bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in maintaining postharvest freshness and quality of Rubus berries
Authors: Shah Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib , Singh Zora , Kaur Jashanpreet , Hasan Mahmood Ul , Woodward Andrew , Afrifa‐Yamoah Eben
Published: September 2023

Blackberries and raspberries, commonly known as Rubus berries, are commercially grown worldwide across different climates. Rubus berries contain wide array of phytochemicals, vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, these berries have short storage life which is the major constraint in their supply chains leading to higher postharvest losses. Inappropriate harvest handling, physical bruising, insect pests, and postharvest diseases lower the acceptability of fruit among consumers and other supply chain stakeholders. Additionally, the susceptibility to microbial decay, fruit softening, higher ethylene production, respiratory activity, and increased oxidation of anthocyanins, phenolics, and flavonoids considerably affects the marketability of Rubus berries at domestic and international markets. To date, several postharvest strategies such as cold storage, precooling, modified and controlled atmospheres, anti‐ripening chemicals, edible coatings, biological agents, and nonchemical alternatives (heat treatment, ultrasound, irradiations, ozone) have been reported to prolong storage life, ensure food safety, and maintain the nutritional quality of Rubus berries. This review briefly encompasses multiple aspects including harvest maturity indices, regulation of fruit ripening, pre and postharvest factors affecting fruit quality, and an update on postharvest quality preservation by employing postharvest technologies to extend the storage life and maintaining the bioactive compounds in Rubus berries which are lacking in the literature. Accordingly, this review provides valuable information to the industry stakeholders and scientists offering relevant solutions, limitations in the application of certain technologies at commercial scale, highlighting research gaps, and paving the way forward for future investigations.
Flowering phenology and reproductive success of native shrub Berberis darwinii Hook. along different light environments
Authors: Svriz Maya , Lediuk Karen D. , Agüero Mariana L. , Damascos María A. , Scervino José M.
Published: September 2023

Studies evaluating flowering phenology and reproductive success are necessary when we want to direct a domestication project in a species with a potential productive value. We studied flowering phenology and reproductive success of Berberis darwinii growing under different light conditions in its native distribution area in the Andean Patagonian forests of Argentina. We test the hypothesis that plants grown under conditions of high‐light availability exhibit advanced phenology and higher reproductive success than those grown under conditions of lower light availability. Phenology and reproductive success were determined in three contrasting light conditions at two forest sites, which were, canopy, gap and forest edge. Plants did not bloom under the forest canopy. Flowering and fruiting period lengths were similar in both sites and light conditions of gap and forest edge during spring and summer. Although gap plants had more racemes per shoot, racemes of edge plants had more flowers, fruits and a higher proportion of flowers producing ripe fruit. We show that B. darwinii reproduction studied in the Andean Patagonian forests is conditioned by the canopy openness. Regarding reproductive success, edge plants invest less resources in flower production than gap plants to have similar fruit production.
Decreased level of TREM like Transcript 1 (TLT‐1) is associated with prematurity and promotes the in‐utero inflammatory response to maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure
Authors: Peña‐Garcia Paola E. , Morales‐Ortiz Jessica , Marrero‐Polanco Jean , Virgillio Ariana , Finette Barry A. , Washington Anthony V. , Bonney Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2023

Problem

The occurrence of preterm birth is associated with multiple factors including bleeding, infection and inflammation. Platelets are mediators of hemostasis and can modulate inflammation through interactions with leukocytes. TREM like Transcript 1 (TLT‐1) is a type 1 single Ig domain receptor on activated platelets. In adults, it plays a protective role by dampening the inflammatory response and facilitating platelet aggregation at sites of vascular injury. TLT‐1 is expressed in human placenta and found in cord blood. We thus hypothesized that TLT‐1 deficiency is associated with prematurity and fetal inflammation.

Method of study

To test this hypothesis, we examined cord blood levels of soluble TLT‐1 (sTLT) in premature and term infants and compared the inflammatory response in C57BL/6 (WT) and TLT‐1−/− (treml1−/−, KO) mice given intraperitoneal LPS mid‐gestation

Results

The preterm infant cord blood level of sTLT was significantly lower than that found at term. On exposure to LPS, histology of KO (as compared to WT) placenta and decidua showed increased hemorrhage, and KO decidual RNA expression of IL‐10 was significantly lower. KO fetal interface tissues (placenta, membranes, amniotic fluid) over time showed increased expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and TNF, but not MCP‐1. However, fetal organs showed similar levels.

Conclusion

There is a potential association between insufficient TLT‐1 expression and increased fetal inflammatory responses in the setting of prematurity. The data support further study of TLT‐1 in the mechanistic link between bleeding, inflammation and preterm birth, and perhaps as a biomarker in human pregnancy.
Western‐style diet in the presence of elevated circulating testosterone induces adipocyte hypertrophy without proinflammatory responses in rhesus macaques
Authors: Burwitz Benjamin J. , Yusova Sofiya , Robino Jacob J. , Takahashi Diana , Luo Addie , Slayden Ov D. , Bishop Cecily V. , Hennebold Jon D. , Roberts Charles T. , Varlamov Oleg
Published: September 2023

Problem

Anovulatory infertility is commonly associated with hyperandrogenemia (elevated testosterone, T), insulin resistance, obesity, and white adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunction associated with adipocyte hypertrophy. However, whether hyperandrogenemia and adipocyte hypertrophy per se induce a proinflammatory response is unknown.

Method of study

Young adult female rhesus macaques were exposed to an obesogenic Western‐style diet (WSD) in the presence of elevated circulating testosterone (T+WSD) or a low‐fat control diet with no exogenous T. Immune cells residing in visceral omental white adipose tissue (OM‐WAT), corpus luteum and the contralateral ovary, endometrium, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were characterized by flow cytometry during the luteal phase of the reproductive cycle.

Results

Following one year of treatment, T+WSD animals became more insulin‐resistant and exhibited increased body fat and adipocyte hypertrophy compared to controls. T+WSD treatment did not induce macrophage polarization toward a proinflammatory phenotype in the tissues examined. Additionally, T+WSD treatment did not affect TNFα production by bone marrow macrophages in response to toll‐like receptor agonists. While the major lymphoid subsets were not significantly affected by T+WSD treatment, we observed a significant reduction in the frequency of effector memory CD8+ T‐cells (Tem) in OM‐WAT, but not in other tissues. Notably, OM‐WAT Tem frequencies were negatively correlated with insulin resistance as assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR).

Conclusion

This study shows that short‐term T+WSD treatment induces weight gain, insulin resistance, and adipocyte hypertrophy, but does not have a significant effect on systemic and tissue‐resident proinflammatory markers, suggesting that adipocyte hypertrophy and mild hyperandrogenemia alone are not sufficient to induce a proinflammatory response.
LncRNA AOC4P impacts the differentiation of macrophages and T‐lymphocyte by regulating the NF‐κB pathways of KGN cells: Potential pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Yang Zhe , Wu Shujuan , He Shaojing , Han Lu , Zhou Mengqi , Yang Jing , Chen Jiao , Wu Gengxiang
Published: September 2023

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial endocrine disease, which is an important cause of female infertility worldwide. PCOS patients are in a state of chronic low‐grade inflammation, and immune imbalance is considered as a potential cause of its pathogenesis.

Methods

The expression of AOC4P in PCOS and normal ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) was detected by real‐time quantitative PCR. KGN cells were induced by dihydrotestosterone at 500 ng/mL to construct the PCOS model. After lentivirus‐infected, KGN cells were constructed with AOC4P overexpression cell lines, the proliferation and apoptosis levels of KGN cells in AOC4P and NC groups were detected. Human monocyte cell line (THP‐1)‐derived macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were co‐cultured with KGN cells for 48 h, respectively, and the differentiation of macrophages and CD4+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry.

Results

Decreased AOC4P expression was found in PCOS patients. After constructing the PCOS cell model, we observed that overexpression of AOC4P promoted KGN cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. After co‐culture with AOC4P overexpressed KGN cells, M1 macrophages decreased, M2 macrophages increased, T helper cells type 1 (Th1)/Th2 ratio increased, and regulatory T cell (Treg) cells increased. Finally, we found that AOC4P inhibited the activation of the nuclear factor κ B (NF‐κB) pathway in KGN cells.

Conclusions

In this study, we found that AOC4P regulated the NF‐κB signaling pathway by inhibiting the phosphorylation of P65, thereby affecting the proliferation and apoptosis of GCs, altering the differentiation of macrophages and T cells, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Signal quality of home polygraphy in children and adolescents
Authors: Hansen Camilla , Sonnesen Liselotte , Markström Agneta
Published: September 2023

Aim

The aims of the study were to examine the signal quality (SQ) of home polygraphy (PG) in children and adolescents and to compare automatic and manual scoring of the PGs.

Methods

Clinical Trials Registration: NCT04964830. Participants and caregivers were instructed to set up the equipment and perform home PGs themselves. The PGs were analysed according to SQ and their interpretability and differences in automatic vs. manual scoring regarding apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), apnoea index (AI), hypopnoea index (HI) and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were examined.

Results

54 healthy children aged 9–14 years participated in the study. 86% of the PGs were interpretable with mean SQ of 79.1% (CI 95%: 73.5%; 84.8%). Significant differences between the automatic and manual scoring were found for AHI, AI, HI and ODI (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Home PGs of children and adolescents are feasible to be performed with good SQ. Significantly higher markers of sleep‐disordered breathing were achieved in the automatic scoring in comparison with the manual scoring.
GDF15 mediates renal cell plasticity in response to potassium depletion in mice
Authors: Lasaad Samia , Walter Christine , Rafael Chloé , Morla Luciana , Doucet Alain , Picard Nicolas , Blanchard Anne , Fromes Yves , Matot Béatrice , Crambert Gilles , Cheval Lydie
Published: September 2023

Objective

To understand the mechanisms involved in the response to a low‐K+ diet (LK), we investigated the role of the growth factor GDF15 and the ion pump H,K‐ATPase type 2 (HKA2) in this process.

Methods

Male mice of different genotypes (WT, GDF15‐KO, and HKA2‐KO) were fed an LK diet for different periods of time. We analyzed GDF15 levels, metabolic and physiological parameters, and the cellular composition of collecting ducts.

Results

Mice fed an LK diet showed a 2–4‐fold increase in plasma and urine GDF15 levels. Compared to WT mice, GDF15‐KO mice rapidly developed hypokalemia due to impaired renal adaptation. This is related to their 1/ inability to increase the number of type A intercalated cells (AIC) and 2/ absence of upregulation of H,K‐ATPase type 2 (HKA2), the two processes responsible for K+ retention. Interestingly, we showed that the GDF15‐mediated proliferative effect on AIC was dependent on the ErbB2 receptor and required the presence of HKA2. Finally, renal leakage of K+ induced a reduction in muscle mass in GDF15‐KO mice fed LK diet.

Conclusions

In this study, we showed that GDF15 and HKA2 are linked and play a central role in the response to K+ restriction by orchestrating the modification of the cellular composition of the collecting duct.
Letter: the use of Fibrosis‐4 score in primary care and diabetology practices—Occam’s razor applied to advanced fibrosis screening
Authors: Yilmaz Yusuf , Kaya Eda , Eren Fatih
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Younossi et al and Younossi & Henry papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15830 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16091
Editorial: the microbiome, aspirin and colorectal cancer
Authors: O’Grady John , Quigley Eamonn M. M.
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Prizment et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16013 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16115
Impact of hepatitis C virus treatment on the risk of non‐hepatic cancers among hepatitis C virus‐infected patients in the US
Authors: Wang Wei , Lo Re Vincent , Guo Yi , Xiao Hong , Brown Joshua , Park Haesuk
Published: September 2023

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with with an increased risk of non‐hepatic cancers, but the impact of HCV treatment on non‐hepatic cancer is unclear.

Aims

To assess if HCV treatment reduced the incidence of non‐hepatic cancers among patients with chronic HCV infection in the US.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in MarketScan Databases from January 2005 to December 2016. Multivariable, time‐varying Cox proportional‐hazards models were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) of incident non‐hepatic cancers in treated and untreated patients with HCV infection. We conduscted subgroup analyses for sex, age, and presence of cirrhosis or diabetes.

Results

Among 62 078 patients with newly diagnosed HCV infection, 17 302 (28%) initiated HCV treatment, among whom 15 322 completed 8‐16 weeks treatment (minimally effective treatment). Patients who initiated HCV treatment had an 11% decreased risk of developing an incident non‐hepatic cancer compared to untreated patients (HR = 0.89, 95% confidence interval (Cl) = 0.82‐0.96). The reduction was slightly higher when patients completed a minimally effective treatment (HR = 0.87; 95% Cl = 0.80 ‐ 0.95). This was observed in most subgroup analyses for those who had a minimally effective treatment including patients with cirrhosis. When we stratified cancer or therapy subtypes, the association remained consistent for pancreatic and lung cancers, and dual HCV therapy.

Conclusions

HCV treatment led to a significantly reduced incidence of non‐hepatic cancers among patients with HCV infection. Despite discrepancies between cancer or HCV therapy subtypes, our findings suggest that treating HCV infection can decrease the extrahepatic cancer burden associated with chronic HCV infection.
Letter: the use of Fibrosis‐4 score in primary care and diabetology practices—Occam's razor applied to advanced fibrosis screening. Authors' reply
Authors: Younossi Zobair M. , Henry Lind
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Younossi et al and Younossi and Henry papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15830 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16034
Editorial: tenofovir alafenamide fumarate—a new bullet to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus. Authors' reply
Authors: Pan Calvin Q. , Cao Lihua , Huang Yan
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Ding et al and Gish & Elmofti papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16043 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16090
Letter: faecal microbiota transplantation for irritable bowel syndrome—which improvements are required?
Authors: El‐Salhy Magdy , Hausken Trygve , Gunnar Hatlebakk Jan
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lahtinen et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15942 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16122
Editorial: the microbiome, aspirin and colorectal cancer—authors' reply
Authors: Prizment Anna E. , Onyeaghala Guillaume , Church Timothy R.
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Prizment et al and O’Grady & Quigley papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16013 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16071
Letter: SARS‐CoV‐2 induced gastrointestinal inflammation—authors' reply
Authors: Taxonera Carlos , Alba Cristina
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Taxonera et al and Reuken et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15804 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16087
Ustekinumab is effective and safe for ulcerative colitis through 2 years of maintenance therapy
Authors: Panaccione Remo , Danese Silvio , Sandborn William J. , O'Brien Christopher D. , Zhou Yiying , Zhang Hongyan , Adedokun Omoniyi J. , Tikhonov Ilia , Targan Stephan , Abreu Maria T. , Hisamatsu Tadakazu , Scherl Ellen J. , Leong Rupert W. , Rowbotham David S. , Arasaradnam Ramesh P. , Sands Bruce E. , Marano Colleen
Published: September 2023

Background

The ongoing UNIFI long‐term extension evaluates subcutaneous ustekinumab for moderate‐to‐severe ulcerative colitis (UC) from weeks 44 through 220.

Aims

To assess efficacy (through week 92) and safety (through week 96) during the long‐term extension

Methods

Overall, 399 responders to intravenous ustekinumab induction and who were randomised to maintenance therapy were treated in the long‐term extension (115 received subcutaneous placebo, 141 received ustekinumab 90 mg every 12 weeks [q12w], and 143 received ustekinumab 90 mg q8w). Placebo treatment was discontinued at unblinding after week 44. Partial Mayo scores were collected every 12 weeks and at each dosing visit after unblinding. Safety was evaluated throughout.

Results

Among all patients randomised in maintenance, symptomatic remission rates (stool frequency = 0/1; rectal bleeding = 0) at week 92 were, 64.5% and 67.6% in the ustekinumab q12w and q8w groups, respectively. Among randomised patients treated in the long‐term extension, 78.7% and 83.2% of patients receiving q12w and q8w, respectively, attained symptomatic remission at week 92; >95% of patients in symptomatic remission at week 92 were corticosteroid‐free. Both ustekinumab groups maintained efficacy through week 92. From weeks 44 to 96, adverse events (AEs) per hundred patient‐years (PY) of follow‐up for combined ustekinumab vs placebo were: 255.68 vs 267.93; serious AEs, 9.34 vs 12.69; malignancies (including non‐melanoma skin cancers), 0.93 vs 1.49; and serious infections, 2.33 vs 2.99. One patient with multiple comorbidities who received one ustekinumab dose after dose adjusting from placebo experienced a fatal cardiac arrest.

Conclusions

The efficacy of ustekinumab in patients with UC was sustained through 92 weeks. No new safety signals were observed (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02407236).
Letter: elevated aspartate aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio predicts poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma after resection—Authors' reply
Authors: Wai‐Sun Wong Vincent , Kao Jia‐Horng
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kao et al and Li et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16097 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16124
Keeping up with COVID‐19 information: Capacity issues and knowledge uncertainty early in the pandemic
Authors: Albert Katelin , Gray Garry
Published: September 2023

This article examines the relationship between information consumption and mental health during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Adopting a qualitative approach, we interviewed 39 people in British Columbia, Canada between October and December 2020. Interestingly, half of the participants did not want to seek out new information on COVID‐19, making their early insights and initial confusion salient. While some individuals did desire up‐to‐date information on outbreaks and new risks, many expressed confusion over what was perceived to be an evolving landscape of public health policy and practice. Overall, our research found that capacity issues, information overload/fatigue, politics, distrust, and competing sources of news all contributed to a culture of confusion towards public health information. As a consequence, this confusion resulted in knowledge uncertainty about the virus, vaccinations, and the pandemic itself. Our findings highlight the need for a host of future projects that examine how citizens experience disempowerment and limited agency towards compliance with health and safety initiatives.
Sources of mathematics self‐efficacy: The interactive role of parental education and perceptions of teachers
Authors: Dangur‐Levy Shahar , Andersen Robert , Holm Anders
Published: September 2023

Using US National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) data, we explore how parental education and primary students’ perceptions of their teachers interact to impact students’ self‐efficacy in mathematics. Our results demonstrate that students tend to have higher self‐efficacy if they perceive that their teacher promotes the importance of mathematics. This relationship holds regardless of parental education, though it is strongest for children of parents without a university education. Children of less educated parents also tend to have lower self‐efficacy if they attend private schools, which typically have high average parental socio‐economic status (SES). School type has no discernable impact on children of university‐educated parents. These findings are highly relevant to the Canadian context, which is characterized by schools being stratified by SES and the high importance of STEM education for occupational outcomes.
Transcriptome sequencing of circular RNA reveals the involvement of hsa‐SCMH1_0001 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wang Qiao , Wang Huizhi , Zhao Xuemin , Han Chunlei , Liu Chong , Li Zhibao , Du Tingting , Sui Yunpeng , Zhang Xin , Zhang Jianguo , Xiao Yilei , Cai Guoen , Meng Fangang
Published: September 2023

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Exosomes are endosome‐derived extracellular vesicles that can take part in intercellular communication. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs characterized by covalently closed‐loop structures, which perform a crucial function in many diseases.

Aim

To clarify the expression and function of exosomal circRNSs of PD patients and look for circRNAs that might be related to the pathogenesis of PD.

Materials and Methods

We examined circRNA and mRNA expression profiles in peripheral exosomes from PD patients (n = 23) and healthy controls (n = 15) using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technology, functional annotation, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Correlation analysis was performed between the expression levels of the circRNAs and the clinical characteristics of PD patients. The binding miRNAs and target genes were predicted using TargetScanHuman, miRDB, and miRTarBase. The predicted target genes were compared with the differentially expressed mRNAs in sequencing results.

Results

According to the NGS, 62 upregulated and 37 downregulated circRNAs in the PD group were screened out. Correlation analysis revealed that hsa‐SCMH1_0001 has strong clinical relevance. We identified 17 potential binding miRNAs of hsa‐SCMH1_0001 with 149 potential target genes. ARID1A and C1orf115 belong to the intersection of the predicted target genes and the differentially expressed mRNAs obtained by sequencing.

Conclusion

This study suggested that hsa‐SCMH1_0001 and its target genes ARID1A and C1orf115 are downregulated in PD patients and may be involved in the occurrence of PD.
Binding of RAGE and RIPK1 induces cognitive deficits in chronic hyperglycemia‐derived neuroinflammation
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyan , Zhu Yandong , Gao Lin , Li Yan , Li Hui , Huang Chengyu , Liu Yan , Hu Ankang , Ying Changjiang , Song Yuanjian
Published: September 2023

Aims

Chronic hyperglycemia‐induced inflammation of the hippocampus is an important cause of cognitive deficits in diabetic patients. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), which is widely expressed in the hippocampus, is a crucial factor in this inflammation and the associated cognitive deficits. We aimed to reveal the underlying mechanism by which RAGE regulates neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetes‐induced cognitive impairment.

Methods

We used db/db mice as a model for type 2 diabetes to investigate whether receptor‐interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), which is expressed in microglia in the hippocampal region, is a key protein partner for RAGE. GST pull‐down assays and AutoDock Vina simulations were performed to identify the key structural domain in RAGE that binds to RIPK1. Western blotting, co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP), and immunofluorescence (IF) were used to detect the levels of key proteins or interaction between RAGE and RIPK1. Cognitive deficits in the mice were assessed with the Morris water maze (MWM) and new object recognition (NOR) and fear‐conditioning tests.

Results

RAGE binds directly to RIPK1 via the amino acid sequence (AAs) 362–367, thereby upregulating phosphorylation of RIPK1, which results in activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia and ultimately leads to cognitive impairments in db/db mice. We mutated RAGE AAs 362–367 to reverse neuroinflammation in the hippocampus and improve cognitive function, suggesting that RAGE AAs 362–367 is a key structural domain that binds directly to RIPK1. These results also indicate that hyperglycemia‐induced inflammation in the hippocampus is dependent on direct binding of RAGE and RIPK1.

Conclusion

Direct interaction of RAGE and RIPK1 via AAs 362–367 is an important mechanism for enhanced neuroinflammation in the hyperglycemic environment and is a key node in the development of cognitive deficits in diabetes.
Bernard Williams on the guise of the good
Authors: Orsi Francesco
Published: September 2023

The guise of the good is the thesis that an agent can only want, or intentionally do or pursue something, if and because this seems good to the agent in some respect or other. Bernard Williams criticizes the guise of the good in Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy. In this paper I reconstruct and assess his hitherto unnoticed critical remarks. Williams's opposition is based on the idea that it takes an “extra step” to go from desiring or pursuing something to thinking of it as good. To show this, he employs an argument from elimination (with two strands: an argument from personal ends and an argument from immediate ends), and a separate argument which I call the one‐desire argument. I review and reject two types of answers to Williams's objections: answers that explore different varieties of what it can mean to “think of as good,” and answers that focus on different varieties of goodness under the guise of which one can desire something. I then consider whether a different, but nearby thesis, namely the guise of normative reasons, can accommodate Williams's objections, concluding that this alternative also fails. I end by looking at how this debate might move forward.
Speech recognition and artificial intelligence based on the development of music system
Authors: Chi Jinjing
Published: September 2023

In the face of this increasingly intelligent society and home life, it is necessary to research and design more intelligent music systems to meet people's needs. This paper uses music speech recognition algorithms when building a music system, and combines artificial intelligence technology to apply cloud‐computing technology to the processing and transmission of music data. The system is formed by the fusion of various technologies. At the same time, using embedded technology as the core can handle multiple tasks at the same time, thereby effectively improving the efficiency of the system. In addition, based on speech recognition technology, this paper combines artificial intelligence to develop music systems. Through experimental analysis, it can be seen that the music system based on speech recognition and artificial intelligence proposed in this paper has good results.
The interaction network of the proteasome assembly chaperone PSMD9 regulates proteostasis
Authors: Christie Joel , Anthony C. Merlyn , Harish Mahalakshmi , Mudartha Deepti , Ud Din Farooqee Sheikh Burhan , Venkatraman Prasanna
Published: September 2023

Functional networks in cells are created by physical, genetic, and regulatory interactions. Mapping them and annotating their functions by available methods remains a challenge. We use affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP‐MS) coupled with SLiMFinder to discern such a network involving 26S proteasome non‐ATPase regulatory subunit 9 (PSMD9), a chaperone of proteasome assembly. Approximately 20% of proteins within the PSMD9 interactome carry a short linear motif (SLiM) of the type ‘EXKK’. The binding of purified PSMD9 with the peptide sequence ERKK, proteins heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1; containing ERKK), and peroxiredoxin‐6 (PRDX6; containing EAKK) provided proof of principle for this motif‐driven network. The EXKK motif in the peptide primarily interacts with the coiled‐coil N domain of PSMD9, a unique interaction not reported for any coiled‐coil domain. PSMD9 knockout (KO) HEK293 cells experience endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and respond by increasing the unfolded protein response (UPR) and reducing the formation of aggresomes and lipid droplets. Trans‐expression of PSMD9 in the KO cells rescues lipid droplet formation. Overexpression of PSMD9 in HEK293 cells results in reduced UPR, and increased lipid droplet and aggresome formation. The outcome argues for the prominent role of PSMD9 in maintaining proteostasis. Probable mechanisms involve the binding of PSMD9 to binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP/GRP78; containing EDKK), an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone and key regulator of the UPR, and fatty acid synthase (FASN; containing ELKK), involved in fatty acid synthesis/lipid biogenesis. We propose that PSMD9 acts as a buffer in the cellular milieu by moderating the UPR and enhancing aggresome formation to reduce stress‐induced proteotoxicity. Akin to waves created in ponds that perpetuate to a distance, perturbing the levels of PSMD9 would cause ripples down the networks, affecting final reactions in the pathway, one of which is altered proteostasis.
Idiosyncratic trends of woodland invertebrate biodiversity in Britain over 45 years
Authors: Bowler Diana E. , Cunningham Charles A. , Beale Colin M. , Emberson Lisa , Hill Jane K. , Hunt Merryn , Maskell Lindsay , Outhwaite Charlotte L. , White Piran C. L. , Pocock Michael J. O.
Published: September 2023

Woodland cover in Britain has increased over the past century and is set to increase further through woodland creation schemes aiming to tackle climate change. Nonetheless, the wider repercussions of increasing woodland cover for species, especially invertebrates, have not been comprehensively assessed.

Here, we quantified the woodland associations of 2762 invertebrate species in Britain across 21 broad taxon groups using species occurrence records collected by specialist recording societies. We then related the strength of species' woodland associations to published estimates of their long‐term national distribution trends between 1970 and 2015.

Across all taxa, 29% of species were positively associated with broadleaf woodland cover, whereas 27% of species were negatively associated. There was a slight tendency for species associated with broadleaf woodland to have more positive long‐term distribution trends, but the effect had little explanatory power. For 15% of species, we detected a non‐monotonic association with broadleaf woodland cover, such that their occurrence peaked at intermediate levels of cover. Intermediate‐cover species had more positive long‐term distribution trends than species with monotonic positive or negative woodland associations.

Our findings suggest that woodland invertebrates have not consistently increased, despite the increases in woodland cover. While some caution is warranted owing to our use of heterogeneous occurrence records, the considerable variation in distribution trends of woodland‐associated species could be explained by the high diversity of woodland species and ways in which they use woodland habitat. Woodland creation, or increasing tree cover in general, could have idiosyncratic impacts on species, depending on how new woodlands are created and managed.
Influence of nervous tendencies on oral health status and lifestyle habits
Authors: Fukuike Hisae , Noda Megumi , Ibaraki Hiroko , Sasaki Karin , Tanaka Yuimi , Suzuki Hidenori , Ishimaru Masahiko
Published: September 2023

Objective

It is presumed that people with nervous tendencies brush their teeth for long durations, and, we aimed to investigate how nervous tendencies affect oral health status and lifestyle habits.

Subjects and methods

Three hundred and sixty patients who visited the Senri Dental Clinic, affiliated with the Sunstar Foundation, and were being treated for periodontal diseases between 11 January 2017 and 10 April 2017 were enrolled. A total of 323 respondents (101 men and 222 women) were considered eligible. Nervous tendencies were investigated using the Fujinami neurotic index (FNI) and its derivative, the neurotic index (NI). Patients with NIs of ≥20 were included in the ‘needs caution’ group, whereas those with NIs of <19 comprised the ‘healthy’ group. The plaque score; periodontal pocket depth; bleeding on probing degree; gingival recession; crevice defects; oral conditions, such as cervical fillings and lifestyle habits were compared between the groups.

Results and discussion

No statistically significant differences in oral status were observed between the groups. On the other hand, the needs caution group had significantly longer brushing durations and lower usage of auxiliary teeth cleaning tools than the healthy group. Sleep duration was significantly shorter in the needs caution group than in the healthy group.

Conclusions

Patients with strong nervous tendencies had long oral brushing durations and low usage of auxiliary cleaning tools. However, these factors did not negatively affect oral health status. These results could aid in understanding patients with strong nervous tendencies and in developing appropriate dental health guidance measures.
The role of self‐compassion in mediating the effect of perfectionism on personal growth initiative in dental hygienists
Authors: Laliberte Michaela , Boyd Linda D. , Perry Kristeen R. , Vineyard Jared
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study explored perfectionism, self‐compassion and personal growth initiative in clinical dental hygienists.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey research was conducted with a non‐probability sample of clinical dental hygienists (n = 877). The survey had 55 items and consisted of three validated instruments: Frost's Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale—Brief (including evaluative concerns and perfectionistic striving subscales), Neff's Self‐Compassion Scale and Robitschek's Personal Growth Initiative Scale. Descriptive, correlation, t‐test, ANOVA and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships among variables. Mediation analysis was conducted to determine the presence of a mediated moderation effect of self‐compassion on perfectionism and personal growth initiative.

Results

The completion rate for the survey was 89% (n = 788). Evaluative concerns (M = 11.83) and perfectionistic strivings (M = 15.44) among dental hygienists were high, levels of self‐compassion (SC) were moderate (M = 2.87) and levels of personal growth initiative (PGI) were low (M = 38.07) compared to others not in the dental field. The mediation analysis found that SC mediates the relationship between perfectionistic evaluative concerns and PGI. It was also determined that SC mediates the relationship between perfectionistic strivings and PGI.

Conclusion

Dental hygienists have high levels of perfectionism and may lack necessary levels of self‐compassion to counteract those perfectionistic tendencies resulting in a decrease in taking the initiative to engage in opportunities for growth. This suggests the importance of dental hygienists developing a more adaptive perfectionism to balance self‐criticism along with not having unrealistic expectations for perfection while engaging in self‐compassion that includes self‐kindness and mindfulness to support their continued growth.
High‐throughput laser‐based surface functionalization for fabrication of superhydrophobic soda‐lime glass
Authors: Wang Qinghua , Liu Chao , Yin Kai , Zhou Yongqi , Wang Huixin
Published: September 2023

Rendering transparent materials extreme wettability, for example, superhydrophobicity or superhydrophilicity, has received considerable attention during the past decades. While fabrication of superhydrophobic glass with high processing efficiency and low production cost has always been a challenge. In this work, a laser‐based surface functionalization process that combines ultraviolet (UV) nanosecond laser texturing and silicone oil‐assisted heat treatment was employed to render glass superhydrophobicity with high process throughput. The wettability transition is attributed to the combined effects of laser texturing that induces hierarchical surface micro/nanostructures and silicone oil‐assisted heat treatment that alters surface chemistry and lowers surface energy. The surface transmittance of the laser‐based surface functionalized glass samples in the visible spectrum was experimentally measured and analyzed. The laser‐based surface functionalized glass sample also exhibited long‐term stability in air, mechanical robustness and good self‐cleaning property. More importantly, the developed process shows both high process efficiency and cost effectiveness and has potential for applications where superhydrophobic glass is required.
Ultrasonic‐assisted and enzymatic‐assisted extraction to recover tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids from used tea leaves using natural deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Vo Tan Phat , Tran Ton Quoc Dao , Phan Thuy Han , Huynh Hoang Duy , Vo Thi Thanh Yen , Vo Nguyen Minh Khoi , Ha Mai Phuong , Le Thao Nhien , Nguyen Dinh Quan
Published: September 2023

The conventional extraction technique using organic solvent was employed to recover bioactive compounds from plants; however, this technique showed low efficiency and caused environmental pollution. Novel extraction techniques such as ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) and enzymatic‐assisted extraction (EAE) combined with natural deep eutectic solvent were developed to overcome this problem. The efficiency of a binary NADES system with sonication was evaluated based on total tannin contents (TTAC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total terpenoid content (TTC). The NADES system with a molar ratio of acetic acid and glycerol at 2:1 showed the highest TTAC and TFC, while acetic acid and glucose at 2:1 yielded the highest TTC. The impact of UAE and EAE parameters on extraction yield was examined. Combined methods, including ultrasonic‐enzymatic assisted extraction (UEAE), enzymatic‐ultrasonic assisted extraction (EUAE), and simultaneous ultrasonic‐enzymatic assisted extraction (SUEAE), were performed using NADES. UEAE exhibited the highest extraction yield and biological activities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the surface variations of used tea leaves before and after treatment. This study demonstrated that UEAE is a sustainable technique for recovering valuable compounds from used tea leaves.
Improving compliance with guidelines may lead to favorable clinical outcomes for patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: A retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Sato Takuma , Sano Takeshi , Kawamura Sadafumi , Ikeda Yoshihiro , Orikasa Kazuhiko , Tanaka Takaki , Kyan Atsushi , Ota Shozo , Tokuyama Satoru , Saito Hideo , Mitsuzuka Koji , Yamashita Shinichi , Arai Yoichi , Kobayashi Takashi , Ito Akihiro
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Clinical guidelines recommend that patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) should be treated with appropriate adjuvant therapy. However, compliance with guideline recommendations is insufficient, and this may lead to unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to investigate the level of adherence to guideline recommendations in patients with NMIBC and evaluate the outcomes of those who did and did not receive guideline‐recommended therapies.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with histologically diagnosed NMIBC. The percentage of patients with intermediate‐ and high‐risk tumors who received adjuvant intravesical therapy or second transurethral resection (TUR) was calculated. Recurrence‐free survival was assessed in patients who did and did not receive the therapies. We conducted a propensity score‐matched analysis to compare outcomes between patients with intermediate‐risk and T1 NMIBC who did and did not undergo guideline‐recommended therapies.

Results

Overall, 1204 patients from the Tohoku Urological Evidence‐Based Medicine Study Group and Kyoto University Hospital were included. Of patients with intermediate‐ and high‐risk tumors, 91.0% and 74.0% did not receive maintenance bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), respectively. In both groups, significantly better recurrence‐free survival was found for patients treated with maintenance BCG. Among patients with T1 NMIBC, only 16.7% underwent guideline‐recommended therapies, that is, a second TUR and maintenance BCG. Significantly greater recurrence‐free survival was observed in patients who received guideline‐recommended therapies compared with propensity‐matched patients who did not.

Conclusions

Guideline‐recommended therapies may contribute to improvements in outcomes for patients with NMIBC, suggesting that improvements in adherence to clinical guidelines may lead to favorable outcomes.
Parental perception of paediatric lower urinary tract dysfunction during the COVID‐19 shutdown
Authors: Leroy Susan V. , Hutchison Dylan , Kern Nora G.
Published: September 2023

We aimed to investigate how staying at home and stress from the pandemic shutdown impacts lower urinary tract symptoms in paediatric patients. The COVID‐19 pandemic shut down most of the world in March 2020. In the state of Virginia, a mandatory Stay‐at‐Home order was issued requiring students to participate in school from home. Paediatric patients often have difficulty complying with standard urotherapy while at school, with timed voiding being particularly hard to maintain. To our knowledge, only one other study investigated lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in children during the COVID‐19 shutdown. This study compared lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in paediatric patients seen in their bladder dysfunction clinic for their initial 6 months of treatment during the shutdown to patients treated before the shutdown. Of the studies available that examine how the school environment effects lower urinary tract symptoms, all show a lack of education among teachers and school nurses, classroom rules that oppose adherence to standard urotherapy, and facilities that are often inadequate and unhygienic. Stress is known to have a bidirectional effect on LUTD, so we also investigated the effect of parental stress from the shutdown on LUTD. Parents of patients followed in our bladder dysfunction clinic were given a survey to evaluate the use of a timed voiding regimen, improvement in LUTS and perceived parental stress during the COVID shut down of 2020. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rho) was calculated to measure the correlation of the survey responses. We received 42 responses from 202 surveys administered (20.8%). Only 21.4% of respondents maintained timed voiding while at home, despite 78.6% indicating improved bathroom access. A small number (4.8%) indicated total resolution of voiding symptoms. Half of the respondents (50%) indicated some degree of improvement in LUTS, though almost the entire remaining population saw no change in their symptoms (42.9%). Only a very small number indicated slightly worse LUTS (7.1%) and none indicated that symptoms were much worse. There was no correlation between dysfunctional voiding scoring system (DVSS) scores and improvement in bathroom access. There was a moderate correlation between perceived parental stress and their child's DVSS score, Rho = 0.54 p = 0.0002. Additionally, DVSS scores were weakly, negatively correlated with improvement in LUTS, Rho = −0.3 p = 0.047. Despite the majority of parents perceiving increased access to bathrooms during the Stay‐at‐Home order, a minority of patients were maintained on timed voiding regimens while at home. About half of parents still indicated some degree of improvement in their child's LUTS. There was a correlation between parental stress and their child's dysfunctional voiding score. This survey highlights that the relationship between timed voiding, bathroom access, and severity of LUTS is complex and compliance with timed voiding remains a challenge to adhere to.
Provision of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion to type 1 diabetes ‘frequent flyers’
Authors: Amato Lisa A. , Kalolo Romana , Yu William , Simmons David
Published: September 2023

A few people with type 1 diabetes undergo multiple hospital admissions for acute glycaemic events. We report on a series of five such ‘frequent flyers’ who were provided with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy. Mean HbA1c decreased from 9.7 ± 2.5% (83 ± 27 mmol/mol) to 7.9 ± 0.4% (63 ± 4.7 mmol/mol) after 2–4 months. Frequency of admissions for acute glycaemic events reduced in three but increased in two patients within 6 months. Total insulin dose and body mass index decreased in some patients and satisfaction was anecdotally higher. Some, but not all, ‘frequent flyers’ benefited from a trial of CSII.
The problem with resilience
Authors: Fisher Jane , Jones Emma
Published: September 2023

The term ‘resilience’ has become a fashionable buzzword infiltrating mental health services globally. This latest ad nauseam has become both an irritation and insult to service users and mental health professionals alike. We argue resilience is a flawed Western theory of suffering aligned with neoliberal ideology. It is a double‐edged sword indiscriminately yielded at both service users and staff. This paper examines the origins and evolution of resilience, and how mental health services have morphed resilience into a meaningless slogan, causing iatrogenic harm. We call for mental health professionals to consider their use of language and the intended or unintentional meaning behind their choice of words.