bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rotation curves and dynamical masses of MaNGA barred galaxies
Authors: Schmidt Eduardo O , Mast Damián , Gaspar Gaia , Weidmann Walter
Published: May 2023

In this paper we analyse a sample of 46 barred galaxies of MaNGA. Our goal is to investigate the stellar kinematics of these galaxies and obtain their rotation curves. Additionally, we aim to derive the total stellar and dynamical masses, as well as the maximum rotation velocity, in order to examine their distributions and scaling relations. Using the Pipe3D dataproducts publicly available we obtained the rotation curves, which were fitted considering two components of an axisymmetric Miyamoto–Nagai gravitational potential. We found a wide range of the maximum rotation velocities (117–340 ${\rm km\, s^{-1}}$), with a mean value of 200 ${\rm km\, s^{-1}}$. In addition we found that the total stellar and dynamical masses are in the range of log(Mstar/M⊙) = 10.1−11.5, with a mean value of log(Mstar/M⊙) = 10.8, and log(Mdyn/M⊙) = 10.4−12.0, with a mean value of log(Mdyn/M⊙) = 11.1, respectively. We found a strong correlation between dynamical mass and maximum velocity, between maximum velocity and magnitude, and between stellar mass and maximum velocity. According to these results, barred galaxies exhibit similar behaviour to that of normal spiral galaxies with respect to these relations, as well as in terms of the distribution of their dynamical mass and maximum rotation velocity. However, we found that the distribution of stellar masses of barred galaxies is statistically different from other samples including non-barred galaxies. Finally, analysing the galaxies that show nuclear activity, we find no difference with the rotation curves of normal galaxies.
The role of soft photon injection and heating in 21 cm cosmology
Authors: Acharya Sandeep Kumar , Cyr Bryce , Chluba Jens
Published: May 2023

The ARCADE radio excess and EDGES measurement remain puzzling. A link between the two has been previously considered, however, in this work we highlight an important related effect that was not analysed in detail before. By performing cosmological thermalization calculations with soft photon injection using cosmotherm, we show that for the 21 cm signal generation, the interplay between enhanced radio spectral distortions and the associated heating can hide a significant radio excess before the reionization era. We illustrate this effect for a simple power-law soft photon source in decaying particle scenarios. Even if simplistic, the uncovered link between CMB spectral distortions and 21 cm cosmology should apply to a much broader range of scenarios. This could significantly affect the constraints derived from existing and future 21 cm observations on the evolution of the ambient radio background. In particular, scenarios that would be ruled out by existing data without heating could become viable solutions once the heating is accounted for in the modelling. Our calculations furthermore highlight the importance of global 21 cm observations reaching into the dark ages, where various scenarios can potentially be distinguished.
An Ancestral Balanced Inversion Polymorphism Confers Global Adaptation
Authors: Kapun Martin , Mitchell Esra Durmaz , Kawecki Tadeusz J , Schmidt Paul , Flatt Thomas
Published: May 2023

Since the pioneering work of Dobzhansky in the 1930s and 1940s, many chromosomal inversions have been identified, but how they contribute to adaptation remains poorly understood. In Drosophila melanogaster, the widespread inversion polymorphism In(3R)Payne underpins latitudinal clines in fitness traits on multiple continents. Here, we use single-individual whole-genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and published sequencing data to study the population genomics of this inversion on four continents: in its ancestral African range and in derived populations in Europe, North America, and Australia. Our results confirm that this inversion originated in sub-Saharan Africa and subsequently became cosmopolitan; we observe marked monophyletic divergence of inverted and noninverted karyotypes, with some substructure among inverted chromosomes between continents. Despite divergent evolution of this inversion since its out-of-Africa migration, derived non-African populations exhibit similar patterns of long-range linkage disequilibrium between the inversion breakpoints and major peaks of divergence in its center, consistent with balancing selection and suggesting that the inversion harbors alleles that are maintained by selection on several continents. Using RNA-sequencing, we identify overlap between inversion-linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms and loci that are differentially expressed between inverted and noninverted chromosomes. Expression levels are higher for inverted chromosomes at low temperature, suggesting loss of buffering or compensatory plasticity and consistent with higher inversion frequency in warm climates. Our results suggest that this ancestrally tropical balanced polymorphism spread around the world and became latitudinally assorted along similar but independent climatic gradients, always being frequent in subtropical/tropical areas but rare or absent in temperate climates.
Physiological responses of plants to in vivo X-ray damage from X-ray fluorescence measurements: insights from anatomical, elemental, histochemical, and ultrastructural analyses
Authors: Montanha Gabriel Sgarbiero , Marques João Paulo Rodrigues , Santos Eduardo , Jones Michael W M , de Carvalho Hudson Wallace Pereira
Published: May 2023

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is a powerful technique for the in vivo assessment of plant tissues. However, the potential X-ray exposure damages might affect the structure and elemental composition of living plant tissues, leading to artefacts in the recorded data. Herein, we exposed in vivo soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) leaves to several X-ray doses through a polychromatic benchtop microprobe X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, modulating the photon flux density by adjusting either the beam size, current, or exposure time. Changes in the irradiated plant tissues’ structure, ultrastructure, and physiology were investigated through light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Depending on X-ray exposure dose, decreased K and X-ray scattering intensities and increased Ca, P, and Mn signals on soybean leaves were recorded. Anatomical analysis indicated the necrosis of epidermal and mesophyll cells on the irradiated spots, where TEM images revealed the collapse of cytoplasm and cell wall breaking. Furthermore, the histochemical analysis detected the production of reactive oxygen species and the inhibition of chlorophyll autofluorescence in these areas. Under certain X-ray exposure conditions, e.g. high photon flux density and long exposure time, XRF measurements may affect the soybean leaves structures, elemental composition, and cellular ultrastructure, inducing programmed cell death. Our characterization shed light on the plant's responses to the X-ray-induced radiation damage and might help to establish proper X-ray radiation limits and novel strategies for in vivo benchtop-XRF analysis of vegetal materials.
Lanthanum carbonate, a potent and selective phosphate binder, is transported and absorbed mainly via M cells in gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Huang Hui-Xia , Liu Hui-Xue , Yang Xiao-Gai
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to investigate the transportation and absorption mechanism of lanthanum carbonate [La2(CO3)3] through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrated that La2(CO3)3 can be dissolved in gastric fluids and precipitated into lanthanum phosphate as the main transformed specie in intestinal fluid. Using Caco-2 cell monoculture and Caco-2/Raji B cell coculture models to simulate the intestinal epithelium and microfold (M) cells, it was found that the amount of lanthanum transported in Caco-2/Raji B coculture model was significantly higher than that in Caco-2 monoculture model (about 50 times higher), indicating that M cells play an important role in the intestinal absorption of La2(CO3)3. Furthermore, oral administration of La2(CO3)3 to Balb/c mice demonstrated that lanthanum can be absorbed by both Peyer's patches (PPs) and non-PPs intestinal epithelium, with a higher amount of absorption in the PPs per unit weight. This finding further confirmed that the lanthanum absorption in GI tract could be mainly due to the contribution of M cells. Meanwhile, the administration of La2(CO3)3 caused a marked lanthanum accumulation in liver, accompanied by the activation of Kupffer cells. This study clarified how La2(CO3)3 is absorbed through the GI tract to enter the body and would be helpful to evaluate its potential biological consequences of accumulation in human beings.
Defects boost graphitization for highly conductive graphene films
Authors: Zhang Qing , Wei Qinwei , Huang Kun , Liu Zhibo , Ma Wei , Zhang Zehui , Zhang Yanfeng , Cheng Hui-Ming , Ren Wencai
Published: May 2023

Fabricating highly crystalline macroscopic films with extraordinary electrical and thermal conductivities from graphene sheets is essential for applications in electronics, telecommunications and thermal management. High-temperature graphitization is the only method known to date for the crystallization of all types of carbon materials, where defects are gradually removed with increasing temperature. However, when using graphene materials as precursors, including graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and pristine graphene, even lengthy graphitization at 3000°C can only produce graphene films with small grain sizes and abundant structural disorders, which limit their conductivities. Here, we show that high-temperature defects substantially accelerate the grain growth and ordering of graphene films during graphitization, enabling ideal AB stacking as well as a 100-fold, 64-fold and 28-fold improvement in grain size, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, respectively, between 2000°C and 3000°C. This process is realized by nitrogen doping, which retards the lattice restoration of defective graphene, retaining abundant defects such as vacancies, dislocations and grain boundaries in graphene films at a high temperature. With this approach, a highly ordered crystalline graphene film similar to highly oriented pyrolytic graphite is fabricated, with electrical and thermal conductivities (∼2.0 × 104 S cm−1; ∼1.7 × 103 W m−1 K−1) that are improved by about 6- and 2-fold, respectively, compared to those of the graphene films fabricated by graphene oxide. Such graphene film also exhibits a superhigh electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of ∼90 dB at a thickness of 10 μm, outperforming all the synthetic materials of comparable thickness including MXene films. This work not only paves the way for the technological application of highly conductive graphene films but also provides a general strategy to efficiently improve the synthesis and properties of other carbon materials such as graphene fibers, carbon nanotube fibers, carbon fibers, polymer-derived graphite and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.
Acute Respiratory Infection Incidence and Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription Patterns in People With or Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: A Virtual Cohort Study
Authors: Sweet L , Daniels C , Xu X , Sunil T , Topal S , Chu X , Noiman A , Barsoumian A , Ganesan A , Agan B K , Okulicz J F
Published: May 2023

Background

Inappropriate antibiotic use in acute respiratory infections (ARIs) is a major public health concern; however, data for people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) are limited.

Methods

The HIV Virtual Cohort Study is a retrospective cohort of adult Department of Defense beneficiaries. Male PWH cases (n = 2413) were matched 1:2 to controls without HIV (n = 4826) by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and beneficiary status. Acute respiratory infection encounters between 2016 and 2020 and corresponding antibiotic prescriptions were characterized as always, sometimes, or never appropriate based on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision coding. Incidence of ARI encounters and antibiotic appropriateness were compared between PWH and controls. Subgroup analyses were assessed by CD4 count and viral load suppression on antiretroviral therapy.

Results

Mean rates of ARI encounters were similar for PWH (1066 per 1000 person-years) and controls (1010 per 1000 person-years); however, the rate was double among PWH without viral load (VL) suppression (2018 per 1000 person-years). Antibiotics were prescribed in 26% of encounters among PWH compared to 34% for controls (P ≤ .01); antibiotic use was “never” appropriate in 38% of encounters with PWH and 36% in controls. Compared to controls, PWH received more sulfonamides (5.5% vs 2.7%; P = .001), and variation existed among HIV subgroups in the prescription of sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, and β-lactams.

Discussion

Acute respiratory infection encounters were similar for PWH and those without HIV; however, PWH with lower CD4 counts and/or nonsuppressed VL had more frequent ARI visits. Inappropriate antibiotic use for ARIs was high in both populations, and focused interventions to improve antibiotic appropriateness for prescribers caring for PWH should be pursued.
Carcinoid Heart Disease Management: A Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration
Authors: Das Satya , Stockton Shannon S , Hassan Saamir A
Published: May 2023

Carcinoid heart disease (CaHD) is an important complication among patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome (CS). CS patients (25%-65%) eventually develop CaHD; these patients face a significantly increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Guidance papers (eg, clinical practice guidelines, consensus guidelines, and expert statements) have been established by major organizations across the disciplines of cardiology and oncology; however, these recommendations are not routinely implemented. The aim of this article is to encourage the integration of current recommendations from national societies into clinical practice. Early screening upon recognition of CS and prior to the development of CaHD symptoms is paramount, as no existing therapies are approved to reverse the fibrotic damage to the heart once it occurs. Valvular replacement is the only definitive treatment for CaHD once it has developed. When patients are noted to have urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels ≥300 µmol/24 h and/or serum N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels >260 pg/mL, echocardiography is recommended. Systemic approaches to control tumor growth and hormonal secretion include somatostatin analogs (SSAs), followed by options including peptide receptor radiotherapy (PRRT), everolimus and liver embolization. Telotristat is the primary choice for control of diarrhea refractory to SSA. Diuretics are the mainstay of heart failure symptom management for patients who develop CaHD. Considerations for future research are discussed, including the ongoing TELEHEART (TELotristat Ethyl in a HEART biomarker study) trial involving telotristat and not yet activated CHARRT (Carcinoid Heart disease And peptide Receptor Radiotargetted Therapy) study involving PRRT with lutetium 177 (177Lu) dotatate.
Novel Anti-HER2 Antibody-Drug Conjugates Versus T-DM1 for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer After Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Treatment
Authors: Ji Chenchen , Li Feng , Yuan Yang , Zhang Huiqiang , Bian Li , Zhang Shaohua , Wang Tao , Li Jianbin , Jiang Zefei
Published: May 2023

Background

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have been the preferred regimens for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) after trastuzumab. Unfortunately, there is little data showing which ADCs should be chosen for those patients whose treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) failed. This study aims to analyze the efficacy and safety between novel anti-HER2 ADCs and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) for those with TKIs failure.

Materials and methods

HER2-positive MBC using ADCs from January 2013 to June 2022 were included, and all of them were treated with TKIs. The primary study endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary study endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), and safety.

Results

A total of 144 patients with 73 patients in the novel anti-HER2 ADCs group and 71 patients in the T-DM1 group. In these novel ADCs, 30 patients received trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-Dxd), 43 patients receive other novel ADCs. The median PFS in the novel ADCs group and T-DM1 group were 7.0 months versus 4.0 months, respectively, and ORR was 54.8% versus 22.5%, CBR was 65.8% versus 47.9%, respectively. In subgroups analysis, the PFS were both significantly improved in patients receiving T-Dxd and other novel ADCs compared with T-DM1. The most common grades 3-4 adverse events in the novel anti-HER-2 ADCs group were neutropenia (20.5%) and thrombocytopenia (28.1%) in the T-DM1 group.

Conclusions

In patients with HER2-positive MBC previously treated with TKIs, both T-Dxd and other novel anti-HER2 ADCs yielded statistically significant better PFS than T-DM1 did, with tolerable toxicities.
DDT-RELATED PROTEIN4–IMITATION SWITCH alters nucleosome distribution to relieve transcriptional silencing in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Qiyan , Wang Zejia , Lu Xinyue , Yan Huiru , Zhang Huawei , He Hang , Bischof Sylvain , Harris C Jake , Liu Qikun
Published: May 2023

DNA methylation is a conserved epigenetic modification that is typically associated with silencing of transposable elements and promoter methylated genes. However, some DNA-methylated loci are protected from silencing, allowing transcriptional flexibility in response to environmental and developmental cues. Through a genetic screen in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we uncovered an antagonistic relationship between the MICRORCHIDIA (MORC) protein and the IMITATION SWITCH (ISWI) complex in regulating the DNA-methylated SUPPRESSOR OF DRM1 DRM2 CMT3 (SDC) reporter. We demonstrate that components of the plant-specific ISWI complex, including CHROMATIN REMODELING PROTEIN11 (CHR11), CHR17, DDT-RELATED PROTEIN4 (DDR4), and DDR5, function to partially derepress silenced genes and transposable elements (TEs), through their function in regulating nucleosome distribution. This action also requires the known transcriptional activator DNAJ proteins, providing a mechanistic link between nucleosome remodeling and transcriptional activation. Genome-wide studies revealed that DDR4 causes changes in nucleosome distribution at numerous loci, a subset of which is associated with changes in DNA methylation and/or transcription. Our work reveals a mechanism for balancing transcriptional flexibility and faithful silencing of DNA-methylated loci. As both ISWI and MORC family genes are widely distributed across plant and animal species, our findings may represent a conserved eukaryotic mechanism for fine-tuning gene expression under epigenetic regulation.
The P-body component DECAPPING5 and the floral repressor SISTER OF FCA regulate FLOWERING LOCUS C transcription in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Wanyi , Wang Chuanhong , Wang Yunhe , Ma Jing , Wang Tengyue , Tao Zhen , Liu Peipei , Li Shuai , Hu Yuanyuan , Gu Aiju , Wang Hui , Qiu Chunhong , Li Peijin
Published: May 2023

Flowering is the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth and is critical for plant adaptation and reproduction. FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) plays a central role in flowering time control, and dissecting its regulation mechanism provides essential information for crop improvement. Here, we report that DECAPPING5 (DCP5), a component of processing bodies (P-bodies), regulates FLC transcription and flowering time in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). DCP5 and its interacting partner SISTER OF FCA (SSF) undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) that is mediated by their prion-like domains (PrDs). Enhancing or attenuating the LLPS of both proteins using transgenic methods greatly affects their ability to regulate FLC and flowering time. DCP5 regulates FLC transcription by modulating RNA polymerase II enrichment at the FLC locus. DCP5 requires SSF for FLC regulation, and loss of SSF or its PrD disrupts DCP5 function. Our results reveal that DCP5 interacts with SSF, and the nuclear DCP5–SSF complex regulates FLC expression at the transcriptional level.
Delivering on Environmental Justice? U.S. State Implementation of the Justice40 Initiative
Authors: Conley Shannon , Konisky David M , Mullin Megan
Published: May 2023

President Biden has committed to a “whole of government approach” to address environmental and climate justice, which includes directing resources to historically underserved and overburdened populations. The Justice40 program is one of the signature programs in these efforts, requiring that 40 percent of the benefits of designated programs be targeted to disadvantaged communities. Because many federal spending programs that are part of the Justice40 initiative involve the transfer of funds from federal agencies to state governments, the Biden Administration will need the assistance of state officials if the initiative is to achieve its stated objectives. In this article, we study early state implementation of Justice40 in the area of transportation, focusing on the federal highway program and the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Our analysis of interviews with state officials and state NEVI plans reveals only modest differences between states in Justice40 implementation based on the partisanship of gubernatorial leadership, despite outspoken resistance to the initiative from many Republican governors. We also find that states that have made previous policy and institutional commitments to allocate resources in a manner similar to Justice40 are generally more receptive to this federal initiative.
Musculoskeletal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging study in 107 subjects
Authors: Corzo Garcia Patricia , Garcia-Duitama Ivan , Agustí Claramunt Anna , Duran Jordà Xavier , Monfort Jordi , Salman-Monte Tarek C
Published: May 2023

Objective

Joint involvement in SLE is the most frequent manifestation and shows a wide heterogeneity. It has not a valid classification and it is often underestimated. Subclinical inflammatory musculoskeletal involvement is not well known. We aim to describe the prevalence of joint and tendon involvement in hand and wrist of SLE patients, either with clinical arthritis, arthralgia or asymptomatic and compare it with healthy subjects using contrasted MRI.

Methods

SLE patients fulfilling SLICC criteria were recruited and classified as follows: group (G) 1: hand/wrist arthritis, G2: hand/wrist arthralgia, G3: no hand/wrist symptoms. Jaccoud arthropathy, CCPa and RF positivity, hand OA or surgery were excluded. Healthy subjects (HS) were recruited as controls: G4. Contrasted MRI of non-dominant hand/wrist was performed. Images were evaluated following RAMRIS criteria extended to PIP, Tenosynovitis score for RA and peritendonitis from PsAMRIS. Groups were statistically compared.

Results

A total of 107 subjects were recruited (G1: 31, G2:31, G3:21, G4:24). Any lesion: SLE patients 74.7%, HS 41.67%; P 0.002. Synovitis: G1: 64.52%, G2: 51.61%, G3: 45%, G4: 20.83%; P 0.013. Erosions: G1: 29.03%; G2: 54.84%, G3: 47.62%; G4: 25%; P 0.066. Bone marrow oedema: G1: 29.03%, G2: 22.58%, G3: 19.05%, G4: 0.0%; P 0.046. Tenosynovitis: G1: 38.71%; G2: 25.81%, G3: 14.29%, G4: 0.0%; P 0.005. Peritendonitis: G1: 12.90%; G2: 3.23%, G3: 0.0%, G4: 0.0%; P 0.07.

Conclusion

SLE patients have a high prevalence of inflammatory musculoskeletal alterations confirmed by contrasted MRI, even if asymptomatic. Not only tenosynovitis but peritendonitis is also present.
In the shadow of hierarchy: minimum wage commissions in the UK and Germany
Authors: Mabbett Deborah
Published: May 2023

The adoption of statutory minimum wages (MWs) has been accompanied by institutional innovations in the relationship between governments, employers and unions. In the UK and Germany, MW commissions were created to recommend or determine the MW. Their memberships are dominated by trade unionists and employers. Structures that engage the social partners ‘in the shadow of hierarchy’ can be efficient as well as politically expedient. They will be stable if, first, the social partners can establish a consensual basis for decisions and, second, this consensus position is near enough to the government’s position not to trigger intervention. The first condition has been met but not the second: both in the UK and Germany, governments have overridden employers and unions in order to introduce higher MWs. The article explores why this has happened and draws out the implications for MW fixing and the stability of shadow-of-hierarchy arrangements.
Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of sexual health among students in a Chinese medical college: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhao Jinhong , Li Yaqi , Wang Xuezhu , Wang Zhaojian , Yu Si , Li Tao
Published: May 2023

Background

Sexual health is an essential part of overall well-being, and medical students’ sexual education, level of sexual knowledge, and attitudes toward sexual health will affect their sexual behavior.

Aim

To explore the correlation among medical decision tendency, sex education level, and sexual health KAP (knowledge, attitudes, and practices).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in March 2019. Data were collected via online surveys with a self-developed questionnaire covering sexual KAP and sexual education. We used Spearman correlation to assess the effect of sexual education on KAP after scoring the related questions.

Outcomes

Outcomes included descriptive analysis and correlation of medical and nursing students’ KAP and education regarding sexual health.

Results

Medical and nursing students hold a high level of sexual knowledge (74.8%) and a positive attitude toward premarital sex (87.5%) and homosexuality (94.5%). By conducting the correlation analysis, we observed that medical and nursing students’ tendency to support friends’ homosexuality was positively correlated with the view that medical intervention for transgender or gay/lesbian people is unnecessary (P < .01). A positive correlation was also found between medical and nursing students who want more diverse sexual education and who would tend to provide patients with more humanistic care regarding their sexual needs (P < .01).

Clinical Translation

Medical and nursing students who want more diverse sexual education and who had higher scores in the sexual knowledge test tend to provide their patients with more humanistic care regarding sexual needs.

Strengths and Limitations

The research shows the current situation of medical and nursing students’ sexual education experience and preference and sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Heat maps were used to more intuitively describe the correlation between medical students’ characteristics and their sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and sex education. The results may not be generalizable across China, as the participants were from 1 medical school.

Conclusion

It is essential to provide sexual education for medical and nursing students to ensure a more humanistic approach to patient care regarding sexual needs; therefore, we recommend that medical schools invest in sexual education for medical and nursing students throughout their education.
Implementing an enhanced mailed FIT program to improve CRC screening at a federally qualified health center: experiences of patients and staff
Authors: Schneider Jennifer L , Rivelli Jennifer S , Vaughn Katherine A , Thompson Jamie H , Petrik Amanda F , Escaron Anne L , Coronado Gloria D
Published: May 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death in the USA. Screening programs in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are essential to reducing CRC-related mortality and morbidity among underserved populations. Centralized, population-based mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) programs can improve CRC screening rates, but barriers to implementation remain. We qualitatively explored barriers and facilitators to implementation of a mailed FIT program at a large, urban FQHC that employed advance notification “primers” (live calls and texts) and automated reminders. We interviewed 25 patients and 45 FQHC staff by telephone about their experience with the program. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and content analyzed using NVivo.12. Patients and staff found advance notifications conveyed through live phone calls or text messages to be acceptable and motivational for FIT completion. Live phone primers were helpful in addressing patients’ questions and misconceptions about screening, particularly for patients new to screening. Advance notifications sent by text were considered timely and useful in preparing patients for receipt of the FIT. Barriers to implementation included lack of receipt of primers, reminders, or the mailed FIT itself due to inaccurate patient contact information within the FQHC medical record; lack of systems for documenting mailed FIT outreach to coordinate with clinical care; and lack of local caller identification for primers and reminders. Our findings demonstrate that an enhanced mailed FIT program using primers and reminders was acceptable. Our findings can help other FQHCs implement and optimize their mailed FIT programs.
Maternal pre-conceptional glyphosate exposure impacts the offspring hepatic and ovarian proteome
Authors: Novbatova Gulnara , Timme Kelsey , Severin Andrew , Sayadi Maryam , Keating Aileen F
Published: May 2023

Glyphosate (GLY) is an herbicide used for rural and urban weed control. Urinary GLY in women is associated with shortened gestational length yet effects of GLY on offspring due to maternal exposure are unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that maternal chronic pre-conceptional GLY exposure would cause phenotypic and molecular changes in F1 offspring. Female C57BL/6 mice (7-week-old; n = 40) received saline vehicle control (CT; n = 20) or GLY (2 mg/kg; n = 20) daily per os for 10 weeks. At dosing completion, females were housed with unexposed males and divided into Cohort 1 who were euthanized at gestation day 14 (n = 10 per treatment) and Cohort 2 who completed gestation (n = 10 per treatment). F1 female ovarian and liver samples underwent LC-MS/MS and bioinformatic analysis. Maternal exposure did not affect litter (P > .05) sex ratio, or embryonic or neonatal gross phenotypes. In Cohort 2 offspring, no treatment effect on (P > .05) offspring anogenital distance, puberty onset, or ovarian follicular composition was noted. Body weight was increased (P < .05) in male GLY-exposed compared with CT dam offspring. F1 females from GLY-exposed dams had altered (P < .05) abundance of 54 ovarian and 110 hepatic proteins. Pathways altered in the ovary (false discovery rate [FDR] ≤ 0.07) included thermogenesis and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase-AKT signaling and in liver (FDR ≤ 0.08) included metabolic, glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and thermogenesis. Thus, pre-conceptional GLY exposure affected offspring phenotypic and molecular profiles potentially impacting reproductive health.
How does leaf succulence relate to plant drought resistance in woody shrubs?
Authors: Guo Bihan , Arndt Stefan K , Miller Rebecca E , Szota Christopher , Farrell Claire
Published: May 2023

Succulence describes the amount of water stored in cells or organs, regardless of plant life-form, including woody and herbaceous plants. In dry environments, plants with greater survival often have greater leaf succulence. However, it is unclear how leaf succulence relates to plant drought resistance strategies, including isohydry (closing stomata to maintain leaf water status) and anisohydry (adjusting cell turgor to tolerate low leaf water status), which exist on a continuum that can be quantified by hydroscape area (larger hydroscape area indicates more anisohydric). We evaluated 12 woody species with differing leaf succulence in a glasshouse dry-down experiment to determine relationships among leaf succulence (degree of leaf succulence, leaf succulent quotient and leaf thickness) and plant drought response (hydroscape area, plant water use, turgor loss point and predawn leaf water potential when transpiration ceased). Hydroscape areas ranged from 0.72 (Carpobrotus modestus S.T.Blake; crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants) to 7.01 MPa2 (Rhagodia spinescens R.Br.; C3 plants), suggesting that C. modestus was more isohydric and R. spinescens was more anisohydric. More isohydric species C. modestus, Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) Schwantes and Disphyma crassifolium (L.) L.Bolus (CAM plants) had greater leaf succulence, lower root allocation, used stored water and ceased transpiration at higher predawn leaf water potential, shortly after reaching their turgor loss point. The remaining nine species that are not CAM plants had larger hydroscape areas and ceased transpiration at lower predawn leaf water potential. Greater leaf succulence was not related to cumulative water loss until transpiration ceased in drying soils. All 12 species had high turgor loss points (−1.32 to −0.59 MPa), but turgor loss point was not related to hydroscape area or leaf succulence. Our data suggest that overall greater leaf succulence was related to isohydry, but this may have been influenced by the fact that these species were also CAM plants.
Functional responses of two Mediterranean pine species in an ozone Free-Air Controlled Exposure (FACE) experiment
Authors: Hoshika Yasutomo , Cotrozzi Lorenzo , Gavrichkova Olga , Nali Cristina , Pellegrini Elisa , Scartazza Andrea , Paoletti Elena
Published: May 2023

Effects of the phytotoxic and widespread ozone (O3) pollution may be species specific, but knowledge on Mediterranean conifer responses to long-term realistic exposure is still limited. We examined responses regarding to photosynthesis, needle biochemical stress markers and carbon and nitrogen (N) isotopes of two Mediterranean pine species (Pinus halepensis Mill. and Pinus pinea L.). Seedlings were grown in a Free-Air Controlled Exposure experiment with three levels of O3 (ambient air, AA [38.7 p.p.b. as daily average]; 1.5 × AA and 2.0 × AA) during the growing season (May–October 2019). In P. halepensis, O3 caused a significant decrease in the photosynthetic rate, which was mainly due to a reduction of both stomatal and mesophyll diffusion conductance to CO2. Isotopic analyses indicated a cumulative or memory effect of O3 exposure on this species, as the negative effects were highlighted only in the late growing season in association with a reduced biochemical defense capacity. On the other hand, there was no clear effect of O3 on photosynthesis in P. pinea. However, this species showed enhanced N allocation to leaves to compensate for reduced photosynthetic N- use efficiency. We conclude that functional responses to O3 are different between the two species determining that P. halepensis with thin needles was relatively sensitive to O3, while P. pinea with thicker needles was more resistant due to a potentially low O3 load per unit mass of mesophyll cells, which may affect species-specific resilience in O3-polluted Mediterranean pine forests.
Ecophysiological controls on water use of tropical cloud forest trees in response to experimental drought
Authors: Brum Mauro , Vadeboncoeur Matthew , Asbjornsen Heidi , Puma Vilca Beisit L , Galiano Darcy , Horwath Aline B , Metcalfe Daniel B
Published: May 2023

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) are expected to experience more frequent and prolonged droughts over the coming century, yet understanding of TCMF tree responses to moisture stress remains weak compared with the lowland tropics. We simulated a severe drought in a throughfall reduction experiment (TFR) for 2 years in a Peruvian TCMF and evaluated the physiological responses of several dominant species (Clusia flaviflora Engl., Weinmannia bangii (Rusby) Engl., Weinmannia crassifolia Ruiz & Pav. and Prunus integrifolia (C. Presl) Walp). Measurements were taken of (i) sap flow; (ii) diurnal cycles of stem shrinkage, stem moisture variation and water-use; and (iii) intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) estimated from foliar δ13C. In W. bangii, we used dendrometers and volumetric water content (VWC) sensors to quantify daily cycles of stem water storage. In 2 years of sap flow (Js) data, we found a threshold response of water use to vapor pressure deficit vapor pressure deficit (VPD) > 1.07 kPa independent of treatment, though control trees used more soil water than the treatment trees. The daily decline in water use in the TFR trees was associated with a strong reduction in both morning and afternoon Js rates at a given VPD. Soil moisture also affected the hysteresis strength between Js and VPD. Reduced hysteresis under moisture stress implies that TMCFs are strongly dependent on shallow soil water. Additionally, we suggest that hysteresis can serve as a sensitive indicator of environmental constraints on plant function. Finally, 6 months into the experiment, the TFR treatment significantly increased iWUE in all study species. Our results highlight the conservative behavior of TMCF tree water use under severe soil drought and elucidate physiological thresholds related to VPD and its interaction with soil moisture. The observed strongly isohydric response likely incurs a cost to the carbon balance of the tree and reduces overall ecosystem carbon uptake.
Concerns, Career Decisions, and Role Changes: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions of Autonomous Vehicles in the Trucking Industry
Authors: Van Fossen Jenna A , Schuster Amy M , Sperry Danielle , Cotten Shelia R , Chang Chu-Hsiang
Published: May 2023

The increasing adoption of automation will likely replace the tasks performed in many jobs, resulting in new challenges for workers. Yet, little is known regarding how workers perceive automation, including how it may influence their job attitudes and turnover intentions. Automated vehicles (AVs) are one example of new technology poised to alter the job of truck driving, which is overwhelmingly populated by older workers. In this study, we examined truck drivers’, supervisors’, and managers’ attitudes and concerns about AV adoption and its effects on driving jobs to help the transportation industry prepare for automation with minimal workforce disruption. We drew from theorizing on self-interest in economics and lifespan coping theories to contextualize workers’ reactions to automation. We conducted focus groups and interviews with truck drivers (N = 18), supervisors of drivers (N = 8), and upper-level managers of trucking companies (N = 25). Two themes emerged from the thematic analysis: the unknown, and proficiency. AVs may be viewed as threatening by drivers, causing anxiety due to widespread uncertainty and the fear of job loss and loss of control. At the same time, there will be a greater need for drivers to be adaptable for the era of AVs. AVs are also likely to result in other changes to the role of driving, which may have implications for driver recruitment and selection. We interpret our findings together with lifespan theories of control and coping and provide recommendations for organizations to effectively prepare for automation in the trucking industry.
Myeloid vitamin D receptor regulates Paneth cells and microbial homeostasis
Authors: Bakke Danika S. , Zhang Jilei , Zhang Yongguo , Ogbu Destiny , Xia Yinglin , Sun Jun
Published: May 2023

Cross talk between immune cells and the intestinal crypt is critical in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Recent studies highlight the direct impact of vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling on intestinal and microbial homeostasis. However, the tissue‐specific role of immune VDR signaling is not fully understood. Here, we generated a myeloid‐specific VDR knockout (VDRΔLyz) mouse model and used a macrophage/enteroids coculture system to examine tissue‐specific VDR signaling in intestinal homeostasis. VDRΔLyz mice exhibited small intestine elongation and impaired Paneth cell in maturation and localization. Coculture of enteroids with VDR−/− macrophages increased the delocalization of Paneth cells. VDRΔLyz mice exhibited significant changes in the microbiota taxonomic and functional files, and susceptibility to Salmonella infection. Interestingly, loss of myeloid VDR impaired Wnt secretion in macrophages, thus inhibiting crypt β‐catenin signaling and disrupting Paneth cell differentiation in the epithelium. Taken together, our data have demonstrated that myeloid cells regulate crypt differentiation and the microbiota in a VDR‐dependent mechanism. Dysregulation of myeloid VDR led to high risks of colitis‐associated diseases. Our study provided insight into the mechanism of immune/Paneth cell cross talk in regulating intestinal homeostasis.
TRPV4 regulates β1 integrin‐mediated cell–matrix adhesions and collagen remodeling
Authors: Ji Chenfan , Wang Yongqiang , Wang Qin , Wang Andrew , Ali Aiman , McCulloch Christopher A.
Published: May 2023

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid‐type 4 (TRPV4) is a mechanosensitive, Ca2+‐permeable plasma membrane channel that associates with focal adhesions, influences collagen remodeling, and is associated with fibrotic processes through undefined mechanisms. While TRPV4 is known to be activated by mechanical forces transmitted through collagen adhesion receptors containing the β1 integrin, it is not understood whether TRPV4 affects matrix remodeling by altering β1 integrin expression and function. We tested the hypothesis that TRPV4 regulates collagen remodeling through its impact on the β1 integrin in cell–matrix adhesions. In cultured fibroblasts derived from mouse gingival connective tissues, which exhibit very rapid collagen turnover, we found that higher TRPV4 expression is associated with reduced β1 integrin abundance and adhesion to collagen, reduced focal adhesion size and total adhesion area, and reduced alignment and compaction of extracellular fibrillar collagen. The reduction of β1 integrin expression mediated by TRPV4 is associated with the upregulation of miRNAs that target β1 integrin mRNA. Our data suggest a novel mechanism by which TRPV4 modulates collagen remodeling through post‐transcriptional downregulation of β1 integrin expression and function.
Sacral neuromodulation in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
Authors: Pham Cecile T. , Parkin Cameron J. , Kovacic James , Yeow Siying , Yang Yunzhi , Delaney Danielle , Chung Amanda
Published: May 2023

Background

Limited published data exist regarding the utility of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), consisting of only small case series, and, to our knowledge, no Australian data have been published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of SNM for treatment of NLUTD in Australian patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients who received a permanent SNM implant between December 2014 and March 2021. Patients completed a urodynamic test preoperatively. They completed a 3-day bladder diary, uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual measurement preoperatively and at 6-month intervals postoperatively following SNM insertion. Urinary function, patient-reported outcome measures, and adverse events were assessed.

Results

A total of 36 patients received a permanent SNM implant. The mean duration of follow-up was 25 ± 20 months, with the majority (89%, n = 32) of patients reporting a >50% improvement on bladder diary evaluation. There was a significant increase in void volume (p < 0.001), decrease in postvoid residual (p < 0.001), decrease in voiding frequency (p < 0.001), decrease in incontinence episodes (p = 0.002), and decrease in pad number (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in peak flow (p = 0.21). There was no significant difference in SNM efficacy between patients with progressive or nonprogressive neurological conditions.

Conclusions

Sacral neuromodulation is a safe and effective therapy for NLUTD in the context of both progressive and nonprogressive neurological conditions. It should be offered more readily to patients with NLUTD as a minimally invasive treatment option with the potential to make clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life.
Cardiac arrest in the perioperative period: a consensus guideline for identification, treatment, and prevention from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery
Authors: Hinkelbein Jochen , Andres Janusz , Böttiger Bernd W. , Brazzi Luca , De Robertis Edoardo , Einav Sharon , Gwinnutt Carl , Kuvaki Bahar , Krawczyk Pawel , McEvoy Matthew D. , Mertens Pieter , Moitra Vivek K. , Navarro-Martinez Jose , Nunnally Mark E. , O’Connor Michael , Rall Marcus , Ruetzler Kurt , Schmitz Jan , Thies Karl , Tilsed Jonathan , Zago Mauro , Afshari Arash
Published: May 2023

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac arrest in the operating room is a rare but potentially life-threatening event with mortality rates of more than 50%. Contributing factors are often known, and the event is recognised rapidly as patients are usually under full monitoring. This guideline covers the perioperative period and is complementary to the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery jointly nominated a panel of experts to develop guidelines for the recognition, treatment and prevention of cardiac arrest in the perioperative period. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. All searches were restricted to publications from 1980 to 2019 inclusive and to the English, French, Italian and Spanish languages. The authors also contributed individual, independent literature searches.

RESULTS

This guideline contains background information and recommendation for the treatment of cardiac arrest in the operating room environment, and addresses controversial topics such as open chest cardiac massage (OCCM), resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion (REBOA) and resuscitative thoracotomy, pericardiocentesis, needle decompression and thoracostomy.

CONCLUSION

Successful prevention and management of cardiac arrest during anaesthesia and surgery requires anticipation, early recognition and a clear treatment plan. The ready availability of expert staff and equipment must also be taken into consideration. Success not only depends on medical knowledge, technical skills and a well organised team using crew resource management but also on an institutional safety culture embedded in everyday practice through continuous education, training and multidisciplinary co-operation.