bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital accreditation: an umbrella review
Authors: Lewis Katherine , Hinchcliff Reece
Published: February 2023

Hospital accreditation is an established quality improvement intervention. Despite a growing body of research, the evidence of effect remains contested. This umbrella review synthesizes reviews that examine the impacts of hospital accreditation with regard to health-care quality, highlighting research trends and knowledge gaps. Terms specific to the population: ‘hospital’ and the intervention: ‘accreditation’ were used to search seven databases: CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Embase, Medline (via EBSCOhost), PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) EBP Database (via Ovid). 2545 references were exported to endnote. After completing a systematic screening process and chain-referencing, 33 reviews were included. Following quality assessment and data extraction, key findings were thematically grouped into the seven health-care quality dimensions. Hospital accreditation has a range of associations with health system and organizational outcomes. Effectiveness, efficiency, patient-centredness, and safety were the most researched quality dimensions. Access, equity, and timeliness were examined in only three reviews. Barriers to robust original studies were reported to have impeded conclusive evidence. The body of research was largely atheoretical, incapable of precisely explaining how or why hospital accreditation may actually influence quality improvement. The impact of hospital accreditation remains poorly understood. Future research should control for all possible variables. Research and accreditation program development should integrate concepts of implementation and behavioural science to investigate the mechanisms through which hospital accreditation may enable quality improvement.
Recent advances in subgrade engineering for high-speed railway
Authors: Liu Xianfeng , Xiao Junhua , Cai Degou , Su Qian , Yang Guangqing , Yuan Shengyang , Jiang Guanlu
Published: February 2023

In the last decade, the design and construction technologies of subgrade in high-speed railway (HSR) developed significantly. This article reviews corresponding development in five aspects, including mechanical properties of fill materials, dynamic performance of subgrade, foundation treatment, retaining structure, and smart construction technologies. It shows that for unbonded granular materials, it is acceptable to use static strength for subgrade design, but for clayey soil it would be more appropriate to base on shakedown theory. The mechanism for lime modified clay has been thoroughly reviewed, and the effect of lime content, curing age, and curing conditions on the behavior of lime-treated clay is discussed. The dynamic response of subgrade, especially the long-term deformation and dynamic stability analysis are important to understanding the behavior of HSR subgrade. The effect of track types, operation speed, etc. on the dynamic response of subgrade are reviewed first. Then, the prediction methods, influencing factors, and corresponding issue for long-term deformation of subgrade are presented, followed by the methods used for dynamic stability analysis. Three types of foundation treatment methods, including geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) embankment, pile-raft structure, and pile-plate structure are reviewed for the corresponding load transmission mechanism, and application scenario. The static and dynamic behavior of four types of retaining structures are presented, including cantilever retaining wall, geosynthetic reinforced soil retaining wall, anchored retaining structure, and retaining wall reinforced by soil nailing. Finally, a series of new technologies correlated to smart construction are introduced, relating to the survey, design, construction, detection, and management of subgrade.
Frequency matters: comparison of drug resistance mutation detection by Sanger and next-generation sequencing in HIV-1
Authors: Balakrishna Suraj , Loosli Tom , Zaheri Maryam , Frischknecht Paul , Huber Michael , Kusejko Katharina , Yerly Sabine , Leuzinger Karoline , Perreau Matthieu , Ramette Alban , Wymant Chris , Fraser Christophe , Kellam Paul , Gall Astrid , Hirsch Hans H , Stoeckle Marcel , Rauch Andri , Cavassini Matthias , Bernasconi Enos , Notter Julia , Calmy Alexandra , Günthard Huldrych F , Metzner Karin J , Kouyos Roger D
Published: February 2023

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is gradually replacing Sanger sequencing (SS) as the primary method for HIV genotypic resistance testing. However, there are limited systematic data on comparability of these methods in a clinical setting for the presence of low-abundance drug resistance mutations (DRMs) and their dependency on the variant-calling thresholds.

Methods

To compare the HIV-DRMs detected by SS and NGS, we included participants enrolled in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) with SS and NGS sequences available with sample collection dates ≤7 days apart. We tested for the presence of HIV-DRMs and compared the agreement between SS and NGS at different variant-calling thresholds.

Results

We included 594 pairs of SS and NGS from 527 SHCS participants. Males accounted for 80.5% of the participants, 76.3% were ART naive at sample collection and 78.1% of the sequences were subtype B. Overall, we observed a good agreement (Cohen’s kappa >0.80) for HIV-DRMs for variant-calling thresholds ≥5%. We observed an increase in low-abundance HIV-DRMs detected at lower thresholds [28/417 (6.7%) at 10%–25% to 293/812 (36.1%) at 1%–2% threshold]. However, such low-abundance HIV-DRMs were overrepresented in ART-naive participants and were in most cases not detected in previously sampled sequences suggesting high sequencing error for thresholds <3%.

Conclusions

We found high concordance between SS and NGS but also a substantial number of low-abundance HIV-DRMs detected only by NGS at lower variant-calling thresholds. Our findings suggest that a substantial fraction of the low-abundance HIV-DRMs detected at thresholds <3% may represent sequencing errors and hence should not be overinterpreted in clinical practice.
Efficacy of delafloxacin against the biothreat pathogenBacillus anthracis
Authors: McCurdy Sandra , Halasohoris Stephanie A , Babyak Ashley L , Lembirik Sanae , Hoover Randall , Hickman Mark , Scarff Jennifer , Klimko Christopher P , Cote Christopher K , Meinig J Matthew
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of delafloxacin against Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.

Methods

MICs were obtained according to CLSI guidelines for 30 virulent isolates and 14 attenuated antibiotic-resistant strains. For the in vivo efficacy study, mice were administered delafloxacin (30–62.5 mg/kg) subcutaneously, or ciprofloxacin (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally beginning at either 24 or 48 ± 1 h post-challenge (post-exposure prophylaxis) and continued every 12 h for 14 days with study termination on day 30. The mean inhaled dose in the study was approximately 103 × LD50 equivalents, and the range was 87–120 × LD50.

Results

Delafloxacin (MIC90 = 0.004 mg/L) was 16-fold more potent than ciprofloxacin (MIC90 = 0.06 mg/L) against a 30-strain set of virulent B. anthracis. Against a panel of attenuated antibiotic-resistant strains, delafloxacin demonstrated potency ≥128-fold over that observed with ciprofloxacin. When evaluated in vivo, mice treated with all delafloxacin doses tested at 24 h post-challenge demonstrated equivalent survival compared with mice treated with the positive control ciprofloxacin. Because of the high challenge dose of spores, mice treated at 48 h showed rapid and high mortality in all groups including the positive control. Surviving animals in all delafloxacin- and ciprofloxacin-treated groups (24 and 48 h) showed complete splenic clearance of infection and <2.2 × 103 cfu/g lung tissue.

Conclusions

Given the high bar set by the 100 × LD50 challenge dose in this study, the results from delafloxacin treatment are promising for the treatment of inhaled anthrax.
A Histogram-Based Technique for Simultaneous Colorimetric Determination of Malachite Green and Brilliant Green Using Triton X-100 Micelle
Authors: Qashqai Negar , Heidari Tahereh
Published: February 2023

Background

Malachite green (MG) and brilliant green (BG) are two synthetic triphenylmethane dyes with applications in the textile and aquaculture industries. They are considered to be environmental contaminants due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Both dyes have the same bluish-green color in aqueous solutions.

Objective

The aim of this study is to develop a colorimetric analysis as a very simple and cost-effective method to determine the residues of MG and BG simultaneously in aqueous industrial samples.

Method

This method is based on the alterations in red, blue, green (RGB) color histograms of the dyes in the presence and absence of Triton X-100 micelle. The images of the samples were taken by a digital camera and converted to the RGB color system using MATLAB software. Partial least-squares regression as a powerful chemometrics tool was used for multivariate calibrations and quantitative measurements. The performance of the proposed method was compared with a simple spectrophotometric method as a reference.

Results

Relative errors of prediction for colorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis, respectively, in micellar media were 6.56 and 4.61% for MG and 6.38 and 5.24% for BG. The shortest linear ranges for colorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis, respectively, in micellar media were 0.1–10 and 0.5–5 mg/L for MG and 0.1–15 and 0.5–6 mg/L for BG. The recovery percentages obtained from the analysis of the dyes in real samples of fish-pond water and textile wastewater ranged between 91 and 107%.

Conclusions

The good correlation between the results of the colorimetric analysis and the spectrophotometric analysis indicates the reliability of the proposed colorimetric method. Also, the results of the relative recovery study showed insignificant matrix effect.

Highlights

This study demonstrates the ability of the colorimetric analysis coupled with chemometrics tools for simultaneous determination of the analytes even with nearly identical colors.
Laser Treatment of Hypertrophic Scar in a Porcine Model Induces Change to Epidermal Histoarchitecture That Correlates to Improved Epidermal Barrier Function
Authors: Jimenez Lesle M , Oliver Mary A , Keyloun John W , Moffatt Lauren T , Travis Taryn E , Shupp Jeffrey W , Carney Bonnie C
Published: February 2023

Mechanisms and timing of hypertrophic scar (HTS) improvement with laser therapy are incompletely understood. Epidermal keratinocytes influence HTS through paracrine signaling, yet they are understudied compared to fibroblasts. It was hypothesized that fractional ablative CO2 laser scar revision (FLSR) would change the fibrotic histoarchitecture of the epidermis in HTS. Duroc pigs (n = 4 FLSR and n = 4 controls) were injured and allowed to form HTS. HTS and normal skin (NS) were assessed weekly by noninvasive skin probes measuring trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and biopsy collection. There were 4 weekly FLSR treatments. Immediate laser treatment began on day 49 postinjury (just after re-epithelialization), and early treatment began on day 77 postinjury. Punch biopsies from NS and HTS were processed and stained with H&E. Epidermal thickness and rete ridge ratios (RRR) were measured. Gene and protein expression of involucrin (IVL) and filaggrin (FIL) were examined through qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent (IF) staining. After treatment, peeling sheets of stratum corneum were apparent which were not present in the controls. TEWL was increased in HTS vs NS at day 49, indicating decreased barrier function (P = .05). In the immediate group, TEWL was significantly decreased at week 4 (P < .05). The early group was not significantly different from NS at the prelaser timepoint. After four sessions, the epidermal thickness was significantly increased in treated scars in both FLSR groups (immediate: P < .01 and early: P < .001, n = 8 scars). Early intervention significantly increased RRR (P < .05), and immediate treatment trended toward an increase. There was no increase in either epidermal thickness or RRR in the controls. In the immediate intervention group, there was increased IVL gene expression in HTS vs NS that decreased after FLSR. Eight scars had upregulated gene expression of IVL vs NS levels pretreatment (fold change [FC] > 1.5) compared to four scars at week 4. This was confirmed by IF where IVL staining decreased after FLSR. FIL gene expression trended towards a decrease in both interventions after treatment. Changes in epidermal HTS histoarchitecture and expression levels of epidermal differentiation markers were induced by FLSR. The timing of laser intervention contributed to differences in TEWL, epidermal thickness, and RRR. These data shed light on the putative mechanisms of improvement seen after FLSR treatment. Resolution of timing must be further explored to enhance efficacy. An increased understanding of the difference between the natural history of HTS improvement over time and interventional-induced changes will be critical to justifying the continued approved usage of this treatment.
Energy Utilization and Flight Muscle Development in Chrysoperla sinica (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Female Adults: Relationship With Age and Flight Behavior
Authors: Liu Zhongfang , Chen Zhenghao , Sun Xiaoting , Zhang Pengjiu , Yang Jing , Gao Yue , Fan Renjun
Published: February 2023

We investigated the accumulation of energy substances, dynamics of flight muscle development, changes in energy substances accumulation, and flight muscle structure after flight activities in female adults of the green lacewing Chrysoperla sinica (Tjeder), a common natural enemy of various insect pests in China. Virgin individuals were chosen at 24, 72, and 120 h after eclosion for energy substance determination and flight muscle observation in this study. Individuals with strong flight ability at 72 h after eclosion were selected for tethered flight assays, followed by detection of energy substances, and flight muscle observation. The results showed that virgin female adults had the highest fat content 72 h after eclosion. Sarcomere length and myofibril diameter changed significantly with age, with the lowest at 24 h after eclosion. With an increase in flight distance, the fat and glycogen contents, sarcomere length, and volume fraction of the transverse tubular system (T-system) decreased and myofibril diameters increased. The volume fraction of the mitochondria did not significantly change, but the structure of the mitochondrial membrane was destroyed, inclusions were reduced, and cavities appeared. The reserves of energy substances, especially lipids, are closely related to the flight ability of C. sinica. The observational results of both flight muscle structure and morphology of mitochondria build a strong relationship with flight behavior. This research should help reveal the regulatory mechanism of flight activity of C. sinica.
Craft Matters: Seven Tips for Legal Scholars
Authors: Fisher Liz
Published: February 2023

In this commentary, the metaphor of craft is deployed to provide seven tips for legal scholars. These seven tips are forms of practical advice, which also raise questions about how legal scholarship is understood. These tips are based on the experience of editing the Journal of Environmental Law between 2012 and 2022. The seven tips are: producing legal scholarship takes time; don't get distracted from focusing on quality; read widely; know what you are trying to produce; fidelity to material matters; cherish refereeing and revision; and recognise the value of scholarly communities.
Forms of knowledge and forms of philosophy
Authors: Smith Richard
Published: February 2023

Paul Hirst’s work on the nature of knowledge and its significance for education is still important, in at least two respects. One is the defence he offers of a distinctively liberal education: this is widely acknowledged, but its importance in our own time deserves greater recognition. The other, which is less often noticed, is Hirst’s avoidance of the widespread tendency to think of science as the model that all knowledge should attempt to emulate. This tendency, which in its extreme form is called scientism, represents less respect for science—which of course science deserves—than veneration of it. Wider discussion here of the part that the idea of knowledge plays in educational thinking today touches on recent work on virtue epistemology, the importance but complexity of the ideas of truth and reason, the curious rise of ‘powerful knowledge’, and recent work on the importance of philosophy in its ancient role of orienting us to reality as the home of thinking: a theme anticipated in some of the late work of Paul Hirst.
The rationale for the teaching of literature: soundings in Paul Hirst's epistemology
Authors: Williams Kevin , Williams Patrick A
Published: February 2023

Paul Hirst’s reconceptualization of his epistemology provides a basis for this exploration of the various aspects of the rationale for teaching literature. The article reflects the close analysis of knowledge and the curriculum in his early work and develops insights in his later work. This leads to the identification of five strands that form the rationale for the role of literature within the curriculum. The first strand refers to the knowledge of context, cultural background, or information necessary to engage with many works of literature. The second strand concerns the role of literature in providing pleasure. The third strand considers the role of literature in offering multiple forms of understanding and insight. Strands four and five address the place of literature in the educational context. The fourth strand refers to the possibilities offered for education in language by the close study of literary texts. The fifth strand concerns the honing of the ability to propose and defend arguments in the interpretation of texts as a conduit to the development of one aspect of practical reason.
Should I stay or should I go: the functional importance and regulation of lipid diffusion in biological membranes
Authors: Béziat Chloé , Jaillais Yvon
Published: February 2023

Biological membranes are highly dynamic, in particular due to the constant exchange of vesicles between the different compartments of the cell. In addition, the dynamic nature of membranes is also caused by their inherently fluid properties, with the diffusion of both proteins and lipids within their leaflets. Lipid diffusion is particularly difficult to study in vivo but recent advances in optical microscopy and lipid visualization now enable the characterization of lipid lateral motion, and here we review these methods in plants. We then discuss the parameters that affect lipid diffusion in membranes and explore their consequences on the formation of membrane domains at different scales. Finally, we consider how controlled lipid diffusion affects membrane functions during cell signaling, development, and environmental interactions.
Soil cadmium stress affects the phyllosphere microbiome and associated pathogen resistance differently in male and female poplars
Authors: Lin Tiantian , Lu Qi , Zheng Zhenlei , Li Shuying , Li Shujiang , Liu Yinggao , Zhu Tianhui , Chen Lianghua , Yang Chunlin , Han Shan
Published: February 2023

Microorganisms associated with the phyllosphere play a crucial role in protecting plants from diseases, and their composition and diversity are strongly influenced by heavy metal contaminants. Dioecious plants are known to exhibit sexual dimorphism in metal accumulation and tolerance between male and female individuals. Hence, in this study we used male and female full-siblings of Populus deltoides to investigate whether the two sexes present differences in their phyllosphere microbiome structures and in their associated resistance to the leaf pathogenic fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora after exposure to excess soil cadmium (Cd). We found that Cd-treated male plants grew better and accumulated more leaf Cd than females. Cd stress reduced the lesion areas on leaves of both sexes after pathogen infection, but male plants exhibited better resistance than females. More importantly, Cd exposure differentially altered the structure and function of the phyllosphere microbiomes between the male and female plants, with more abundant ecologically beneficial microbes and decreased pathogenic fungal taxa harbored by male plants. In vitro toxicity tests suggested that the sexual difference in pathogen resistance could be attribute to both direct Cd toxicity and indirect shifts in the phyllosphere microbiome. This study provides new information relevant for understanding the underlying mechanisms of the effects of heavy metals involved in plant–pathogen interactions.
Above- and belowground linkages during extreme moisture excess: leveraging knowledge from natural ecosystems to better understand implications for row-crop agroecosystems
Authors: Sprunger Christine D , Lindsey Alex , Lightcap Ainsley
Published: February 2023

Above- and belowground linkages are responsible for some of the most important ecosystem processes in unmanaged terrestrial systems including net primary production, decomposition, and carbon sequestration. Global change biology is currently altering above- and belowground interactions, reducing ecosystem services provided by natural systems. Less is known regarding how above- and belowground linkages impact climate resilience, especially in intentionally managed cropping systems. Waterlogged or flooded conditions will continue to increase across the Midwestern USA due to climate change. The objective of this paper is to explore what is currently known regarding above- and belowground linkages and how they impact biological, biochemical, and physiological processes in systems experiencing waterlogged conditions. We also identify key above- and belowground processes that are critical for climate resilience in Midwestern cropping systems by exploring various interactions that occur within unmanaged landscapes. Above- and belowground interactions that support plant growth and development, foster multi-trophic-level interactions, and stimulate balanced nutrient cycling are critical for crops experiencing waterlogged conditions. Moreover, incorporating ecological principles such as increasing plant diversity by incorporating crop rotations and adaptive management via delayed planting dates and adjustments in nutrient management will be critical for fostering climate resilience in row-crop agriculture moving forward.
Thefalse widowlink between neutron star X-ray binaries and spider pulsars
Authors: Knight Amy H , Ingram Adam , van den Eijnden Jakob , Buisson Douglas J K , Rhodes Lauren , Middleton Matthew
Published: February 2023

The discovery of transitional millisecond pulsars (tMSPs) provided conclusive proof that neutron star (NS) low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) comprise part of the evolutionary pathway towards binary millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Redback and black widow ‘spider’ pulsars are a subcategory of binary MSPs that ‘devour’ their companions through ablation – the process through which material is lifted from the stellar surface by a pulsar wind. In addition to reducing the companion star’s mass, ablation introduces observable characteristics like extended, energy-dependent, and asymmetric eclipse profiles in systems observed at a sufficiently high inclination. Here, we present a detailed study and comparison of the X-ray eclipses of two NS LMXBs: Swift J1858.6 − 0814 and EXO 0748 − 676. Some of the X-ray eclipse characteristics observed in these two LMXBs are similar to the radio eclipse characteristics of eclipsing redback and black widow pulsars, suggesting that they may also host ablated companion stars. X-ray irradiation or a pulsar wind could drive the ablation. We conduct orbital phase-resolved spectroscopy for both LMXBs to map the column density, ionization, and covering fraction of the material outflow. From this, we infer the presence of highly ionized and clumpy ablated material around the companion star in both systems. We term LMXBs undergoing ablation, false widows, and speculate that they may be the progenitors of redback pulsars under the assumption that ablation begins in the LMXB stage. Therefore, the false widows could provide a link between LMXBs and spider pulsars. The detection of radio pulsations during non-accreting states can support this hypothesis.
DNA methylation entropy is associated with DNA sequence features and developmental epigenetic divergence
Authors: Fang Yuqi , Ji Zhicheng , Zhou Weiqiang , Abante Jordi , Koldobskiy Michael A , Ji Hongkai , Feinberg Andrew P
Published: February 2023

Epigenetic information defines tissue identity and is largely inherited in development through DNA methylation. While studied mostly for mean differences, methylation also encodes stochastic change, defined as entropy in information theory. Analyzing allele-specific methylation in 49 human tissue sample datasets, we find that methylation entropy is associated with specific DNA binding motifs, regulatory DNA, and CpG density. Then applying information theory to 42 mouse embryo methylation datasets, we find that the contribution of methylation entropy to time- and tissue-specific patterns of development is comparable to the contribution of methylation mean, and methylation entropy is associated with sequence and chromatin features conserved with human. Moreover, methylation entropy is directly related to gene expression variability in development, suggesting a role for epigenetic entropy in developmental plasticity.
Notified occupational mental disorders: associations with health and income
Authors: Ladegaard Y , Dalgaard V L , Conway P M , Eller N H , Skakon J , Maltesen T , Scheike T , Netterstrøm B
Published: February 2023

Background

Studies indicate that workers’ compensation claim processes may affect patients’ health negatively. However, few studies focus on patients with mental health claims, and the claim process varies between countries.

Aims

The aims of this study were to examine whether being notified to the Danish Labour Market Insurance with an occupational mental health condition was associated with changes in visits to the general practitioner (GP), use of medicine and annual income.

Methods

Study participants were 965 patients with a mental disorder examined at a department of occupational medicine. Of these, 669 patients were notified with an occupational mental disorder, 296 were not. Health-related outcomes, including GP visits and prescriptions of psychotropic drugs, were estimated at baseline during the year of medical examination, while annual income was estimated a year before the examination. The follow-up was the year after the year of examination for all outcomes. Outcomes were collected from the Danish National Bureau of Statistics. Analyses were conducted using Poisson regression and conditional logistic regression.

Results

All measured outcomes decreased from baseline to follow-up in both groups. These changes were not significantly different depending on notification status at baseline.

Conclusions

This study suggests that being notified with an occupational mental disorder does not significantly affect health-related outcomes. A significant decrease in annual income over time was seen in both groups, the notified and the unnotified group, highlighting the importance of providing support to all employees with a mental disorder.
Association of Cytomegalovirus Serostatus With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccine Responsiveness in Nursing Home Residents and Healthcare Workers
Authors: Freeman Michael L , Oyebanji Oladayo A , Moisi Daniela , Payne Michael , Sheehan Maegan L , Balazs Alejandro B , Bosch Jürgen , King Christopher L , Gravenstein Stefan , Lederman Michael M , Canaday David H
Published: February 2023

Background

Latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is immunomodulatory and could affect mRNA vaccine responsiveness. We sought to determine the association of CMV serostatus and prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with antibody (Ab) titers after primary and booster BNT162b2 mRNA vaccinations in healthcare workers (HCWs) and nursing home (NH) residents.

Methods

Nursing home residents (N = 143) and HCWs (N = 107) were vaccinated and serological responses monitored by serum neutralization activity against Wuhan and Omicron (BA.1) strain spike proteins, and by bead-multiplex immunoglobulin G immunoassay to Wuhan spike protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD). Cytomegalovirus serology and levels of inflammatory biomarkers were also measured.

Results

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-naive CMV seropositive (CMV+) HCWs had significantly reduced Wuhan-neutralizing Ab (P = .013), anti-spike (P = .017), and anti-RBD (P = .011) responses 2 weeks after primary vaccination series compared with responses among CMV seronegative (CMV−) HCWs, adjusting for age, sex, and race. Among NH residents without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, Wuhan-neutralizing Ab titers were similar 2 weeks after primary series but were reduced 6 months later (P = .012) between CMV+ and CMV− subjects. Wuhan-neutralizing Ab titers from CMV+ NH residents who had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection consistently trended lower than titers from SARS-CoV-2 experienced CMV− donors. These impaired Ab responses in CMV+ versus CMV− individuals were not observed after booster vaccination or with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusions

Latent CMV infection adversely affects vaccine-induced responsiveness to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a neoantigen not previously encountered, in both HCWs and NH residents. Multiple antigenic challenges may be required for optimal mRNA vaccine immunogenicity in CMV+ adults.
Is Every Law for Everyone? Assessing Access to National Legislation through Official Legal Databases around the World
Authors: Nishikawa-Pacher Andreas , Hamann Hanjo
Published: February 2023

Countries all over the world document their statutory law in official legal databases (OLD), but the extent to which these provide effective access to (statutory) law remains unexamined. Ideally, an OLD should be (i) provided online and free for all without requiring registration or payment, (ii) searchable with regard to statutes’ titles, (iii) searchable with regard to the full texts of statutes, (iv) provided in a reusable text-based format and (v) comprehensive in its coverage of at least the laws currently in force. To highlight the nature of OLDs as consumer products, we borrow a term from business operations research and refer to a database fulfilling these basic criteria as a ‘minimum viable’ OLD. We survey 204 states and jurisdictions to assess how far their country-level OLDs adhere to the minimum viability standard. We find that only 48% of them do; 12% of states do not seem to offer any online OLD at all; and a further 40% of countries offer legal databases that lack at least one of the criteria listed above. The quality of legal access is associated with geographical distribution (with Europe faring the best), economic development and a population’s overall Internet usage. The results suggest that comparative legal research faces considerable hurdles when dealing with the Global South; that metadata-enriched digitalisation of legal corpora still remains a desideratum for at least half the world; and that the inaccessibility of law may carry high costs for legal practitioners and the wider public.
Custodians of the Palace of Westminster
Authors: Meakin Alexandra , Siebert Sabina
Published: February 2023

While the Palace of Westminster, the home of the UK Parliament requires an extensive programme of repairs and action to implement (or even agree) this programme—known as Restoration and Renewal—has been hampered. This article explores the concept of custodianship and poses a question: who are the custodians of the Palace and for whom do they preserve the Palace? Drawing on two research projects, this article explores differing interpretations of custodianship in this context, and whether decisions made about the parliamentary building are made to preserve the history of the Palace, improve working conditions in the present, or with the future of the building (and institution) in mind.
Dehydrogenase MnGutB1 catalyzes 1-deoxynojirimycin biosynthesis in mulberry
Authors: Yang Zhen , Luo Yiwei , Xia Xiaoyu , He Jinzhi , Zhang Jiajia , Zeng Qiwei , Li Dong , Ma Bi , Zhang Shaoyu , Zhai Changxin , Chen Miao , He Ningjia
Published: February 2023

As the prevalence of diabetes continues to increase, the number of individuals living with diabetes complications will reach an unprecedented magnitude. Continuous use of some synthetic agents to reduce blood glucose levels causes severe side effects, and thus, the demand for nontoxic, affordable drugs persists. Naturally occurring compounds, such as iminosugars derived from the mulberry (Morus spp.), have been shown to reduce blood glucose levels. In mulberry, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is the predominant iminosugar. However, the mechanism underlying DNJ biosynthesis is not completely understood. Here, we showed that DNJ in mulberry is derived from sugar and catalyzed through 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-mannitol (ADM) dehydrogenase MnGutB1. Combining both targeted and nontargeted metabolite profiling methods, DNJ and its precursors ADM and nojirimycin (NJ) were quantified in mulberry samples from different tissues. Purified His-tagged MnGutB1 oxidized the hexose derivative ADM to form the 6-oxo compound DNJ. The mutant MnGutB1 D283N lost this remarkable capability. Furthermore, in contrast to virus-induced gene silencing of MnGutB1 in mulberry leaves that disrupted the biosynthesis of DNJ, overexpression of MnGutB1 in hairy roots and light-induced upregulation of MnGutB1 enhanced DNJ accumulation. Our results demonstrated that hexose derivative ADM, rather than lysine derivatives, is the precursor in DNJ biosynthesis, and it is catalyzed by MnGutB1 to form the 6-oxo compound. These results represent a breakthrough in producing DNJ and its analogs for medical use by metabolic engineering or synthetic biology.
The politics of military megaprojects: discursive struggles in Canadian and Australian naval shipbuilding strategies
Authors: Migone Andrea , Howlett Alexander , Howlett Michael
Published: February 2023

Large-scale military platform procurement is an essential but understudied component of the policy studies of megaprojects. Procurement decisions in this area, from ships to aircraft, are examples of a specific type of often very expensive purchases which feature complex multi-actor and multiyear processes characterized by high degrees of conflict between actors over purchases and planning horizons. This study of military procurement efforts of this type demonstrates the importance of maintaining policy ‘alignment’ between governments and service providers for successful megaproject procurement to occur and suggests several strategies for accomplishing this that can be applied to similar large-scale but nondefense-related projects, ranging from hydroelectric dams to high-speed railway development.
The nutritional quality of a fresh orange pulp-wheat straw mixture ensiled with either sugar beet pulp, wheat bran, or urea compared to corn silage (Zea mays) in sheep
Authors: Dadashi Ali , Rouzbehan Yousef , Fazaeli Hassan , Rezaei Javad
Published: February 2023

This study compares corn silage (CS) with an orange pulp-wheat straw mixture (OW) ensiled with either sugar beet pulp (SBP), wheat bran (WB), or urea in terms of intake, chemical composition, phenolic compounds, silage fermentation characteristics, digestibility, in vivo rumen variables and biochemical blood variables in 48 Shall male sheep, and in vitro methane (CH4) production. In addition to CS, five other silages: OW (i.e., 87.5% fresh orange pulp + 12.5% wheat straw); OWU (OW + 1% urea); OWS (87.5% fresh orange pulp + 8.6% wheat straw + 3.9% SBP); OWSU (87.5% fresh orange pulp + 8.6% wheat straw + 1% urea + 3.9% SBP); and OWB (87.5% fresh orange pulp + 8.6% wheat straw + 3.9% SBP) were ensiled for 90 days. All diets, which contained a mineral-vitamin premix (10 g/kg of dry matter [DM]), were each randomly assigned to five sheep (live weight 40 ± 2.5 kg) using a completely randomized design, and the SAS software MIXED method was used for data analysis. Among all silages, OWU and OWSU had the highest (P < 0.01) ammonia-N concentration, but there were no differences in other fermentation characteristics. Animals fed on the CS diet had higher DM intake (P = 0.01) and DM (P = 0.01), organic matter (P = 0.01), and neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.02) digestibilities compared with other diets. However, sheep receiving OWU and OWSU diets had higher (P < 0.01) crude protein digestibility than those fed on other diets. The OWU and OWSU-fed sheep had the highest (P = 0.04) ruminal ammonia-N concentration. Sheep fed on CS had higher (P = 0.03) ruminal total short-chain fatty acids, acetate concentration (P = 0.02), total protozoa (P < 0.01), and cellulolytic bacteria numbers (P < 0.01), but had a lower (P = 0.03) propionate concentration compared with the other sheep. In vitro CH4 production was higher (P = 0.01) with the CS diet compared to the orange pulp diets. Estimated microbial protein supply was lower (P = 0.05) with CS compared to all orange silages. In conclusion, the variation in the nutritive quality among the OWS, OWSU, and OWB is relatively small, and the OWB, which is most comparable to CS, was judged to be nutritionally the best among the diets.
Structure and function of bark and wood chloroplasts in a drought-tolerant tree (Fraxinus ornusL.)
Authors: Natale Sara , La Rocca Nicoletta , Battistuzzi Mariano , Morosinotto Tomas , Nardini Andrea , Alboresi Alessandro
Published: February 2023

Leaves are the most important photosynthetic organs in most woody plants, but chloroplasts are also found in organs optimized for other functions. However, the actual photosynthetic efficiency of these chloroplasts is still unclear. We analyzed bark and wood chloroplasts of Fraxinus ornus L. saplings. Optical and spectroscopic methods were applied to stem samples and compared with leaves. A sharp light gradient was detected along the stem radial direction, with blue light mainly absorbed by the outer bark, and far-red-enriched light reaching the underlying xylem and pith. Chlorophylls were evident in the xylem rays and the pith and showed an increasing concentration gradient toward the bark. The stem photosynthetic apparatus showed features typical of acclimation to a low-light environment, such as larger grana stacks, lower chlorophyll a/b and photosystem I/II ratios compared with leaves. Despite likely receiving very few photons, wood chloroplasts were photosynthetically active and fully capable of generating a light-dependent electron transport. Our data provide a comprehensive scenario of the functional features of bark and wood chloroplasts in a woody species and suggest that stem photosynthesis is coherently optimized to the prevailing micro-environmental conditions at the bark and wood level.
Phylogenetic relationships in Hybosoridae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)
Authors: Basílio Daniel Silva , Cherman Mariana Alejandra , Vaz-De-Mello Fernando Zagury , Almeida Lúcia Massutti
Published: February 2023

Hybosoridae comprise five extant subfamilies (Anaidinae, Ceratocanthinae, Hybosorinae, Liparochrinae and Pachyplectrinae). The phylogenetics of Anaidinae and Ceratocanthinae have been analysed previously. This is the first thorough analysis with greater representation of the entire family, especially regarding Hybosorinae. The present study tested the monophyly of Hybosoridae; the monophyly and relationships of its subfamilies and among the genera; and the ‘incertae sedis’ placement of the hybosorid genera Borrochrus and Daimothoracodes and of Orubesa, currently assigned to Scarabaeidae. The matrix consisted of 111 morphological characters and 76 taxa. The monophyly of Hybosoridae and three subfamilies (Anaidinae, Ceratocanthinae and Liparochrinae) was supported. Few changes were necessary to recover the monophyly of Hybosorinae and Pachyplectrinae: Brenskea is transferred from Pachyplectrinae to Hybosorinae, and Borrochrus and Daimothoracodes are allocated to Pachyplectrinae. Hybosorinae include two paraphyletic genera: Apalonychus and Hybosorus. To recover their monophyly, two monotypic genera were synonymized: Hapalonychoides is now a junior subjective synonym of Apalonychus (Apalonychus similis comb. nov.) and Hybosoroides a junior subjective synonym of Hybosorus (Hybosorus alluaudi comb. nov.). Orubesa is more closely related to Ochodaeidae than to Hybosoridae.
Quantitative Sensory Changes Following Posterior Spinal Fusion to Treat Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: O’Neill Nora , Ghessese Semhal , Hedequist Daniel , Lins Laura , Birch Craig , Hresko M. Timothy , Emans John , Karlin Lawrence , Cornelissen Laura , Glotzbecker Michael
Published: February 2023

Background:

Sensory changes surrounding the incision frequently develop after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Anecdotally, patients may experience sensory changes on the chest wall. Such postsurgical sensory changes are not well described quantitatively. This study aims to evaluate the presence, intensity, and duration of mechanical sensory changes in AIS patients postoperatively.

Methods:

A prospective cohort of AIS patients, 10 to 21 years old, was followed. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) included touch detection threshold [mechanical detection threshold (MDT)] and pain detection threshold (MPT), using VonFrey monofilaments and pinprick stimulators. QST was performed at 3 sites at T6: the right and left chest at the nipple line and adjacent to the incision below the inferior angle of the scapula. QST at the thenar eminence was the control. QST was collected at baseline, 3 days, 1, and 6 months postoperative.

Results:

Thirty-four patients (21% males; mean age: 14.9 years old; median preoperative curve: 58 degrees) completed all testing. Mean deformity correction was 64% (SD: 10.4). Adjacent to the incision site, MDT was significantly higher compared with baseline at 3 days and 1 month (P < 0.001) but not at 6 months (P = 0.19), whereas MPT was significantly higher at 3 days, (P < 0.001), 1 month (P < 0.001), and 6 months (P = 0.001). For the chest wall in all patients, MPT was higher on the left chest at 3 days (P = 0.04) and on the right chest at 3 days (P = 0.022) and 1 month (P = 0.05). For patients with right-sided curves, MDT (P = 0.01) and MPT (P = 0.015) overall were significantly higher on the concave side (left) chest postoperatively.

Conclusions:

PSF is associated with sensory disturbances that are detectable within days, persist at 1 month, and improve at 6 months postoperatively adjacent to the incision and on the chest wall. We suspect that these sensory changes are transient. Describing postoperative sensory changes will help us better set postoperative expectations for patients undergoing PSF.

Level of Evidence:

Level I.
Wrist-ankle acupuncture has a positive effect on chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pan Meihua , Lan Yanyan , Wang Zhifu
Published: February 2023

An increasing number of practitioners are using acupuncture methods such as wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) to treat pain. We aimed systematically to evaluate the effects of WAA on cancer pain, primary pain, chronic musculoskeletal pain and pathological neuralgia pain. Nine electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on WAA from inception of the data base to July 31, 2022. RCTs within the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Outcomes included pain score, clinical efficacy (overall efficiency), and occurrence of adverse events. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration criteria and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software to determine the effect of WAA intervention and statistical significance was set a P < 0.05. A total of 19 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis including 1,380 participants, consisting of 673 who had received WAA alone or in combination with other treatments (WAA group, WG) and 707 who did not receive WAA (control group, CG). Subgroup analyses were performed according to different chronic pain types and occurrence of adverse events of WAA versus oral or non-oral drug therapy. The WG had better analgesic effects on various types of chronic pain than CG (P < 0.00001) and clinical efficacy (P < 0.00001). Additionally, WAA was shown to be safer than oral medication (P = 0.09). Therefore, WAA has good analgesic efficacy for several types of common chronic pain alone and in combination with other therapies, and it is safer than oral medication. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to support this evidence.

Graphical abstract:

http://links.lww.com/AHM/A48
Liver transplantation in alcohol-associated liver disease: ensuring equity through new processes
Authors: Messinger John C. , Hanto Douglas W. , Curry Michael P. , Ladin Keren
Published: February 2023

Worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol use is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the US, in large part due to alcohol-associated liver disease. Throughout history, liver transplantation for this population has been controversial, and many policies and regulations have existed to limit access to lifesaving transplant for patients who use alcohol. In recent years, the rates of liver transplantation for patients with alcohol-associated liver disease have increased dramatically; however, disparities persist. For instance, many criteria used in evaluation for transplant listing, such as social support and prior knowledge of the harms of alcohol use, are not evidence based and may selectively disadvantage patients with alcohol use disorder. In addition, few transplant providers have adequate training in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, and few transplant centers offer specialized addiction treatment. Finally, current approaches to liver transplantation would benefit from adopting principles of harm reduction, which have demonstrated efficacy in the realm of addiction medicine for years. As we look toward the future, we must emphasize the use of evidence-based measures in selecting patients for listing, ensure access to high-quality addiction care for all patients pretransplant and posttransplant, and adopt harm reduction beliefs to better address relapse when it inevitably occurs. We believe that only by addressing each of these issues will we be able to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources in liver transplantation for all patients.