bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Headache prevalence in transgender and gender diverse youth: A single‐center case–control study
Authors: Hranilovich Jennifer A. , Millington Kate
Published: March 2023

Objective

Assess the prevalence of headache in transgender and gender‐diverse adolescents, comparing prevalence with and without exposure to gender‐affirming hormone therapy.

Background

Transgender and gender‐diverse youth are an understudied group in whom we can study the effects of sex steroids on adolescents’ development of headache. We hypothesized that transfeminine adolescents treated with estrogen would have higher odds of headache than those not treated, and that transmasculine adolescents treated with testosterone would have lower odds of headache than those not treated.

Methods

This retrospective case–control study analyzed all patients seen at the Boston Children's Hospital Gender Multispecialty Service clinic from 2007 to 2017. Cases were defined as patients with headache, controls as those without headache, and exposure as treatment with gender‐affirming hormone therapy (i.e., estrogen or testosterone). A computerized search identified cases that were then validated by chart review.

Results

Fifty‐two of the 763 transgender and gender‐diverse patients seen were confirmed to have headache. Of 273 transfeminine patients 45% (123/273) received estrogen treatment. Transfeminine patients receiving estrogen were more likely to have headache than those not receiving estrogen (7% [9/123] vs. 1% [2/150]; odd ratio [OR] 5.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–27.6), p = 0.026). Of 490 transmasculine patients, 46% (227/490) received testosterone. Transmasculine patients receiving testosterone were more likely to have headache than those not receiving testosterone (12% [28/227] vs. 5% (13/263); OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.37–5.4), p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Among transfeminine and transmasculine youth, those who received gender‐affirming hormone therapy had higher odds of headache compared to those not taking gender‐affirming hormone therapy. Further prospective studies to guide headache care of transgender and gender‐diverse youth and adults are needed. Our results could be generalizable to other pediatric gender management clinics and may be worth discussing with patients considering treatment.
Staff perceptions of the quality of care delivered in a New Zealand mental health and addiction service: Findings from a qualitative study
Authors: Craik Brooke , Derrett Sarah , Wyeth Emma H. , Green Mel , Cox Adell
Published: March 2023

In New Zealand, people receiving care from specialist mental health and addiction services experience poorer health outcomes compared to the general population. Māori (Indigenous) specialist mental health and addiction service users experience disproportionate inequities. This study aims to: (1) Describe and understand mental health staff perspectives on the quality of care delivered to specialist mental health and addiction service users in their service – including specifically for Māori; and (2) Identify areas staff report as opportunities for quality improvement. In 2020, Southern District Health Board (now Te Whatu Ora – Southern) mental health staff were invited to participate in a cross‐sectional study assessing their perceptions of a range of service aspects. This paper presents quantitative and qualitative analyses about quality of care. Among the 319 staff who completed the questionnaire; 272 provided quality‐of‐care responses. Among these, 78% reported the quality of care delivered to service users as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’; only 60% reported this for Māori service users. Participants identified individual, service and broader system level factors influencing the quality of care delivered to service users, including factors specific for Māori. This study has identified, for what appears to be the first time, empirical and concerning differences in staff ratings of the quality of care delivered to Māori and SMHAS users overall. Findings highlight the need for institutional and managerial prioritization of hauora Māori, and incorporating tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti into practice.
The psychological experience of nursing students in their internship year during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almadani Noura , Alamri Majed , AL‐Dossary Reem , Albaqawi Hamdan , Al Hosis Khaled , Aljohani Mohammed , Alrasheadi Bader , Aljohani Khalid , Falatah Rawaih , Alharbi Jalal , Alasqah Ibrahim
Published: March 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic produced challenges and troubling issues in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. During the height of the pandemic, the psychological status of nursing students was complicated by challenges that affected their educational future. We used qualitative approach to explore the psychological status of 20 Saudi nursing students from Nursing College in their internship program during the COVID‐19 pandemic by investigating their perceptions, experiences, and challenges. Thematic analysis methods were used to present the data as themes and subthemes. Themes that emerged during interviews revealed: Interns' experiences from the outbreak; Perceptions of students toward COVID‐19; Mental distress associated with the situation; Level of support from either or both university authorities or hospital education and training departments; Financial challenges; and Readiness to complete a nursing internship. COVID‐19 presented several challenges to Saudi nursing students in internship year including psychological distress in several aspects such as fear of infection for themselves and their families. However, this study findings do not apply to all nursing students as it only included nursing interns actively engaged in clinical practice. Additional studies are required to examine how the clinical practice of internships varied across the country during any epidemic situation.
Infant sleep predicts trajectories of social attention and later autism traits
Authors: Begum‐Ali Jannath , Gossé Louisa K. , Mason Luke , Pasco Greg , Charman Tony , Johnson Mark H. , Jones Emily J.H. ,   The STAARS Team
Published: March 2023

Background

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience sleep disturbances, but little is known about when these sleep differences emerge and how they relate to later development.

Methods

We used a prospective longitudinal design in infants with a family history of ASD and/or ADHD to examine infant sleep and its relation to trajectories of attention and later neurodevelopmental disorders. We formed factors of Day and Night Sleep from parent‐reported measures (including day/night sleep duration, number of naps in the day, frequency of night awakenings and sleep onset problems). We examined sleep in 164 infants at 5‐, 10‐ and 14‐months with/without a first‐degree relative with ASD and/or ADHD who underwent a consensus clinical assessment for ASD at age 3.

Results

By 14‐months, infants with a first‐degree relative with ASD (but not ADHD) showed lower Night Sleep scores than infants with no family history of ASD; lower Night Sleep scores in infancy were also associated with a later ASD diagnosis, decreased cognitive ability, increased ASD symptomatology at 3‐years, and developing social attention (e.g., looking to faces). We found no such effects with Day Sleep.

Conclusions

Sleep disturbances may be apparent at night from 14‐months in infants with a family history of ASD and also those with later ASD, but were not associated with a family history of ADHD. Infant sleep disturbances were also linked to later dimensional variation in cognitive and social skills across the cohort. Night Sleep and Social Attention were interrelated over the first 2 years of life, suggesting that this may be one mechanism through which sleep quality influences neurodevelopment. Interventions targeted towards supporting families with their infant's sleep problems may be useful in this population.
Evaluation of a modernized supported housing intervention for individuals who experience severe and persistent mental illness in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Booth Richard G. , Lam Melody , Forchuk Cheryl , Yang Annie , Shariff Salimah Z.
Published: March 2023

What is known on the subject

Supported housing approaches that include case management and increased opportunities for independence and personal autonomy for people who are living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) have been found to help reduce hospitalizations and use of the emergency department.

What is not fully clear is if these types of supported housing arrangements also influence the use of primary health care and other specialist services.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge

This study uncovered that individuals experiencing SPMI who lived in supported housing used more primary health care and specialist physician services, in the year following transition to this housing arrangement.

What are the implications for practice

The findings of this study suggest that supported housing arrangements for people experiencing SPMI may help in improving the personalization of health services for individual residents, including increasing access to both primary health care and specialist services.

This is important for nursing practice, as the findings of the study show that supported housing arrangements for people experiencing SPMI may assist in better supporting their complex health care needs.

Introduction

Supported housing for people who are living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) has been found to help reduce hospitalizations and use of the emergency department. What is not fully clear is if these types of supported housing arrangements also influence the use of primary health care and other specialist services.

Aim/Question

The aim of this study was to compare the use of health services use of individuals with SPMI, before and after transition to the new supported housing program.

Method

Using health care administrative databases, a pre‐post cohort study was conducted examining the health system use of residents who transitioned from custodial to supported housing arrangements between 2017 and 2019.

Results

Individuals with SPMI used more primary health care and specialist physician services after transition to the supported housing model.

Discussion

The results suggest that a supported housing model may be associated with increased usage of outpatient person‐centred health services in people experiencing SPMI.

Implications for Practice

The findings of this study suggest that supported housing arrangements for people experiencing SPMI may help in improving the personalization of health services for individual. This is important for nursing practice, as the findings of the study show that supported housing arrangements may assist in better supporting complex health care needs of individuals.
Transmission of canine transmissible venereal tumour between two dogs in the UK
Authors: Hayes A. M. , Schiavo L. , Constantino‐Casas F. , Desmas I. , Dobson J. , Draper A. , Elliot J. , Genain M.‐A. , Wang J. , Murchison E. P.
Published: March 2023

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious cancer spread by transfer of living cancer cells. Occasional cases are observed in the UK in dogs imported from endemic regions. Here, we report a case of imported canine transmissible venereal tumour that was transmitted to a second dog within the UK. Transmission of genital canine transmissible venereal tumour occurred despite neutered status of the second dog. The aggressive course of disease in both cases, which included metastasis, resistance to therapeutic interventions and ultimate euthanasia of both dogs, is described. The diagnosis of canine transmissible venereal tumour was made using a combination of cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry and PCR to detect the LINE‐MYC rearrangement. Practitioners unfamiliar with canine transmissible venereal tumour are reminded of this disease of concern, particularly when imported dogs are placed in multi‐dog households, irrespective of neuter status.
A One Health review of aerodigestive disease in dogs
Authors: Grobman Megan , Reinero Carol
Published: March 2023

This review article seeks to define and describe aerodigestive disease in dogs, and review current and emerging methods of diagnostic evaluation. Aspiration of gastric contents into the respiratory tract is associated with the development and progression of numerous respiratory diseases in humans. In veterinary medicine the term “aspiration” is considered synonymous with “aspiration pneumonia” which, while frequently encountered, does not accurately reflect the breadth of aspiration associated respiratory syndromes (AARS). In the clinical veterinary literature, the effect of alimentary dysfunction on respiratory disease and vice versa (aerodigestive disease) is rarely investigated despite evidence in the human literature, animal models, and some studies and case reports linking alimentary and respiratory disease in small animals. Current methods of investigating aerodigestive diseases in veterinary patients are limited by inadeqate  sensitivity or specificity, potential for bias, cost, and availability. This necessitates investigations into advanced diagnostics to identify potentially underrecognized animals with AARS. Additionally, similarities in anatomy, physiology, and several disorders between dogs and humans, make experimental and naturally occurring canine models of AARS integral to translational research. Thus, evaluating dogs with aerodigestive disease might represent an area of substantial clinical relevance in human as well as veterinary medicine.
The Subsets of SLIDE‐ and Parallel‐Related Combinations in Twentieth‐Century Music
Authors: HONARMAND AMIN
Published: March 2023

In twentieth‐century music, not only do SLIDE and Parallel function as transformations between chords, but they also combine triads to form pitch‐class units from which many triadic and non‐triadic subsets are derived. By identifying these subsets, I illustrate the larger frameworks of the SLIDE and Parallel formulae and their unifying roles in the pitch‐class organisation of selected twentieth‐century pieces. After establishing the subset/superset identity, I reveal that the subsets serve two formal purposes, functioning as elements of initiation and closure in relation to the pitch‐class organisation of structural units. Moreover, I show how these subsets/supersets may engage in gradual processes and how they are tied to linear motions and correlative relations. To demonstrate these subsets’ extensive use, I provide examples from pieces written between the 1930s and the 1990s by nine European, North American and Russian composers: Britten, Cabena, Lutosławski, Martinů, Persichetti, Piston, Prokofiev, Schnittke and Shostakovich. I conclude my article by analysing a passage that incorporates all the properties discussed in the article.
Impact of larvae of the Asian tiger mosquitoAedes albopictuson larvae of theCulex pipienscomplex from Germany in laboratory co‐breeding studies
Authors: Rau Janine , Fischer Susanne , Werner Doreen , Kampen Helge
Published: March 2023

Since the first detection of the Asian tiger mosquitoAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) eggs in Germany in 2007, several populations of this species have established in Germany. Although colloquiallyAe. albopictusis called an ‘invasive species’, it is not considered ‘invasive’ and therefore to be controlled according to the European Union (EU) Environmental and Nature Protection Act since evidence of displacement of native species is missing. To test the competitive potential ofAe. albopictustowards mosquito species native to Germany, laboratory experiments were conducted with larvae of this species and indigenousCx. pipienscomplex species/biotypes. First instar larvae ofAe. albopictusand of one of the native taxa were exposed to different temperatures and fed with different food sources. The ratio of individuals developing into adults as well as the time the larvae needed for development were taken as a measure of competitive outcome. In addition, the size of emerging adults was compared between control and experimental groups. Regarding developmental time, no significant differences were found between treatments and controls while significant differences were found regarding developmental rate and average wing size of individuals. Because no evidence of competitive repression of the native species was found,Ae. albopictuscannot be included in the EU list of invasive species.
Glad to be alive: How we can compare a person's existence and her non‐existence in terms of what is better or worse for this person
Authors: Piller Christian
Published: March 2023

This paper defends the claim that if a person P exists, there can be true positive comparisons between P's existence and P's never having existed at all in terms of what is better or worse for P. If correct, this view will have significant implications for various fundamental issues in population ethics. I try to show how arguments to the contrary fail to take note of a general ambiguity in comparisons when compared alternatives contain their own different standards (or, in the case of non‐existence, a lack thereof) on which to base these comparisons. After having answered arguments against the possibility of making positive comparisons, the paper develops a positive account of how to make existence/non‐existence comparisons in terms of personal value whilst accepting that a person's non‐existence fails to make any contact with the relevant categories of personal value. The guiding idea is the following: When some item satisfies some relevant standard, we can, I argue, infer that it satisfies this standard better than something that fails to satisfy this standard (be this failure due to empirical or conceptual reasons).
The novel HLA‐DQB1*06:01:33 allele was identified by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Chen Chen , Li Ying , Dong Lina , Zhang Wei , Zhu Faming
Published: March 2023

HLA‐DQB1*06:01:33 differs from HLA‐DQB1*06:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution at position 762 G > A in exon 4.
Curved Ring Origami: Bistable Elastic Folding for Magic Pattern Reconfigurations
Authors: Dai Jize , Lu Lu , Leanza Sophie , Hutchinson John W. , Zhao Ruike Renee
Published: March 2023

Ring origami has emerged as a robust strategy for designing foldable and deployable structures due to its impressive packing abilities achieved from snap-folding. In general, polygonal rings with rationally designed geometric parameters can fold into compact three-loop configurations with curved segments which result from the internal bending moment in the folded state. Inspired by the internal bending moment-induced curvature in the folded state, we explore how this curvature can be tuned by introducing initial natural curvature to the segments of the polygonal rings in their deployed stress-free state, and study how this initial curvature affects the folded configurations of the rings. Taking a clue from straight-segmented polygonal rings that fold into overlapping curved loops, we find that this behavior can be reversed by introducing curvature into the ring segments in the stress-free initial state such that the rings fold into a looped straight-line configuration with “zero” area. This strategy realizes extreme packing of the rings. In this work, by a combination of experimental observation, finite element analysis, and theoretical modeling, we systematically study the effect of segment curvature on folding behaviors, folded configurations, and packing abilities of curved ring origami with different geometries. It is anticipated that curved ring origami can open a new avenue for the design of foldable and deployable structures with simple folded configurations and high packing efficiency.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the soil mite Cycetogamasus diviortus (Acari, Parasitidae) and the related phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Liang Lang , Yi Tian-Ci , Jin Dao-Chao
Published: March 2023

Mites of the family Parasitidae Oudemans, 1901 (Acari, Mesostigmata) are widely distributed in soil and litter; some species harbor humus. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Cycetogamasus diviortus, representing a typical arthropod circular genome, with 14,450 bp in length, and encoding 37 genes. The gene order is in line with the reported mitochondrial genomes of other parasitid mite species. Except ND1 and ND5 start with TTG, other genes start with ATN. TAG is the stop codon of COX2, ND3 and ND4. COX3, CYTB and ND1 have special stop codons, which are incomplete stop codons T-, T- and A-, respectively. Other genes end in TAA. All tRNA genes show the typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for the trnS1 (AGN), which lacks the DHU arm and is replaced by a simple loop. The whole mitochondrial genome of C. diviortus showed a heavy AT nucleotide bias (70.71%), a positive AT Skew (0.009), and a negative GC Skew (-0.267). Phylogenetic analyses were performed using Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods based on the dataset of mitochondrial nucleotide sequences of 22 mite species. The results showed that Parasitidae and Ologamasidae were more closely related to each other than other Mesostigmata groups.
Droplet-based forward genetic screening of astrocyte–microglia cross-talk
Authors: Wheeler Michael A. , Clark Iain C. , Lee Hong-Gyun , Li Zhaorong , Linnerbauer Mathias , Rone Joseph M. , Blain Manon , Akl Camilo Faust , Piester Gavin , Giovannoni Federico , Charabati Marc , Lee Joon-Hyuk , Kye Yoon-Chul , Choi Joshua , Sanmarco Liliana M. , Srun Lena , Chung Elizabeth N. , Flausino Lucas E. , Andersen Brian M. , Rothhammer Veit , Yano Hiroshi , Illouz Tomer , Zandee Stephanie E. J. , Daniel Carolin , Artis David , Prinz Marco , Abate Adam R. , Kuchroo Vijay K. , Antel Jack P. , Prat Alexandre , Quintana Francisco J.
Published: March 2023

Cell–cell interactions in the central nervous system play important roles in neurologic diseases. However, little is known about the specific molecular pathways involved, and methods for their systematic identification are limited. Here, we developed a forward genetic screening platform that combines CRISPR-Cas9 perturbations, cell coculture in picoliter droplets, and microfluidic-based fluorescence-activated droplet sorting to identify mechanisms of cell–cell communication. We used SPEAC-seq (systematic perturbation of encapsulated associated cells followed by sequencing), in combination with in vivo genetic perturbations, to identify microglia-produced amphiregulin as a suppressor of disease-promoting astrocyte responses in multiple sclerosis preclinical models and clinical samples. Thus, SPEAC-seq enables the high-throughput systematic identification of cell–cell communication mechanisms.
Deep-sea impacts of climate interventions
Authors: Levin Lisa A. , Alfaro-Lucas Joan M. , Colaço Ana , Cordes Erik E. , Craik Neil , Danovaro Roberto , Hoving Henk-Jan , Ingels Jeroen , Mestre Nélia C. , Seabrook Sarah , Thurber Andrew R. , Vivian Chris , Yasuhara Moriaki
Published: March 2023

Ocean manipulation to mitigate climate change may harm deep-sea ecosystems
Sexual harassment allegations leveled at Swiss biologist
Authors: O’Grady Cathleen
Published: March 2023

Evolutionary biologist Laurent Keller, who is no longer employed by the University of Lausanne, denies all claims
Clonal hematopoiesis detection in patients with cancer using cell-free DNA sequencing
Authors: Fairchild Lauren , Whalen Jeanne , D’Aco Katie , Wu Jincheng , Gustafson Carroll B. , Solovieff Nadia , Su Fei , Leary Rebecca J. , Campbell Catarina D. , Balbin O. Alejandro
Published: March 2023

In the context of cancer, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is associated with the development of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms and shorter overall survival. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing is becoming widely adopted for genomic screening of patients with cancer but has not been used extensively to determine CHIP status because of a requirement for matched blood and tumor sequencing. We present an accurate classification approach to determine the CH status from cfDNA sequencing alone, applying our model to 4324 oncology clinical cfDNA samples. Using this method, we determined that 30.3% of patients in this cohort have evidence of CH, and the incidence of CH varies by tumor type. Matched RNA sequencing data show evidence of increased inflammation, especially neutrophil activation, within the tumors and tumor microenvironments of patients with CH. In addition, patients with CH had evidence of neutrophil activation systemically, pointing to a potential mechanism of action for the worse outcomes associated with CH status. Neutrophil activation may be one of many mechanisms, however, because patients with estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer harboring
TET2
frameshift mutations had worse outcomes but similar neutrophil frequencies to patients without CH. Together, these data show the feasibility of detecting CH through cfDNA sequencing alone and an application of this method, demonstrating increased inflammation in patients with CH both systemically and in the tumor microenvironment.
Therapeutic neutralizing monoclonal antibody administration protects against lethal yellow fever virus infection
Authors: Ricciardi Michael J. , Rust Lauren N. , Pedreño-Lopez Nuria , Yusova Sofiya , Biswas Sreya , Webb Gabriela M. , Gonzalez-Nieto Lucas , Voigt Thomas B. , Louw Johan J. , Laurino Fernanda D. , DiBello John R. , Raué Hans-Peter , Barber-Axthelm Aaron M. , Chun Kimberly , Uttke Samantha , Raphael Lidiane M. S. , Yrizarry-Medina Aaron , Rosen Brandon C. , Agnor Rebecca , Gao Lina , Labriola Caralyn , Axthelm Michael , Smedley Jeremy , Julander Justin G. , Bonaldo Myrna C. , Walker Laura M. , Messaoudi Ilhem , Slifka Mark K. , Burton Dennis R. , Kallas Esper G. , Sacha Jonah B. , Watkins David I. , Burwitz Benjamin J.
Published: March 2023

Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a reemerging global health threat, driven by several factors, including increased spread of the mosquito vector and rapid urbanization. Although a prophylactic vaccine exists, vaccine hesitancy, supply deficits, and distribution difficulties leave specific populations at risk of severe YFV disease, as evidenced by recent outbreaks in South America. To establish a treatment for patients with severe YFV infection, we tested 37 YFV-specific monoclonal antibodies isolated from vaccinated humans and identified two capable of potently neutralizing multiple pathogenic primary YFV isolates. Using both hamster and nonhuman primate models of lethal YFV infection, we demonstrate that a single administration of either of these two potently neutralizing antibodies during acute infection fully controlled viremia and prevented severe disease and death in treated animals. Given the potential severity of YFV-induced disease, our results show that these antibodies could be effective in saving lives and fill a much-needed void in managing YFV cases during outbreaks.
A Road to Microbiology Literacy (and More): an Opportunity for a Paradigm Change in Teaching
Authors: Timmis Kenneth
Published: March 2023

Microbial activities pervasively impact the wellbeing of all organisms, including humans, and the functioning of the planet itself. In order for society to form informed opinions and take effective actions related to its welfare, it must be able to understand the causes of issues of importance and to appreciate the range of possible responses and their likely effectiveness.
The Antler orogeny reconsidered and implications for late Paleozoic tectonics of western Laurentia
Authors: Cashman Patricia H. , Sturmer Daniel M.
Published: March 2023

Mississippian rocks of the Antler foreland basin in Nevada (western United States) record its evolution in detail, clarifying the timing and tectonic significance of the Antler orogeny. Synorogenic clastic sediments mark the initiation of tectonism; they arrived in Nevada from the north or northwest in late Early Mississippian (Osagean). An orogenic highland formed in northern Nevada in late Middle Mississippian (Meramecian), producing a regional angular unconformity and terminating deposition in the Antler foreland basin. Unconformably overlying Upper Mississippian (Chesterian) rocks provide tight age control for the redefined “Antler orogeny” sensu stricto. Palinspastic restoration of Sr isotopic data reveals a projecting step in the Laurentian margin in northern Nevada. The Antler orogeny resulted from late Middle Mississippian sinistral-oblique convergence at this step. Continuing oblique convergence produced the subsequent late Paleozoic basins, structures, and unconformities in northern Nevada. The Roberts Mountains allochthon is translated material from farther north emplaced onto the margin. Its basal bounding fault, long mapped as the “Roberts Mountains thrust,” is in fact not a single continuous fault, motion on it was not synchronous, and displacement on many fault segments mapped as the Roberts Mountains thrust postdate the late Middle Mississippian. We therefore propose that the term “Roberts Mountains thrust” be abandoned. This new paradigm not only explains anomalous characteristics of the Antler orogeny but also illustrates criteria for recognizing oblique convergence at other ancient plate margins.
Supplemental Material: Bureya–Jiamusi–Khanka superterrane linked to the Kuunga-Pinjarra interior orogen of East Gondwana and its drift toward Northeast Asia
Authors: Yang Hao , al. et
Published: March 2023

Supplemental Text: Analytical Methods. Table S1: LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb and trace element data of the Early Ordovician and Late Triassic intrusive rocks along the Bureya River. Table S2: 40Ar/39Ar step-heating results of the Neoproterozoic–Late Triassic igneous rocks along the Bureya River. Table S3: Major (wt%) and trace (ppm) elements of the Early Ordovician and Late Triassic intrusive rocks along the Bureya River. Table S4: Zircon Hf isotopic compositions of the Early Ordovician and Late Triassic intrusive rocks along the Bureya River.
Supplemental Material: The Paleoproterozoic granite factory: Voluminous post-collisional, ferroan, A-type granites and implications for crust formation and metallogenic tenor, Labrador, Canada
Authors: Hinchey A.M. , al. et
Published: March 2023

Supplemental Text S1: Methodology. Supplemental Data S1: Lithogeochemical data.
Neurological manifestations of scrub typhus: encephalitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
Authors: Modi Tanish , Sood Tina , Moudgil Sandeep , Arora Navneet
Published: March 2023

Scrub typhus is a tropical febrile illness that mainly affects rural populations in tropical and subtropical countries. It can range in severity from a mild febrile illness to multisystem involvement. Systemic dysfunction often appears in the second week of sickness, and hepatic, renal and brain involvement are well documented. Although encephalitis is the most frequent neurological ailment, a wide range of unusual complications involving the central and peripheral nervous systems have been identified—however, concomitant multiaxial involvement of the central and peripheral nervous systems is unique. We report a case of a young man with serologically confirmed scrub typhus presenting with fever, eschar, altered sensorium and progressive quadriplegia with hyporeflexic deep tendon reflexes. MRI revealed changes suggestive of encephalitis, and there was evidence of axonopathy on nerve conduction studies. A diagnosis of scrub typhus encephalitis with concomitant Guillain-Barré syndrome was made. He received doxycycline and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, in addition to supportive treatment.
A comparative study of acetyl-l-carnitine and caloric restriction impact on hippocampal autophagy, apoptosis, neurogenesis, and astroglial function in AlCl3-induced Alzheimer’s in rats
Authors: Wadie Christina Magdy , Ali Radwa Hassan , Mohamed Abd El-Hamid A. , Labib Jolly M.W. , Sabaa Abdel Rhman , Awad Hossam Eldin Ahmed , Abou-Bakr Doaa Ahmed
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a worldwide chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease. We aimed to investigate and compare the neuroprotective impact of acetyl-l-carnitine and caloric restriction (CR) on AlCl3-induced AD to explore the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of AD. Sixty-seven adult male Wistar rats were allocated into Control, AlCl3, AlCl3–acetyl-l-carnitine, and AlCl3–CR groups. Each of AlCl3 and acetyl-l-carnitine were given by gavage in a daily dose of 100 mg/kg and CR was conducted by giving 70% of the daily average caloric intake of the control group. Rats were subjected to behavioral assessment using open field test, Y maze, novel object recognition test and passive avoidance test, biochemical assay of serum phosphorylated tau (pTau), hippocampal homogenate phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, Beclin-1, Bcl-2-associated X protein, and B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) as well as hippocampal Ki-67 and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry. AlCl3-induced cognitive and behavioral deficits coincident with impaired autophagy and enhanced apoptosis associated with defective neurogenesis and defective astrocyte activation. Acetyl-l-carnitine and CR partially protect against AlCl3-induced behavioral, cognitive, biochemical, and histological changes, with more ameliorative effect of acetyl-l-carnitine on hippocampal apoptotic markers, and more obvious behavioral and histological improvement with CR.
High Resolution Backscattering Acoustic Tomography Method Based on Reverse Time Migration for Arbitrary Wideband Sounding Signal
Authors: Sukhanov Dmitry , Kuzovova Anzhela
Published: March 2023

Backscattered wave acoustic tomography using wideband probing signals makes it possible to obtain three-dimensional (3D) images of scattering inhomogeneities. Signal processing based on the reverse time migration (RTM) method allows one to take into account the influence of background refractive obstacles of the medium to minimize distortions of reconstructed tomographic images. We propose a noniterative method of acoustic tomography in an immersion medium based on RTM approach supplemented with linear signal preprocessing to enhance resolution of reconstructing tomography images. The visualization of scattering objects is based on wave inversion from the measurement area considering the probing wave field specially distorted to perform regularized back convolution. The applicability of the proposed method for visualizing scattering objects in water is shown analytically, numerically and experimentally. The proposed method is resistant to noise according to regularization. The results obtained show the agreement between the numerical and analytical solution. Using the example of sounding with linear frequency modulation signals, it is demonstrated that the proposed method allows increasing the resolution of tomographic images in comparison with conventional RTM. The novelty of the proposed method is the preliminary filtration of the forward propagation wave in the course of solving the inverse problem. This approach improves the resolution of tomographic images and allows considering the influence of obstacles.
Source apportionment of nitrogen pressures at a Chalk-fed groundwater-dependent wetland
Authors: Whiteman Mark , Farr Gareth , Haslam Angela , Train Chris , Kieboom Natalie , Farrell Rolf , Davison Paul , Williams Heather , Tang Sim , Hall Jane , Jones Laurence
Published: March 2023

In Groundwater-Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTEs), atmospheric nitrogen (N) inputs have often been studied in isolation from terrestrial groundwater and surface water inputs. We describe for the first time the development and application of a combined atmospheric and terrestrial N source apportionment methodology, able to identify contributing catchment and N loadings to GWDTEs. We combined all N inputs using a site-specific conceptual model supported by 12 months’ monitoring for a Chalk-fed GWDTE at Newbald Becksies, East Yorkshire. We discuss implications for effective catchment management, wetland protection and development of a source apportionment methodology. Potential sources of nitrate include: atmospheric deposition, mineralization, leaching from agricultural soils, manure heaps, septic tanks, sewer and mains water leakage. Atmospheric deposition was calculated from measurements of ammonia and nitrogen dioxide concentrations together with rainfall inputs of ammonium and nitrate. Quantification of agricultural sources used the FarmScoper modelling tool to estimate nitrate leaching in the groundwater catchment. Comparison between modelled nitrate concentrations in leachate (15–17 mg N l
−1
) and observed groundwater nitrate concentrations (12.3–19.8 mg N l
−1
) are good. The majority of nitrate is leached from arable land. FarmScoper allows mitigation scenarios to be tested, supporting measures to reduce nitrate within a groundwater catchment.
Hepatocellular Neoplasm of Uncertain Potential of Malignancy or Well-Differentiated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Arising within Hepatocellular Adenoma
Authors: Campos Elisabete , Silva Roberto , Rodrigues Sara , de Almeida Marinho , Lopes Joanne , Aral Marisa , Cristino Humberto , Graça Luís , Barbosa Elisabete
Published: March 2023

Background. Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is an uncommon solid, solitary, benign liver lesion that develops in an otherwise normal-appearing liver. Hemorrhage and malignant transformation are the most important complications. Risk factors for malignant transformation include advanced age, male gender, use of anabolic steroids, metabolic syndrome, larger lesions, and beta-catenin activation subtype. The identification of higher risk adenomas enables the selection of patients most suitable for aggressive treatment and those who benefit with surveillance, minimizing the risks for these predominantly young patients. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 29-year-old woman with a history of oral contraceptive intake for 13 years, which was sent to evaluation in our Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic and Splenic Unit because of a large nodular lesion in segment 5 of the liver, compatible with HCA, and was proposed to surgical resection. Histological and immunohistochemical investigation revealed an area with atypical characteristics, suggesting malignant transformation. Conclusions. HCAs share similar imaging characteristics and histopathological features with hepatocellular carcinomas; therefore, immunohistochemical and genetic studies assumes great importance to discriminate adenomas with malignant transformation. Beta-catenin, glutamine synthetase, glypican-3, and heat-shock protein 70 are promising markers to identify higher risk adenomas.
Large Region of Homozygous (ROH) Identified in Indian Patients with Autosomal Recessive Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy with p.Thr182Pro Variant in SGCB Gene
Authors: Manjunath V. , Thenral S. G. , Lakshmi B. R. , Nalini Atchayaram , Bassi A. , Karthikeyan K. Priya , Piyusha K. , Menon R. , Malhotra A. , Praveena L. S. , Anjanappa R. M. , Murugan S. M. Sakthivel , Polavarapu Kiran , Bardhan Mainak , Preethish-Kumar V. , Vengalil Seena , Nashi Saraswati , Sanga S. , Acharya M. , Raju R. , Pai V. R. , Ramprasad V. L. , Gupta R.
Published: March 2023

The sarcoglycanopathies are autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) caused by the mutations in genes encoding the α, β, γ, and δ proteins which stabilizes the sarcolemma of muscle cells. The clinical phenotype is characterized by progressive proximal muscle weakness with childhood onset. Muscle biopsy findings are diagnostic in confirming dystrophic changes and deficiency of one or more sarcoglycan proteins. In this study, we summarized 1,046 LGMD patients for which a precise diagnosis was identified using targeted sequencing. The most frequent phenotypes identified in the patients are LGMDR1 (19.7%), LGMDR4 (19.0%), LGMDR2 (17.5%), and MMD1 (14.5%). Among the reported genes, each of CAPN3, SGCB, and DYSF variants was reported in more than 10% of our study cohort. The most common variant SGCB p.Thr182Pro was identified in 146 (12.5%) of the LGMD patients, and in 97.9% of these patients, the variant was found to be homozygous. To understand the genetic structure of the patients carrying SGCB p.Thr182Pro, we genotyped 68 LGMD patients using a whole genome microarray. Analysis of the array data identified a large ~1 Mb region of homozygosity (ROH) (chr4:51817441-528499552) suggestive of a shared genomic region overlapping the recurrent missense variant and shared across all 68 patients. Haplotype analysis identified 133 marker haplotypes that were present in ~85.3% of the probands as a double allele and absent in all random controls. We also identified 5 markers (rs1910739, rs6852236, rs13122418, rs13353646, and rs6554360) which were present in a significantly higher proportion in the patients compared to random control set (

n
=
128

) and the population database. Of note, admixture analysis was suggestive of greater proportion of West Eurasian/European ancestry as compared to random controls. Haplotype analysis and frequency in the population database indicate a probable event of founder effect. Further systematic study is needed to identify the communities and regions where the SGCB p.Thr182Pro variant is observed in higher proportions. After identifying these communities and//or region, a screening program is needed to identify carriers and provide them counselling.
Comparative Study on Growth Index and Nutritional Quality of Female Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis Selected at Different Growth Periods in Rice-Crab Culture Systems
Authors: Zhang Bao-Yuan , Fang Wen-Hao , Zhu Rui , Wang Ning , Yao Qi , Liu Hong-Jian , Wan Ji-Wu , Chen Yu-Ke , Wang Qiu-Ju , Zhang Dong-Ming
Published: March 2023

Research was conducted on the growth performance and nutritional quality of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) during a 62-day growing period in a symbiotic coculture comprising rice and crab. Culture experiments were conducted in three rice fields of equal size (996 m2). On days 0 (July 15, D0), 15 (July 30, D15), 31 (August 15, D31), 46 (August 30, D46), and 62 (September 2, D62), tissue samples of 50 female E. sinensis were collected randomly from each rice field. The results showed that the serum growth hormone (GH) content and muscle ecdysone receptor (EcR) mRNA expression levels were higher in the D31 and D46 groups; the content of serum 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) and the mRNA expression levels of retinoid X receptor (RXR), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), and chitinase (CHI) reached the maximum in the D31 group. Muscle crude protein content gradually increased; hepatopancreas crude protein and crude lipid content began to decrease after reaching the maximum value in the D0 and D15 groups, respectively; the contents of crude protein and crude lipid in the ovary significantly increased in the D46 and D62 groups (

P
<
0.05

). The content of muscle essential amino acids (EAA) reached the maximum in the D46 group; the hepatopancreas EAA content began to decrease significantly in the D31 group (

P
<
0.05

); and the EAA content of the ovary decreased significantly after reaching the maximum value in the D46 group (

P
<
0.05

). The muscle contents of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA) and the ratio of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3/n6) decreased significantly in the D31 group (

P
<
0.05

); the hepatopancreas contents of EPA, PUFA, n-3PUFA, and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6PUFA) and the ratio of n3/n6 began to decrease after reaching the maximum value in the D31 group, ethyl behenate (21:0), tetracosanoic acid (24:0), DPA, and DHA contents were detected for the first time in the D31 group; the ovary PUFA, n-3PUFA contents, and n3/n6 ratio of the D46 and D62 groups were significantly lower than those of the D31 group (

P
<
0.05

). During the experimental conditions described here, female E. sinensis raised in rice fields reached rapid growth from August 15 to August 30. Additionally, the nutritional quality of the female E. sinensis edible tissues (muscle, hepatopancreas, and ovary) began to decline after August 15, when sufficient nutrients such as protein, lipid, EAA, and PUFA should be provided to the female E. sinensis.
The Antioxidative Properties of Selected Herbs Estimated Using Various Assays
Authors: Głód Bronisław K. , Borkowski Mateusz
Published: March 2023

Antioxidants can be determined using a variety of analytical assays. The total of antioxidant properties, depending on the sum of the products of their concentrations and antioxidant powers in the sample, is usually called total antioxidant potential (TAP). The direct method developed by us, based on the voltammetric measurements, was used to determine the TAPs of selected herbs. However, it is expected that the detection limit of this assay will be much lower when the convection current is increased and the capacitive current is eliminated. Such conditions are found in electrochemical HPLC detection. The advantage of this method is the ability to perform measurements at different potentials, which is analogous to the measurements related to various radicals in indirect methods. Measurements performed at high potentials of the working electrode allow us to test weak antioxidants. It turned out that electrochemical methods provided additional information about the antioxidant properties of the herbs. Some of them have a large part of TAP caused by weak antioxidants in high concentrations. The obtained results were correlated with the TAP values related to DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals and the total content of polyphenols in the sample.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a New Self-Centering Damper on a Knee Braced Frame
Authors: Banihashem Seyed Mohammad , Rezapour Moein , Attarnejad Reza , Sanei Mahsa
Published: March 2023

The use of shape memory alloys (SMAs) has been receiving increasing attention among researchers due to their special properties. One of the most important features of SMA is the superelastic behavior which causes the alloy to be able to remove all the applied deformation. This study is intended to evaluate the application of superelastic Nitinol in knee braced steel frames (KBF) as a damper. To fulfill the objective of this research, an experimental KBF system has been developed in ABAQUS using the microscopic finite-element method (FEM). The proposed superelastic damper is placed between the knee element and beam-column connection. Five SMA dampers with different stiffness are located in the KBF system and subjected to static cyclic loading. The hysteresis diagram obtained from this cyclic loading indicates that the damper increases the system strength. The greater the stiffness of the SMA damper, the higher the strength is. Furthermore, the superelastic alloy reduces the permanent deformation and the dissipation energy capacity of the KBF system. Totally, the SMA-equipped KBF system indicates a little lower energy dissipation capacity compared to the KBF system. However, based on the hysteresis diagrams, the reduction of residual deformation in all models is significant compared to the little reduction in energy dissipation. Therefore, the proposed SMA damper is capable of reducing the permanent deformation of the KBF system and maintaining the energy dissipation capacity at almost the same level, which is essential for keeping the structure stable.