bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour presenting as a metastatic melanoma mimic in a patient with a rare germline disease-causing variant of BAP1
Authors: Cunliffe Amy , Hawari Rand , Mitra Angana , Mathew Bipin , Merchant William , Smith Hayley , Muinonen-Martin Andrew J , Sharma Maulina
Published: November 2024

A 47-year-old man presented with a 9-year history of a subcutaneous swelling on his right wrist. His initial diagnosis was a stage IV metastatic melanoma deposit on the right wrist, originating from a pT4a BAP1-inactivated primary melanoma on the back. Due to the unusual nature of the presentation, we sought further input from a specialist skin cancer multidisciplinary team with an interest in BAP1 tumour predisposition syndrome (BAP1-TPDS).
Efficacy and Safety of Systematic Corticosteroids Treatment Among HIV-Positive Patients With Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Pu Jiaqi , Wu Shouquan , He Jian-Qing
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The efficacy and safety of corticosteroids in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) remain controversial.

Method

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database were searched on 19 September 2024. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, whereas secondary outcomes included serious adverse events. A random-effects model calculated risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1410 HIV-positive TB patients were included. Corticosteroid use did not significantly reduce all-cause mortality (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: .79–1.04, P = .17) and did not significantly increase serious adverse events (RR = 0.96, 95% CI: .82–1.13, P = .63).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis of 7 RCTs involving 1410 HIV-positive TB patients found that corticosteroid treatment neither significantly reduced all-cause mortality nor increased serious adverse events. Furthermore, large-scale RCTs with extended follow-up are needed to explore potential benefits in subgroups, optimize treatment protocols, and inform clinical guidelines.
A novel ‘stop-hole’ strategy to extend the fatigue life of orthodontic thermoformed retainers: an in vitro study
Authors: Son Jae Sik , Wojcik Adam , Noar Joseph
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the potential to limit crack propagation in thermoformed retainers (TRs) and extend their fatigue life by placing a ‘stop-hole’.

Methods

Thirty-two TRs, fabricated from 1 mm thick, round polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) blanks of ICONIC®, underwent testing within a custom-built fatigue tester. After initial crack growth of 3 mm, the TRs were divided into three groups: a control group (C) and two experimental groups based on the stop-hole placement method. In the first experimental group, stop-holes were placed using a 1 mm round carbide bur on a slow-speed handpiece (ES), while the second group utilized a heated 1-mm-width ball-ended CPITN probe (EH). Following the placement of a stop-hole at the crack-tip, all 32 TRs resumed testing until the final crack length of 10 mm was reached.

Results

Stop-hole placement significantly prolonged the delay in crack re-initiation in both experimental groups compared to the control group (P < .001 for both). The mean re-initiation times for the ES and EH groups were 104.50 and 129.50 min, respectively, whereas the control group was 28.94 min. Consequently, this discrepancy was reflected in the total testing times, with both experimental groups requiring significantly longer time to reach the final crack length (P < .001). There was no significant difference in the testing times between the two experimental groups.

Limitations

This is an in vitro study.

Conclusions

The stop-hole methodology significantly extended the fatigue life of a TR in a controlled laboratory environment.
The spatial overlap between risk of intimate partner violence against women and suicide-related emergency calls
Authors: Montagud-Andrés María , Marco Miriam , López-Quílez Antonio , Escobar-Hernández Pablo , Lila Marisol , Gracia Enrique
Published: November 2024

Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a global problem, and suicidal behaviour is one of its most serious consequences. However, no study has investigated the spatial overlap between the two. The aim of this paper is to analyse whether there is spatial overlap between IPVAW and suicide-related calls in the same neighbourhoods, and to identify common risk factors. Geocoded data on IPVAW (N = 2060) and suicide-related calls (N = 4916) from the city of Valencia, Spain, between 2019 and 2021 were collected from the 112 emergency service and the Spanish National Police Corps. We used two analytical approaches: (i) a Bayesian spatial Poisson regression modelling analysis to identify the risk factors associated with IPVAW and suicide-related calls; (ii) Bayesian joint spatial modelling to examine the common spatial distribution of these outcomes. Relative risk maps are also displayed and analysed. The study revealed a higher incidence of IPVAW and suicide-related calls in neighbourhoods with lower income and population density, and greater residential instability and immigrant concentration. There was a 70% similarity between high- and low-risk areas for these incidents, with a moderate positive correlation of 0.43. Notably, 98% of IPVAW risk variance was explained by shared factors, while 30% applied to suicide-related calls; high IPVAW risk was also found in peripheral areas, while suicide-related calls were concentrated in the city centre. The findings highlight the need to identify areas with shared risk and neighbourhood characteristics for the development of more effective intervention strategies.
Shared genetic architecture links energy metabolism, behavior and starvation resistance along a power-endurance axis
Authors: Erkosar Berra , Dupuis Cindy , Savary Loriane , Kawecki Tadeusz J
Published: November 2024

Shared developmental, physiological, and molecular mechanisms can generate strong genetic covariances across suites of traits, constraining genetic variability, and evolvability to certain axes in multivariate trait space (“variational modules” or “syndromes”). Such trait suites will not only respond jointly to selection; they will also covary across populations that diverged from one another by genetic drift. We report evidence for such a genetically correlated trait suite that links traits related to energy metabolism along a “power-endurance” axis in Drosophila melanogaster. The “power” pole of the axis is characterized by high potential for energy generation and expenditure—high expression of glycolysis and TCA cycle genes, high abundance of mitochondria, and high spontaneous locomotor activity. The opposite “endurance” pole is characterized by high triglyceride (fat) reserves, locomotor endurance, and starvation resistance (and low values of traits associated with the “power” pole). This trait suite also aligns with the first principal component of metabolome; the “power” direction is characterized by low levels of trehalose (blood sugar) and high levels of some amino acids and their derivatives, including creatine, a compound known to facilitate energy production in muscles. Our evidence comes from six replicate “Selected” populations adapted to a nutrient-poor larval diet regime during 250 generations of experimental evolution and six “Control” populations evolved in parallel on a standard diet regime. We found that, within each of these experimental evolutionary regimes, the above traits strongly covaried along this “power-endurance” axis across replicate populations which diversified by drift, indicating a shared genetic architecture. The two evolutionary regimes also drove divergence along this axis, with Selected populations on average displaced towards the “power” direction compared to Controls. Aspects of this “power-endurance” axis resemble the “pace of life” syndrome and the “thrifty phenotype”; it may have evolved as part of a coordinated organismal response to nutritional conditions.
Parallel and convergent evolution in genes underlying seasonal migration
Authors: Zamudio-Beltrán Luz E , Bossu Christen M , Bueno-Hernández Alfredo A , Dunn Peter O , Sly Nicholas D , Rayne Christine , Anderson Eric C , Hernández-Baños Blanca E , Ruegg Kristen C
Published: November 2024

Seasonal migration has fascinated scientists and natural historians for centuries. While the genetic basis of migration has been widely studied across different taxa, there is little consensus regarding which genomic regions play a role in the ability to migrate and whether they are similar across species. Here, we examine the genetic basis of intraspecific variation within and between distinct migratory phenotypes in a songbird. We focus on the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) as a model system because the polyphyletic origin of eastern and western clades across North America provides a strong framework for understanding the extent to which there has been parallel or convergent evolution in the genes associated with migratory behavior. First, we investigate genome-wide population genetic structure in the Common Yellowthroat in 196 individuals collected from 22 locations across breeding range. Then, to identify candidate genes involved in seasonal migration, we identify signals of putative selection in replicate comparisons between resident and migratory phenotypes within and between eastern and western clades. Overall, we find wide-spread support for parallel evolution at the genic level, particularly in genes that mediate biological timekeeping. However, we find little evidence of parallelism at the individual SNP level, supporting the idea that there are multiple genetic pathways involved in the modulation of migration.
Microbial solutions must be deployed against climate catastrophe
Authors: Peixoto Raquel , Voolstra Christian R , Stein Lisa Y , Hugenholtz Philip , Falcao Salles Joana , Amin Shady A , Häggblom Max , Gregory Ann , Makhalanyane Thulani P , Wang Fengping , Adoukè Agbodjato Nadège , Wang Yinzhao , Jiao Nianzhi , Lennon Jay T , Ventosa Antonio , Bavoil Patrik M , Miller Virginia , Gilbert Jack A
Published: November 2024

Injecting H2 in deep underground to store this energy carrier will produce artificial subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems that modify the taxonomic diversity of indigenous microbial communities and their metabolic activities.
TNFSF15 variant predicts disease progression in Chinese patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wang Wei , Xiang Bingjie , Lin Dezheng , Hu Jun , Zhao Junzhang , Lin Jue , Liu Tao , Deng Jun , Zhang Min , Zhi Min
Published: November 2024

Background

The genetic variant of tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15) is associated with Crohn’s disease (CD) and the development of intestinal fibrosis and stricturing. We aimed to investigate its predictive role in disease progression and the impact of ileal fibrosis-associated protein expression in Chinese patients with CD.

Methods

We genotyped the single nucleotide polymorphism rs6478109 within the TNFSF15 gene in 428 CD patients and 450 health controls to assess its association with CD. Genotype–phenotype correlation analyses were performed. Mucosal samples from non-diseased terminal ileum were analyzed for TL1A and fibrosis-associated protein expression using western blot and immunohistochemistry.

Results

The G allele frequency of rs6478109 was significantly higher among CD patients compared with health controls (63.3% vs. 46.7%, P < 0.001). Patients with GG genotype were more predisposed to develop the stricturing phenotype, compared with those with AA + AG genotypes with a hazard ratio of 1.426 (95% confidence interval: 1.029–1.977, P = 0.033). This trend was similarly observed in patients utilizing biological agents, with a hazard ratio of 4.396 (95% confidence interval: 1.780–10.854, P = 0.001). Furthermore, increased TL1A, pro-fibrotic proteins, and TGFβ1/Smad3 pathway activation were observed in non-diseased ileal mucosa of patients with GG genotype compared with those with AA genotype.

Conclusions

The TNFSF15 risk genotype GG could promote the expression of pro-fibrotic proteins and may serve as a predictor for stricturing CD.
Myosteatosis Evaluated Based on Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Content Is a Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Kojima Tadahiro , Kurachi Kiyotaka , Tatsuta Kyota , Sugiyama Kosuke , Akai Toshiya , Torii Kakeru , Sakata Mayu , Morita Yoshifumi , Kikuchi Hirotoshi , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Takeuchi Hiroya
Published: November 2024

Background

Crohn’s disease causes acute and chronic inflammation that often make the preoperative evaluation of surgical risks difficult. Myosteatosis is used for the evaluation of muscle quality to assess sarcopenia. However, data on the relationship between myosteatosis and surgical outcomes in patients with Crohn’s disease are lacking.

Methods

Among patients with Crohn’s disease who underwent surgery between 2007 and 2022, we investigated the impact of myosteatosis on postoperative complications using intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC). Our study included data from 97 patients who underwent analysis for cutoff values and factors associated with IMAC and 72 who underwent analysis for risk factors of postoperative complications.

Results

Body mass index (BMI; P < .001) and visceral adipose tissue/height index (P < .001) were significantly correlated with IMAC. High BMI (P < .001) and a history of abdominal surgery for Crohn’s disease (P = .012) were identified as factors affected with high IMAC. Multivariate analysis revealed high IMAC and external fistulas as independent risk factors for postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR], 5.010; 95% CI, 1.300-19.30; P = .019 and OR, 7.850; 95% CI, 1.640-37.50; P = .010, respectively), especially infectious complications.

Conclusions

This study established IMAC as a valuable marker for sarcopenic obesity and predicting postoperative complications in patients with Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, evaluating myosteatosis using IMAC will facilitate the decision of the optimal timing of surgery, prediction of complications, and treatment of sarcopenia in patients with Crohn’s disease.
Fecal Myeloperoxidase Levels Reflect Disease Activity in Children With Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Edwards Teagan S , Ho Shaun S C , Brown Stephanie C , Appleton Laura , Smith Briana R , Borichevsky Grace M , Swaminathan Akhilesh , Frampton Christopher M A , Gearry Richard B , Kettle Anthony J , Day Andrew S
Published: November 2024

Background

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which has relapsing and remitting symptoms. Better ways to detect and monitor active disease are required for early diagnosis and optimal outcomes. We assessed fecal myeloperoxidase (fMPO), a neutrophil-derived enzyme that produces hypochlorous acid, as a marker of disease activity in children with CD.

Methods

This observational study assessed myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in fecal samples from children aged <17 years with CD (51 with active or 42 inactive disease) measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared to controls (35 healthy siblings and 15 unrelated well children). Results were correlated with fecal calprotectin, serum C-reactive protein, urinary glutathione sulfonamide (a biomarker of hypochlorous acid), and disease activity scores. Differences between groups were assessed by analysis of variance. Receiver-operating-characteristic curves were used to assess how biomarkers predicted disease and disease activity.

Results

Fecal myeloperoxidase activity and fMPO protein correlated with fecal calprotectin (r = 0.78, P < .0001, and r = 0.81, P < .0001, respectively). Fecal myeloperoxidase activity and protein levels were significantly higher (P ≤ .0001) in individuals with active disease compared to healthy sibling controls, unrelated well children, and those with inactive disease. A 9.7 µg/g fMPO protein cutoff distinguished inactive from active disease (sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 76%). Urinary GSA was elevated in children with active disease (P < .0001) and correlated with fMPO protein (r = 0.43, P = .0002) in a subset of 72 children with IBD and controls.

Conclusions

Fecal myeloperoxidase may be superior to fCal at reflecting disease severity in children with CD and produces the damaging oxidant hypochlorous acid during active inflammation.
Enhancing soot emission control and performance in biodiesel-powered diesel engine through Al2O3 nanoparticle
Authors: Kapilan Natesan , K Ashok Kumar , Buradi Abdulrajak , Bora Bhaskor Jyoti , Nirsanametla Yadaiah , Majdi Ali , Alsubih Majed , Islam Saiful , Khan Mohammad Amir , Khan Wahaj Ahmad , Alqarni Sondos Abdullah
Published: November 2024

Interest in biodiesel as a diesel fuel substitute has increased due to the growing need for sustainable energy sources. The blends of biodiesel, such B20, have become more popular because they can lessen the need for fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. The blends of biodiesel, however, may pose problems with emissions, performance, and combustion efficiency. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of blending ethanol (C2H6OH) and aluminium oxide (Al2O3) into B20 biodiesel blend in order to improve engine performance. The study examines the effects of adding C2H6OH (5% of vol.) and Al2O3 (75 ppm) to the B20 biodiesel mix on its essential features and combustion. To fully assess the performance and emissions characteristics of the single cylinder diesel engine, experimental evaluations include a wide range of engine operating loads. The findings show that adding C2H6OH to the B20 blend increases its volatility and oxygen content, which promotes better ignition and combustion characteristics. Additionally, adding Al2O3 nanoparticles to the blend shows promise for improving combustion efficiency by enhancing fuel atomization and lowering soot emission. The synergy of adding both Al2O3 and C2H6OH to B20 significantly reduces CO, HC, and smoke levels of the diesel engine by 33.04, 28.13, and 12.88%, respectively. The results of this study offer important new information about how C2H6OH and Al2O3 additives might improve the B20 biodiesel blend's emissions performance and combustion efficiency, increasing the fuel's potential as a greener alternative for the transportation industry.
Efficient indexing method based on autoencoder for large-scale data products
Authors: Wang Qian
Published: November 2024

Traditional indexing methods fail to meet the power industry’s needs for rapid content retrieval and collaborative management of heterogeneous data. This study proposes a learning-based hashing function using autoencoders, which compresses raw data into binary hash codes by learning data features and reconstruction. Extensive experiments demonstrate its advantages in reducing collision rates and computation time. Compared to various models, this method shows clear benefits in search and index creation times, better addressing the indexing requirements of power data and supporting intelligent processing in power systems.
Enhancing thermal efficiency of passive solar heating systems through copper chip integration: experimental investigation and analysis
Authors: Abbas Ehsan Fadhil , Allehaibi Moaz , AL-bonsrulah Hussein A Z , Saleh Ruya Najmaldeen , Alshukri Mohammed J , Zaghib Karim
Published: November 2024

This study aims to upgrade the thermal performance of a passive solar system, specifically a Trombe wall (TW), by incorporating a metallic absorbent made of copper chips into its absorbent surfaces. The paper compares the thermal performance of a classic TW with that of a copper chip-enhanced TW. An experimental test was set up for classic and copper chip–TW systems, and a full-day experiment was conducted in January 2018 to investigate the thermal performance under the same operating conditions. The experimental data were used to verify a mathematical model based on energy balance. The theoretical study agreed well with the experimental data, with a maximum error of 11% in the absorbent surface temperature valuation. The results revealed that adding copper chips to the TW system boosts its performance by increasing heat gains and improving thermal efficiency. It improves thermal efficiency and enhances the mean room temperature by 12.44% and 14.1%, respectively.
Rural pharmacist and consumer perspectives of expanded pharmacy services to address inequity in accessing health services
Authors: Taylor Selina , Mylrea Martina , Eastaughffe Jai-ann , Dixon Rosemarie , Kent Izabella , Kappel Chloe , Glass Beverley
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Australians living in rural and remote communities have inadequate access to health services, contributing to poorer health outcomes compared to their metropolitan counterparts. This study investigated consumers’ and pharmacists’ perspectives of expanded pharmacy services in rural and remote communities in Australia. It aims to identify the role of the pharmacist in addressing the inequity of access to healthcare through the provision of expanded services in rural and remote practice.

Methods

A concurrent parallel mixed-methods study was undertaken in rural Western Queensland, Australia to include a survey of 167 consumers and in-depth interviews with 10 pharmacists. Quantitative data analysis employed descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analysed thematically against the constructs of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory.

Key findings

Consumers indicated that they would like to access weight management services (53%), whereas pharmacists thought it was important to offer respiratory clinics and services. Both pharmacists and consumers would like to see diabetes checks (30% and 56%, respectively) and vision, hearing, and ear checks (40% and 53%, respectively) implemented as services in community pharmacies. Most consumers (97%) believe pharmacists have the skills and knowledge to deliver expanded services and in doing so, they would improve the overall health of the community. Pharmacists reported staffing availability, workload and time constraints, cost, and jeopardizing inter-professional relationships as barriers to implementing expanded services.

Conclusions

Consumers were supportive of pharmacists working to their full scope of practice to provide expanded services, whereas pharmacists, while open to the idea, highlighted that there were barriers to overcome.
(Post)Colonial Complexities and World (Re)Ordering: Contestations from/within the “Margin(alized)”
Authors: Tripathi Siddharth
Published: November 2024

The changing constellation of international politics and the rise of emerging powers and new actors especially in the Global South (considered to be at the margins of international politics) are a characteristic feature of today’s world order. These actors challenged the cosmology of dominant Northern/Western liberal discourses on agenda-setting in international politics by creating alternatives like the Non-Aligned Movement, BRICS, and G77 focusing on South–South Cooperation, Pan-Asianism, and Pan-Africanism. However, racial capitalism and neo-imperial forces and conditions continue to define the global capitalist order manifesting in the rise of populism and nationalist sentiments across the Global North and the Global South. These developments have significant implications for world order(ing) and necessitate a deeper engagement with world ordering practices, especially within the Global South, which previously developed contestations of the dominant liberal international world order. Foregrounding postcolonial complexities existing within the “margins” of international politics, I examine the strategic appropriation of marginality by the Bharatiya Janta Party led Indian government externally (highlighting North–South Divide and portraying itself as the leader of the Global South) and internally (through language and elite/non-elite discourses) to gain legitimacy at the domestic level. I further explore how it promotes a particular ethnocentric vision of the world by bringing about changes in the education policy and curriculum. The world (re)ordering that is happening inside the states in the Global South can fertilize global discourses on addressing new and often conflicting ideas on the world order and practices of world (re)ordering.
Capturing the complexity of veterinarians’ antibiotic prescribing practices in the livestock sector: a meta-ethnography across contexts
Authors: Moya Sebastián , Hibbard Rebecca , Asenjo Gabriela , Skjølstrup Nanna K , Chan Kin Wing , Eberhart Josephine , Fortané Nicolas , Paul Mathilde C
Published: November 2024

Strategies and policies to tackle the global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance are increasingly addressing antimicrobial use prescribing practices in both the human and animal health sectors. Veterinarians’ antibiotic prescribing practices are influenced by different factors and conditioned by the context within which antibiotic prescribing decisions are made, complexifying the implementation of behaviour change interventions. A better understanding of these factors could therefore help in the design and application of such interventions. Meta-ethnography was used to explore the antibiotic prescribing behaviour of veterinarians in different contexts and to construct a new conceptual framework. A search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection and SciELO Citation Index between 2016 and 2024. The final sample consisted of 29 articles, 27 of which were selected from the 561 articles identified in the search and 2 of which were added by the authors. The results were synthesized and presented through four contextual situations influencing antibiotic prescribing by livestock veterinarians: priorities and pressures, uncertain field conditions, systemic challenges and an enabling environment. The results are presented as a conceptual framework that views veterinarians’ antibiotic prescribing behaviour as dynamic, adapting in response to the different contextual situations they encounter. The findings provide an integrated and contextualized understanding of veterinarians’ antibiotic prescribing behaviours, which could be implemented to facilitate the development and application of future antimicrobial stewardship interventions.
Inbox message prioritization and management approaches in primary care
Authors: Apathy Nate C , Hicks Katelyn , Bocknek Lucy , Zabala Garrett , Adams Katharine , Gomes Kylie M , Saggar Tara
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Patient messaging to clinicians has dramatically increased since the pandemic, leading to informatics efforts to categorize incoming messages. We examined how message prioritization (as distinct from categorization) occurs in primary care, and how primary care clinicians managed their inbox workflows.

Materials and Methods

Semi-structured interviews and inbox work observations with 11 primary care clinicians at MedStar Health. We analyzed interview and observation transcripts and identified themes and subthemes related to prioritization and inbox workflows.

Results

Clinicians widely reported that they did not prioritize messages due to time constraints and the necessity of attending to all messages, which made any prioritization purely additive to overall inbox time. We identified 6 themes and 14 subthemes related to managing inbox workloads. The top themes were (1) establishing workflow norms with different teams, primarily medical assistants (MAs); (2) boundary-setting with patients, other clinicians, and with themselves; and (3) message classification heuristics that allowed clinicians to mentally categorize messages that required follow-up, messages that could be quickly deleted or acknowledged, and purely informational messages that ranged in clinical utility from tedious to valuable for care coordination.

Discussion

Time constraints in primary care prevent clinicians from prioritizing their inbox messages for increased efficiency. Involvement of MAs and co-located staff was successful; however, standardization was needed for messaging workflows that involved centralized resources like call centers. Organizations should consider ways in which they can support the establishment and maintenance of boundaries, to avoid this responsibility falling entirely on clinicians.

Conclusion

Clinicians generally lack the time to prioritize patient messages. Future research should explore the efficacy of collaborative inbox workflows for time-savings and management of patient messages.
The causes of asymmetry in the chelae of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain Estampador, 1950 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae)
Authors: Zhan Tianyong , Ma Chunyan , Wang Wei , Ma Keyi , Chen Wei , Jin Xin , Ma Lingbo , Zhao Ming
Published: November 2024

The asymmetry trait in brachyuran crabs is mostly expressed by the different sizes or particular details of the two chelae. The causes for this asymmetry have been rarely investigated in the economically important crab Scylla paramamosainEstampador, 1950. We found that the asymmetric chelae first appeared in the megalopa stage. The examination of four “right-handed” and two “left-handed” mothers and their 521 megalopa offspring indicated that this trait might not be influenced by dominant alleles, since 86.0% –99.0% of megalopae exhibited the right-handed phenotype in the four offspring of the right-handed mother, whereas about 93.1% and 100% megalopae exhibited the right-handed phenotype in the two left-handed-mothers’ offspring. The percentage of left-handed individuals at different stages also supports this hypothesis. We provide evidence that the amputation of the handed chela will result in a “handedness reversal,” and that the food type might influence the speed of the reversal. Crabs that were fed with fish blocks had a faster handedness reversal than those who were fed with commercial pellets feed, perhaps because of the increase in effort in individuals feeding on fish blocks.
Behind the scenes: integrated pest management in a public garden
Authors: McDonald Rachel , Pantuliano Beth
Published: November 2024

Integrated pest management in a public garden poses unique challenges and opportunities. Longwood Gardens has 300 acres intensively managed by an integrated pest management team. Within that acreage, collections are managed for their aesthetic display quality, research, and conservation, as well as enjoyment by guests who come to the Gardens for classes, performances, and events or to enjoy a day of beauty and wonder. Each garden space has multiple uses, vast plant palettes, and historical legacies. The integrated pest management team must balance aesthetics, science, and human needs while looking to the future to prepare for potential new pest invaders. Every day is an adventure and lesson in prioritizing, patience, and tolerance. The integrated pest management practitioners are dedicated to finding the right integrated pest management tool, knowing when to use it and when to do nothing, and researching and learning new techniques and approaches to ensure the Garden continues to thrive.
Virtual reality exposure therapy for sexual aversion: a proof-of-concept study on acceptability, adequacy, and clinical effects
Authors: Lafortune David , Lapointe Valérie A , Dubé Simon , Bonneau Jonathan
Published: November 2024

Background

Sexual dysfunctions impair the intimate relationships of up to one-third of the population. Virtual reality (VR) offers innovative treatment options for both mental and sexual disorders, such as female orgasmic disorder and erectile disorder. Sexual aversion disorder (SAD)—the anxiety, disgust, and avoidance of sexual contexts—is a chronic condition commonly treated with anxiety-reducing strategies, such as exposure-based therapy. Despite exposure’s efficacy in reducing SAD symptoms, VR exposure therapy’s (VRET) effectiveness remains unexplored for this condition.

Aim

This proof-of-concept study examines the acceptability, adequacy, and clinical effects of a VRET’s simulation protocol for SAD.

Methods

In the laboratory, 15 adults suffering from SAD (Mage = 35.00; SD = 11.36) viewed 15 virtual sexual scenarios of increasing intensity (eg, flirting, nudity, genital stimulation) adjusted to their sexual preferences and gender identities.

Outcomes

Levels of anxiety, disgust, and catastrophizing beliefs were measured throughout the scenarios using standard self-report measures. Participants also completed validated questionnaires on sexual presence and simulation realism, as well as open-ended questions on scenarios’ representativeness and adequacy immediately after immersion. Six months after the laboratory visit, participants completed a negative effects questionnaire and were screened for SAD symptoms again. Repeated-measures ANOVAs and descriptive analyses were performed.

Results

Levels of anxiety and disgust significantly increased with the intensity of sexual scenarios. Catastrophizing levels were high and tended to augment with increasing exposure levels. A significant reduction in symptoms of SAD was found from pre-simulation to the 6-month follow-up assessment. Sexual presence and realism scores were moderate. Qualitative assessment revealed that all participants reported the sexual scenarios were representative of real-life situations that tend to elicit SAD symptoms for them. Reported negative effects were generally mild.

Clinical Implications

This proof-of-concept study suggests that VRET may have the potential to elicit self-reported emotional and cognitive manifestations of SAD (sex-related anxiety, disgust, and catastrophizing), while also hinting at its acceptability, adequacy, and benefits in alleviating SAD symptoms.

Strengths & Limitations

While this study marks the first exploration of the clinical relevance of gender-inclusive virtual sexual scenarios for SAD, its design and sample composition may impact observed effects and the generalizability of findings.

Conclusion

This study invites future clinical trials to assess VRET efficacy for SAD.
Sexual asylum regimes and politics of belonging: Narratives of deservingness in the political-public discourse in Switzerland
Authors: Schnell Mathis , Balsiger Philip , Dahinden Janine
Published: November 2024

This article explores the ways in which narratives of deservingness in the field of sexual asylum become crucial elements of national border drawing and boundary work, and important instruments of a politics of belonging. Switzerland is a particularly interesting case study in which to explore these issues due to the supposed humanitarian tradition on the one hand and conservative policies on gender and sexuality issues on the other hand. Drawing on literature on belonging and sexual nationalism, we conduct a qualitative analysis of textual data representing the political–public discourse. Four interconnected narratives of deservingness regarding the sexual asylum regime were isolated: (1) postcolonial geopolitics of national imaginaries; (2) Eurocentric/Western representations of queerness and a corresponding politics of the queer body; (3) hierarchizing categories of vulnerability; and (4) a general narrative of (dis)belief. We argue that the political–public discourse on sexual asylum should be understood as part of a broader moral economy concerned with the creation and definition of the Swiss community and its politics of belonging.
MFIB 2.0: a major update of the database of protein complexes formed by mutual folding of the constituting protein chains
Authors: Fichó Erzsébet , Pancsa Rita , Magyar Csaba , Kalman Zsofia E , Schád Éva , Németh Bálint Z , Simon István , Dobson Laszlo , Tusnády Gábor E
Published: November 2024

While the majority of proteins with available structures are able to fold independently and mediate interactions only after acquiring their folded state, a subset of the known protein complexes contains protein chains that are intrinsically disordered in isolation. The Mutual Folding Induced by Binding (MFIB) database collects and classifies protein complexes, wherein all constituent protein chains would be unstable/disordered in isolation but fold into a well-defined 3D complex structure upon binding. This phenomenon is often termed as cooperative folding and binding or mutual synergistic folding (MSF). Here we present a major update to the database: we collected and annotated hundreds of new protein complexes fulfilling the criteria of MSF, leading to an almost six-fold increase in the size of the database. Many novel features have also been introduced, such as clustering of the complexes based on structural similarity and domain types, assigning different evidence levels to each entry and adding the evidence coverage label that allowed us to include complexes of multi(sub)domain monomers with partial MSF. The MFIB 2.0 database is available at https://mfib.pbrg.hu.
Database resources of the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2025
Authors: Sayers Eric W , Beck Jeffrey , Bolton Evan E , Brister J Rodney , Chan Jessica , Connor Ryan , Feldgarden Michael , Fine Anna M , Funk Kathryn , Hoffman Jinna , Kannan Sivakumar , Kelly Christopher , Klimke William , Kim Sunghwan , Lathrop Stacy , Marchler-Bauer Aron , Murphy Terence D , O’Sullivan Chris , Schmieder Erin , Skripchenko Yuriy , Stine Adam , Thibaud-Nissen Francoise , Wang Jiyao , Ye Jian , Zellers Erin , Schneider Valerie A , Pruitt Kim D
Published: November 2024

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) provides online information resources for biology, including the GenBank® nucleic acid sequence repository and the PubMed® repository of citations and abstracts published in life science journals. NCBI provides search and retrieval operations for most of these data from 31 distinct repositories and knowledgebases. The E-utilities serve as the programming interface for most of these. Resources receiving significant updates in the past year include PubMed, PubMed Central, Bookshelf, the NIH Comparative Genomics Resource, BLAST, Sequence Read Archive, Taxonomy, iCn3D, Conserved Domain Database, Pathogen Detection, antimicrobial resistance resources and PubChem. These resources can be accessed through the NCBI home page at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
scProAtlas: an atlas of multiplexed single-cell spatial proteomics imaging in human tissues
Authors: Wang Tiangang , Chen Xuanmin , Han Yujuan , Yi Jiahao , Liu Xi , Kim Pora , Huang Liyu , Huang Kexin , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: November 2024

Spatial proteomics can visualize and quantify protein expression profiles within tissues at single-cell resolution. Although spatial proteomics can only detect a limited number of proteins compared to spatial transcriptomics, it provides comprehensive spatial information with single-cell resolution. By studying the spatial distribution of cells, we can clearly obtain the spatial context within tissues at multiple scales. Spatial context includes the spatial composition of cell types, the distribution of functional structures, and the spatial communication between functional regions, all of which are crucial for the patterns of cellular distribution. Here, we constructed a comprehensive spatial proteomics functional annotation knowledgebase, scProAtlas (https://relab.xidian.edu.cn/scProAtlas/#/), which is designed to help users comprehensively understand the spatial context within different tissue types at single-cell resolution and across multiple scales. scProAtlas contains multiple modules, including neighborhood analysis, proximity analysis and neighborhood network, to comprehensively construct spatial cell maps of tissues and multi-modal integration, spatial gene identification, cell-cell interaction and spatial pathway analysis to display spatial variable genes. scProAtlas includes data from eight spatial protein imaging techniques across 15 tissues and provides detailed functional annotation information for 17 468 394 cells from 945 region of interests. The aim of scProAtlas is to offer a new insight into the spatial structure of various tissues and provides detailed spatial functional annotation.
EPCO-02. HIGH CELLULAR PLASTICITY STATE OF HUMAN MEDULLOBLASTOMA LOCAL RECURRENCE AND DISTANT DISSEMINATION
Authors: Liu Hailong , Li Jiankang , Jiang Tao
Published: November 2024

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous pediatric brain tumor with variable clinical outcomes. Since current treatments facing limitations due to tumor resistance, less than 10% of relapsed patients survive beyond five years, with poorly understood recurrence mechanisms. To obtain cellular diversity and genetic characters in primary and recurrent MB, we conducted comprehensive analyses utilizing the single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing (sc/snRNA-seq), snATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomics, complemented with bulk RNA sequencing and matched primary-recurrent whole exon profiles. SHH and Group_3 subgroups revealed distinct cellular subsets, including cycling, differentiated and quiescent tumor cells. Recurrent or disseminated MB displayed a dramatically different cellular ecosystem compared to primary tumors, with varying proportions of shared cell types. Local recurrence exhibited a higher enrichment of cycling tumor cells, while differentiated subset was notably present in disseminated lesions, indicating that local recurrences harbored the stronger proliferative capacity, whereas disseminations relatively well differentiated. Additionally, chromosomal alterations were assessed, reflecting distinct genetic subclones, such as chr7q gain and chr11 loss in Group_3 disseminations. Notably, the emergence of a subpopulation termed “high cellular plasticity (HCP)” during MB progression was noted, characterized by dynamic adaptability and stemness properties. As validated, HCP state was associated with increased chromatin accessibility, contributing to tumor recurrence and immune microenvironment remodeling. Functionally, inhibiting markers associated with HCP cells, such as PTPRZ1, efficiently suppressed MB metastasis in preclinical models. In conclusion, our findings fill the critical knowledge gaps in understanding the cellular diversity, chromosomal alterations and biological dynamics in MB recurrence and dissemination, offering potential therapeutic interventions.
EPCO-15. INTRA-TUMORAL HETEROGENEITY OF DNA METHYLATION PROFILING AND CELLULAR COMPOSITION IN GLIOBLASTOMA
Authors: Matsumoto Yuji , Singh Omkar , Garcia Jose , Kwak Sunwoo , Abdullaev Zied , Freeburg Nelson , Silverbush Dana , Aldape Kenneth , Davatzikos Christos , Nasrallah MacLean
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

DNA methylation profiling has become an important diagnostic and exploratory tool in neuro-oncology. Intra-tumoral molecular heterogeneity is a crucial factor in the treatment resistance of IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM). However, the intra-tumoral heterogeneity of methylation profiles in GBM remains poorly elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the intra-tumoral heterogeneity of DNA methylation subclasses and deconvolve methylation profiles to infer the cellular composition of the tumor.

METHODS

We conducted genome-wide DNA methylation analysis and applied the DKFZ/Heidelberg CNS tumor classifier to FFPE tissue samples from a multi-sampling cohort with multiple samples per patient and a single-sampling cohort with one sample per patient. Only samples classified as GBM were included. We conducted two different methylation-based deconvolution analyses. Deconvolution 1 inferred the fractions of tumor subtypes (RTK_I, RTK_II, MES_TYP, and MES_ATYP) and cell types in the microenvironment. Deconvolution 2 estimated the abundance of malignant cell states (stem-like and differentiated cell components) and cell types in the microenvironment.

RESULTS

The multi-sampling cohort included 32 patients with 113 samples, and the single-sampling cohort included 87 patients with 87 samples. In the multi-sampling cohort, 8 patients (25%) exhibited intra-patient heterogeneity in methylation subclasses across their samples. Deconvolution 1 indicated that each tumor subclass component was heterogeneously distributed within samples, and the abundance of the myeloid cell component correlated with the MES_TYP component across samples. Deconvolution 2 similarly revealed heterogeneity in the immune component abundance across samples within patients. Integrating the results of Deconvolution 1 and Deconvolution 2 using the entire cohort revealed significant correlations between RTK_I and stem-like, RTK_II and differentiated, and MES_TYP and immune components. These findings were also replicated in TCGA dataset.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscore the importance of considering intra-tumoral heterogeneity in methylation profiles and the biological characteristics of each methylation subclass in developing novel GBM therapies.
EPCO-18. DECIPHERING SPATIAL DIVERSITY OF GLIOBLASTOMA GENETIC ARCHITECTURE
Authors: Zhang Junyi , Joshi Tanvi , Hambardzumyan Dolores , Heiland Dieter Henrik
Published: November 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is hallmarked by profound inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity. Current research has mapped key genetic drivers to distinct transcriptional profiles within GBM. Nevertheless, the intricate interactions between genetic alterations and spatial-transcriptional heterogeneity remain elusive. We utilized nestin-Tva C57BL/6 mice to induce de novo GBM via oncogene overexpression alongside shRNA-mediated silencing or deletion of tumor suppressors. We modeled critical driver mutations: PDGFB, NF1, and EGFR. Employing 10X Genomics platform for single-cell RNA sequencing, combined with spatially resolved transcriptomics and proteomics (Nanostring GeoMx), we integrated data using both horizontal (mutual nearest neighbors) and vertical (weighted nearest neighbors) approaches, analyzed through the SPATA2 software. Advanced computational techniques, including graph neural networks and single-cell deconvolution, were leveraged to unravel the genotypic and spatial variability within tumors and their microenvironments. Our findings uncover persistent cellular heterogeneity across diverse genetic contexts. However, specific genetic mutations precipitated distinct dominant transcriptional states: NF1 and EGFR mutations drove mesenchymal and astrocytic-like states, respectively, whereas PDGFB fostered a neural progenitor/cell-like state. These transcriptional shifts were closely linked to unique microenvironmental modifications, such as elevated neuronal signaling in PDGFB-driven GBMs and significant immune infiltration in NF1 and EGFR models. Through weighted co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) paired with spatial-niche deconvolution, we identified a mesenchymal transition leading to an immunosuppressive microenvironment in NF1-loss driven GBMs and increased lymphocyte presence around blood vessels in EGFR-amplified GBMs. These patterns were consistent with human spatially resolved transcriptomic data, emphasizing the genetic complexity and heterogeneity of human GBMs. Our genetically engineered mouse models serve as a robust platform for dissecting GBM with defined genetic mutations. Leveraging sophisticated analytical techniques and computational modeling, this study underscores the profound interplay between genetic drivers and the tumor microenvironment, paving the way for targeted therapeutic strategies and precision medicine in GBM.