bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical application of digital technology in the use of anterolateral thigh lobulated perforator flaps to repair complex soft tissue defects of the limbs
Authors: Dong Kai-xuan , Zhou Ya , Cheng Yao-yu , Luo Hao-tian , Duan Jia-zhang , Yang Xi , Xu Yong-qing , Lu Sheng , He Xiao-qing
Published: May 2024

Background

It is challenging to repair wide or irregular defects with traditional skin flaps, and anterolateral thigh (ALT) lobulated perforator flaps are an ideal choice for such defects. However, there are many variations in perforators, so good preoperative planning is very important. This study attempted to explore the feasibility and clinical effect of digital technology in the use of ALT lobulated perforator flaps for repairing complex soft tissue defects in limbs.

Methods

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed on 28 patients with complex soft tissue defects of the limbs, and the CTA data were imported into Mimics 20.0 software in DICOM format. According to the perforation condition of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the size of the limb defect, one thigh that had two or more perforators from the same source vessel was selected for 3D reconstruction of the ALT lobulated perforator flap model. Mimics 20.0 software was used to visualize the vascular anatomy, virtual design and harvest of the flap before surgery. The intraoperative design and excision of the ALT lobulated perforator flap were guided by the preoperative digital design, and the actual anatomical observations and measurements were recorded.

Results

Digital reconstruction was successfully performed in all patients before surgery; this reconstruction dynamically displayed the anatomical structure of the flap vasculature and accurately guided the design and harvest of the flap during surgery. The parameters of the harvested flaps were consistent with the preoperative parameters. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients, but all flaps survived uneventfully. All of the donor sites were closed directly. All patients were followed up for 13–27 months (mean, 19.75 months). The color and texture of each flap were satisfactory and each donor site exhibited a linear scar.

Conclusions

Digital technology can effectively and precisely assist in the design and harvest of ALT lobulated perforator flaps, provide an effective approach for individualized evaluation and flap design and reduce the risk and difficulty of surgery.
Exploring the burden of actinic keratoses through development of a patient decision aid: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Drumm Ciara , Moloney Aoife , Fleming Louise , Morgan Imelda , Keating Ciara , Hughes Clodagh , Dolan Roisin , Moriarty Bláithín , Lally Aoife
Published: May 2024

Background

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are present on sun-exposed sites and are considered precursors of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. A better understanding of the experiences of patients with this condition may improve patient–provider relationships and guide the introduction of shared decision-making (SDM) to treatment decisions.

Objectives

To develop a patient decision aid (PDA) for field treatment of multiple AKs in line with the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) by (i) characterizing the burden and lived experiences of patients with multiple AKs, (ii) understanding the decisional needs of patients requiring field treatment, and (iii) exploring clinician preferences regarding field treatment for multiple AKs.

Methods

This mixed-methods study followed the most up-to-date guidelines set out by the IPDAS collaboration; a voluntary body that aims to enhance the quality of PDAs by developing an evidence-based systematic process for the development of unbiased and effective PDAs.

Results

Multiple AKs have a psychosocial impact on patients. Patients feel supported through the integration of evidence-based information to guide SDM.

Conclusions

We propose that the use of a PDA for multiple AKs provides a key role in supporting informed shared patient–provider decision-making and empowers patient involvement in their prospective treatment strategy.
Does online high-volume hemodiafiltration offer greater efficiency and sustainability compared with high-flux hemodialysis? A detailed simulation analysis anchored in real-world data
Authors: Canaud Bernard , Gagel Alfred , Peters Arne , Maierhofer Andreas , Stuard Stefano
Published: May 2024

Recent findings, including the CONVINCE (comparison of high-dose HDF with high-flux HD) study report, suggest the superiority of high-volume hemodiafiltration (HDF) over high-flux hemodialysis (HD) in improving patients’ outcomes. Despite positive patient outcomes, concerns have arisen about the potential negative environmental impact of high-volume HDF, as it may lead to increased water and dialysis fluid consumption and higher waste production. In this manuscript, we address the environmental impact of high-volume HDF, focusing on three key factors: water treatment consumption, dialysis fluid consumption, and solute efficiency markers of HD and HDF.

By optimizing HDF prescription through adjustments in operational capabilities, while keeping a high blood flow (i.e., >350 ml/min) such as reducing the QD/QB ratio to 1.2 rather than 1.4 or 1.5 and incorporating automated ultrafiltration and substitution control, we demonstrate that HDF delivers a higher dialysis dose for small- and middle-molecule uremic compounds with the same dialysis fluid consumption, and at equal dialysis doses dialysis fluid consumption is reduced. This finding is supported by real-world data from 26 031 patients who underwent high-volume postdilution HDF at a reduced dialysis flow (430 mL/min) and achieved an effective OCMKt/V of 1.70 (where “OCM” stands for online clearance measurement, “K” represents effective dialysis clearance and “V” denotes total body water measured by multifrequency bioimpedance). In addition, simulation modeling calculations, using blood extraction coefficient, dialysate saturation coefficient and solute clearances with urea (small molecular weight) and β2-microglobulin (middle molecular weight), consistently show the superiority of postdilution HDF to HD. This holds true even with a significant reduction in dialysis flow down to 430 mL/min, reflecting QD/QB ratio of 1.2. Postdilution HDF generates high ultrafiltrate flow (up to 35% of blood flow), delivering saturated ultrafiltrate to the lower solute concentration containing effluent dialysate, thus enhancing solute clearance which opens the way to reduce the dialysis flow. In conclusion, our analysis, combining simulation and real-world data, suggests that postdilution HDF could be a more environmentally friendly treatment option compared with conventional HD. Additionally, automated user-friendly functions that minimize dialysis fluid use can further strengthen this environmental benefit while enhancing efficiency.
Social Environment, Lifestyle, and Genetic Predisposition With Dementia Risk: A Long-Term Longitudinal Study Among Older Adults
Authors: Chen Shu , Chen Shanquan , Hanewald Katja , Si Yafei , Bateman Hazel , Li Bingqin , Xu Xiaolin , Samtani Suraj , Wu Chenkai , Brodaty Henry
Published: May 2024

Background

The role of social environment, that is, the aggregate effect of social determinants of health (SDOHs), in determining dementia is unclear.

Methods

We developed a novel polysocial risk score for dementia based on 19 SDOH among 5 199 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, United States, to measure the social environmental risk. We used a survival analysis approach to assess the association between social environment and dementia risk in 2006–2020. We further studied the interaction between social environment and lifestyles, and explored racial disparities.

Results

The study participants (mean age = 73.4 years, SD = 8.3; 58.0% female; 11.6% African American) were followed up for an average of 6.2 years, and 1 089 participants developed dementia. Every 1-point increase in the polysocial risk score (ranging from 0 to 10) was associated with a 21.6% higher risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.21, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.15–1.26) of developing dementia, other things being equal. Among participants with high social environmental risk, regular exercise and moderate drinking were associated with a 43%–60% lower risk of developing dementia (p < .001). In addition, African Americans were 1.3 times (aHR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.96–2.66) more likely to develop dementia than European Americans, other things being equal.

Conclusion

An adverse social environment is linked to higher dementia risk, but healthy lifestyles can partially offset the increased social environmental risk. The polysocial risk score can complement the existing risk tools to identify high-risk older populations, and guide the design of targeted social environmental interventions, particularly focusing on improving the companionship of the older people, to prevent dementia.
Drug Burden Index Is a Modifiable Predictor of 30-Day Hospitalization in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Complex Care Needs: Machine Learning Analysis of InterRAI Data
Authors: Olender Robert T , Roy Sandipan , Jamieson Hamish A , Hilmer Sarah N , Nishtala Prasad S
Published: May 2024

Background

Older adults (≥65 years) account for a disproportionately high proportion of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality, some of which may be avoidable. Although machine learning (ML) models have already been built and validated for predicting hospitalization and mortality, there remains a significant need to optimize ML models further. Accurately predicting hospitalization may tremendously affect the clinical care of older adults as preventative measures can be implemented to improve clinical outcomes for the patient.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, a data set of 14 198 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) with complex care needs from the International Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care database was used to develop and optimize 3 ML models to predict 30-day hospitalization. The models developed and optimized were Random Forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), and Logistic Regression (LR). Variable importance plots were generated for all 3 models to identify key predictors of 30-day hospitalization.

Results

The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve for the RF, XGB, and LR models were 0.97, 0.90, and 0.72, respectively. Variable importance plots identified the Drug Burden Index and alcohol consumption as important, immediately potentially modifiable variables in predicting 30-day hospitalization.

Conclusions

Identifying immediately potentially modifiable risk factors such as the Drug Burden Index and alcohol consumption is of high clinical relevance. If clinicians can influence these variables, they could proactively lower the risk of 30-day hospitalization. ML holds promise to improve the clinical care of older adults. It is crucial that these models undergo extensive validation through large-scale clinical studies before being utilized in the clinical setting.
Sugar import mediated by sugar transporters and cell wall invertases for seed development in Camellia oleifera
Authors: Du Bingshuai , Cao Yibo , Zhou Jing , Chen Yuqing , Ye Zhihua , Huang Yiming , Zhao Xinyan , Zou Xinhui , Zhang Lingyun
Published: May 2024

Seed development and yield depend on the transport and supply of sugar. However, an insufficient supply of nutrients from maternal tissues to embryos results in seed abortion and yield reduction in Camellia oleifera. In this study, we systematically examined the route and regulatory mechanisms of sugar import into developing C. oleifera seeds using a combination of histological observations, transcriptome profiling, and functional analysis. Labelling with the tracer carboxyfluorescein revealed a symplasmic route in the integument and an apoplasmic route for postphloem transport at the maternal–filial interface. Enzymatic activity and histological observation showed that at early stages [180–220 days after pollination (DAP)] of embryo differentiation, the high hexose/sucrose ratio was primarily mediated by acid invertases, and the micropylar endosperm/suspensor provides a channel for sugar import. Through Camellia genomic profiling, we identified three plasma membrane-localized proteins including CoSWEET1b, CoSWEET15, and CoSUT2 and one tonoplast-localized protein CoSWEET2a in seeds and verified their ability to transport various sugars via transformation in yeast mutants and calli. In situ hybridization and profiling of glycometabolism-related enzymes further demonstrated that CoSWEET15 functions as a micropylar endosperm-specific gene, together with the cell wall acid invertase CoCWIN9, to support early embryo development, while CoSWEET1b, CoSWEET2a, and CoSUT2 function at transfer cells and chalazal nucellus coupled with CoCWIN9 and CoCWIN11 responsible for sugar entry in bulk into the filial tissue. Collectively, our findings provide the first comprehensive evidence of the molecular regulation of sugar import into and within C. oleifera seeds and provide a new target for manipulating seed development.
Traffic Noise Impacts Glucocorticoid Response, Activity, and Growth in Two Species of Tadpoles
Authors: Flanagan Megan M , Stottlemyre Hannah J , Gabor Caitlin R
Published: May 2024

Synopsis

There is a large body of evidence linking increased noise to negative health effects for animals. Anthropogenic noise induces behavioral and physiological reactions across a range of taxa and increased traffic noise affects glucocorticoid (GC) hormones associated with the stress response in amphibians. GCs help to maintain homeostasis while balancing energetic trade-offs between reproduction, growth, and activity. Stressors during early development can impact fitness at later life stages. We measured growth, activity, and GCs in response to high levels of traffic noise in two tadpole species that differ in life history: Acris crepitans and Rana berlandieri. We predicted that earlier exposures to traffic noise will slow down the development and alter the behavior and GC concentrations differently than later exposures. Subjects were initially either exposed to natural levels of traffic noise for 8 days (early exposure) or a white noise control (later exposure), then the treatment was switched. Activity was measured via focal sampling and tadpoles were categorized as active if movement was detected. Tadpoles exposed to white noise initially maintained mass and activity throughout the experiment and early exposure to traffic noise had a greater impact on mass, activity, and GCs. Tadpoles exposed to traffic noise initially lost mass, with A. crepitans regaining mass but not R. berlandieri. When exposed earlier to traffic noise, R. berlandieri increased movement when shifted to the white noise treatment while A. crepitans did not significantly change activity. Acris creptians had higher corticosterone release rates compared to R. berlandieri, and in both species, release rates were higher for tadpoles exposed to noise earlier. The longer-lived R. berlandieri allocated more of their energetic resources into activity, while the shorter-lived A. crepitans allocated energy toward growth. Rana berlandieri and A. crepitans utilized different coping strategies to contend with early exposure to traffic noise, potentially due to differences in life histories. Our findings suggest that these tadpoles employ different coping mechanisms to modulate stress responses in noise-polluted environments, and these mechanisms could influence their fitness later in life. Further study is needed to understand the impact in more sensitive tadpole species.
Variational data assimilation with finite-element discretization for second-order parabolic interface equation
Authors: Li Xuejian , He Xiaoming , Gong Wei , Douglas Craig C
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we propose and analyze a finite-element method of variational data assimilation for a second-order parabolic interface equation on a two-dimensional bounded domain. The Tikhonov regularization plays a key role in translating the data assimilation problem into an optimization problem. Then the existence, uniqueness and stability are analyzed for the solution of the optimization problem. We utilize the finite-element method for spatial discretization and backward Euler method for the temporal discretization. Then based on the Lagrange multiplier idea, we derive the optimality systems for both the continuous and the discrete data assimilation problems for the second-order parabolic interface equation. The convergence and the optimal error estimate are proved with the recovery of Galerkin orthogonality. Moreover, three iterative methods, which decouple the optimality system and significantly save computational cost, are developed to solve the discrete time evolution optimality system. Finally, numerical results are provided to validate the proposed method.
Dental Dynamics: A Fast New Tool for Quantifying Tooth and Jaw Biomechanics in 3D Slicer
Authors: Cohen K E , Fitzpatrick A R , Huie J M
Published: May 2024

Abstract (English)

Teeth reveal how organisms interact with their environment. Biologists have long looked at the diverse form and function of teeth to study the evolution of feeding, fighting, and development. The exponential rise in the quantity and accessibility of computed tomography (CT) data has enabled morphologists to study teeth at finer resolutions and larger macroevolutionary scales. Measuring tooth function is no easy task, in fact, much of our mechanical understanding is derived from dental shape. Categorical descriptors of tooth shape such as morphological homodonty and heterodonty, overlook nuances in function by reducing tooth diversity for comparative analysis. The functional homodonty method quantitatively assesses the functional diversity of whole dentitions from tooth shape. This method uses tooth surface area and position to calculate the transmission of stress and estimates a threshold for functionally homodont teeth through bootstrapping and clustering techniques. However, some vertebrates have hundreds or thousands of teeth and measuring the shape and function of every individual tooth can be a painstaking task. Here, we present Dental Dynamics, a module for 3D Slicer that allows for the fast and precise quantification of dentitions and jaws. The tool automates the calculation of several tooth traits classically used to describe form and function (i.e., aspect ratio, mechanical advantage, force, etc.). To demonstrate the usefulness of our module we used Dental Dynamics to quantify 780 teeth across 20 salamanders that exhibit diverse ecologies. We coupled these data with the functional homodonty method to investigate the hypothesis that arboreal Aneides salamanders have novel tooth functions. Dental Dynamics provides a new and fast way to measure teeth and increases the accessibility of the functional homodonty method. We hope Dental Dynamics will encourage further theoretical and methodological development for quantifying and studying teeth.
A model for supporting biomedical and public health researcher use of publicly available All of Us data at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Authors: Southwell Brian , Hood Sula , Carter Javan , Richardson Courtney , Cates Sheri , Sow Hadyatoullaye , Branigan MaryBeth , Hawkins Trey-Rashad , Atkinson Katie , Uhrig Jennifer , Lewis Megan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe opportunities and challenges associated with the development and implementation of a program for supporting researchers underrepresented in biomedical research.

Approach

We describe a case study of the All of Us Researcher Academy supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including feedback from participants, instructors, and coaches.

Findings

Lessons include the importance of inviting role models into learning networks, establishing and maintaining trusted relationships, and making coaches available for technical questions from researcher participants.

Originality

Although research has focused on learning outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at Minority Serving Institutions in the United States, literature tends to lack models for initiatives to improve everyday research experiences of faculty and researchers at such institutions or to encourage researcher use of public-use data such as that available through NIH’s All of Us Research Program. The All of Us Researcher Academy offers a model that addresses these needs.
Phenotype execution and modeling architecture to support disease surveillance and real-world evidence studies: English sentinel network evaluation
Authors: Jamie Gavin , Elson William , Kar Debasish , Wimalaratna Rashmi , Hoang Uy , Meza-Torres Bernardo , Forbes Anna , Hinton William , Anand Sneha , Ferreira Filipa , Byford Rachel , Ordonez-Mena Jose , Agrawal Utkarsh , de Lusignan Simon
Published: May 2024

Objective

To evaluate Phenotype Execution and Modelling Architecture (PhEMA), to express sharable phenotypes using Clinical Quality Language (CQL) and intensional Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) Clinical Terms (CT) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) valuesets, for exemplar chronic disease, sociodemographic risk factor, and surveillance phenotypes.

Method

We curated 3 phenotypes: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), excessive alcohol use, and incident influenza-like illness (ILI) using CQL to define clinical and administrative logic. We defined our phenotypes with valuesets, using SNOMED’s hierarchy and expression constraint language, and CQL, combining valuesets and adding temporal elements where needed. We compared the count of cases found using PhEMA with our existing approach using convenience datasets. We assessed our new approach against published desiderata for phenotypes.

Results

The T2DM phenotype could be defined as 2 intensionally defined SNOMED valuesets and a CQL script. It increased the prevalence from 7.2% to 7.3%. Excess alcohol phenotype was defined by valuesets that added qualitative clinical terms to the quantitative conceptual definitions we currently use; this change increased prevalence by 58%, from 1.2% to 1.9%. We created an ILI valueset with SNOMED concepts, adding a temporal element using CQL to differentiate new episodes. This increased the weekly incidence in our convenience sample (weeks 26-38) from 0.95 cases to 1.11 cases per 100 000 people.

Conclusions

Phenotypes for surveillance and research can be described fully and comprehensibly using CQL and intensional FHIR valuesets. Our use case phenotypes identified a greater number of cases, whilst anticipated from excessive alcohol this was not for our other variable. This may have been due to our use of SNOMED CT hierarchy. Our new process fulfilled a greater number of phenotype desiderata than the one that we had used previously, mostly in the modeling domain. More work is needed to implement that sharing and warehousing domains.
Effects of dietary multienzymes on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility, excreta noxious gas emission, and nutrient transporter gene expression in white feather broilers
Authors: Yi Wuzhou , Huang Qixin , Liu Yanjie , Fu Shijun , Shan Tizhong
Published: May 2024

Adding multienzymes to poultry feed rations is recognized as a nutritional strategy aimed at improving poultry performance and health status. Nonetheless, some literatures present an ongoing debate about the extent of multienzymes beneficial impact on poultry growth performance. This study aimed to explore the impacts of dietary multienzyme supplementation on broilers, focusing specifically on growth performance, carcass characteristics, apparent nutrient digestibility, excreta noxious gas emission, and intestinal nutrient transporter gene expression. A total of 3,200 broilers were randomly assigned to five groups (eight replicates per treatment group) and treated with the following: normal control (CON), CON + 100 g/t multienzyme (ME100), CON + 150 g/t multienzyme (ME150), CON + 200 g/t multienzyme (ME200), and CON + 250 g/t multienzyme (ME250). Supplementing with multienzymes significantly influenced the feed conversion rate (linear, P = 0.007; quadratic, P = 0.024) and the European broiler index (linear, P = 0.004; quadratic, P = 0.016) in broilers. Dietary multienzymes significantly influenced apparent metabolizable energy (quadratic, P = 0.015) and neutral detergent fiber (quadratic, P < 0.001). Moreover, multienzyme supplementation in the diet also decreased the emission of ammonia (linear, P = 0.001; quadratic, P = 0.006) and hydrogen sulfide (quadratic, P = 0.006) in the excreta. In addition, dietary multi-enzyme notably elevated (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression of nutrient transporter genes, including peptide transporter 1 (PePT1), Na-dependent neutral amino acid transporter (B0AT), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and fatty acid binding protein1 (FABP1). These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with multienzymes can improve the efficiency of feed utilization, and the digestion and absorption of nutrients and reduce excreta gas emission. Furthermore, this study provides a theoretical basis for advancing the use of multienzymes in broiler production.
Selection and characterization of aptamers targeting the Vif-CBFβ-ELOB-ELOC-CUL5 complex
Authors: Kumagai Kazuyuki , Kamba Keisuke , Suzuki Takuya , Sekikawa Yuto , Yuki Chisato , Hamada Michiaki , Nagata Kayoko , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi , Wan Li , Katahira Masato , Nagata Takashi , Sakamoto Taiichi
Published: May 2024

The viral infectivity factor (Vif) of human immunodeficiency virus 1 forms a complex with host proteins, designated as Vif-CBFβ-ELOB-ELOC-CUL5 (VβBCC), initiating the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of the human antiviral protein APOBEC3G (A3G), thereby negating its antiviral function. Whilst recent cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies have implicated RNA molecules in the Vif-A3G interaction that leads to A3G ubiquitination, our findings indicated that the VβBCC complex can also directly impede A3G-mediated DNA deamination, bypassing the proteasomal degradation pathway. Employing the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) method, we have identified RNA aptamers with high affinity for the VβBCC complex. These aptamers not only bind to the VβBCC complex but also reinstate A3G’s DNA deamination activity by inhibiting the complex’s function. Moreover, we delineated the sequences and secondary structures of these aptamers, providing insights into the mechanistic aspects of A3G inhibition by the VβBCC complex. Analysis using selected aptamers will enhance our understanding of the inhibition of A3G by the VβBCC complex, offering potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Burn Care Funding in the Era of Price Transparency—Does Verification Signal Bargaining Power?
Authors: Stanton Eloise Wood , Pedreira Rachel , Rizk Nada , Swaminathan Akshay , Sheckter Clifford
Published: May 2024

The Price Transparency Rule of 2021 forced payors and hospitals to publicly disclose negotiated prices to foster competition and reduce the cost. Burn care is costly and concentrated at less than 130 centers in the US. We aimed to analyze geographic price variations for inpatient burn care and measure the effects of American Burn Association (ABA) verification status and market concentration on prices. All available commercial rates for 2021-2022 for burn-related diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) 927, 928, 929, 933, 934, and 935 were merged with hospital-level variables, ABA verification status, and Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) data. For the DRG 927 (most intensive burn admission), a linear mixed effects model was fit with cost as the outcome and the following variables as covariates: HHI, plan type, safety net status, profit status, verification status, rural status, and teaching hospital status. Random intercepts allowed for individual burn centers. There were 170,738 rates published from 1541 unique hospitals. Commercial reimbursement rates for the same DRG varied by a factor of approximately three within hospitals for all DRGs. Similarly, rates across different hospitals varied by a factor of 3 for all DRGs, with DRG 927 having the most variation. Burn center status was independently associated with higher reimbursement rates adjusting for facility-level factors for all DRGs except for 935. Notably, HHI was the largest predictor of commercial rates (P < .001). Negotiated prices for inpatient burn care vary widely. ABA-verified centers garner higher rates along with burn centers in more concentrated/monopolistic markets.
The carcinologicaloeuvreof Charles Spence Bate (1819–1889): Checklist of species and genera, dates of publication, and a list of publications (Crustacea: Amphipoda, Cirripedia, Cumacea, Decapoda, Tanaidacea)
Authors: De Grave Sammy , Boyko Christopher B
Published: May 2024

Charles Spence Bate (1818–1889) was one of the more influential mid to late 19th century crustacean taxonomists, with broad interests spanning several taxonomic groups, such as Amphipoda and Decapoda. Despite several contemporary obituaries, no full publication list for him has ever been assembled. In the present contribution, we provide a complete listing of publications and all species- and genus-level crustacean taxa described by Spence Bate, and indicate their current status. Corrections to publication dates are listed, and several decisions are made to stabilise crustacean nomenclature. In a scientific career spanning almost 50 years (1850–1889), Spence Bate described a total of 402 species and 70 genera in Decapoda, 181 species and 46 genera in Amphipoda, as well as eight genera and eight species of Cumacea, four genera and 16 species of Isopoda, three of Tanaidacea and one of Cirripedia. Of these, 36.2% of species and 45.7% of genera are still considered as the accepted names for their taxa today.
Does climate shape geographical morphological variation of spines in Neotropical spiny rats (Rodentia, Echimyidae, Trinomys)?
Authors: Barbosa André Luiz Liberato , Pessôa Leila Maria , Tavares William Corrêa
Published: May 2024

Flattened and flexible spiny hairs, the aristiforms, evolved independently in some lineages of rodents, but unlikely capable of causing severe damage to predators. Their biological roles are not yet clearly known and some different thermoregulatory functions have been proposed, often associated with severe climatic conditions but not yet tested. In this study we investigated whether climate may be a major factor shaping geographic variation of length and width of aristiform hairs of 2 species of Neotropical spiny rats of the genus Trinomys (Echimyidae) occurring in eastern Brazil: T. albispinus and T. setosus. Results revealed clinal variation in these hairs. While bioclimatic factors and geographic distance together accounted for up to a third of the morphometric variation, the exclusive impact of climate was limited, explaining only up to 3% of the observed variation. However, considering the close association between climate and geographic distance, the role of climate in shaping aristiform hair cannot be discounted. While our results did not fully support the hypothesis that well-developed, wide spiny hairs are selected for greater protection against rain for underhairs, they marginally supported their role in facilitating heat loss in warm environments by facilitating water condensation. More consistently, results show that narrow spiny hairs tended to evolve in cold environments, likely enhancing thermal insulation. The length of aristiform hair in T. albispinus also appeared to respond to this function, becoming longer in cold and high-altitude regions. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of an evolutionary response correlated with selection on underhairs. Future experimental studies should test the thermoregulatory function of flexible spiny hairs and investigate the geographic variation of these structures in other rodent species.
The role of the major chemosensory organs in the host-seeking activity of Anopheles coluzzii (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Popkin-Hall Zachary R , Slotman Michel A
Published: May 2024

Anopheles coluzzii (Coetzee & Wilkerson) and its sibling species Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Giles) are highly anthropophilic and among the major malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. Mosquitoes use various senses to find hosts, but rely primarily on olfaction. Therefore, the mosquito olfactory system has been studied extensively, including a variety of studies comparing chemosensory gene expression between An. coluzzii and its zoophilic sibling species Anopheles quadriannulatus (Theobald). These studies revealed species-specific chemosensory gene expression in the antennae and maxillary palps, which raised the question of a potential role for the palps in determining species-specific host preferences. To answer this question, we mechanically ablated the antennae, maxillary palps, and labella, and ran both control and ablated mosquitoes through a dual-port olfactometer. While we aimed to identify the organs responsible for vertebrate host choice, the ablated mosquitoes exclusively responded to human odor, so we were unable to do so. However, we were able to refine our understanding of the roles of these organs in host-seeking activation (leaving the release cage) as well as odor response (entering an odor port). As expected, the antennae are the most important organs to both behaviors: activation was roughly halved and vertebrate odor response was abolished in antennae-ablated mosquitoes. Maxillary palp ablation had little impact on activation, but reduced odor response to a similar degree as the exclusion of CO2. Finally, while labellar ablation dramatically reduced activation (probably associated with the inability to feed), it had little impact on odor response, suggesting that any labellar role in host choice is likely not olfactory.
Explorational analysis of the abundance and prevalence of chigger and gamasid mites parasitic on small mammals in Vietnam
Authors: Antonovskaia Anastasia A , Altshuler Evgeny P , Balakirev Alexander E , Lopatina Yuliya V
Published: May 2024

We studied chigger and gamasid mite loads on small mammals during the dry season in Vietnam and used both our field data and museum collections to estimate the influence of environmental factors on mite abundance and prevalence. Generalized linear (mixed effect) models were used to analyze the data. We examined 1,239 small mammal individuals, which were obtained from field expeditions and museum collections belonging to 59 species. In different localities, Rattus Fischer (Rodentia: Muridae), Niviventer Marshall (Rodentia: Muridae), and Maxomys Sody (Rodentia: Muridae) were the most common animals captured. The prevalence of chigger and gamasid mites in our expedition data was high: 72% and 62%, respectively. We found differences in the abundance of chigger mites between different populations of the same species of small mammals. Season and locality were the main factors that influenced chigger mite abundance and prevalence. The best model that predicted the abundance and prevalence of chigger mites included geography (province) as a predictor and host species and season as random effects. For the first time, we analyzed factors connected with climate and weather affecting chigger mites of small mammals in Vietnam.
Phase I trial of single-photon emission computed tomography–guided liver-directed radiotherapy for patients with low functional liver volume
Authors: Chang Enoch , Wong Franklin C L , Chasen Beth A , Erwin William D , Das Prajnan , Holliday Emma B , Koong Albert C , Ludmir Ethan B , Minsky Bruce D , Noticewala Sonal S , Smith Grace L , Taniguchi Cullen M , Rodriguez Maria J , Beddar Sam , Martin-Paulpeter Rachael M , Niedzielski Joshua S , Sawakuchi Gabriel O , Schueler Emil , Perles Luis A , Xiao Lianchun , Szklaruk Janio , Park Peter C , Dasari Arvind N , Kaseb Ahmed O , Kee Bryan K , Lee Sunyoung S , Overman Michael J , Willis Jason A , Wolff Robert A , Tzeng Ching-Wei D , Vauthey Jean-Nicolas , Koay Eugene J
Published: May 2024

Background

Traditional constraints specify that 700 cc of liver should be spared a hepatotoxic dose when delivering liver-directed radiotherapy to reduce the risk of inducing liver failure. We investigated the role of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to identify and preferentially avoid functional liver during liver-directed radiation treatment planning in patients with preserved liver function but limited functional liver volume after receiving prior hepatotoxic chemotherapy or surgical resection.

Methods

This phase I trial with a 3 + 3 design evaluated the safety of liver-directed radiotherapy using escalating functional liver radiation dose constraints in patients with liver metastases. Dose-limiting toxicities were assessed 6-8 weeks and 6 months after completing radiotherapy.

Results

All 12 patients had colorectal liver metastases and received prior hepatotoxic chemotherapy; 8 patients underwent prior liver resection. Median computed tomography anatomical nontumor liver volume was 1584 cc (range = 764-2699 cc). Median SPECT functional liver volume was 1117 cc (range = 570-1928 cc). Median nontarget computed tomography and SPECT liver volumes below the volumetric dose constraint were 997 cc (range = 544-1576 cc) and 684 cc (range = 429-1244 cc), respectively. The prescription dose was 67.5-75 Gy in 15 fractions or 75-100 Gy in 25 fractions. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed during follow-up. One-year in-field control was 57%. One-year overall survival was 73%.

Conclusion

Liver-directed radiotherapy can be safely delivered to high doses when incorporating functional SPECT into the radiation treatment planning process, which may enable sparing of lower volumes of liver than traditionally accepted in patients with preserved liver function.

Trial registration

NCT02626312.
Comparison of BMI changes in Japanese adults receiving face-to-face versus online counseling for specific health guidance: a noninferiority prospective observational study
Authors: Kanamori Satoru , Tomiyama Kiyomi , Haruyama Yasuo
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the noninferiority of online counseling over face-to-face counseling for specific health guidance (SHG).

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted using specific health checkup (SHC) and SHG data of individuals with health insurance in Japan. We analyzed data from 1431 participants who met the inclusion criteria, including those who underwent online or face-to-face counseling between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, and received an SHC in the following year but no earlier than 90 days after their first counseling session. Assessed variables comprised demographics, counseling methods, and SHC results, including baseline questionnaire findings and body mass index (BMI) at follow-up. We performed inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using propensity scores, with changes in BMI as the objective variable and the counseling method as the explanatory variable. We set the noninferiority margin to 0.175, based on a previous study.

Results

The online and face-to-face counseling groups comprised 455 (31.8%) and 976 (68.2%) participants, respectively. The number of men and mean age were 214 (47.0%) and 49.9 years (SD: 6.9 years), respectively, in the online counseling group, and 491 (50.3%) and 51.1 years (SD: 7.6 years), respectively, in the face-to-face counseling group. IPTW using propensity scores revealed a regression coefficient of −0.014 (95% CI: −0.157 to 0.129) for the online group compared with the face-to-face group (P = .847). The CI was within the noninferiority margin.

Conclusions

The effects of online counseling on BMI are likely noninferior to those of face-to-face counseling.
The natural polyphenol fisetin in atherosclerosis prevention: a mechanistic review
Authors: Yu Wei , Zhao Yaping , Ilyas Iqra , Wang Li , Little Peter J , Xu Suowen
Published: May 2024

The incidence and mortality rate of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is increasing yearly worldwide. Recently, a growing body of evidence has unveiled the anti-atherosclerotic properties of fisetin, a natural polyphenol compound. In this article, we reviewed the pharmacologic actions of fisetin on experimental atherosclerosis and its protective effects on disease-relevant cell types such as endothelial cells, macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, and platelets. Based on its profound cardiovascular actions, fisetin holds potential for clinical translation and could be developed as a potential therapeutic option for atherosclerosis and its related complications. Large-scale randomized clinical trials are warranted to ascertain the safety and efficacy of fisetin in patients with or high risk for ASCVD.
OzDES Reverberation Mapping Program: Stacking analysis with Hβ, Mg ii, and C iv
Authors: Malik U , Sharp R , Penton A , Yu Z , Martini P , Tucker B E , Davis T M , Lewis G F , Lidman C , Aguena M , Alves O , Annis J , Asorey J , Bacon D , Brooks D , Carnero Rosell A , Carretero J , Cheng T -Y , da Costa L N , Pereira M E S , De Vicente J , Doel P , Ferrero I , Frieman J , Giannini G , Gruen D , Gruendl R A , Hinton S R , Hollowood D L , James D J , Kuehn K , Marshall J L , Mena-Fernández J , Menanteau F , Miquel R , Ogando R L C , Palmese A , Pieres A , Plazas Malagón A A , Reil K , Romer A K , Sanchez E , Schubnell M , Smith M , Suchyta E , Swanson M E C , Tarle G , To C , Weaverdyck N , Wiseman P
Published: May 2024

Reverberation mapping is the leading technique used to measure direct black hole masses outside of the local Universe. Additionally, reverberation measurements calibrate secondary mass-scaling relations used to estimate single-epoch virial black hole masses. The Australian Dark Energy Survey (OzDES) conducted one of the first multi-object reverberation mapping surveys, monitoring 735 AGN up to z ∼ 4, over 6 years. The limited temporal coverage of the OzDES data has hindered recovery of individual measurements for some classes of sources, particularly those with shorter reverberation lags or lags that fall within campaign season gaps. To alleviate this limitation, we perform a stacking analysis of the cross-correlation functions of sources with similar intrinsic properties to recover average composite reverberation lags. This analysis leads to the recovery of average lags in each redshift-luminosity bin across our sample. We present the average lags recovered for the Hβ, Mg ii, and C iv samples, as well as multiline measurements for redshift bins where two lines are accessible. The stacking analysis is consistent with the Radius–Luminosity relations for each line. Our results for the Hβ sample demonstrate that stacking has the potential to improve upon constraints on the R–L relation, which have been derived only from individual source measurements until now.
Quantitative modelling of type Ia supernovae spectral time series: constraining the explosion physics
Authors: Magee M R , Siebenaler L , Maguire K , Ackley K , Killestein T
Published: May 2024

Multiple explosion mechanisms have been proposed to explain type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Empirical modelling tools have also been developed that allow for fast, customized modelling of individual SNe and direct comparisons between observations and explosion model predictions. Such tools have provided useful insights, but the subjective nature with which empirical modelling is performed makes it difficult to obtain robust constraints on the explosion physics or expand studies to large populations of objects. Machine learning accelerated tools have therefore begun to gain traction. In this paper, we present riddler, a framework for automated fitting of SNe Ia spectral sequences up to shortly after maximum light. We train a series of neural networks on realistic ejecta profiles predicted by the W7 and N100 explosion models to emulate full radiative transfer simulations and apply nested sampling to determine the best-fitting model parameters for multiple spectra of a given SN simultaneously. We show that riddler is able to accurately recover the parameters of input spectra and use it to fit observations of two well-studied SNe Ia. We also investigate the impact of different weighting schemes when performing quantitative spectral fitting and show that best-fitting models and parameters are highly dependent on the assumed weighting schemes and priors. As spectroscopic samples of SNe Ia continue to grow, automated spectral fitting tools such as riddler will become increasingly important to maximise the physical constraints that can be gained in a quantitative and consistent manner.
The long-term effects of dapagliflozin in chronic kidney disease: a time-to-event analysis
Authors: McEwan Phil , Gabb Peter D , Davis Jason A , Garcia Sanchez Juan Jose , Sjöström C David , Barone Salvatore , Kashioulis Pavlos , Ouwens Mario , Cassimaty Syd , Correa-Rotter Ricardo , Rossing Peter , Wheeler David C , Heerspink Hiddo J L
Published: May 2024

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a significant clinical and economic burden to healthcare systems worldwide, which increases considerably with progression towards kidney failure. The Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD) trial demonstrated that patients with or without type 2 diabetes who were treated with dapagliflozin experienced slower progression of CKD versus those receiving placebo. Understanding the effect of long-term treatment with dapagliflozin on the timing of kidney failure beyond trial follow-up can assist informed decision-making by healthcare providers and patients. The study objective was therefore to extrapolate the outcome-based clinical benefits of treatment with dapagliflozin in patients with CKD via a time-to-event analysis using trial data.

Methods

Patient-level data from the DAPA-CKD trial were used to parameterize a closed cohort-level partitioned survival model that predicted time-to-event for key trial endpoints (kidney failure, all-cause mortality, sustained decline in kidney function and hospitalization for heart failure). Data were pooled with a subpopulation of the Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events – Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 58 (DECLARE-TIMI 58) trial to create a combined CKD population spanning a range of CKD stages; a parallel survival analysis was conducted in this population.

Results

In the DAPA-CKD and pooled CKD populations, treatment with dapagliflozin delayed time to first event for kidney failure, all-cause mortality, sustained decline in kidney function and hospitalization for heart failure. Attenuation of CKD progression was predicted to slow the time to kidney failure by 6.6 years [dapagliflozin: 25.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 19.0–31.5; standard therapy: 18.5, 95% CI 14.7–23.4] in the DAPA-CKD population. A similar result was observed in the pooled CKD population with an estimated delay of 6.3 years (dapagliflozin: 36.0, 95% CI 31.9–38.3; standard therapy: 29.6, 95% CI 25.5–34.7).

Conclusion

Treatment with dapagliflozin over a lifetime time horizon may considerably delay the mean time to adverse clinical outcomes for patients who would go on to experience them, including those at modest risk of progression.