inflammation by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/Akt/IKK/NF‐κB signalling pathway. Therefore, rhSlit2 shows significant potential for effectively alleviating immune inflammatory responses in vivo.
Low‐skilled jobs, language proficiency, and job opportunities for refugees: an experimental study
Authors: Ek Simon , Hammarstedt Mats , Skedinger Per
Published: September 2023

In a field experiment, we study the causal effects of previous experience and language skills when newly arrived Syrian refugees in Sweden apply for low‐skilled jobs. We find no evidence of sizable effects from previous experience or completed language classes on the probability of receiving a callback from employers. However, female applicants were more likely than males to receive a positive response. As a complement to the experiment, we interview a select number of employers, which provides additional insights into how they judge candidates for low‐skilled jobs.
Dissecting Anti‐Asian Racism Through a Historical and Transnational AsianCrit Lens
Authors: Yu Min , Coloma Roland Sintos , Sun Wenyang , Kwon Jungmin
Published: September 2023

The primary focus of this paper is twofold: to demarcate the epistemic erasure of societal knowledge and narratives of Asian Americans as braided with other forms of anti‐Asian racism by tracing its historical roots in orientalism, colonialism, and imperialism; and to redress such erasure by foregrounding transnational perspectives and Asian American Critical Race Theory (AsianCrit). By attending to historical and ongoing experiences of migration and racialization, this paper highlights the transculturality of Asian American histories, epistemologies, and communities, along with the multi‐stranded connections that they share with diasporic Asians in other countries. It expands the dominant framing of racialized minorities in the United States that indexes and limits their experiences within the geopolitical boundaries of the nation‐state. By situating Asian Americans within critical historical and transnational contexts, this paper generates a fuller and more complex understanding of the past and present conditions of Asian Americans and anti‐Asian racism. It also deliberately highlights the agency of Asian American youth and their strategies in contesting anti‐Asian racism in schools and society at large. By amplifying Asian American youth voices and agency, this paper not only affirms their wealth of transnational funds of knowledge but also offers crucial interventions challenging the curricular violence that continues to marginalize and misrepresent Asian Americans.
Deletions within intronic T‐DNA lead to reversion of T‐DNA mutant phenotypes
Authors: Thulasi Devendrakumar Karen , Goldstein Madeleine , Kronstad James , Li Xin
Published: September 2023

Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation enables random transfer‐DNA (T‐DNA) insertion into plant genomes. T‐DNA insertion into a gene's exons, introns or untranscribed regions close to the start or stop codon can disrupt gene function. Such T‐DNA mutants have been useful for reverse genetics analysis, especially in Arabidopsis thaliana. As T‐DNAs are inserted into genomic DNA, they are generally believed to be stably inherited. Here, we report a phenomenon of reversion of intronic T‐DNA mutant phenotypes. From a suppressor screen using intronic T‐DNA pi4kβ1,2 double mutant, we recovered intragenic mutants of pi4kβ1, which suppressed the autoimmunity of the double mutant. These mutants carried deletions in the intronic T‐DNAs, resulting in elevated transcription of normal PI4Kβ1. Such reversion of T‐DNA insertional mutant phenotype stresses the need for caution when using intronic T‐DNA mutants and reiterates the importance of using irreversible null mutant alleles in genetic analyses.
‘Ironing out the risk’: Assessing the effect of plateletpheresis donation frequency on iron stores in South‐Asian male donors
Authors: Madkaiker Deep , Hiregoudar Sumathi S. , Chavan Preeti , Ojha Shashank , Mendes Jennifer , Shastry Shamee
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives

Repeated blood donation is a well‐known cause of iron deficiency among donors. However, present scientific literature lacks comprehensive evidence regarding the impact of regular plateletpheresis procedures on body iron reserves. In this study, we aimed to detect and correlate iron deficiency (using iron indices) with the frequency of platelet donations. Additionally, we also analysed the correlation between other iron and haematological indices with serum ferritin to determine cost‐effective parameters that may serve as an initial screening approach to determine which donors should be subjected to serum ferritin testing.

Materials and Methods

A total of 180 male participants from our platelet donor registry were enrolled in this observational cross‐sectional study. Enrolment questionnaires were administered to eligible donors, and biological samples were collected during plateletpheresis donation. Biological tests such as complete blood count, reticulocyte indices, iron indices, vitamin B12 and folate were performed.

Results

Donors with ≥12 donations per year showed the highest prevalence of low ferritin (serum ferritin: 15–30 ng/mL) and absent iron stores (serum ferritin <15 ng/mL) (41.3% and 26.7%, respectively). Ferritin showed a significant negative correlation with recent (r = −0.346) and lifetime donations (r = −0.196). The efficacy of other indices for identifying iron depletion was much better using a serum ferritin value <15 ng/mL.

Conclusion

Regular plateletpheresis donations can lead to varying severities of non‐anaemic iron deficiency. Blood centres must regularly monitor frequent plateletpheresis donors (especially donors with more than 11 donations in a calendar year) and ideally maintain their serum ferritin above 30 ng/mL.
Multistate outbreak of turtle‐associated salmonellosis highlights ongoing challenges with the illegal sale and distribution of small turtles
Authors: Nemechek Kaylea , Stapleton G. Sean , Waltenburg Michelle A. , Low Mabel S. F. , Gollarza Lauren , Adams Jennifer , Peralta Vi , Lopez Karen , Morrison Atisha , Schnitzler Hannah , Kline Kelly E. , McGinnis Shannon , Nichols Megin
Published: September 2023

The sale and distribution of small turtles (shell length <4 inches) as pets has been banned in the United States since 1975 because of the risk of Salmonella transmission, especially to children. Despite this 48‐year‐old ban, salmonellosis outbreaks continue to be linked to contact with small turtles. During investigations of turtle‐associated outbreaks, information regarding the turtle farm of origin is difficult to obtain because turtles are commonly sold by transient vendors. During 2020–2021, public health officials investigated a multistate illness outbreak caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium linked to pet small turtles. Cases were defined as a laboratory‐confirmed Salmonella Typhimurium infection highly related (within 0–6 allele differences) to the outbreak strain based on whole‐genome sequencing analysis by core‐genome multilocus sequence typing with illness onset occurring during 27 August 2020–14 May 2021. Forty‐three patients were identified from 12 states; of these, 35% (15/43) were children <5 years old. Among patients with available information, 37% (14/38) were hospitalized, and one death was reported. Seventy‐four percent (25/34) of patients reported turtle exposure in the week before illness onset, and 84% (16/19) specified exposure to small turtles. The outbreak strain was isolated from samples collected from a Pennsylvania patient's small turtle tank. Two patients reported purchasing their small turtles from pet stores. Salmonella Braenderup was isolated from samples collected from small turtles and their habitat at one of these stores; however, at that time, this strain was not associated with any human illnesses. This investigation was notable because of the documented sale of small turtles from several pet stores combined with the identification of a single small turtle supplier to these pet stores. The high proportion of children involved in this outbreak highlights the continued need to educate the pet industry as well as parents and caregivers about the risk of turtle‐associated salmonellosis especially in children. Understanding and addressing the persisting challenges related to the illegal sale and distribution of small turtles could reduce the burden of turtle‐associated salmonellosis.
Exploring the Opinions of Mathematics Teacher Candidates Regarding the Usage of Gamified Digital Education Platform “Dersigo”
Authors: Karabıyık Ümit
Published: September 2023

In the present day, as technology merges with education, various tools, and applications are widely used in both classroom and outside learning experiences. In this context, in Turkey as well, a digital education application named "DERSİGO" aims to reach students by adopting a fully immersive learning model and a gamified approach. DERSİGO is an innovative educational platform offering visually supported topic explanations, content from question to topic, educational videos, and other supportive learning materials. The use of this educational application is increasingly gaining attention. The purpose and importance of this research are to examine how the digital education application named DERSIGO is evaluated by pre-service mathematics teachers and to understand the advantages that the use of this application for educational purposes can provide for students. The positive evaluation of the digital education application DERSIGO by pre-service Mathematics teachers shows that such technology-based education tools can potentially play a valuable role in the education process. This study examined the views of Mathematics teacher candidates regarding the educational use of the paid application DERSİGO. The research was conducted with the participation of 27 Mathematics teacher candidates, who were provided with access codes to experience Mathematics lessons and the gamification process within the DERSİGO application. The data collected from the participants were obtained through a semi-structured student opinion form and analyzed using the content analysis method. According to the findings of the study, teacher candidates express that the educational use of DERSİGO can make Mathematics lessons more engaging and fun, increase student participation, teach lesson content through gamification, boost student motivation, enable assessment of student performance, and assist in reinforcing learned subjects. A significant portion of the teacher candidates states that the DERSİGO application can be effectively used in mathematics education, while some teacher candidates emphasize its suitability for non-mathematics verbal subjects. The research reveals that DERSİGO can offer students advantages such as increasing class participation, improving student interaction, reinforcing learning processes, and increasing student motivation. Based on the obtained findings, various recommendations are provided for researchers and educators.
The substantia nigra modulates proximal colon tone and motility in a vagally‐dependent manner in the rat
Authors: Xing Tiaosi , Nanni Giorgia , Burkholder Cameron R. , Browning Kirsteen N. , Travagli R. Alberto
Published: September 2023

A monosynaptic pathway connects the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) to neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). This monosynaptic pathway modulates the vagal control of gastric motility. It is not known, however, whether this nigro‐vagal pathway also modulates the tone and motility of the proximal colon. In rats, microinjection of retrograde tracers in the proximal colon and of anterograde tracers in SNpc showed that bilaterally labelled colonic‐projecting neurons in the DMV received inputs from SNpc neurons. Microinjections of the ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist, NMDA, in the SNpc increased proximal colonic motility and tone, as measured via a strain gauge aligned with the colonic circular smooth muscle; the motility increase was inhibited by acute subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Upon transfection of SNpc with pAAV‐hSyn‐hM3D(Gq)‐mCherry, chemogenetic activation of nigro‐vagal nerve terminals by brainstem application of clozapine‐N‐oxide increased the firing rate of DMV neurons and proximal colon motility; both responses were abolished by brainstem pretreatment with the dopaminergic D1‐like antagonist SCH23390. Chemogenetic inhibition of nigro‐vagal nerve terminals following SNpc transfection with pAAV‐hSyn‐hM4D(Gi)‐mCherry decreased the firing rate of DMV neurons and inhibited proximal colon motility. These data suggest that a nigro‐vagal pathway modulates activity of the proximal colon motility tonically via a discrete dopaminergic synapse in a manner dependent on vagal efferent nerve activity. Impairment of this nigro‐vagal pathway may contribute to the severely reduced colonic transit and prominent constipation observed in both patients and animal models of parkinsonism.

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Key points

Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) neurons are connected to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) neurons via a presumed direct pathway.

Brainstem neurons in the lateral DMV innervate the proximal colon. Colonic‐projecting DMV neurons receive inputs from neurons of the SNpc.

The nigro‐vagal pathway modulates tone and motility of the proximal colon via D1‐like receptors in the DMV.

The present study provides the mechanistic basis for explaining how SNpc alterations may lead to a high rate of constipation in patients with Parkinson's Disease.
Windage Loss Models for Enclosed Cylindrical Flows Under S-CO2 Condition
Authors: Kim Dokyu , Jeong Yongju , Son In Woo , Lee Jeong Ik
Published: September 2023

A supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) Brayton cycle is expected to have high compactness, simple configuration, and competitive efficiency. These advantages originated from CO2 nonideal gas properties near the critical point. However, the strong real gas effect makes the design challenging. Among components, turbomachinery is most affected by the real gas effects of S-CO2. In order to obtain accurate design of the turbomachinery, accurate loss models are needed. Windage loss is one of the external losses that determines the motor load and is responsible for heat generation due to friction. The overall turbomachinery efficiency is greatly affected by the windage loss especially in an S-CO2 power cycle due to high fluid density and high rotational speed. Therefore, an accurate windage loss model that can reflect the real gas effect of CO2 near the critical point is essential to obtain accurate design of the turbomachinery as well as the power cycle. In this paper, existing windage loss models are compared under S-CO2 conditions first, and the applicability of each model is evaluated. The comparison is to understand how much turbomachinery performance uncertainty can be expected due to the windage loss models and to suggest the way to improve the models.