bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Choroidal and Retinal Abnormalities in Cushing Syndrome: Correlation with Cortisol Level
Authors: Duan Jianan , Shen Sikui , Lei Chunyan , Gao Sheng , Chang Tiancong , Zhang Yun , Zhang Meixia
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

To investigate the structure and blood flow of the retina and choroid in Cushing syndrome (CS) and their relationship with cortisol levels.

Methods:

A consecutive series of CS patients with adrenocortical carcinoma were included in this study. Cortisol levels gradually returned to normal after adrenalectomy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were used to assess CS patients before and after the surgery for retina and choroid. Correlation analysis was performed between cortisol level and fundus changes.

Results:

Compared with normal cortisol levels, CS patients had significantly lower central macular thickness (CMT) with increased cortisol level (220.82 ± 16.59 μm and 223.68 ± 15.78 μm, p = 0.019). While the central choroidal thickness (CCT) was higher with increased cortisol level (255.18 ± 105.89 μm and 205.94 ± 87.04 μm, p < 0.001). The choriocapillaris flow area (CCFA) was higher with increased cortisol level (2.05 ± 0.14 mm2 and 2.00 ± 0.13 mm2, p = 0.02). The change of CCFA was correlated with the score of Huaxi Emotional-distress Index and 24-hour urine-free cortisol (24h-UFC).

Conclusion:

The increased cortisol level was correlated with lesser CMT and thicker CCT. The decrease of CCFA was correlated with 24h-UFC, indicating the effect of increased cortisol level on choroidal vessels.
Experience With a Vancomycin-sparing Empiric Antibiotic Guideline for Late-onset Sepsis in a Level-4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Dumont Olivia , Iacono Denise , Jacob Alby , Aggarwal Alpna , Hagmann Stefan H. F.
Published: December 2023

A vancomycin-sparing guideline for suspected late-onset sepsis helped reduce vancomycin usage in our level-4 neonatal intensive care unit. Significant reduction in overall vancomycin use, with its likely unit-wide beneficial downstream effects, may need to be measured against the rare case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection and delayed effective therapy.
Abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS): a case report of a Chinese male diagnosed idiopathic ACS with inborn short intestine
Authors: Li Fei , Xie Miao
Published: December 2023

Introduction and importance:

Abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS), as a rare cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction, can be divided into primary/idiopathic vs. secondary type. The primary ACS is often asymptomatic and only diagnosed in exploratory laparotomy. The major treatment of surgery can be challenging. Since the gut wall and peritoneum are densely adhered, gut perforation might occur during adhesiolysis. Thus, it is important to have an experienced surgeon to perform the surgery.

Case presentation:

The authors present a primary ACS case of a 50-year-old man. The patient demonstrated an unbearable upper abdominal pain upon admission. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a severe bowel obstruction. An exploratory laparotomy was indicated, leading to the diagnosis of ACS, which was considered idiopathic after ruling out secondary factors. An adhesiolysis was performed successfully. Note that the entire intestine measured was only 2.1 m during the surgery. There was no post-surgical complication. The patient was recovered uneventfully.

Clinical discussion:

The aetiology of primary ACS is unknown. The incidence is comparatively low and considered equal between men and women. As a rare cause of gut obstruction, the suspicion of the diagnosis should be strengthened. Surgery including adhesiolysis and bowel resection remains the major treatment. If adhesiolysis fails, bowel resection will be inevitable. The knowledge and experience of surgeon will be tested.

Conclusion:

The aetiology of primary ACS should be further explored. And the differential diagnosis of bowel obstruction should cover ACS in order for the surgeon to be prepared before surgery.
COVID-19 and chronic kidney disease: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Jiang Wenze , Chen Yuting , Zhao Yuxin , Gao Yang , Cheng Tianyang , Qian Enhui , Hou Yating , Lu Keda
Published: December 2023

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 656 million confirmed cases and over 6.6 million deaths worldwide. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered a high-risk factor for COVID-19; therefore, considerable research has been conducted in this field. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of publications related to COVID-19 and CKD.

Methods:

Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database on 16 January 2023 and screened based on inclusion criteria. Then the authors used Microsoft Excel and CiteSpace to analyze the included publications from the following seven aspects: countries/regions, institutions, journals, authors, cited references, and keywords.

Results:

In total, 622 publications were included in the study. The USA has the most publications in this field, followed by China. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Harvard Medical School had the highest number of publications in the field. Journal of Clinical Medicine had the largest number of publications, and Lancet was the most cited journal. Alberto Ortiz was the author with the largest number of publications, but there were no influential authors in this field. The highly cited references are mainly clinical studies on COVID-19. Research hotspots in this field include end-stage recent disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney metastasis, diabetes Mellitus, acute kidney injury, meta-analysis, and consistent plasma.

Conclusions:

The USA, China, and some European countries and their institutions are major contributors to these publications. End-stage renal disease, acute kidney injury, kidney transplantation and convalescent plasma are current hot topics in the field.
Obstetric Racism, Education, and Racial Concordance
Authors: Major-Kincade Terri L.
Published: December 2023

The United States holds the distinction of being the developed country with the worst perinatal outcomes despite spending the most per capita on health care. Black women are three to four times more likely than White women to experience adverse birth outcomes. These outcomes persist despite access to prenatal care, insurance, and college education. A long overdue racial reckoning has arrived, beginning with acknowledging the fallacy of race-based medicine and the role of enduring systemic racism as foundational to obstetric racism in the reproductive lives of Black women. Centering voices of Black women and honoring their lived experiences are essential to providing respectful maternity care. Naming micro- and macroaggressions experienced by Black women allows for dismantling of systemic barriers which perpetuate inequitable outcomes and enable substandard care. Racial concordance (shared racial identity) is one tool to consider in creating safe health care spaces for Black women. Improving diversity of the nursing workforce specifically and the health care workforce in general is necessary to affect racial concordance. Application of skills in cultural humility can mitigate challenges associated with adverse patient encounters for Black women as diversity pipeline strategies are explored. Histories of foundational fallacy, their impact on care and outcomes, and patient-driven indicators for improving pregnancy care experiences for women of color are explored through the lens of a Black physician and the collective reproductive health workforce.
Postpartum Mental Health and Perceptions of Discrimination Among Asian Fathers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Goyal Deepika , Dol Justine , Huynh Jackie , Anand Sulekha , Dennis Cindy-Lee
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to examine the prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety symptomatology among fathers of Asian descent living in North America during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) to identify the occurrences of online racial discrimination.

Study Design and Methods:

Using a cross-sectional design and convenience sampling methods, we recruited fathers online via social media sites (Facebook, Instagram) between March 12 and July 31, 2022. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, General Anxiety Scale, and the Online Victimization Scale assessed mental health well-being and discrimination outcomes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two sample t-test, chi-square test of independence, and Pearson's correlation analysis.

Results:

Our sample included 61 fathers within 6 months postpartum living in the United States and Canada. Participants were on average 34 years old, married, and represented 17 Asian ethnic groups, including Asian Indian (41%), Filipino (11.3%), and Korean (8.1%). One-third of our participants (31.1%, n = 19) were at high risk of developing postpartum depression and scores of three (4.9%) fathers indicated they had clinically significant anxiety. Overall, 26.3% reported experiencing direct online racial discrimination and 65% reported occurrences of indirect online racial discrimination.

Clinical Implications:

There was a high rate of depressive symptoms and occurrences of online racial discrimination among fathers of Asian descent living in North America. These rates are higher than the general perinatal population and further research is warranted to examine risk factors and preventive strategies among this unique paternal ethnic group.
68Ga-Oxine–Labeled Erythrocytes as a New PET Tracer for the Localization of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Leder Theresa , Kühnel Christian , Gröber Sebastian , Drescher Robert , Freesmeyer Martin
Published: December 2023

A 69-year-old man presented with recurring drops in hemoglobin levels and suspected gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy did not show a site of bleeding so further examinations became necessary. Scintigraphy and SPECT/CT with 99mTcO4
−–labeled red blood cells were performed without evidence of a hemorrhage. Based on an established protocol for splenic PET/CT, autologous erythrocytes can be labeled with 68Ga-oxine and used as a tracer for the localization of active bleeding sites. In the patient, PET/CT with 68Ga-oxine–labeled undamaged erythrocytes was performed successfully and revealed a hemorrhage of the gastric corpus that was confirmed and treated by endoscopy.
ChIP-DIP: A multiplexed method for mapping hundreds of proteins to DNA uncovers diverse regulatory elements controlling gene expression
Authors: Perez Andrew A. , Goronzy Isabel N. , Blanco Mario R. , Guo Jimmy K. , Guttman Mitchell
Published: December 2023

Gene expression is controlled by the dynamic localization of thousands of distinct regulatory proteins to precise regions of DNA. Understanding this cell-type specific process has been a goal of molecular biology for decades yet remains challenging because most current DNA-protein mapping methods study one protein at a time. To overcome this, we developed ChIP-DIP (ChIP Done In Parallel), a split-pool based method that enables simultaneous, genome-wide mapping of hundreds of diverse regulatory proteins in a single experiment. We demonstrate that ChIP-DIP generates highly accurate maps for all classes of DNA-associated proteins, including histone modifications, chromatin regulators, transcription factors, and RNA Polymerases. Using these data, we explore quantitative combinations of protein localization on genomic DNA to define distinct classes of regulatory elements and their functional activity. Our data demonstrate that ChIP-DIP enables the generation of ‘consortium level’, context-specific protein localization maps within any molecular biology lab.
The α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 1 (ABHD1) acts as a lysolipid lipase and is involved in lipid droplet formation
Authors: Torres-Romero Ismael , Légeret Bertrand , Huleux Marie , Sorigue Damien , Damm Alicia , Cuiné Stéphan , Veillet Florian , Blot Carla , Brugière Sabine , Couté Yohann , Garneau Matthew G. , Kotapati Hari Kiran , Xin Yi , Xu Jian , Bates Philip D. , Thiam Abdou Rachid , Beisson Fred , Li-Beisson Yonghua
Published: December 2023

Lipid droplets (LDs) are the major sites of lipid and energy homeostasis. However, few LD biogenesis proteins have been identified. Here, usingChlamydomonasas a model, we show that ABHD1, a member of the α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein family, is a novel type of LD-associated protein which stimulates LD formation through two distinct actions on the LD surface, one enzymatic and the other structural. ABHD1 was localized to LD surface inChlamydomonascells. The knockout mutants contained similar amounts of triacylglycerols (TAG) but their LDs showed an increased content in lyso- derivatives of the betaine lipid diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS). Over-expression ofABHD1in Chlamydomonas induced LD formation and boosted TAG content, suggesting a key role in LD biogenesis. The purified recombinant ABHD1 protein hydrolyzed lyso-DGTS, producing a free fatty acid and a glyceryltrimethylhomoserine moiety. In vitro experiments using droplet- embedded vesicles showed that ABHD1 promoted LD emergence. Taken together, these results identify ABHD1 as a new player in LD formation by its lipase activity on lyso-DGTS and by its distinct biophysical property. This study further suggests that lipases targeted to LDs and able to act on their polar lipid coat may be interesting tools to promote LD assembly in eukaryotic cells.

Significant statement

Lipid droplets are subcellular organelles specialized for triacylglycerol storage. Their dynamic turnover is key to managing energy homeostasis in response to cell cycle states and environmental cues. To gain insights into LD biogenesis, we characterized a putative α/β- hydrolase (ABHD1) in the model algaeChlamydomonas reinhardtiiand show it is located at the LD surface. We found that ABHD1 overexpression promotes LD formation and acts as a lipase mainly on lyso derivatives of the betaine lipid diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS), the major lipid constituent of the LD hemi-membrane. We also show that ABHD1 has a remarkable biophysical property favoring LD budding. This work thus identifies a novel type of lipase acting on betaine lipid and provides a first example of a protein with a dual function nvolved in LD formation.
Melon: metagenomic long-read-based taxonomic identification and quantification using marker genes
Authors: Xi Chen , Yin Xiaole , Shi Xianghui , Yan Weifu , Yang Yu , Liu Lei , Zhang Tong
Published: December 2023

Long-read sequencing holds great potential for characterizing complex microbial communities, yet taxonomic profiling tools designed specifically for long reads remain lacking. Here we introduce Melon, a novel marker-based taxonomic profiler that capitalizes on the unique attributes of long reads. Melon employs a two-stage classification scheme to reduce computational time and is equipped with an expectation-maximization-based post-correction module to handle ambiguous reads. Melon achieves superior performance compared to other existing tools in both mock and simulated samples. Using wastewater metagenomic samples, we demonstrate the applicability of Melon by showing it is capable in providing reliable estimates of overall genome copies, and species-level taxonomic profiles.
Sequential genetic and epigenetic alterations in human pluripotent stem cells for recurrent abnormality
Authors: Kim Yun-Jeong , Kang Byunghee , Kweon Solbi , Oh Sejin , Kim Dayeon , Gil Dayeon , Lee Hyeonji , Kim Jung-Hyun , Ju Ji Hyeon , Roh Tae-Young , Hong Chang Pyo , Cha Hyuk-Jin
Published: December 2023

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are naturally equipped to maintain genome integrity to minimize genetic mutations during early embryo development. However, genetic aberration risks and subsequent cellular changes in hESCs duringin vitroculture pose a significant threat to stem cell therapy. While a few studies have reported specific somatic mutations and copy number variations (CNVs), the molecular mechanisms underlying ‘culture-adapted phenotype’ acquisitions of hESCs are largely unknown. Therefore, we conducted comprehensive genomic, single-cell transcriptomic, and single-cell ATAC-seq analyses of an isogenic hESC model displaying definitive ‘culture-adapted phenotypes.’ Notably, hPSCs with a copy number gain of 20q11.21 during early passage did not present ‘culture-adapted phenotypes’ norBCL2L1induction. Single-cell RNAseq and ATACseq analyses revealed active transcriptional regulation at 20q11.21 loci at late-passaged hESCs with the inducedBCL2L1andTPX2to trigger ‘culture-adapted phenotypes’ was associated with epigenetic changes facilitating TEA domain (TEAD) binding. These results suggest that copy number 20q11.21 gain and additional epigenetic changes are necessary for expressing ‘culture-adapted phenotypes’ by activating gene transcription at this specific locus.
The activated plant NRC4 immune receptor forms a hexameric resistosome
Authors: Liu Furong , Yang Zhenlin , Wang Chao , Martin Raoul , Qiao Wenjie , Carette Jan E. , Luan Sheng , Nogales Eva , Staskawicz Brian
Published: December 2023

Innate immune responses against microbial pathogens in both plants and animals are regulated by intracellular receptors known as Nucleotide-binding Leucine-rich Repeats (NLR) proteins. In plants, these NLRs play a crucial role in recognizing pathogen effectors, thereby initiating the activation of immune defense mechanisms. Notably, certain NLRs serve as “helper” NLR immune receptors (hNLR), working in tandem with “sensor” NLR immune receptors (sNLR) counterparts to orchestrate downstream signaling events to express disease resistance. In this study, we reconstituted and determined the cryo-EM structure of the hNLR required for cell death 4 (NRC4) resistosome. The auto-active NRC4 formed a previously unanticipated hexameric configuration, triggering immune responses associated with Ca2+influx into the cytosol. Furthermore, we uncovered a dodecameric state of NRC4, where the coil-coil (CC) domain is embedded within the complex, suggesting an inactive state, and expanding our understanding of the regulation of plant immune responses.

One Sentence Summary

The hexameric NRC4 resistosome mediates cell death associated with cytosolic Ca2+influx.
Emergence of AI enabled smart buildings in India: a road towards sustainable performance
Authors: Gupta Akshit , Tandon Urvashi
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The concept of sustainable performance is gaining attention from researchers all over the world for the betterment of society as a whole. Pollution and climate change has instigated an awareness to switch to sustainable built environment. The present research aims to analyze the indicators of adoption of smart buildings and their impact on dimensions of sustainability, namely, economic, social and environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 332 respondents staying in smart buildings. Structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The results of the study indicated adoption of smart buildings depicted a stronger perceived sustainable environmental and economic performance while social performance emerged as a weak outcome variable as compared to the other two performances.

Originality/value

The study thus has tremendous implications for construction companies so that they may design smart buildings by adequately using artificial intelligence. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the initial studies to understand the perception of residents of smart buildings using smart technology in India.
Trigger points and high growth firms: the vital role of founder “sensing” and “seizing” capabilities
Authors: Rees-Jones Rachael E. , Brown Ross , Jones-Evans Dylan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Research on high growth firms is booming yet a strong conceptual understanding of how these firms obtain (and sustain) rapid growth remains (at best) partial. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the role founders play in enabling episodes of rapid growth and how they help navigate this process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports the findings from a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs enlisted onto a publicly funded high growth business accelerator programme in Wales. These interviews explored the causes of the firms rapid growth, their key growth trigger points and the organisational consequences of rapid growth.

Findings

The research reveals that periods of high growth are intrinsically and inextricably inter-linked with the entrepreneurial traits and capabilities of their founders coupled with their ability to “sense” and “seize” pivotal growth opportunities. It also demonstrates founder-level dynamic capabilities enable firms to capitalise on pivotal “trigger points” thereby enabling their progression to a new “dynamic state” in a firm’s temporal evolution.

Originality/value

The novel approach towards theory building deployed herein is the use of theoretical elaboration as means of extending important existing theoretical constructs such as growth “trigger points” and founder dynamic capabilities. To capitalise on these trigger points, founders have to undergo a process of “temporal transitioning” to effectively manage and execute the growth process in firms. The work also has important policy implications, underlining the need for more relational forms of support for entrepreneurial founders.
Marketing intelligence and small firms' performance: the role of entrepreneurial alertness and effectuation
Authors: Karami Masoud , Hossain Mokter
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Knowledge of how entrepreneurial alertness (EA) and effectuation impact small firms' performance in uncertain markets is limited. Suggesting effectuation as a mediation mechanism between EA and small firms' performance, the authors explore how entrepreneurs of small firms apply effectual logic to translate their individual alertness to market opportunities into firms' performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of hypotheses is tested by partial least squares analysis of survey data collected from small firms in New Zealand.

Findings

The results show that effectuation works as a mechanism that mediates a positive association between founders'/managers' alertness to market opportunities and small firms' performance.

Originality/value

Integrating EA with the effectuation theory, the authors contribute to the literature on new market opportunity development and firm performance. The authors argue that entrepreneurs concentrate on action and resources to further develop their marketing intelligence in developing new market opportunities. The authors also enhance the understanding of entrepreneurial marketing decision-making by small firms in a relatively small economy in the Asia–Pacific region.
Autonomous vehicles adoption motivations and tourist pro-environmental behavior: the mediating role of tourists’ green self-image
Authors: Mehmood Shafaqat , Khan Salman
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of autonomous vehicles adoption motivations (i.e. technological, ecological and intrinsic motivation) on tourists’ pro-environmental behavior and verify the mediating role of tourists’ green self-image between the relationship of eco-friendly attitudes and autonomous vehicles adoption motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

The data from 586 national and international tourists were analyzed using the partial least squares method.

Findings

The findings revealed that eco-friendly attitude is a significant predictor of tourists’ green self-image; tourists’ green self-image is a significant predictor of autonomous vehicles adoption motivations; and autonomous vehicles adoption motivations are significant predictors of tourists’ pro-environmental behavior. In addition, tourists’ green self-image mediated the relationship between eco-friendly attitudes and autonomous vehicles adoption motivations.

Originality/value

These outcomes provide valuable guidance for the future development of green destination tourism and allow interesting implications for the tourism industry and autonomous vehicles adoption.
Feral pig (Sus scrofa) disturbance facilitates establishment of resource‐acquisitive species in Hawaiian forest understories
Authors: Peyton Michael , Curras Mauriel Rodriguez , Hotchkiss Sara
Published: December 2023

Invasive mammals exert pervasive effects on vegetation communities in island systems through several pathways, including by introducing novel disturbances. In Hawai‘i, feral pigs pose a particular threat to endemic species that evolved in the absence of native ungulates. The effects of pig soil disturbance on understory vegetation are contingent on the distribution and density of disturbed patches and subsequent species responses influenced by traits conferring growth and reproductive strategies. However, little is known about how these traits influence native‐ non‐native species turnover in response to pig disturbance, or how such disturbances affect trait‐mediated responses to other environmental variables.

Here we quantify the effects of leaf traits and dispersal attributes on species responses to pig soil disturbance at two spatial scales—0.5 m2 patches embedded along 20 m transects within sites—across a gradient of pig density in a Hawaiian montane wet forest using Bayesian mixed models.

Native and non‐native species demonstrated divergent responses, with increasing presence and abundance of non‐native species in the understory as soil disturbance within patches and sites increased. Dominant patterns in measured traits tracked the leaf economic spectrum (LES), with non‐native species tending toward resource‐acquisitive traits. Species with resource‐acquisitive traits, regardless of identity, were favoured with disturbance and responded positively to light availability in disturbed sites. Models showed species primarily dispersed by wind were more prevalent in disturbed patches and sites than those dispersed by endozoochory, while seed mass had no effect.

Our results suggest pig activity influences community composition and favours non‐native species establishment, and these effects are mediated in part by traits conferring rapid resource acquisition. We also show that the extent of disturbance at the site‐scale is relevant for the influence of leaf architecture on understory responses to light availability, demonstrating how the effects of disturbance are scale‐dependent and can influence species sorting along independent environmental gradients.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Wood density and leaf size jointly predict woody plant growth rates across (but not within) species along a steep precipitation gradient
Authors: Fajardo Alex , Siefert Andrew , Laughlin Daniel C.
Published: December 2023

Functional traits have been proposed to define key dimensions of plant ecological strategies, but we lack consensus on whether traits can accurately predict plant demography. Despite theoretical expectations, it has been challenging to find consistent relationships between functional traits and growth.

In this study, we quantified inter‐ and intraspecific trait variation (ITV) and individual growth rates of woody plants across a steep moisture gradient that varies 10‐fold in annual precipitation (350–3700 mm) in southern Chile and used a hierarchical Bayesian model to predict growth as a function of trait values.

We show that large‐leaved species with lower stem tissue density exhibited the fastest growth rates, and these two traits exhibited the highest proportion of interspecific variation. Predictions of growth improved considerably (R2 of the best model increased from 0.28 to 0.49) when species‐level multiple traits and their interactions were considered. The inclusion of ITV, however, did not improve models of growth rate.

We found that trait–growth rate relationships were not always consistent across levels of biological organization; relationships observed at the interspecific level did not necessarily hold at the intraspecific level. We found that the relationships between wood density or leaf size and growth were consistent in direction across the precipitation gradient, and the relationships between leaf economics traits and growth were weak and site‐specific.

Synthesis. Although using more than one functional trait considerably improved growth predictions, wood density and leaf size successfully predicted growth rates across (not within) species, which is consistent with a whole‐plant carbon economy. We assert that these two traits are intimately linked and ultimately describe a continuum of plant architecture and carbon economy that covers multiple trait syndromes.
Spatio‐temporal incidence of malaria patients in Incheon Metropolitan City
Authors: An Jung‐A , Lee Jeong Hyeon , Kim-Jeon MyungDeok , Hong Sung‐Jong , Kwon Hyung Wook
Published: December 2023

Malaria, a globally significant mosquito‐borne infectious disease, re‐emerged in the Republic of Korea, and manifested annually in regions close to the demilitarized zone. Notably, Incheon Metropolitan City has witnessed an alarming upswing in malaria infections in recent years, drawing attention to this public health issue. This research was conducted to catch spatio‐temporal and ecological landscape encompassing malaria patients and mosquito vectors in Incheon over the past decade. The top two incidences of malaria cases were found in Ganghwa‐gun and Seo‐gu, an occurrence potentially attributed to their geographic proximity to North Korea. Furthermore, the incidence of malaria infections displayed a seasonal pattern commencing in March, reaching its peak between June and August, and decreasing to a minimum in November. A correlation was noted between prevalence of malaria cases and number of mosquito breeding sites, such as ponds and rice fields within the region. Collectively, these research outcomes underlined the importance of systematically and holistically advocating mosquito elimination measures to enhance the efficacy of malaria eradication policies. These measures encompass the establishment of a robust mosquito outbreak surveillance system, targeted control of vector mosquitoes, residual pesticide spray, management of mosquito breeding sites, and adoption of repellents during outdoor activities.
Cpne7 deficiency induces cellular senescence and premature aging of dental pulp
Authors: Lee Yoon Seon , Park Yeoung‐Hyun , Hwang Geumbit , Seo Hyejin , Ki Si Hyoung , Bai Shengfeng , Son Chul , Roh Seong Min , Park Su‐Jin , Lee Dong‐Seol , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Seo You‐Mi , Shon Won Jun , Jeon Daehyun , Jang Mi , Kim Sahng G. , Seo Byoung‐Moo , Lee Gene , Park Joo‐Cheol
Published: December 2023

Once tooth development is complete, odontoblasts and their progenitor cells in the dental pulp play a major role in protecting tooth vitality from external stresses. Hence, understanding the homeostasis of the mature pulp populations is just as crucial as understanding that of the young, developing ones for managing age‐related dentinal damage. Here, it is shown that loss of Cpne7 accelerates cellular senescence in odontoblasts due to oxidative stress and DNA damage accumulation. Thus, in Cpne7‐null dental pulp, odontoblast survival is impaired, and aberrant dentin is extensively formed. Intraperitoneal or topical application of CPNE7‐derived functional peptide, however, alleviates the DNA damage accumulation and rescues the pathologic dentin phenotype. Notably, a healthy dentin‐pulp complex lined with metabolically active odontoblasts is observed in 23‐month‐old Cpne7‐overexpressing transgenic mice. Furthermore, physiologic dentin was regenerated in artificial dentinal defects of Cpne7‐overexpressing transgenic mice. Taken together, Cpne7 is indispensable for the maintenance and homeostasis of odontoblasts, while promoting odontoblastic differentiation of the progenitor cells. This research thereby introduces its potential in oral disease‐targeted applications, especially age‐related dental diseases involving dentinal loss.
Frequency of epilepsy and pathological EEG findings in a Norwegian sample of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Impact on cognition and adaptive functioning
Authors: Gerstner Thorsten , Henning Oliver , Løhaugen Gro , Skranes Jon
Published: December 2023

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) comprises a combination of developmental, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities that occur in children exposed to alcohol prenatally. A higher prevalence of epilepsy and pathological electroencephalographic (EEG) features have also been reported in individuals with FASD. We examined the frequency of epilepsy, pathological EEG findings, and their implications for cognitive and adaptive functioning in children with FASD.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 148 children with FASD who underwent a multidisciplinary assessment and a 120‐min EEG recording. Group comparisons and regression analyses were performed to test the associations between epilepsy and pathological EEG findings, FASD subgroups and neurocognitive test results and adaptive functioning.

Results

The frequency of epilepsy was 6%, which compares with 0.7% in Norway overall. Seventeen percent of children without epilepsy had pathological EEG findings. Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was diagnosed in 64% of the children. Children with epilepsy and/or pathological EEG findings had comparable cognitive and adaptive scores to those with normal EEG. However, children with frontal EEG pathology (without epilepsy) had significantly lower scores on the IQ indices Processing speed and Working memory than FASD children without such findings, irrespective of ADHD comorbidity.

Conclusions

There was a greater prevalence of epilepsy among children with FASD than in the general Norwegian population. A greater frequency of EEG pathology was also evident in children without epilepsy, across all FASD subgroups. Irrespective of epilepsy, ADHD comorbidity, and FASD subgroup, children with frontal EEG pathology, despite having a normal total IQ, showed significantly slower processing speed and poorer working memory, which may indicate specific executive function deficits that could affect learning and adaptive functioning.
A study of the genotoxicity, fertility and early embryonic development toxicity of rotigotine behenate extended‐release microspheres
Authors: Zhao Xinyu , Guo Chunmin , Zhang Hong , Yu Xin , Du Guagnying , Tian Jingwei , Liu Wanhui , Song Tao , Chen Xiaobo , Guo Wei
Published: December 2023

Continuous dopaminergic stimulation (CDS) has become an important strategy for the development of drugs to treat Parkinson's disease (PD). Rotigotine behenate extended‐release microspheres (RBEM) for injection represent a new treatment regime for CDS and are undergoing clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of RBEM on genotoxicity, fertility and early embryonic development. We used the Ames test, Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cell chromosome aberration test and the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test, to evaluate the genotoxicity of RBEM. These tests were all negative, thus indicating that RBEM did not induce genotoxicity. In reproduction toxicity testing in male rats on obvious findings following intramuscular administration (i.m.) of RBEM at up to 540 mg/kg (P > 0.5), when female rats were administered with RBEM in the dose range of 60 to 540 mg/kg given (i.m.), there were clear effects on fertility and early embryonic development. These results indicated that RBEM could induce toxicity in female rats and exert effect on fertility and early embryonic development stage.
Advancing ethics support in military organizations by designing and evaluating a value‐based reflection tool
Authors: van Baarle Eva , van Baarle Steven
Published: December 2023

Military employees face all sorts of moral dilemmas in their work. The way they resolve these dilemmas—how they decide to act based on their moral deliberations—can have a substantial impact both on society and on their personal lives. Hence, it makes sense to support military employees in dealing with these dilemmas. Military organizations already support their personnel by adopting compliance‐based approaches that focus, for instance, on enforcing moral rules. At the same time, however, they struggle to develop value‐based approaches that could foster moral learning by improving employees' understanding of personal values, others' values, and their responsibility for others. Consequently, military employees are not adequately supported in their ethical decision‐making when confronted with complex situations. To address this issue, drawing on a design research approach, we develop and evaluate the use of a value‐based reflection tool to support military employees with their moral decision‐making. The design and evaluation of the value‐based reflection tool were informed by five semistructured interviews, notes on 45 joint reflection meetings with trainers, and evaluation notes of 755 participants. Our findings suggest the value‐based reflection tool is a promising way to foster actors' moral competence in organizational settings by triggering the social mechanisms of reflection, empathy, and psychological safety. This study is the first to illustrate that value‐based ethics support can complement compliance‐based ethics support in a military organization. Furthermore, it demonstrates design research's potential to develop actionable knowledge for ethics support practices in organizations.
What's going on in there? Canadian government policy labs and public value management
Authors: Wellstead Adam M. , Ottenhof Nora , Evans Bryan , Gofen Anat
Published: December 2023

Government‐based policy labs have established themselves across the Canadian policy landscape. This article argues these labs contribute to public value management. We begin by reviewing the public value management literature, followed by Canadian contributions to the policy lab literature. Then, our inventory of 35 current Canadian government‐based policy labs is descriptively analyzed, including trends in spatial concentration, the tools and methods employed, their focus areas, the number of years in existence, and their primary role in the policy process. We randomly selected nine of these labs, provide more details of their activities, and present a preliminary public value management typology to analyze policy labs.
The important role of mothers during displacement: Direct and indirect effects of the refugee context on Syrian refugee children's mental health
Authors: Popham Cassandra M. , McEwen Fiona S. , Karam Elie , Pluess Michael
Published: December 2023

Refugee children are at increased risk for mental health problems, including post‐traumatic stress, depression, and externalizing problems. The refugee environment, maternal mental health, and parenting may reduce or exacerbate that risk. This study investigated their direct and indirect associations with child mental health cross‐sectionally in a sample of Syrian refugee child–mother dyads in Lebanon in 2017–19. Mediating pathways were tested using structural equation modeling with 1446 dyads (child: Mage = 11.39, 52.1% females) and again 1 year later with 872 (child: Mage = 12.17, 53.1% females) of the original sample. Mediating pathways from the refugee environment through maternal mental health and parenting to child outcomes were detected, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to refugee mental health.
A nomogram prediction of implant apical non‐coverage on bone‐added transcrestal sinus floor elevation: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Gao Jiayu , Yang Yufei , Yin Wumeng , Zhao Xiangqi , Qu Yili , Yang Xingmei , Wu Yingying , Xiang Lin , Man Yi
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To identify the risk indicators and develop and validate a nomogram prediction model of implant apical non‐coverage by comprehensively analyzing clinical and radiographic factors in bone‐added transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE).

Material and Methods

A total of 260 implants in 195 patients receiving bone‐added TSFE were included in the study. The population was divided into a development (180 implants) and a validation (80 implants) cohort. According to 6 months post‐surgery radiographic images, implants were categorized as “apical non‐coverage” or “apical covered.” The association of risk factors including clinical and radiographic parameters with implant apical non‐coverage was assessed using regression analyses. A nomogram prediction model was developed, and its validation and discriminatory ability were analyzed.

Results

The nomogram predicting bone‐added TSFE's simultaneously placed implant's apex non‐coverage after 6 months. This study revealed that sinus angle, endo‐sinus bone gain, implant protrusion length, graft contact walls, and distal angle were predictors of implant apical non‐coverage. The generated nomogram showed a strong predictive capability (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.845), confirmed by internal validation using 10‐fold cross‐validation (Median AUC of 0.870) and temporal validation (AUC = 0.854). The calibration curve and decision curve analysis demonstrated good performance and high net benefit of the nomogram, respectively.

Conclusions

The clinical implementation of the present nomogram is suitable for predicting the apex non‐coverage of implants placed simultaneously with bone‐added TSFE after 6 months.
Valproic acid ameliorates cauda equina injury by suppressing HDAC2‐mediated ferroptosis
Authors: Kong Qingjie , Li Fudong , Sun Kaiqiang , Sun Xiaofei , Ma Jun
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Persistent neuroinflammatory response after cauda equina injury (CEI) lowers nociceptor firing thresholds, accompanied by pathological pain and decreasing extremity dysfunction. Histone deacetylation has been considered a key regulator of immunity, inflammation, and neurological dysfunction. Our previous study suggested that valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, exhibited neuroprotective effects in rat models of CEI, although the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Methods

The cauda equina compression surgery was performed to establish the CEI model. The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan score, and the von Frey filament test were carried out to measure the animal behavior. Immunofluorescence staining of myelin basic protein and GPX4 was carried out. In addition, transmission electron microscope analysis was used to assess the effect of VPA on the morphological changes of mitochondria. RNA‐sequencing was conducted to clarify the underlying mechanism of VPA on CEI protection.

Results

In this current study, we revealed that the expression level of HDAC1 and HDAC2 was elevated after cauda equina compression model but was reversed by VPA treatment. Meanwhile, HDAC2 knockdown resulted in the improvement of motor functions and pathologic pain, similar to treatment with VPA. Histology analysis also showed that knockdown of histone deacetylase (HDAC)‐2, but not HDAC1, remarkably alleviated cauda equina injury and demyelinating lesions. The potential mechanism may be related to lowering oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the injured region. Notably, the transcriptome sequencing indicated that the therapeutic effect of VPA may depend on HDAC2‐mediated ferroptosis. Ferroptosis‐related genes were analyzed in vivo and DRG cells further validated the reliability of RNA‐sequencing results, suggesting HDAC2‐H4K12ac axis participated in epigenetic modulation of ferroptosis‐related genes.

Conclusion

HDAC2 is critically involved in the ferroptosis and neuroinflammation in cauda equina injury, and VPA ameliorated cauda equina injury by suppressing HDAC2‐mediated ferroptosis.
Study of the ketohexokinase inhibitor PF‐06835919 as a clinical cytochrome P450 3A inducer: Integrated use of oral midazolam and liquid biopsy
Authors: Qiu Ruolun , Fonseca Kari , Bergman Arthur , Lin Jian , Tess David , Newman Lauren , Fahmy Alia , Useckaite Zivile , Rowland Andrew , Vourvahis Manoli , Rodrigues David
Published: December 2023

PF‐06835919, a ketohexokinase inhibitor, presented as an inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in vitro (human primary hepatocytes), and static mechanistic modeling exercises predicted significant induction in vivo (oral midazolam area under the plasma concentration‐time curve [AUC] ratio [AUCR] = 0.23–0.79). Therefore, a drug–drug interaction study was conducted to evaluate the effect of multiple doses of PF‐06835919 (300 mg once daily × 10 days; N = 10 healthy participants) on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral midazolam 7.5 mg dose. The adjusted geometric means for midazolam AUC and its maximal plasma concentration were similar following co‐administration with PF‐06835919 (vs. midazolam administration alone), with ratios of the adjusted geometric means (90% confidence interval [CI]) of 97.6% (90% CI: 79.9%–119%) and 98.9% (90% CI: 76.4%–128%), respectively, suggesting there was minimal effect of PF‐06835919 on midazolam pharmacokinetics. Lack of CYP3A4 induction was confirmed after the preparation of subject plasma‐derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and conducting proteomic and activity (midazolam 1′‐hydroxylase) analysis. Consistent with the midazolam AUCR observed, the CYP3A4 protein expression fold‐induction (geometric mean, 90% CI) was low in liver (0.9, 90% CI: 0.7–1.2) and non‐liver (0.9, 90% CI: 0.7‐1.2) sEVs (predicted AUCR = 1.0, 90% CI: 0.9–1.2). Likewise, minimal induction of CYP3A4 activity (geometric mean, 90% CI) in both liver (1.1, 90% CI: 0.9–1.3) and non‐liver (0.9, 90% CI: 0.5‐1.5) sEVs was evident (predicted AUCR = 0.9, 90% CI: 0.6‐1.4). The results showcase the integrated use of an oral CYP3A probe (midazolam) and plasma‐derived sEVs to assess a drug candidate as inducer.
Endoclip with traction band‐assisted traction method for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with long oral protrusion of papilla
Authors: Ishikawa‐Kakiya Yuki , Maruyama Hirotsugu , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: December 2023

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The influence of graphite on the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of silica‐based ceramic cores
Authors: Naghibi Ayat , Kazemi‐nafchi Arqavan , Bavand‐vandchali Mohammad , Nayyeri Mohammad Javad
Published: December 2023

Due to their excellent thermal stability and chemical resistivity against molten metals, silica‐based ceramic cores have been prepared for use in nickel‐based superalloy investment casting via injection molding under 12 kPa pressure and 115°C temperature. This paper evaluated the effect of graphite as an additive on the thermal and mechanical properties of silica‐based ceramic cores. The results show that adding graphite increases the core's modulus of rupture (MOR) and hot MOR (at 1200°C) by 6% and 35% to 10.65 and 18 MPa, respectively. According to phase analysis by X‐ray diffraction, the presence of graphite reduced the crystallization behavior of fused silica and increased the open and closed porosity amounts by 2.5%–33.6%. Additionally, the formation of the in situ SiC phase due to reduction reactions decreases the shrinkage and enhances the strength of graphite‐containing bodies. No difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of samples in the presence of graphite has been detected.