bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation, reactivation and exhumation of the extruded basement wedge in the southern Longmen Shan, eastern Tibetan plateau
Authors: Xu Zhiqin , Li Haibing , Tian Yuntao , Wang Qin , Yu Changqin , Li Guangwei , Ji Shaocheng , Faure Michel , Chevalier Marie-Luce
Published: June 2024

The Longmen Shan (LMS) fold-and-thrust belt in the eastern Tibetan plateau marks the boundary between the Songpan–Ganze terrane and the Sichuan basin. Deformation mechanisms and the mountain building process in the LMS remain unclear. Here we conducted field mapping, structural analysis,
40
Ar/
39
Ar geochronology of biotite, and re-interpretation of the Wenchuan Earthquake Fault Scientific Drilling borehole data and a seismic reflection profile across the LMS. Our results indicate that a gently dipping LMS extruded wedge overlies the reactivated Yangtze craton. This wedge consists of several rigid Neoproterozoic complexes, bounded by the NW-dipping LMS detachment above and the Yingxiu–Beichuan thrust below. The Yingxiu–Beichuan thrust extends northwestwards to a depth of
c.
8 km beneath the Songpan–Ganze terrane. Coeval activation of the top-to-the-NW LMS detachment and the top-to-the-SE Yingxiu–Beichuan thrust in the Early Cretaceous resulted in the extrusion of the LMS wedge from a depth of 10–15 km. The wedge rapidly exhumed through imbricated thrusting along low-strength series since 40–30 Ma. This Cretaceous basement wedge extrusion bridges the time gap between the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic crustal shortening and the Cenozoic rapid exhumation in the LMS, representing a transformation from north–south compression in the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic to east–west compression in the Cenozoic.
AraSpot: Arabic Spoken Command Spotting
Authors: Salhab Mahmoud , Harmanani Haidar
Published: June 2024

Spoken keyword spotting is the task of identifying a keyword in an audio stream and is widely used in smart devices at the edge to activate voice assistants and perform hands-free tasks. The task is daunting as there is a need to achieve high accuracy while at the same time ensuring that such systems continue to run efficiently on low power and possibly limited computational capabilities devices. This work presents AraSpot for Arabic keyword spotting trained on 40 Arabic keywords, using different online data augmentation and introducing ConformerGRU model architecture. Finally, we further improve the performance of the model by training a text-to-speech model for synthetic data generation. AraSpot achieved a state-of-the-art 99.59% result outperforming previous approaches.

1
Production of Smart Packaging Chitosan Films Utilizing Malva sylvestris Mucilage and Rubia tinctorum Extract for Enhancing Fish Freshness and Prolonging Shelf Life
Authors: Soleymani Najafabadi Meysam , Shakerian Amir , Mashak Zohreh , Rahimi Ebrahim
Published: June 2024

In the dynamic landscape of food technology, where ensuring freshness and extending shelf life are paramount concerns, active packaging stands at the forefront of innovation. This study explores the utilization of natural resources in the development of smart packaging solutions aimed at enhancing the freshness of perishable foods. Specifically, chitosan films incorporating Malva sylvestris mucilage and Rubia tinctorum extract are investigated for their efficacy in preserving the quality of fish products. Through a series of experiments and analyses, this research elucidates the potential of these bio‐based materials to revolutionize packaging practices, offering a sustainable and effective means of prolonging the shelf life of perishable goods while maintaining their quality and safety. Assessment of the antimicrobial properties of Rubia tinctorum hydroethanolic extract revealed that Staphylococcus aureus displayed higher susceptibility to this extract with the lowest MIC value (2.60 ± 0.09 mg/ml) and MBC value (5.20 ± 0.09 mg/ml) as well as the highest inhibition zone (16.33 ± 0.50 mm). For the composites with different concentrations of hydroethanolic Rubia tinctorum extracts, the lightness value significantly (p < 0.05) increased at neutral pH. After days of storage, the pH in the fish sample surpassed the threshold (7), leading to a corresponding change in the indicator film’s color. Also, samples coated with higher levels of Rubia tinctorum extract in active/smart chitosan films with Malva sylvestris mucilage had lower pH, thiobarbituric acid, total volatile nitrogen, and microbial population (mesophile, psychrophile, and Enterobacteriaceae). The highest appearance score, surface glaze score, and overall odor acceptance in samples 4 (fish coated with active/smart chitosan with Malva sylvestris containing 0.6% Rubia tinctorum extract) and 5 (fish coated with active/smart chitosan with Malva sylvestris contained 1.2% Rubia tinctorum extract) (p ≤ 0.05) suggest that this application may contribute to the observed perceptual qualities. This novel indicator film has the potential to function as intelligent packaging for monitoring fish freshness. Additional research can delve into the precise mechanisms driving these effects and fine‐tune the formulation for particular applications.
A Language and Its Dimensions: Intrinsic Dimensions of Language Fractal Structures
Authors: Gromov Vasilii A. , Borodin Nikita S. , Yerbolova Asel S.
Published: June 2024

The present paper introduces a novel object of study, a language fractal structure; we hypothesize that a set of embeddings of all n‐grams of a natural language constitutes a representative sample of this fractal set. (We use the term Hailonakea to refer to the sum total of all language fractal structures, over all n). The paper estimates intrinsic (genuine) dimensions of language fractal structures for the Russian and English languages. To this end, we employ methods based on (1) topological data analysis and (2) a minimum spanning tree of a data graph for a cloud of points considered (Steele theorem). For both languages, for all n, the intrinsic dimensions appear to be noninteger values (typical for fractal sets), close to 9 for both of the Russian and English language.
Targeting the TRIM14/USP14 Axis Enhances Immunotherapy Efficacy by Inducing Autophagic Degradation of PD-L1
Authors: Liu Di , Li Mengqiu , Zhao Zhiyao , Zhou Liang , Zhi Feng , Guo Zhiyong , Cui Jun
Published: June 2024

Immunotherapy has greatly improved cancer treatment in recent years by harnessing the immune system to target cancer cells. The first immunotherapeutic agent approved by the FDA was IFNα. Treatment with IFNα can lead to effective immune activation and attenuate tumor immune evasion, but persistent treatment has been shown to elicit immunosuppressive effects. Here, we identified an autophagy-dependent mechanism by which IFNα triggers tumor immune evasion by upregulating PD-L1 to suppress the antitumor activity of CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, IFNα increased the transcription of TRIM14, which recruited the deubiquitinase USP14 to inhibit the autophagic degradation of PD-L1. USP14 removed K63-linked ubiquitin chains from PD-L1, impairing its recognition by the cargo receptor p62 (also known as SQSTM1) for subsequent autophagic degradation. Combining the USP14 inhibitor IU1 with IFNα and anti-CTLA4 treatment effectively suppressed tumor growth without significant toxicity. This work suggests a strategy for targeting selective autophagy to abolish PD-L1-mediated cancer immune evasion.

Significance: IFNα-induced TRIM14 transcription suppresses antitumor immunity by recruiting USP14 to inhibit autophagic degradation of PD-L1, indicating that targeting this axis could be an effective immunotherapeutic approach for treating cancer.
Dotting Out AML by Targeting Fibrillarin
Authors: Luo Hanzhi , Kharas Michael G.
Published: June 2024

Dysregulated biomolecular condensates, formed through multivalent interactions among proteins and nucleic acids, have been recently identified to drive tumorigenesis. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), condensates driven by RNA-binding proteins alter transcriptional networks. Yang and colleagues performed a CRISPR screen and identified fibrillarin (FBL) as a new driver in AML leukemogenesis. FBL depletion caused cell cycle arrest and death in AML cells, with minimal impact on normal cells. FBL’s phase separation domains are essential for pre-rRNA processing, influencing AML cell survival by regulating ribosome biogenesis and the translation of oncogenic proteins like MYC. Therapeutically, the chemotherapeutic agent CGX-635 targets FBL, inducing its aggregation, impairing pre-rRNA processing, and reducing AML cell survival. This highlights FBL’s phase separation as a therapeutic vulnerability in AML. These findings suggest that targeting the phase separation properties of RNA-binding proteins could offer a novel and effective strategy for AML treatment. Further research into condensate dynamics in cancer and development of condensate-modulating drugs holds significant promise for future cancer therapies.
The Discovery of a Potent PARP1 Inhibitor Senaparib
Authors: Cai Sui X. , Ma Ning , Wang Xiaozhu , Guo Mingchuan , Jiang Yangzhen , Tian Ye E.
Published: June 2024

PARP1 is a critical enzyme involved in DNA damage repair. It belongs to a superfamily of proteins and catalyzes poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation). PARP1 inhibitors are effective to treat tumors that have homologous recombination deficiency such as those with BRCA1/2 mutations. The PARP1 inhibitors that have been approved by FDA inhibit both PARP1 and PARP2. PARP2 has also been suggested to play a similar function in DNA repair as PARP1. In addition to inhibiting PARP1 enzymatic activities, PARP1 inhibitors cause the PARP1 enzyme to be “trapped” on DNA, stalling the DNA replication fork and eventually causing double-strand DNA breaks and cell death. Here, we report a PARP1 inhibitor, Senaparib, which has a novel chemical structure and high potency inhibiting PARP1/2 enzymes. Senaparib was highly potent in cell viability tests against tumor cells with BRCA1/2 mutations. It was efficacious in cell line-derived and patient-derived xenograft models in tumors harboring BRCA1/2 mutations. In combination studies, Senaparib used with temozolomide had shown strong synergistic cytotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Senaparib represents a novel class of PARP1 inhibitors that can be used for the treatment of cancer. A phase III clinical study of Senaparib for maintenance treatment following first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer has met its primary endpoint, and a new drug application of Senaparib has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration of China for review.
Hypoxia-Induced Long Noncoding RNA HIF1A-
AS2 Regulates Stability of MHC Class I Protein in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Liao Tsai-Tsen , Chen Yu-Hsien , Li Zih-Yu , Hsiao An-Ching , Huang Ya-Li , Hao Ruo-Xin , Tai Shyh-Kuan , Chu Pen-Yuan , Shih Jing-Wen , Kung Hsing-Jien , Yang Muh-Hwa
Published: June 2024

Intratumoral hypoxia not only promotes angiogenesis and invasiveness of cancer cells but also creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that facilitates tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which hypoxic tumor cells disseminate immunosuppressive signals remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that a hypoxia-induced long noncoding RNA HIF1A Antisense RNA 2 (HIF1A-AS2) is upregulated in hypoxic tumor cells and hypoxic tumor-derived exosomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) was found to directly bind to the regulatory region of HIF1A-AS2 to enhance its expression. HIF1A-AS2 reduced the protein stability of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) by promoting the interaction between the autophagy cargo receptor neighbor of BRCA1 gene 1 (NBR1) protein and MHC-I, thereby increasing the autophagic degradation of MHC-I. In HNSCC samples, the expression of HIF1A-AS2 was found to correlate with hypoxic signatures and advanced clinical stages. Patients with high HIF1α and low HLA-ABC expression showed reduced infiltration of CD8+ T cells. These findings define a mechanism of hypoxia-mediated immune evasion in HNSCC through downregulation of antigen-presenting machinery via intracellular or externalized hypoxia-induced long noncoding RNA.
Releituras da tradição: Pode um desejo imenso (2002), de Frederico Lourenço
Authors: Félix Maurício Dutra , Valentim Jorge Vicente
Published: June 2024

Based on the perception of some affinities between the presuppositions of a poetics of postmodernism, as outlined by Linda Hutcheon (1991), and the novelistic plot of Pode um desejo imenso (2002), by the Portuguese writer Frederico Lourenço, we propose a reading of the fictional work in focus, observing the revisitations proposed by the author, sometimes from a classical heritage in the construction of characters that reinvigorate and rewrite the lines of a homoaffective relationship (in connection with the pederasty of Ancient Greece), sometimes from a literary camonian tradition, in which one of the protagonists tries to present a lecture on the homoerotic echoes in one of Camões' rhymes. In a kind of projection, Frederico Lourenço re-reads both the Platonic postulates and the Camões lyrical nuances, creating a story of a couple of characters who dare to say the name of the love that unites them.
Eduardo Lourenço perante o Livro do desassossego
Authors: Corrêa Flávio Rodrigo Vieira Lopes Penteado
Published: June 2024

Em 1982, a primeira edição exaustiva de textos atribuíveis ao Livro do desassossego impactou, de forma decisiva, os estudos sobre a obra de Fernando Pessoa. Isso porque aqueles textos não apenas ofereciam novos vieses para a compreensão da heteronímia, mas também colocavam em causa o seu mito genesíaco, segundo o qual o surgimento de Caeiro, Reis e Campos em 1914 teria correspondido a um instante de ruptura no processo criativo pessoano. Eduardo Lourenço foi especialmente sensível a tais mudanças de paradigma, conforme testemunham ensaios compilados por ele em Fernando, rei da nossa Baviera (1986), a maioria dos quais escritos após a publicação daquela “espécie de não-livro ou livro impossível”. Em um deles, insuflado pela obra recentemente dada à luz, o ensaísta concebe a “heteronímia clássica” como camuflagem do “heteronimismo original” que desde cedo terá presidido a criação pessoana. Propondo-se a refletir sobre a presumível mudança de perspectiva operada pelo Livro na forma como Lourenço pensa Pessoa e a tradição crítica do autor, este artigo sugere que hipóteses aventadas pelo ensaísta a partir de então estavam latentes em textos mais antigos, inclusive Pessoa revistado (1973). Desse modo, convocam-se também outros ensaios reunidos nos dois volumes de estudos pessoanos nas Obras completas de Eduardo Lourenço, chanceladas pela Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, os quais propiciam a apreensão das linhas de força do conjunto ensaístico que ele consagrou a Fernando Pessoa.
Epipogium Borkh. (Orchidaceae): a new generic record for Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: P. Janaki Rao  , J. Prakasa Rao  , S.B. Padal
Published: June 2024

Epipogium roseum (D.Don) Lindl., an ephemeral, achlorophyllous, mycoheterotrophic, terrestrial orchid is reported as a new state record after its first collection from the Paderu hills of Andhra Pradesh, India. Detailed descriptions, information on the type, ecology, photographs, and details of voucher specimens are provided.
Bio-ecology of the bush cricket Tarbinskiellus portentosus (Lichtenstein, 1796) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae): a relished edible insect in Nagaland, India
Authors: Kiewhuo Patricia , Jing Lirikum , Ao Bendang , Kakati Lakhminandan
Published: June 2024

Tarbinskiellus portentosus (Lichtenstein, 1796) (bush cricket), also called “viituo” in the Angami dialect, belongs to the order Orthoptera and the family Gryllidae. It is one of the most common edible insects found in Nagaland and is a potential source of animal protein and other nutrients. Despite being highly preferred as food and relished, studying their ecology, biology, and market potential is nonexistent, at least in Nagaland, India. Therefore, the present study was conducted to fill the knowledge gap on the biology and market potential of T. portentosus. Insects were collected from the wild and reared as stock at 20–25 °C. The results show that T. portentous undergoes seven nymphal instars to fully develop into an adult with an average growth rate of 9.94 ± 2.43 mg/day. T. portentosus is found in the grassland vegetation in burrows up to 800 mm depth. Adult males weigh about 2940 ± 93.0 mg, and females weigh 2980 ± 200 mg. The incubation period of eggs was 33.8 ± 0.96 days and showed a moderate percent of hatching efficiency (45.20 ± 0.28). In laboratory conditions, this cricket completed its life cycle in 341 ± 4.29 days. Collection of adults involves handpicking and pouring water, cleaning involves a gut removal process through head pulling, and preparation for consumption is done by cooking with local spices, fried or roasted. T. portentosus are sold in the local market at INR 300/- for 250–300 g. With scanty information on growth and reproduction, the present study serves as a baseline for future studies on the biology of T. portentosus that may uplift the local market through mass rearing.
Philippine Warty Pig Sus philippensis Nehring, 1886: level of awareness and conservation practices in Datal Bad, West Lamidan, Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, Philippines
Authors: Avenido Pedro M.
Published: June 2024

The Philippines is a biodiversity hotspot with four endemic wild pig species. The Philippine Warty Pig is a medium to large size mammal that is usually solitary. They commonly exhibit crop raiding behavior, and hunting by farmers and poachers decreases populations of this species, which is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of Philippine Warty Pig conservation practices among locals in sitio Datal Bad, West Lamidan, Don Marcelino Davao Occidental, Philippines. Responses (N = 50) were gathered by a survey questionnaire. Respondents were highly aware of Philippine Warty Pigs and policies toward wildlife conservation. They reported hunting pigs using air guns ‘sorit’, bow and arrow ‘papana’, harpoon ‘bangkaw’, and snare ‘lit-ag’. The respondents added that they performed religious rituals and farming that may pose threats to Philippine Warty Pigs. They also manifested a willingness to work with government and academic institutions to enhance knowledge about conservation of pigs and other wildlife in their locality.
A Closer Look at Classification Evaluation Metrics and a Critical
Reflection of Common Evaluation Practice
Authors: Opitz Juri
Published: June 2024

Classification systems are evaluated in a countless number of papers. However, we find that evaluation practice is often nebulous. Frequently, metrics are selected without arguments, and blurry terminology invites misconceptions. For instance, many works use so-called ‘macro’ metrics to rank systems (e.g., ‘macro F1’) but do not clearly specify what they would expect from such a ‘macro’ metric. This is problematic, since picking a metric can affect research findings and thus any clarity in the process should be maximized. Starting from the intuitive concepts of bias and prevalence, we perform an analysis of common evaluation metrics. The analysis helps us understand the metrics’ underlying properties, and how they align with expectations as found expressed in papers. Then we reflect on the practical situation in the field, and survey evaluation practice in recent shared tasks. We find that metric selection is often not supported with convincing arguments, an issue that can make a system ranking seem arbitrary. Our work aims at providing overview and guidance for more informed and transparent metric selection, fostering meaningful evaluation.
A review of the flying fish genus Cypselurus (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae). Part 3. Revision of the subgenus Cypselurus sensu stricto with descriptions of one new species and four new subspecies and reinstatement of Cypselurus crockeri Seale and Exocoetus socotranus Steindachner
Authors: SHAKHOVSKOY ILIA B. , PARIN NIKOLAY V.
Published: June 2024

The third and final part of the review of flying fishes of the genus Cypselurus Swainson, focused on subgenus Cypselurus s.str., is presented. The first and the second parts of the review (Shakhovskoy & Parin 2019, 2022) were devoted to the subgenera Zonocypselurus Parin & Bogorodsky and Poecilocypselurus Bruun. The subgenus Zonocypselurus was shown to be invalid and its species were transferred to the subgenus Poecilocypselurus. Thus, the number of subgenera within the genus Cypselurus was reduced to two. In this third part of the review we found that three species of the subgenus Cypselurus s.str. are polytypic: C. opisthopus (Bleeker) (with subspecies C. o. opisthopus and C. o. crockeri Seale), C. naresii (Günther) [with subspecies C. n. naresii, C. n. ordinarius ssp. n., C. n. septentrionalis ssp. n., C. n. albitaenia ssp. n. and C. n. socotranus (Steindachner)] and C. angusticeps Nichols & Breder (with subspecies C. a. angusticeps and C. a. folletti ssp. n.). Two other species, C. hiraii Abe and C. comatus (Mitchill), showed no taxonomically significant variation. A new species, C. persimilis, intermediate in morphology between C. naresii and C. opisthopus, is described. The morphology of all species (except C. nossibe Shakhovskoy & Parin, 2022) and subspecies at different stages of ontogeny is described and maps of their geographic distribution are included. A provisional classification and key for identification of seven valid species and nine subspecies of the subgenus Cypselurus s.str. is provided.
Description of the female of P. pauferrense Rodrigues, Cizauskas & Rheims, 2018 and three new species of Paracymbiomma Rodrigues, Cizauskas & Rheims, 2018 (Araneae: Prodidomidae) from Brazil
Authors: CIZAUSKAS IGOR , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D. , RODRIGUES BRUNO V. B. , RHEIMS CRISTINA A.
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we describe three new species of Paracymbiomma Rodrigues, Cizauskas & Rheims, 2018 and the female of P. pauferrense Rodrigues, Cizauskas & Rheims, 2018. Two species are restricted to the iron caves of the Carajás Speleological Unit, in the state of Pará, Brazil: Paracymbiomma pepita sp. nov. (male, female), from Serra Leste, Curionópolis and P. otxurucu sp. nov. (male, female) from Serra Sul, Canaã dos Carajás and Parauapebas. Paracymbiomma una sp. nov. (male, female) is described from Reserva Biológica do Una, Una, Bahia, Brazil. In addition, we list additional material collected in caves and deposited in arachnological collections in Brazil, provide an identification key and updated distribution map for all known species of the genus.
Evaluating the Relationship Between Banking Credit and Total Deposits in the Context of National Highway Development in India
Authors: Bhattacharya Riya , Upadhyay Chandra Kant , Bag Surajit
Published: June 2024

National Highways (NHs) are key facilitators of sustainable growth and development. NHs have a multiplier effect on overall growth, industrialization and urbanization. A key challenge is that the investment that manifests, in terms of savings, deposits and bank credit, is highly endogenous. In such a scenario, a pertinent question arises: Do NHs have an impact or a mirror effect on bank credit? We skirt the problem by investigating the impact of the NH on bank credit. We study this research question by using NHs, examining the growth of banks in the treatment districts (districts within 10 km of an NH) and the control districts (districts beyond 50 km of an NH). We adopted panel regression with fixed effects and long difference estimation to analyse the research problem. The results from the districts that are within 10 km of an NH have a positive association with bank credit and aggregate deposits. This fosters the belief that bank credit and aggregate deposits respond to the development of infrastructural projects such as NHs. In conclusion, the study investigates an empirical association between the construction of NHs during the period between 2014 and 2022 and the local financial sector. Our results are helpful for policymakers and the National Highway Authority of India in evaluating the impact of infrastructural investment on access to banks in the context of an emerging economy. Our results indicate that an NH has a positive impact on the financial sector, but there is still a long road ahead.
Extensor Tendon Reconstruction in Vaughan–Jackson Syndrome: Surgical Technique and a Case Illustration
Authors: Jerome J. Terrence Jose , Karunanithi Dharani
Published: June 2024

Background and Aims:

Vaughan–Jackson syndrome, a complication of rheumatoid arthritis, presents with extensor tendon rupture, dorsal tenosynovitis, distal radioulnar synovitis, dorsal subluxation of the distal ulna, and wrist arthritis. This article aimed to present a surgical approach for Vaughan–Jackson syndrome, focusing on dorsal tenosynovectomy, distal ulnar resection and extensor tendon reconstruction.

Case Description:

A detailed case study is presented, highlighting the surgical technique employed for managing Vaughan–Jackson syndrome. Technical nuances and considerations are discussed.

Results:

The surgical technique described resulted in successful management of the patient’s Vaughan–Jackson syndrome, with restoration of hand and wrist function.

Conclusion:

Surgical intervention involving dorsal tenosynovectomy, distal ulnar resection, and extensor tendon reconstruction is a viable option for managing Vaughan–Jackson syndrome. This article provides insights into the surgical management of this complex condition, offering guidance for clinicians encountering similar cases.
Radiographic evaluation of robot-assisted versus manual total hip arthroplasty: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Xianzuo , Shen Xianyue , Zhang Rongwei , Chen Mo , Ma Ruixiang , Zhang Zian , Zhang Haining , Yang Bo , Zhu Chen
Published: June 2024

Background

The effectiveness of robot-assisted surgery remains contentious due to the lack of high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to elevate the level of evidence. We aimed to evaluate the postoperative radiographic outcomes of robot-assisted (RAS-THA) versus manual (M-THA) total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

This multicenter RCT was performed from March 1, 2021 to December 1, 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to routine M-THA or to RAS-THA that used the TRex-RS orthopedic joint surgical navigation system. The primary outcome was to compare the acetabular component orientation, femoral stem alignment, femoral canal fill ratio, and leg length discrepancy between RAS-THA and M-THA using postoperative radiography. Subgroup analyses of the two groups stratified by surgical approach, gender, and BMI were also conducted.

Results

Seventy-three participants were randomly allocated to the RAS-THA group, while seventy-two participants were assigned to the M-THA group. Compared to the M-THA group, the RAS-THA group exhibited less variability in the preoperative planning of the vertical center of rotation (VCOR; P < 0.001), demonstrated a significant advantage in femoral stem alignment (P = 0.004), and showed pronounced decreases in inequality and in the variability in leg length discrepancy (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the Lewinnek safe-zone ratio (P = 0.081) and the femoral canal fill ratio (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Further subgroup analysis also showed that the RAS-THA group had fewer horizontal center of rotation (HCOR) and leg length differences when stratified by surgical approach, gender, and overweight status.

Conclusion

This RCT found that, regardless of the surgical approach, gender, or body mass index, RAS-THA can effectively improve the postoperative VCOR and significantly reduce the variability of leg length difference. RAS-THA should be considered an effective method to enhance surgical precision by achieving less variability in challenging patients with leg length discrepancies.

Trial registration: ChiCTR2100044124.
Effect of different lumbar–iliac fixation and sacral slope for Tile C1.3 pelvic fractures: a biomechanical study
Authors: Fan Shicai , Luo Hongjie , Chen Sheqiang , Xiang Haibo , Mai Qiguang , Zhu Zhenhua , Chen Yuhui , Hou Zhiyong , Chen Wei , Zhu Qingan , Zhang Yingze
Published: June 2024

Background

Lumbar–iliac fixation (LIF) is a common treatment for Tile C1.3 pelvic fractures, but different techniques, including L4–L5/L5 unilateral LIF (L4–L5/L5 ULIF), bilateral LIF (BLIF), and L4–L5/L5 triangular osteosynthesis (L4–L5/L5 TOS), still lack biomechanical evaluation. The sacral slope (SS) is key to the vertical shear of the sacrum but has not been investigated for its biomechanical role in lumbar–iliac fixation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical effects of different LIF and SS on Tile C1.3 pelvic fracture under two-legged standing load in human cadavers.

Methods

Eight male fresh-frozen human lumbar–pelvic specimens were used in this study. Compressive force of 500 N was applied to the L4 vertebrae in the two-legged standing position of the pelvis. The Tile C1.3 pelvic fracture was prepared, and the posterior pelvic ring was fixed with L5 ULIF, L4–L5 ULIF, L5 TOS, L4–L5 TOS, and L4–L5 BLIF, respectively. Displacement and rotation of the anterior S1 foramen at 30° and 40° sacral slope (SS) were analyzed.

Results

The displacement of L4–L5/L5 TOS in the left–right and vertical direction, total displacement, and rotation in lateral bending decreased significantly, which is more pronounced at 40° SS. The difference in stability between L4–L5 and L5 ULIF was not significant. BLIF significantly limited left–right displacement. The ULIF vertical displacement at 40° SS was significantly higher than that at 30° SS.

Conclusions

This study developed an in vitro two-legged standing pelvic model and demonstrated that TOS enhanced pelvic stability in the coronal plane and cephalad–caudal direction, and BLIF enhanced stability in the left–right direction. L4–L5 ULIF did not further improve the immediate stability, whereas TOS is required to increase the vertical stability at greater SS.
Beyond urinalysis: evaluation of various clinical and laboratory reflex criteria to warrant urine culture collection in the emergency department
Authors: Alateeq Nada M. , Mohammed Manal B. , Alsubaie Albandari T. , Alshehri Amal A. , Attallah Dalya , Agabawi Salem , Thabit Abrar K.
Published: June 2024

Background

Clinical criteria are essential for diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs) followed by urine testing, including urinalysis (UA). No study has evaluated the potential related factors that may guide the appropriate collection of urine cultures. Therefore, we aimed to assess the factors that may guide the appropriate collection of urine cultures.

Methods

This was a case-control study of patients for whom a urine culture and a UA were ordered in the emergency department (ED) between February 2018 and December 2022. The cases included patients with positive cultures, whereas the controls included patients without growth. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, underwent any urological procedure, received antibiotics within 3 days before ED presentation, or before culture collection.

Results

Of the 263 patients, 123 had growth and 140 did not have growth in urine cultures. In the univariate analysis, female gender, urinary symptoms, urinary white blood cell (WBC) count > 5 cells/hpf, and nitrite in urine were significantly associated with growth (P < 0.05). However, only female gender (aOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.06–3.24), urinary WBC count > 5 cells/hpf (aOR, 4.60; 95% CI, 2.21–9.59), and positive nitrite in urine (aOR, 21.90; 95% CI, 2.80–171.00) remained significant in the multivariable analysis. These factors also remained significant in the subgroup of patients with urinary symptoms, except for the female gender.

Conclusion

A high urinary WBC count and positive nitrite in UA should be utilized as a guide to collect urine culture, particularly in female patients, to limit the unnecessary ordering of urine culture in the ED. These factors can be used as evidence-based UA reflex criteria as an antimicrobial stewardship intervention.
Diet-induced changes in the jejunal microbiota of developing broilers reduce the abundance of Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Stege Paul B. , Schokker Dirkjan , Harders Frank , Kar Soumya K. , Stockhofe Norbert , Perricone Vera , Rebel Johanna M. J. , de Jong Ingrid C. , Bossers Alex
Published: June 2024

Modern broiler breeds allow for high feed efficiency and rapid growth, which come at a cost of increased susceptibility to pathogens and disease. Broiler growth rate, feed efficiency, and health are affected by the composition of the gut microbiota, which in turn is influenced by diet. In this study, we therefore assessed how diet composition can affect the broiler jejunal gut microbiota. A total of 96 broiler chickens were divided into four diet groups: control, coated butyrate supplementation, medium-chain fatty acid supplementation, or a high-fibre low-protein content. Diet groups were sub-divided into age groups (4, 12 and 33 days of age) resulting in groups of 8 broilers per diet per age. The jejunum content was used for metagenomic shotgun sequencing to determine the microbiota taxonomic composition at species level. The composed diets resulted in a total of 104 differentially abundant bacterial species. Most notably were the butyrate-induced changes in the jejunal microbiota of broilers 4 days post-hatch, resulting in the reduced relative abundance of mainly Enterococcus faecium (-1.8 l2fc, Padj = 9.9E-05) and the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus hirae (-2.9 l2fc, Padj = 2.7E-08), when compared to the control diet. This effect takes place during early broiler development, which is critical for broiler health, thus exemplifying the importance of how diet can influence the microbiota composition in relation to broiler health. Future studies should therefore elucidate how diet can be used to promote a beneficial microbiota in the early stages of broiler development.
Runs of homozygosity and selection signature analyses reveal putative genomic regions for artificial selection in layer breeding
Authors: Li Xiaochang , Lan Fangren , Chen Xiaoman , Yan Yiyuan , Li Guangqi , Wu Guiqin , Sun Congjiao , Yang Ning
Published: June 2024

Background

The breeding of layers emphasizes the continual selection of egg-related traits, such as egg production, egg quality and eggshell, which enhance their productivity and meet the demand of market. As the breeding process continued, the genomic homozygosity of layers gradually increased, resulting in the emergence of runs of homozygosity (ROH). Therefore, ROH analysis can be used in conjunction with other methods to detect selection signatures and identify candidate genes associated with various important traits in layer breeding.

Results

In this study, we generated whole-genome sequencing data from 686 hens in a Rhode Island Red population that had undergone fifteen consecutive generations of intensive artificial selection. We performed a genome-wide ROH analysis and utilized multiple methods to detect signatures of selection. A total of 141,720 ROH segments were discovered in whole population, and most of them (97.35%) were less than 3 Mb in length. Twenty-three ROH islands were identified, and they overlapped with some regions bearing selection signatures, which were detected by the De-correlated composite of multiple signals methods (DCMS). Sixty genes were discovered and functional annotation analysis revealed the possible roles of them in growth, development, immunity and signaling in layers. Additionally, two-tailed analyses including DCMS and ROH for 44 phenotypes of layers were conducted to find out the genomic differences between subgroups of top and bottom 10% phenotype of individuals. Combining the results of GWAS, we observed that regions significantly associated with traits also exhibited selection signatures between the high and low subgroups. We identified a region significantly associated with egg weight near the 25 Mb region of GGA 1, which exhibited selection signatures and has higher genomic homozygosity in the low egg weight subpopulation. This suggests that the region may be play a role in the decline in egg weight.

Conclusions

In summary, through the combined analysis of ROH, selection signatures, and GWAS, we identified several genomic regions that associated with the production traits of layers, providing reference for the study of layer genome.
The cacao gene atlas: a transcriptome developmental atlas reveals highly tissue-specific and dynamically-regulated gene networks in Theobroma cacao L
Authors: Kulesza Evelyn , Thomas Patrick , Prewitt Sarah F. , Shalit-Kaneh Akiva , Wafula Eric , Knollenberg Benjamin , Winters Noah , Esteban Eddi , Pasha Asher , Provart Nicholas , Praul Craig , Landherr Lena , dePamphilis Claude , Maximova Siela N. , Guiltinan Mark J.
Published: June 2024

Background

Theobroma cacao, the cocoa tree, is a tropical crop grown for its highly valuable cocoa solids and fat which are the basis of a 200-billion-dollar annual chocolate industry. However, the long generation time and difficulties associated with breeding a tropical tree crop have limited the progress of breeders to develop high-yielding disease-resistant varieties. Development of marker-assisted breeding methods for cacao requires discovery of genomic regions and specific alleles of genes encoding important traits of interest. To accelerate gene discovery, we developed a gene atlas composed of a large dataset of replicated transcriptomes with the long-term goal of progressing breeding towards developing high-yielding elite varieties of cacao.

Results

We describe the creation of the Cacao Transcriptome Atlas, its global characterization and define sets of genes co-regulated in highly organ- and temporally-specific manners. RNAs were extracted and transcriptomes sequenced from 123 different tissues and stages of development representing major organs and developmental stages of the cacao lifecycle. In addition, several experimental treatments and time courses were performed to measure gene expression in tissues responding to biotic and abiotic stressors. Samples were collected in replicates (3–5) to enable statistical analysis of gene expression levels for a total of 390 transcriptomes. To promote wide use of these data, all raw sequencing data, expression read mapping matrices, scripts, and other information used to create the resource are freely available online. We verified our atlas by analyzing the expression of genes with known functions and expression patterns in Arabidopsis (ACT7, LEA19, AGL16, TIP13, LHY, MYB2) and found their expression profiles to be generally similar between both species. We also successfully identified tissue-specific genes at two thresholds in many tissue types represented and a set of genes highly conserved across all tissues.

Conclusion

The Cacao Gene Atlas consists of a gene expression browser with graphical user interface and open access to raw sequencing data files as well as the unnormalized and CPM normalized read count data mapped to several cacao genomes. The gene atlas is a publicly available resource to allow rapid mining of cacao gene expression profiles. We hope this resource will be used to help accelerate the discovery of important genes for key cacao traits such as disease resistance and contribute to the breeding of elite varieties to help farmers increase yields.
Soil salinity regulates spatial-temporal heterogeneity of seed germination and seedbank persistence of an annual diaspore-trimorphic halophyte in northern China
Authors: Wang Zhaoren , Baskin Jerry M , Baskin Carol C , Liu Guofang , Ye Xuehua , Yang Xuejun , Huang Zhenying
Published: June 2024

Background and aims

Seed heteromorphism is a plant strategy that an individual plant produces two or more distinct types of diaspores, which have diverse morphology, dispersal ability, ecological functions and different effects on plant life history traits. The aim of this study was to test the effects of seasonal soil salinity and burial depth on the dynamics of dormancy/germination and persistence/depletion of buried trimorphic diaspores of a desert annual halophyte Atriplex centralasiatica.

Methods

We investigated the effects of salinity and seasonal fluctuations of temperature on germination, recovery of germination and mortality of types A, B, C diaspores of A. centralasiatica in the laboratory and buried diaspores in situ at four soil salinities and three depths. Diaspores were collected monthly from the seedbank from December 2016 to November 2018, and the number of viable diaspores remaining (not depleted) and their germinability were determined.

Results

Non-dormant type A diaspores were depleted in the low salinity “window” in the first year. Dormant diaspore types B and C germinated to high percentages at 0.3 and 0.1 mol L-1 soil salinity, respectively. High salinity and shallow burial delayed depletion of diaspore types B and C. High salinity delayed depletion time of the three diaspore types and delayed dormancy release of types B and C diaspores from autumn to spring. Soil salinity modified the response of diaspores in the seedbank by delaying seed dormancy release in autum and winter and by providing a low-salt concentration window for germination of non-dormant diaspores in spring and early summer.

Conclusions

Buried trimorphic diaspores of annual desert halophyte A. centralasiatica exhibited diverse dormancy/germination behavior in respond to seasonal soil salinity fluctuation. Prolonging persistence of the seedbank and delaying depletion of diaspores under salt stress in situ primarily is due to inhibition of dormancy-break. The differences in dormancy/germination and seed persistence in the soil seedbank may be a bet-hadging strategy adapted to stressful temporal and spatial heterogeneity, and allows A. centralasiatica to persist in the unpredictable cold desert enevironment.
Microplastics increase cadmium absorption and impair nutrient uptake and growth in red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) in the presence of cadmium and biochar
Authors: Roy Rana , Hossain Akram , Sultana Shirin , Deb Biplob , Ahmod Md. Moudud , Sarker Tanwne
Published: June 2024

Microplastic (MP) pollution in terrestrial ecosystems is gaining attention, but there is limited research on its effects on leafy vegetables when combined with heavy metals. This study examines the impact of three MP types—polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS)—at concentrations of 0.02, 0.05, and 0.1% w/w, along with cadmium (Cd) and biochar (B), on germination, growth, nutrient absorption, and heavy metal uptake in red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.). We found that different MP types and concentrations did not negatively affect germination parameters like germination rate, relative germination rate, germination vigor, relative germination vigor, and germination speed. However, they increased phytotoxicity and decreased stress tolerance compared to an untreated control (CK1). The presence of MPs, particularly the PS type, reduced phosphorus and potassium uptake while enhancing Cd uptake. For example, treatments PS0.02CdB, PS0.05CdB, and PS0.1CdB increased Cd content in A. tricolor seedlings by 158%, 126%, and 44%, respectively, compared to the treatment CdB (CK2). Additionally, MP contamination led to reduced plant height, leaf dry matter content, and fresh and dry weights, indicating adverse effects on plant growth. Moreover, the presence of MPs increased bioconcentration factors and translocation factors for Cd, suggesting that MPs might act as carriers for heavy metal absorption in plants. On the positive side, the addition of biochar improved several root parameters, including root length, volume, surface area, and the number of root tips in the presence of MPs, indicating potential benefits for plant growth. Our study shows that the combination of MPs and Cd reduces plant growth and increases the risk of heavy metal contamination in food crops. Further research is needed to understand how different MP types and concentrations affect various plant species, which will aid in developing targeted mitigation strategies and in exploring the mechanisms through which MPs impact plant growth and heavy metal uptake. Finally, investigating the potential of biochar application in conjunction with other amendments in mitigating these effects could be key to addressing MP and heavy metal contamination in agricultural systems.
Genome-wide development of simple sequence repeats markers and genetic diversity analysis of chayote
Authors: Cheng Shaobo , Su Lihong , Guo Xin , Shao Dalong , Qin Yanmei , Liu Xuanxuan , Chu Qianwen , Zhou Xiaoting , He Zhongqun
Published: June 2024

Background

Chayote is a high economic crop in the Cucurbitaceae family, playing an important role in food production, disease treatment and the production of degradable materials in industries. Due to the harsh environment, such as high temperature, drought and frost, some chayote resources are gradually disappearing. It is crucial to collect, characterize, and conserve chayote resources. However, the genetic diversity of chayote resources in China has not been studied so far.

Results

In this study, we collected 35 individuals of chayote from 14 provinces in China. Subsequently, we found 363,156 SSR motifs from the chayote genome and designed 57 pairs of SSR primers for validation. Out of these, 48 primer pairs successfully amplified bands, with 42 of them showing polymorphism. These 42 primer pairs detected a total of 153 alleles, averaging 3.64 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.03 to 0.78, with an average value of 0.41, indicating a high level of polymorphism. Based on the analysis using STRUCTURE, PCoA, and UPGMA methods, the 35 chayote individuals were divided into two major clusters. Through further association analysis, 7 significantly associated SSR markers were identified, including four related to peel color and three related to spine.

Conclusions

These molecular markers will contribute to the analysis of genetic diversity and genetic breeding improvement of chayote in the future.