bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of advanced glycation end products with ear lobe crease: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Yuepeng , Xin Yu , Li Binqi , Wu Qingzheng , An Ping , Li Bing , Li Yijun , Zang Li , Gu Weijun , Mu Yiming
Published: April 2024

Objective

Several studies have demonstrated a significant association between the presence of the ear lobe crease (ELC) and cardiovascular disease. Advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) can affect the structures and functions of proteins and contribute to the development of diabetic complications. However, few studies have reported the relationship between AGEs and ELC. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of skin autofluorescence (SAF)‐AGEage (SAF‐AGEs × age/100) with ELC.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study enrolled 6500 eligible participants from two communities in Beijing. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) was used to measure skin AGEs (SAF‐AGEs). SAF‐AGEage was defined as AGEs × age/100. Binary logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis nested in logistic models were applied to test outcomes.

Results

The overall prevalence of ELC with an average age of 62.7 years participants was 57.1% (n = 3714). Age, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, and lipoprotein cholesterol were all greater in participants with ELC. ELC‐positive participants had higher prevalence of coronary heart disease. Logistic analysis showed a significantly positive relationship between quartiles of SAF‐AGEage and ELC (odds ratio [OR] 1.526, 95% CI 1.324–1.759; OR 2.072, CI 1.791–2.396; and OR 2.983, CI 2.551–3.489) for the multivariate‐adjusted models, respectively. Stratified research revealed that those with a history of diabetes, hypertension, or coronary heart disease experienced the connection between SAF‐AGEage and ELC.

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Conclusion

ELC is associated with coronary heart disease, and the SAF‐AGE has a potential role in ELC development in elder people.

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Speech based natural language profile before, during and after the onset of psychosis: A cluster analysis
Authors: Dalal Tyler C. , Liang Liangbing , Silva Angelica M. , Mackinley Michael , Voppel Alban , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: April 2024

Background and Hypothesis

Speech markers are digitally acquired, computationally derived, quantifiable set of measures that reflect the state of neurocognitive processes relevant for social functioning. “Oddities” in language and communication have historically been seen as a core feature of schizophrenia. The application of natural language processing (NLP) to speech samples can elucidate even the most subtle deviations in language. We aim to determine if NLP based profiles that are distinctive of schizophrenia can be observed across the various clinical phases of psychosis.

Design

Our sample consisted of 147 participants and included 39 healthy controls (HC), 72 with first‐episode psychosis (FEP), 18 in a clinical high‐risk state (CHR), 18 with schizophrenia (SZ). A structured task elicited 3 minutes of speech, which was then transformed into quantitative measures on 12 linguistic variables (lexical, syntactic, and semantic). Cluster analysis that leveraged healthy variations was then applied to determine language‐based subgroups.

Results

We observed a three‐cluster solution. The largest cluster included most HC and the majority of patients, indicating a ‘typical linguistic profile (TLP)’. One of the atypical clusters had notably high semantic similarity in word choices with less perceptual words, lower cohesion and analytical structure; this cluster was almost entirely composed of patients in early stages of psychosis (EPP – early phase profile). The second atypical cluster had more patients with established schizophrenia (SPP – stable phase profile), with more perceptual but less cognitive/emotional word classes, simpler syntactic structure, and a lack of sufficient reference to prior information (reduced givenness).

Conclusion

The patterns of speech deviations in early and established stages of schizophrenia are distinguishable from each other and detectable when lexical, semantic and syntactic aspects are assessed in the pursuit of ‘formal thought disorder’.
Efficacy and acceptability of noninvasive brain stimulation for treating posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A network meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tseng Ping‐Tao , Zeng Bing‐Yan , Wang Hung‐Yu , Zeng Bing‐Syuan , Liang Chih‐Sung , Chen Yang‐Chieh Brian , Stubbs Brendon , Carvalho Andre F. , Brunoni Andre R. , Su Kuan‐Pin , Tu Yu‐Kang , Wu Yi‐Cheng , Chen Tien‐Yu , Li Dian‐Jeng , Lin Pao‐Yen , Chen Yen‐Wen , Hsu Chih‐Wei , Hung Kuo‐Chuan , Shiue Yow‐Ling , Li Cheng‐Ta
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Despite its high lifetime prevalence rate and the elevated disability caused by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatments exhibit modest efficacy. In consideration of the abnormal connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and amygdala in PTSD, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the efficacy of different noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) modalities for PTSD management have been undertaken. However, previous RCTs have reported inconsistent results. The current network meta‐analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of various NIBS protocols in PTSD management.

Methods

We systematically searched ClinicalKey, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify relevant RCTs. The targeted RCTs was those comparing the efficacy of NIBS interventions, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation, in patients with PTSD. The NMA was conducted using a frequentist model. The primary outcomes were changes in the overall severity of PTSD and acceptability (to be specific, rates of dropouts for any reason).

Results

We identified 14 RCTs that enrolled 686 participants. The NMA demonstrated that among the investigated NIBS types, high‐frequency rTMS over bilateral DLPFCs was associated with the greatest reduction in overall PTSD severity. Further, in comparison with the sham controls, excitatory stimulation over the right DLPFC with/without excitatory stimulation over left DLPFC were associated with significant reductions in PTSD‐related symptoms, including depression and anxiety symptoms, and overall PTSD severity.

Conclusions

This NMA demonstrated that excitatory stimulation over the right DLPFC with or without excitatory stimulation over left DLPFC were associated with significant reductions in PTSD‐related symptoms.

Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42023391562.
Association between electroconvulsive therapy and time to readmission after a manic episode
Authors: Popiolek Katarzyna , Arnison Tor , Bejerot Susanne , Fall Katja , Landén Mikael , Nordenskjöld Axel
Published: April 2024

Objective

The majority of patients hospitalized for treatment of a manic episode are readmitted within 2 years despite maintenance treatment. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been associated with lower rehospitalization rates in some psychiatric conditions, but its association with readmission after a manic episode has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether the time to readmission in patients with mania treated with ECT was longer than in patients not treated with ECT and whether there were subgroups of patients that benefited more.

Methods

This was a nationwide register‐based, observational study. All patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, manic episode, admitted to any hospital in Sweden between 2012 and 2021 were included. Patients contributed data to the study for every admission. All admissions were followed up until psychiatric readmission, death, or the end of the study (December 31, 2021). Association between ECT and time to readmission was analyzed. A paired samples model was performed for 377 patients with at least two admissions for mania, treated with ECT at one admission and without ECT at the other admission. Times to readmission were analyzed.

Results

A total of 12,337 admissions were included; mean (SD) age 47.7 (17.2), 5443 (44.1%) men. Readmission rate within 1 year was 54.6%. ECT was administered in 902 (7.3%) admissions. Within 30 days after admission, 182 out of 894 (20.4%) patients treated with ECT versus 2105 out of 11,305 (18.6%) patients treated without ECT were readmitted. There was no association between ECT and time to readmission (aHR 1.00, 95% CI 0.86–1.16, p = 0.992) in the model with all admissions. The paired samples model included 754 admissions (377 patients), mean (SD) age during admission without ECT was 45.6 (16.5), and with ECT 46.6 (16.4), 147 (39.0%) were men. In that model, readmission rate within 30 days for treatment with ECT was 19.0%, and for treatments without ECT, 24.1% (aHR 0.75, 95% CI 0.55–1.02, p = 0.067).

Conclusion

Readmission rates after inpatient treatment of mania were high. ECT was not significantly associated with longer time to readmission, but there was a trend toward a protective effect of ECT when admissions with and without ECT were compared within the same patients.
Application of clinical decision support tools for predicting outcomes with vedolizumab therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A KASID multicentre study
Authors: Kim Kyuwon , Park Jae Jun , Yoon Hyuk , Lee Jun , Kim Kyeong Ok , Kim Eun Sun , Kim Su Young , Boo Sun‐Jin , Jung Yunho , Yoo Jun Hwan , Hwang Sung Wook , Park Sang Hyoung , Yang Suk‐Kyun , Ye Byong Duk ,   the Scientific Committee of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases
Published: April 2024

Background/Aim

We aimed to validate clinical decision support tools (CDSTs) to predict real‐life effectiveness of vedolizumab (VDZ) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) treated with VDZ at 10 tertiary referral centres in Korea between January 2017 and November 2021. We assessed clinical remission (CREM) and response (CRES), corticosteroid‐free clinical remission (CSF‐CREM) and response (CSF‐CRES), biochemical response based on C‐reactive protein (BioRES[CRP]) and faecal calprotectin (BioRES[FC]), endoscopic healing (EH), and the need to optimise or switch drugs based on CDST‐defined response groups. Additionally, the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) for the CDSTs was calculated.

Results

We included 143 patients with CD and 219 with UC. We observed incremental trends on CSF‐CRES at week 14 (W14) (ptrend = 0.004) and decreasing trends for the need to optimise or switch drugs (ptrend = 0.016) in CD from the low to high probability groups. Except for CSF‐CREM at W54, we noticed incremental trends for all clinical responses at W14, W26 and W54 (ptrend <0.001) in UC. W26 and W54 BioRES[CRP] and W14 EH also showed increasing trends (ptrend <0.05) in UC. With increasing probabilities of response, drug optimisation or switching was less frequently required in UC (ptrend = 0.013). With 26 points cut‐off, CDSTs effectively identified W14 CSF‐CRES, W26 BioRES[CRP], BioRES[FC] and W54 BioRES[CRP] in UC, all with AUCs >0.600, whereas CDSTs showed poor accuracy in CD.

Conclusions

CDSTs for VDZ had acceptable accuracy in predicting effectiveness outcomes including clinical and biochemical outcomes in UC. However, their utility in CD was limited.
Strategies to reduce relapse risk in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Kinsella Francesca A. M. , Maroto Maria A. L. , Loke Justin , Craddock Charles
Published: April 2024

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a centrally important curative strategy in adults with acute myeloid leukaemia; however, relapse occurs in a significant proportion of patients and remains the leading cause of treatment failure. The prognosis for patients who relapse post‐transplant remains poor, and the development of new strategies with the ability to reduce disease recurrence without increasing transplant toxicity remains a priority. In this review, within the context of our understanding of disease biology and the graft‐versus‐leukaemia (GVL) effect, we will discuss established, evolving and novel approaches for increasing remission rates, decreasing measurable residual disease pretransplant, future methods to augment the GVL effect and the opportunities for post‐transplant maintenance. Future progress depends upon the development of innovative trials and networks, which will ensure the rapid assessment of emerging therapies in prospective clinical trials.
Parent perceptions of social well‐being in children with special educational needs during COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods analysis
Authors: Osman Laila , Whitley Jess
Published: April 2024

Background

Children's educational experiences worldwide have been significantly impacted as a result of global school closures during the COVID‐19 pandemic of Spring 2020. A growing number of studies aim to analyse impacts of these changes on social well‐being, with limited studies placing an emphasis on the experiences of students with special educational needs (SENs). This article focusses on parent perspectives regarding impacts of school closures on social well‐being in Canadian children with SEN.

Methods

This study uses a mixed‐methods approach, drawing from both qualitative and quantitative survey data from Spring/Summer 2020. Participants (n = 263) were eligible for participation if they were a parent/guardian of a child or adolescent with an SEN. We first conducted a descriptive analysis of the key variables, namely, social well‐being, grade level of the child, internet and device availability, and the presence of other school‐aged children in the home (single child vs. multiple children). Next, we explored the relationship between these using a bivariate correlation. Finally, open‐ended responses were analysed using an inductive approach to qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

The majority of parents expressed concern for their child's social well‐being during the Spring 2020 school closures, with increased concerns for younger children. According to parents, children experienced communication barriers to peer interaction and many experienced emotional difficulties as a result. Technology was described as critical for some in maintaining social connections. Parents raised concerns about the impact of limited peer interaction on broader social skill development, in the short and long term. A small number of participants noted feelings of relief and reduced anxiety among their children with SEN.

Conclusions

Findings highlight parent views of the negative impact of the pandemic on social well‐being and the critical role in‐person schooling plays in supporting peer relationships for children with SEN.
Expert teleconsultation involving patients and their primary neurologists for the management of multiple sclerosis in regions without specialists
Authors: Miyazaki Yusei , Ura Shigehisa , Horiuchi Kazuhiro , Matsuoka Takeshi , Houzen Hideki , Tsuzaka Kazufumi , Makino Yuichi , Koshida Manami , Oyama Genko , Sato Chika , Naganuma Ryoji , Amino Itaru , Akimoto Sachiko , Niino Masaaki , Minami Naoya , Takahashi Eri , Ota Susumu , Hattori Nobutaka , Yabe Ichiro , Kikuchi Seiji
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study aimed to describe the usefulness of our teleconsultation system for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) in regions without specialists.

Methods

A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey involving 11 MS patients and their primary neurologists was carried out between May and December 2023. Real‐time video conferences were conducted between an MS specialist at a hub hospital and patients with their primary neurologists at one of the four regional core hospitals in Hokkaido, Japan. Patients and their primary neurologists completed questionnaires to evaluate the usefulness of the teleconsultation system.

Results

The patients and their primary neurologists were generally satisfied with the teleconsultations and expressed willingness to continue using the system. In particular, alleviating the burden of visiting distant MS‐specialized clinics was highly appreciated by patients. In addition, patients gave high scores for questions regarding increased satisfaction with the primary neurologists' care and the treatments they offered. The primary neurologists thought the system enhanced their knowledge of MS management. However, they did not think that the system could ease their burden for managing MS patients because of challenges in time allocation and scheduling for teleconsultation sessions.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that our expert teleconsultation system for MS reduces the burden on patients of visiting distant MS‐specialized clinics, and enhances knowledge of MS management for the primary neurologists. It also promotes trust between patients and their primary neurologists, and taken together, these aspects could collectively lead to independent and sustainable MS management in regions without MS specialists.
Automatic sleep–wake classification and Parkinson's disease recognition using multifeature fusion with support vector machine
Authors: Shen Yin , Huai Baogeng , Wang Xiaofeng , Chen Min , Shen Xiaoyue , Han Min , Su Fei , Xin Tao
Published: April 2024

Aims

Sleep disturbance is a prevalent nonmotor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), however, assessing sleep conditions is always time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. In this study, we performed an automatic sleep–wake state classification and early diagnosis of PD by analyzing the electrocorticography (ECoG) and electromyogram (EMG) signals of both normal and PD rats.

Methods

The study utilized ECoG power, EMG amplitude, and corticomuscular coherence values extracted from normal and PD rats to construct sleep–wake scoring models based on the support vector machine algorithm. Subsequently, we incorporated feature values that could act as diagnostic markers for PD and then retrained the models, which could encompass the identification of vigilance states and the diagnosis of PD.

Results

Features extracted from occipital ECoG signals were more suitable for constructing sleep–wake scoring models than those from frontal ECoG (average Cohen's kappa: 0.73 vs. 0.71). Additionally, after retraining, the new models demonstrated increased sensitivity to PD and accurately determined the sleep–wake states of rats (average Cohen's kappa: 0.79).

Conclusion

This study accomplished the precise detection of substantia nigra lesions and the monitoring of sleep–wake states. The integration of circadian rhythm monitoring and disease state assessment has the potential to improve the efficacy of therapeutic strategies considerably.
An open label pilot trial of low‐dose lithium for young people at ultra‐high risk for psychosis
Authors: Rice Simon M. , Nelson Barnaby , Amminger G. Paul , Francey Shona M. , Phillips Lisa J. , Simmons Magenta B. , Ross Margaret , Yuen Hok Pan , Yung Alison R. , O'Gorman Kieran , McGorry Patrick D. , Wood Stephen J. , Berger Gregor E.
Published: April 2024

Aim

Lithium, even at low doses, appears to offer neuroprotection against a wide variety of insults. In this controlled pilot, we examined the safety (i.e., side‐effect profile) of lithium in a sample of young people identified at ultra‐high risk (UHR) for psychosis. The secondary aim was to explore whether lithium provided a signal of clinical efficacy in reducing transition to psychosis compared with treatment as usual (TAU).

Methods

Young people attending the PACE clinic at Orygen, Melbourne, were prescribed a fixed dose (450 mg) of lithium (n = 25) or received TAU (n = 78). The primary outcome examined side‐effects, with transition to psychosis, functioning and measures of psychopathology assessed as secondary outcomes.

Results

Participants in both groups were functionally compromised (lithium group GAF = 56.6; monitoring group GAF = 56.9). Side‐effect assessment indicated that lithium was well‐tolerated. 64% (n = 16) of participants in the lithium group were lithium‐adherent to week 12. Few cases transitioned to psychosis across the study period; lithium group 4% (n = 1); monitoring group 7.7% (n = 6). There was no difference in time to transition to psychosis between the groups. No group differences were observed in other functioning and symptom domains, although all outcomes improved over time.

Conclusions

With a side‐effect profile either comparable to, or better than UHR antipsychotic trials, lithium might be explored for further research with UHR young people. A definitive larger trial is needed to determine the efficacy of lithium in this cohort.
The three‐species problem: Incorporating competitive asymmetry and intransitivity in modern coexistence theory
Authors: Ranjan Ravi , Koffel Thomas , Klausmeier Christopher A.
Published: April 2024

While natural communities can contain hundreds of species, modern coexistence theory focuses primarily on species pairs. Alternatively, the structural stability approach considers the feasibility of equilibria, gaining scalability to larger communities but sacrificing information about dynamic stability. Three‐species competitive communities are a bridge to more‐diverse communities. They display novel phenomena while remaining amenable to mathematical analysis, but remain incompletely understood. Here, we combine these approaches to identify the key quantities that determine three‐species competition outcomes. We show that pairwise niche overlap and fitness differences are insufficient to completely characterize competitive outcomes, which requires a strictly triplet‐wise quantity: cyclic asymmetry, which underlies intransitivity. Low pairwise niche overlap stabilizes the triplet, while high fitness differences promote competitive exclusion. The effect of cyclic asymmetry on stability is complex and depends on pairwise niche overlap. In summary, we elucidate how pairwise niche overlap, fitness differences and cyclic asymmetry determine three‐species competition outcomes.
Selecting potential biomarkers of plasma proteins in mares with endometritis
Authors: Zhang Xijun , Mai Zhanhai , Gao Yujin , Zhao Xingxu , Zhang Yong
Published: April 2024

Background

Endometritis is a common condition in mares that causes significant economic loss. Lacking obvious clinical signs, the clinical diagnosis of endometritis in mares relies on case‐by‐case clinical examinations, which can be particularly inefficient in large‐scale farms. Therefore, the identification of potential biomarkers can serve as a non‐invasive and efficient screening technique for endometritis in mares.

Objectives

To compare the blood proteome between fertile mares and mares with endometritis to identify biomarkers potentially associated with the development of endometritis and validate their predictive potential.

Study design

Observational and experimental study.

Methods

Differentially expressed proteins were identified via Data Independent Acquisition (DIA) proteomic profiling in a screening cohort composed of eight healthy mares and eight mares with endometritis. Subsequently, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was employed that included a validation cohort of 40 healthy mares and 40 mares with endometritis to verify the accuracy and sensitivity of the identified proteins, thereby establishing a diagnostic threshold.

Results

In the screening cohort, 12 proteins were significantly differentially expressed between endometritis mares and healthy controls (p < 0.05, outside the 1/1.2 to 1.2‐fold). In the validation experiment, all six screened proteins were assessed with area under the curve (AUC) >0.8.

Main limitations

The samples displayed certain levels of individual heterogeneity, and the number of samples analysed was limited. Additionally, the identified biomarkers were primarily associated with generalised inflammation, which potentially limited their specificity for endometritis.

Conclusion

Levels of plasma proteins are sensitive indicators of equine endometritis and potential tools for endometritis screening. In plasma, fetuin B, von Willebrand factor, vitamin K‐dependent protein C, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 3, interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein, and type II cell cytoskeleton showed great predictive ability, with fetuin B being the best predictor (AUC = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89–0.98), which performs better when combined with all six detected proteins (AUC = 1, 95% CI: 0.99–1.00).
A simplified fixed‐time insemination protocol using frozen–thawed stallion spermatozoa stored at 17°C for up to 24 h before insemination
Authors: Morris Lee , Harteveld Ria , Gibb Zamira
Published: April 2024

Background

Insemination of mares with frozen–thawed spermatozoa requires intensive management and results in 40%–60% per cycle pregnancy rates.

Objectives

To determine if satisfactory fertility is possible for frozen–thawed semen after processing it through a microfluidic device, followed by storage at 17°C for up to 24 h before fixed‐time insemination.

Study design

Uncontrolled field trials.

Methods

A pilot study evaluated the motility of frozen–thawed spermatozoa after centrifugation and storage (17°C) in two different media for up to 48 h. Subsequently, the motility of frozen–thawed semen processed through a microfluidic device, resuspended in two different media during storage (17°C) for up to 24 h was evaluated. The fertility of frozen–thawed spermatozoa, after microfluidic sorting and storage at 17°C for up to 24 h, was evaluated after fixed‐time insemination in a commercial embryo programme. Experiment 1: Frozen–thawed spermatozoa (N = 5 stallions) were centrifuged and resuspended in Botusemen Gold™ or SpermSafe™ and stored (17°C) for up to 48 h. Sperm motility was evaluated by CASA at 0, 6, 24 and 48 h. Experiment 2: Frozen–thawed spermatozoa (N = 4 stallions) underwent microfluidic sorting and storage (17°C) for up to 24 h in both media. Sperm concentration and motility were evaluated at 0, 16 and 24 h. Experiment 3: Fertility of frozen–thawed spermatozoa (N = 3 stallions) was evaluated after insemination of 42 mare cycles at 6, 16 and 24 h after thawing, microfluidic sorting and storage before fixed‐time insemination.

Results

The stallion significantly influenced sperm motility, but there was no effect of media on motility parameters. Storage time significantly affected sperm motility after centrifugation but not after microfluidic sorting. Storage time had no effect on the overall embryo recovery rate (52%, n = 42).

Main limitations

Field trial with small mare numbers and no control at time = 0 h.

Conclusions

Fixed‐time insemination of frozen–thawed spermatozoa after microfluidic sorting and storage at 17°C for up to 24 h produced satisfactory embryo recovery rates.
Lysophospholipid acyltransferase‐mediated formation of saturated glycerophospholipids maintained cell membrane integrity for hypoxic adaptation
Authors: Li Qiang , Xia Zhengchao , Wu Yi , Ma Yi , Zhang Di , Wang Sihan , Fan Jingxin , Xu Pingxiang , Li Xiaorong , Bai Lu , Zhou Xuelin , Xue Ming
Published: April 2024

Adaptation to hypoxia has attracted much public interest because of its clinical significance. However, hypoxic adaptation in the body is complicated and difficult to fully explore. To explore previously unknown conserved mechanisms and key proteins involved in hypoxic adaptation in different species, we first used a yeast model for mechanistic screening. Further multi‐omics analyses in multiple species including yeast, zebrafish and mice revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism was significantly involved in hypoxic adaptation with up‐regulation of lysophospholipid acyltransferase (ALE1) in yeast, a key protein for the formation of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine [DPPC (16:0/16:0)], which is a saturated phosphatidylcholine. Importantly, a mammalian homolog of ALE1, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1), enhanced DPPC levels at the cell membrane and exhibited the same protective effect in mammalian cells under hypoxic conditions. DPPC supplementation effectively attenuated growth restriction, maintained cell membrane integrity and increased the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor under hypoxic conditions, but unsaturated phosphatidylcholine did not. In agreement with these findings, DPPC treatment could also repair hypoxic injury of intestinal mucosa in mice. Taken together, ALE1/LPCAT1‐mediated DPPC formation, a key pathway of glycerophospholipid metabolism, is crucial for cell viability under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, we found that ALE1 was also involved in glycolysis to maintain sufficient survival conditions for yeast. The present study offers a novel approach to understanding lipid metabolism under hypoxia and provides new insights into treating hypoxia‐related diseases.
Topological constraint model of modified telluro‐vanadate glasses
Authors: Shearer Adam , Mauro John C.
Published: April 2024

Topological constraint theory has emerged as a rapid, predictive method to quantify the relationship between structural rigidity and glass properties. Understanding the structure of telluro‐vanadate (TeO2–V2O5) glasses has remained difficult owing to their complex mixture of structural units. Here, we propose a topological model that accurately captures the glass structure and can be used to predict properties such as glass transition temperature and hardness. The experimentally obtained properties are in agreement with predicted properties by the model suggesting that this simplified structural model accurately describes the V2O5–TeO2 structure.
Moral Gratitude
Authors: Eskens Romy
Published: April 2024

There are many examples of persons who appear to be grateful to other people's benefactors. In at least some of these examples, such third‐party gratitude also seems fitting. However, these observations conflict with a widespread assumption in the philosophical literature about gratitude: that only beneficiaries can be fittingly grateful to benefactors. In this article, I argue that third‐party gratitude exists and can be fitting, and that the assumption is therefore mistaken. More specifically, I defend two claims: (i) that there exists a kind of gratitude to benefactors that is experienced by third parties in their capacities as moral agents (‘moral gratitude’); and (ii) that what makes this kind of gratitude fitting is the fact that, in benefitting the beneficiaries, the benefactors are responding to values that we, as moral agents, each have reason to care about and to want to see promoted.
Economic inequality, culture, and governance quality
Authors: Kyriacou Andreas P.
Published: April 2024

We review work that has linked economic inequality and culture to governance quality. We start with contributions that have considered the relationship between inequality and governance from a long‐run perspective. This historical perspective yields a range of insights and helps identify the deep drivers of specific cultural traits that relate to both economic inequality and governance in contemporary societies. We then survey work that has linked inequality and culture to governance in present‐day settings. We identify the complexity of the relationships with causality between any pair of these variables running both ways. These causal patterns, in turn, imply that countries may end up in either a good equilibrium characterized by lower economic inequality, the “right” culture and good governance, or a bad equilibrium described by greater inequality, the “wrong” culture and bad governance. We conclude with a range of policy implications.
Inducing Shifts in Attentional and Preattentive Visual Processing Through Brief Training on Novel Grammatical Morphemes: An Event‐Related Potential Study
Authors: Xue Yuyan , Williams John
Published: April 2024

Can brief training on novel grammatical morphemes influence visual processing of nonlinguistic stimuli? If so, how deep is this effect? Here, an experimental group learned two novel morphemes highlighting the familiar concept of transitivity in sentences; a control group was exposed to the same input but with the novel morphemes used interchangeably. Subsequently, both groups performed two visual oddball tasks with nonlinguistic motion events. In the first (attentional) oddball task, relative to the control group, the experimental group showed decreased attention (P300) to infrequent changes in the morpheme‐irrelevant dimension (shape) but not the morpheme‐relevant dimension (motion transitivity); in the second (preattentive) oddball task, they showed enhanced preattentive responses (N1/visual mismatch negativity) to infrequent changes in motion transitivity but not shape. Our findings show that increasing attention to preexisting concepts in sentences through brief training on novel grammatical morphemes can influence both attentional and preattentive visual processing.
‘My doctor self and my human self’: A qualitative study of physicians' presentation of self on social media
Authors: Maggio Lauren A. , Céspedes Lucía , Fleerackers Alice , Royan Regina
Published: April 2024

Introduction

When using social media, physicians are encouraged and trained to maintain separate professional and personal identities. However, this separation is difficult and even undesirable, as the blurring of personal and professional online presence can influence patient trust. Thus, it is necessary to develop policies and educational resources that are more responsive to the blurring of personal and professional boundaries on social media. This study aims to provide an understanding of how physicians present themselves holistically online to inform such policies and resources.

Methods

Twenty‐eight US‐based physicians who use social media were interviewed. Participants were asked to describe how and why they use social media, specifically Twitter (rebranded as ‘X’ in 2023). Interviews were complemented by data from the participants' Twitter profiles. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis guided by Goffman's dramaturgical model. This model uses the metaphor of a stage to characterise how individuals attempt to control the aspects of the identities—or faces—they display during social interactions.

Results

The participants presented six faces, which included professionally focused faces (e.g. networker) and those more personal in nature (e.g. human). The participants crafted and maintained these faces through discursive choices in their tweets and profiles, which were motivated by their audience's perceptions. We identified overlaps and tensions at the intersections of these faces, which posed professional and personal challenges for participants.

Conclusions

Physicians strategically emphasise their more professional or personal faces according to their objectives and motivations in different communicative situations, and tailor their language and content to better reach their target audiences. While tensions arise between these faces, physicians still prefer to project a rounded, integral image of themselves on social media. This suggests a need to reconsider social media policies and related educational initiatives to better align with the realities of these digital environments.
Estimation of load for tunnel lining in elastic soil using physics‐informed neural network
Authors: Wang G. , Fang Q. , Wang J. , Li Q. M. , Chen J. Y. , Liu Y.
Published: April 2024

A reverse calculation method termed soil and lining physics‐informed neural network (SL‐PINN) is proposed for the estimation of load for tunnel lining in elastic soil based on radial displacement measurements of the tunnel lining. To achieve efficient and accurate calculations, the framework of SL‐PINN is specially designed to consider the respective displacement characteristics of surrounding soil and tunnel lining. A multistep training method based on the meshless characteristics of SL‐PINN is established to promote calculation efficiency. The multistep training method involves increasing the number of collocation points in each calculation step while decreasing the learning rate after scaling of SL‐PINN. The feasibility of SL‐PINN is verified by numerical simulation data and field data. Compared to other inverse calculation methods, SL‐PINN has lower precision requirements for the measurement instrument with the same level of calculation accuracy.
To bite the hand that feeds you: A case of thrombotic microangiopathy due to Tiger snake bite
Authors: Hughes William , Blair Susan , Rose Hannah
Published: April 2024

This report details the case of a 51‐year‐old man with a Tiger snake bite who developed systemic envenomation, coagulopathy and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) requiring renal replacement therapy. He received plasma exchange as additional therapy while awaiting confirmation of the cause of the TMA. We discuss clinical decision making in detection of systemic envenomation and management of the rare complication of TMA, as well as current Australian guidelines around antivenom administration. This is the fourth known documented case of TMA from a Tiger snake bite in Australia.
Instantaneous Q10 of night‐time leaf respiratory CO2 efflux – measurement and analytical protocol considerations
Authors: Bruhn Dan , Povlsen Peter , Gardner Anna , Mercado Lina M.
Published: April 2024

The temperature sensitivity (e.g. Q10) of night‐time leaf respiratory CO2 efflux (RCO2) is a fundamental aspect of leaf physiology. The Q10 typically exhibits a dependence on measurement temperature, and it is speculated that this is due to temperature‐dependent shifts in the relative control of leaf RCO2. Two decades ago, a review hypothesized that this mechanistically caused change in values of Q10 is predictable across plant taxa and biomes. Here, we discuss the most appropriate measuring protocol among existing data and for future data collection, to form the foundation of a future mechanistic understanding of Q10 of leaf RCO2 at different temperature ranges. We do this primarily via a review of existing literature on Q10 of night‐time RCO2 and only supplement this to a lesser degree with our own original data. Based on mechanistic considerations, we encourage that instantaneous Q10 of leaf RCO2 to represent night‐time should be measured: only at night‐time; only in response to short‐term narrow temperature variation (e.g. max. 10°C) to represent a given midpoint temperature at a time; in response to as many temperatures as possible within the chosen temperature range; and on still attached leaves.
6. Persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2
Authors: van de Minkelis Johan , Peene Laurens , Cohen Steven P. , Staats Peter , Al‐Kaisy Adnan , Van Boxem Koen , Kallewaard Jan Willem , Van Zundert Jan
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (PSPS) refers to chronic axial pain and/or extremity pain. Two subtypes have been defined: PSPS‐type 1 is chronic pain without previous spinal surgery and PSPS‐type 2 is chronic pain, persisting after spine surgery, and is formerly known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) or post‐laminectomy syndrome. The etiology of PSPS‐type 2 can be gleaned using elements from the patient history, physical examination, and additional medical imaging. Origins of persistent pain following spinal surgery may be categorized into an inappropriate procedure (eg a lumbar fusion at an incorrect level or for sacroiliac joint [SIJ] pain); technical failure (eg operation at non‐affected levels, retained disk fragment, pseudoarthrosis), biomechanical sequelae of surgery (eg adjacent segment disease or SIJ pain after a fusion to the sacrum, muscle wasting, spinal instability); and complications (eg battered root syndrome, excessive epidural fibrosis, and arachnoiditis), or undetermined.

Methods

The literature on the diagnosis and treatment of PSPS‐type 2 was retrieved and summarized.

Results

There is low‐quality evidence for the efficacy of conservative treatments including exercise, rehabilitation, manipulation, and behavioral therapy, and very limited evidence for the pharmacological treatment of PSPS‐type 2. Interventional treatments such as pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the dorsal root ganglia, epidural adhesiolysis, and spinal endoscopy (epiduroscopy) might be beneficial in patients with PSPS‐type 2. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic, intractable neuropathic limb pain, and possibly well‐selected candidates with axial pain.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of PSPS‐type 2 is based on patient history, clinical examination, and medical imaging. Low‐quality evidence exists for conservative interventions. Pulsed radiofrequency, adhesiolysis and SCS have a higher level of evidence with a high safety margin and should be considered as interventional treatment options when conservative treatment fails.
NF‐YC15 transcription factor activates ethylene biosynthesis and improves cassava disease resistance
Authors: Zheng Liyan , Gao Shuai , Bai Yujing , Zeng Hongqiu , Shi Haitao
Published: April 2024

The nuclear factor Y (NF‐Y) transcription factors play important roles in plant development and physiological responses. However, the relationship between NF‐Y, plant hormone and plant stress resistance in tropical crops remains unclear. In this study, we identified MeNF‐YC15 gene in the NF‐Y family that significantly responded to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) treatment. Using MeNF‐YC15‐silenced and ‐overexpressed cassava plants, we elucidated that MeNF‐YC15 positively regulated disease resistance to cassava bacterial blight (CBB). Notably, we illustrated MeNF‐YC15 downstream genes and revealed the direct genetic relationship between MeNF‐YC15 and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase (MeACO1)‐ethylene module in disease resistance, as evidenced by the rescued disease susceptibility of MeNF‐YC15 silenced cassava plants with ethylene treatment or overexpressing MeACO1. In addition, the physical interaction between 2C‐type protein phosphatase 1 (MePP2C1) and MeNF‐YC15 inhibited the transcriptional activation of MeACO1 by MeNF‐YC15. In summary, MePP2C1‐MeNF‐YC15 interaction modulates ethylene biosynthesis and cassava disease resistance, providing gene network for cassava genetic improvement.
Antibody‐mediated rejection in pediatric kidney transplant recipients: A report from the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium
Authors: Ashoor Isa F. , Engen Rachel M. , Puliyanda Dechu , Hayde Nicole , Peterson Caitlin G. , Zahr Rima S. , Solomon Sonia , Kallash Mahmoud , Garro Rouba , Jain Amrish , Harshman Lyndsay A. , McEwen Scott T. , Mansuri Asifhusen , Gregoski Mathew J. , Twombley Katherine E.
Published: April 2024

Background

Antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) is a major cause of kidney allograft loss. There is a paucity of large‐scale pediatric‐specific data regarding AMR treatment outcomes.

Methods

Data were obtained from 14 centers within the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium. Kidney transplant recipients aged 1–18 years at transplant with biopsy‐proven AMR between 2009 and 2019 and at least 12 months of follow‐up were included. The primary outcome was graft failure or an eGFR <20 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 12 months following AMR treatment. AMR treatment choice, histopathology, and DSA class were also examined.

Results

We reviewed 123 AMR episodes. Median age at diagnosis was 15 years at a median 22 months post‐transplant. The primary outcome developed in 27.6%. eGFR <30 m/min/1.73 m2 at AMR diagnosis was associated with a 5.6‐fold higher risk of reaching the composite outcome. There were no significant differences in outcome by treatment modality. Histopathology scores and DSA class at time of AMR diagnosis were not significantly associated with the primary outcome.

Conclusions

In this large cohort of pediatric kidney transplant recipients with AMR, nearly one‐third of patients experienced graft failure or significant graft dysfunction within 12 months of diagnosis. Poor graft function at time of diagnosis was associated with higher odds of graft failure.
Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and fludarabine conditioning for X‐linked adrenal cerebral leukodystrophy
Authors: Chen Yao , Xu Lan‐ping , Zhang Xiao‐hui , Chen Huan , Liu Kai‐yan , Qing Jiong , Yang Yan‐ling , Huang Xiao‐jun
Published: April 2024

Objective

We investigated the safety and efficacy of haploidentical stem cell transplantation (SCT) in pediatric patients with X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of transplantation data from 29 cases of ALD, treated between December 2014 and April 2022, was conducted. Neurologic function scores (NFS) were assessed. The conditioning regimen was busulfan 9.6 mg/kg, cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg, and fludarabine 90 mg/m2 (BFC). Graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis consisted of anti‐human thymocyte globulin, cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil, and short course of methotrexate.

Results

Among the 29 cases, 14 cases (NFS = 0) were asymptomatic, and 15 (NFS ≥ 1) were symptomatic. The median age at SCT was 8 years (range: 4–16 years); the median follow‐up time was 1058 days (range: 398–3092 days); 28 cases were father donors and 1 case was a grandfather donor. Hematopoietic reconstitution was successful in all patients, and all of them achieved complete donor chimerism at the time of engraftment. The leading cause of death was still primary disease progression (n = 4). Survival free of major functional disabilities was 100% in asymptomatic patients versus 66.67% in the symptomatic group (p = .018).

Conclusion

BFC regimen used in haploidentical SCT was administered safely without major transplant‐related complications even in symptomatic patients, and neurological symptoms were stabilized after SCT.
Overcoming von Wright's anxiety
Authors: Halpin Andrew
Published: April 2024

This article examines the anxiety expressed by von Wright over the status of the deontic permission, P, as an independent normative category, given the interdefinability between P and O at the foundation of deontic logic. Two concerns are noted: the reducibility of P to O, and the inadequacy of P to convey a full permission in a social setting. Drawing on resources from the Hohfeldian analytical framework, the relational and aggregate features of permission are explored, and an aggregate conception of permission, P, is recognized. With the assistance of insights from Demey and Smessaert on duals, Hansson on formalization, and Soames on interdefinability, it is concluded that the interdefinability thesis can be defended without threatening the independent status of P. Additional grounds for reaching this conclusion are provided from a detailed analysis of the relationship between P and P. Some implications of the more expansive notion of permission, P, are considered with regard to the resources of deontic logic and their application.
On the Implementation Difficulties of Assessing Course Objective Attainment based on Outcome-Based Education
Authors: Huang Jing , Zhang Yong
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the difficulties in implementing assessment of course objective attainment. Through a questionnaire survey, it was found that teachers face practical difficulties in five aspects: understanding of the concept of Outcome-Based Education (OBE), setting course objectives, designing assessment components, calculating achievement status, and providing feedback and improvement. The paper analyzes the reasons for these difficulties and puts forward measures to overcome them.
Quasi‐F‐splittings in birational geometry II
Authors: Kawakami Tatsuro , Takamatsu Teppei , Tanaka Hiromu , Witaszek Jakub , Yobuko Fuetaro , Yoshikawa Shou
Published: April 2024

Over an algebraically closed field of characteristic , we prove that three‐dimensional ‐factorial affine klt varieties are quasi‐‐split. Furthermore, we show that the bound on the characteristic is optimal.