bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Venetoclax combined with hypomethylating agents and the CAG regimen in relapsed/refractory AML: a single-center clinical trial
Authors: Liu Yifan , Li Yanfen , Zhang Ran , Yu Zhangyu , Jing Yu
Published: November 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents and CAG (VEN-DCAG) regimens in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML).

Methods

The treatment response was analyzed by retrospective methods in R/R AML patients treated with the VEN-DCAG regimen at our institution. This included, but was not limited to, CR/CRi (complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery) rate, measurable residual disease (MRD) negative rate, and overall survival (OS).

Results

20 patients with R/R AML were recruited, with a median age of 40 years (10-70), 11 of whom were male (55%), and a median follow-up of 10.4 months (0.7-21.8). The overall response rate (ORR) after receiving 1 course of VEN-DCAG was 90% (18/20), with 17 (85%) CR/CRi (10 MRD-CR), 1 (5%) PR, and 2 (10%) NR. Subsequently, 12 patients (7 MRD-CR, 4 MRD+CR, 1 NR) were treated with the VEN-DCAG regimen, and 3 MRD+CR patients turned negative, and 13 patients finally achieved MRD-CR. Among them, 7 patients were in the relapse group, all achieving CR/CRi (6 MRD-CR), and 13 patients in the refractory group, with 10 CR/CRi (7 MRD-CR). The ORR for patients in the relapse and refractory groups was 100% (7/7) and 84.6% (11/13), respectively. Further, all patients experienced adverse events (AEs) of varying degrees of severity, with hematologic AEs primarily consisting of myelosuppression, while non-hematologic AEs were more common in the form of fever, gastrointestinal distress, and infections. 11 patients were followed up with bridging allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) therapy. At the last follow-up, 11 patients (7 MRD-CR, 4 MRD+CR) who received allo-HSCT, 1 (MRD+CR) died, and 9 patients (6 MRD-CR, 1 PR, 2 NR) who did not receive allo-HSCT, 5 (2 MRD-CR, 1 PR, 2 NR) died as well.

Conclusion

The VEN-DCAG regimen may be an effective treatment option for R/R AML patients, with high ORR and MRD negative remission rates in both the relapsed and refractory groups. It is recommend that patients should be bridged to allo-HSCT as soon as possible after induction to CR by the VEN-DCAG regimen, which can lead to a significant long-term survival benefit.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2300075985.
CC16 drives VLA-2-dependent SPLUNC1 expression
Authors: Iannuzo Natalie , Welfley Holly , Li Nicholas C. , Johnson Michael D. L. , Rojas-Quintero Joselyn , Polverino Francesca , Guerra Stefano , Li Xingnan , Cusanovich Darren A. , Langlais Paul R. , Ledford Julie G.
Published: November 2023

Rationale

CC16 (Club Cell Secretory Protein) is a protein produced by club cells and other non-ciliated epithelial cells within the lungs. CC16 has been shown to protect against the development of obstructive lung diseases and attenuate pulmonary pathogen burden. Despite recent advances in understanding CC16 effects in circulation, the biological mechanisms of CC16 in pulmonary epithelial responses have not been elucidated.

Objectives

We sought to determine if CC16 deficiency impairs epithelial-driven host responses and identify novel receptors expressed within the pulmonary epithelium through which CC16 imparts activity.

Methods

We utilized mass spectrometry and quantitative proteomics to investigate how CC16 deficiency impacts apically secreted pulmonary epithelial proteins. Mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTECS), human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) and mice were studied in naïve conditions and after Mp challenge.

Measurements and main results

We identified 8 antimicrobial proteins significantly decreased by CC16-/- MTECS, 6 of which were validated by mRNA expression in Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP) cohorts. Short Palate Lung and Nasal Epithelial Clone 1 (SPLUNC1) was the most differentially expressed protein (66-fold) and was the focus of this study. Using a combination of MTECs and HNECs, we found that CC16 enhances pulmonary epithelial-driven SPLUNC1 expression via signaling through the receptor complex Very Late Antigen-2 (VLA-2) and that rCC16 given to mice enhances pulmonary SPLUNC1 production and decreases Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) burden. Likewise, rSPLUNC1 results in decreased Mp burden in mice lacking CC16 mice. The VLA-2 integrin binding site within rCC16 is necessary for induction of SPLUNC1 and the reduction in Mp burden.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate a novel role for CC16 in epithelial-driven host defense by up-regulating antimicrobials and define a novel epithelial receptor for CC16, VLA-2, through which signaling is necessary for enhanced SPLUNC1 production.
A simplified machine learning model utilizing platelet-related genes for predicting poor prognosis in sepsis
Authors: Diao Yingying , Zhao Yan , Li Xinyao , Li Baoyue , Huo Ran , Han Xiaoxu
Published: November 2023

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a known prognostic factor in sepsis, yet the relationship between platelet-related genes and sepsis outcomes remains elusive. We developed a machine learning (ML) model based on platelet-related genes to predict poor prognosis in sepsis. The model underwent rigorous evaluation on six diverse platforms, ensuring reliable and versatile findings.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of platelet data from 365 sepsis patients confirmed the predictive role of platelet count in prognosis. We employed COX analysis, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) techniques to identify platelet-related genes from the GSE65682 dataset. Subsequently, these genes were trained and validated on six distinct platforms comprising 719 patients, and compared against the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ-Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.

Results

A PLT count <100×109/L independently increased the risk of death in sepsis patients (OR = 2.523; 95% CI: 1.084-5.872). The ML model, based on five platelet-related genes, demonstrated impressive area under the curve (AUC) values ranging from 0.5 to 0.795 across various validation platforms. On the GPL6947 platform, our ML model outperformed the APACHE II score with an AUC of 0.795 compared to 0.761. Additionally, by incorporating age, the model’s performance was further improved to an AUC of 0.812. On the GPL4133 platform, the initial AUC of the machine learning model based on five platelet-related genes was 0.5. However, after including age, the AUC increased to 0.583. In comparison, the AUC of the APACHE II score was 0.604, and the AUC of the SOFA score was 0.542.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the broad applicability of this ML model, based on platelet-related genes, in facilitating early treatment decisions for sepsis patients with poor outcomes. Our study paves the way for advancements in personalized medicine and improved patient care.
Profiling of serum factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections as a foundation for biomarker identification
Authors: Bergmann-Leitner Elke S. , Millar Eugene V. , Duncan Elizabeth H. , Tribble David R. , Carey Patrick M. , Ellis Michael W. , Mende Katrin , Bennett Jason W. , Chaudhury Sidhartha
Published: November 2023

Background

People living in close quarters, such as military trainees, are at increased risk for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), especially those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The serum immune factors associated with the onset of SSTI are not well understood.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal study of SSTIs, enrolling US Army trainees before starting military training and following up for 14 weeks. Samples were collected on Day 0, 56, and 90. Serum chemokines and cytokines among 16 SSTI cases and 51 healthy controls were evaluated using an electro-chemiluminescence based multiplex assay platform.

Results

Of 54 tested cytokines, 12 were significantly higher among SSTI cases as compared to controls. Among the cases, there were correlations between factors associated with vascular injury (i.e., VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and Flt1), the angiogenetic factor VEGF, and IL-10. Unsupervised machine learning (Principal Component Analysis) revealed that IL10, IL17A, C-reactive protein, ICAM1, VCAM1, SAA, Flt1, and VGEF were indicative of SSTI.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the power of immunoprofiling for identifying factors predictive of pre-illness state of SSTI thereby identifying early stages of an infection and individuals susceptible to SSTI.
Making friends: active selection of symbionts and rejection of pathogens by the neonatal immune system
Authors: Sedney Colleen J. , Harvill Eric T.
Published: November 2023

The neonatal immune system is generally viewed as deficient compared to adults, often attributed to its incomplete development. This view is reinforced by the extraordinary sensitivity and susceptibility of neonates to certain pathogens. Examination of the basis for this susceptibility has characterized neonatal immunity as skewed strongly toward anti-inflammatory responses, which are interpreted as the lack of full development of the strong inflammatory responses observed in adults. Here we examine the alternative explanation that neonatal immune responses are generally complete in healthy newborns but evolved and adapted to very different functions than adult immunity. Adult immunity is primarily aimed at controlling pathogens that invade the holobiont, with substantial competition and protection conferred by resident microbiota. Rather than simply repelling new invaders, the immediate and critical challenge of the neonatal immune system during the sudden transition from near sterility to microbe-rich world is the assimilation of a complex microbiota to generate a stable and healthy holobiont. This alternative view of the role of the neonatal immune system both explains its strong anti-inflammatory bias and provides a different perspective on its other unique aspects. Here we discuss recent work exploring the initial contact of newborns with microbes and their interactions with neonatal immune responses, contrasting these alternative perspectives. Understanding how the need to rapidly acquire a highly complex and rich microbiota of commensals affects interactions between the neonatal immune system and both commensals and pathogens will allow more targeted and effective collaboration with this system to quickly achieve a more disease-resistant holobiont.
Identification of interferon-stimulated genes with modulated expression during hepatitis E virus infection in pig liver tissues and human HepaRG cells
Authors: Meyer Léa , Duquénois Isoline , Gellenoncourt Stacy , Pellerin Marie , Marcadet-Hauss Aïlona , Pavio Nicole , Doceul Virginie
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of enterically transmitted acute hepatitis worldwide. The virus is transmitted by the fecal-oral route via the consumption of contaminated water supplies and is also a zoonotic foodborne pathogen. Swine are the main reservoir of zoonotic HEV. In humans, HEV infection is usually asymptomatic or causes acute hepatitis that is self-limited. However, fulminant hepatic failure and chronic cases of HEV infection can occur in some patients. In contrast, HEV infection in pigs remains asymptomatic, although the virus replicates efficiently, suggesting that swine are able to control the virus pathogenesis. Upon viral infection, IFN is secreted and activates cellular pathways leading to the expression of many IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). ISGs can restrict the replication of specific viruses and establish an antiviral state within infected and neighboring cells.

Methods

In this study, we used PCR arrays to determine the expression level of up to 168 ISGs and other IFN-related genes in the liver tissues of pigs infected with zoonotic HEV-3c and HEV-3f and in human bipotent liver HepaRG cells persistently infected with HEV-3f.

Results and discussion

The expression of 12 and 25 ISGs was found to be up-regulated in infected swine livers and HepaRG cells, respectively. The expression of CXCL10, IFIT2, MX2, OASL and OAS2 was up-regulated in both species. Increased expression of IFI16 mRNA was also found in swine liver tissues. This study contributes to the identification of potential ISGs that could play a role in the control or persistence of HEV infection.
Analysis of the driving factors of the change of erosion-deposition in the Minjiang Estuary, Southeast China
Authors: Lai Xiaohe , Jia Jianping , Hou Yuebao , Jiang Beihan , Lin Chuan , Lin Xinlu , Xu Pu , Chen Cheng , Jiang Jun , Liu Yan , Wei Wen
Published: November 2023

Understanding the evolution and driving factors of sedimentation and erosion at the mouths of small and medium-sized mountain streams during various periods is essential for regional spatial utilization, development, and sustainable economic growth. This is particularly important when considering the combined impact of climate change and human activities. This paper presents an analysis of the changes in sedimentation and erosion of mouth isobaths and underwater deltas over different periods using nautical chart data (1950-2019) and analyzes the factors driving changes in sedimentation and erosion during different periods from 1950 to 2020 based on the runoff-sediment discharge of the Minjiang River (MR) and extreme climate factors such as typhoons, especially the driving factors that caused a sudden change in the sedimentation and erosion process between 1998 and 2005. The results indicate that runoff-sediment characteristics are crucial in driving sedimentation and erosion changes. In the past 70 years, the underwater delta of the MRE has mainly experienced four stages: deposition (1950-1992) -erosion (1993-1998) -deposition (1998-2011) -erosion (2011-2019). Taking the impoundment operation of the Shuikou Reservoir in 1993 as the node, the sediment load of the Minjiang River into the sea began to decrease sharply, and then the estuary quickly showed a state of erosion. The change of sediment flux into the sea is the main driving factor for the evolution of erosion and deposition in the Minjiang River Estuary (MRE). The critical value of the erosion-deposition transition is about 570.3 × 104 t/yr. After the estuary entered a state of erosion in 1993-1998, significant siltation suddenly occurred in 1998-2005. The reason for the siltation in this period may be related to the frequent transit typhoons and flood events in 1998-2005. Therefore, the change of river sediment supply into the sea is the main driving factor controlling the erosion and deposition evolution of the Minjiang River estuary on a long time scale of more than 10 years, which reflects the influence of large-scale human activities on the river and estuary area in the past half century. Extreme climate events are the incentive to adjust the estuary landform in the short term. Extreme climate events will not fundamentally change the process of estuarine geomorphological evolution under the background of sediment supply reduction.
Role of microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum in alleviating intestinal inflammatory damage through promoting epithelial proliferation and differentiation in layer chicks
Authors: Cui Yaoming , Huang Peiyu , Duan Haitao , Song Shijia , Gan Liping , Liu Zhen , Lin Qiaohan , Wang Jinrong , Qi Gunghai , Guan Junjun
Published: November 2023

The alleviating effects of Lactobacillus plantarum in microencapsulation (LPM) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammatory injury were investigated in layer chicks. A total of 252 healthy Hy-Line Brown layer chicks were randomly divided into six groups. Birds were injected with saline or LPS except for the control, and the diets of birds subjected to LPS were supplemented with nothing, L. plantarum, LPM, and wall material of LPM, respectively. The viable counts of LPM reached 109 CFU/g, and the supplemental levels of L. plantarum, LPM, and WM were 0.02 g (109 CFU), 1.0 g, and 0.98 g, per kilogram feed, respectively. LPS administration caused intestinal damage in layer chicks, evidenced by increased proinflammatory factors accompanied by poor intestinal development and morphology (p < 0.05). LPM/LPS significantly increased body weight, small intestine weight and length, villus height, villus height/crypt depth, and mRNA relative expression of tight junction protein genes (p < 0.05) and performed better than free L. plantarum. These findings could be attributed to the significant increase in viable counts of L. plantarum in the small intestine (p < 0.05), as well as the enhanced levels of Actinobacteriota, Lactobacillaceae, and Lactobacillus in intestinal microbiota (p < 0.05). Such results could further significantly increase goblet and PCNA+ cell percentage (p < 0.05); the mRNA relative expressions of epithelial cell, fast-cycling stem cell, quiescent stem cell, endocrine cell, and Paneth cell; and goblet and proliferative cell marker genes, including E-cadherin, Lgr-5, Bmi-1, ChA, Lysozome, Mucin-2, and PCNA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA relative expressions of key genes involved in epithelial cell proliferation, namely, c-Myc, Cyclin-1, Wnt-3, Lrp-5, and Olfm-4, exhibited significant upregulation compared with the LPS treatment, as well as the differentiating genes Notch-1 and Hes-1 (p < 0.05). To sum up, microencapsulated L. plantarum supplementation could alleviate intestinal injury in layer chicks induced by LPS by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, which could be attributed to the increase in viable count of L. plantarum in the gut and optimization in intestinal microbial flora.
Anti-CMV therapy, what next? A systematic review
Authors: Gourin Claire , Alain Sophie , Hantz Sébastien
Published: November 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one of the main causes of serious complications in immunocompromised patients and after congenital infection. There are currently drugs available to treat HCMV infection, targeting viral polymerase, whose use is complicated by toxicity and the emergence of resistance. Maribavir and letermovir are the latest antivirals to have been developed with other targets. The approval of letermovir represents an important innovation for CMV prevention in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, whereas maribavir allowed improving the management of refractory or resistant infections in transplant recipients. However, in case of multidrug resistance or for the prevention and treatment of congenital CMV infection, finding new antivirals or molecules able to inhibit CMV replication with the lowest toxicity remains a critical need. This review presents a range of molecules known to be effective against HCMV. Molecules with a direct action against HCMV include brincidofovir, cyclopropavir and anti-terminase benzimidazole analogs. Artemisinin derivatives, quercetin and baicalein, and anti-cyclooxygenase-2 are derived from natural molecules and are generally used for different indications. Although they have demonstrated indirect anti-CMV activity, few clinical studies were performed with these compounds. Immunomodulating molecules such as leflunomide and everolimus have also demonstrated indirect antiviral activity against HCMV and could be an interesting complement to antiviral therapy. The efficacy of anti-CMV immunoglobulins are discussed in CMV congenital infection and in association with direct antiviral therapy in heart transplanted patients. All molecules are described, with their mode of action against HCMV, preclinical tests, clinical studies and possible resistance. All these molecules have shown anti-HCMV potential as monotherapy or in combination with others. These new approaches could be interesting to validate in clinical trials.
Chimeric vaccine design against the conserved TonB-dependent receptor-like β-barrel domain from the outer membrane tbpA and hpuB proteins of Kingella kingae ATCC 23330
Authors: Mashraqi Mutaib M. , Alzamami Ahmad , Alturki Norah A. , Almasaudi Hassan H. , Ahmed Ibrar , Alshamrani Saleh , Basharat Zarrin
Published: November 2023

Kingella kingae is a Gram-negative bacterium that primarily causes pediatric infections such as septicemia, endocarditis, and osteoarticular infections. Its virulence is attributed to the outer membrane proteins having implications in bacterial adhesion, invasion, nutrition, and host tissue damage. TonB-dependent receptors (TBDRs) play an important role in nutrition and were previously implicated as vaccine targets in other bacteria. Therefore, we targeted the conserved β-barrel TBDR domain of these proteins for designing a vaccine construct that could elicit humoral and cellular immune responses. We used bioinformatic tools to mine TBDR-containing proteins from K. kingae ATCC 23330 and then predict B- and T-cell epitopes from their conserved β-barrel TDR domain. A chimeric vaccine construct was designed using three antigenic epitopes, covering >98% of the world population and capable of inciting humoral and adaptive immune responses. The final construct elicited a robust immune response. Docking and dynamics simulation showed good binding affinity of the vaccine construct to various receptors of the immune system. Additionally, the vaccine was predicted to be safe and non-allergenic, making it a promising candidate for further development. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential of immunoinformatics approaches in designing chimeric vaccines against K. kingae infections. The chimeric vaccine we designed can serve as a blueprint for future experimental studies to develop an effective vaccine against this pathogen, which can serve as a potential strategy to prevent K. kingae infections.
Propensity for risky choices despite lower cue reactivity in adolescent rats
Authors: Zeng Sandford , McLaughlin Elin F. B. , Ramesh Aishwarya , Morrison Sara E.
Published: November 2023

Adolescence is a time of heightened risk-taking across species. Salient audiovisual cues associated with rewards are a common feature of gambling environments and have been connected to increased risky decision-making. We have previously shown that, in adult male rats, sign tracking – a behavioral measure of cue reactivity – predicts an individual’s propensity for suboptimal risky choices in a rodent gambling task (rGT) with win-paired cues. However, adolescents perform less sign tracking than adult animals, suggesting that they are less cue-reactive than adults in some circumstances. Therefore, we investigated the performance of adolescent male rats on the rGT with win cues and examined its relationship with their sign-tracking behavior. We found that adolescents make more risky choices and fewer optimal choices on the rGT compared with adults, evidence of the validity of the rGT as a model of adolescent gambling behavior. We also confirmed that adolescents perform less sign tracking than adults, and we found that, unlike in adults, adolescents’ sign tracking was unrelated to their risk-taking in the rGT. This implies that adolescent risk-taking is less likely than that of adults to be driven by reward-related cues. Finally, we found that adults trained on the rGT as adolescents retained an adolescent-like propensity toward risky choices, suggesting that early exposure to a gambling environment may have a long-lasting impact on risk-taking behavior.
Association between left atrial volume index and infarct volume in patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Homssi Moayad , Balaji Venkatesh , Zhang Cenai , Shin James , Gupta Ajay , Kamel Hooman
Published: November 2023

Background

Left atrial volume index (LAVI) is one marker of atrial myopathy, which is increasingly being recognized as a cause of cardioembolic stroke even in the absence of atrial fibrillation. Cardiac embolism is associated with larger strokes than other stroke mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between LAVI and total brain infarct volume in patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 545 patients prospectively enrolled in the Cornell ActuE Stroke Academic Registry (CAESAR), which includes all acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to our hospital since 2011. LAVI measurements were obtained from our echocardiography image store system (Xclera, Philips Healthcare). Brain infarcts on diffusion-weighted images (DWI) were manually segmented and infarct volume was obtained on 3D Slicer. We used multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, race, and vascular comorbidities including atrial fibrillation.

Results

Among 2,945 CAESAR patients, 545 patients had both total infarct volume and LAVI measured. We found an association between LAVI and log-transformed total brain infarct volume in both unadjusted (β = 0.018; p = 0.002) and adjusted (β = 0.024; p = 0.001) models.

Conclusion

We found that larger left atrial volume was associated with larger brain infarcts. This association was independent of known cardioembolic risk factors such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure. These findings support the concept that atrial myopathy may be a source of cardiac embolism even in the absence of traditionally recognized mechanisms such as atrial fibrillation.
Knowledge mapping of acupoint sensitization and acupoint specificity: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Li Xuxin , Gao Yuanbo , Wang Di , Liu Jun , Fan Xisheng , Chen Hao , Zuo Guang , Li Haiping , Zheng Xiaojun , Zhang Xifen , Zhang Juncha , She Yanfen
Published: November 2023

Objective

The relationship between acupoint sensitization and acupoint specificity is a topic of significant interest in acupuncture research. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that needling pain sensitive acupoints yields superior therapeutic outcomes compared to traditional acupoints, particularly in the context of pain disorders. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analysis in acupuncture area. Therefore, the objective of this study is to offer a comprehensive overview of the knowledge structure and research hotspots pertaining to acupoint sensitization and acupoint specificity.

Methods

The search for publications pertaining to acupoint sensitization and acupoint specificity was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from its inception until August 11, 2023. Subsequently, bibliometric analyses were carried out using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, R software (Bibliometrix package), and GraphPad Prism software.

Results

This study includes 4,940 articles from 72 countries, with China and the United States being the leading countries. The number of publications related to acupoint sensitization and specificity has been increasing annually. Major research institutions involved in this field include the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and China Medical University, among others. “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” is the most popular journal in acupuncture field, and “PAIN” is the most co-cited journal. Publications are contributed by 20,325 authors from all over the world, with Wu Huangan, Fang Jianqiao, Lin Yi-Wen, Liu Huirong, and Chen Rixin having published the most articles. Han Ji-Sheng is the most cited author in this research area. The main directions include the study of temperature specificity of acupoints, the diagnosis of acupoint sensitization diseases, and the study of the mechanism of acupoint sensitization. The most listed keywords in recent years are “TRPV1,” “signaling pathway,” and “diagnosis.”

Conclusion

This is the first bibliometric study to comprehensively summarize research trends and advances in acupoint sensitization and acupoint specificity, and the information highlights recent research preliminary and main directions that serve as a reference for acupoint sensitization and acupoint specificity research.
A low noise CMOS camera system for 2D resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering
Authors: Andresen Nord , Bakalis Christos , Denes Peter , Goldschmidt Azriel , Johnson Ian , Joseph John M. , Karcher Armin , Krieger Amanda , Tindall Craig
Published: November 2023

Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) is a powerful spectroscopic technique to study quantum properties of materials in the bulk. A novel variant of RIXS, called 2D RIXS, enables concurrent measurement of the scattered X-ray spectrum for a wide range of input energies, improving on the typically low throughput of 1D RIXS. In the soft X-ray domain, 2D RIXS demands an X-ray camera system with small pixels, large area, high quantum efficiency and low noise to limit the false detection rate in long duration exposures. We designed and implemented a 7.5 Megapixel back-illuminated CMOS detector with 5 μm pixels and high quantum efficiency in the 200–1,000 eV X-ray energy range for the QERLIN 2D RIXS spectrometer at the Advanced Light Source. The QERLIN beamline and detector are currently in commissioning. The camera noise from in-situ 3 s long dark exposures is 7e− or less and the leakage current is 6.5 × 10−3 e−/(pixel ∙ s). For individual 500 eV X-rays, the expected efficiency is greater than 75% and the false detection rate is ∼1 × 10−5 per pixel.
Thermotolerance of tomato plants grafted onto wild relative rootstocks
Authors: Lee Chungkeun , Harvey Joshua T. , Nagila Asmita , Qin Kuan , Leskovar Daniel I.
Published: November 2023

Heat stress is a major environmental constraint limiting tomato production. Tomato wild relatives Solanum pennellii and S. peruvianum are known for their drought tolerance but their heat stress responses have been less investigated, especially when used as rootstocks for grafting. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and biochemical heat stress responses of tomato seedlings grafted onto a commercial ‘Maxifort’ and wild relative S. pennellii and S. peruvianum rootstocks. ‘Celebrity’ and ‘Arkansas Traveler’ tomato scion cultivars, previously characterized as heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive, respectively, were grafted onto the rootstocks or self-grafted as controls. Grafted seedlings were transplanted into 10-cm pots and placed in growth chambers set at high (38/30°C, day/night) and optimal (26/19°C) temperatures for 21 days during the vegetative stage. Under heat stress, S. peruvianum-grafted tomato seedlings had an increased leaf proline content and total non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in both leaves and roots. Additionally, S. peruvianum-grafted plants showed more heat-tolerant responses, evidenced by their increase in multiple leaf antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) compared to self-grafted and ‘Maxifort’-grafted plants. S. pennellii-grafted plants had similar or higher activities in all antioxidant enzymes than other treatments at optimal temperature conditions but significantly lower activities under heat stress conditions, an indication of heat sensitivity. Both S. pennellii and S. peruvianum-grafted plants had higher leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence and net photosynthetic rate under heat stress, while their plant growth was significantly lower than self-grafted and ‘Maxifort’-grafted plants possibly from graft incompatibility. Root abscisic acid (ABA) contents were higher in ‘Maxifort’ and S. peruvianum rootstocks, but no ABA-induced antioxidant activities were detected in either leaves or roots. In conclusion, the wild relative rootstock S. peruvianum was effective in enhancing the thermotolerance of scion tomato seedlings, showing potential as a breeding material for the introgression of heat-tolerant traits in interspecific tomato rootstocks.
Upland rice varietal mixtures in Madagascar: evaluating the effects of varietal interaction on crop performance
Authors: Rahajaharilaza Koloina , Muller Bertrand , Violle Cyrille , Brocke Kirsten vom , Ramavovololona  , Morel Jean Benoît , Balini Elsa , Fort Florian
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Rice plays a critical role in human livelihoods and food security. However, its cultivation requires inputs that are not accessible to all farming communities and can have negative effects on ecosystems. simultaneously, ecological research demonstrates that biodiversity management within fields contributes to ecosystem functioning.

Methods

This study aims to evaluate the mixture effect of four functionally distinct rice varieties in terms of characteristics and agronomic performance and their spatial arrangement on the upland rice performance in the highlands of Madagascar. The study was conducted during the 2021-2022 rainfall season at two close sites in Madagascar. Both site differ from each other’s in soil properties and soil fertility management. The experimental design at each site included three modalities: i) plot composition, i.e., pure stand or binary mixture; ii) the balance between the varieties within a mixture; iii) and for the balanced mixture (50% of each variety), the spatial arrangement, i.e., row or checkerboard patterns. Data were collected on yields (grain and biomass), and resistance to Striga asiatica infestation, Pyricularia oryzea and bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae-pv from each plot.

Results and discussion

Varietal mixtures produced significantly higher grain and biomass yields, and significantly lower incidence of Pyricularia oryzea compared to pure stands. No significant differences were observed for BLB and striga infestation. These effects were influenced by site fertility, the less fertilized site showed stronger mixture effects with greater gains in grain yield (60%) and biomass yield (42%). The most unbalanced repartition (75% and 25% of each variety) showed the greatest mixture effect for grain yield at both sites, with a strong impact of the varietal identity within the plot. The mixture was most effective when EARLY_MUTANT_IAC_165 constituted 75% of the density associated with other varieties at 25% density. The assessment of the net effect ratio of disease, an index evaluating the mixture effect in disease reduction, indicated improved disease resistance in mixtures, regardless of site conditions. Our study in limited environments suggests that varietal mixtures can enhance rice productivity, especially in low-input situations. Further research is needed to understand the ecological mechanisms behind the positive mixture effect.
Overexpression of Nta-miR6155 confers resistance to Phytophthora nicotianae and regulates growth in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
Authors: Yang Kaiyue , Huang Yuanyuan , Li Zexuan , Zeng Qian , Dai Xiumei , Lv Jun , Zong Xuefeng , Deng Kexuan , Zhang Jiankui
Published: November 2023

Tobacco black shank induced by Phytophthora nicotianae causes significant yield losses in tobacco plants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in plant biotic stress responses and have great potential in tobacco breeding for disease resistance. However, the roles of miRNAs in tobacco plants in response to P. nicotianae infection has not been well characterized. In this study, we found that Nta-miR6155, a miRNA specific to Solanaceae crops, was significantly induced in P. nicotianae infected tobacco. Some of predicted target genes of Nta-miR6155 were also observed to be involved in disease resistance. To further investigate the function of miR6155 in tobacco during P. nicotianae infection, Nta-miR6155 overexpression plants (miR6155-OE) were generated in the Honghua Dajinyuan tobacco variety (HD, the main cultivated tobacco variety in China). We found that the Nta-miR6155 overexpression enhanced the resistance in tobacco towards P. nicotianae infections. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly lower and antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly higher in miR6155-OE plants than those in control HD plants during P. nicotianae infection. In addition, we found that the accumulation of salicylic acid and the expression of salicylic acid biosynthesis and signal transduction-related genes is significantly higher in miR6155-OE plants in comparison to the control HD plants. Furthermore, we found that Nta-miR6155 cleaved target genes NtCIPK18 to modulate resistance towards P. nicotianae in tobacco plants. Additionally, phenotypic analysis of miR6155-OE plants showed that Nta-miR6155 could inhibit the growth of tobacco by suppressing nitrogen uptake and photosynthesis. In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR6155 plays a crucial role in the regulation of growth and resistance against P. nicotianae infections in tobacco plants.
The perceived role fit of women and men academics: evidence from the social sports sciences
Authors: Lesch Lara , Scharfenkamp Katrin , Wicker Pamela
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The underrepresentation of women in academia is often explained by the presence of gender stereotypes and the perception that women fit the role of an academic to a lesser extent. Based on social role theory and role congruity theory, this study investigates and estimates the perceived role fit of women and men academics in the social sports sciences.

Methods

Data were collected with a quantitative online survey. The sample (n = 792) includes individuals who study or work in sports economics, sport management, or sport sociology (referred to as social sports sciences). The questionnaire included items that reflect attributes of an ideal-typical academic as well as women and men academics in four dimensions, i.e., leadership, research methods, media visibility, and research topics. In the first step, these items were used to estimate a total role fit index for both women and men academics, as well as indices for all dimensions. In a second step, regression analyses were used to examine how respondents' individual characteristics (e.g., discipline, career stage, gender, presence of role models) are related to their perceived role fit indices and the differences in the perceived role fit.

Results and discussion

The role fit index ranges from 0 to 1, and women have a higher total role fit than men (0.77 vs. 0.75). The results suggest that women in the social sports sciences are perceived as a better fit for the role of an academic. In contrast to role congruity theory, women's leadership fit is higher than men's fit in this dimension (0.79 vs. 0.72). Regarding the associations of individual characteristics, professors seem to perceive a lower role fit for both genders than students. Furthermore, the difference between the perceived role fit of men and women is smaller for women respondents. Having a woman role model leads to a higher fit of women academics in the leadership dimension.
Exploring factors affecting Chinese adolescents’ perceived usefulness and engagement with a stress management app: a qualitative study
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyun , Bambling Matthew , Bai Xuejun , Smith Anthony C. , Edirippulige Sisira
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Providing adolescents with stress management interventions via mobile apps has potential for overcoming barriers to traditional in-person services, such as stigma, cost and travel. However, the effectiveness remains uncertain and engagement level remains low. Therefore, it is essential to understand adolescents’ user experience of such apps, however, such research is scarce. This study aimed to address this research gap by exploring factors affecting Chinese adolescents’ perceived usefulness and engagement of a stress management app, which was developed for them.

Methods

A qualitative study design involving focus group interviews and inductive thematic analysis was adopted. A purposive sampling method was employed, resulting in five focus groups (n = 39 adolescents).

Results

Two themes emerged: (1) mechanism and determinants of usefulness and (2) facilitators and barriers to engagement. The app was found to be helpful in managing chronic and simple stressors by promoting positive behavior, cognition, and physical changes. Relevance to real-life situations, peer support, and planning and monitoring features were found to increase usefulness. Participants suggested adding one-on-one chat support for managing acute stressors. Multimedia, logical content arrangement, combining psychoeducation and skills training, gamification, customization, and an appealing user interface were engaging factors for adolescents, whilst text-heavy content, pedagogical and monotonous tones, technical issues were found to disengage adolescents.

Conclusion

Stress management apps should involve simple and evidence-based coping skills training, target adolescents’ real-life problems, promote positive peer influence, address both chronic and acute stressors. Additionally, such apps should have logical arrangement of content, be interactive and customizable, and involve multimedia and gamification features to engage adolescents.
Difficulties in emotional regulation mediates the impact of burden on quality of life and mental health in a sample of family members of people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Fonseca-Baeza Sara , García-Alandete Joaquín , Marco José Heliodoro , Pérez Rodríguez Sandra , Baños Rosa M. , Guillén Verónica
Published: November 2023

Background

Although it has been suggested that family members of persons suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) endure high levels of burden, however, the process and the impact of this burden in their lives, and specifically the relation between the burden and emotional regulation has not been broadly investigated among this population. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of burden on quality of life and depression, anxiety and stress, as mediated by difficulties in emotional regulation in family members of persons diagnosed with BPD.

Method

Participants were 167 family members of persons diagnosed with BPD. The Burden Assessment Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Multicultural Quality of Life Index, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 were filled out. Mediation analysis was conducted using the Maximum Likelihood estimator, bootstrap method and listwise deletion for missing data.

Results

Burden showed a significant, negative effect on quality of life and positive on depression, anxiety and stress. Difficulties in emotion regulation significantly mediated these relations. After accounting for the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation, burden still had an impact on quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress. Women showed a higher level in both burden and stress than men. The caregivers with secondary and higher studies showed higher levels in burden than those with no studies. Not significant differences in burden, emotion regulation, depression, anxiety and stress were found related to marital status.

Conclusion

Difficulties in emotion regulation mediate the relations between burden and quality of life, depression, anxiety, and stress. Family members could engage in group interventions designed specifically for family members of people with BPD, oriented toward understanding the disorder or learning skills.
Basketball in the Northland: a community account of the political economy and racial dynamics of youth basketball in a “hockey town”
Authors: Torkelson Jason , Robinson Tyrell
Published: November 2023

This article utilizes 27 in-depth interviews to explore the socio-cultural position, surrounding racial politics, and local economy of youth basketball in the somewhat novel setting of Northland—a mid-sized Midwestern city where hockey dominates the sporting landscape, indoor basketball facilities are relatively sparse, and snow coverage that frequently lasts more than half the calendar year hampers outdoor play. Narratives are primarily gathered from basketball community members (e.g., organizers, coaches, and former players) and connect with city histories of redlining, school redistricting, and regional deindustrialization in ways that inform present-day constructions of playing style, stereotyping, race, and rivalry, as well as the current horizons of opportunity and access for Northland youth. Our ground-up community-focused data foreground efforts and hurdles to providing effective mentorship and actualizing basketball's ethos of community wellness in this fold as this transpires against the increasingly higher stakes contours of youth sports broadly, which informs pertinent issues for player development, but contrasts the common tendency toward engaging these from elite levels downward, or within newer cultures of upper-/middle-class parenting. Ultimately, the descriptively rich ways and frequent starkness with which potential challenges regarding player interest, coaching, funding, and access—both in and out of the recent COVID-19 restrictions—come to bear through our grassroots approach at the unique intersections of Northland's weather, sports, and racial–political climates may clarify connections with similar issues elsewhere.
Successful restoration of failed Achilles tendon surgery with semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft: a case report
Authors: Hung Yu-Tun , Alizargar Elaheh , Alizargar Javad , Hung Kun-Chin , Chen Chien-Min , Pan Ru-Yu
Published: November 2023

Objective

This case presentation aims to highlight the challenges and outcomes associated with a partial tear of the Achilles tendon (AT) in an elite marathon runner. The objective was to restore tendon anatomy and optimize strength recovery through surgical intervention.

Method

We present the case of a marathon runner who suffered a partial AT tear and underwent an initial surgery that failed. A revision surgery was then performed using a semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft.

Results

The patient underwent surgery 14 weeks after the initial AT injury, but unfortunately experienced a complete AT tear after 6 months. However, the novel aspect of this case is the successful restoration of the failed double-row suture technique through the utilization of a semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft. Notably, the graft remained intact even under high tendon loading during the 2-year follow-up period.

Conclusion

Differential diagnosis should consider partial tears of the AT as a possible diagnosis in the patients with heel pain. Furthermore, it is crucial to prioritize a well-paced post-surgical rehabilitation process in AT surgeries. In cases of failed AT surgery, the utilization of gracilis and semitendinosus tendon grafts can serve as viable options for repairing reruptures.