bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing aesthetic regenerative scaffolds: An immunological perspective
Authors: Corduff Niamh
Published: March 2023

Background

Skin aging arises from immunological responses to tissue deterioration and damage. Tissue repair processes encompass the regeneration of original tissue and ‘scarless’ wound healing seen in foetuses, and the extreme fibrotic responses and scarring seen in adults. Anti‐aging aesthetic medicine uses interventions like biomaterial‐based fillers to influence these immunological responses and renew aged tissue structure and function. At filler injection sites, an inflammatory response occurs that causes a spectrum of outcomes, ranging from tissue regeneration to fibrosis and filler encapsulation. Importantly, the resulting inflammatory pathway can be predetermined by the biomaterial injected.

Aims

By understanding this immunological process, we can develop Aesthetic Regenerative Scaffolds (ARS) ‐ aesthetic injectable biomaterials ‐ to direct inflammatory wound healing away from chronic, fibrotic responses, and towards physiological tissue regeneration.

Materials and Methods

We identified and reviewed literature on the immunological and cellular responses to injected dermal fillers, whereby the wound healing response to the injection was moderated under the influence of an injected biomaterial.

Results

We described the mechanisms of dermal wound healing and the use of ARS to direct healing towards tissue regeneration instead of scarring. We also summarised studies on extracellular matrix remodeling by calcium hydroxylapatite. We found that Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers produce collagen as they gradually degrade and their spherical structures serve as a scaffold for tissue regeneration. Furthermore, CaHA improved fibroblast contractility, collagen type III and elastin production, proliferation and angiogenesis with less inflammation than hyaluronic acid fillers.

Discussion

Regneration pathways can be influenced at specific points between a facial filler biomaterial and the wound healingmechanisms at its site of implantaion.

Conclusion

Physicians can select scaffolds that direct the immune response away from a fibrotic chronic inflammatory pathway and towards regeneration to enable true repair of the aging skin.
Impact of probiotic administration on the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis: A single‐centre cohort study
Authors: Cripps Emily K , Dargaville Peter A , De Paoli Antonio G
Published: March 2023

Aim

To examine the effect of probiotic administration on the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study examining the incidence of NEC in a cohort of infants that received probiotics compared to those that had not, over an 18‐year period in a single centre. Infants were included if they were born <32 weeks' gestation with birthweight <1500 g and survived beyond 72 h. Infants in the probiotic group received either ABC Dophilus or Infloran. The primary outcome was the rate of NEC. The main secondary outcomes were late‐onset sepsis and mortality. Differences in these outcomes between cohorts were examined in univariate and multivariate analyses, taking account of confounding variables, reporting adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

805 infants were included in the study. Infants receiving probiotics had a lower risk of developing NEC compared with those that did not (32/419 (7.6%) vs. 14/386 (3.6%); aOR 0.37 (95% CI 0.18–0.74)). There was also a reduction in the late‐onset sepsis rate (22.4% vs. 14.2%, aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.77) and mortality rate (9.5% vs. 4.6%, aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17–0.73).

Conclusion

The administration of a multi‐organism probiotic formulation, including Bifidobacteria, to very preterm infants in our unit was associated with a reduced incidence of NEC, late‐onset sepsis and mortality.
Control and spread of contagion in networks with global effects
Authors: Higgins John , Sabarwal Tarun
Published: March 2023

We study proliferation of an action in binary action network coordination games that are generalized to include global effects. This captures important aspects of proliferation of a particular action or narrative in online social networks, providing a basis to understand their impact on societal outcomes. Our model naturally captures complementarities among starting sets, network resilience, and global effects, and highlights interdependence in channels through which contagion spreads. We present new, natural, computationally tractable, and efficient algorithms to define and compute equilibrium objects that facilitate the general study of contagion in networks and prove their theoretical properties. Our algorithms are easy to implement and help to quantify relationships previously inaccessible due to computational intractability. Using these algorithms, we study the spread of contagion in scale‐free networks with 1000 players using millions of Monte Carlo simulations. Our analysis provides quantitative and qualitative insight into the design of policies to control or spread contagion in networks. The scope of application is enlarged given the many other situations across different fields that may be modeled using this framework.
Diagnosis, treatment and outcome of pheochromocytoma in a cat
Authors: Prego M. T. , Dias M. J. , Mestrinho L. , Englar R. , Grinwis G. , Galac S. , Leal R. O.
Published: March 2023

Pheochromocytoma in cats is a rare clinical condition characterised by the development of a secretory endocrine tumour that arises from the adrenal medulla. An 8‐year‐old castrated male, domestic shorthair cat was referred for further investigation of a 4‐month history of progressive weight loss with normal appetite, polyuria/polydipsia, generalised weakness, and severe hypertension. Sonography and computed tomography of the abdomen disclosed a mass arising from the left adrenal gland. The contralateral adrenal gland was normal in size and shape. Results from a low dose dexamethasone suppression test and measurements of plasma aldosterone concentration and plasma renin activity ruled out a cortisol‐secreting tumour and aldosteronoma. The clinical presentation made a sex‐steroid secreting tumour unlikely. Increased plasma metanephrine and normetanephrine concentrations prioritised the differential diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The cat underwent adrenalectomy of the left gland and histopathological diagnosis with immunohistochemical markers confirmed the diagnosis.
A survey on Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease in the United Kingdom
Authors: Work M. , Scudder C. , Bergum Hjellegjerde K. , Dunning M. , Gajanayake I. , Kent A. , Tintle L. , Sparks T. , Allerton F.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To characterise the fever episodes attributed to Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease and to identify common diagnostic and management strategies in the United Kingdom. A secondary objective was to determine risk factors associated with Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease fever episodes.

Methods

A retrospective survey was performed to characterise episodes of Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease fever and to identify commonly used treatments in affected dogs. Clinical data were collected from owners and veterinarians. Frequencies of previously proposed risk factors (skin thickness and folding, muzzle conformation) and comorbid conditions were compared between dogs that had exhibited fever episodes consistent with Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease and those who had not.

Results

At least one episode of fever attributed to Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease was reported in 52 of 106 (49%) Shar Pei. Nine other dogs had fever episodes consistent with Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease reported by their owners but not by veterinarians. Median rectal temperature at presentation for Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease fever was 40.1°C [104.2°F] (39.9 to 41.3°C [103.8 to 106.3°F]) and owners reported associated hyporexia (n=33, 63%) and vomiting (n=8, 15%) more frequently than veterinary records (n=22, 42% and n=0, 0%, respectively). The median number of veterinary appointments for Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease was two per dog (1 to 15) while owners reported a median of four episodes per dog per year. None of the assessed phenotypic variants or comorbidities were significantly associated with exhibiting Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease fever episodes.

Clinical Significance

Episodes of Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease fever were reported approximately twice as frequently by owners compared to veterinary records, suggesting the burden of this condition may be underestimated by veterinarians. Specific risk factors for Shar Pei autoinflammatory disease fever were not identified.
Carya luana C.‐Y. Deng et X.‐G. Xiang, sp. nov. (Juglandaceae), a new species from Guizhou, China, identified based on whole plastome phylogeny and morphometrics
Authors: Xiang Xiao‐Guo , Deng Chao‐Yi , Yan Hua , Liu Yu‐Juan , Liu Zeng‐Cai , Cheng Kun , Ban Qi‐Ming , Lang Yuan‐Xing
Published: March 2023

Carya luana sp. nov., a new species of Juglandaceae from Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is easily distinguished from other Carya species by having lanceolate leaflets and obovate fruits with a 4–6 mm thick husk, but is otherwise morphologically close to C. tonkinensis and C. kweichowensis. Based on phylogenetic reconstruction of whole plastomes, C. luana is the sister of C. tonkinensis, while formed a clade with C. tonkinensis and C. hunanensis on ITS. A morphometric analysis demonstrate that C. luana, C. tonkinensis and C. kweichowensis are morphologically distinct. The conservation status of C. luana is assessed as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. A new identification key to all Asian Carya species is provided.
Comparison of the epidemiology of disorders of gut–brain interaction in four Latin American countries: Results of The Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study
Authors: Schmulson Max J. , Puentes‐Leal Gerardo A. , Bustos‐Fernández Luis , Francisconi Carlos , Hani Albis , López‐Colombo Aurelio , Palsson Olafur S. , Bangdiwala Shrikant I. , Sperber Ami D.
Published: March 2023

Background

In Latin America, there are scarce data on the epidemiology of DGBI. The Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study (RFGES) Internet survey included 26 countries, four from Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, with a 40.3% prevalence of Rome IV DGBI. We aimed at comparing the prevalence of DGBI and associated factors among these countries.

Methods

The frequency of DGBI by anatomical region, specific diagnoses, sex, age, diet, healthcare access, anxiety, depression, and HRQOL, were analyzed and compared.

Results

Subjects included Argentina n = 2057, Brazil = 2004, Colombia = 2007, and Mexico = 2001. The most common DGBI were bowel (35.5%), gastroduodenal (11.9%), and anorectal (10.0%). Argentina had the highest prevalence of functional diarrhea (p = 0.006) and IBS‐D; Brazil, esophageal, gastroduodenal disorders, and functional dyspepsia; Mexico functional heartburn (all <0.001). Overall, DGBI were more common in women vs. men and decreased with age. Bowel disorders were more common in the 18–39 (46%) vs. 40–64‐year (39%) groups. Diet was also different between those with DGBI vs. those without with subtle differences between countries. Subjects endorsing criteria for esophageal, gastroduodenal, and anorectal disorders from Mexico, more commonly consulted physicians for bowel symptoms vs. those from Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. General practitioners were the most frequently consulted, by Mexicans (50.42%) and Colombians (40.80%), followed by gastroenterologists. Anxiety and depression were more common in DGBI individuals in Argentina and Brazil vs. Mexico and Colombia, and they had lower HRQOL.

Conclusions

The prevalence of upper and lower DGBI, as well as the burden of illness, psychological impact and HRQOL, differ between these Latin American countries.
Online mentoring for girls in secondary education to increase participation rates of women in STEM: A long‐term follow‐up study on later university major and career choices
Authors: Stoeger Heidrun , Debatin Tobias , Heilemann Michael , Schirner Sigrun , Ziegler Albert
Published: March 2023

An important first step in talent development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is getting individuals excited about STEM. Females, in particular, are underrepresented in many STEM fields. Since girls’ interest in STEM declines in adolescence, interventions should begin in secondary education at the latest. One appropriate intervention is (online) mentoring. Although its short‐term effectiveness has been demonstrated for proximal outcomes during secondary education (e.g., positive changes in elective intentions in STEM), studies of the long‐term effectiveness of STEM mentoring provided during secondary education—especially for real‐life choices of university STEM majors and professions—are lacking. In our study, we examine females’ real‐life decisions about university majors and entering professions made years after they had participated in an online mentoring program (CyberMentor) during secondary education. The program's proximal positive influence on girls’ elective intentions in STEM and certainty about career plans during secondary education had previously been demonstrated in several studies with pre–post‐test waitlist control group designs. Specifically, we compared the choices that former mentees (n= 410) made about university majors and entering professions several years after program participation with (1) females of their age cohort and (2) females of a group of girls comparably interested in STEM who had signed up for the program but then not participated (n= 71). Further, we examined the explanatory contribution to these later career‐path‐relevant, real‐life choices based on (1) mentees’ baseline conditions prior to entering the program (e.g., elective intentions in STEM), (2) successful 1‐year program participation, and (3) multiyear program participation. Findings indicate positive long‐term effects of the program in all areas investigated.
Healthier diets for all? A systematic review and meta‐analysis examining socioeconomic equity of the effect of increasing availability of healthier foods on food choice and energy intake
Authors: Langfield Tess , Marty Lucile , Inns Maisie , Jones Andrew , Robinson Eric
Published: March 2023

Widespread availability of unhealthy food and drink products may contribute to socioeconomic patterning in obesity. Therefore, increasing the availability of healthier foods may be one approach to reducing obesity without widening existing inequalities. This systematic review and meta‐analysis examined the impact of increasing the availability of healthier food and drink on consumer behavior among individuals with higher and lower socioeconomic position (SEP). Eligible studies were required to use experimental designs to compare conditions of higher vs lower availability of healthier vs less healthy options on food choice‐related outcomes and measure SEP. Thirteen eligible studies were included. Odds of choosing a healthy item were higher when availability was increased for higher (OR = 5.0, 95% CI: 3.3, 7.7) and lower (OR = 4.9, CI: 3.0, 8.0) SEP. Increased availability of healthier foods was also associated with a decrease in energy content of selections for higher (−131 kcal; CI: −76, −187) and lower (−109 kcal; CI: −73, −147) SEP. There was no SEP moderation. Increasing the relative availability of healthier foods may be an equitable and effective approach to improve population‐level diet and address obesity, though more research is required testing this in real‐world environments.
Variable interspecific competition under megadrought conditions: rodent population dynamics in semiarid Chile
Authors: Lima Mauricio , Correa‐Cuadros Jennifer Paola , Henríquez Sergio , Jaksic Fabian M.
Published: March 2023

Deciphering how climatic variability modulates the interspecific interactions in natural systems is one of the most interesting and least studied ecological processes. Rodent outbreaks or irruptions in semiarid Chile are associated with rainfall pulses driven by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). During the last decade, north‐central Chile has experienced an almost uninterrupted sequence of > 10 dry years, the so‐called megadrought, which had led to a new ecological benchmark in this region. We employ a diagnostic approach to analyze abundance data regarding two rodent species, Phyllotis darwini and Abrothrix olivacea, using a 33 year time series spanning from 1987 to 2019. Our population dynamic models provide evidence of competitive interactions within and between both species. This result is novel because we show that rainfall variability influences the degree of interspecific competition and that it is asymmetric. The diagnostic approach used here offers a way to develop simple population models that are useful for understanding the causes of population fluctuations and for predicting population changes under a climate change scenario.
Association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and autism spectrum disorder among term births: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Nitschke Amanda S. , do Valle Helena Abreu , Vallance Bruce A. , Bickford Celeste , Ip Angie , Lanphear Nancy , Lanphear Bruce , Weikum Whitney , Oberlander Tim F. , Hanley Gillian E.
Published: March 2023

Background

Prenatal antibiotic exposure induces changes in the maternal microbiome, which could influence the development of the infant's microbiome–gut–brain axis.

Objectives

We assessed whether prenatal antibiotic exposure is associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring born at term.

Methods

This population‐based retrospective cohort study included everyone who delivered a live singleton‐term infant in British Columbia, Canada between April 2000 and December 2014. Exposure was defined as filling antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy. The outcome was an ASD diagnosis from the British Columbia Autism Assessment Network, with a follow‐up to December 2016. To examine the association among pregnant individuals treated for the same indication, we studied a sub‐cohort diagnosed with urinary tract infections. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HR). The analysis was stratified by sex, trimester, cumulative duration of exposure, class of antibiotic, and mode of delivery. We ran a conditional logistic regression of discordant sibling pairs to control for unmeasured environmental and genetic confounding.

Results

Of the 569,953 children included in the cohort, 8729 were diagnosed with ASD (1.5%) and 169,922 were exposed to prenatal antibiotics (29.8%). Prenatal antibiotic exposure was associated with an increased risk of ASD (HR 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05, 1.15), particularly for exposure during the first and second trimesters (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04, 1.18 and HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03, 1.16, respectively), and exposure lasting ≥15 days (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04, 1.23). No sex differences were observed. The association was attenuated in the sibling analysis (adjusted odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.92, 1.17).

Conclusions

Prenatal antibiotic exposure was associated with a small increase in the risk of ASD in offspring. Given the possibility of residual confounding, these results should not influence clinical decisions regarding antibiotic use during pregnancy.
Circular and lower impact mussel and seaweed aquaculture by a shift towards bio‐based ropes
Authors: Arantzamendi Leire , Andrés Marga , Basurko Oihane C. , Suárez María José
Published: March 2023

Worldwide, current mussel and seaweed aquaculture practices contribute to the increase of fossil fuel‐based plastic gears at sea, leading to marine litter and microplastics generation. Smart aquaculture has a great potential for shifting towards the use of lower impact bio‐based and biodegradable gears. This review defines the value chain of biogears as more sustainable gears for mussel and seaweed aquaculture, and sustainability issues covering technology, environmental impacts, economy‐market, policy, and social drivers for their potential implementation. Fit to purpose durability and functionality attributes, end‐of‐life (EoL) options and environmental benefits are key features for competitiveness of biogears versus conventional fossil fuel‐based aquaculture gears. EoL management for collection, sorting and logistics of biogears to recycling facilities is needed for the up cycling of bio‐based materials thus ensuring application of principles of circularity. The selection of the biopolymers for recyclability, improvement of the polymerisation and recycling processes together with the enhanced deployment of recycling facilities are considered as key factors for eco‐designing of circular biogears. Current policies supporting bio‐based plastics in marine applications and social benefits, as environmental sustainability, healthy products, and circular business opportunities, are likewise added value for the development and use of biogears. Overall, biogears can reduce environmental negative impacts in mussel and seaweed productions, while enabling circular use of bio‐based materials and sustainable circular bioeconomy.
Does the Kantian state dominate?: Freedom and majoritarian rule
Authors: Gregory Mike
Published: March 2023

Recently, scholars have criticized what they call the “Kantian‐Republican” thesis of freedom as non‐domination. The main complaint is that domination is unavoidable. This concern can be separated into the problem of state domination, which suggests that the state's intervening powers necessarily dominate its citizens, and the problem of majority domination, which suggests that the People necessarily dominate individual citizen as a result of the potential to form dominating majorities.
Asymptotic properties of the maximum smoothed partial likelihood estimator in the change‐plane Cox model
Authors: Takeishi Shota
Published: March 2023

The change‐plane Cox model is a popular tool for the subgroup analysis of survival data. Despite the rich literature on this model, there has been limited investigation into the asymptotic properties of the estimators of the finite‐dimensional parameter. Particularly, the convergence rate, not to mention the asymptotic distribution, has not been fully characterized for the general model where classification is based on multiple covariates. To bridge this theoretical gap, this study proposes a maximum smoothed partial likelihood estimator and establishes the following asymptotic properties. First, it shows that the convergence rate for the classification parameter can be arbitrarily close to up to a logarithmic factor under a certain condition on covariates and the choice of tuning parameter. Given this convergence rate result, it also establishes the asymptotic normality for the regression parameter.
A robust mixed‐effects parametric quantile regression model for continuous proportions: Quantifying the constraints to vitality in cushion plants
Authors: Burger Divan A. , van der Merwe Sean , Lesaffre Emmanuel , le Roux Peter C. , Raath‐Krüger Morgan J.
Published: March 2023

There is no literature on outlier‐robust parametric mixed‐effects quantile regression models for continuous proportion data as an alternative to systematically identifying and eliminating outliers. To fill this gap, we formulate a robust method by extending the recently proposed fixed‐effects quantile regression model based on the heavy‐tailed Johnson‐ distribution for continuous proportion data to the mixed‐effects modeling context, using a Bayesian approach. Our proposed method is motivated by and used to model the extreme quantiles of the vitality of cushion plants to provide insights into the ecology of the system in which the plants are dominant. We conducted a simulation study to assess the new method's performance and robustness to outliers. We show that the new model has good accuracy and confidence interval coverage properties and is remarkably robust to outliers. In contrast, our study demonstrates that the current approach in the literature for modeling hierarchically structured bounded data's quantiles is susceptible to outliers, especially when modeling the extreme quantiles. We conclude that the proposed model is an appropriate robust alternative to the current approach for modeling the quantiles of correlated continuous proportions when outliers are present in the data.
Arabidopsis mRNA decay landscape shaped by XRN 5′‐3′ exoribonucleases
Authors: Han Wan‐Yin , Hou Bo‐Han , Lee Wen‐Chi , Chan Tze‐Ching , Lin Tzu‐Hsiang , Chen Ho‐Ming
Published: March 2023

5′‐3′ exoribonucleases (XRNs) play crucial roles in the control of RNA processing, quality, and quantity in eukaryotes. Although genome‐wide profiling of RNA decay fragments is now feasible, how XRNs shape the plant mRNA degradome remains elusive. Here, we profiled and analyzed the RNA degradomes of Arabidopsis wild‐type and mutant plants with defects in XRN activity. Deficiency of nuclear XRN3 or cytoplasmic XRN4 activity but not nuclear XRN2 activity greatly altered Arabidopsis mRNA decay profiles. Short excised linear introns and cleaved pre‐mRNA fragments downstream of polyadenylation sites were polyadenylated and stabilized in the xrn3 mutant, demonstrating the unique function of XRN3 in the removal of cleavage remnants from pre‐mRNA processing. Further analysis of stabilized XRN3 substrates confirmed that pre‐mRNA 3′ end cleavage frequently occurs after adenosine. The most abundant decay intermediates in wild‐type plants include not only the primary substrates of XRN4 but also the products of XRN4‐mediated cytoplasmic decay. An increase in decay intermediates with 5′ ends upstream of a consensus motif in the xrn4 mutant suggests that there is an endonucleolytic cleavage mechanism targeting the 3′ untranslated regions of many Arabidopsis mRNAs. However, analysis of decay fragments in the xrn4 mutant indicated that, except for microRNA‐directed slicing, endonucleolytic cleavage events in the coding sequence rarely result in major decay intermediates. Together, these findings reveal the major substrates and products of nuclear and cytoplasmic XRNs along Arabidopsis transcripts and provide a basis for precise interpretation of RNA degradome data.
The genome of Lactuca saligna, a wild relative of lettuce, provides insight into non‐host resistance to the downy mildew Bremia lactucae
Authors: Xiong Wei , Berke Lidija , Michelmore Richard , van Workum Dirk‐Jan M. , Becker Frank F. M. , Schijlen Elio , Bakker Linda V. , Peters Sander , van Treuren Rob , Jeuken Marieke , Bouwmeester Klaas , Schranz M. Eric
Published: March 2023

Lactuca saligna L. is a wild relative of cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), with which it is partially interfertile. Hybrid progeny suffer from hybrid incompatibility (HI), resulting in reduced fertility and distorted transmission ratios. Lactuca saligna displays broad‐spectrum resistance against lettuce downy mildew caused by Bremia lactucae Regel and is considered a non‐host species. This phenomenon of resistance in L. saligna is called non‐host resistance (NHR). One possible mechanism behind this NHR is through the plant–pathogen interaction triggered by pathogen recognition receptors, including nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) proteins and receptor‐like kinases (RLKs). We report a chromosome‐level genome assembly of L. saligna (accession CGN05327), leading to the identification of two large paracentric inversions (>50 Mb) between L. saligna and L. sativa. Genome‐wide searches delineated the major resistance clusters as regions enriched in NLRs and RLKs. Three of the enriched regions co‐locate with previously identified NHR intervals. RNA‐seq analysis of Bremia‐infected lettuce identified several differentially expressed RLKs in NHR regions. Three tandem wall‐associated kinase‐encoding genes (WAKs) in the NHR8 interval display particularly high expression changes at an early stage of infection. We propose RLKs as strong candidates for determinants of the NHR phenotype of L. saligna.
Cell‐type‐specific metabolism in plants
Authors: Daloso Danilo de Menezes , Morais Eva Gomes , Oliveira e Silva Karen Fernanda , Williams Thomas Christopher Rhys
Published: March 2023

Every plant organ contains tens of different cell types, each with a specialized function. These functions are intrinsically associated with specific metabolic flux distributions that permit the synthesis of the ATP, reducing equivalents and biosynthetic precursors demanded by the cell. Investigating such cell‐type‐specific metabolism is complicated by the mosaic of different cells within each tissue combined with the relative scarcity of certain types. However, techniques for the isolation of specific cells, their analysis in situ by microscopy, or modeling of their function in silico have permitted insight into cell‐type‐specific metabolism. In this review we present some of the methods used in the analysis of cell‐type‐specific metabolism before describing what we know about metabolism in several cell types that have been studied in depth; (i) leaf source and sink cells; (ii) glandular trichomes that are capable of rapid synthesis of specialized metabolites; (iii) guard cells that must accumulate large quantities of the osmolytes needed for stomatal opening; (iv) cells of seeds involved in storage of reserves; and (v) the mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of C4 plants that participate in a CO2 concentrating cycle. Metabolism is discussed in terms of its principal features, connection to cell function and what factors affect the flux distribution. Demand for precursors and energy, availability of substrates and suppression of deleterious processes are identified as key factors in shaping cell‐type‐specific metabolism.
Comparison of three antepartum risk assessment tools to predict significant postpartum hemorrhage in livebirths
Authors: Movva Vani C. , Bringman Jay , Young Amanda , Gray Celia , Mackeen A. Dhanya , Paglia Michael J.
Published: March 2023

Background

To adequately predict significant postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) at hospital admission, we evaluated and compared the accuracy of three risk assessment tools: 1. California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC), 2. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Safe Motherhood Initiative (ACOG SMI) and 3. Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).

Study Design and Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of people who delivered liveborn infants from January 2018 to June 2021 at our center. Patients with comorbidities necessitating higher hemoglobin values, those who refused blood transfusions, and missing pertinent data were excluded. Significant PPH was defined as a blood transfusion within 48 hours following delivery. Diagnostic statistics were calculated for each tool.

Results

Of the 11,679 included pregnancies, 232 (1.9%) people had significant PPH. Amongst those diagnosed as high‐risk by the CMQCC tool, 67/1485 (4.5%) had significant PPH; 62/1672 (3.7%) by the ACOG SMI tool, and 85/1864 (4.6%) by the AWHONN tool had significant PPH. All tools have low sensitivity and high negative predictive values. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of the three tools is moderately poor (CMQCC: 0.58, ACOG SMI: 0.55, AWHONN:0.61).

Discussion

Upon admission to labor and delivery, all three studied tools are poor predictors of significant PPH. The development and validation of better PPH risk stratification tools are required with the inclusion of additional important variables.
Effect of exercise on chronic neck pain and central sensitization: A protocol for a randomized crossover trial
Authors: Chen Kexun Kenneth , Hutchinson Mark Rowland , Rolan Paul , de Zoete Rutger Marinus Johannes
Published: March 2023

Exercise‐induced hypoalgesia (EIH) has been found to vary widely within individuals with chronic neck pain (NP). Research has suggested that the presence of central sensitization within a subgroup of individuals with chronic NP might be a mediating factor to explain the relationship between exercise and improvements in patient‐reported outcomes. Furthermore, recent work has found that lactate might play a role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. The immediate effect of a single bout of physical exercise on central sensitization in individuals with chronic NP and the relationship between lactate concentration, central sensitization and pain sensitivity are to be investigated. Eighty adult participants with chronic NP will be recruited for this randomized crossover trial. Outcome measures, including temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, EIH and lactate concentration, will be assessed before and after low‐ and high‐intensity bicycling exercise. The outcomes of this study will provide new insights into the mechanistic effect of exercise on central sensitization in individuals with chronic NP and have the potential to add important information to the current exercise prescription guidelines for individuals with chronic NP. This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee, The University of Adelaide (H‐2022‐082) and registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622000642785p).
Quantification of Ureteral Pain Sensation Induced by Kidney Stone
Authors: Liu Yonggang , Liu Shaobao , Li Moxiao , Lu Tian Jian
Published: March 2023

Pain sensation induced by kidney stone (renal calculi) in ureter, a kind of visceral ducts connecting the kidneys and bladder, critically depends upon the relative size of stone to ureter. To quantify such pain sensation, we draw a parallel analogy between the mechanisms underlying skin pain (which can be quantified with a holistic pain model consisting of a modified Hodgkin–Huxley model and gate control theory) and mechanism of ureteral pain to extend the holistic pain model to the stone-blocked ureter. We then perform finite element simulations to obtain key mechanical stresses on the ureter wall exerted by a kidney stone having varying sizes. These stresses are subsequently adopted to calculate the voltage potential of neuron membrane in the holistic pain model and eventually a theoretical framework to quantify the dependence of ureteral pain sensation on stone size is established, for the first time. We demonstrate that ureter pain sensation increases sharply when the diameter of the kidney stone becomes 7.5% to 20% larger than the inner diameter of ureter, peaking at ∼20% larger; however, increasing further the stone diameter leads only to marginally exacerbated pain sensation. Other related effects on ureter pain sensation, such as ureter wall thickness, ureter stiffness, and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), are evaluated. The results of the present study provide insightful information for urologists to diagnose and treat patients with renal calculi in a more personalized way.
Leveraging Dynamics-Induced Snap-Through Instabilities to Access Giant Deformations in Dielectric Elastomer Membranes
Authors: Cooley Christopher G. , Lowe Robert L.
Published: March 2023

Achieving extreme deformations without electrical breakdown has been a longstanding challenge in the dielectric elastomer community. In this paper, we present a novel approach for accessing giant in-plane stretches in circular dielectric elastomer membranes by leveraging nonlinear dynamics, specifically short-duration voltage pulses. These voltage pulses—applied about nominal bias voltages where the large-stretch equilibrium does not experience dielectric breakdown—create transient stretches that, if sufficiently large, cause the membrane to dynamically snap-through to its large-stretch equilibrium. These giant deformations are reversible; pulsed voltage drops can return the membrane from its large-stretch equilibrium to its small-stretch equilibrium. Parametric analyses are used to determine the combinations of pulse amplitude and duration that result in snap-through. Corresponding through-thickness electric fields are shown to be below stretch-dependent dielectric strengths from the literature, suggesting practical feasibility. Unlike other techniques for accessing extreme stretches in dielectric elastomers, the present approach relies on voltage control alone; it therefore does not require altering the external mechanical forces that cause pre-stretch and can be applied without modifying the elastomer’s mechanical compliance. This research demonstrates that carefully designed voltage pulses may permit existing and emerging soft material technologies to access extreme, large-stretch equilibria without dielectric breakdown.
A Comparison Study of Human and Machine-Generated Creativity
Authors: Chen Liuqing , Sun Lingyun , Han Ji
Published: March 2023

Creativity is a fundamental feature of human intelligence. However, achieving creativity is often considered a challenging task, particularly in design. In recent years, using computational machines to support people in creative activities in design, such as idea generation and evaluation, has become a popular research topic. Although there exist many creativity support tools, few of them could produce creative solutions in a direct manner, but produce stimuli instead. DALL·E is currently the most advanced computational model that could generate creative ideas in pictorial formats based on textual descriptions. This study conducts a Turing test, a computational test, and an expert test to evaluate DALL·E’s capability in achieving combinational creativity comparing with human designers. The results reveal that DALL·E could achieve combinational creativity at a similar level to novice designers and indicate the differences between computer and human creativity.
Identifying animal viruses in humans
Authors: Warren Cody J. , Sawyer Sara L.
Published: March 2023

Experimental virology can inform strategic monitoring for new viruses in humans
Encyclopedias, then and now
All the Knowledge in the World: The Extraordinary History of the Encyclopedia
Simon Garfield
William Morrow, 2023. 400 pp.
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: March 2023

An A-to-Z history explores the evolving nature of knowledge curation
Quantum state–resolved molecular dipolar collisions over four decades of energy
Authors: Tang Guoqiang , Besemer Matthieu , Kuijpers Stach , Groenenboom Gerrit C. , van der Avoird Ad , Karman Tijs , van de Meerakker Sebastiaan Y. T.
Published: March 2023

Collisions between cold polar molecules represent a fascinating research frontier but have proven hard to probe experimentally. We report measurements of inelastic cross sections for collisions between nitric oxide (NO) and deuterated ammonia (ND
3
) molecules at energies between 0.1 and 580 centimeter
−1
, with full quantum state resolution. At energies below the ~100-centimeter
−1
well depth of the interaction potential, we observed backward glories originating from peculiar U-turn trajectories. At energies below 0.2 centimeter
−1
, we observed a breakdown of the Langevin capture model, which we interpreted in terms of a suppressed mutual polarization during the collision, effectively switching off the molecular dipole moments. Scattering calculations based on an ab initio NO-ND
3
potential energy surface revealed the crucial role of near-degenerate rotational levels with opposite parity in low-energy dipolar collisions.
The many lives of Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt
Empress of the Nile
Lynne Olson
Random House, 2023. 448 pp.
Authors: Sheppard Kathleen
Published: March 2023

A new biography celebrates the contributions of the adventurous and impactful Egyptologist
Watching biomolecules stride in real time
Authors: Fei Jinyu , Zhou Ruobo
Published: March 2023

A noninvasive imaging technique tracks the motion of single biomolecules in live cells
Words yes, actions unlikely
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: March 2023

Failure to diversify the United States scientific workforce has elicited statements and actions from federal funding agencies that are scrambling to correct inequities. Only last week,
a new study
showed that Black scientists are underrepresented among principal investigators who are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (at 1.8%). This is unacceptable. Science is a social endeavor where research only becomes knowledge when validated by the scientific community. A more diverse scientific community can average out individual biases, leading to more robust consensus. Meanwhile, conservative states are passing laws prohibiting higher education programs in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This is creating a collision course between state laws and federal funding policies and programs.
Phosphorylation stabilized TET1 acts as an oncoprotein and therapeutic target in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Chen Zhenhua , Zhou Keren , Xue Jianhuang , Small Andrew , Xiao Gang , Nguyen Le Xuan Truong , Zhang Zheng , Prince Emily , Weng Hengyou , Huang Huilin , Zhao Zhicong , Qing Ying , Shen Chao , Li Wei , Han Li , Tan Brandon , Su Rui , Qin Hanjun , Li Yangchan , Wu Dong , Gu Zhaohui , Ngo Vu N. , He Xin , Chao Jianfei , Leung Keith , Wang Kitty , Dong Lei , Qin Xi , Cai Zhenming , Sheng Yue , Chen Yu , Wu Xiwei , Zhang Bin , Shi Yanhong , Marcucci Guido , Qian Zhijian , Xu Mingjiang , Müschen Markus , Chen Jianjun , Deng Xiaolan
Published: March 2023

Although the overall survival rate of B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in childhood is more than 80%, it is merely 30% in refractory/relapsed and adult patients with B-ALL. This demonstrates a need for improved therapy targeting this subgroup of B-ALL. Here, we show that the ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) protein, a dioxygenase involved in DNA demethylation, is overexpressed and plays a crucial oncogenic role independent of its catalytic activity in B-ALL. Consistent with its oncogenic role in B-ALL, overexpression of TET1 alone in normal precursor B cells is sufficient to transform the cells and cause B-ALL in mice within 3 to 4 months. We found that TET1 protein is stabilized and overexpressed because of its phosphorylation mediated by protein kinase C epsilon (PRKCE) and ATM serine/threonine kinase (ATM), which are also overexpressed in B-ALL. Mechanistically, TET1 recruits STAT5B to the promoters of
CD72
and
JCHAIN
and promotes their transcription, which in turn promotes B-ALL development. Destabilization of TET1 protein by treatment with PKC or ATM inhibitors (staurosporine or AZD0156; both tested in clinical trials), or by pharmacological targeting of STAT5B, greatly decreases B-ALL cell viability and inhibits B-ALL progression in vitro and in vivo. The combination of AZD0156 with staurosporine or vincristine exhibits a synergistic effect on inhibition of refractory/relapsed B-ALL cell survival and leukemia progression in PDX models. Collectively, our study reveals an oncogenic role of the phosphorylated TET1 protein in B-ALL independent of its catalytic activity and highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting TET1 signaling for the treatment of refractory/relapsed B-ALL.
Real-Time Nanopore Q20+ Sequencing Enables Extremely Fast and Accurate Core Genome MLST Typing and Democratizes Access to High-Resolution Bacterial Pathogen Surveillance
Authors: Wagner Gabriel E. , Dabernig-Heinz Johanna , Lipp Michaela , Cabal Adriana , Simantzik Jonathan , Kohl Matthias , Scheiber Martina , Lichtenegger Sabine , Ehricht Ralf , Leitner Eva , Ruppitsch Werner , Steinmetz Ivo
Published: March 2023

Next-generation whole-genome sequencing is essential for high-resolution surveillance of bacterial pathogens, for example, during outbreak investigations or for source tracking and escape variant analysis. However, current global sequencing and bioinformatic bottlenecks and a long time to result with standard technologies demand new approaches.
Draft Genome Sequence of Oenococcus kitaharae CRBO2176, Isolated from Homemade Water Kefir
Authors: Barchi Yasma , Chaib Amel , Oviedo-Hernandez Florencia , Decossas Marion , Claisse Olivier , Le Marrec Claire
Published: March 2023

Here, we announce the draft genome sequence of an
Oenococcus kitaharae
strain isolated from homemade water kefir in Bordeaux, France.
O. kitaharae
CRBO2176 is deposited at the Biological Resources Center Oenology (CRBO) of the Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ISVV; Villenave d’Ornon, France).
Paleoclimate controls on lithium enrichment in Great Basin Pliocene−Pleistocene lacustrine clays
Authors: Gagnon Catherine A. , Butler Kristina L. , Gaviria Elizabeth , Terrazas Alexa , Gao Annabelle , Bhattacharya Tripti , Boutt David F. , Munk Lee Ann , Ibarra Daniel E.
Published: March 2023

Terminal lakes are important archives of continental hydroclimate and in some cases contain important economic resources. Here, we present an ∼2.9 m.y. lacustrine carbonate carbon and oxygen stable isotope record from a Great Basin continental drill core. We paired these measurements with bulk lithium concentrations to reveal a relationship between past climate and lithium enrichment in authigenic lacustrine clays. Further, we explored the possible effects of changing seasonality on the isotope record through the use of paired air mass trajectories and modern isotope data. Our findings show the evolution of the basin’s moisture balance over million-year time scales, which we attribute to variations in precipitation seasonality as well as fluctuations in the amount of evaporation associated with changes in atmospheric moisture convergence and divergence. We found a positive correlation between the oxygen isotope values of the lake carbonate and the bulk sediment lithium concentrations, which we argue is indicative of evapoconcentration of the lake environment and subsequent enrichment of the authigenic clays. Our results suggest a link between past hydroclimate changes and the formation of lithium-rich authigenic clays feeding high lithium concentrations in this modern brine aquifer system.
Caught in the act: Diamond growth and destruction in the continental lithosphere
Authors: Howarth Geoffrey H. , Kahle Beth , Janney Philip E. , Kahle Richard , Du Plessis Anton , Richardson Stephen H. , Gurney John J.
Published: March 2023

Diamonds can form within eclogite (remnants of ancient subducted oceanic crust) in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), pieces of which may then be transported to the surface as xenoliths in kimberlites. These diamond-bearing xenoliths offer a rare opportunity to study diamonds in their host lithology. The morphology and surface features of diamonds record evidence of attack by diamond-aggressive melts/fluids, which results in resorption, rounding, and destruction of octahedral growth forms. The location and timing of such diamond-destruction processes remain controversial, and the kimberlite magma itself is often considered to be the primary culprit. We used X-ray computed tomography scanning to present a view of diamond morphology and distribution within 24 diamondiferous eclogites in unprecedented detail. These scans clearly capture diamond growth and destruction that occurred within the SCLM, prior to kimberlite entrainment. We show that euhedral diamonds in these eclogites are predominantly step-faced octahedra. This morphology is preserved even when the diamonds are exposed at the surface of the eclogites, indicating that kimberliteinduced resorption was not significant. Six eclogites contain only rounded diamonds with no distinct crystal faces, and their exposed surfaces on the exterior of the xenoliths are highly irregular, indicating diamond-destruction in the SCLM. In three cases, single xenoliths host both resorbed diamonds and step-faced octahedra, indicating multiple metasomatic events, some of which were diamond-aggressive and others diamond-friendly. These diamondiferous xenoliths provide snapshots of diamond growth and destruction in the SCLM, caught in the act.
Supplemental Material: Eocene–Oligocene glaciation on a high central Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xia Guoqing , Wu Chihua , al. et
Published: March 2023

Analytical methods and description of the measured section, with figures and supporting data.