bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Early and Late Intraocular Lens Dislocation
Authors: Jeon Hansol , Jang Joon Hyuck , Kwon Soonil
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To evaluate risk factors predisposing to intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation after cataract surgery.Methods: The medical and surgical records of patients diagnosed with IOL dislocation between January 2011 and December 2021 after undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction, phacoemulsification, and phacoemulsification with pars plana vitrectomy at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative factors (ocular parameters and demographics) and intra-operative factors (surgery time, surgeon, and intra-operative complications) were compared according to early, late, and bilateral dislocation.Results: In 68 patents and 71 eyes, the average age at the diagnosis of dislocation was 63.3 years, and there were more males (77.5%) than females. Possible major factors predisposing to IOL dislocation were high myopia (9 eyes), retinal detachment (8 eyes), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet capsulotomy (6 eyes), and normal tension glaucoma (6 eyes). The rate of out-of-the bag dislocation was higher in early dislocation than in late. Early dislocation had a significantly older age, longer surgery time, and higher intraoperative complication rate during cataract surgery than did late dislocation. There was no difference in surgery time for late dislocated eyes compared to non-dislocated eyes. There was no difference in the incidence of dislocation between phacoemulsification and phacoemulsification with pars plana vitrectomy; there were seven eyes with prior vitrectomy only, with late dislocation. Of the seven patients with bilateral IOL dislocation, one had retinitis pigmentosa, two had retinal detachment, and one had high myopia. Bilateral dislocation patients were significantly younger at the time of cataract surgery, compared to unilateral dislocation patients.Conclusions: Early dislocation was associated with long surgery time and intraoperative complications, while late dislocation had no significant correlation with surgery-related factors. A history of vitrectomy and combined vitrectomy with cataract surgery seemed to be associated with late dislocation, but this association was not significant.
Stereoacuity in Patients with Non-Amblyopic Anisometropia
Authors: Kim Woong Hee , Jung Eun Hye
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To compare the stereoacuity between patients with uncorrected and corrected non-amblyopic anisometropia, and to evaluate the correlation between the degrees of anisometropia and stereoacuity.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with non-amblyopic anisometropia who underwent the stereoacuity test. Patients were divided into uncorrected anisometropia (n = 33) and corrected by spectacles (n = 30) groups. The clinical characteristics and sensory status of patients were evaluated using the Worth 4-dot, Titmus, Lang II, and TNO tests, and compared between the groups. Correlation analysis was performed between the degree of anisometropia and the level of stereopsis.Results: The uncorrected and corrected anisometropia groups did not significantly differ in mean age (12.2 ± 3.7 and 11.8 ± 4.0 years) or degree of anisometropia (2.12 ± 1.21 and 1.81 ± 1.25 diopters). The rate of sensory fusion in the distant Worth 4-dot test was lower in the uncorrected anisometropia than the corrected anisometropia group. The level of stereopsis was also worse in the uncorrected anisometropia than the corrected anisometropia group in all stereoacuity tests. There was a strong positive correlation between the degree of anisometropia and the level of stereoacuity on the Titmus, Lang II, and TNO tests (r = 0.690, r = 0.614, and r = 0.655, respectively; all p < 0.001) in the uncorrected anisometropia group. However, the corrected anisometropia group showed a weak positive correlation between the degree of anisometropia and the level of stereoacuity only on the TNO test (r = 0.366; p = 0.047).Conclusions: Stereoacuity was better in the corrected anisometropia group than in the uncorrected group. It significantly worsened with increasing anisometropia in the uncorrected group, but only a weak correlation was observed in the corrected group. Therefore, prescribing glasses could be recommended to improve stereopsis in adolescents and young adults with anisometropia.
Recurrent Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascularization in an Adolescent
Authors: Lee Hayoung , Lee Jaehyuk , Moon Jongwon
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To report recurrent idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in an adolescent.Case summary: A 14-year-old male presented with reduced vision in the right eye, 3 weeks in duration. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.2. He lacked any medical or ocular history, any family history of retinal disease, and any trauma history. Autorefraction yielded a spherical equivalent of -4.75 diopters. Neither posterior staphyloma nor myopic macular degeneration was apparent in a fundus photograph. However, the photograph revealed a greyish foveal lesion with a subretinal hemorrhage, but was otherwise unremarkable. Optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography revealed foveal CNV with a subretinal hemorrhage and fluid. As no feature known to cause CNV was apparent, we diagnosed idiopathic CNV and prescribed right-eye intravitreal ranibizumab injections. After treatment, the BCVA became 1.0, but the CNV continued to recur; he has received 26 intravitreal ranibizumab injections over the last 47 months.Conclusions: Most idiopathic CNVs in adolescents are well-treated with fewer injections. However, CNV can continue to recur; multiple intravitreal injections and careful monitoring may be required.
A Case of Subtype Giant Cell Arteritis Without Symptoms of Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Jung Sam Young , Shin Sun Young
Published: February 2023

Purpose: We report a case of papilledema without the typical symptoms of arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, ultimately diagnosed as a subtype of giant cell arteritis, which has not been reported previously in Korea.Case summary: A 72-year-old man visited the hospital with decreased visual acuity in his left eye of 0.02 that had occurred 1 week prior. Optic disc swelling and relative afferent pupillary disorder were also evident in the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed no specific findings, leading to a diagnosis of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Afterwards, there was no improvement in visual acuity, and optic nerve atrophy occurred. Six months later, the patient complained of decreased visual acuity in the contralateral eye; the same clinical findings as in the left eye were confirmed. Temporal artery biopsy was performed, ultimately revealing a subtype of giant cell arteritis.Conclusions: This case was finally diagnosed as a subtype of giant cell arteritis through temporal artery biopsy, despite the absence of typical clinical symptoms of this condition. Although giant cell arteritis is rare in Korea, it can cause permanent blindness. Therefore, the possibility of giant cell arteritis should always be considered with optic disc swelling in both eyes.
Encephalopathy Associated With Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Authors: Raouf Ali A. , Tamagno Gianluca
Published: February 2023

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs) are immune-endocrine disorders affecting the thyroid gland and, eventually, also a number of other systemic targets, including the brain and the nervous system. Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (EAATD) is a rare, heterogeneous condition arising from the background of an ATD. It is characterised by neurological and/or psychiatric symptoms with acute or sub-acute onset, and virtually any neurological or psychiatric symptom can appear. However, EAATD often presents with confusion, altered consciousness, seizures, or myoclonus. The majority of cases are associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but a number of patients with Graves’ disease have also been described. EAATD is likely an immune-mediated disorder. Its exact prevalence has not been precisely elucidated, with an increasing number of cases reported in the last few years. Most EAATD patients respond in a dramatic manner to corticosteroids. However, the immunosuppressive treatment may require a long course (up to 12 months). The increasing number of EAATD cases reported in the literature demonstrates a growing interest of the scientific community about this condition, which still requires a better definition of its pathophysiology, the diagnostic criteria, and the most appropriate management, including the long-term follow-up of patients. The current clinical evidence about EAATD is mostly based on the report of single cases or small cohort studies. In this review, we present the current knowledge about EAATD, with a dedicated focus to the clinical management of the patients from a diagnostic and therapeutic perspective.
Developing a two-parameter Liu estimator for the COM–Poisson regression model: Application and simulation
Authors: Abonazel Mohamed R. , Awwad Fuad A. , Tag Eldin Elsayed , Kibria B. M. Golam , Khattab Ibrahim G.
Published: February 2023

The Conway–Maxwell–Poisson (COMP) model is defined as a flexible count regression model used for over- and under-dispersion cases. In regression analysis, when the explanatory variables are highly correlated, this means that there is a multicollinearity problem in the model. This problem increases the standard error of maximum likelihood estimates. To manage the multicollinearity effects in the COMP model, we proposed a new modified Liu estimator based on two shrinkage parameters (k, d). To assess the performance of the proposed estimator, the mean squared error (MSE) criterion is used. The theoretical comparison of the proposed estimator with the ridge, Liu, and modified one-parameter Liu estimators is made. The Monte Carlo simulation and real data application are employed to examine the efficiency of the proposed estimator and to compare it with the ridge, Liu, and modified one-parameter Liu estimators. The results showed the superiority of the proposed estimator as it has the smallest MSE value.
The benefits of adipocyte metabolism in bone health and regeneration
Authors: Burkhardt Lisa-Marie , Bucher Christian H. , Löffler Julia , Rinne Charlotte , Duda Georg N. , Geissler Sven , Schulz Tim J. , Schmidt-Bleek Katharina
Published: February 2023

Patients suffering from musculoskeletal diseases must cope with a diminished quality of life and an increased burden on medical expenses. The interaction of immune cells and mesenchymal stromal cells during bone regeneration is one of the key requirements for the restoration of skeletal integrity. While stromal cells of the osteo-chondral lineage support bone regeneration, an excessive accumulation of cells of the adipogenic lineage is thought to promote low-grade inflammation and impair bone regeneration. Increasing evidence indicates that pro-inflammatory signaling from adipocytes is responsible for various chronic musculoskeletal diseases. This review aims to summarize the features of bone marrow adipocytes by phenotype, function, secretory features, metabolic properties and their impact on bone formation. In detail, the master regulator of adipogenesis and prominent diabetes drug target, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG), will be debated as a potential therapeutic approach to enhance bone regeneration. We will explore the possibilities of using clinically established PPARG agonists, the thiazolidinediones (TZDs), as a treatment strategy to guide the induction of a pro-regenerative, metabolically active bone marrow adipose tissue. The impact of this PPARG induced bone marrow adipose tissue type on providing the necessary metabolites to sustain osteogenic-as well as beneficial immune cells during bone fracture healing will be highlighted.
The influence of normal distribution dispersion of fracture size on blockiness and REV of fractured rock masses
Authors: Ma Tiantian , Xia Lu
Published: February 2023

The fractures of different sizes in rock masses are important for describing rock fragmentation. The distribution dispersion of fracture size influences the blockiness level of the rock masses. Based on a normal statistical distribution, the volume ratio of blocks to rock (B) was obtained to describe the blockiness level. For exploring the effect of the dispersion of fracture size on blockiness level and the representative elementary volume (REV) of rock masses, the laboratory model and numerical simulation were established, and the theory of statistics and the method of analytical solution were applied. In addition, 4,525 practical rock models were established to qualitatively reproduce the behavior of B with changing domain size. The results show that by comparing the degree of convergence, the REV of a rock mass is determined by the fracture size rather than the degree of fracture dispersion. The value of B increases with the distribution dispersion of fracture size, indicating a higher blockiness level. From the experimental analysis of coin tossing, when the number of trials exceeds 69, the random results are nearly stable. In this study, 100 calculations were performed. A formula to calculate the blockiness by considering the dispersion degrees of fracture size was obtained. Moreover, a positive linear correlation between B and the coefficient of variation of fracture size was obtained. The rate of increase in B has a parabolic relationship with the ratio of fracture size to fracture spacing (L).
Play—An essential part of children’s lives and their computational empowerment
Authors: Tikkanen Ruut , Iivari Netta , Paananen Pirkko
Published: February 2023

This article addresses the computational empowerment of children, with an emphasis on the importance of play in realizing it. Although play has been brought up as central for children within numerous disciplines, there is a lack of thorough treatment of the phenomenon in the context of technology design, computational thinking, and computational empowerment. The objective of this research is to open the eyes of adults to see children’s play and improvisation as not only an essential part of children’s life but also an important part of their computational empowerment. We organized numerous participatory design sessions with children (aged 5–6 years), during which play was supported to obtain material for designing a music game. We analyzed the collected data with a framework combining aspects on computational empowerment and play. Our analysis of the sessions showed that play had numerous important functions in the design sessions with the children. Our examination revealed that play is intertwined with computational empowerment in many ways and it supports different aspects of computational empowerment. We recommend that researchers offer various forms of play for children during design sessions to support children’s creativity, narratives, embodiment, and, ultimately, their computational empowerment.
Digital education in the social investment model of Gross Domestic Product growth in the context of Industry 4.0
Authors: Yankovskaya Veronika V. , Suglobov Aleksandr E. , Bykovskaya Natalya V. , Mustafin Timur A.
Published: February 2023

The motivation for this research was the desire to disclose the potential for human potential development that is created by Industry 4.0. The goal of this paper is to study the modern international experience and prospects for implementing the social investment model of economic growth under the conditions of Industry 4.0 with the help of the development of digital education. The method of regression analysis is used to model the econometric dependence of human development on digital education in 2019–2021. The paper’s contribution to the literature consists in the development of scientific provisions of the concept of the social investment model of economic growth through reconsidering the approach to human potential development with the help of education under the conditions of Industry 4.0. Unlike the existing approach, which implies the foundation on traditional (pre-digital) education, this paper offers a new approach to human potential development under the conditions of Industry 4.0, which is based on digital education. The advantage of the authors’ approach is its allowing for the fullest use of new opportunities that open under the conditions of Industry 4.0. The main conclusion of this research is that under the conditions of Industry 4.0, the social investment model of economic growth should be based on digital education. The theoretical significance of the results obtained lies in their allowing reconsidering the role of education in the implementation of the social investment model of economic growth under the conditions of Industry 4.0. It is proved that this role is performed most successfully with the help of digital education. The practical significance of the conclusions is due to the fact that implementation of the authors’ recommendations will allow balancing the level of human development in the countries of distinguished categories: countries with the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate; countries with the highest level of human development; countries with the most developed digital education. The social significance of the paper consists in its support for the practical implementation of SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 10.
The effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on placental development
Authors: Yan Yan , Guo Fengjun , Liu Kexin , Ding Rixin , Wang Yichao
Published: February 2023

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) or endocrine disruptors are substances that are either naturally occurring or artificial and are released into the natural environment. Humans are exposed to EDCs through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Many everyday household items, such as plastic bottles and containers, the liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, gadgets, cosmetics, and pesticides, contain endocrine disruptors. Each hormone has a unique chemical makeup and structural attributes. The way that endocrine hormones connect to receptors is described as a “lock and key” mechanism, with each hormone serving as the key (lock). This mechanism is enabled by the complementary shape of receptors to their hormone, which allows the hormone to activate the receptors. EDCs are described as exogenous chemicals or compounds that have a negative impact on organisms’ health by interacting with the functioning of the endocrine system. EDCs are associated with cancer, cardiovascular risk, behavioural disorders, autoimmune abnormalities, and reproductive disorders. EDCs exposure in humans is highly harmful during critical life stages. Nonetheless, the effect of EDCs on the placenta is often underestimated. The placenta is especially sensitive to EDCs due to its abundance of hormone receptors. In this review, we evaluated the most recent data on the effects of EDCs on placental development and function, including heavy metals, plasticizers, pesticides, flame retardants, UV filters and preservatives. The EDCs under evaluation have evidence from human biomonitoring and are found in nature. Additionally, this study indicates important knowledge gaps that will direct future research on the topic.
DICER1 RNase IIIb domain mutations trigger widespread miRNA dysregulation and MAPK activation in pediatric thyroid cancer
Authors: Ricarte-Filho Julio C. , Casado-Medrano Victoria , Reichenberger Erin , Spangler Zachary , Scheerer Michele , Isaza Amber , Baran Julia , Patel Tasleema , MacFarland Suzanne P. , Brodeur Garrett M. , Stewart Douglas R. , Baloch Zubair , Bauer Andrew J. , Wasserman Jonathan D. , Franco Aime T.
Published: February 2023

DICER1 is a highly conserved RNase III endoribonuclease essential for the biogenesis of single-stranded mature microRNAs (miRNAs) from stem-loop precursor miRNAs. Somatic mutations in the RNase IIIb domain of DICER1 impair its ability to generate mature 5p miRNAs and are believed to drive tumorigenesis in DICER1 syndrome-associated and sporadic thyroid tumors. However, the DICER1-driven specific changes in miRNAs and resulting changes in gene expression are poorly understood in thyroid tissue. In this study, we profiled the miRNA (n=2,083) and mRNA (n=2,559) transcriptomes of 20 non-neoplastic, 8 adenomatous and 60 pediatric thyroid cancers (13 follicular thyroid cancers [FTC] and 47 papillary thyroid cancers [PTC]) of which 8 had DICER1 RNase IIIb mutations. All DICER1-mutant differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) were follicular patterned (six follicular variant PTC and two FTC), none had lymph node metastasis. We demonstrate that DICER1 pathogenic somatic mutations were associated with a global reduction of 5p-derived miRNAs, including those particularly abundant in the non-neoplastic thyroid tissue such as let-7 and mir-30 families, known for their tumor suppressor function. There was also an unexpected increase of 3p miRNAs, possibly associated with DICER1 mRNA expression increase in tumors harboring RNase IIIb mutations. These abnormally expressed 3p miRNAs, which are otherwise low or absent in DICER1-wt DTC and non-neoplastic thyroid tissues, make up exceptional markers for malignant thyroid tumors harboring DICER1 RNase IIIb mutations. The extensive disarray in the miRNA transcriptome results in gene expression changes, which were indicative of positive regulation of cell-cycle. Moreover, differentially expressed genes point to increased MAPK signaling output and loss of thyroid differentiation comparable to the RAS-like subgroup of PTC (as coined by The Cancer Genome Atlas), which is reflective of the more indolent clinical behavior of these tumors.
Network meta-analysis of intravitreal conbercept as an adjuvant to vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Qu Chaoyi , Yan Huanhuan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Intravitreal Conbercept (IVC) has been shown to be effective in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) as an adjuvant in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV); however, the best timing of IVC injection remains unknown. This network meta-analysis (NMA) sought to ascertain the comparative efficacy of different timings of IVC injection as an adjuvant to PPV on PDR.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies published before August 11, 2022. According to the mean time of IVC injection before PPV, the strategy was defined as very long interval if it was > 7 days but ≤ 9 days, long interval if it was > 5 days but ≤ 7 days, mid interval if it was > 3 days but ≤ 5 days, and short interval if it was ≤ 3 days, respectively. The strategy was defined as perioperative IVC if IVC was injected both before and at the end of PPV, and the strategy was intraoperative IVC if injected immediately at the end of PPV. The mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous and binary variables, respectively, were computed through network meta-analysis using Stata 14.0 MP.

Results

Eighteen studies involving 1149 patients were included. There was no statistical difference between intraoperative IVC and control in treating PDR. Except for a very long interval, preoperative IVC significantly shortened operation time, and reduced intraoperative bleeding and iatrogenic retinal breaks. Long and short intervals reduced endodiathermy application, and mid and short intervals reduced postoperative vitreous hemorrhage. Moreover, long and mid intervals improved BCVA and central macular thickness. However, very long interval was associated with an increased risk of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage (RR: 3.27, 95%CI: 1.84 to 5.83). Moreover, mid interval was better than intraoperative IVC in shortening operation time (MD: -19.74, 95%CI: -33.31 to -6.17).

Conclusions

There are no discernible effects of intraoperative IVC on PDR, but preoperative IVC, except for very long interval, is an effective adjuvant to PPV for treating PDR.
Regulatory mechanisms of microRNAs in endocrine disorders and their therapeutic potential
Authors: Ledesma-Pacheco S. Janin , Uriostegui-Pena Andrea G. , Rodriguez-Jacinto Estefania , Gomez-Hernandez Elizabeth , Estrada-Meza Carolina , Banerjee Antara , Pathak Surajit , Ruiz-Manriquez Luis M. , Duttaroy Asim K. , Paul Sujay
Published: February 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNA molecules capable of regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level either by translational inhibition or mRNA degradation and have recently been importantly related to the diagnosis and prognosis of the most relevant endocrine disorders. The endocrine system comprises various highly vascularized ductless organs regulating metabolism, growth and development, and sexual function. Endocrine disorders constitute the fifth principal cause of death worldwide, and they are considered a significant public health problem due to their long-term effects and negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. Over the last few years, miRNAs have been discovered to regulate various biological processes associated with endocrine disorders, which could be advantageous in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The present review aims to provide an overview of the most recent and significant information regarding the regulatory mechanism of miRNAs during the development of the most relevant endocrine disorders, including diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, osteoporosis, pituitary tumors, Cushing’s syndrome, adrenal insufficiency and multiple endocrine neoplasia, and their potential implications as disease biomarkers.
ICAMs are dispensable for influenza clearance and anti-viral humoral and cellular immunity
Authors: Kozlovski Stav , Regev Ofer , Sapoznikov Anita , Kizner Marina , Achdout Hagit , Petrovich-Kopitman Ekaterina , Elkahal Jacob , Addadi Yoseph , Silva Castanheira Fernanda Vargas E. , Feigelson Sara W. , Kubes Paul , Erez Noam , Garbi Natalio , Alon Ronen
Published: February 2023

αLβ2 (LFA-1) mediated interactions with ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 predominate leukocyte-vascular interactions, but their functions in extravascular cell-cell communications is still debated. The roles of these two ligands in leukocyte trafficking, lymphocyte differentiation, and immunity to influenza infections were dissected in the present study. Surprisingly, double ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 knock out mice (herein ICAM-1/2-/- mice) infected with a lab adapted H1N1 influenza A virus fully recovered from infection, elicited potent humoral immunity, and generated normal long lasting anti-viral CD8+ T cell memory. Furthermore, lung capillary ICAMs were dispensable for both NK and neutrophil entry to virus infected lungs. Mediastinal lymph nodes (MedLNs) of ICAM-1/2-/- mice poorly recruited naïve T cells and B lymphocytes but elicited normal humoral immunity critical for viral clearance and effective CD8+ differentiation into IFN-γ producing T cells. Furthermore, whereas reduced numbers of virus specific effector CD8+ T cells accumulated inside infected ICAM-1/2-/- lungs, normal virus-specific TRM CD8+ cells were generated inside these lungs and fully protected ICAM-1/2-/- mice from secondary heterosubtypic infections. B lymphocyte entry to the MedLNs and differentiation into extrafollicular plasmablasts, producing high affinity anti-influenza IgG2a antibodies, were also ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 independent. A potent antiviral humoral response was associated with accumulation of hyper-stimulated cDC2s in ICAM null MedLNs and higher numbers of virus-specific T follicular helper (Tfh) cells generated following lung infection. Mice selectively depleted of cDC ICAM-1 expression supported, however, normal CTL and Tfh differentiation following influenza infection, ruling out essential co-stimulatory functions of DC ICAM-1 in CD8+ and CD4+ T cell differentiation. Collectively our findings suggest that lung ICAMs are dispensable for innate leukocyte trafficking to influenza infected lungs, for the generation of peri-epithelial TRM CD8+ cells, and long term anti-viral cellular immunity. In lung draining LNs, although ICAMs promote lymphocyte homing, these key integrin ligands are not required for influenza-specific humoral immunity or generation of IFN-γ effector CD8+ T cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest unexpected compensatory mechanisms that orchestrate protective anti-influenza immunity in the absence of vascular and extravascular ICAMs.
Malaria and leishmaniasis: Updates on co-infection
Authors: Ornellas-Garcia Uyla , Cuervo Patricia , Ribeiro-Gomes Flávia Lima
Published: February 2023

Malaria and leishmaniasis are endemic parasitic diseases in tropical and subtropical countries. Although the overlap of these diseases in the same host is frequently described, co-infection remains a neglected issue in the medical and scientific community. The complex relationship of concomitant infections with Plasmodium spp. and Leishmania spp. is highlighted in studies of natural and experimental co-infections, showing how this “dual” infection can exacerbate or suppress an effective immune response to these protozoa. Thus, a Plasmodium infection preceding or following Leishmania infection can impact the clinical course, accurate diagnosis, and management of leishmaniasis, and vice versa. The concept that in nature we are affected by concomitant infections reinforces the need to address the theme and ensure its due importance. In this review we explore and describe the studies available in the literature on Plasmodium spp. and Leishmania spp. co-infection, the scenarios, and the factors that may influence the course of these diseases.
Heritability of Apis mellifera recapping behavior and suppressed mite reproduction as resistance traits towards Varroa destructor
Authors: Gabel Martin , Hoppe Andreas , Scheiner Ricarda , Obergfell Jörg , Büchler Ralph
Published: February 2023

The selection of honeybee strains resistant to the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is generally considered as one of the most sustainable ways of coping with this major bee parasite. Thus, breeding efforts increasingly focus on resistance parameters in addition to common beekeeping traits like honey yield and gentleness. In every breeding effort, the success strongly depends on the quantifiability and heritability of the traits accounted. To find the most suitable traits among the manifold variants to assess Varroa resistance, it is necessary to evaluate how easily a trait can be measured (i.e., testing effort) in relation to the underlying heritability (i.e., expected transfer to the following generation). Various possible selection traits are described as beneficial for colony survival in the presence of Varroa destructor and therefore are measured in breeding stocks around the globe. Two of them in particular, suppressed mite reproduction (SMR, sensu lato any reproductive failure of mother mites) and recapping of already sealed brood cells have recently gained increasing attention among the breeders because they closely resemble resistance mechanisms of some Varroa-surviving honeybee populations. However, it was still unknown whether the genetic background of the trait is sufficient for targeted selection. We therefore investigated the heritabilities and genetic correlations for SMR and REC, distinguishing between recapping of infested cells (RECinf) and all cells (RECall), on an extensive dataset of Buckfast and Carniolan stock in Germany. With an accessible h² of 0.18 and 0.44 for SMR and an accessible h² of 0.44 and 0.40 for RECinf, both traits turned out to be very promising for further selection in the Buckfast and Carnica breeding population, respectively.
Correlated attributes: Toward a labeling algorithm of complementary categorial features
Authors: Uriagereka Juan
Published: February 2023

Classical syntactic features are revisited from an algebraic perspective, recalling a traditional argument that the±N vs.±V distinction involves correlated, conceptually orthogonal, features, which can be represented in the algebraic format of±1 vs.±icomplementary elements in a vectorial space. Coupled with natural assumptions about shared information (semiotic) systems, such a space, when presumed within a labeling algorithm, allows us to deduce fundamental properties of the syntax that do not follow from the presumed computation, like core selectional restrictions for lexical categories or their very presupposition in the context of a system of grammatical categories. This article suggests how that fundamental distinction can be coupled with neurophysiological realities, some of which (represented as mathematically real) can be pinpointed into punctual representations, while others (represented as mathematically complex) are, instead, fundamentally distributed. The postulated matrix mechanics amounts to a novel perspective on how to analyze syntactic neurophysiological signals.
Heatwaves and a decrease in turbidity drive coral bleaching in Atlantic marginal equatorial reefs
Authors: Lucas Caroline Costa , Teixeira Carlos Eduardo Peres , Braga Marcus Davis Andrade , Júnior Francisco Carlos , Paiva Sandra Vieira , Gurgel Anne Larisse , Rossi Sergio , Soares Marcelo Oliveira
Published: February 2023

Tropical reefs can occur naturally under suboptimal environmental conditions, where few reef-building corals thrive. These unique reefs are especially important for understanding resistance to global warming, but they are understudied. We studied a coral bleaching event that occurred in turbid reefs (~ 19 m deep) in the equatorial southwestern Atlantic. Mass bleaching was observed in 91% of the Siderastrea stellata colonies in 2020, whereas only 7.7% of the colonies were bleached in 2019 and 10.9% in 2022. The year 2020 had the highest heat stress recorded in this century in this region according to the degree of heating weeks such as 17.6°C-week. In the first semester of 2020, the region also underwent three marine heatwaves (MHWs) above the average temperatures (1.3, 1.5, and 2.0°C). The lowest turbidity and wind speed matched long-lasting, repeated, and severe MHWs. These reef-building corals are dominant under moderate turbid waters and high sea temperature (26–29°C), however they are near the maximum tolerance limit. In this regard, these low-latitude reefs are warming twice as fast (0.2°C/decade) as other regions (e.g., Abrolhos and Coral Coast) (0.1 to 0.13°C/decade) in the South America reef system demonstrating that they cannot be considered climate-change refugia. These results suggest that even turbid marginal reefs and tolerant corals are highly susceptible to mass bleaching, especially when heatwaves and a decrease in turbidity occur simultaneously.
Polysaccharide extracted from pomelo fruitlets attenuate hepatic lipid accumulation in hybrid groupers (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀)
Authors: Zou Cuiyun , Fang Yuke , Lin Nuoyi , Xiao Gengsheng , Lin Li , Liu Huifan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Pomelo is one of the most consumed fruits due to its distinct flavor and sour taste, while large quantities of pomelo fruitlets discard during cultivation and most of them are disposed of as wastes. Such an issue has led to some research on how to make a high value-added reutilization of these fruitlets. Therefore, it was aimed to determine the structural characteristics of the polysaccharide of pomelo fruitlets and evaluate its attenuating effect on the hepatic lipid accumulation in hybrid groupers (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀).

Methods and results

In this research, YZ-0.5A is a 15,332 Da NaCl-soluble polysaccharide extracted from pomelo fruitlet which was characterized to mainly contain galactose and galacturonic acid and its putative structure was proven to be →2,4)- α-L-Rhap-(1→4)-α-D-GalAp-(1→4)-α-D-GalAp-(1→ with 3 branches. In vivo study, five isolipidic diets (containing 15% lipid) were fed to the groupers with an initial weight of 13.46 ± 0.08 g for 8 weeks, of which the dietary level of YZ-0.5A was 0 mg/kg (control), 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg respectively. We found that the treatment of YZ-0.5A, especially 600 mg/kg, exerted an improved effect on the excessive lipid accumulation in grouper fed with a high-fat diet. In vitro, three graded concentrations of YZ-0.5A (75, 150 or 300 μg/ml) were added to the grouper primary hepatocytes respectively after incubation with 20% lipid emulsion (2 ml/L). The signs of recovery on morphological features observed under examined by histological evaluation supported the lipid lowering effect of YZ0.5-A. Further investigation showed that YZ0.5-A mitigated lipid emulsion-induced irregular lipid deposition by regulating various lipometabolism-related indicators, thereby alleviating oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Discussion

Overall results exhibited the therapeutic potential of YZ0.5-A and elucidated its underlying mechanism in the fish with excessive lipid deposition, which first suggested the feasibility of reprocessing discarded pomelo fruitlet as medicine in aquaculture.
Biosynthesis of LC-PUFA in Ruditapes philippinarum: Cloning and tissue distribution of Fad and Elovl, and effects of microalgae diets varied in LC-PUFA composition on their expressions and fatty acids profile of this bivalve
Authors: Wu Kaibin , Ran Zhaoshou , Wu Shurong , Xie Haixuan , Li Yanrong , Liao Kai , Xu Jilin , Yan Xiaojun
Published: February 2023

To reveal the biosynthetic pathway of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in Ruditapes philippinarum, herein, two fatty acid desaturases (Fads, including one Δ5 Fad and one Δ6 Fad-like) and three elongases of very long-chain fatty acids (Elovls, including one Elovl2/5 and two Elovl4-like) genes were firstly cloned from this bivalve and their tissue distributions were examined. Results showed that the newly cloned Fads and Elovls contained the corresponding conserved functional domains and clustered closely with their orthologs, respectively. Meanwhile, they were expressed significantly higher in the digestive glands and intestine. Subsequently, to further understand the LC-PUFA biosynthesis in R. philippinarum, the effects of dietary LC-PUFA on Fad and Elovl expressions and the fatty acid (FA) profile in this bivalve were investigated by feeding with three microalgae varied in LC-PUFA compositions [including Chlorella sp. (rich in 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3), Chaetoceros calcitrans (rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA), and Isochrysis galbana (rich in docosahexaenoic acid, DHA]. Results showed that, throughout the experiment, the expressions of Fad and Elovl were significantly up-regulated in the visceral mass (digestive glands and intestine) of R. philippinarum fed with Chlorella sp., while no significant changes or slightly decreases were observed in those fed with I. galbana. Furthermore, in those fed with C. calcitrans, the expressions of Fad were not significantly changed, whereas the expressions of Elovl were firstly up-regulated but then restored to its initial level at the end of experiment. These results suggested that R. philippinarum could modulate Fad and Elovl expressions to adapt to the dietary LC-PUFA composition. The FA analysis showed that a significantly higher amount of DHA and EPA was found in the R. philippinarum fed with I. galbana and C. calcitrans, respectively, which reflected well of the dietary FA. However, the R. philippinarum fed with Chlorella sp. exhibited a significant decrease of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 but with a significant increase of their products such as 20:3n-6 and 22:5n-3, indicating that R. philippinarum had a certain capacity for LC-PUFA biosynthesis. Collectively, this study provided valuable insights into the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA in R. philippinarum.
Effect of multiple firings on the color and translucency of monolithic zirconia
Authors: Jiang Lei , Xu Meng-Qi , Lu Xin-Ling , Tong Xin-Wen , Liang Xin-Jie , Yu Hao
Published: February 2023

The effects of multiple firings on the color and translucency of monolithic zirconia were investigated in this paper. One hundred specimens were milled using three types of monolithic zirconia: multilayered zirconia (UTML, Katana) (UT), highly translucent zirconia (Organic Translucent, R + K) (OT), and nanosized zirconia (DIAZIR ST9810, Zhong Xin Tang Guo Ye) (ST). The group UT was divided into three subgroups: the incisal (UT-I), middle (UT-M), and cervical (UT-C). After sintering (T0), the specimens of each group (n = 20) were repeatedly fired 3 times. The L*, a*, and b* values were measured by using a spectrophotometer at T0, and after the first (T1), second (T2), and third (T3) firings. The translucency parameter (TP), contrast ratio (CR), opalescence parameter (OP), and color difference (∆E00) were calculated and statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). The surface morphologies of the specimens were observed using SEM. Multiple firings significantly affected the OP and the ∆E00 values of the materials tested (both p < 0.001). The ∆E00 values of group ST at T1-T3 were greater than the 50%:50% acceptability threshold (∆E00 > 1.8). Moreover, multiple firings did not exhibit significant effects on the TP and contrast ratio values of any materials (both p > 0.05). The surface topographies of the specimens after multiple firings were quite similar. Changes in opalescence were found for the multilayered zirconia and nanosized zirconia after multiple firings, but the clinical significance was low. Clinically unacceptable color changes were found in the nanosized zirconia after multiple firings, which were attributed to the higher L* values and the lower b* values after multiple firings. However, the optical properties and composition of surface elements of multilayered 5Y-TZP with over three layers need to be investigated in future studies.
A MALDI-TOF MS library for rapid identification of human commensal gut bacteria from the class Clostridia
Authors: Asare Paul Tetteh , Lee Chi-Hsien , Hürlimann Vera , Teo Youzheng , Cuénod Aline , Akduman Nermin , Gekeler Cordula , Afrizal Afrizal , Corthesy Myriam , Kohout Claire , Thomas Vincent , de Wouters Tomas , Greub Gilbert , Clavel Thomas , Pamer Eric G. , Egli Adrian , Maier Lisa , Vonaesch Pascale
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Microbial isolates from culture can be identified using 16S or whole-genome sequencing which generates substantial costs and requires time and expertise. Protein fingerprinting via Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is widely used for rapid bacterial identification in routine diagnostics but shows a poor performance and resolution on commensal bacteria due to currently limited database entries. The aim of this study was to develop a MALDI-TOF MS plugin database (CLOSTRI-TOF) allowing for rapid identification of non-pathogenic human commensal gastrointestinal bacteria.

Methods

We constructed a database containing mass spectral profiles (MSP) from 142 bacterial strains representing 47 species and 21 genera within the class Clostridia. Each strain-specific MSP was constructed using >20 raw spectra measured on a microflex Biotyper system (Bruker-Daltonics) from two independent cultures.

Results

For validation, we used 58 sequence-confirmed strains and the CLOSTRI-TOF database successfully identified 98 and 93% of the strains, respectively, in two independent laboratories. Next, we applied the database to 326 isolates from stool of healthy Swiss volunteers and identified 264 (82%) of all isolates (compared to 170 (52.1%) with the Bruker-Daltonics library alone), thus classifying 60% of the formerly unknown isolates.

Discussion

We describe a new open-source MSP database for fast and accurate identification of the Clostridia class from the human gut microbiota. CLOSTRI-TOF expands the number of species which can be rapidly identified by MALDI-TOF MS.
Genomic and clinical characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex isolates collected in a Chinese tertiary hospital during 2013–2021
Authors: Han Mei , Liu Chang , Xie Hui , Zheng Jie , Zhang Yan , Li Chuchu , Shen Han , Cao Xiaoli
Published: February 2023

Objective

To analyze the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae complex (CREC) by whole-genome sequencing and to explore its clinical characteristics.

Methods

Enterobacter cloacae complex isolates collected in a tertiary hospital during 2013–2021 were subjected to whole-genome sequencing to determine the distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), sequence types (STs), and plasmid replicons. A phylogenetic tree of the CREC strains was constructed based on the whole-genome sequences to analyze their relationships. Clinical patient information was collected for risk factor analysis.

Results

Among the 51 CREC strains collected, blaNDM-1 (n = 42, 82.4%) was the main carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamase (CHβL), followed by blaIMP-4 (n = 11, 21.6%). Several other extended-spectrum β-lactamase-encoding genes were also identified, with blaSHV-12 (n = 30, 58.8%) and blaTEM-1B (n = 24, 47.1%) being the predominant ones. Multi-locus sequence typing revealed 25 distinct STs, and ST418 (n = 12, 23.5%) was the predominant clone. Plasmid analysis identified 15 types of plasmid replicons, among which IncHI2 (n = 33, 64.7%) and IncHI2A (n = 33, 64.7%) were the main ones. Risk factor analysis showed that intensive care unit (ICU) admission, autoimmune disease, pulmonary infection, and previous corticosteroid use within 1 month were major risk factors for acquiring CREC. Logistic regression analysis showed that ICU admission was an independent risk factor for CREC acquisition and was closely related with acquiring infection by CREC with ST418.

Conclusion

BlaNDM-1 and blaIMP-4 were the predominant carbapenem resistance genes. ST418 carrying BlaNDM-1 not only was the main clone, but also circulated in the ICU of our hospital during 2019–2021, which highlights the necessity for surveillance of this strain in the ICU. Furthermore, patients with risk factors for CREC acquisition, including ICU admission, autoimmune disease, pulmonary infection, and previous corticosteroid use within 1 month, need to be closely monitored for CREC infection.
Investigating multidrug efflux pumps associated with fatty acid salt resistance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Yamasaki Seiji , Yoneda Tomohiro , Ikawa Sota , Hayashi-Nishino Mitsuko , Nishino Kunihiko
Published: February 2023

Fatty acids salts exert bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects that inhibit bacterial growth and survival. However, bacteria can overcome these effects and adapt to their environment. Bacterial efflux systems are associated with resistance to different toxic compounds. Here, several bacterial efflux systems were examined to determine their influence on fatty acid salt resistance in Escherichia coli. Both acrAB and tolC E. coli deletion strains were susceptible to fatty acid salts, while plasmids carrying acrAB, acrEF, mdtABC, or emrAB conferred drug resistance to the ΔacrAB mutant, which indicated complementary roles for these multidrug efflux pumps. Our data exemplify the importance of bacterial efflux systems in E. coli resistance to fatty acid salts.