bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Moringa oleifera as a Feed Supplement on Performance and Blood Lipid Profiles of Broiler Chicken: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Sukria Heri Ahmad , Risyahadi Sazli Tutur , Foni Lydia Rosa , Aditama Ryzal Satria , Retnani Yuli , Kusuma Raihani Indah , Hasanah Qorry Nurul , Daulai Muhammad Sulaiman , Manik B. T. R. Sri Syntia , Wijayanti Indah , Jayanegara Anuraga
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera (moringa) as a feed supplement on the performance and health status of broiler chicken through a meta‐analysis. The database was compiled from 35 studies comprising 191 experiments. The literatures from Scopus are screened by PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) protocol, and the data were analyzed using OpenMEE software. Feed containing moringa was the fixed effects and the different studies as random effects. The results showed that dietary moringa supplementation increased weight gain (p < 0.05), decreased feed intake (p < 0.05), and therefore decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the broiler chicken. Blood lipid parameters were also affected by moringa supplementation. Feed containing moringa decreased cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL (p < 0.05), while HDL was higher in comparison to that of control (p < 0.05). It can be concluded from the meta‐analysis that dietary moringa supplementation effectively improves performance and health status of broiler.
Effect of Telerehabilitation on Handwriting Performance in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kaplan Kılıç Büşra , Bumin Gonca , Öğütlü Hakan
Published: February 2025

Background

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently encounter challenges in their fine motor skills, an area that therapists target for enhancement through therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to effect of telerehabilitation on handwriting performance in children with ADHD.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, 70 children (33 girls and 37 boys) with ADHD aged between 6 and 8 years were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Fine motor skills and handwriting performance of both groups were evaluated pre–post‐intervention using the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency‐2nd Edition (BOT‐2) and Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA) tests. The intervention group received fine motor skills training through telerehabilitation for 8 weeks, 3 days a week, 40 min each session (totalling 24 sessions). The control group was placed on a waiting list for 8 weeks and did not receive any intervention. Statistical methods analysed changes within and between groups pre–post‐intervention.

Results

In the intervention group, intra‐group change pre–post‐intervention was observed in all subdomains of MHA except legibility (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant differences in BOT‐2 and MHA's subdomains.

Discussion

The results of this study suggest that fine motor skills training through telerehabilitation may be effective in improving the handwriting performance of children with ADHD.
Clinical Presentation and Nutrition Management of Non‐IgE‐Mediated Food Allergy in Children
Authors: Groetch Marion , Venter Carina , Meyer Rosan
Published: February 2025

Non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy encompasses a wide spectrum of allergic disorders ranging from mild to severe presentations, including food protein‐induced allergic proctocolitis, food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome, and food protein‐induced enteropathy. Other gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease have not previously been recognised as symptoms of non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy in food allergy guideline publications. Recently, two new consensus documents from the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology address a potential role of food allergens in these disorders, where standard treatment has failed, and provide guidance for diagnosis and management of these conditions. Additional updates include the World Allergy Organisation guidance on the diagnosis and management of cow's milk allergy, the most commonly implicated food in non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy. These documents all help practitioners to distinguish between common manifestations in infancy that are not pathologic and non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy. Understanding diagnostic criteria is vital to prevent overdiagnosis, limit unnecessary elimination diets and preserve breastfeeding. Conversely, proper diagnosis may reduce symptoms in infants who are affected. Therefore, the first step in management of non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy is establishing a correct diagnosis, which requires understanding the clinical presentations and if needed, applying an appropriate short‐term diagnostic elimination diet to observe for symptom resolution, followed by food reintroduction to assess for symptom recurrence. Once diagnosed, treatment requires removal of the trigger food, most commonly cow's milk, which is not without burden and nutrition risk. Non‐IgE‐mediated food allergies typically resolve early in childhood with some disorders resolving in infancy therefore early reassessment for tolerance is vital. Management of non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy entails following diagnostic algorithms, developing an individualised dietary plan, and timely assessment of tolerance development to reduce burden and nutrition risk.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Timing of Soft Tissue Augmentation in Immediate Implant Placement: Soft Tissue Changes and Esthetic Outcome
Authors: Struys Thibault , Christiaens Véronique , De Bruyckere Thomas , Pitman Jeremy , Van Hove Pieter‐Jan , Cosyn Jan
Published: February 2025

Aim

To assess the impact of the timing of soft tissue augmentation on soft tissue changes and esthetic outcome following single immediate implant placement (IIP) in the anterior maxilla.

Materials and Methods

Patients with a failing tooth and intact buccal bone wall in the anterior maxilla (15–25) were enrolled in this RCT. Following single IIP and socket grafting, they were randomly allocated to the control group (immediate soft tissue augmentation performed in the same surgical procedure—ISTA) or the test group (delayed soft tissue augmentation performed 3 months later—DSTA). Implants were placed with a surgical guide and immediately restored with an implant‐supported provisional crown. Changes in soft tissue dimensions were assessed by a blinded clinician using superimposed STL files taken prior to surgery and at 1‐year follow‐up. The esthetic outcome was rated by a blinded clinician and the patient at 1‐year follow‐up. The study adhered to the STA‐COSM (Soft Tissue Augmentation—Core Outcome Set and Measurements for implant dentistry trials) guidelines.

Results

Twenty patients were randomized to each group (control: 16 females, 4 males, mean age 57.6; test: 9 females, 11 males, mean age 54.2). The mean change in buccal soft tissue profile was −0.251 and 0.083 mm for ISTA and DSTA, respectively. The mean difference of −0.318 mm in favor of DSTA was not significant (95% CI: −0.860 to 0.224, p = 0.241). Median midfacial recession was −0.200 and − 0.350 mm for ISTA and DSTA, respectively. The median difference of 0.200 mm in favor of ISTA was not significant (95% CI: −0.210 to 0.700, p = 0.311). Mesial and distal papillary recession, Pink Esthetic Score and patients' esthetic satisfaction failed to demonstrate a significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

In patients with an intact buccal bone wall, the timing of soft tissue augmentation following IIP had no significant impact on soft tissue changes and esthetic outcome.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05537545
SIRT1 Alleviates Oxidative Stress‐Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Mitochondria‐Associated Membrane Dysregulation in Stress Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Chen Liying , Tang Jianming , Zuo Xiaohu , Li Bingshu , Liu Cheng , Hong Shasha , Min Jie , Hu Ming , Li Suting , Zhou Min , Chen Mao , He Yong , Xiao Ya , Huang Xiaoyu , Hong Li
Published: February 2025

The pathogenesis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a condition common in women, remains to be fully elucidated. This study revealed that the incidence of SUI is associated with mitochondrial homeostasis dysregulation following oxidative stress in the fibrous connective tissue of the pelvic floor. SIRT1 is an essential factor for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis; however, its potential role and mechanism of action in SUI pathogenesis remain unclear. Both in vitro and in vivo, we observed that oxidative stress reduced SIRT1 expression to inhibit the PGC‐1α/NRF1/TFAM and PINK1/Parkin signalling pathways, eliciting impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy in L929 cells and SUI mice. Decreased SIRT1 levels induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and altered the structure of mitochondria‐associated membranes (MAMs), disrupting ER‐mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and exacerbting ROS accumulation. SIRT1 activation can restore mitochondrial function and the structure of MAMs and alleviate ER stress in fibroblasts, promoting anterior vaginal wall repair and improving urodynamic parameters in the SUI model. Our findings provide novel insights into the role and associated mechanism of SIRT1 in ameliorating oxidative stress‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in fibroblasts of the anterior vaginal wall and propose SIRT1 as a potential therapeutic target for SUI.
Modeling the Interplay Between Viral and Immune Dynamics in HIV: A Review and Mrgsolve Implementation and Exploration
Authors: Vegas Rodriguez Alberto , Velez de Mendizábal Nieves , Girish Sandhya , Trocóniz Iñaki F. , Feigelman Justin S.
Published: February 2025

Since its initial discovery, HIV has infected more than 70 million individuals globally, leading to the deaths of 35 million. At present, the annual number of deaths has significantly decreased due to 75% of HIV‐positive individuals being on antiretroviral therapy. Although there is no cure yet, available treatments extend life expectancy, enhance quality of life, and reduce transmission by maintaining viral load below the detection limit of 50 copies/mL, making the individual's levels undetectable and untransmittable. HIV has attracted considerable attention in the computational modeling area, with various models having been developed with different degrees of complexity in an attempt to explain the viral dynamics of the disease. It is important to note that no single model can fully incorporate and predict all the critical factors influencing the dynamics of the disease and its response to treatments. Since the number of published models is large, the purpose of this article is to review several relevant models found in the literature that describe biologically plausible scenarios of HIV infection, including key features of disease progression with or without treatment. A total of 15 models are described, with some implemented in the mrgsolve package in R Studio and shared for the benefit of the scientific community. The modeling framework concerning HIV infection aids in identifying the most impactful parameters within the system and their implications in the model outcomes. Insights provided by these models may help in confirming targets for current and novel therapies, thereby contributing to the exploration of new strategies.
Spitz Spindle Cell/Reed Nevus With SQSTM1::NTRK2 Fusion and Atypical Features in an Older Male Patient: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Scarfò Federico , Brunetto Emanuela , Magliacane Gilda , Pecciarini Lorenza , Ferrara Gerardo , Rizzo Nathalie
Published: February 2025

Spitz lesions display a set of genetic alterations that differ from classical melanocytic lesions: examples include mutations in HRAS and fusions involving ALK, ROS1, MET, MAP3K8, BRAF, and the NTRK genes. We present a Spitz spindle cell/Reed nevus with atypical junctional features and an NTRK2 translocation in a patient of unusual age. The patient was a 61‐year‐old man with a pigmented brown flat 6 mm lesion growing on the skin over the left scapula. The lesion was composed of spindled and epithelioid melanocytes and was arranged in nests with some scattered focal pagetoid cells as well as intraepidermal nests at the center of the lesion and occasional mitotic figures. The melanocytes showed diffuse staining for pan‐Trk antibodies. p16 staining was focally and weakly positive. The cells showed staining for HMB‐45, MART‐1, and tyrosinase, whereas they were negative for PRAME, ALK‐1, and ROS‐1 immunostaining. BAP‐1 was preserved. Next‐generation sequencing detected a SQSTM1::NTRK2 fusion and showed no alterations of ALK, ROS1, RET, NTRK1, and NTRK3 genes, as well as no pathogenic variants of BRAF. Fluorescent in situ hybridization showed NTRK2 translocation in all melanocytes evaluated. This case presents a Spitz nevus with a rare translocation in an older patient.
Emotional Leadership and Teachers' Psychological Well‐Being: The Mediating Role of Emotional Labour and Moderating Roles of Cultural Values in JD‐R Theory
Authors: Zhu Xiaoshuang , Tian Guoxiu , Liu Rui , Li Yanjun
Published: February 2025

Using the job demands‐resources (JD‐R) theory, this study aimed to understand how and when emotional leadership affected teachers' psychological well‐being. It explored the mediating effect of emotional labour and the moderating effects of collectivism and two Confucian cultural values (i.e., harmony and obedience to authority). The sample included 2361 Chinese teachers from primary and secondary schools. Findings showed that emotional leadership as a job resource from leaders promoted deep acting (DA) and expression of naturally felt emotions (ENFE), eventually enhancing psychological well‐being. Moreover, emotional leadership caused more surface acting (SA) only when teachers had a lower level of harmony, which reduced psychological well‐being; collectivism, harmony, and obedience to authority weakened the positive impacts of emotional leadership on psychological well‐being. This study contributes to the JD‐R theory by revealing that leader factors could act as both resources and demands to influence personal factors under the moderating effect of cultural values.
Towards a More Nuanced Understanding of Long‐Distance Rafting: Case Studies From the Southern Ocean
Authors: Spencer Hamish G. , Fraser Ceridwen I. , Poulin Elie , González‐Wevar Claudio A.
Published: February 2025

Problem

Rafting is now recognised as a key process influencing the distribution and connectivity of several marine and coastal species. Rafting scenarios are, however, often invoked in ways that do not account for clear differences in biogeographic outcomes. Here, we illustrate the value of utilising multiple lines of evidence (e.g. different life histories, ecologies, and dispersal frequencies) in elucidating the historical, modern, and future significance of ocean rafting. We discuss these issues using a range of exemplar studies from the Southern Ocean, where rafting clearly underlies many different distributional patterns, although our conclusions hold generally.

Explanations

Such differences appear to be underpinned by variations in several life‐history characters, with, for instance, direct‐developing taxa more suited to long‐distance rafting events that might span multiple generations. Rafting success is also shaped by a diverse suite of factors including the durability of the raft, the presence/absence of resources and competitors (intra‐ or inter‐specific) at the destination, species' environmental tolerances, latitudinal movements in the position of oceanographic fronts, and the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as storms. Several of these factors are influenced by climate change, so a detailed understanding of their roles is increasingly important—particularly as many species' distributions are shifting.

Future Prospects

The Southern Hemisphere—which has considerably more ocean than the Northern Hemisphere (81% vs. 61%)—provides biogeographers with a wealth of information on such processes, as well as intriguing examples of the puzzles we still face. Powerful new tools, including high‐resolution genomic analyses, ancient DNA, and environmental, ecological and oceanographic modelling, are providing a more granular picture of biogeographical patterns. These novel methods, together with a broader consideration of the factors affecting rafting success, can pave the way for an improved and properly integrated understanding of the eco‐evolutionary outcomes of long‐distance dispersal via rafting.
Mandated Public Disclosure and Trade Credit Payment Practices
Authors: Boghossian Mirna , Carnes Robert R.
Published: February 2025

We investigate the efficacy of mandated public disclosure to improve firms’ trade credit payment practices. We exploit a regulation adopted by the United Kingdom in 2017 that mandates firms meeting certain size criteria to disclose information about their payment practices toward their trade suppliers. Using a difference‐in‐differences research design combined with a regression discontinuity approach for a sample of firms just above and below the mandatory disclosure size criteria, we find that firms disclosing supplier payment information reduce the number of days they take to pay their trade credit. Further, this effect is concentrated in firms with higher liquidity and lower leverage. After performing robustness tests, we explore two potential channels that could explain our findings. First, we consider whether firms are responding to pressure from suppliers in competitive industries. Second, we investigate whether firms are managing their external reputations. Using the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index to measure industry competitiveness, and firms that sell to end consumers and their market share to measure reputational exposure, we find evidence consistent with both explanations. Collectively, these findings suggest that disclosure motivates firms to improve their payment practices; however, this effect appears to be limited to firms with the financial flexibility to respond.
Strain‐Dependent Performance of Spodoptera frugiperda on Cabbage
Authors: Zhang Zhichun , Niu Hongtao , Zhao Dongxiao , Dai Hanyang , Sun Shuai , Zhang Haibo , Guo Huifang
Published: February 2025

The invasion of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, originating from the Americas, into numerous provinces of China has emerged as a significant threat to the nation's grain crop production. Other than crops, will S. frugiperda be a threat to vegetable crops in China? Here, we firstly surveyed the occurrence of S. frugiperda in cabbage field in Jiangsu province, China, and then, we detected the strain composition of the natural population on cabbage; after that, we compared the performance of all the field strains on cabbage in the lab. In 2021, S. frugiperda was found in field cabbage in three sites in Jiangsu province, and there were three strains, namely COIcorn‐Tpicorn strain (COICS‐TpiCS), COIrice‐Tpicorn strain (COIRS‐TpiCS) and COIrice‐Tpirice strain (COIRS‐TpiRS); the dominant strain in Haian and Luhe was COICS‐TpiCS and COIRS‐TpiCS, respectively. Further investigation on the performance of the three strains on cabbage leaves showed that both the survival rate of larvae and the fecundity of the strain COIRS‐TpiCS were significantly higher than that of the other two strains, whether fed on seedlings or ball leaves, which showed divergent performance among the three strains on cabbage. These findings underscore the potential threat posed by S. frugiperda to vegetable production in China.
Effect of Blanching, Ultrasonication and Pulsed Electric Field as Pretreatment on Acrylamide Mitigation and Overall Quality of Jackfruit Chips
Authors: Anilkumar Karthimol , Tangirala A. D. Srikanth , Hema V. , Anandakumar S. , Sunil C. K. , Rawson Ashish
Published: February 2025

In this study, blanching, ultrasonication, and pulsed electric field were used as pretreatment prior to frying to mitigate acrylamide formation in jackfruit chips. Application of pretreatments effectively reduced acrylamide and its precursor content in chips. Structural modification on product introduced by all three pretreatments resulted in leaching of acrylamide precursors. Comparing all the pretreatment applied ultrasound treatment at 22 kHz (U1) showed effective mitigation of acrylamide along with superior organoleptic and nutritional properties. The lowest reducing sugar content (1.99 g/100 g) and a reduced asparagine content (0.001 mg/g) in U1 limited acrylamide formation. Nutritional, biochemical, physical and sensory properties of the products were analyzed and results reveals application of all three pretreatments at optimized condition as potential tool to produce jackfruit chips with desired quality and limited acrylamide.
Traditional cultural expressions and copyright law: Denoting the long‐lasting confusion
Authors: Aroian Mariam
Published: February 2025

The paper shows that protecting traditional cultural expressions through the scope of copyright law is an erroneous approach and that recognition of folklore should be a separate issue outside of the copyright scope. It examines the key incompatibilities between the individualistic nature of copyright and the collective, culturally embedded nature of TCEs. This research aims to contribute to the debate on how to develop an approach that, firstly, respects and effectively protects the unique nature of TCEs, and secondly, has a greater chance of gaining international acceptance. By drawing on the familiar concepts of attribution and integrity, we can create a new legal framework that addresses the needs of various groups of stakeholders and ensures that TCEs are properly protected both now and in the future. While the concepts of attribution and integrity, as developed in copyright law, cannot be applied directly to TCEs due to their individualistic nature, the paper argues that these concepts offer valuable insights for lawmaking purposes. By drawing from the extensive research in copyright studies, this paper suggests that these insights can guide the development of a sui generis protection system tailored to TCEs.
The Australian Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994 (Cth) and how it is used for Australian native plants
Authors: Lawson Charles , Pickering Catherine
Published: February 2025

With increasing interest in intellectual property relating to plants, it is timely to assess the use of Plant Breeder's Rights (PBRs) in Australia for native plants, with tens of thousands of native plants nearly all of which are endemic and many with known uses. A database of all applications received, accepted, granted and grants expired or withdrawn, refused and rejected for PBRs under the Australian Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994 (Cth) from 10 November 1994 to 14 December 2022 was assessed including plants native to Australia. The analysis revealed: There are over 9500 applications and over 5180 granted, of which ~10 percent are for native plants; many PBR owners are Australian residents (~50%), but even more so for native plant PBRs (96%); few PBRs last the full term (average duration 6.6 years); and overwhelmingly PBRs of native plants are ornamentals (~92%). There is potential for breeding more native ornamentals, but particularly food crops and medicinal plants. This includes expanding commercial development by Australia's First Nations communities including enterprises based on their ‘Indigenous Knowledge’. Further research can help identify why PBRs are not used for breeding more varieties including native food and medicinal plants with potential taxa and uses assessed.
Rencofilstat Treatment Improves Liver Function in MASH With Advanced Fibrosis as Quantified by HepQuant DuO
Authors: Harrison Stephen A. , Mayo Patrick , Hobbs Todd , Zhao Caroline , Canizares Carlos , Foster Robert , McRae Michael P. , Helmke Steve M. , Everson Gregory T.
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

Rencofilstat inhibits cyclophilin to reduce hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, which, in turn, could improve liver function and reduce portal‐systemic shunting. Since HepQuant quantifies liver function and portal‐systemic shunting, it was used to measure the hepatic effects of rencofilstat treatment of MASH with advanced fibrosis.

Methods

Seventy subjects with suspected ≥ F3 MASH, defined from liver biopsy or AGILE 3+ ≥ 0.53, were randomised to rencofilstat 75 mg/d (n = 24), 150 mg/d (n = 23) or 225 mg/d (n = 23), and tested by HepQuant at baseline, 60 and 120 days. The DuO version included oral dosing of d4‐cholate and two blood samples (20 and 60 min). DuO's disease severity index (DSI) and portal‐systemic shunting fraction (SHUNT%) were evaluated for changes from baseline at 60 and 120 days of rencofilstat treatment.

Results

Across all subjects, there was a significant decrease in SHUNT% both at Day 60 (−1.67%, p = 0.0156) and Day 120 (−1.55%, p = 0.0441). In the 225 mg rencofilstat arm, 56% of subjects (10/18) were responders by Day 120 (p = 0.0549), and their DSIs improved with a mean change of −1.61 (p = 0.0190). Across all treatment arms, subjects with DSI > 18.3 at baseline had the greatest improvement with treatment (ΔDSI = −2.59, p = 0.0053).

Conclusion

Although further studies are warranted, the decreases in DSI and SHUNT% suggest that rencofilstat 225 mg/d improves hepatic function and portal‐systemic shunting. HepQuant DuO is simple to administer, well‐tolerated and a useful tool for detecting the hepatic effects of treatment.

Trial Registration

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05461105
Puccinia striiformis Effector PNPi Suppresses TaIAA14 Expression to Inhibit Host Cell Death Response
Authors: Wang Huiyutang , Gao Xue , Kong Yixi , Jia Zhiqiang , Qiao Liang , Yang Baoju
Published: February 2025

Fungal pathogens secrete effectors that suppress the hypersensitive response (HR) of the host, characterised by programmed cell death, facilitating colonisation. However, how effectors manipulate host cell death remains poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that the Puccinia striiformis effector PNPi (Puccinia NPR1 interactor) suppressed BAX‐induced cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana. This virulence was mediated by the FtsN domain of PNPi, and an enhanced suppression effect was observed when Ser129 was mutated into arginine. Further RNA‐sequencing analysis revealed that auxin signalling was disturbed, with the auxin‐responsive protein IAA29‐like (NbIAA29) being downregulated during cell death suppression by PNPi. Exogenous application of auxins alleviated cell death suppression in N. benthamiana. Silencing NbIAA29 enhanced the PNPi‐induced suppression; however, this effect was reduced in NbIAA29‐silenced plants pretreated with auxins. Additionally, we confirmed the in vivo interaction between PNPi and TaIAA14, which is the homologous gene of NbIAA29 in wheat. Knocking down TaIAA14 through virus‐induced gene silencing significantly increased the fungal development and reduced wheat cell death response. Overall, these results indicate that the P. striiformis effector PNPi suppresses the cell death response by targeting TaIAA14 to facilitate infection, advancing our understanding of how P. striiformis effectors manipulate host immunity and providing a theoretical basis for new strategies of sustainable disease control.
A Rare Case of Intraosseous Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Left Hemi‐Mandible, Masquerading as an Odontogenic Tumour
Authors: Marston Duncan , Higgans Rebecca Schembri , Farrugia Eric , Khurram Syed Ali
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Primary intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the jaws is a vanishingly rare entity, accounting for 2%–3% of all MEC diagnoses. Albeit its low incidence, intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the commonest and most well recognised intraosseous salivary gland neoplasm. These neoplasms typically present in middle‐aged adults, with a slight female predilection. Their incidence within the mandible is three times that of the maxilla, with the posterior body of the mandible and ascending ramus being the most common intraoral sites of involvement. Typically, they come to attention due to cortical expansion. Some lesions are entirely asymptomatic, with only a minority being associated with occasional pain or facial paralysis.

Clinical History

A 75‐year‐old gentleman presented with an 8‐year history of non‐worsening, intermittent otalgia. CT neck, chest‐abdomen, and pelvis (NCAP) revealed the presence of a locally advanced, expansile, and destructive lesion within the left body and ramus of the mandible. The mandibular left wisdom tooth was extracted, and a biopsy of the lesion was performed.

Histology and Laboratory Investigations

Histologic examination revealed the presence of a cystic neoplasm comprised primarily of clear cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed and expert opinion sought. The diagnosis was ultimately achieved using molecular studies, which showed the presence of a MAML2 rearrangement, confirming the diagnosis of MEC.

Surgical Management

Surgical resection was carried out, with the patient undergoing a left hemi‐mandibulectomy and left‐sided supraomohyoid selective neck dissection. The mandibular defect was reconstructed using a mandibular reconstruction plate and right vastus and anterolateral (ALT) free flap. Following this, the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy and is under periodic review with no evidence of disease recurrence to date.

Conclusion

Intraosseous MEC may clinically, radiographically, and histologically mimic other disease entities more commonly encountered within the jaws given its unusual location and variable histologic presentation, making the diagnosis challenging. Identification of MAML2 rearrangement via molecular studies greatly facilitates the diagnostic process due to its high specificity for MEC. The overall prognosis is favourable with appropriate treatment, highlighting the importance of careful histologic evaluation and use of molecular studies.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Number: 184/2023
“When I became older, I started having to manage that more myself”—Experiences of adolescents with food allergies: A qualitative study
Authors: O'Sullivan Meg , Curtin Margaret , Flynn Rachel , Trujillo Juan , O'Mahony James
Published: February 2025

Background

It's often caregivers or healthcare professionals' experiences that are studied in the field of allergy, but the adolescents' perspective is crucial to develop interventions that support them in areas they find most challenging. This study aims to explore adolescents' experience of managing food allergies, particularly how they navigate the transition from parental management to self‐management.

Methods

This is an interpretive descriptive qualitative study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten adolescents with food allergies aged 12–16 years. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted. The Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines were used.

Results

Four themes were generated, (1) belonging—seeing me, (2) not knowing (3) taking responsibility—“So I guess when I became older, I started having to manage that more myself” and (4) variation in coping strategies. These describe adolescents need for belonging, that their peers acknowledge their food allergies without making them feel like a burden. Adolescents understanding of essential food allergy information was lacking, with some unaware of this lack of knowledge. Adolescents were conscious of the need to take over responsibility from their parents, although this could be difficult. Finally, how adolescents coped with all these aspects of their food allergy could be seen as avoidant due to high anxiety, minimizing of risk, or adaptive, where adolescents are aware of and mitigate risks appropriately, without avoiding life experiences.

Conclusion

Adolescents find the transition of responsibility from their parents difficult. A trusted source of allergy information is required, aimed at adolescents, covering both physical allergy management and psychosocial content.
Strigolactones, ROS and ABA Regulate Systemic Salt‐Tolerance Priming Signals Between Dodder‐Connected Tobacco Plants
Authors: Zheng Xijie , Zhang Jingxiong , Zhao Man , Su Zhongxiang , Li Hongjing , Wu Jianqiang
Published: February 2025

The parasitic plants dodders (Cuscuta spp., Convolvulaceae) can often simultaneously parasitize two or more neighbouring hosts, forming dodder‐connected plant clusters. In a dodder‐connected plant cluster, salt‐induced systemic priming signals are transferred from the salt‐stressed host (signal donor, SD) to the other host (signal receiver, SR) through dodder and prime the SR plants for enhanced salt tolerance, but what signalling pathways regulate the dodder‐mediated interplant priming signals remain unclear. In this study, using genetic analyses, we show that in dodder‐connected tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) clusters, the strigolactone (SL), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and abscisic acid (ABA) pathway in the SD plants negatively control the salt stress‐induced systemic signals from SD to SR plants. Transcriptome data suggested that the salt‐induced systemic signals regulated by SLs in the SD plants may also affect the ABA and ROS signalling pathway in the SR plants. Quantification of the ABA and H2O2 contents in the SD plants suggested that the SL and ROS signalling likely converge on the ABA pathway to regulate the priming signals. This study reveals the important regulatory roles of phytohormones and ROS in dodder‐mediated interplant communications and provides new insight into systemic signalling during salt stress adaptation in individual plants.
Patient Perspectives on Clinician Support When Pursuing Permanent Contraception in the United States
Authors: Bullington Brooke W. , Lyleroehr Madison , Berg Kristen A. , White Kari , Boozer Margaret , Serna Tania , Miller Emily S. , Bailit Jennifer L. , Arora Kavita Shah
Published: February 2025

Background

Given the history of coercion in the provision of sterilization, it is important that patients who desire permanent contraception receive patient‐centered care that respects their preferences. Recent literature examining the provision of postpartum permanent contraception has not explored whether patients who desire permanent contraception feel supported by their clinical teams.

Methods

We interviewed patients from four medical centers around the United States with a documented desire for postpartum permanent contraception. We audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analyzed interviews using rapid qualitative methods and thematic content analysis.

Results

Of the 81 patients interviewed, most (n = 64) felt supported by their clinician throughout their prenatal care and delivery hospitalization. Seventeen patients shared stories of feeling unsupported. Patients recalled feeling dismissed when they initiated conversations about permanent contraception. Additionally, they felt they had received incomplete counseling on permanent contraception and felt discouraged from getting the procedure during prenatal care encounters. During delivery hospitalization, patients discussed not being informed about barriers to permanent contraception as they surfaced, facing lack of prioritization of the procedure by clinicians, recognizing communications errors among the clinical team, and feeling pressured to undergo or not undergo permanent contraception.

Conclusion

Most patients felt supported by their clinicians throughout permanent contraception decision‐making and provision. Patients who did not feel supported reported a spectrum of experiences ranging from rushed appointments, perceived clinician bias in counseling, and communications barriers to the provision of permanent contraception after delivery. Patient‐centered care that prioritizes patient experiences, values, and desires is necessary to ensure that all people can achieve their reproductive goals.
The Impact of Disgusting Sounds on Pupil Diameter of Misophonic and Non‐Misophonic Listeners
Authors: Oszczapinska Urszula , Park Sungjoon , Qiu Yuqi , Nance Bridget , Julien Megan , Heller Laurie M.
Published: February 2025

Everyday sounds can elicit a range of emotional and physiological responses. For individuals with misophonia, some sounds can produce strong feelings of disgust, annoyance, and anger, often accompanied by increased perspiration and heart rate. Presently, methods of diagnosing misophonia rely on clinical interviews and self‐assessment scales. Coupling these subjective measures with an objective, physiological method like pupillometry may lead to improved understanding of misophonia and inform efficacy of treatments. Previous studies show that both unpleasant and pleasant sounds increase pupil diameter (Partala and Surakka 2003; Nakakoga et al. 2020); however, these have not compared pupil responses to disgust versus other emotions. Thus, we asked whether the pupil dilation to auditorily disgusting stimuli would be differentiable from other emotional sounds. In our listening task, we monitored pupil size changes while participants listened to positive and negative emotional sounds from the IADS database (Bradley and Lang 2007) along with “triggers” known to be especially aversive to misophonics. Participants reported the intensity of their emotional reactions (e.g., disgust, annoyance, happiness, fear) as well as valence and arousal. Misophonic listeners reported greater intensity of emotions associated with triggers (disgust, anger, and annoyance) as well as for fear. For all listeners, there was a positive association between changes in pupil diameter and emotion intensity. Overall, misophonics had greater pupil dilation than non‐misophonics, but after equating for emotion category of the sounds, misophonic pupil dilation was larger only for trigger sounds. Thus, pupillometry can differentiate misophonic and non‐misophonic listeners based on responses to everyday sounds evoking disgust.
Application of a biological trait‐based framework for plant species conservation assessments in ecological restoration
Authors: White Kaitalin , Cornwell‐Davison Freya , Cockel Christopher , Chapman Ted , Mattana Efisio , Viruel Juan
Published: February 2025

The United Kingdom is one of the most nature‐depleted countries in the world, with only 50% of its native biodiversity remaining, leading to an overall decline in U.K. ecosystems and genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is essential for evolutionary processes, including genetic drift, gene flow, selection, and mutation, as it provides the raw material for populations to respond adaptively to changing environments. Although recognized as a form of biodiversity, genetic diversity is often overlooked in conservation programs due to a lack of genetic data and difficulties in generating it. We have devised a framework that utilizes life‐history data as an alternative to genetic data to infer population genetics parameters that are used to inform conservation recommendations. Our framework combines approaches incorporating risk assessments predicting species population genetics parameters based on a combination of specific biological trait values and provides management recommendations to ensure conservation of genetic diversity. Here, we apply our framework to the assessment of 52 U.K. native or archaeophyte plant species of conservation and ecological restoration interest. We found that species assessed as least likely to require conservation management were in line with the Red List assessment of Least Concern species. While our framework aligns with Red List categories, it extends beyond threat classification by providing targeted management recommendations. In the absence of genetic data, this framework proved to be very informative for conservation practitioners. However, further species‐specific genetic analysis is still needed to confirm the results of this study and provide robust conservation management recommendations.
Establishment and maintenance of embryogenic cell fate during microspore embryogenesis
Authors: Siemons Charlotte , Jonkers Sven , Vlieg Redmar Cornelis , Corral‐Martínez Patricia , van Noort John , Boutilier Kim
Published: February 2025

Microspore embryogenesis is a type of in vitro totipotency in which the immature male gametophyte (pollen) develops into a haploid embryo after an abiotic stress treatment. In Brassica napus, heat‐stress treatment of male gametophytes induces the development of different types of multicellular embryogenic structures, each with different cellular characteristics and the capacity to form a differentiated embryo. The origin and early development of these different embryogenic structures have not been determined. We used two‐photon excitation fluorescence microscopy and time‐lapse imaging of cells expressing either a LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) embryo identity reporter or a DR5v2 auxin response reporter to follow the development of embryogenic structures starting at the single‐ to few‐cell stage. We show for the first time that the developmental fate of embryogenic structures is defined by the symmetry of the first embryogenic division and that the division plane also predicts the timing of subsequent pollen wall (exine) rupture: suspensorless embryos develop after a symmetric division and undergo late exine rupture, while suspensor‐bearing embryos and embryogenic callus develop after an asymmetric division and undergo early exine rupture. Live imaging also captured previously unknown dynamic LEC1 and DR5v2 expression patterns that are associated with changes in exine integrity. This study highlights the developmental plasticity of cultured pollen and uncovers new roles for the first embryogenic cell division plane and the exine in defining and maintaining cell fate during microspore embryogenesis.
Performance of Myco-coagulant from Lentinus squarrosulus for Turbidity Reduction in a Settling Column
Authors: Jebun Nessa , Al Mamun Abdullah , Alam Md Zahangir , Ahmad Raus Raha , Radia  Nedjai
Published: February 2025

Coagulation and flocculation are integral basic unit processes for conventional water treatment plants. Usually, chemical coagulants are used in most of the treatment plants. However, the search for natural bio-coagulants is ongoing to reduce the negative impacts of chemical coagulants on human health and the environment. In this research, a natural bio-coagulant from a local fungus (Lentinus squarrosulus) was produced. The sedimentation process in river water by this myco-coagulant was investigated using a settling column. Kaolin suspension was used as synthetic turbid water for the settling column tests. Detention time and the overflow rate of the particles are necessary to design sedimentation basins for water treatment plants. As such, tests were conducted to plot the iso-removal lines for the kaolin particles. Such data is required to design sediment or settling basins for the water treatment facilities. Therefore, detention times and overflow rates of the kaolin particles were calculated for an optimum myco-coagulant dose of 1% (v/v). To reduce 80% of the initial turbidity from the kaolin suspension, the overflow rate and detention time of the sedimentation tank should be 41.6 m/day and 59.5 minutes, respectively. In contrast, similar ranges of overflow rates and detention times could remove only about 23% of the turbidity from the kaolin suspension without any myco-coagulant. This novel, natural and biodegradable coagulant is found to have the potential for reducing turbidity in river water; therefore, also can be a good candidate for the coagulation-flocculation process in water treatment plants.
Imputation Method based on Adaptive Group Lasso for High-dimensional Compositional Data with Missing Values
Authors: Tian Ying , Majahar Ali Majid Khan , Wu Lili , Li Tao
Published: February 2025

Compositional data usually refers to data on the individual components that make up a whole. Such data are common in many fields, especially in chemistry, biology, geology, and other scientific and engineering fields. However, in many real-life situations, a large number of missing values are often collected. The complexity of compositional data with missing values makes traditional estimation methods seem overwhelming. Therefore, how to effectively perform statistical inference on compositional data with missing values has attracted the attention of many scholars in recent years. The logarithmic scale transformation provides a possibility for compositional data, but this transformation has limited requirements on the components of the compositional data, such as not including or missing fixes and constraints. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore a new estimation method for composition data theoretically. In this paper, a compositional data imputation method based on the adaptive group least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (AGLasso) is proposed. AGLasso is able to adapt imputation methods to different data distributions and patterns based on the characteristics of the data. While traditional methods may result in lost or biased information, AGLasso attempts to impute while preserving data integrity. Through data analysis, the imputation effect of compositional data containing missing values is compared under different missing rates and correlation coefficients, and a comparative study is conducted with the Lasso imputation method, the adaptive Lasso imputation method and the group Lasso imputation method. The results show that adaptive group Lasso is superior to the other three interpolation methods. In domains such as healthcare data, where data quality has a huge impact on decision making, AGLasso can help improve data integrity and usability. And in the future, Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based imputation methods and novel deep learning methods using techniques such as self-encoders are expected to show more power in dealing with missing values.
Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor Pathway Receptor Genes in Breast Cancer
Authors: Iqbal Shehryar , Aslam Fahad , Afshan Naseem  , Wasiq Aslam
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the role of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Pathway in breast cancers at the RNA expression level. Key cancer-related genes within the FGF pathway were analysed using datasets containing RNA and clinical information for breast cancer patients. The study involved 266, 289, and 2089 patient samples across different datasets. Various statistical tests, including Kaplan-Meier Test, Chi-Square Test, overall survival, and disease-free survival analysis, were conducted using tools such as BRB array and IBM SPSS Statistics. Associations between RNA expression and clinicopathological features were identified, such as FGFR1 being linked to early-stage grades and FGFR1OP associated with late-stage grades. Expression patterns of specific genes were also correlated with different cancer statuses. Surprisingly, survival analysis revealed contradictory findings, with FGFR1OP2 and FGF2 associated with poor overall survival, FGFR2 with good survival, and FGFR1OP2 linked to poor disease-free survival in breast cancer. These inconsistencies emphasize the necessity of additional study to better understand the dual roles of FGF pathway genes in cancer progression.