bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universal material trends in extraordinary magnetoresistive devices
Authors: Erlandsen Ricci , Désiré Pomar Thierry , Kornblum Lior , Pryds Nini , Bjørk Rasmus , Christensen Dennis V
Published: September 2023

Extraordinary magnetoresistance (EMR) is a geometric magnetoresistance emerging in hybrid systems typically comprising a high-mobility material and a metal. Due to a field-dependent redistribution of electrical currents in these devices, the electrical resistance at room temperature can increase by 107% when applying a magnetic field of 5 T. Although EMR holds considerable potential for realizing sensitive, all-electronic magnetometers, this potential is largely unmet. A key challenge is that the performance of EMR devices depends very sensitively on variations in a vast parameter space where changes in the device geometry and material properties produce widely different EMR performances. The challenge of navigating in the large parameter space is further amplified by the poor understanding of the interplay between the device geometry and material properties. By systematically varying the material parameters in four key EMR geometries using diffusive transport simulations, we here elucidate this interplay with the aim of finding universal guidelines for designing EMR devices. Common to all geometries, we find that the sensitivity scales inversely with the carrier density, while the MR reaches saturation at low carrier densities. Increasing the mobility beyond 20 000 cm2 Vs−1 is required to observe strong EMR effects at 1 T with the optimal magnetoresistance observed for mobilities between 100 000–500 000 cm2 Vs−1. An interface resistance below

ρ
c

=

10

−
4

 
Ω

cm2 between the constituent materials in the hybrid devices was also found to be a prerequisite for very high magnetoresistances in all geometries. By further simulating several high-mobility materials at room and cryogenic temperatures, we conclude that encapsulated graphene and InSb are amongst the most promising candidates for EMR devices showing high magnetoresistance exceeding 107% below 1 T at room temperature. This study paves the way for understanding how to realize EMR devices with record-high magnetoresistance and high sensitivity for detecting magnetic fields.
Multirate and multi-stage holomorphic embedding for dynamic simulation of systems of differential-algebraic equations
Authors: Strake Julius , Reimann Jonas , Lankes Lukas , Benigni Andrea
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we present a novel multirate (MR) extension to the multi-stage holomorphic embedding (MSHE) method and use it to dynamically solve systems of differential-algebraic equations. As a test of real-world applicability, we analyze the algorithm for typical power system cases. When applied to the IEEE 34 bus and IEEE 9 bus benchmark system, the multirate approach significantly reduces the number of recalculations of most variables as compared to the existing MSHE algorithm, thus offering the chance of decreasing simulation time while providing simple means of error control. This integration of a multirate ansatz into the well-established MSHE solver potentially opens up systems for dynamic simulation that were up to now out of numerical reach.
Functional networks in the infant brain during sleep and wake states
Authors: Yates Tristan S , Ellis Cameron T , Turk-Browne Nicholas B
Published: September 2023

Functional brain networks are assessed differently earlier versus later in development: infants are almost universally scanned asleep, whereas adults are typically scanned awake. Observed differences between infant and adult functional networks may thus reflect differing states of consciousness rather than or in addition to developmental changes. We explore this question by comparing functional networks in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of infants during natural sleep and awake movie-watching. As a reference, we also scanned adults during awake rest and movie-watching. Whole-brain functional connectivity was more similar within the same state (sleep and movie in infants; rest and movie in adults) compared with across states. Indeed, a classifier trained on patterns of functional connectivity robustly decoded infant state and even generalized to adults; interestingly, a classifier trained on adult state did not generalize as well to infants. Moreover, overall similarity between infant and adult functional connectivity was modulated by adult state (stronger for movie than rest) but not infant state (same for sleep and movie). Nevertheless, the connections that drove this similarity, particularly in the frontoparietal control network, were modulated by infant state. In sum, infant functional connectivity differs between sleep and movie states, highlighting the value of awake fMRI for studying functional networks over development.
Functional gradients reveal altered functional segregation in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: He Yirong , Li Qiongling , Fu Zhenrong , Zeng Debin , Han Ying , Li Shuyu
Published: September 2023

Alzheimer’s disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment are associated with disrupted functional organization in brain networks, involved with alteration of functional segregation. Connectome gradients are a new tool representing brain functional topological organization to smoothly capture the human macroscale hierarchy. Here, we examined altered topological organization in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease by connectome gradient mapping. We further quantified functional segregation by gradient dispersion. Then, we systematically compared the alterations observed in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease patients with those in normal controls in a two-dimensional functional gradient space from both the whole-brain level and module level. Compared with normal controls, the first gradient, which described the neocortical hierarchy from unimodal to transmodal regions, showed a more distributed and significant suppression in Alzheimer’s disease than amnestic mild cognitive impairment patients. Furthermore, gradient dispersion showed significant decreases in Alzheimer’s disease at both the global level and module level, whereas this alteration was limited only to limbic areas in amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Notably, we demonstrated that suppressed gradient dispersion in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease was associated with cognitive scores. These findings provide new evidence for altered brain hierarchy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, which strengthens our understanding of the progressive mechanism of cognitive decline.
Predicting mild cognitive impairments from cognitively normal brains using a novel brain age estimation model based on structural magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Choi Uk-Su , Park Jun Young , Lee Jang Jae , Choi Kyu Yeong , Won Sungho , Lee Kun Ho
Published: September 2023

Brain age prediction is a practical method used to quantify brain aging and detect neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, very few studies have considered brain age prediction as a biomarker for the conversion of cognitively normal (CN) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this study, we developed a novel brain age prediction model using brain volume and cortical thickness features. We calculated an acceleration of brain age (ABA) derived from the suggested model to estimate different diagnostic groups (CN, MCI, and AD) and to classify CN to MCI and MCI to AD conversion groups. We observed a strong association between ABA and the 3 diagnostic groups. Additionally, the classification models for CN to MCI conversion and MCI to AD conversion exhibited acceptable and robust performances, with area under the curve values of 0.66 and 0.76, respectively. We believe that our proposed model provides a reliable estimate of brain age for elderly individuals and can identify those at risk of progressing from CN to MCI. This model has great potential to reveal a diagnosis associated with a change in cognitive decline.
Causal associations between blood lipids and brain structures: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zeng Youjie , Guo Ren , Cao Si , Yang Heng
Published: September 2023

The potential causal association between dyslipidemia and brain structures remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether circulating lipids are causally associated with brain structure alterations using Mendelian randomization analysis. Genome-wide association study summary statistics of blood lipids and brain structures were obtained from publicly available databases. Inverse-variance weighted method was used as the primary method to assess causality. In addition, four additional Mendelian randomization methods (MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode) were applied to supplement inverse-variance weighted. Furthermore, Cochrane’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO global test, and leave-one-out analysis were performed for sensitivity analyses. After Bonferroni corrections, two causal associations were finally identified: elevated non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level leads to higher average cortical thickness (β = 0.0066 mm, 95% confidence interval: 0.0045–0.0087 mm, P = 0.001); and elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level leads to higher inferior temporal surface area (β = 18.6077 mm2, 95% confidence interval: 11.9835–25.2320 mm2, P = 0.005). Four additional Mendelian randomization methods indicated parallel results. Sensitivity tests demonstrated the stability. Overall, the present study showed causal relationships between several lipid profiles and specific brain structures, providing new insights into the link between dyslipidemia and neurological disorders.
Neural network of metaphor comprehension: an ALE meta-analysis and MACM analysis
Authors: Huang Yanyang , Huang Jiayu , Li Le , Lin Tao , Zou Laiquan
Published: September 2023

The comprehension of metaphor, a vivid and figurative language, is a complex endeavor requiring cooperation among multiple cognitive systems. There are still many important questions regarding neural mechanisms implicated in specific types of metaphor. To address these questions, we conducted activation likelihood estimation meta-analyses on 30 studies (containing data of 480 participants) and meta-analytic connectivity modeling analyses. First, the results showed that metaphor comprehension engaged the inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, lingual gyrus, and middle occipital gyrus—all in the left hemisphere. In addition to the commonly reported networks of language and attention, metaphor comprehension engaged networks of visual. Second, sub-analysis showed that the contextual complexity can modulate figurativeness, with the convergence on the left fusiform gyrus during metaphor comprehension at discourse-level. Especially, right hemisphere only showed convergence in studies of novel metaphors, suggesting that the right hemisphere is more associated with difficulty than metaphorical. The work here extends knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying metaphor comprehension in individual brain regions and neural networks.
Absorptive capacities and external openness in underdeveloped innovation systems: a patent network analysis for Latin American countries 1970–2017
Authors: Bianchi Carlos , Galaso Pablo , Palomeque Sergio
Published: September 2023

This paper contributes to the literature on innovation and development by analysing the absorptive and connectivity capacities of Latin American innovation systems between 1970 and 2017. Applying network analysis to a USPTO database containing Latin American inventors, we build and analyse collaboration networks in the process of invention and knowledge appropriation. The structural properties and the evolution of such networks allow us to measure critical attributes of the Latin American innovation systems. Specifically, the networks exhibit low absorptive capacity and high external openness, which are critical linkages with external nodes in the network growth process. We identify different trajectories of innovation systems within the region, analysing specific paths of capability (de)accumulation and network maturity against the backdrop of national development trajectories.
Real-World Persistency for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Biologics Using Patient Registry Data
Authors: Goss Sawhney Tia , Dobes Angela , O’Charoen Sirimon
Published: September 2023

Background

Although it is a truism that drugs benefit patients only when taken, surprisingly little is known about real-world drug-use persistence and discontinuation, even for expensive biologic drugs.

Methods

We used longitudinal self-reported drug-use data from the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Partners registry of people with IBD to construct Kaplan–Meier drug-use persistency graphs for biologic drug-use spans that started between 2017 and 2022.

Results

We examined 2034 drug-use spans for 1594 survey participants. Most of the biologic drugs had a 75%+ persistency rate around the one-year mark and 60%+ persistency at the 3-year mark. The overall persistency and the differences in persistency between drugs were aligned with published literature.

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrates the feasibility of collecting IBD-specific patient-reported drug persistency data via a voluntary patient registry. Patient-reported persistency provides real-world drug persistency data and the patient’s perspectives as to why they discontinued use of the drug—a combination of data and perspective that is not available from any other real-world medical record, claim, and pharmacy data source that are valuable to physician, patients, payers, healthcare policymakers, and health technology assessment organizations.
Role of molecular imaging in the diagnosis of prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis by Bacillus licheniformis: a case report
Authors: Plata-Corona Juan Carlos , González-Ortiz Araceli , García-Cárdenas Mauricio , Espinola-Zavaleta Nilda , Alexanderson-Rosas Erick , Carvajal-Juárez Isabel
Published: September 2023

Background

Infective endocarditis is a challenging diagnosis that usually requires cardiovascular image confirmation as part of the approach. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) is an imaging technique more sensible for the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) when echocardiography is inconclusive.

Case summary

We present the case of a 35-year-old man who had a previous Bentall–De Bono procedure 4 years prior that included biological, national institute of cardiology (INC)-type, locally manufactured aortic valve replacement and woven Dacron tube graft implantation in the ascending aorta. He was admitted because of dyspnoea, oedema, fever, and syncope. A complete auriculoventricular blockade was diagnosed, requiring cardiac pacing. Also, infective endocarditis (IE) was suspected. Blood cultures showed the isolation of Bacillus licheniformis. Transthoracic echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography, and CT angiography were inconclusive for IE. Treatment was initiated with intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy, and an extensive protocol for IE, including molecular imaging modalities, was ordered. 99mTc-Ubiquicidin scintigraphy was acquired without abnormal findings. Images of 18F-FDG-PET/CT revealed abnormally intense heterogeneous uptake in the prosthetic aortic annulus in a classic pattern. Applying the modified 2015 Duke criteria for PET/CT, PVE was confirmed.

Discussion

Although the other imaging modalities were negative, the high clinical suspicion made it mandatory to continue the study protocol, remarking on the utility of 18F-FDG-PET/CT on patients categorized as having ‘possible’ endocarditis, as in our patient.
Alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and bilateral lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a case report
Authors: Puchnerova Veronika , Bonaventura Jiri , Lischke Robert , Veselka Josef
Published: September 2023

Background

We present an uncommon case of a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The case demonstrates the importance of pre-transplant cardiology workup and the need of interdisciplinary approach in diagnosing the cause of dyspnoea.

Case summary

The 52-year-old male patient was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2019 and gradually became oxygen dependent due to progression of dyspnoea. Bilateral lung transplantation was recommended in 2021. During pre-transplant cardiology workup, the patient was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Considering the high surgical risk of the patient, alcohol septal ablation was performed with subsequent decrease of LVOT gradient. Bilateral lung transplantation was successfully performed afterwards. The patient’s symptoms improved to NYHA class II at one year follow-up.

Discussion

We present a rare case of combined cause of dyspnoea—coexistence of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in one patient. Due to high surgical risk, the patient underwent alcohol septal ablation with successful elimination of LVOT gradient and subsequently bilateral lung transplantation.
Prevalence and clinical correlations of SF3B1 variants in lactotroph tumours
Authors: Simon Julia , Perez-Rivas Luis Gustavo , Zhao Yining , Chasseloup Fanny , Lasolle Helene , Cortet Christine , Descotes Francoise , Villa Chiara , Baussart Bertrand , Burman Pia , Maiter Dominique , von Selzam Vivian , Rotermund Roman , Flitsch Jörg , Thorsteinsdottir Jun , Jouanneau Emmanuel , Buchfelder Michael , Chanson Philippe , Raverot Gerald , Theodoropoulou Marily
Published: September 2023

Objective

A somatic mutational hotspot in the SF3B1 gene was reported in lactotroph tumours. The aim of our study was to examine the prevalence of driver SF3B1 variants in a multicentre independent cohort of patients with lactotroph tumours and correlate with clinical data.

Design and methods

This was a retrospective, multicentre study involving 282 patients with lactotroph tumours (including 6 metastatic lactotroph tumours) from 8 European centres. We screened SF3B1 exon 14 hotspot for somatic variants using Sanger sequencing and correlated with clinicopathological data.

Results

We detected SF3B1 variants in seven patients with lactotroph tumours: c.1874G > A (p.Arg625His) (n = 4, 3 of which metastatic) and a previously undescribed in pituitary tumours variant c.1873C > T (p.Arg625Cys) (n = 3 aggressive pituitary tumours). In two metastatic lactotroph tumours with tissue available, the variant was detected in both primary tumour and metastasis. The overall prevalence of likely pathogenic SF3B1 variants in lactotroph tumours was 2.5%, but when we considered only metastatic cases, it reached the 50%. SF3B1 variants correlated with significantly larger tumour size; higher Ki67 proliferation index; multiple treatments, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy; increased disease-specific death; and shorter postoperative survival.

Conclusions

SF3B1 variants are uncommon in lactotroph tumours but may be frequent in metastatic lactotroph tumours. When present, they associate with aggressive tumour behaviour and worse clinical outcome.
Associations Between Longitudinal Loneliness, DNA Methylation Age Acceleration, and Cognitive Functioning
Authors: Lynch Morgan , Em Arpawong Thalida , Beam Christopher R
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Loneliness may influence aging biomarkers related to cognitive functioning, for example, through accelerated DNA methylation (DNAm) aging.

Methods

In the present study, we tested whether six common DNAm age acceleration measures mediated the effects of baseline loneliness and five different longitudinal loneliness trajectories on general cognitive ability, immediate memory recall, delayed memory recall, and processing speed in 1,814 older adults in the Health and Retirement Study.

Results

We found that baseline loneliness and individuals who belong to the highest loneliness trajectories had poorer general cognitive ability and memory scores. Only DNAm age acceleration measures that index physiological comorbidities, unhealthy lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking), and mortality risk-mediated effects of baseline loneliness on general cognitive ability and memory functioning but not processing speed. These same DNAm measures mediated effects of the moderate-but-declining loneliness trajectory on cognitive functioning. Additionally, immediate and delayed memory scores were mediated by GrimAge Accel in the lowest and two highest loneliness trajectory groups. Total and mediated effects of loneliness on cognitive functioning outcomes were mainly accounted for by demographic, social, psychological, and physiological covariates, most notably self-rated health, depressive symptomatology, objective social isolation, and body mass index.

Discussion

Current findings suggest that DNAm biomarkers of aging, particularly GrimAge Accel, have promise for explaining the prospective association between loneliness and cognitive functioning outcomes.
Perceived Level of Life Enjoyment and Risk of Developing Disabling Dementia: The Japan Public Health Center–Based Study
Authors: Tajima Tomokazu , Ikeda Ai , Tanigawa Takeshi , Iso Hiroyasu , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Matsumura Takumi , Yasuda Nobufumi , Inoue Manami , Tsugane Shoichiro , Sawada Norie
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Life enjoyment, linked to the ability to engage pleasurably with one’s environment, may be related to the risk of developing dementia. This prospective cohort study examined the association between level of life enjoyment and disabling dementia incidence among Japanese community residents.

Methods

The participants were Japanese, aged 45–74 years old at 5-years follow-up, in the Japan Public Health Center–based Study (N = 38,660). Psychological conditions and other confounding variables were identified through self-administered questionnaires. Incident disabling dementia registered based on the Japan’s Long-Term Care Insurance system from 2006 to 2016. Hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals] were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Over a median follow-up period of 9.4 years, a total of 4,642 cases of disabling dementia developed. Level of life enjoyment was inversely associated with the risk of disabling dementia: the multivariable hazard ratios were 0.75 [0.67–0.84] (p < .001) and 0.68 [0.59–0.78] (p < .001) with medium and high life enjoyment, respectively, compared to low life enjoyment. Furthermore, the association between greater life enjoyment and low risk for disabling dementia was strongest in the subgroup with low–medium mental stress. In the high mental stress group, this association was evident for poststroke disabling dementia, but not for disabling dementia without a history of stroke.

Discussion

A higher level of life enjoyment was associated with a lower risk of disabling dementia, particularly in the low–medium mental stress group. This finding suggests the importance of having life enjoyment by managing mental stress for reducing risk of disabling dementia.
Lunney & Oliphant's Tort Law
Authors: Oliphant Ken , Nolan Donal
Published: September 2023

Tort Law: Text and Materials brings together a selection of carefully chosen extracts from cases and materials, with extensive commentary. Each section begins with a clear overview of the law, followed by illustrative extracts from case law and from government reports and scholarly literature, which are supported by explanation and analysis. The authors start by introducing the subject, and then examine intentional interference with the person before moving on to liability for negligence. Their analysis provides an overview of negligence liability in general, and then addresses in turn breach of duty, causation and remoteness, defences to negligence and specific duty of care issues (psychiatric illness, economic loss and omissions and acts of third parties). In the following chapter, the authors consider the statutory regimes governing occupiers’ liability and product liability, as well as the tort of breach of statutory duty. The focus then switches to nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher, defamation, and privacy, before turning to vicarious liability, and damages for personal injury and death. Finally, how tort works in practice is explored.
2. Intentional Interference with the Person
Authors: Nolan Donal , Oliphant Ken
Published: September 2023

This chapter begins with a general section considering the historical background of civil wrongs now classified as intentional interference with the person, along with the relationship between trespass and fault and the meaning of ‘intention’. The remainder of the chapter deals first with the component elements of trespass to the person, namely the torts of assault, battery and false imprisonment, followed by a discussion of the tort of intentional infliction of physical or emotional harm and the statutory cause of action for harassment. The final section deals with the four main defences to the torts discussed in the chapter—lawful arrest and detention, consent, necessity and self-defence.
13. Privacy
Authors: Nolan Donal , Oliphant Ken
Published: September 2023

The right of privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights was incorporated into English law by the Human Rights Act 1998, but English law as yet recognises no tort of invasion of privacy as such. Admittedly, a number of specific torts protect particular aspects of privacy, but this protection may be regarded as haphazard, incidental and incomplete. Recent decisions, however, have seen substantial developments in the protection given to particular privacy interests, above all by adapting the law of breach of confidence to provide a remedy against the unauthorised disclosure of private information. These issues are discussed in sequence in this chapter.
The mediating role of self-compassion in positive education for student mental health during COVID-19
Authors: Pastore Olivia L , Fortier Michelle S
Published: September 2023

In this quasi-experimental design, we tested the hypothesis that a quality of life (QOL) positive education course delivered online during COVID-19 would promote undergraduate students’ mental health by improving self-compassion. A total of 104 students (69 enrolled in the QOL course and 35 in control courses) completed a questionnaire assessing mental health and self-compassion before and after completion of their courses. Two-way mixed ANCOVAs were used to analyse the effects of the positive education course on mental health and self-compassion over time. Compared to control students, QOL students’ mental health and self-compassion significantly increased from baseline to endpoint. A simple mediation analysis confirmed the mediating role of self-compassion between the positive education course and enhanced mental health. This study adds to the emerging literature vis-à-vis positive education and its effects on student mental health through self-compassion.
Erythromelalgia caused by the missense mutation p.Arg220Pro in an alternatively spliced exon of SCN9A (NaV1.7)
Authors: Deuis Jennifer R , Kumble Smitha , Keramidas Angelo , Ragnarsson Lotten , Simons Cas , Pais Lynn , White Susan M , Vetter Irina
Published: September 2023

Erythromelalgia (EM), is a familial pain syndrome characterized by episodic ‘burning’ pain, warmth, and erythema. EM is caused by monoallelic variants in SCN9A, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) NaV1.7. Over 25 different SCN9A mutations attributed to EM have been described to date, all identified in the SCN9A transcript utilizing exon 6N. Here we report a novel SCN9A missense variant identified in seven related individuals with stereotypic episodes of bilateral lower limb pain presenting in childhood. The variant, XM_011511617.3:c.659G>C;p.(Arg220Pro), resides in the exon 6A of SCN9A, an exon previously shown to be selectively incorporated by developmentally regulated alternative splicing. The mutation is located in the voltage-sensing S4 segment of domain I, which is important for regulating channel activation. Functional analysis showed the p.Arg220Pro mutation altered voltage-dependent activation and delayed channel inactivation, consistent with a NaV1.7 gain-of-function molecular phenotype. These results demonstrate that alternatively spliced isoforms of SCN9A should be included in all genomic testing of EM.
The Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitor Etoricoxib as Adjunctive Therapy in Tuberculosis Impairs Macrophage Control of Mycobacterial Growth
Authors: Nore Kristin G , Louet Claire , Bugge Marit , Gidon Alexandre , Jørgensen Marthe Jøntvedt , Jenum Synne , Dyrhol-Riise Anne Ma , Tonby Kristian , Flo Trude Helen
Published: September 2023

Background

Current tuberculosis treatment regimens could be improved by adjunct host-directed therapies (HDT) targeting host responses. We investigated the antimycobacterial capacity of macrophages from patients with tuberculosis in a phase 1/2 randomized clinical trial (TBCOX2) of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor etoricoxib.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 15 patients with tuberculosis treated with adjunctive COX-2i and 18 controls (standard therapy) were collected on day 56 after treatment initiation. The ex vivo capacity of macrophages to control mycobacterial infection was assessed by challenge with Mycobacterium avium, using an in vitro culture model. Macrophage inflammatory responses were analyzed by gene expression signatures, and concentrations of cytokines were analyzed in supernatants by multiplex.

Results

Macrophages from patients receiving adjunctive COX-2i treatment had higher M. avium loads than controls after 6 days, suggesting an impaired capacity to control mycobacterial infection compared to macrophages from the control group. Macrophages from the COX-2i group had lower gene expression of TNF, IL-1B, CCL4, CXCL9, and CXCL10 and lowered production of cytokines IFN-β and S100A8/A9 than controls.

Conclusions

Our data suggest potential unfavorable effects with impaired macrophage capacity to control mycobacterial growth in patients with tuberculosis receiving COX-2i treatment. Larger clinical trials are required to analyze the safety of COX-2i as HDT in patients with tuberculosis.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02503839.
Opening the Black Box of Transparency: An Analytical Framework for Exploring Causal Pathways from Reporting and Review to State Behavior Change
Authors: Harrould-Kolieb Ellycia , van Asselt Harro , Weikmans Romain , Vihma Antto
Published: September 2023

Transparency arrangements, in the form of regular reporting by nations and a review of the reported information, have become a backbone of international governance. They are often expected to bring about increased ambition and improved implementation to fulfill the aims of the multilateral agreement in which they are embedded. However, little is still known about how these arrangements result in such effects. In this article, we review compliance theories and use these to explain the various roles of transparency arrangements in changing state behavior. We distinguish between different compliance schools and show how they attribute subtly different functions to transparency. We examine these variations through the development of a framework made up of seven idealized causal pathways that offer plausible explanations for the mechanisms that allow transparency arrangements to induce state behavior change. We also illustrate how these pathways work in practice by providing several examples from existing multilateral transparency arrangements. In doing so, we seek to form a bridge between international regime theory, critical transparency studies, and empirical studies on the functioning of transparency arrangements in international governance.
Standardized amino acid digestibility and nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy of frozen and freeze-dried raw dog foods using precision-fed cecectomized and conventional rooster assays
Authors: Oba Patrícia M , Utterback Pamela L , Parsons Carl M , Templeman James R , Swanson Kelly S
Published: September 2023

Commercial raw or minimally-processed diets, often referred to holistically as raw meat-based diets (RMBD) represent a small portion of the pet food market, but the growth of this sector has been significant in recent years. While traditionally, high-moisture, frozen options were the standard format of commercially available raw diets, freeze-dried raw diets have become more prevalent as of late. Despite the increasing popularity of these commercial raw diet formats, there is a dearth of literature describing their nutritional properties, particularly regarding freeze-dried diets. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine and compare the standardized amino acid (AA) digestibilities and nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn) of raw frozen and freeze-dried dog foods using precision-fed cecectomized and conventional rooster assays. Three formats of frozen or freeze-dried raw diets provided by Primal Pet Foods (Fairfield, CA, USA) were tested: traditional freeze-dried nuggets (T-FDN), hybrid freeze-dried nuggets (H-FDN), and frozen nuggets (FZN). Diets were fed to cecectomized roosters (4 roosters/diet) to determine AA digestibilities, while conventional roosters (4 roosters/diet) were used to determine TMEn. In both cases, after 26 h of feed withdrawal, roosters were tube-fed 12 to 13 g of test diets and 12 to 13 g of corn. Following crop intubation, excreta were collected for 48 h. Endogenous corrections for AA were made using five additional cecectomized roosters. All data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS version 9.4. There were no significant differences in standardized AA digestibilities among diets, with digestibilities being high for all diets tested. For most of the indispensable AA, digestibilities were greater than or equal to 90% for all diets. Histidine and lysine were the exceptions, with digestibilities ranging from 82% to 87% and 87% to 92%, respectively. Moreover, the reactive lysine:total lysine ratio, a measure of heat damage, ranged from 0.91 to 0.95. TMEn values were higher (P = 0.0127) in T-FDN (6.1 kcal/g) and FZN (5.9 kcal/g) than H-FDN (5.3 kcal/g) and were most similar to those estimated by Atwater factors. In general, all diets tested had high AA digestibilities and had TMEn values that were most similar to Atwater factors.
Native natural enemies of plant pests in Slovenia with an emphasis on species suitable for mass rearing
Authors: Trdan Stanislav , Laznik Žiga , Bohinc Tanja
Published: September 2023

In Slovenia, only the native natural enemies of plant pests that are on the EPPO Positive List of biological control agents can be used in agricultural production to control plant pests. The List of native species of organisms for biological control, which is an important part of the Regulations on biological control, currently includes a total of 35 species of beneficial insects and mites and entomopathogenic nematodes. Compared to the number of species on the first list that was established in 2006, the number of beneficial species that Slovenian growers of food and ornamental plants can currently use in everyday practice has doubled. This is the result of intensive professional and research work in the investigation of the occurrence and distribution of natural enemy species in Slovenia, which has been systematically supported by the state for many years. Natural enemy species, which are an integral part of the EPPO Positive List of biological control agents, can be included on the list of native biological control species via a special procedure. However, many natural enemy species that are not yet included on the EPPO Positive List have been identified in the period 2007–2022. In this paper, we list 75 such species and we present 5 candidates (Cotesia glomerata [L.], Diadegma semiclausum [Hellen], Anisopteromalus calandrae [Howard], Neochrysocharis formosa [Westwood] and Kampimodromus aberrans [Oudemans]) that, in our opinion, have high potential as biological controls and will be suitable in the future for mass rearing and use in augmentative biological control.
Biological basis for adoption of an isoline of Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) for an augmentative biological-control program for Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: de Lacerda Lucas Fonseca , Coelho Aloisio , de Paula Pedro Holtz , Amorim Deoclécio J , Demetrio Clarice G B , Parra José Roberto Postali
Published: September 2023

The widely distributed, polyphagous fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797), is one of the most important crop pests worldwide. The egg-parasitoid wasp, Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937, is frequently described as a possible control agent for S. frugiperda. We selected an isoline of T. remus and evaluated its parasitism potential (for 24 h) in S. frugiperda eggs, in laboratory conditions, and also its ability to fly at different temperatures and relative humidity levels, aiming to provide basic information about this isoline. The selected isoline maintained good flight capacity without affecting its parasitism efficiency or developing inefficient haplotypes for biological-control programs, compared across generations to a regularline laboratory-reared for more than 60 generations. The flight capacity of the isoline was best at 25–30 °C and relative humidity 70–90%.
Reproductive performance effects of rearing the quasi-social parasitoid,Sclerodermus brevicornis(Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), on a factitious host
Authors: Malabusini Serena , Hardy Ian C W , Jucker Costanza , Guanzani Greta , Savoldelli Sara , Lupi Daniela
Published: September 2023

Wasps in the genus Sclerodermus are ectoparasitoids that typically attack the larvae of woodboring coleopterans. Interest in these species is increasing as they are used in programs to control longhorn beetle pests of economic importance in China and have invasive pest control potential in Europe. Wasps may be mass reared for field release, but using the target host species can be time consuming and physically demanding. There is thus a need for factitious hosts with lower production costs and that are easier to rear. The present research focuses on Sclerodermus brevicornis, which was found in Italy in association with the invasive longhorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris hilaris, and can be laboratory reared on this longhorn beetle and on a factitious lepidopteran host, Corcyra cephalonica. As it is known that the biology of natural enemies can be influenced by the host they emerge from and that the behavior of S. brevicornis is relatively complex due to its degree of sociality (multiple foundress females cooperate to paralyze the host and produce offspring communally), we explored whether, and how, performance and behavioral traits of adult females are influenced by the host species on which they were reared, both when no choice or a choice of current host species was offered. We evaluated the survival of foundresses and their movements between offered hosts and their tendency to form groups with other foundresses according to kinship and host characteristics. We also evaluated the production of offspring and the timing of their development. We found that S. brevicornis reared from C. cephalonica do have some disadvantages compared with those that have developed on P. h. hilaris but also that they recognize, prefer, and can reproduce on P. h. hilaris. We conclude that the use of the more convenient factitious host for mass-rearing is unlikely to greatly compromise the potential of S. brevicornis to suppress longhorn beetle pests in the field.
Quality control applications for recovering an inbred colony of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Ivey Cleveland B , Leppla Norman C , Hodges Amanda C , Eger Joe E
Published: September 2023

The invasive stink bug, Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister), recently became established in the southwestern United States and has become a major pest of broccoli and other cole crops. Due to concerns about its possible establishment in Florida, a colony of this pest was maintained in quarantine to conduct research on its environmental requirements. The colony was reared reliably with approximately 300 adults per generation but began to decline in generation 16. Due to unknown causes, only about 73 females were recovered to mate and oviposit during the final 46 days. However, a corresponding decrease in the number of mated pairs did not reduce the yield of eggs, nymphs, and adults per day, but the females were maintained for fewer than the normal 160 days per generation. Therefore, quality control procedures were implemented to increase the number of days the colony produced adults in subsequent generations. The goal of producing approximately 400 adults per generation was accomplished during 104, 160, and 156 days, respectively, in generations 17, 18, and 19. The purpose of this research was to develop quality control procedures for rearing B. hilaris, use the procedures to restore a colony in quarantine, and describe how quality control can be used to maintain small colonies of insects. Implementing quality control procedures when a colony is established can help to prevent its decline.
Efficacy and safety of olaparib, olaparib plus bevacizumab and niraparib maintenance treatment in Japanese patients with platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: Nakamura Keiichiro , Matsuoka Hirofumi , Yorimitsu Masae , Ogawa Mariko , Kanemori Miho , Sueoka Kotaro , Kozai Ayumi , Nakamura Hiroko , Haruma Tomoko , Shiroyama Yuko , Hayata Yuu , Sugii Hirokazu , Ueda Akiko , Kurihara Shuichi , Urayama Saiko , Shimizu Miyuki , Masuyama Hisashi
Published: September 2023

Objective

To investigate whether maintenance treatment could be safely and effectively performed with olaparib, olaparib plus bevacizumab and niraparib in platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer at multiple institutions in Japan.

Methods

We investigated progression-free survival and adverse events in 117 patients with platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer treated with maintenance therapy.

Results

The median progression-free survival of 117 patients was 20.1 months. Patients with germline BRCA pathogenic variants had a significantly better prognosis than the other groups (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in the multivariate analysis, stage IV (P = 0.016) and germline BRCA wild-type (P ≤ 0.001) were significantly associated with worse progression-free survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Regarding adverse events, all three types of maintenance treatment were significantly worse than chemotherapy given before maintenance treatment with respect to renal function (olaparib, P = 0.037; olaparib plus bevacizumab, P < 0.001; and niraparib, P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Maintenance treatment was performed effectively and safely. Renal function deterioration is likely to occur during maintenance treatment, and careful administration is important in platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer.
Vertebral fracture at the caudal end of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis treated with vertebroplasty via double-endplate penetrating screw trajectory and posterior spinal fixation with a new hybrid strategy using cement-augmented fenestrated pedicle screws
Authors: Hashiba Daisuke , Fujimoto Kazuki , Nakagawa Ryosuke , Maeyama Toshifumi , Arai Hajime , Ohtori Seiji
Published: September 2023

Vertebral fractures in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) are often unstable. We encountered a case of vertebral fracture at the caudal end of DISH in which vertebroplasty was performed via a double endplate penetrating screw (DEPS) trajectory, and short posterior fixation was performed using the DEPS technique on the cranial vertebrae, including the fractured vertebra; conventional pedicle screw to the caudal vertebrae; and cement-augmented fenestrated pedicle screws to the caudal end vertebra. A 93-year-old man presented with a vertebral fracture at the caudal end of a DISH after a fall. He underwent surgery for lower back pain due to spinal instability. Vertebroplasty via DEPS trajectory can shorten the posterior fixation range. Using cement-augmented fenestrated pedicle screws to the caudal end vertebra enables balancing of the posterior fixation force. This strategy should be considered when a vertebral fracture is found at the caudal end of the DISH.
Toothpick perforates small bowel-mimicking diverticulitis
Authors: Fallatah Ahmed A , Mashbari Hassan , Daghestani Hatoon , Mostafa Omar , Alshahwan Nawaf , Alburakan Ahmed , Nouh Thamer
Published: September 2023

Bowel perforation is an emergency condition that requires critical thinking and readily intervention; nevertheless, on occasions, its presentation can be challenging to diagnose. Several etiologies could cause bowel perforation, including obstruction, mass, inflammation, ischemia, etc. On rare occasions, a foreign body could be the cause of perforation, which mandates a detailed history and focused review of the images when the patient’s condition allows. We report a case of ileal perforation caused by an ingested wooden toothpick that was suspected on the CT images, which the patient has no memory of ingesting.
The SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE 2–CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE1 module coordinates plant growth and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Qinpei , Fu Haiqi , Yu Xiang , Wen Xing , Guo Hongwei , Guo Yan , Li Jingrui
Published: September 2023

High salinity stress promotes plant ethylene biosynthesis and triggers the ethylene signalling response. However, the precise mechanism underlying how plants transduce ethylene signalling in response to salt stress remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE 2 (SOS2) inhibits the kinase activity of CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE1 (CTR1) by phosphorylating the 87th serine (S87). This phosphorylation event activates the ethylene signalling response, leading to enhanced plant salt resistance. Furthermore, through genetic analysis, we determined that the loss of CTR1 or the gain of SOS2-mediated CTR1 phosphorylation both contribute to improved plant salt tolerance. Additionally, in the sos2 mutant, we observed compromised proteolytic processing of ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 2 (EIN2) and reduced nuclear localization of EIN2 C-terminal fragments (EIN2-C), which correlate with decreased accumulation of ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3 (EIN3). Collectively, our findings unveil the role of the SOS2–CTR1 regulatory module in promoting the activation of the ethylene signalling pathway and enhancing plant salt tolerance.
Bringing home the carbon: photorespiratory CO2 recovery shows diverse efficiency inBrassicaceae
Authors: Walsh Catherine A
Published: September 2023

This article comments on:

Schlüter U, Bouvier JW, Guerreiro R, Malisic M, Kontny C, Westhoff P, Stich B, Weber APM. 2023. Brassicaceae display variation in efficiency of photorespiratory carbon-recapturing mechanisms. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 6631–6649.