bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strong and reliable synaptic communication between pyramidal neurons in adult human cerebral cortex
Authors: Hunt Sarah , Leibner Yoni , Mertens Eline J , Barros-Zulaica Natalí , Kanari Lida , Heistek Tim S , Karnani Mahesh M , Aardse Romy , Wilbers René , Heyer Djai B , Goriounova Natalia A , Verhoog Matthijs B , Testa-Silva Guilherme , Obermayer Joshua , Versluis Tamara , Benavides-Piccione Ruth , de Witt-Hamer Philip , Idema Sander , Noske David P , Baayen Johannes C , Lein Ed S , DeFelipe Javier , Markram Henry , Mansvelder Huibert D , Schürmann Felix , Segev Idan , de Kock Christiaan P J
Published: July 2022

Synaptic transmission constitutes the primary mode of communication between neurons. It is extensively studied in rodent but not human neocortex. We characterized synaptic transmission between pyramidal neurons in layers 2 and 3 using neurosurgically resected human middle temporal gyrus (MTG, Brodmann area 21), which is part of the distributed language circuitry. We find that local connectivity is comparable with mouse layer 2/3 connections in the anatomical homologue (temporal association area), but synaptic connections in human are 3-fold stronger and more reliable (0% vs 25% failure rates, respectively). We developed a theoretical approach to quantify properties of spinous synapses showing that synaptic conductance and voltage change in human dendritic spines are 3–4-folds larger compared with mouse, leading to significant NMDA receptor activation in human unitary connections. This model prediction was validated experimentally by showing that NMDA receptor activation increases the amplitude and prolongs decay of unitary excitatory postsynaptic potentials in human but not in mouse connections. Since NMDA-dependent recurrent excitation facilitates persistent activity (supporting working memory), our data uncovers cortical microcircuit properties in human that may contribute to language processing in MTG.
Masked features of task states found in individual brain networks
Authors: Porter Alexis , Nielsen Ashley , Dorn Megan , Dworetsky Ally , Edmonds Donnisa , Gratton Caterina
Published: July 2022

Completing complex tasks requires that we flexibly integrate information across brain areas. While studies have shown how functional networks are altered during different tasks, this work has generally focused on a cross-subject approach, emphasizing features that are common across people. Here we used extended sampling “precision” fMRI data to test the extent to which task states generalize across people or are individually specific. We trained classifiers to decode state using functional network data in single-person datasets across 5 diverse task states. Classifiers were then tested on either independent data from the same person or new individuals. Individualized classifiers were able to generalize to new participants. However, classification performance was significantly higher within a person, a pattern consistent across model types, people, tasks, feature subsets, and even for decoding very similar task conditions. Notably, these findings also replicated in a new independent dataset. These results suggest that individual-focused approaches can uncover robust features of brain states, including features obscured in cross-subject analyses. Individual-focused approaches have the potential to deepen our understanding of brain interactions during complex cognition.
Caught between competing emotions and tensions while adjusting to a new everyday life: a focus group study with family caregivers of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors
Authors: Rosenkilde Siri , Missel Malene , Wagner Mette Kirstine , Dichman Camilla , Hermansen Anne Sofie , Larsen Malene K , Joshi Vicky L , Zwisler Ann Dorthe , Borregaard Britt
Published: July 2022

Aims

Caring for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivor may impact family caregivers’ lives due to the sudden onset of the illness and possible secondary cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges. However, experiences of caring for an OHCA survivor are sparsely described. Thus, this study aimed to explore how family caregivers of OHCA survivors experience the potential burden.

Methods and results

Using an explorative qualitative approach, six focus group interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 family caregivers of OHCA survivors and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach inspired by the philosophy of Ricoeur. The OHCA survivors attended a rehabilitation course, and the family caregivers were interviewed as part of the course.

Based on the analysis, three themes emerged: (i) feeling unexpectedly alone and invisible; the family caregivers experienced an emotional burden that could not be shared—leading to caregiving being a lonely experience, (ii) fear of loss; the fear of losing a loved one was a constant companion contributing to the burden, and (iii) adjusting to a new everyday life; the family caregivers had difficulties adjusting to living their lives on the premise of the survivors’ needs.

Conclusion

The findings of this study emphasize the burden experienced by family caregivers and how they can be trapped in competing emotions and tensions. The possible caregiver burden following OHCA should be acknowledged. Interventions to reduce the burden should be tested and implemented as part of the clinical care of OHCA survivors and their families.
Long-term survival ofDehalococcoides mccartyistrains in mixed cultures under electron acceptor and ammonium limitation
Authors: Morson Nadia , Molenda Olivia , Picott Katherine J , Richardson Ruth E , Edwards Elizabeth A
Published: July 2022

Few strains of Dehalococcoides mccartyi harbour and express the vinyl chloride reductase (VcrA) that catalyzes the dechlorination of vinyl chloride (VC), a carcinogenic soil and groundwater contaminant. The vcrA operon is found on a Genomic Island (GI) and, therefore, believed to participate in horizontal gene transfer (HGT). To try to induce HGT of the vcrA-GI, we blended two enrichment cultures in medium without ammonium while providing VC. We hypothesized that these conditions would select for a mutant strain of D. mccartyi that could both fix nitrogen and respire VC. However, after more than 4 years of incubation, we found no evidence for HGT of the vcrA-GI. Rather, we observed VC-dechlorinating activity attributed to the trichloroethene reductase TceA. Sequencing and protein modelling revealed a mutation in the predicted active site of TceA, which may have influenced substrate specificity. We also identified two nitrogen-fixing D. mccartyi strains in the KB-1 culture. The presence of multiple strains of D. mccartyi with distinct phenotypes is a feature of natural environments and certain enrichment cultures (such as KB-1), and may enhance bioaugmentation success. The fact that multiple distinct strains persist in the culture for decades and that we could not induce HGT of the vcrA-GI suggests that it is not as mobile as predicted, or that mobility is restricted in ways yet to be discovered to specific subclades of Dehalococcoides.
Effect of mesoscopic-flow loss on seismic reflections in media with penny-shaped inclusions
Authors: Wang Enjiang , Zhang Lin , Carcione José M , Ba Jing
Published: July 2022

We obtain the amplitude and energy reflection coefficients of seismic waves in porous media with penny-shaped inclusions, based on the generalized Biot-Rayleigh model that takes into account the attenuation due to mesoscopic local fluid flow (LFF). We consider two cases, including a contact between two porous media having either different fluids (gas-water contact) or crack density/aspect ratio, as well as a water half-space overlying a porous medium, and study the frequency-dependent reflection-transmission (scattering) coefficients for open- and sealed-pore boundary conditions. Our examples show that the LFF mechanism mainly reduces the reflection coefficients (amplitude and energy) at the gas-water contact and at a water/porous-medium interface for frequencies less than 10 kHz, due to the fact that the velocity in the lower medium decreases. For the latter case, if the fluid is gas, the LFF effect becomes only important at frequencies between 0.0001 and 10 Hz for the open-pore case. This is due to the fact that the acoustic impedance contrast between water and gas is high. At frequencies less than 0.0001 Hz, the interface is equivalent to a water/elastic-medium one, and hence the results are the same as those of the sealed-pore case. Moreover, the crack density and aspect ratio affect the mesoscopic attenuation and relaxation frequency, and therefore the reflection coefficients.
Drying behavior and mathematical modeling of Tenebrio molitor using a closed system heat pump dryer
Authors: Qiu Fuqiang , Li Baoguo , Xu Taoping , He Dugui
Published: July 2022

The main purpose of this paper was to investigate the influence of air temperatures (T), air velocity (v) and blanching time (ô) on the behavior of Tenebrio molitor when a closed-system heat pump dryer is used to dry the sample to equilibrium water content (dry basis water content is 12.5%). The T was 40°C, 50°C and 60°C; the v was 2, 3 and 4 m/s; and the ô was 15, 30 and 45 s. And the quality of T. molitor was measured every 15 minutes. We also established a mathematical model to predict the drying process. Altogether, six selected thin-layer mathematical drying models were compared to assess the drying process based on the coefficients of determination (R2), root mean square error and the sum of the squared error. The results showed that the drying time can be shortened as T, v and ô increased and T and v had greater effects on the drying time compared with the ô. There are three stages throughout the drying process—the constant speed stage was the shortest and the decelerated stage played a leading role. Among six selected thin-layer mathematical drying models, the Midilli model (R2 = 0.9997) was superior to others in describing the drying curves of T. molitor. The experimental data of MR was in agreement with the prediction results of Mildilli model.
THE IMPACT OF BALANCING DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN TAX SYSTEMS ON ALLEVIATING TAXPAYERS' INEQUALITY AND ANXIETY
Authors: Guo Yanfang , Nian Zhiyuan , Ismaila Diadama
Published: July 2022

Background

The economy of China has gotten impressive change in recent years, to which personal income got many times higher than before correspond. Global economy also had a great impact to China. There are more foreigner applied China’s Visa and work or live in China. How could their personal income income be levied, same or different with Chinese? Same or different with previous income tax policy? Personal income tax is the most concern of all natural taxpayers, which is directly related to the amount of personal net income, which impacted the living cost plan. Under the current situation that China strengthens the introduction of returnees who have gotten great achievement in certain business and research field and the tax administration of personnel outside the enterprise, there are now a large number of domestic and overseas taxpayers in group of the natural taxpayers. However, from 1998 to now, due to the personnel income huge gap between domestic and foreigner who were invited to work in China, there have been policy differences between domestic and foreign personnel in China's personal income tax payroll and salary foreign-related tax policies, which has resulted in the psychological inequity of taxpayers and caused the psychological inequity and social anxiety of domestic personnel.

Subjects and Methods

In this paper, the official tax data is selected, and the case of Appendix 4 in S.D.S.H. [2014] No. 65 document is taken as an example to use specific income data to generate different tax burden differences and impacts on the differences between domestic and foreign taxpayers under the same income, shows the unfair consequence according the present personal income tax policy.

Results

From these tax differences, it is found that there are still some problems in China's tax policy corresponding to personal income tax wages and salaries, such as tax unfairness caused by repeated deductions, additional deductions and tax exemption items for foreigners, which negatively affect the efficiency of talent policy, etc., and the psychological unfairness and social anxiety to domestic taxpayers are discussed.

Conclusions

Finally, the policy suggestions to improve the tax policy and link taxpayers' psychological injustice and social anxiety are put forward: According to the new talent policy which induced the high-level experts despite of their nationalities and the change of economic environment in which China’s GDP have been almost the advanced country group and individual income went up higher, China should make the fair tax policy, avoid repeated deductions, cancel additional deductions and tax exemption items for foreigners, and improve the corresponding tax system from the perspectives of improving tax fairness and efficiency, maintaining tax neutrality and simplifying the tax system. The range of data income levels selected in this paper is not comprehensive enough, and there is no specific research on ultra-high income groups.
Problematic White-Tailed Deer Information in Regarding Past and Future Tick (Amblyomma americanum, Acari: Ixodidae) Distributions
Authors: Webb G Kent
Published: July 2022

Figure 3 in this Journal of Medical Entomology article is central to the authors’ warning about an exploding white-tailed deer population but conflicts in important aspects with the relevant deer research. Among other problems, it shows a 60% increase in the white-tailed deer density from 1500 to 2020 when the research consensus is that the population is about the same. It shows an exploding population from 2000 to 2020 without supporting data when the population peaked around the year 2000 according to evidence-based research.
Seedling and field assessment of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) dwarfing genes and their influence on root traits in multiple genetic backgrounds
Authors: Ingvordsen Cathrine H , Hendriks Pieter-Willem , Smith David J , Bechaz Kathryn M , Rebetzke Greg J
Published: July 2022

Deployment of the Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b dwarfing genes helped facilitate the Green Revolution to increase wheat yields globally. Much is known of the influence of these genes on plant height and agronomic performance, but not of their effects on root architecture. We assessed 29 near-isogenic lines (NILs) representing 11 Green Revolution and alternative dwarfing genes across multiple genetic backgrounds for root architecture characteristics in controlled and field environments. Genetic background did not influence plant height, but had a small and significant (P<0.05) effect on root architecture. All dwarfing gene NILs were significantly (P<0.01) shorter compared with tall controls. The Green Revolution Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b sometimes had longer seedling roots but were not different from their respective tall controls for root depth in the field. The Rht8, Rht12, and Rht18 dwarfing gene NILs produced long seminal roots in seedling pouches, and a greater maximum rooting depth (MRD) and root penetration rate (RPR) in the field. Genotypic increases in MRD and RPR were strongly correlated with increased harvest index and grain yield, particularly in dry environments. Careful root phenotyping highlights the potential of novel dwarfing genes for wheat genetic improvement under water-limited conditions.
Multiwavelength temporal and spectral study of TeV blazar 1ES 1727+502 during 2014–2021
Authors: Prince Raj , Khatoon Rukaiya , Majumdar Pratik , Czerny Bożena , Gupta Nayantara
Published: July 2022

One of the most important questions in blazar physics is the origin of broad-band emission and fast-flux variation. In this work, we studied the broad-band temporal and spectral properties of a TeV blazar 1ES 1727+502 and explore the one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model to fit the broad-band spectral energy distribution (SED). We collected the long-term (2014–2021) multiband data that include both the low- and high-flux states of the source. The entire light curve is divided into three segments of different flux states and the best-fitting parameters obtained by broad-band SED modelling corresponding to three flux states were then compared. The TeV blazar 1ES 1727+502 has been observed to show the brightest flaring episode in the X-ray followed by the optical–UV and γ-rays. The fractional variability estimated during various segments behaves differently in multiple wavebands, suggesting a complex nature of emission in this source. This source has shown a range of variability time from days scale to month scale during this long period of observations between 2014 and 2021. A ‘harder-when-brighter’ trend is not prominent in the X-ray but seen in the optical–UV and an opposite trend is observed in the γ-ray. The complex nature of correlation among various bands is observed. The SED modelling suggests that the one-zone SSC emission model can reproduce the broad-band spectrum in the energy range from optical–UV to very high energy γ-ray.
Pseudofinder: Detection of Pseudogenes in Prokaryotic Genomes
Authors: Syberg-Olsen Mitchell J , Garber Arkadiy I , Keeling Patrick J , McCutcheon John P , Husnik Filip
Published: July 2022

Prokaryotic genomes are usually densely packed with intact and functional genes. However, in certain contexts, such as after recent ecological shifts or extreme population bottlenecks, broken and nonfunctional gene fragments can quickly accumulate and form a substantial fraction of the genome. Identification of these broken genes, called pseudogenes, is a critical step for understanding the evolutionary forces acting upon, and the functional potential encoded within, prokaryotic genomes. Here, we present Pseudofinder, an open-source software dedicated to pseudogene identification and analysis in bacterial and archaeal genomes. We demonstrate that Pseudofinder’s multi-pronged, reference-based approach can detect a wide variety of pseudogenes, including those that are highly degraded and typically missed by gene-calling pipelines, as well newly formed pseudogenes containing only one or a few inactivating mutations. Additionally, Pseudofinder can detect genes that lack inactivating substitutions but experiencing relaxed selection. Implementation of Pseudofinder in annotation pipelines will allow more precise estimations of the functional potential of sequenced microbes, while also generating new hypotheses related to the evolutionary dynamics of bacterial and archaeal genomes.
Phosphorylation of SAMHD1 Thr592 increases C-terminal domain dynamics, tetramer dissociation and ssDNA binding kinetics
Authors: Orris Benjamin , Huynh Kevin W , Ammirati Mark , Han Seungil , Bolaños Ben , Carmody Jason , Petroski Matthew D , Bosbach Benedikt , Shields David J , Stivers James T
Published: July 2022

SAM and HD domain containing deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase 1 (SAMHD1) is driven into its activated tetramer form by binding of GTP activator and dNTP activators/substrates. In addition, the inactive monomeric and dimeric forms of the enzyme bind to single-stranded (ss) nucleic acids. During DNA replication SAMHD1 can be phosphorylated by CDK1 and CDK2 at its C-terminal threonine 592 (pSAMHD1), localizing the enzyme to stalled replication forks (RFs) to promote their restart. Although phosphorylation has only a small effect on the dNTPase activity and ssDNA binding affinity of SAMHD1, perturbation of the native T592 by phosphorylation decreased the thermal stability of tetrameric SAMHD1 and accelerated tetramer dissociation in the absence and presence of ssDNA (∼15-fold). In addition, we found that ssDNA binds competitively with GTP to the A1 site. A full-length SAMHD1 cryo-EM structure revealed substantial dynamics in the C-terminal domain (which contains T592), which could be modulated by phosphorylation. We propose that T592 phosphorylation increases tetramer dynamics and allows invasion of ssDNA into the A1 site and the previously characterized DNA binding surface at the dimer-dimer interface. These features are consistent with rapid and regiospecific inactivation of pSAMHD1 dNTPase at RFs or other sites of free ssDNA in cells.
Flipped over U: structural basis for dsRNA cleavage by the SARS-CoV-2 endoribonuclease
Authors: Frazier Meredith N , Wilson Isha M , Krahn Juno M , Butay Kevin John , Dillard Lucas B , Borgnia Mario J , Stanley Robin E
Published: July 2022

Coronaviruses generate double-stranded (ds) RNA intermediates during viral replication that can activate host immune sensors. To evade activation of the host pattern recognition receptor MDA5, coronaviruses employ Nsp15, which is a uridine-specific endoribonuclease. Nsp15 is proposed to associate with the coronavirus replication-transcription complex within double-membrane vesicles to cleave these dsRNA intermediates. How Nsp15 recognizes and processes dsRNA is poorly understood because previous structural studies of Nsp15 have been limited to small single-stranded (ss) RNA substrates. Here we present cryo-EM structures of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 bound to a 52nt dsRNA. We observed that the Nsp15 hexamer forms a platform for engaging dsRNA across multiple protomers. The structures, along with site-directed mutagenesis and RNA cleavage assays revealed critical insight into dsRNA recognition and processing. To process dsRNA Nsp15 utilizes a base-flipping mechanism to properly orient the uridine within the active site for cleavage. Our findings show that Nsp15 is a distinctive endoribonuclease that can cleave both ss- and dsRNA effectively.
How the Other Half Sees It: E-cigarette Advertising Exposure and Subsequent E-cigarette Use Among U.S. Young Adult Cigarette Smokers
Authors: Chen-Sankey Julia , Lopez Michael , Elhabashy Maryam , Broun Aaron
Published: July 2022

Introduction

E-cigarette advertising may benefit young adult cigarette smokers in transitioning to using e-cigarettes. We assessed whether e-cigarette advertising exposure was associated with subsequent e-cigarette use among young adult cigarette smokers.

Aims and Methods

Data were from Waves 4 (2016–2018) and 5 (2018–2019) of the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study adult survey. Respondents were young adult established cigarette smokers at Wave 4 (18–34 years; n = 3391) and a subsample of those who tried to quit smoking cigarettes completely in the past year at Wave 5 (n = 1235). Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between e-cigarette advertising exposure (by channel of exposure) and subsequent past-year e-cigarette use in general and e-cigarette use to quit smoking cigarettes, controlling for covariates.

Results

At Wave 5, 43.4% of smokers reported past-year use of e-cigarettes; and 14.8% of smokers who tried to completely quit smoking reported past-year use of e-cigarettes to quit. E-cigarette advertising exposure was associated with subsequent past-year e-cigarette use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.53, p < .0001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27, 1.86) and past-year use to quit smoking cigarettes (AOR = 1.65, p < .01, 95% CI = 1.19, 2.29). Advertising exposure through brick-and-mortar stores or websites/social media was similarly associated with both e-cigarette use behaviors.

Discussion

Exposure to e-cigarette advertising among U.S. young adult established cigarette smokers may be associated with subsequent e-cigarette use and use to quit smoking. More research is needed to understand the features of e-cigarette advertising (eg, discounts, flavors, smoker-targeted claims) that may shape perception and behavior related to e-cigarette use among young adult smokers.

Implications

Little is known about the associations between e-cigarette advertising exposure and e-cigarette use among young adult cigarette smokers who may benefit from switching to e-cigarettes. This study found that e-cigarette advertising exposure was positively associated with (1) subsequent e-cigarette use among U.S. young adult established cigarette smokers and (2) subsequent e-cigarette use to quit smoking cigarettes among those who tried to completely quit in the past year. These observed associations were driven by smokers who did not currently use e-cigarettes at baseline. E-cigarette advertising exposure through brick-and-mortar stores or websites/social media was also positively associated with subsequent e-cigarette use behaviors.
RNA and neuronal function: the importance of post-transcriptional regulation
Authors: Bhat Vandita D , Jayaraj Jagannath , Babu Kavita
Published: July 2022

The brain represents an organ with a particularly high diversity of genes that undergo post-transcriptional gene regulation through multiple mechanisms that affect RNA metabolism and, consequently, brain function. This vast regulatory process in the brain allows for a tight spatiotemporal control over protein expression, a necessary factor due to the unique morphologies of neurons. The numerous mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation or translational control of gene expression in the brain include alternative splicing, RNA editing, mRNA stability and transport. A large number of trans-elements such as RNA-binding proteins and micro RNAs bind to specific cis-elements on transcripts to dictate the fate of mRNAs including its stability, localization, activation and degradation. Several trans-elements are exemplary regulators of translation, employing multiple cofactors and regulatory machinery so as to influence mRNA fate. Networks of regulatory trans-elements exert control over key neuronal processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic transmission and plasticity. Perturbations in these networks may directly or indirectly cause neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. We will be reviewing multiple mechanisms of gene regulation by trans-elements occurring specifically in neurons.
Metaphysical Overdetermination
Authors: Bliss Ricki
Published: July 2022

It is widely recognized by proponents of the notion that grounding can be, indeed is, overdetermined. Moreover, it seems safe to suppose that something of a consensus has emerged: grounding is overdetermined and there is nothing about it that we ought to find concerning. Not only is the overdetermination apparently not problematic, metaphysically speaking, but that grounding is overdetermined is not problematic, conceptually speaking, either. From a small sampling of alleged cases, however, no such conclusions can responsibly be drawn. And without an account of when a fact is technically overdetermined, we are unable to reasonably answer questions about the acceptability of that overdetermination either. In this paper, I attempt to understand when a fact is technically metaphysically overdetermined. I argue that such an exploration reveals that nothing as regards the overdetermination of grounding is straightforward, and that the phenomenon is deserving of much more philosophical attention.
Risankizumab improved health-related quality of life, fatigue, pain and work productivity in psoriatic arthritis: results of KEEPsAKE 1
Authors: Kristensen Lars Erik , Soliman Ahmed M , Papp Kim , White Douglas , Barcomb Lisa , Lu Wenjing , Eldred Ann , Behrens Frank
Published: July 2022

Objectives

PsA is a heterogeneous disease that impacts many aspects of social and mental life, including quality of life. Risankizumab, an antagonist specific for IL-23, is currently under investigation for the treatment of adults with active PsA. This study evaluated the impact of risankizumab vs placebo on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among patients with active PsA and inadequate response or intolerance to conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD-IR) in the KEEPsAKE 1 trial.

Methods

Adult patients with active PsA (n = 964) were randomized (1:1) to receive risankizumab 150 mg or placebo. PROs assessed included the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36, v2), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), EuroQoL-5 Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L), Patient’s Assessment of Pain, Patient’s Global Assessment (PtGA) of Disease Activity, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment–PsA (WPAI-PsA) questionnaire. Least squares (LS) mean change from baseline at week 24 was compared between risankizumab and placebo.

Results

At week 24, differences between groups were observed using LS mean changes from baseline in SF-36 physical component summary and mental component summary; FACIT-Fatigue; EQ-5D-5L; Patient’s Assessment of Pain; PtGA; all eight SF-36 domains (all nominal P < 0.001); and the WPAI-PsA domains of impairment while working (presenteeism), overall work impairment and activity impairment (all nominal P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Risankizumab treatment resulted in greater improvements in HRQoL, fatigue, pain and work productivity in patients with active PsA who have csDMARD-IR, when compared with placebo.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03675308
Nostoc Talks Back: Temporal Patterns of Differential Gene Expression During Establishment of Anthoceros-Nostoc Symbiosis
Authors: Chatterjee Poulami , Schafran Peter , Li Fay-Wei , Meeks John C.
Published: July 2022

Endosymbiotic associations between hornworts and nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria form when the plant is limited for combined nitrogen (N). We generated RNA-seq data to examine temporal gene expression patterns during the culturing of N-starved Anthoceros punctatus in the absence and the presence of symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme. In symbiont-free A.  punctatus gametophytes, N starvation caused downregulation of chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics as well as transcription of photosynthesis-related genes. This downregulation was reversed in A. punctatus cocultured with N. punctiforme, corresponding to the provision by the symbiont of N2-derived NH4+, which commenced within 5 days of coculture and reached a maximum by 14 days. We also observed transient increases in transcription of ammonium and nitrate transporters in a N. punctiforme–dependent manner as well as that of a SWEET transporter that was initially independent of N2-derived NH4+. The temporal patterns of differential gene expression indicated that N. punctiforme transmits signals that impact gene expression to A. punctatus both prior to and after its provision of fixed N. This study is the first illustrating the temporal patterns of gene expression during establishment of an endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixing association in this monophyletic evolutionary lineage of land plants.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Intermittent Changes in Temperature and Humidity Repress Gray Mold in Tomato
Authors: Li Tianzhu , Zhou Jie , Yuan Zenan , Liu RuYi , Li Jianming
Published: July 2022

Environmental temperature and humidity play a vital role in plant-pathogen interactions, which profoundly affect the occurrence of crop diseases. However, the specific methods and mechanisms through which intermittent changes in temperature and humidity mitigate plant diseases remain unclear. In this study, six temperature and humidity combinations were set, the disease severity of tomatoes and biomass of Botrytis cinerea were analyzed, and the infection process of pathogens was observed using an optical microscope. Furthermore, dual RNA-seq analysis was performed to explore the interactions between plants and pathogens. Results showed that the 24 hours postinoculation (hpi)-12 h day (regulation was performed at 24 hpi for 12 h after inoculation during the day) treatment reduced the gray mold severity and biomass of B. cinerea in plants by the greatest amount and effectively inhibited the growth of mycelia. The 24 hpi-12 h day treatment induced the upregulation of light reactions, photorespiration, and Calvin cycle-related genes in tomatoes, whereas fungal genes related to the biosynthesis of sesquiterpene botrydial and polyketide botcinic acid were downregulated. Overall, we identified the optimal combination of temperature and humidity changes to inhibit the development of tomato gray mold and preliminarily explored the interactions between tomato and B. cinerea under temperature and humidity changes. This work has practical importance and provides a theoretical basis for the ecological control of plant diseases.
Exogenous Dopamine and MdTyDC Overexpression Enhance Apple Resistance to Fusarium solani
Authors: Liu Yusong , Liu Qianwei , Li Xuewen , Tang Zhongwen , Zhang Zhijun , Gao Hanbing , Ma Fengwang , Li Chao
Published: July 2022

Fusarium solani, one of the main pathogenic fungi involved in apple replant disease (ARD), is a serious threat to apple growth and development. Dopamine and tyrosine decarboxylase (TyDC), a key enzyme in the dopamine synthesis pathway, have been reported to play an active role in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, but little is known about the functions of dopamine and Malus domestica TyDC ( MdTyDC) in the interaction between F. solani and apple roots. In this study, seedlings treated with exogenous dopamine and apple plants overexpressing MdTyDC were inoculated with F. solani; both treatments reduced the root system damage caused by F. solani. After inoculation with F. solani, exogenous dopamine increased dopamine content in the seedlings; alleviated the inhibition of biomass accumulation; increased root metabolic activity, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant enzyme activities; reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation; and upregulated the expression of genes encoding chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and pathogenesis-related proteins. Similar results were observed in MdTyDC-overexpressing apple plants. In addition, the overexpression of MdTyDC increased tyramine content and the deposition of cell wall-bound amines in roots. Overall, our results reveal that exogenous dopamine and overexpression of MdTyDC enhance apple resistance to F. solani, which is an important application for the prevention of ARD.
Enhanced Uptake and Retention of 0.03% Bimatoprost, 0.5% 5-Fluorouracil, and 5% Minoxidil After 1,550-nm or 1,927-nm Nonablative Laser Pretreatment
Authors: Wang Jordan V. , Friedman Paul M. , Agron Samantha , Konda Adarsh , Parker Catherine , Geronemus Roy G.
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Laser pretreatment with cosmeceutical topicals is growing in popularity. However, lasers may also enhance the uptake of medical topicals that treat dermatologic conditions, such as vitiligo, alopecia, and cancerous and precancerous lesions. Permeation of these topicals must be quantified to optimize treatment protocols.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze transdermal uptake of 3 topicals after nonablative fractional 1,550-nm erbium-doped glass or 1,927-nm thulium fiber laser pretreatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Human donor tissue was pretreated with a nonablative fractional 1,550-nm erbium-doped glass or 1,927-nm thulium fiber laser followed by application of 0.03% bimatoprost, 0.5% 5-fluorouracil, or 5% minoxidil. Permeation and retention were measured over 24 hours (bimatoprost and 5-fluorouracil) or 90 minutes (minoxidil), and uptake was calculated.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with 1,927-nm thulium laser (500 MTZ/cm2; 5 mJ; 5 W) enhanced uptake and retention of bimatoprost versus untreated control at 24 hours post-treatment. Pretreatment with 1,550-nm erbium-doped glass laser (2,000 MTZ/cm2; 10 mJ; 30 W) enhanced permeation, uptake, and retention of 5-fluorouracil at 24 hours post-treatment and enhanced permeation and uptake of minoxidil at 90 minutes post-treatment.

CONCLUSION

Nonablative laser pretreatment may enhance topical treatment of dermatologic conditions. Device settings must be optimized to maximize topical permeation while minimizing laser-associated thermal side effects.
Limbal-Rigid Contact Lens Wear for the Treatment of Ocular Surface Disorders: A Review
Authors: Aziza Yulia , Itoi Motohiro , Ueta Mayumi , Inatomi Tsutomu , Kinoshita Shigeru , Sotozono Chie
Published: July 2022

Recently, the prescription of large-diameter rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (CLs), also known as “scleral lenses,” “corneoscleral lenses,” and “limbal-rigid CLs,” is on the rise for the treatment of both moderate and severe ocular surface disorders (OSDs). Compared with scleral lenses, the diameter of limbal-rigid CLs is generally smaller, that is, a diameter ranging from 13.0 to 14.0 mm, and they are designed so that the peripheral edge bears on the limbus. The Suncon Kyoto-CS (Sun Contact Lens Co., Ltd.) is a novel limbal-rigid CL design with multistep curves on the peripheral edge for easy tear exchange during blinking that removes debris and prevents lens clouding or fogging, thus allowing patients to enjoy a longer daily duration of CL wear. In severe OSD cases, limbal-rigid CL wear after surgery is a noninvasive therapeutic approach that can neutralize corneal irregularities, decrease dry eye symptoms, prevent the progression or recurrence of symblepharon, and improve the patient's visual acuity and overall quality of life. Thus, surgeries such as amniotic membrane transplantation and cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation, as well as limbal-rigid CL wear, which is noninvasive, are valuable and effective treatment strategies that can now be applied for the management of patients afflicted with severe OSDs.
Trauma Resuscitation Training: An Evaluation of Nurses' Knowledge
Authors: Chowdhury Sharfuddin , Almarhabi Maha , Varghese Benish , Leenen Luke
Published: July 2022

Background:

Trauma resuscitation in the emergency department involves coordinated, well-equipped, and trained health care providers to make essential, prudent, and expedient management decisions. During resuscitation, health care providers' knowledge and skills are critical in minimizing the potential risks of mortality and morbidity.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of training on nurses' knowledge and confidence regarding trauma resuscitation and whether there was any difference between participants with and without previous trauma training.

Methods:

This study used a pre- and posttraining test study design to evaluate the effects of an intensive 8-hr trauma resuscitation training program on nurses' knowledge from January 2018 to August 2021. The training program consisted of lectures and patient scenarios covering initial assessment, resuscitation, and management priorities for trauma patients in life-threatening situations, stressing the principles of the trauma team approach.

Results:

A total of 128 nurses participated in 16 courses conducted during the study period. This study found significant improvement in nurses' knowledge after the training (pre- and posttraining median [interquartile range, IQR] test scores 5 [4–6] vs. 9 [8–9], p < .001). There was no significant difference in pretraining test scores between the participants with previous trauma training and those without training (median [IQR] test scores 5 [4–6] vs. 4 [4–5], p = .751).

Conclusions:

Trauma resuscitation training affects nurses' knowledge improvement, emphasizing the need for training trauma care professionals to provide adequate care.
Serum Fibrinogen Level and Cytokine Production as Prognostic Biomarkers for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Okuda Hiroshi , Aoki Mitsuhiro , Ohashi Toshimitsu , Ogawa Bakushi , Shibata Hirofumi , Ueda Natsuko , Hayashi Hisamitsu , Nishihori Takezumi , Kuze Bunya , Ohnishi Hidenori , Ogawa Takenori
Published: July 2022

Objectives

No clinically useful prognostic factors have been identified for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). The current study therefore sought to identify useful prognostic factors for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss from blood biomarkers while attempting to classify the pathogenic mechanism and formulate treatment strategies based on these results.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Methods

A total of 47 patients with acute phase ISSNHL were treated with steroid at an initial dose of 1 mg/kg/day and hyperbaric oxygen therapy and followed up for 6 months. Serum fibrinogen levels, peripheral blood mononu- clear cells (PBMCs), and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production levels from PBMCs were measured, after which patient’s pre- and post- treatment hearing was compared.

Results

In the overall cohort, the mean improvement level, mean recovery rate, and mean fibrinogen level was 20.3 dB, 46.2%, 292.0 mg/mL, respectively. The mean levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α produced by peripheral blood mononu- clear cells cultured under lipopolysaccharide stimulation were 318.4, 498.1, and 857.6 pg/mL, respectively. High fibrinogen levels were associated with poor hearing progno- sis. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine production by PBMCs did not correlate with hearing changes; however, the prognosis was significantly better in patients with low fibrinogen levels and high IL-1β levels produced by PBMCs than in other patients.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that patients with simple inflammatory-type ISSNHL responded well to standard therapy. Therefore, serum fibrinogen levels and PBMCs cytokine production may help determine the management of ISSNHL based on its pathogenic mechanism.
Epistemic Genres as a Conceptual Tool in the History of Chinese Medicine
Authors: Hanson Marta
Published: July 2022

This article summarizes the collaboration between two historians of medicine on Sino-European medical exchanges. Gianna Pomata researches the history of medicine in early modern Europe and Marta Hanson researches the history of medicine in early modern China. The following covers the concept of epistemic genres that Pomata first developed out of her research on the history of the genres historia, observationes, recipes, medical cases, and the commentary in Europe. She connected these genres variously to empiricism, erudition, scientific observation, norm-making, and recording practice. The paper then evaluates how Pomata and Hanson used epistemic genres as a method for doing cross-cultural research on 17th–18th-century Sino-European medical exchanges. Pomata then wrote a comparative history of the medical case in Europe and China. The article concludes with how Hanson applied the distinction of epistemic genres to analyze the history of Chinese medicine from a new perspective.
The diagnostic efficacy of diffusion tensor imaging generated by gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging for patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: He Liu , Dan Gao , Yuanbo Sun , Fengqiong Tang , Mingcheng Hu , Li Hongyi
Published: July 2022

Background:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to systemic inflammatory responses and other cardiovascular disease. Diffusion tensor imaging findings generated by gadolinium-based MRI (DTI-GBMRI) is regarded as a standard method for assessing the pathology of CKD. To evaluate the diagnostic value of DTI-GBMRI for renal histopathology and renal efficiency, renal fibrosis and damage, noninvasive quantification of renal blood flow (RBF) were investigated in patients with CKD.

Methods:

CKD patients (n = 186) were recruited and underwent diagnosis of renal diffusion tensor imaging findings generated by MRI (DTI-MRI) or DTI-GBMRI to identify the pathological characteristics and depict renal efficiency. The cortical RBFs and estimated glomerular filtration rate were compared in CKD patients undergone DTI-GBMRI (n = 92) or DTI-MRI (n = 94).

Results:

Gadolinium enhanced the diagnosis generated by DTI-MRI in renal fibrosis, renal damage, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. The superiority in sensitivity and accuracy of the DTI-GBMRI method in assessing renal function and evaluating renal impairment was observed in CKD patients compared with DTI-MRI. Outcomes demonstrated that DTI-GBMRI had higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity than DTI-MRI in diagnosing patients with CKD.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, DTI-GBMRI is a potential noninvasive method for measuring renal function, which can provide valuable information for clinical CKD diagnosis.
Recovery of complete left bundle branch block in a dilated cardiomyopathy patient after treatment with sacubitril/valsartan: A case report
Authors: Peng Meng-Ling , Fu Yu , Zhang Ying , Wu Chu-Wen , Ren Hang , Zhou Shan-Shan
Published: July 2022

Rationale:

The treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has recently been greatly improved, especially with the widespread use of sacubitril/valsartan (ARNI) combination therapy. We know that ARNI-like drugs can significantly improve the symptoms of heart failure with reducing ejection fraction. However, clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ARNI in DCM-associated arrhythmia are limited, and whether individuals with arrhythmia would benefit from ARNI remains controversial. In this case, we report a patient with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) associated with DCM whose CLBBB returned to normal after treatment with ARNI.

Patient concerns:

A 38-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for 20 days for idiopathic paroxysmal dyspnea. He presented with exacerbated dyspnea symptoms at night, accompanied by cough and sputum.

Diagnosis:

Physical examination revealed a grade 4/6 systolic murmur could be heard in the apical area of the heart and mild edema was present in both lower limbs. Laboratory examination found that the B-type natriuretic peptide was significantly increased. Echocardiography indicated left atrial internal diameter, right ventricular internal diameter, and left ventricular diastolic diameter were enlarged and ejection fraction was significantly decreased. Besides, the pulsation of the wall was diffusely attenuated. Electrocardiogram was suggestive of tachycardia and CLBBB. A diagnosis of DCM with CLBBB was considered based on a comprehensive evaluation of the physical examination, laboratory examination, echocardiography and electrocardiogram.

Interventions:

The patient was treated with ARNI at a dose of 50 mg (twice a day) at first, gradually increasing to the target dose (200 mg, twice a day) in the following 9 months as shown in Table 1, along with metoprolol 25 mg (once a day [qd]), diuretics 20 mg (qd), and aldosterone 20 mg (qd).

Outcomes:

After treatment with ARNI during the 9-month follow-up, the patient’s symptoms improved, and CLBBB returned to normal.

Lessons:

Clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ARNI in DCM-associated arrhythmia are limited, and whether individuals with arrhythmia would benefit from ARNI remains controversial. This report will help to instruct the clinical treatment of DCM patients with CLBBB and the potential application of ARNI.
Acute pontine infarction in a patient with 8-shaped basilar artery fenestration malformation: A case report
Authors: Zhang WenSheng , Xing WeiFang , Gu HongLi , He JinZhao
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Cerebrovascular fenestration malformation is a relatively rare vascular dysplasia, and an 8-shaped basilar artery fenestration malformation is even rarer. The characteristics of transcranial Doppler cerebral blood flow in cerebrovascular fenestration malformations have rarely been studied or reported.

Patient concerns:

A 58-year-old woman presented with hypertension, diabetes, with no history of smoking or drinking. The patient had no relevant family history. The patient experienced left limb weakness for 2 days, which gradually worsened.

Diagnosis:

Head and neck computed tomography angiography revealed an 8-shaped fenestration deformity of the lower segment of the basilar artery with multiple stenoses of the local vessels. Transcranial Doppler cerebral blood flow examination at a depth of 85 cm revealed an eddy current in the lower segment of the basilar artery.

Interventions:

Tirofiban was administered intravenously for 3 days and subsequently changed to oral clopidogrel antiplatelet treatment.

Outcomes:

The modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months after disease onset was 0, indicating that the patient recovered well after treatment.

Conclusion:

A basilar artery 8-shaped fenestration is extremely rare and has seldom been reported. Cerebral vascular fenestration can lead to an acute cerebral infarction and its pathogenesis may include local hemodynamic abnormalities and thrombosis. Eddy currents can be detected by transcranial Doppler cerebral blood flow examination.