bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The walkable environment: a systematic review through the lens of Space Syntax as an integrated approach
Authors: Mehrinejad Khotbehsara Elham , Yu Rongrong , Somasundaraswaran Kathirgamalingam , Askarizad Reza , Kolbe-Alexander Tracy
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study reviews research applying Space Syntax, in conjunction with other methodologies, to explore walkability and socio-spatial relations in urban environments, with a particular emphasis on moderate- and low-density city centers.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, reviewing English-language studies published from 2013 to 2023, involving introduction to research context, information sources and search strategy, screening process and application of eligibility and inclusion criteria to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of relevant papers.

Findings

This research highlights that the predominant focus in the literature has been on high-density city centers in existing Space Syntax studies, revealing a significant gap in understanding socio-spatial dynamics, particularly in moderate- and low-density city centers. Furthermore, this research found that technology-based tools were the most frequently used in past studies, with 454 instances, compared to participatory tools (191 instances) and observational tools (57 instances), when using Space Syntax as an integrated approach to explore socio-spatial relations in urban environments. Moreover, emerging technology-based tools remain the least used technological tools in the literature. Combining these approaches represents a recent trend that could offer valuable insights into pedestrian socio-spatial experiences in both broader urban contexts and smaller-scale city centers.

Originality/value

Unlike previous literature reviews on Space Syntax that neglected its use as an integrated approach, this study uniquely explores the correlation between spatial configurations and human experiences through a review of studies that combine space syntax with other methods, including observational, participatory and technology-based tools to pinpoint the gaps. The research recommends further exploration of pedestrians’ socio-spatial needs by integrating Space Syntax with trends and less-explored technology-based tools.
Mother of Holiness: Phoebe Palmer's Maternal Grief, Silence, and Spiritual Leadership in her Spiritual Narrative
Authors: Koch Layla
Published: January 2025

This article expands upon a central aspect of Holiness evangelist Phoebe Palmer's (1807–1874) theology, which has been only tangentially mentioned by scholars: her gendered identity of motherhood. It first considers how Palmer narrated the deaths of her first two sons in her spiritual narrative The Way of Holiness as divine punishment for her relational idolatry. It then traces Palmer's omission of her daughter Eliza's brutal death from her narrative, which has gone unnoticed by scholars. It argues that this omission serves as a reminder of Palmer's editorial agency and painful identity of motherhood that went beyond her published writings. Finally, this article analyses Palmer's consecration and spiritual guidance of her surviving daughter Sarah to demonstrate that she never considered motherhood a hurdle to her evangelistic career but rather another crucial avenue for her Abrahamic leadership. This serves to recentre motherhood as a locus of holy boldness that helped nineteenth‐century Protestant women move beyond public and domestic spheres yet caused many tensions. This article further encourages scholars to read the gendered identity of motherhood as more than the linear impact it had on women's public life since this risks upholding a model of separate spheres on a methodological level.
Optimising Age‐Specific Insulin Signalling to Slow Down Reproductive Ageing Increases Fitness in Different Nutritional Environments
Authors: Sultanova Zahida , Shen Aykut , Hencel Katarzyna , Carlsson Hanne , Crighton Zoe , Clifton Daniel , Akay Alper , Maklakov Alexei A.
Published: January 2025

The developmental theory of ageing proposes that age‐specific decline in the force of natural selection results in suboptimal levels of gene expression in adulthood, leading to functional senescence. This theory explicitly predicts that optimising gene expression in adulthood can ameliorate functional senescence and improve fitness. Reduced insulin/IGF‐1 signalling (rIIS) extends the reproductive lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans at the cost of reduced reproduction. Here, we show that adulthood‐only rIIS improves late‐life reproduction without any detrimental effects on other life‐history traits in both benign and stressful conditions. Remarkably, we show that rIIS additively extends late‐life reproduction and lifespan when animals are exposed to a fluctuating food environment—intermittent fasting (IF)—resulting in reduced food intake in early adulthood. Full factorial genome‐wide RNA‐Seq across the life course demonstrated that IF and rIIS modulate the age‐specific expression of pro‐longevity genes. IF, rIIS and combined IF + rIIS treatment downregulated genes involved in biosynthesis in early life and differentially regulated immunity genes in later life. Importantly, combined IF + rIIS treatment uniquely regulated a large cluster of genes in mid‐life that are associated with immune response. These results suggest that optimising gene expression in adulthood can decelerate reproductive ageing and increase fitness.
Impact of salpingectomy on the risk and characteristics of ectopic pregnancy after IVF/ICSI in patients with ectopic pregnancy history: A large retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jiang Xueyi , Jiang Shutian , Gao Hongyuan , Ye Jing , Kuang Yanping
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a serious clinical gynecological emergency. Patients with EP history are at higher risk of EP resulting from IVF/ICSI (IVF‐EP). Besides, studies have suggested that previous EP treatments may affect the incidence of IVF‐EP. However, this result does not consider possible confounding factors due to the number of previous EP. Therefore, we assessed the impact of salpingectomy on the risk and characteristics of IVF‐EP in patients with different previous spontaneous EP.

Material and Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 43 647 patients receiving their first IVF/ICSI treatments at our center from January 2013 to June 2022. Cohorts were assigned according to the number of previous spontaneous EP by propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, there were 3252 participants in the no previous EP history cohort (NEP cohort), 3252 in the one EP history cohort (One‐EP cohort), and 1571 in the 2 or more EP history cohort (> = 2 EP cohort). To assess the effect of previous salpingectomy on IVF‐EP, One‐EP cohort and > =2 EP cohort were divided into three subcohorts separately, according to their tubal statuses.

Results

The IVF‐EP rate was significantly higher in patients with EP history (NEP cohort: 1.3% vs. One‐EP cohort: 2.2% vs. >=2 EP cohort: 2.0%, p = 0.023). In subcohort analysis, patients with different tubal statuses presented no statistical differences in IVF‐EP rate (both in One‐EP cohort and > =2 EP cohort). Considering the interaction between tubal status and number of previous EP, binary logistic regression was performed and it was demonstrated that bilateral salpingectomy might reduce the risk of IVF‐EP in patients with recurrent EP history but increase the risk of non‐tubal IVF‐EP, while the history of spontaneous EP increased both IVF‐EP and non‐tubal IVF‐EP rate.

Conclusions

Previous EP history was associated with a higher risk of IVF‐EP and non‐tubal IVF‐EP. Salpingectomy reduced the overall risk of IVF‐EP in patients with EP history, while bilateral salpingectomy increased the risk of non‐tubal IVF‐EP.
Iodinated Contrast Adsorption in Cartridges With Styrene‐Divinylbenzene Sorbent
Authors: Reis Thiago , Ramírez‐Guerrero Gonzalo , Pecoits‐Filho Roberto , Lorenzin Anna , de Cal Massimo , Corradi Valentina , Klinkmann Gerd , Ronco Federico , Neves Francisco A. R. , Bellomo Rinaldo , Ronco Claudio
Published: January 2025

Background

Contrast‐associated acute kidney injury (CA‐AKI) is frequent in patients with chronic kidney disease who are submitted to cardiac endovascular procedures using iodinated contrast. In hemoadsorption, cartridges containing styrene‐divinylbenzene sorbent resin are applied to remove substances from the blood through an extracorporeal circuit. Importantly, iodinated contrast is also removed via adsorption. We aimed to determine the adsorptive kinetics of the iodinated contrast medium iohexol using a 1:3 scale model of the HA380 cartridge.

Methods

An experimental in vitro study utilizing a closed‐loop extracorporeal circuit with an interposed sorbent cartridge. A solution spiked with iohexol was recirculated for 60 min. Samples for the measurement of iohexol were drawn at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 60 min. The experiment was carried out twice.

Results

In experiments 1 and 2, the reduction ratio after 60 min was 53.0% and 53.1%, respectively. In experiment 1, iohexol clearance was 46.79 mL/min during the first 5 min and decayed to 3.57 mL/min during the last 20 min. In experiment 2, iohexol clearance was 46.72 mL/min and decayed to 3.87 mL/min during the last 20 min. The ratio of adsorbate/sorbent was 155 mg/g.

Conclusion

A 1:3 scale model of the HA380 cartridge efficiently removes iodinated contrast in a clinical‐scale in vitro circuit. These findings provide a rationale for hemoadsorption as an intervention in clinical trials to prevent or attenuate CA‐AKI.
Randomised In Vitro Study Investigating PEEP‐Stability During Application of CPAP With Binasal Prongs and Face Masks
Authors: Sterzik Hanna , Molnar Kriszta , Stauch Anette , Wald Martin , Poets Christian F. , Haase Bianca
Published: January 2025

Aim

Face masks and binasal prongs are commonly used interfaces for applying continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in neonatology. We aimed to assess CPAP stability in a randomised controlled in vitro study.

Methods

In a simulated resuscitation scenario of a 1000‐g preterm infant with respiratory distress, 20 operators (10 with/without neonatology experience) aimed to maintain a CPAP of 5 cmH2O as precisely as possible using face masks or binasal prongs in random order. The primary outcome was the minimum‐achieved CPAP at the Y‐piece (PYmin). Secondary outcomes included time to target CPAP, CPAP stability and the impact of operator experience.

Results

Binasal prongs enabled more consistent maintenance of the target CPAP of 5 cmH2O than face masks (median [IQR]: PYmin: binasal prongs, 3.74 cmH2O [3.54–3.88]) vs. 3.20 cmH2O (2.72–3.73), with no significant deviation from the target CPAP. Target CPAP was achieved significantly faster with face masks (2.89 s [1.67–5.64] vs. 6.49 s [4.76–13.62] [p < 0.05]). No significant differences were observed on the basis of operator experience (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Binasal prongs allow more accurate CPAP maintenance than face masks regardless of the operator's experience, although current clinical studies offer limited evidence on the superiority of nasal interfaces compared with that of face masks.
When longing goes wrong: Nostalgia can cause a preference for harmful aspects of the past
Authors: Lammers Joris , Alaukik Abhay , Baldwin Matthew
Published: January 2025

Nostalgia has many benefits for individuals; it can increase meaning, well‐being, and belongingness. In contrast, we show in six studies the harmful policy implications of nostalgia. We propose that nostalgia can lead people to appreciate negative aspects of the past and oppose modern measures to reduce them, with negative implications for health, safety, and well‐being. Four correlational studies (Ntotal = 3081) show that nostalgia proneness correlates with opposition to smoke‐free laws, discounting of car‐safety, opposition to gender equality, and enjoyment of politically incorrect humor. Two experimental studies (Ntotal = 1004) causally link nostalgia to these beliefs. Speaking to their irrational nature, these effects occurred even among people who are aware of the negative consequences of these aspects of the past for health, safety, and well‐being. For example, even nostalgic non‐smokers longed back to the smoke‐filled bars of the past. Given the noted rise in nostalgia in Western society in response to societal change, these findings have important policy implications.

Public Significance Statement: We show that people who are more likely to experience nostalgia tend to redefine negative elements of the past as positive. For example, they oppose smoke‐free laws or discount car‐safety. Given that nostalgia is commonly experienced when people feel lost in a fast‐changing world, these findings suggest a need to provide consistency and meaning, especially during times of rapid societal change.
Partial recovery of primary rainforest bird communities in Amazonian secondary forests
Authors: Stouffer Philip C , Rutt Cameron L.
Published: January 2025

Loss of primary rainforest imperils species, communities, and ecosystem services. Secondary forests play a role in supporting primary forest species, making it important to assess how variation in landscape composition, sample area, and secondary forest age influence their value for maintaining biodiversity. We sampled bird communities in three 16‐ha sites in 31‐36‐year‐old secondary forest (SF) and three adjacent primary forest (PF) sites at the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project near Manaus, Brazil. SF sites were surrounded by vast, minimally broken PF. Spot‐map surveys revealed 204 species, with 48 found only in PF (SF estimate 117–144 species/site, PF estimate 163–180). SF communities were distinct, but composed almost entirely of PF species and overlapped PF communities in functional attributes. Cavity‐nesting species were slightly underrepresented in SF. Important differences in SF included much reduced abundance of canopy, terrestrial, and insectivorous species. Vegetation structure may limit canopy species: SF had a homogeneous canopy of 20–25 m, >10 m lower than the heterogeneous PF canopy. Sensitivity of terrestrial insectivores conforms to an expected pattern, perhaps exacerbated by a lack of colonists for these regionally declining species. Relatively better recovery of midstory and understory species does not align with some studies, perhaps because our landscape facilitated their colonization. In this system, SF bird communities appear to be recovering, with frugivores, nectarivores, and granivores (including game species) already well matched to PF. Complete recovery may be slowed not just by SF habitat suitability, but also by demographic processes in PF that limit availability of colonists.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
How digitalization can shape markets: the case of sports betting
Authors: Vandenbruaene Jonas , Annaert Jan , De Ceuster Marc
Published: January 2025

Digitalization has an impact on many vested businesses, decreasing marginal costs and increasing informed customers, among other things. However, measuring the impact of digitalization remains difficult. Betting markets provide a clean setting to estimate the price impact of digitalization, as products are homogeneous and it is easy to measure pricing behaviour. Consistent with mixed strategy models under imperfect information, we show that between 2000 and 2023, transaction costs for gamblers dropped by over 60%, although transaction‐cost dispersion persists. Furthermore, we also find that betting markets became more informationally efficient over this period, with a significant decrease in the favourite–longshot bias.
Holistic Education Framework for Individualised Anti‐Stigma Quality Learning
Authors: El‐Sayed M. , El‐Sayed J. , Burke K. , Apple D.
Published: January 2025

In any educational setting, stigmatisation and implicit biases can stifle growth and reduce the quality of the learning experience of students from low socio‐economic status by creating invisible barriers to opportunity and achievement. Furthermore, due to the lack of monitoring and mentoring, these invisible barriers become harder to detect and overcome. Considering that human learning potential has no limits, there is a need for quality teaching and learning processes that provide fitting unstigmatized learning experience to each individual learner. To achieve the fitting learning experience and desired outcomes, understanding teaching quality is essential for continuous improvement of educational objectives, curricular contents and instructional delivery. Considering that teaching and learning are two interconnected phases of any educational process, both teaching and learning have distinctive subphases leading to desired outcomes that are tied to the long reaching educational objectives. It is evident that, at the end of any successful education process, the learning outcomes demonstrated by the constructed learning of the learner are strongly linked to the quality of the instituted educational objective, curricular contents, and quality unstigmatized delivery of the teacher to each individual learner. In fact, studies of the quality of the learning experiences show that one of the main keys to maximising learners' success is the quality of course contents and instructional activities. To ensure quality of the learning experience to all the learners in the class, these instructional activities must provide the needed monitoring and mentoring to each individual learner. In this paper, a framework for individualised unstigmatized holistic education process teaching and learning phases is discussed from quality of education perspective. The framework addresses the full learner development, the corresponding holistic teaching, and the teacher learner interface. The essential elements, subphases and key characteristics are discussed through the development of the three educational framework domains. The development and deployment of the presented framework are illustrated in higher education context.
Inherited non‐syndromic polydactyly in a Berber and Arabian‐Berber horse family
Authors: Baville Ella , Carstanjen Bianca , Thomas‐Cancian Aurélie , Calgaro Anne , Bonnet Nathale , Tiret Laurent , Gache Vincent , Abitbol Marie
Published: January 2025

Background

Supernumerary digits, or polydactyly, have been described in various species including humans, wild and domestic animals. In horses, it represents the most common congenital limb malformation, which has only been described in isolated cases or nuclear families. Molecular aetiology has not been reported.

Objectives

To characterise the phenotype of a non‐syndromic pre‐axial polydactyly in a horse family and to decipher the inheritance pattern.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Methods

Forty‐three members of the family including a previously reported polydactyl case were recruited. Available clinical and radiographical findings from the initial case and its family members were summarised and karyotypic examinations of the horses were performed.

Results

On clinical examination, eight horses (including the previously reported case) had one or two supernumerary digits on their forelimbs and one additional case was diagnosed using radiography. Additional digits were located on the medial side of the forelimbs in all nine polydactyl horses. Radiography highlighted variable expression of the defect, which was either unilateral or bilateral. Variations were observed in the number of supernumerary phalanges, the level of development of a rudimentary metacarpal bone, the individualisation of a supernumerary digit and the existence of a rudimentary hoof. All nine affected horses were related to a single stallion. Pedigree analysis revealed that the most likely inheritance pattern was autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. A more complex mode could not be ruled out.

Main limitations

Restricted recruitment of the family members due to confidentiality constraints and to international dispersal of the relatives, quality of radiographs.

Conclusions

We describe an equine preaxial polydactyly in a Berber and Arabian‐Berber family most likely with autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance. This is the first description of an inherited non‐syndromic polydactyly in horses.
Transketolase promotes osteosarcoma progression through the YY1‐PAK4 axis
Authors: Jing Doudou , Wu Wei , Huang Xin , Zhang Zhenhao , Chen Xuanzuo , Huang Fuhua , Liu Jianxiang , Zhang Zhicai , Shao Zengwu , Pu Feifei
Published: January 2025

Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor that occurs in adolescents, proliferates and is prone to pulmonary metastasis. Osteosarcoma is characterized by high genotypic heterogeneity, making it difficult to identify reliable anti‐osteosarcoma targets. The genotype of osteosarcoma may be highly dynamic, but its high dependence on energy remains constant. Fortunately, tumors tend to have relatively consistent metabolic types. Targeting metabolism with anti‐tumor therapies is a new strategy for treating tumors. Genes related to carbohydrate metabolism are widely and highly expressed in tumor tissues. Transketolase (TKT), a key enzyme at the non‐oxidative stage of the pentose phosphate pathway, is up‐regulated in various tumors. In the present study, TKT promoted osteosarcoma cell proliferation non‐metabolically. Specifically, TKT bound directly to amino acid residues of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) at amino acids 201–228, stimulating YY1 to bind to the promoter of P21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and resulting in PAK4 expression and activation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐Akt signaling pathway. Additionally, we designed a peptide, YY1‐PEP, based on the exact mechanism of how TKT promotes osteosarcoma. Per in vivo and in vitro experiments, YY1‐PEP displayed anti‐osteosarcoma properties. The present study provides a new feasible strategy against osteosarcoma progression.
Rationale and Design of the InsightPFA Trial: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial of the Irreversible Electroporation‐Based Pulsed Field Ablation Versus Radiofrequency Ablation in Chinese Patients With Symptomatic Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Lin Weidong , Pu Sijia , Chu Huimin , Chang Dong , Yin Xiaomeng , Wang Yuegang , Xu Yizhou , Li Shaolong , Yang Jian , Zhu Wenqing , Li Songnan , Gao Weidong , Chen Yanbo , Xu Dong , Jiang Chenyang , Xue Yumei
Published: January 2025

Background

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is gaining recognition as a nonthermal, tissue‐specific technique for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The preclinical evaluation of the investigated novel PFA system from Insight Medtech Co. Ltd has demonstrated feasibility, safety, and 30‐day efficacy for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in the swine model. We are currently conducting a randomized controlled trial to compare the PFA directly with ablation‐index (AI)‐guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for PVI.

Methods and Results

The InsightPFA trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of PFA versus RFA for PVI in Chinese patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF. Two hundred and ninety‐two patients diagnosed with symptomatic paroxysmal AF will be randomly assigned to either the PFA group or the RFA group in a 1:1 ratio. All subjects will undergo PVI using PFA or AI‐guided RFA and be followed up to 12 months. The primary endpoint is defined as freedom from any episodes of AF/AFL/AT without Class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs during the 9‐month follow‐up period after a 90‐day blank period. The secondary endpoints of effectiveness include acute treatment success and procedural data. The safety evaluation includes a composite of death, stroke and transient ischemic attack, procedure‐related complications, device‐related adverse events, and serious adverse events. A noninferiority comparison will be conducted between the novel PFA system and the existing RFA system in terms of both effectiveness and safety.

Conclusions

This trial aims to determine whether the InsightPFA for PVI is as effective and safe as standard RFA in the treatment of symptomatic paroxysmal AF.

Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06014996; NCT06014996.
Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity Is Associated With All‐Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Mortality Among Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Feng Xiao‐Hua , Chen Yi , Chen Xue‐Qi , Zhao Wei‐Hong
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to assess the correlation between estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and mortality rates related to all‐cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States.

A total of 4669 participants with CKD were identified from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1999 and 2018. We calculated the incidence of CKD using an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Our study examined the association between ePWV and mortality risk based on weighted Kaplan–Meier plots and multivariate Cox regression. Linear testing between ePWV and mortality from all causes and CVD was performed using restricted cubic splines and Cox regression. This study included 4669 patients with CKD from the NHANES, representing 37 million Americans with CKD. There was a mean age of 71.9 years, and 48.1% of participants were male. With every increase of 1 m/s in ePWV measurement, there is a corresponding 31% (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28–1.34) increase in the rate of mortality from all causes and a 32% (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.27–1.37) increase in the rate of mortality from CVD. A significantly higher rate of cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality was observed in patients with CKD with elevated ePWV than in those with lower ePWV, as shown in the weighted Kaplan–Meier plots. Patients with CKD have a significant relationship between ePWV and all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality.
Identification and Immunological Characterization of Cuproptosis Related Genes in Preeclampsia Using Bioinformatics Analysis and Machine Learning
Authors: Yu Tiantian , Wang Guiying , Xu Xia , Yan Jianying
Published: January 2025

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy‐specific disorder characterized by an unclearly understood pathogenesis and poses a great threat to maternal and fetal safety. Cuproptosis, a novel form of cellular death, has been implicated in the advancement of various diseases. However, the role of cuproptosis and immune‐related genes in PE is unclear. The current study aims to elucidate the gene expression matrix and immune infiltration patterns of cuproptosis‐related genes (CRGs) in the context of PE. The GSE98224 dataset was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and utilized as the internal training set. Based on the GSE98224 dataset, we explored the differentially expressed cuproptosis related genes (DECRGs) and immunological composition. We identified 10 DECRGs conducted Gene Ontology (GO) function, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses, and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Furthermore, patients with PE were categorized into two distinct clusters, and an investigation was conducted to examine the status of immune cell infiltration. Additionally, the application of Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to differentiate modules consisting of co‐expressed genes and conduct clustering analysis. The intersecting genes were obtained by intersecting differently expressed genes in PE and PE clusters. The most precise forecasting model was chosen by evaluating the effectiveness of four machine learning models. The ResNet model was established to score the hub genes. The prediction accuracy was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and an external dataset. We successfully identified five key DECREGs and two pathological clusters in PE, each with distinct immune profiles and biological characteristics. Subsequently, the RF model was deemed the most optimal model for the identification of PE with a large area under the curve (AUC = 0.733). The five genes that ranked highest in the RF machine learning model were considered to be predictor genes. The calibration curve demonstrated a high level of accuracy in aligning the predicted outcomes with the actual outcomes. We validate the ResNet model using the ROC curve with the area under the curve (AUC = 0.82). Cuproptosis and immune infiltration may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PE. The present study elucidated that GSTA4, KCNK5, APLNR, IKZF2, and CAP2 may be potential markers of cuproptosis‐associated PE and are considered to play a significant role in the initiation and development of cuproptosis‐induced PE.
Ultrastructure expansion microscopy: Enlarging our perspective on apicomplexan cell division
Authors: Horjales Sofía , Sena Florencia , Francia María E.
Published: January 2025

Apicomplexans, a large phylum of protozoan intracellular parasites, well known for their ability to invade and proliferate within host cells, cause diseases with major health and economic impacts worldwide. These parasites are responsible for conditions such as malaria, cryptosporidiosis, and toxoplasmosis, which affect humans and other animals. Apicomplexans exhibit complex life cycles, marked by diverse modes of cell division, which are closely associated with their pathogenesis. All the unique structural and evolutionary characteristics of apicomplexan parasites, the biology underlying life stage transitions, and the singular mechanisms of cell division alongside their associated biomedical relevance have captured the attention of parasitologists of all times. Traditional light and electron microscopy have set the fundamental foundations of our understanding of these parasites, including the distinction among their modes of cell division. This has been more recently complemented by microscopy advances through the implementation of superresolution fluorescence microscopy, and variants of electron microscopy, such as cryo‐EM and tomography, revealing intricate details of organelles and cell division. Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy has emerged as a transformative, accessible approach that enhances resolution by physically expanding samples isometrically, allowing nanoscale visualisation on standard light microscopes. In this work, we review the most recent contributions of U‐ExM and its recent improvements and innovations, in providing unprecedented insights into apicomplexan ultrastructure and its associated mechanisms, focusing particularly on cell division. We highlight the power of U‐ExM in combination with protein‐specific labelling, in aiding the visualisation of long oversighted organelles and detailed insights into the assembly of parasite‐specific structures, such as the conoid in Plasmodia, and the apical‐basal axis in Toxoplasma, respectively, during new parasite assembly. Altogether, the contributions of U‐ExM reveal conserved and unique structural features across species while nearing super resolution. The development of these methodologies and their combination with different technologies are crucial for advancing our mechanistic understanding of apicomplexan biology, offering new perspectives that may facilitate novel therapeutic strategies against apicomplexan‐caused diseases.
Neurological Performance and Clinical Outcomes Related to Patients With Oropouche‐Associated Guillain–Barré Syndrome
Authors: Martos‐Benítez Frank D. , Betancourt‐Plaza Iliovanys , Osorio‐Carmenates Isleidys , González‐Martínez Nadieska J. , Moráles‐Suárez Ileana , Peña‐García Carilda E. , Pérez‐Matos Yudeily L. , Lestayo‐O'Farrill Zurina , de Armas‐Fernández José R. , Cárdenas‐González Raysa C. , Izquierdo‐Castañeda Judet , la Rosa Ernesto Sánchez‐de , Orama‐Requejo Versis
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

A recent study reported that Oropouche virus (OROV) infection may play a role in the etiology of Guillain–Barré syndrome. We aimed to identify the neurological performance, disease‐modifying therapies, and clinical outcomes related to patients with Oropouche‐associated Guillain–Barré syndrome admitted to the critical care unit.

Methods

This was an analysis of 210 patients diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome and suspicion of Oropouche viral infection admitted to the critical care units from June 2024 to September 2024 using the national administrative healthcare data. OROV was identified by reverse‐transcriptase–polymerase‐chain‐reaction. Patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome and Oropouche infection were compared with those without Oropouche infection in terms of demography features, neurological performance, disease‐modifying therapies, and clinical outcomes.

Results

Most patients had a severe disease. Mechanical ventilation was required in 28.6%. Overall mortality rate was 14.3%. The median time from onset of weakness to intensive care unit discharge, and the median time from hospital admission to intensive care unit discharge was 18 days (IQR: 13–24.3 days) and 13 days (IQR: 9–19 days), respectively. Oropouche viral infection was detected in 43 (20.5%) patients. There were no differences among patients with and without Oropouche viral infection regarding general characteristics, neurological performance, disease‐modifying therapies, and outcomes. After adjusting for confounders in multivariate logistic regression analysis, Oropouche viral infection (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 0.72–5.20; p = 0.189) was not related to increased mortality.

Interpretation

Oropouche viral infection does not modify the clinical course, disease severity, and outcomes of patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome.
The Impact of Polluters' Cleanup on Land Values: Evidence From Pollution‐Intensive Industries in China
Authors: Dong Xiaofang , Huang Zenghe
Published: January 2025

This study utilizes geocoded land transaction data and information on industrial polluting firms to examine the impact of pollution‐intensive firm cleanup on land values in China. Our findings reveal that land parcels with cleanup of at least one heavy polluting enterprise within a 2 km radius experienced a 15.2% increase in land prices compared to those without cleanup. This effect is more pronounced for parcels situated further from the central business district, designated for commercial use, and located in smaller noncapital cities. The emergence of new clean and high‐tech firms, along with population growth post‐cleanup, are identified as primary drivers behind the upward trend in land values. However, within 500 meters of a cleanup site, there can be adverse effects on adjacent land, although overall, cleanup boosts land values.
Tolerance for uncertainty and medical students' specialty choices: A myth revisited
Authors: Wegwarth Odette , Pfoch Moritz , Spies Claudia , Möckel Martin , Schaller Stefan J. , Wehler Markus , Giese Helge
Published: January 2025

Background

In 1962, the idea emerged that medical students' tolerance of uncertainty could determine their specialty choice. While some studies supported this claim, others refuted it, often using independently developed instruments. We explored whether the reported link between specialty choice and uncertainty tolerance is more myth than evidence by employing established instruments to investigate whether specialty choice could be explained by variance in uncertainty tolerance.

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional online survey at two periods of time. From February to June 2023, we queried 563 final‐year medical students from 34 German medical universities (1) on their uncertainty tolerance using three validated tools (the modified tolerance for ambiguity scale, the physicians' reaction to uncertainty scale and the uncertainty intolerance scenario method) and (2) on their intended specialty choice. In a follow‐up 1 year later (May to June 2024), 263 of those medical students responded to our query on their final specialty choice and again on their uncertainty tolerance.

Results

Participants' (N = 563) median age was 26.0 years (mean: 27.2; SD = 3.8), and 70% (n = 396) were female. Originally reported differences and rank orders in uncertainty tolerance among medical students with different intended specialty choices could not be replicated for any of the three scales. Instead, our results suggest different rank orders of uncertainty tolerance by different tools, as well as nonsignificant differences between intended medical specialties. Intercorrelation coefficient analyses demonstrated that, depending on the scale, only 0.3% to 1.5% of the variance in uncertainty tolerance could be attributed to specialty choice. Follow‐up data using actual instead of intended medical choices left findings unchanged.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that the presumed link between uncertainty tolerance and specialty choice is more myth than evidence. Instead of teaching this link or using it as an admissions criterion, medical schools should equip students with the skills needed to navigate uncertainty across their careers.
Embryology of Menyanthes (Menyanthaceae): its description and taxonomic implications
Authors: Kim Hyerin , Heo Kweon
Published: January 2025

To understand the phylogenetic relationships of Menyanthes and address the existing gap in the evolutionary study of embryological characteristics, we investigated and compared these characteristics with those of related families. Our objective was to deduce the character polarity of these characteristics. We analyzed the dicotyledonous type of anther wall, the development of an endothelium, and endosperm formation of the Cellular type. Our findings revealed that vascular bundles extending into the integument are an autapomorphy. Compared with the closely related genus, Nymphoides, Menyanthes share common embryological characteristics at the family level, except for three‐celled pollen at shedding time. Goodeniaceae and Asteraceae exhibited tetra‐sporangia, glandular tapetum, and other symplesiomorphic characters, while Menyanthes showed apomorphic characteristics such as unilocular ovary with two parietal placentae. Embryological characteristics of Menyanthaceae support its classification in Asterales in APG system IV. These findings indicate that Menyanthaceae is primitive relative to Calyceraceae, Goodeniaceae, and Asteraceae within Asterales. Our study strongly supports the APG system IV classification based on embryological characteristics, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of Menyanthaceae.
Diurnal Regulation of SOS Pathway and Sodium Excretion Underlying Salinity Tolerance of Vigna marina
Authors: Noda Yusaku , Wang Fanmiao , Chankaew Sompong , Ariga Hirotaka , Muto Chiaki , Iki Yurie , Ohashi Haruko , Takahashi Yu , Sakai Hiroaki , Iseki Kohtaro , Ogiso‐Tanaka Eri , Suzui Nobuo , Yin Yong‐Gen , Miyoshi Yuta , Enomoto Kazuyuki , Kawachi Naoki , Somta Prakit , Furukawa Jun , Tomooka Norihiko , Naito Ken
Published: January 2025

Vigna marina (Barm.) Merr. is adapted to tropical marine beaches and has an outstanding tolerance to salt stress. Given there are growing demands for cultivating crops in saline soil or with saline water, it is important to understand how halophytic species are adapted to the saline environments. Here we revealed by positron‐emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) that V. marina actively excretes sodium from the root during the light period but not the dark period. The following whole genome sequencing accompanied with forward genetic study identified a QTL region harbouring SOS1, encoding plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, which was associated with not only salt tolerance but also the ability of sodium excretion. We also found the QTL region contained a large structural rearrangement that suppressed recombination across ~14 Mbp, fixing multiple gene loci potentially involved in salt tolerance. RNA‐seq and promoter analyses revealed SOS1 in V. marina was highly expressed even without salt stress and its promoter shared common cis‐regulatory motifs with those exhibiting similar expression profiles. Interestingly, the cis‐regulatory motifs seemed installed by a transposable element (TE) insertion. Though not identified by genetic analysis, the transcriptome data also revealed SOS2 transcription was under diurnal regulation, explaining the pattern of sodium excretion together with upregulated expression of SOS1. Altogether, the study elucidated one aspect of the strategy adopted by V. marina to adapt to marine beach, which is highly saline and transpiring.
Rush Rhees on Plato and language
Authors: Williams Ieuan
Published: January 2025

Rush Rhees wrote extensively on Plato and on Greek philosophy in general. In this set of notes written during the late nineteen sixties, Rhees develops a number of themes concerning language, measning and life deriving from Plato's philosphy.
Assessing Disparities in Asthma and Respiratory Health in Indigenous People
Authors: Michaud Allison , Leigh Richard
Published: January 2025

See related article
Effects of Exercise Training on the Bone Marrow Immune Microenvironment and Minimal Residual Disease in Multiple Myeloma Patients Following First‐Line Treatment
Authors: Spiliopoulou Polyxeni , Rousakis Pantelis , Panteli Chrysanthi , Eleutherakis‐Papaiakovou Evangelos , Migkou Magdalini , Kanellias Nikolaos , Ntanasis‐Stathopoulos Ioannis , Malandrakis Panagiotis , Theodorakakou Foteini , Fotiou Despina , Terpos Evangelos , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Tsitsilonis Ourania E. , Kastritis Efstathios , Dimopoulos Meletios Athanasios , Terzis Gerasimos
Published: January 2025

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on the bone marrow immune microenvironment and on minimal residual disease of multiple myeloma patients who completed first‐line induction treatment. Eight multiple myeloma patients underwent 5 months of exercise training along with standard medical treatment. Eight age‐ and sex‐matched patients who received medical treatment only, served as controls. Before and after the intervention, white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, as well as the percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, were measured in the peripheral blood. Abnormal plasma cells, normal plasma cells, B cells, T cells, NK/NKT cells, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, myeloid progenitors, erythroid progenitors, and erythroblasts were assessed in the bone marrow. Exercise training increased the percentage of blood monocytes (mean difference 3.5% ± 2.6%; p = 0.006), while no change was detected in the control group. In the bone marrow, the CD27+ T cell subset increased (mean difference 18.2% ± 21.9%; p = 0.043) and the ratio of CD27−/CD27+ T lymphocytes decreased (pre: 1.06 ± 0.59; post: 0.76 ± 0.47; p = 0.049) in the exercise group, but remained unaltered in the control group. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that 5 months of exercise training can induce an increase in the percentage of activated T lymphocytes, as shown by the higher expression of the costimulatory CD27 marker. It also suggests that exercise‐induced changes in the bone marrow microenvironment may be beneficial in the control of clonal cell proliferation.
Gliding arc discharge plasma treatment for promoting germination of wheat seed at low ambient temperature
Authors: Choe Hak-Chol , Ri Song-Ha , Kim Jong-Pom , Ri In-Su , Pak Se Chol , Kim Yong-Jun
Published: January 2025

This study evaluates the effects of the gliding arc discharge (GAD) plasma-treatment on the germination of wheat seeds at low ambient temperature and its old seeds. The GAD plasma promotes the germination of dormant wheat seeds at 10 °C and the germination of its old seeds. For wheat seeds treated by GAD plasma with a power of 400 W, the germination potential, the germination rate, percentage of germination, and sprout length show clear increasing trends compared to untreated ones. The positive germination effects similar to the above are observed even for old seeds at 25 °C. When the seed surfaces are completely immersed in the plasma flame, the water contact angle decreases rapidly by 13.1° at minimum exposure time (30 s), whereas in the situation where the plasma flame does not completely cover the seed surfaces, the water contact angle stays at 49.3° even at a maximum treatment time of 120 s. However, through the experimental results that wheat seed germination is further promoted when the surfaces are not completely covered by the GAD flame, we conclude the main role of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species on the seed germination. Our work provides the applicability of GAD plasma treatment for promoting wheat seed germination.
Molecular epidemiology of β-lactamases in ceftriaxone-resistant Enterobacterales bloodstream infections in the mid-Atlantic United States
Authors: Hareza Dariusz A. , Bergman Yehudit , Jacobs Emily , Lu Jennifer , Hanson Nancy D. , Conzemius Rick , Cosgrove Sara E. , Harris Anthony D. , Simner Patricia J. , Tamma Pranita D.
Published: January 2025

Ceftriaxone-resistant Enterobacterales remain a public health threat; contemporary data investigating their molecular epidemiology are limited. Five hundred consecutive ceftriaxone-resistant (MIC ≥ 4 µg/mL) Enterobacterales bloodstream isolates were collected between 2018 and 2022 from three Maryland hospitals. Broth microdilution confirmed antibiotic susceptibilities. Whole-genome sequencing identified extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and
ampC
genes both in bacterial chromosomes (c-
ampC
) and on plasmids (p-
ampC
). Mutations in promoter or attenuator regions of the
Escherichia coli
c-
ampC
gene (i.e.,
bla
EC
gene) with the potential to result in
ampC
derepression were investigated. The presence of ESBL or
ampC
genes was confirmed in 497 (99.4%) isolates. Two hundred seventy-nine (55.8%) isolates had both ESBL and
ampC
genes. ESBL families were identified among 398 (80%) patients:
bla
CTX-M
(
n
= 370),
bla
SHV
(
n
= 17),
bla
OXY
(
n
= 14), and
bla
VEB
(
n
= 5). Ceftriaxone-resistant Enterobacterales species carrying ESBL genes included the following:
E. coli
(67%),
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(24%),
Klebsiella oxytoca
(4%),
Proteus mirabilis
(2%),
Enterobacter cloacae
complex (2%),
Klebsiella aerogenes
(1%),
Providencia stuartii
(<1%), and
Serratia marcescens
(<1%). c-
ampC
genes were identified in 374 (75%) of the 500 isolates. Only 7% of
E. coli
isolates with mutations in the promoter or attenuator region of the c-
ampC
gene exhibited resistance to cefoxitin, a proxy for increased AmpC production. Two p-
ampC
genes were confirmed in 25 (5%) of the 500 isolates:
bla
CMY-59
(72%) and
bla
DHA-1
(28%; confined to
E. coli
[92%] and
K. pneumoniae
[8%]). Until comprehensive β-lactamase molecular testing is available, the species-specific prevalence of ESBL and
ampC
genes in ceftriaxone-resistant Enterobacterales should be considered to promote effective albeit judicious antibiotic prescribing. Mutations in promoter or attenuator regions of the
E. coli
c-
ampC
gene do not appear to contribute significantly to increased AmpC production in this species.