bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of rpoS on the survival and gene expression of Salmonella Enteritidis in low water activity foods
Authors: Ma Zhuolin , Li Shaoting , Xu Weiying , Chen Yingqi , Lu Ziying , Fu Rong , He Xinyi , Zhang Hongmei
Published: January 2023

This study evaluated the effect of the transcriptional regulator RpoS on bacterial survival, tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, and the expression of stress resistance genes in wild‐type (WT) and rpoS‐deletion (ΔrpoS) Salmonella Enteritidis CICC 21482 in low water activity (Aw) foods at 24 hr of drying and 7 days of storage. The ΔrpoS strain was produced by allelic exchange using a suicide plasmid. Bacteria were inoculated into ginger powder, nonfat milk powder, and chocolate powder in the presence of simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, and survival was measured. Gene expression was measured using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The ΔrpoS strain was less resistant to desiccation stress than the WT strain. The bacterial tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions varied depending on food composition, and high‐fat and protein content enhanced the survival of S. Enteritidis in the gastrointestinal conditions. In addition, under low Aw conditions, rpoS was weakly correlated with the expression of fadA but strongly correlated with the expression of grpE, otsA, otsB, dnaK, proV, rpoH, and sigDE in food substrates. This study elucidates the role of rpoS in desiccation stress and serves as the basis for preventing and controlling Salmonella contamination in low Aw foods.
The parental umwelt: Effects of parenthood on sensory processing in rodents
Authors: Wilson Kerianne M. , Arquilla April M. , Saltzman Wendy
Published: January 2023

An animal's umwelt, comprising its perception of the sensory environment, which is inherently subjective, can change across the lifespan in accordance with major life events. In mammals, the onset of motherhood, in particular, is associated with a neural and sensory plasticity that alters a mother's detection and use of sensory information such as infant‐related sensory stimuli. Although the literature surrounding mammalian mothers is well established, very few studies have addressed the effects of parenthood on sensory plasticity in mammalian fathers. In this review, we summarize the major findings on the effects of parenthood on behavioural and neural responses to sensory stimuli from pups in rodent mothers, with a focus on the olfactory, auditory, and somatosensory systems, as well as multisensory integration. We also review the available literature on sensory plasticity in rodent fathers. Finally, we discuss the importance of sensory plasticity for effective parental care, hormonal modulation of plasticity, and an exploration of temporal, ecological, and life‐history considerations of sensory plasticity associated with parenthood. The changes in processing and/or perception of sensory stimuli associated with the onset of parental care may have both transient and long‐lasting effects on parental behaviour and cognition in both mothers and fathers; as such, several promising areas of study, such as on the molecular/genetic, neurochemical, and experiential underpinnings of parenthood‐related sensory plasticity, as well as determinants of interspecific variation, remain potential avenues for further exploration.
Fetal left ventricular myocardial performance index measured at 11–14 weeks of gestation in fetuses with an increased nuchal translucency
Authors: Sezer Salim , Oğlak Süleyman Cemil , Kaya Başak , Behram Mustafa , Gedik Özköse Zeynep , Süzen Çaypınar Sema , Acar Züat , Gezdirici Alper , Bornaun Helen
Published: January 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an increase in nuchal translucency (NT) thickness on the myocardial performance index (MPI) in fetuses without cardiac anomaly in the first trimester and to determine whether a difference in MPI between those with and without trisomy 21 in these fetuses could be determined.

Methods

The study group consisted of 53 pregnancies complicated with increased NT thickness without any associated structural anomalies. Forty‐six gestational age‐matched pregnant women whose fetuses had normal NT thickness were enrolled as the control group.

Results

In the increased NT thickness group, the mean isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) value (0.050 ± 0.011 s) was significantly higher and the mean ejection time (ET) value (0.149 ± 0.010 s) was significantly lower than those values in the normal NT thickness group (0.045 ± 0.005 and 0.155 ± 0.009 s, p = 0.023 and p = 0.009, respectively). We found a significantly higher mean left MPI value in the increased NT thickness group (0.574 ± 0.153) versus the normal NT thickness group (0.487 ± 0.107, p < 0.001). Within the increased NT thickness group, the mean left MPI value was similar in the fetuses with normal karyotype and those with trisomy 21 (p = 0.419).

Conclusion

We demonstrated a significantly greater mean MPI value in the increased NT thickness group than in the normal NT thickness group. Within the increased NT thickness group, no differences in the left MPI value in the fetuses with normal karyotype and the fetuses with trisomy 21 were found.
Associations between snoring and dental sleep conditions: A systematic review
Authors: Huang Zhengfei , Zhou Ning , Chattrattrai Thiprawee , van Selms Maurits K. A. , de Vries Ralph , Hilgevoord Antonius A. J. , de Vries Nico , Aarab Ghizlane , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: January 2023

Background

It is important for dentists to know if the presence of snoring is associated with the presence of other dental sleep conditions (e.g. obstructive sleep apnea [OSA], sleep bruxism [SB], gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD], xerostomia and oro‐facial pain). If so, dentists could play a significant role in the early recognition and management of these conditions.

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to: (i) investigate the associations between the presence of snoring and the presence of other dental sleep conditions; and (ii) determine if it is clinically relevant that dentists assess snoring in their population.

Methods

The literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase.com in collaboration with a medical librarian. Studies were eligible if they employed regression models to assess whether snoring was associated with other dental sleep conditions, and/or investigated the incidence of snoring in patients with other dental sleep conditions and vice versa.

Results

Of the 5299 retrieved references, 36 eligible studies were included. The available evidence indicates that the presence of snoring is associated with higher probabilities of OSA, GERD and headache. Due to limited evidence and conflicting findings, the currently available articles are not indicative of associations between the presence of snoring and the presence of SB and oral dryness.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the presence of snoring is associated with higher probabilities of OSA, GERD and headache. Therefore, it is clinically relevant that dentists assess snoring in their patient population.
Possible adverse effects of low‐level laser on oral and oropharyngeal cancer cells: A scope review
Authors: Xavier Maria Gabriella Apolinário , Moura Maria de Lourdes Neves de , Ribeiro Lucas Nascimento , Carvalho Marianne de Vasconcelos , Ferreira Stefânia Jeronimo
Published: January 2023

Background

The effects of laser therapy on normal cells are well known and accepted, but the impact of this therapy on malignant cells are not yet fully understood. This review aims to map and outline what the scientific literature addresses on the effects of laser therapy on malignant cells.

Methods

This review article followed the guidelines of the PRISMA‐ScR protocol, being all the search, analysis, and selection of articles based on it.

Results

After all application of the predetermined criteria, five studies were included, dated between the years 2013 and 2021. With the complete reading of the selected studies, 100% of the articles were classified as category III of the Agency for Healthcare as Research and Quality classification. Similar themes among the papers included were investigated and compared. In these five studies, the visible red and near infrared wavelengths were used, and energy densities varied between 1 and 5 J/cm2. It was observed that low‐level laser could alter the expression of cell proliferation and migration proteins, such as cyclin D1, E‐cadherin, and β‐catenin. In addition, changes related to increased cell viability and metabolism were also identified.

Conclusion

The low‐level laser seems to positively regulate the proliferative, migratory, and viability capacity of neoplastic cells, depending on the protocol used. All these studies included in the review are equivalent to in vitro studies; the cells are not in such a complex environment as is an organized tissue, making it necessary to carry out more complex tests, such as in vivo research.
Comparative evaluation of gingival fibroblast growth on 3D‐printed and milled zirconia: An in vitro study
Authors: Zandinejad Amirali , Khurana Saumya , Liang Yongxi , Liu Xiaohua
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze the fibroblast growth and proliferation on 3D‐printed zirconia in presence and absence of porosities.

Material and methods

A total of 40 bars (8 × 4 × 3) were included in this study. Thirty 3D‐printed and 10 milled zirconia samples were prepared. The 3D‐printed samples had different porosities, 0% (PZ0), 20% (PZ20), and 40% (PZ40) with 10 specimens in each group. Milled zirconia samples were used as the control (MZ). Rat gingival fibroblasts were cultured for 48 h, and the proliferation of fibroblasts on each sample in each group (n = 10) was determined by MTT assays. The differences among the four groups were compared by one‐way ANOVA. To test the significance of the observed differences between two groups, an unpaired Student's t‐test was applied. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Qualitative analysis for the cell culture was performed using scanning electron microscopy.

Results

One‐way ANOVA showed that the numbers of the fibroblasts among the four groups had a statistical difference. Post hoc Bonferroni test revealed that there was no significant difference between PZ0 and MZ; however, all other groups and among groups were significantly different.

Conclusions

Fibroblasts had a better affinity toward the MZ and PZ0 in a short period of cell culture time.
Intussusception as a rare manifestation of immunoglobulin A vasculitis: Risk factors and treatment
Authors: Acar Banu Ç , Tekin Zahide E , Güngörer Vildan , Çelikel Elif , Kurt Tuba , Tekgöz Nilüfer , Sezer Müge , Karagöl Cüneyt , Coşkun Serkan , Kaplan Melike M , Polat Merve C , Öner Nimet , Kuruç Aylin I , Erten Elif E , Şenel Emrah
Published: January 2023

Aim

To identify the risk factors associated with intussusception in children with immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV)‐gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement and to evaluate the outcomes of medical treatment and surgical intervention and the course of patients with intussusception.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in 157 patients under 18 years of age who were followed up with the diagnosis of IgAV‐GI tract involvement between January 2015 and September 2022. The characteristics of the patients who developed intussusception were evaluated in detail.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐seven patients with GI tract involvement were included in the study. The mean age of patients with IgAV‐GI tract involvement was 8.7 ± 3.7 years. The female‐to‐male ratio was 1:1.5. Intussusception was detected in 14 patients (8.9%). Two patients (14.3%) underwent surgery, and the remaining 12 patients (85.7%) had their medical therapy intensified. Patients with GI tract involvement were divided into two groups as with (n = 14) and without (n = 143) intussusception. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the time from the onset of the first symptom of IgAV to the onset of steroids (P = 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in age at onset of IgAV, gender distribution, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein levels.

Conclusions

The time from the onset of the first symptom of IgAV to the start of steroids is a risk factor for the development of intussusception in patients with IgAV‐GI tract involvement. In these patients, medical treatment usually reduces intussusception without the need for surgical intervention.
The attitude of healthcare providers towards medication self‐management in hospitalized patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders
Authors: Loots Elke , Dilles Tinne , Hadouchi Sarah , Van Rompaey Bart , Morrens Manuel
Published: January 2023

Background

Medication self‐management (MSM) is considered an important aspect of pharmacotherapy and plays an essential role in the treatment of various illnesses. To date, research into the willingness and attitude of psychiatric healthcare providers toward MSM in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders during hospitalization is lacking.

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify healthcare providers' willingness to MSM and assess their attitude, conditions, benefits, and ability toward it during hospitalization.

Methods

A multicenter, quantitative cross‐sectional observational design was used to study psychiatric healthcare providers' attitude to MSM during hospitalization in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders.

Results

In this study, 173 healthcare providers, of which 147 were nurses and 26 psychiatrists, participated. During hospitalization, 86% of the healthcare providers were willing to MSM. Regularly evaluating patients' ability regarding MSM during hospitalization was seen as an important condition (94%). Psychiatrists were significantly less convinced that MSM during hospitalization has a positive impact on adherence when compared to nurses (respectively 54% vs. 77%, p = .009).

Discussion

Most healthcare providers indicated that they were willing to MSM in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders during hospitalization under specific conditions.
Loss of β‐catenin causes cementum hypoplasia by hampering cementogenic differentiation of Axin2‐expressing cells
Authors: Ma Rui , Xie Xudong , Xu Chunmei , Shi Peilei , Wu Yafei , Wang Jun
Published: January 2023

Background and Objective

Although cementum plays an essential role in tooth attachment and adaptation to occlusal force, the regulatory mechanisms of cementogenesis remain largely unknown. We have previously reported that Axin2‐expressing (Axin2+) mesenchymal cells in periodontal ligament (PDL) are the main cell source for cementum growth, and constitutive activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in Axin2+ cells results in hypercementosis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to further evaluate the effects of β‐catenin deletion in Axin2+ cells on cementogenesis.

Materials and Methods

We generated triple transgenic mice to conditionally delete β‐catenin in Axin2‐lineage cells by crossing Axin2CreERT2/+; R26RtdTomato/+ mice with β‐cateninflox/flox mice. Multiple approaches, including X‐ray analysis, micro‐CT, histological stainings, and immunostaining assays, were used to analyze cementum phenotypes and molecular mechanisms.

Results

Our data revealed that loss of β‐catenin in Axin2+ cells led to a cementum hypoplasia phenotype characterized by a sharp reduction in the formation of both acellular and cellular cementum. Mechanistically, we found that conditional removal of β‐catenin in Axin2+ cells severely impaired the secretion of cementum matrix proteins, for example, bone sialoprotein (BSP), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) and osteopontin (OPN), and markedly inhibited the differentiation of Axin2+ mesenchymal cells into osterix+ cementoblasts.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm the vital role of Axin2+ mesenchymal PDL cells in cementum growth and demonstrate that Wnt/β‐catenin signaling shows a positive correlation with cementogenic differentiation of Axin2+ cells.
The trajectories and associations of insomnia symptoms with addictive behaviours in adolescents: A two‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Liu Yujie , Wang Rongxi , Gong Ruijie , Yu Yuelin , Xu Chen , Yu Xiaoyue , Chang Ruijie , Wang Suping , Hu Fan , Xiang Mi , Cai Yong
Published: January 2023

Insomnia displays heterogeneous trajectories across adolescence, which may induce addictive behaviours, including internet gaming disorder and substance use. This study aimed to investigate the latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms over 2 years and to examine the associations between insomnia trajectories and these addictive behaviours. Participants were 910 adolescents from six middle schools in Shanghai, China (52.7% males; mean age = 13.17 years). The three‐wave survey measured insomnia symptoms, internet gaming disorder, substance use, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics from 7th to 9th grade. Latent class growth modelling was performed to identify the latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms. Then multivariable logistic regressions were conducted within the best‐fitting latent class growth model to examine the associations of insomnia trajectories with internet gaming disorder and substance use. Two latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms were recognised: the non‐insomnia group (71.8%) and the insomnia group (28.2%). In the multivariable analysis controlling for baseline demographic variables and depressive symptoms, the insomnia group had a higher risk of developing internet gaming disorder (OR = 2.203 [95% CI: 1.258–3.858]) and substance use (OR = 2.215 [95% CI: 1.324–3.705]) compared with the non‐insomnia group. These findings add to a growing body of research on heterogeneous trajectories of insomnia symptoms during adolescence, suggesting that intervention strategies are needed to target the characteristics or developmental patterns of different insomnia subgroups. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the impact of insomnia symptoms on adolescent addictive behaviours.
Religiosity and Secular and Ascetic Deviance
Authors: Desmond Scott A.
Published: January 2023

According to the antiascetic hypothesis, religiosity should be strongly related to behaviors that violate ascetic standards (getting drunk and using marijuana), but only weakly related to behaviors that violate social standards (violence and stealing). Using the second wave of the National Study of Youth and Religion, I tested the antiascetic hypothesis using a question about the most important basis for deciding what is morally right or wrong. Contrary to the antiascetic hypothesis, individuals who believe that God's law is the most important for deciding what is morally right or wrong, compared to those who believe that society is the most important, are not less likely to get drunk or use marijuana. Furthermore, for getting drunk and marijuana use, differences in behavior are not the result of different ethical standards (ascetic or social), but rather differences in the willingness to uphold those standards (is it OK to break moral rules).
Model‐free portfolio theory: A rough path approach
Authors: Allan Andrew L. , Cuchiero Christa , Liu Chong , Prömel David J.
Published: January 2023

Based on a rough path foundation, we develop a model‐free approach to stochastic portfolio theory (SPT). Our approach allows to handle significantly more general portfolios compared to previous model‐free approaches based on Föllmer integration. Without the assumption of any underlying probabilistic model, we prove a pathwise formula for the relative wealth process, which reduces in the special case of functionally generated portfolios to a pathwise version of the so‐called master formula of classical SPT. We show that the appropriately scaled asymptotic growth rate of a far reaching generalization of Cover's universal portfolio based on controlled paths coincides with that of the best retrospectively chosen portfolio within this class. We provide several novel results concerning rough integration, and highlight the advantages of the rough path approach by showing that (nonfunctionally generated) log‐optimal portfolios in an ergodic Itô diffusion setting have the same asymptotic growth rate as Cover's universal portfolio and the best retrospectively chosen one.
A Novel Molecule 3‐(1′‐Methyltetrahydropyridinyl)‐2,4‐6‐Trihydroxy Acetophenone Alleviates Ultraviolet‐B‐Induced Photoaging in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and BALB/c Mice
Authors: Naikoo Shahid H. , Rashid Haroon , Gupta Ragni , Sharma Raghu Rai , Kumar Sanjay , Ahmad Riyaz , Gudup Satish , Singh Parvinder P. , Abdullah Sheikh Tasduq
Published: January 2023

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the major exogenous agent that disturbs tissue homeostasis and hastens the onset of age‐related phenotypes (photoaging). Exposure to UV‐B radiation promotes apoptosis in human skin cells via induction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)‐mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress by activating the PERK‐eIF2α‐CHOP pathway, which plays a major role in exacerbating skin photoaging. Alleviating the production of ROS and boosting the antioxidant capacity of cells is the foremost therapeutic strategy to avert the repercussions of ultraviolet radiation exposure. In this study, we investigated the role of 3‐(1′‐methyltetrahydropyridinyl)‐2,4‐6‐trihydroxy acetophenone (IIIM‐8) in thwarting the UV‐B‐induced photoaging. We observed that IIIM‐8 ameliorates UV‐B‐induced oxidative stress, ER stress, Loss of Mitochondrial membrane potential, MAPK activation and Inflammation in irradiated skin cells. Ultraviolet radiation‐related damage to fibroblasts within the dermis leads to collagen degradation‐the hallmark of photoaging. IIIM‐8 substantially restored the synthesis of collagen and prevented its degradation via the downregulation of matrix metalloproteinases. Topical application of IIIM‐8 prevented BALB/c mice skin from UV‐B‐induced leukocyte infiltration, epidermal thickening and disruption of Extracellular matrix components. Implying that IIIM‐8 has a strong photoprotective property and has potential to be developed as a topical therapeutic/cosmeceutical agent against UV‐B‐induced photoaging.
Identification of expansin genes as promoting or repressing factors for leaf elongation in tall fescue
Authors: Fan Ningli , Xu Qian , Yang Zhimin , Zhuang Lili , Yu Jingjin , Huang Bingru
Published: January 2023

Expansins are cell‐wall loosening proteins involved in plant cell expansion and elongation. Objectives of this study were to identify expansins related to leaf elongation in a perennial grass species and determine the relationship between the expression of expansin genes and leaf elongation. A total of 20 expansin genes were identified in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), out of which nine genes belonged to the EXPA‐ and 11 to the EXPB subfamily. Two genotypes (“TF007” and “TF116”) with different growth rates were used to determine the correlation between expansins and leaf growth. Among the 20 expansins, 16 were differentially expressed in the leaf growth zone in “TF007” and “TF116.” The further analysis of gene expression in different leaf segments of “TF007” and “TF116” revealed that the expression level of FaEXPB16 was positively correlated with leaf elongation rate, and “TF007” had a higher leaf elongation rate than “TF116” due to the greater expression level of FaEXPB16. FaEXPA7 exhibited significantly higher expression level in leaves of the rapid‐growing genotypes than the slow‐growing genotypes, suggesting that FaEXPA7 acts as a positive regulator for leaf elongation. FaEXPA7 also exhibited its highest expression level in the cell division zone located in the leaf base. FaEXPB3, FaEXPB4‐2, and FaEXPB11‐2 showed a negative correlation with the leaf elongation rate in “TF007” and “TF116” and were highly expressed in leaves of the slow‐growing genotypes. As promoting or repressing factors for leaf growth, these five expansins could be used as candidate genes in developing the rapid or slow‐growing perennial grass species.
Framework for multirisk climate scenarios across system receptors with application to the Metropolitan City of Venice
Authors: Sambo Beatrice , Bonato Marta , Sperotto Anna , Torresan Silvia , Furlan Elisa , Lambert James H. , Linkov Igor , Critto Andrea
Published: January 2023

Climate change influences the frequency of extreme events that affect both human and natural systems. It requires systemic climate change adaptation to address the complexity of risks across multiple domains and tackle the uncertainties of future scenarios. This paper introduces a multirisk analysis of climate hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk severity, specifically designed to hotspot geographic locations and prioritize system receptors that are affected by climate‐related extremes. The analysis is demonstrated for the Metropolitan City of Venice. Representative scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) of climate threats (i.e., storm surges, pluvial flood, heat waves, and drought) are selected and represented by projections of Regional Climate Models for a 30‐year period (2021–2050). A sample of results is as follows. First, an increase in the risk is largely due to drought, pluvial flood, and storm surge, depending on the areas of interest, with the overall situation worsening under the RCP8.5 scenario. Second, particular locations have colocated vulnerable receptors at higher risk, concentrated in the urban centers (e.g., housing, railways, roads) and along the coast (e.g., beaches, wetlands, primary sector). Third, risk communication of potential environmental and socio‐economic losses via the multirisk maps is useful to stakeholders and public administration. Fourth, the multirisk maps recommend priorities for future investigation and risk management, such as collection of sensor data, elaboration of mitigations, and adaptation plans at hotspot locations.
Building coalitions in a nascent subsystem: Investigating beliefs and policy preferences in Ugandan pesticide policy
Authors: Wiedemann Ruth , Ingold Karin
Published: January 2023

Many political actors lack the power or competencies to impact policy outputs and outcomes on their own. This is why they join forces to multiply their impact. Following the advocacy coalition framework, they do so based on joint beliefs and shared policy preferences. Therefore, to understand cooperation or conflict among political actors, including the potential for policy compromises or stalemates, it seems crucial to know the allies and opponents in a political subsystem. Although many studies have investigated advocacy coalitions of like‐minded actors in various political subsystems and policy fields around the globe, not much is known about the dynamics at the origin of joint belief or common preference building. In this context, we ask: How and when do actors develop similar beliefs and joint policy preferences with others in a political subsystem? To answer this question, we investigate the early stage of policy making—a so‐called nascent subsystem—when a new issue arrives on the political agenda. We argue that it is at this stage that actors start developing joint beliefs and identifying their allies. We use expert interviews and survey data to investigate pesticide regulation, a new topic on Uganda's political agenda. We conducted a three‐step approach and selected the types of beliefs and preferences that mattered in a nascent policy setting. We then presented an extensive list of possible regulatory instruments to the stakeholders and selected those evaluated as the most relevant or conflictive. Based on this selection, we calculated belief and preference similarity and clustering to identify groups of like‐minded actors. Finally, via regression analysis, we show that joint beliefs are the result of either trust or a similar problem perception, depending on whether the actor is part of a more or less developed belief cluster.
Validation of the Fertility Norms Scale and Association with Fertility Intention and Contraceptive Use in India
Authors: Bhan Nandita , Johns Nicole E. , Chatterji Sangeeta , Thomas Edwin E. , Rao Namratha , Ghule Mohan , Lundgren Rebecka , Raj Anita
Published: January 2023

Social norms related to fertility may be driving pregnancy desire, timing and contraceptive use, but measurement has lagged. We validated a 10‐item injunctive Fertility Norms Scale (FNS) and examined its associations with family planning outcomes among 1021 women and 1020 men in India. FNS captured expectations around pronatalism, childbearing early in marriage and community pressure. We assessed reliability and construct validity through Cronbach's alpha and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) respectively, examining associations with childbearing intention and contraceptive use. FNS demonstrated good reliability (α = 0.65–0.71) and differing sub‐constructs by gender. High fertility norm among women was associated with greater likelihood of pregnancy intention [RRR = 2.35 (95% CI: 1.25,4.39); ARRR = 1.53 (95% CI: 0.70,3.30)], lower likelihood of delaying pregnancy [RRR = 0.69 (95% CI: 0.50,0.96); ARRR = 0.72 (95% CI: 0.51,1.02)] and greater ambivalence on delaying pregnancy [RRR = 1.92 (95% CI: 1.18,3.14); ARRR = 1.99 (95% CI: 1.21,3.28)]. Women's higher FNS scores were also associated with higher sterilization [RRR = 2.17 (95% CI: 1.28,3.66); ARRR = 2.24 (95% CI: 1.32,3.83)], but the reverse was noted for men [RRR = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.36,1.04); ARRR = 0.54 (95% CI: 0.32,0.94)]. FNS indicated better predictive value among women compared to men for key reproductive outcomes. This measure may be useful for social norms‐focused evaluations in family planning and warrants cross‐contextual study.
Why Research and Teach Early Modern Women Philosophers?
Authors: Sample Hope
Published: January 2023

This paper makes explicit some issues of gender that have been implicitly raised in recent discussions concerning the recovery of European women's contributions to the history of seventeenth‐ and eighteenth‐century philosophy. A useful way to bring these issues to light is to distinguish between the project of recovering women's contributions and the project of justifying their inclusion. The former project is an important effort to provide a more accurate understanding of the history of philosophy. Within the latter project, there is a distinction between justifying the inclusion of a specific author and justifying women's inclusion in general. The suggestion that we need to justify women's inclusion in general is fundamentally illegitimate because it presumes that either women's philosophical ability is up for debate or that their contributions require special explanation, both of which are misogynist.
Legal financial obligations in the United States: A review of recent research
Authors: LaScala‐Gruenewald Angela , Paik Leslie
Published: January 2023

In the United States, legal financial obligations (LFOs) include many types of monetary sanctions. For example, fines are tied to specific offenses and imposed at conviction and fees charge people for the “use” of courts, prisons, and other public services. With the rise of mass incarceration, millions of people across the U.S. owe billions of dollars in LFOs. Yet despite the widespread use of monetary sanctions, it was not until the last decade that research began to uncover the vast system of LFOs embedded throughout U.S. laws and understand their far‐reaching socioeconomic consequences. This paper reviews recent research on LFOs across three areas: (1) the political development of LFOs, (2) their implementation and enforcement, and (3) the consequences of LFOs on people, broader social networks, and the functioning of public institutions. We conclude with recommendations for future research that explores the hidden processes connecting these three areas and accounts for the fractured nature of the U.S. government.
Acute heat stress amplifies exercise‐induced metabolomic perturbations and reveals variation in circulating amino acids in endurance‐trained males
Authors: Bennett Samuel , Brocherie Franck , Phelan Marie M. , Tiollier Eve , Guibert Elodie , Morales‐Artacho Antonio J. , Lalire Paul , Morton James P. , Louis Julien B. , Owens Daniel J.
Published: January 2023

Using untargeted metabolomics, we aimed to characterise the systemic impact of environmental heat stress during exercise. Twenty‐three trained male triathletes ( = 64.8 ± 9.2 ml kg min−1) completed a 30‐min exercise test in hot (35°C) and temperate (21°C) conditions. Venous blood samples were collected immediately pre‐ and post‐exercise, and the serum fraction was assessed via untargeted 1H‐NMR metabolomics. Data were analysed via uni‐ and multivariate analyses to identify differences between conditions. Mean power output was higher in temperate (231 ± 36 W) versus hot (223 ± 31 W) conditions (P < 0.001). Mean heart rate (temperate, 162 ± 10 beats min−1, hot, 167 ± 9 beats min−1, P < 0.001), peak core temperature (Trec), core temperature change (ΔTrec) (P < 0.001) and peak rating of perceived exertion (P = 0.005) were higher in hot versus temperate conditions. Change in metabolite abundance following exercise revealed distinct clustering following multivariate analysis. Six metabolites increased (2‐hydroxyvaleric acid, acetate, alanine, glucarate, glucose, lactate) in hot relative to temperate (P < 0.05) conditions. Leucine and lysine decreased in both conditions but to a greater extent in temperate conditions (P < 0.05). Citrate (P = 0.04) was greater in temperate conditions whilst creatinine decreased in hot conditions only (P > 0.05). Environmental heat stress increased glycolytic metabolite abundance and led to distinct alterations in the circulating amino acid availability, including increased alanine, glutamine, leucine and isoleucine. The data highlight the need for additional exercise nutrition and metabolism research, specifically focusing on protein requirements for exercise under heat stress.
ER‐Ca2+ stores and the regulation of store‐operated Ca2+ entry in neurons
Authors: Chakraborty Pragnya , Hasan Gaiti
Published: January 2023

Key components of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release and store‐operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) are likely expressed in all metazoan cells. Due to the complexity of canonical Ca2+ entry mechanisms in neurons, the functional significance of ER‐Ca2+ release and SOCE has been difficult to identify and establish. In this review we present evidence of how these two related mechanisms of Ca2+ signalling impact multiple aspects of neuronal physiology and discuss their interaction with the better understood classes of ion channels that are gated by either voltage changes or extracellular ligands in neurons. Given how a small imbalance in Ca2+ homeostasis can have strongly detrimental effects on neurons, leading to cell death, it is essential that neuronal SOCE is carefully regulated. We go on to discuss some mechanisms of SOCE regulation that have been identified in Drosophila and mammalian neurons. These include specific splice variants of stromal interaction molecules, different classes of membrane‐interacting proteins and an ER–Ca2+ channel. So far these appear distinct from the mechanisms of SOCE regulation identified in non‐excitable cells. Finally, we touch upon the significance of these studies in the context of certain human neurodegenerative diseases.

image
Layer-Specific Tensile Strength of the Human Aorta: Segmental Variations
Authors: Sokolis Dimitrios P.
Published: January 2023

Knowledge of the failure properties of the aorta is essential to understand the mechanisms of dissection and rupture. Limited information is, however, available in humans or experimental animals about the layer-specific properties and their segmental variations have not been determined. In this paper, the failure properties of the intima, media, and adventitia were studied in nine consecutive aortic segments and two principal directions. Detailed biomechanical tests were performed with a tensile-testing device on 756 layer strips, harvested from fourteen cadaveric subjects aged 21–82 years. Intimal and medial strength in either direction remained invariant along the aorta, and their extensibility longitudinally decreased, whereas adventitial strength and extensibility longitudinally increased, explaining why the preferential sites for the development of aortic dissection or traumatic rupture are in the proximal aorta. The media was stronger circumferentially than longitudinally in all segments, accounting for the typically transverse tearing in dissection/rupture. The adventitial properties were significantly higher than the intimal and medial in most segments. Still, the intima had similar strength but lower extensibility compared to the media in both directions, and higher maximum stiffness longitudinally in several segments. The rupture surface of all layers was not perpendicular to the loading axis, more so in the circumferential strips compared to longitudinal ones. Aging impaired the extensibility and strength of all layers, particularly the media, but did not affect the maximum stiffness and rupture-surface direction. Females were rarely associated with different failure properties compared to age-matched males.
The Activation of the RIG-I/MDA5 Signaling Pathway upon Influenza D Virus Infection Impairs the Pulmonary Proinflammatory Response Triggered by Mycoplasma bovis Superinfection
Authors: Gaudino Maria , Lion Adrien , Sagné Eveline , Nagamine Brandy , Oliva Justine , Terrier Olivier , Errazuriz-Cerda Elisabeth , Scribe Anaëlle , Sikht Fatima-Zohra , Simon Elisa , Foret-Lucas Charlotte , Gausserès Blandine , Lion Julie , Moreno Ana , Dordet-Frisoni Emilie , Baranowski Eric , Volmer Romain , Ducatez Mariette F. , Meyer Gilles
Published: January 2023

Since the spread of the respiratory influenza D virus (IDV) infection to the cattle population, the question about the impact of this virus on bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains still unanswered. Animals affected by BRD are often coinfected with multiple pathogens, especially viruses and bacteria.
Antimicrobial Activity of Ceftazidime-Avibactam, Ceftolozane-Tazobactam, Cefiderocol, and Novel Darobactin Analogs against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Pediatric and Adolescent Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Marner Michael , Kolberg Laura , Horst Julia , Böhringer Nils , Hübner Johannes , Kresna I Dewa M. , Liu Yang , Mettal Ute , Wang Lei , Meyer-Bühn Melanie , Mihajlovic Sanja , Kappler Matthias , Schäberle Till F. , von Both Ulrich
Published: January 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents an ever increasing threat to the health care system. Even recently licensed drugs are often not efficient for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, like
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, a causative agent of lung infections. To address this unmet medical need, innovative antibiotics, which possess a new mode of action, need to be developed. Here, the antibiogram of clinical isolates derived from cystic fibrosis patients was generated and new bicyclic heptapeptides, which inhibit the outer membrane protein BamA, exhibited strong activity, also against multidrug-resistant isolates.
Supplemental Material: Tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the late Paleozoic Darwin Basin, eastern California, USA, and implications for the onset of subduction along the southwestern Cordilleran margin of Laurentia
Authors: Vaughn Lochlan W. , et al.
Published: January 2023

Extended methods section, additional measured sections, a sample list, clast count data, and a detailed discussion of our subsidence analysis. 
Young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health prevention services in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online questionnaire
Authors: Baker Venetia , Mulwa Sarah , Khanyile David , Sarrassat Sophie , O'Donnell Dominique , Piot Sara , Diogo Yvonne , Arnold Georgia , Cousens Simon , Cawood Cherie , Birdthistle Isolde
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The South African government responded swiftly to the first wave of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with a nationwide lockdown. Initial restrictions from March–July 2020 required people to stay at home unless accessing essential, life-saving services. We sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns affected young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services in a high-prevalence HIV setting.

Methods

We analysed data from a cross-sectional web-based questionnaire conducted with 15–24 year-olds from September–December 2020 in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The questionnaire was promoted through social media platforms. Participants were asked whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions affected their access to sexual and reproductive health services, through closed-ended and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics using proportions were used to summarise responses, and open text was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Of 3431 respondents, the proportions reporting ‘more difficulty’ accessing HIV testing services, HIV self-screening kits, condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral treatment since the COVID-19 pandemic were 16.8%, 13.7%, 13.9%, 11% and 7%, respectively. In 796 open-text responses, participants described challenges accessing HIV services due to clinics being overwhelmed and prioritising patients with COVID-19, resulting in young people being turned away. Some were afraid of contracting COVID-19 at or en route to clinics. Others were unable to reach clinics because of restricted transport or financial insecurity.

Discussion

Young people in Eastern Cape rely on local clinics for services, and large proportions of young males and females faced difficulties or fears accessing clinics during the COVID-19 lockdown. Clinics became overwhelmed or inaccessible, limiting young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services. In high HIV risk contexts, prevention services and tools must be more accessible to young people, outside of clinics and within the communities and spaces that young people can access without fear or cost.
Intravesical BCG in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer induces trained immunity and decreases respiratory infections
Authors: van Puffelen Jelmer H , Novakovic Boris , van Emst Liesbeth , Kooper Denise , Zuiverloon Tahlita C M , Oldenhof Ursula T H , Witjes J Alfred , Galesloot Tessel E , Vrieling Alina , Aben Katja K H , Kiemeney Lambertus A L M , Oosterwijk Egbert , Netea Mihai G , Boormans Joost L , van der Heijden Antoine G , Joosten Leo A B , Vermeulen Sita H
Published: January 2023

Background

BCG is recommended as intravesical immunotherapy to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Currently, it is unknown whether intravesical BCG application induces trained immunity.

Methods

The aim of this research was to determine whether BCG immunotherapy induces trained immunity in NMIBC patients. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in 17 NMIBC patients scheduled for BCG therapy and measured trained immunity parameters at 9 time points before and during a 1-year BCG maintenance regimen. Ex vivo cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, epigenetic modifications, and changes in the monocyte transcriptome were measured. The frequency of respiratory infections was investigated in two larger cohorts of BCG-treated and non-BCG treated NMIBC patients as a surrogate measurement of trained immunity. Gene-based association analysis of genetic variants in candidate trained immunity genes and their association with recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival after BCG therapy was performed to investigate the hypothesized link between trained immunity and clinical response.

Results

We found that intravesical BCG does induce trained immunity based on an increased production of TNF and IL-1β after heterologous ex vivo stimulation of circulating monocytes 6–12 weeks after intravesical BCG treatment; and a 37% decreased risk (OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.40 to 1.01)) for respiratory infections in BCG-treated versus non-BCG-treated NMIBC patients. An epigenomics approach combining chromatin immuno precipitation-sequencing and RNA-sequencing with in vitro trained immunity experiments identified enhanced inflammasome activity in BCG-treated individuals. Finally, germline variation in genes that affect trained immunity was associated with recurrence and progression after BCG therapy in NMIBC.

Conclusion

We conclude that BCG immunotherapy induces trained immunity in NMIBC patients and this may account for the protective effects against respiratory infections. The data of our gene-based association analysis suggest that a link between trained immunity and oncological outcome may exist. Future studies should further investigate how trained immunity affects the antitumor immune responses in BCG-treated NMIBC patients
TYRO3 blockade enhances anti-PD-1 therapy response by modulating expression of CCN1 in tumor microenvironment
Authors: Park Miso , Kuen Da-Sol , Park Jaewoo , Choi Munkyung , Kim Yeonji , Roh Eun Chae , Choi Yong June , Kim Yoon Gyoon , Chung Yeonseok , Cho Sung Yun , Kang Keon Wook
Published: January 2023

Background

Immunological contexture differs across malignancies, and understanding it in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential for development of new anticancer agents in order to achieve synergistic effects with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy. TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK receptors are bi-expressed in both cancer and immune cells, and thus emerge as promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Whereas AXL and MERTK have been extensively studied, the role of TYRO3, in the TME, is still undetermined.

Methods

Here, we screened the TYRO3-focused chemical library consisting of 208 compounds and presented a potent and highly selective TYRO3 inhibitor, KRCT87. We explored the role of TYRO3 using mouse engrafting MC38 or 4T1 tumors. We validated the results using flow cytometry, RNA sequencing analysis, gene knockdown or overexpression, ex vivo immune cells isolation from mouse models, immunoblotting and quantitative PCR. Flow cytometry was used for the quantification of cell populations and immunophenotyping of macrophages and T cells. Co-cultures of macrophages and T cells were performed to verify the role of CCN1 in the tumors.

Results

TYRO3 blockade boosts antitumor immune responses in both the tumor-draining lymph nodes and tumors in MC38-syngeneic mice models. Moreover, the combination of KRCT87 and anti-PD-1 therapy exerts significant synergistic antitumor effects in anti-PD-1-non-responsive 4T1-syngeneic model. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that inhibition of TYRO3-driven CCN1 secretion fosters macrophages into M1-skewing phenotypes, thereby triggering antitumor T-cell responses. CCN1 overexpression in MC38 tumors diminishes responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy.

Conclusions

The activated TYRO3-CCN1 axis in cancer could dampen anti-PD-1 therapy responses. These findings highlight the potential of TYRO3 blockade to improve the clinical outcomes of anti-PD-1 therapy.