bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on two-stage grasping planning method for multifingered dexterous hand
Authors: Tian Zhonglai , Cheng Hongtai , Zhao Liangliang , Zhao Jingdong
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a multifingered dexterous hand grasping planning method that can efficiently perform grasping tasks on multiple dexterous hand platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The grasping process is divided into two stages: offline and online. In the offline stage, the grasping solution form is improved based on the forward kinematic model of the dexterous hand. A comprehensive evaluation method of grasping quality is designed to obtain the optimal grasping solution offline data set. In the online stage, a safe and efficient selection strategy of the optimal grasping solution is proposed, which can quickly obtain the optimal grasping solution without collision.

Findings

The experiments verified that the method can be applied to different multifingered dexterous hands, and the average grasping success rate for objects with different structures is 91.7%, indicating a good grasping effect.

Originality/value

Using a forward kinematic model to generate initial grasping points can improve the generality of grasping planning methods and the quality of initial grasping solutions. The offline data set of optimized grasping solutions can be generated faster by the comprehensive evaluation method of grasping quality. Through the simple and fast obstacle avoidance strategy, the safe optimal grasping solution can be quickly obtained when performing a grasping task. The proposed method can be applied to automatic assembly scenarios where the end effector is a multifingered dexterous hand, which provides a technical solution for the promotion of multifingered dexterous hands in industrial scenarios.
The core microbiota as a predictor of soil functional traits promotes soil nutrient cycling and wheat production in dryland farming
Authors: Liu Lei , Gao Ya , Gao Zhiyuan , Zhu Li , Yan Rong , Yang Wenjie , Yang Yu , Liu Jinshan
Published: June 2023

Host plants and the microbiota living in the rhizosphere are interdependent, mutually reinforced and mutually beneficial but the assembly, functions and microbial interactions of the host‐associated microbiota are still unclear.

Herein, winter wheat was selected as a test plant to explore the assembly process of total bacteria from bulk soil (BS) and rhizosphere soil (RS), and phoD‐harbouring bacteria in RS at a long‐term (14 years) trial site. We also identified core microbes that are potentially relevant to soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling genes and soil biogeochemical properties, and investigated the relationships between soil variables, functional genes and wheat productivity.

The results showed that the microhabitat of the plant, rather than P fertilizer input, was the main factor affecting the microbial diversity, composition and co‐occurrence networks. The BS bacterial community was driven by deterministic processes but the RS and phoD bacterial communities were dominated by stochastic processes. The influence of deterministic processes decreased with increasing soil nutrient content. A core microbial community consisted of 10 OTUs in different microhabitats and was significantly related to soil functional genes and properties. In the rhizosphere soil, significant correlations were found between soil variables, soil functional bacteria and genes, and crop productivity.

Synthesis and applications. This study provides empirical evidence that the assembly process of the microbial community is governed by environmental factors in various soil environments and provides new perspectives on the sustainable improvement of crop productivity.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Effects of chaotropic salts on global proteome stability in halophilic archaea: Implications for life signatures on Mars
Authors: Carré Lorenzo , Gonzalez Daniel , Girard Éric , Franzetti Bruno
Published: June 2023

Halophilic archaea thriving in hypersaline environments, such as salt lakes, offer models for putative life in extraterrestrial brines such as those found on Mars. However, little is known about the effect of the chaotropic salts that could be found in such brines, such as MgCl2, CaCl2 and (per)chlorate salts, on complex biological samples like cell lysates which could be expected to be more representative of biomarkers left behind putative extraterrestrial life forms. We used intrinsic fluorescence to study the salt dependence of proteomes extracted from five halophilic strains: Haloarcula marismortui, Halobacterium salinarum, Haloferax mediterranei, Halorubrum sodomense and Haloferax volcanii. These strains were isolated from Earth environments with different salt compositions. Among the five strains that were analysed, H. mediterranei stood out as a results of its high dependency on NaCl for its proteome stabilization. Interestingly, the results showed contrasting denaturation responses of the proteomes to chaotropic salts. In particular, the proteomes of strains that are most dependent or tolerant on MgCl2 for growth exhibited higher tolerance towards chaotropic salts that are abundant in terrestrial and Martian brines. These experiments bridge together global protein properties and environmental adaptation and help guide the search for protein‐like biomarkers in extraterrestrial briny environments.
Voicing the Queer Self: Listening to Portraits with Vernon Lee
Authors: Ventrella Francesco
Published: June 2023

Originating in a critical examination of Vernon Lee's perceived ugliness and her excessive talking among her acquaintances, this essay situates historically a series of portraits in which she features as a sitter, subject of comment and commentator, to suggest that the interweaving of voices and faces can be useful to resist the elision of seeing and knowing on which art historians often base their understanding of gender and sexuality in portraiture. As an art critic, Lee maintained an ambivalent position with regard to portraits. Her familiarity with the new psychology informed a response whereby resonance could shift the sensorial boundaries of the genre beyond its function as likeness. By engaging with Lee's interrogation of the voice of portraits, both in art writing and fiction, the essay examines a series of queer attempts to challenge the authority of the look to identify, define or consume the subject of portraiture. As the late nineteenth century also saw the emergence of talking styles as audible articulations of the queer self, contemporary representations of Lee and her loquacity may be read as queer propositions at a time when dominant discourses around ‘female inversion’ and the ‘speaking woman’ were being fixed by sexologists.
The Role of Primary Care in Advancing Civic Engagement and Health Equity: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: HABIB DANIEL R. S. , KLEIN LAUREN M. , PERRIN ELIANA M. , PERRIN ANDREW J. , JOHNSON SARA B.
Published: June 2023

Policy Points

Health and civic engagement are reciprocally and longitudinally linked: Poor health is associated with less civic engagement. Well‐established social drivers of health and health inequality such as inadequate access to health care, poverty, racism, housing instability, and food insecurity are also drivers of lower civic engagement.

A robust primary care system can play a key role in advancing civic engagement (e.g., voting, volunteerism, community service, and political involvement) at the population level but has received little attention.

Policy and practice solutions at the individual and structural levels should support and leverage potential synergies among health equity, civic engagement, and primary care.

Context

Health and civic engagement are linked. Healthier people may be able to participate more fully in civic life, although those with poorer health may be motivated to address the roots of their health challenges using collective action. In turn, civically active people may experience better health, and societies with more equitable health and health care may experience healthier civic life. Importantly, a robust primary care system is linked to greater health equity. However, the role of primary care in advancing civic engagement has received little study.

Methods

We synthesize current literature on the links among health, civic engagement, and primary care. We propose a conceptual framework to advance research and policy on the role of primary care in supporting civic engagement as a means for individuals to actualize their health and civic futures.

Findings

Current literature supports relationships between health equity and civic engagement. However, this literature is primarily cross‐sectional and confined to voting. Our integrative conceptual framework highlights the interconnectedness of primary care structures, health equity, and civic engagement and supports the crucial role of primary care in advancing both civic and health outcomes. Primary care is a potentially fruitful setting for cultivating community and individual health and power by supporting social connectedness, self‐efficacy, and collective action.

Conclusions

Health and civic engagement are mutually reinforcing. Commonalities between social determinants of health and civic engagement constitute an important convergence for policy, practice, and research. Responsibility for promoting both health and civic engagement is shared by providers, community organizations, educators, and policymakers, as well as democratic and health systems, yet these entities rarely work in concert. Future work can inform policy and practice to bolster primary care as a means for promoting health and civic engagement.
‘Your Offence is That You By‐Passed Us’: Women, Violence and Agency in Biafra during the Nigeria–Biafra War, 1967–1970
Authors: Bello Taiwo
Published: June 2023

This article examines women's roles in Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War. For more than five decades, the history of women's support for Biafra's secessionist struggle has been marginalised in the existing literature. Much of what we know about the conflict has been based on men's exploits and perspectives, creating an imbalance in the war's narratives. With the aid of recently conducted interviews and ample archival materials, this article brings a new insight into the war, challenging the long‐sustained assumption that women played marginal roles in the conflict.
Molecular surveillance of Toxoplasma gondii in raw milk and Artisan cheese of sheep, goat, cow and water buffalo origin
Authors: Çulbasan Vezzeha , Gungor Candan , Gundog Dursun Alp , Koskeroglu Kursat , Onmaz Nurhan Ertas
Published: June 2023

This study is aimed at investigating the molecular prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in raw milk and cheese of different animal species (sheep, goat, cow and water buffalo) in Kayseri Province, Türkiye, to provide a preliminary assessment for contamination risk. A total of 200 milk and cheese samples were analysed by real‐time PCR. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in two (8%) ewes and one (4%) goat raw milk sample, while none of the cheese samples were positive. These results indicated that the presence of T. gondii DNA in raw milk samples sold in Kayseri Province might be a risk factor for public health.
Who gets to decide? Assessing contraceptive coercion in health care settings
Authors: DiCenzo Natalie , Gill Puneet , Brandi Kristyn
Published: June 2023

See related article by Swan et al.
Flavor–food ingredient interactions in fortified or reformulated novel food: Binding behaviors, manipulation strategies, sensory impacts, and future trends in delicious and healthy food design
Authors: Chen Xiao , Zhang Wangang , Quek Siew Young , Zhao Liyan
Published: June 2023

With consumers gaining prominent awareness of health and well‐being, a diverse range of fortified or reformulated novel food is developed to achieve personalized or tailored nutrition using protein, carbohydrates, or fat as building blocks. Flavor property is a critical factor in the acceptability and marketability of fortified or reformulated food. Major food ingredients are able to interact with flavor compounds, leading to a significant change in flavor release from the food matrix and, ultimately, altering flavor perception. Although many efforts have been made to elucidate how food matrix components change flavor binding capacities, the influences on flavor perception and their implications for the innovation of fortified or reformulated novel food have not been systematically summarized up to now. Thus, this review provides detailed knowledge about the binding behaviors of flavors to major food ingredients, as well as their influences on flavor retention, release, and perception. Practical approaches for manipulating these interactions and the resulting flavor quality are also reviewed, from the scope of their intrinsic and extrinsic influencing factors with technologies available, which is helpful for future food innovation. Evaluation of food–ingredient interactions using real food matrices while considering multisensory flavor perception is also prospected, to well motivate food industries to investigate new strategies for tasteful and healthy food design in response to consumers’ unwillingness to compromise on flavor for health.
A critical review on biodegradable food packaging for meat: Materials, sustainability, regulations, and perspectives in the EU
Authors: Siddiqui Shahida Anusha , Sundarsingh Anjelina , Bahmid Nur Alim , Nirmal Nilesh , Denayer Joeri F. M. , Karimi Keikhosro
Published: June 2023

The development of biodegradable packaging is a challenge, as conventional plastics have many advantages in terms of high flexibility, transparency, low cost, strong mechanical characteristics, and high resistance to heat compared with most biodegradable plastics. The quality of biodegradable materials and the research needed for their improvement for meat packaging were critically evaluated in this study. In terms of sustainability, biodegradable packagings are more sustainable than conventional plastics; however, most of them contain unsustainable chemical additives. Cellulose showed a high potential for meat preservation due to high moisture control. Polyhydroxyalkanoates and polylactic acid (PLA) are renewable materials that have been recently introduced to the market, but their application in meat products is still limited. To be classified as an edible film, the mechanical properties and acceptable control over gas and moisture exchange need to be improved. PLA and cellulose‐based films possess the advantage of protection against oxygen and water permeation; however, the addition of functional substances plays an important role in their effects on the foods. Furthermore, the use of packaging materials is increasing due to consumer demand for natural high‐quality food packaging that serves functions such as extended shelf‐life and contamination protection. To support the importance moving toward biodegradable packaging for meat, this review presented novel perspectives regarding ecological impacts, commercial status, and consumer perspectives. Those aspects are then evaluated with the specific consideration of regulations and perspective in the European Union (EU) for employing renewable and ecological meat packaging materials. This review also helps to highlight the situation regarding biodegradable food packaging for meat in the EU specifically.
Efficacy and safety of tenapanor in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Luo Houli , Feng Jian , Zhang Yanbiao , Wang Jie , Xue Gang , Huang Xi , You Shuang , Dong Hongfei , Li Lingfan , Li Juncheng , Xiao Hualin , Ai Xiang , Li Xianhui , Huang Bo
Published: June 2023

Background

The effects of tenapanor in reducing serum phosphorus in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia are uncertain and no relevant meta‐analysis has been conducted. We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tenapanor.

Methods

All randomized controlled trials of tenapanor were searched up to 1 August 2022. The primary endpoint was the change in serum phosphorus level from baseline with tenapanor and placebo. Data on drug‐related adverse events (AEs), gastrointestinal AEs and diarrhea were collected to determine the safety of tenapanor.

Results

There were 533 patients throughout five trials that were eligible. Tenapanor significantly lowered blood phosphorus level by 1.79 mg/dl in the mean difference than the placebo. Diarrhea, gastrointestinal AEs, and drug‐related AEs were more severe than placebo.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis showed that although drug side effects were common, tenapanor significantly reduced serum phosphorus level in hemodialysis patients.
Regulation of indole‐3‐acetic acid biosynthesis and consequences of auxin production deficiency in Serratia plymuthica
Authors: Rico‐Jiménez Miriam , Muñoz‐Mira Salvador , Lomas‐Martínez Cristina , Krell Tino , Matilla Miguel A.
Published: June 2023

Indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) is emerging as a key intra‐ and inter‐kingdom signal molecule that modulates a wide range of processes of importance during plant–microorganism interaction. However, the mechanisms by which IAA carries out its functions in bacteria as well as the regulatory processes by which bacteria modulate auxin production are largely unknown. Here, we found that IAA synthesis deficiency results in important global transcriptional changes in the broad‐range antibiotic‐producing rhizobacterium Serratia plymuthica A153. Most pronounced transcriptional changes were observed in various gene clusters for aromatic acid metabolism, including auxin catabolism. To delve into the corresponding molecular mechanisms, different regulatory proteins were biochemically characterized. Among them, a TyrR orthologue was essential for IAA production through the activation of the ipdc gene encoding a key enzyme for IAA biosynthesis. We showed that TyrR specifically recognizes different aromatic amino acids which, in turn, alters the interactions of TyrR with the ipdc promoter. Screening of mutants defective in various transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulators allowed the identification of additional regulators of IAA production, including PigP and quorum sensing‐related genes. Advancing our knowledge on the mechanisms that control the IAA biosynthesis in beneficial phytobacteria is of biotechnological interest for improving agricultural productivity and sustainable agricultural development.
Rationale and design for the Blood Pressure Control Target in Diabetes (BPROAD) study
Authors:   The BPROAD Study Group
Published: June 2023

Background

Diabetes and hypertension are major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Previous clinical trials have demonstrated that intensive blood pressure reduction lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality compared to standard blood pressure reduction among patients without diabetes. However, optimal levels of blood pressure control in patients with diabetes remain uncertain.

Methods

The Blood Pressure Control Target in Diabetes (BPROAD) study is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial conducted in mainland China. We plan to enroll 12 702 participants aged ≥50 years with type 2 diabetes, an increased cardiovascular risk, and systolic blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg from 150 study centers. Participants are randomly assigned to intensive (a systolic target of <120 mm Hg) or standard (a systolic target of <140 mm Hg) blood pressure treatment group. Participants will be followed monthly for blood pressure management in the first 3 months and then every 3 months afterward. The primary study outcome is a composite of major cardiovascular events including nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, treated or hospitalized heart failure, and cardiovascular death. Data will be collected every 3 months for up to 5 years and a blinded outcome committee will adjudicate all clinical outcomes. The BPROAD study is designed to have 90% statistical power to detect a 20% reduction in the primary study outcome at a two‐sided significance level of 0.05.

Conclusions

The BPROAD study will provide important evidence as to whether intensive blood pressure management has additional benefits on cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Downregulation of AHNAK2 inhibits cell cycle of lung adenocarcinoma cells by interacting with RUVBL1
Authors: Li Xin , Li Hui , Shao Ming‐Ming , Miao Jinbai , Fu Yili , Hu Bin
Published: June 2023

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the leading cause of death among cancer diseases. The tumorigenic functions of AHNAK2 in LUAD have attracted more attention in recent years, while there are few studies which have reported its high molecular weight.

Methods

The mRNA‐seq data of AHNAK2 and corresponding clinical data from UCSC Xena and GEO was analyzed. LUAD cell lines were transfected with sh‐NC and sh‐AHNAK2, and cell proliferation, migration and invasion were then detected by in vitro experiments. We performed RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis to explore the downstream mechanism and interacting proteins of AHNAK2. Finally, western blot, cell cycle analysis and CO‐IP were used to confirm our assumptions regarding previous experiments.

Results

Our study revealed that AHNAK2 expression was significantly higher in tumors than in normal lung tissues and higher AHNAK2 expression led to a poor prognosis, especially in patients with advanced tumors. AHNAK2 suppression via shRNA reduced the LUAD cell lines proliferation, migration and invasion and induced significant changes in DNA replication, NF‐kappa B signaling pathway and cell cycle. AHNAK2 knockdown also caused G1/S phase cell cycle arrest, which could be attributed to the interaction of AHNAK2 and RUVBL1. In addition, the results from gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and RNA sequencing suggested that AHNAK2 probably plays a part in the mitotic cell cycle.

Conclusion

AHNAK2 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion in LUAD and regulates the cell cycle via the interaction with RUVBL1. More studies of AHNAK2 are still needed to reveal its upstream mechanism.
Predation domes: In‐situ field assays to measure predatory behaviours by fish
Authors: Sgarlatta M. Paula , Karkarey Rucha , Smith Shannen M. , Suthers Iain M. , Poore Alistair G. B. , Vergés Adriana
Published: June 2023

Biotic interactions such as predation are difficult ecological processes to quantify in the wild. This is especially the case in the marine environment due to logistical difficulties in capturing animal behaviour. Common approaches use aquarium‐based experiments, live‐tethering, or assays with bait as proxies for quantifying predation pressure. However, these methods often fail to account for natural interactions between species in the wild and may raise ethical and animal welfare concerns.

We designed a novel field‐based method to quantify predator–prey interactions for marine fishes. The “predation dome” is a clear acrylic aquarium that contains a live fish. The dome is filmed and, in contrast to other methods, it allows for natural olfactory and visual cues, and the prey fish is returned to the wild after the assay. Here, we provide a step‐by‐step guide on building and deploying the predation dome in the wild. To demonstrate its use, we quantified predation pressure using the domes in two tropical and two temperate locations.

Piscivores were attracted to the domes and displayed predatory behaviours such as circling or striking. Although the overall number of predatory attacks did not differ among locations, predation domes revealed higher predation pressure by piscivores at the tropical locations in comparison to temperate reefs.

Our results show that predation domes represent an ethical and complementary approach to measure predation that may better represent piscivory as compared to other behaviours. Predation domes can be also used to measure other biotic interactions such as territorial defence or courtship.
Untangling the web: dynamics of Australia's online terrestrial invertebrate trade
Authors: Lassaline Charlotte R. , Stringham Oliver C. , Moncayo Stephanie , Toomes Adam , Cassey Phillip
Published: June 2023

The trade and keeping of exotic pets has serious implications for both biosecurity and biodiversity conservation. In Australia, the online trade of live invertebrates is an understudied and unregulated issue, with almost non‐existent monitoring. It is uncertain what species are being traded, whether they are being identified correctly, and how they are being sourced (i.e., captive bred or wild harvested, native, or alien). Consequently, potential invasion risks and conservation concerns remain unknown. Here, we explored the online trade of terrestrial invertebrates in Australia across a range of publicly available e‐commerce platforms. We detected 264 species of invertebrate traded, from 71 families and 168 genera over 12 months. The native Extatosoma tiaratum (giant prickly stick insect) was the most traded species, while the most popular families were Phasmatidae (stick insects), Formicidae (ants) and Theraphosidae (tarantulas). Three species are known to be invasive in Australia, while 87% of species traded were native. The conservation status of almost of the species (92%) listed in the invertebrate trade has not been evaluated. Exploring socio‐demographic relationships, we found that human population density was positively correlated with the location of invertebrate sellers. Further, we found the classifieds website had lower prices in contrast to traditional online pet‐stores (median of c. A$7 less). Finally, we did not observe a saturation in the number of species traded in our one‐year study, exemplifying the need for large scale monitoring and risk assessments for Australia's online terrestrial invertebrate trade. We recommend continued surveillance of live invertebrate trade on e‐commerce sites. Substantial changes to legislation and monitoring methods are required at a national level to control the vast number of invertebrates traded across the country, and to minimise the future risks of the invertebrate trade.
Social comparisons and groundwater use: Evidence from Colorado and Kansas
Authors: Hrozencik R. Aaron , Suter Jordan F. , Ferraro Paul J. , Hendricks Nathan
Published: June 2023

In the United States, agriculture is responsible for the majority of consumptive water use. To reduce consumptive use in water scarce regions, policymakers have implemented a number of costly interventions. These interventions range from land retirement to subsidies that encourage the adoption of efficient irrigation technologies. In nonagricultural contexts, costly policy interventions have been complemented by low‐cost interventions inspired by behavioral economics. Whether these behavioral interventions are effective in the context of commercial farming is not well understood. In a preregistered, randomized field intervention, we estimate the impact of social (peer) comparisons on agricultural groundwater users in Colorado and Kansas. More than three thousand irrigators were randomized to receive either an annual peer comparison or no comparison. The peer comparison contrasted each irrigator's groundwater use to the distribution of use by neighboring irrigators. The comparison intervention reduced average annual groundwater use by 4.05% [95% CI (−5.87%, − 2.21%)], resulting in an aggregate reduction of more than 21,000 acre‐feet per year at a cost less than $1.31 per acre‐foot conserved. The estimated treatment effect was larger among irrigators with lower pre‐intervention water use. In the 3‐year experiment, we observed no evidence that the treatment effect substantially attenuated over time. We did, however, detect within‐irrigator spillovers in the treatment group: groundwater use also declined among wells that were not included in the peer comparisons (peer comparisons included a maximum of three wells). The results imply that social comparisons can be a cost‐effective tool, alongside other policy interventions, aimed at reducing agricultural water use.
Meta‐analysis and construction of simple‐to‐use nomograms for approximating testosterone levels gained from weight loss in obese men
Authors: Ken‐Dror Gie , Fluck David , Fry Christopher Henry , Han Thang Sieu
Published: June 2023

Background

Obesity‐induced hypogonadism, which manifests as erectile dysfunction and a lack of libido, is a less visible and under‐recognized obesity‐related disorder in men.

Objective

We examined the impact of weight loss on total (TT) and free testosterone (FT) levels, and constructed nomograms to provide an easy‐to‐use visual aid for clinicians.

Materials and methods

Meta‐analysis was conducted using RevMan (v5.3) and expressed in standardized mean differences (SMD) for testosterone. Parallel‐scale nomograms were constructed from baseline and target body mass index values to estimate the gain in testosterone.

Results

In total, 44 studies were included, comprising 1,774 participants and 2,159 datasets, as some studies included several datasets at different time points. Weight loss was controlled by low calorie diet (LCD) in 19 studies (735 participants, 988 datasets), by bariatric surgery (BS) in 26 studies (1,039 participants, 1,171 datasets), and by both in one study. The median follow‐up was 26 weeks (interquartile range = 12–52). The range of baseline mean age was 21–68 yr, BMI: 26.2–71.2 kg/m2, TT: 7–20.2 nmol/L and FT: 140–583 pmol/L. TT levels increased after weight loss by LCD: SMD (95%CI) = 2.5 nmol/L (1.9–3.1) and by BS: SMD = 7.2 nmol/L (6.0–8.4); the combined TT gain was 4.8 nmol/L (3.9–5.6). FT levels increased after weight reduction by LCD: SMD = 19.9 pmol/L (7.3–32.5) and by BS: SMD = 58.0 pmol/L (44.3–71.7); the combined gain was 42.2 pmol/L (31.4–52.9). Greater amounts of total and free testosterone could be gained by weight loss in men with higher baseline BMI, or lower levels of SHBG, TT and FT, while gain in TT was relatively greater in older and FT in younger age. Age‐stratified nomograms revealed that compared to older men (> 40 yr), younger men (≤ 40 yr) gained less TT but more FT for a given weight loss.

Discussion and conclusion

Both TT and FT levels increased after weight loss, relatively greater with higher baseline BMI, or lower levels of SHBG, TT and FT. Nomograms constructed from a large number of participants with a wide range of BMI and testosterone values provide an evidence‐based and simple‐to‐use tool in clinical practice.
How latanoprost changed glaucoma management
Authors: Cordeiro Maria Francesca , Gandolfi Stefano , Gugleta Konstantin , Normando Eduardo M. , Oddone Francesco
Published: June 2023

Glaucoma is currently considered one of the leading causes of severe visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Topical medical therapy represents the treatment of choice for many glaucoma patients. Introduction of latanoprost, 25 years ago, with an entirely new mechanism of action from that of the antiglaucoma drugs used up to that time was a very important milestone. Since then, due mainly to their efficacy, limited systemic side effects and once daily dosing, prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) have become as the first‐choice treatment for primary open‐angle glaucoma. PGAs are in general terms well tolerated, although they are associated with several mild to moderate ocular and periocular adverse events. Among them, conjunctival hyperemia, eyelash changes, eyelid pigmentation, iris pigmentation and hypertrichosis around the eyes are the most prevalent. The objective of this paper is to review the role of PGAs in the treatment of glaucoma over the 25 years since the launch of Latanoprost and their impact on clinical practice outcomes.
The antioxidant/anti‐inflammatory protective effects of rutin against ethanol‐induced testicular perturbation in rats: Involvement of the immunosuppressive indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase
Authors: Ebokaiwe Azubuike Peter , Obasi Doris Olachi , Osawe Sharon Oluchi , Njoku Rex Clovis C.
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the influence of rutin against EtOH‐induced testicular impairment in rats and the involvement of the indole‐aminergic pathway. Four groups of eight rats each were orally exposed to drinking water (Group 1), EtOH (5 g/kg bwt, Group 2), R (5 g/kg bwt, Group 3), and EtOH + R (5 g/kg bwt + 50 mg/kg bwt, Group 4) via gavage for 15 days. Results showed that exposure to EtOH significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the testicular antioxidant system and increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) relative to control. We observed a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in the inflammatory biomarkers, with attendant disruption in the testicular histological structure and concomitant elevation in the activities of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), in comparison with control and no noticeable effects in tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase (TDO) activity across the groups. Rutin‐only exposed group did not show any alteration in the measured parameters when compared with the control. Rutin co‐exposure augmented the antioxidant system, prevented histological damage, reduced LPO and inflammation, and thus, lowered EtOH‐mediated increase in IDO activity, compared with control. Overall, these findings reveal the involvement of the indole‐aminergic pathway in rutin's protective influence against EtOH‐induced testicular impairment in rats.
Avoiding unnecessary suffering: Towards a moral minimum standard for humans' responsibility for animal welfare
Authors: Köllen Thomas , Schneeberger Doris
Published: June 2023

Animals are an important part of our social, economic and corporate world. Their wellbeing is significantly affected by the ways in which humans treat them. However, animals have long remained (and, indeed, continue to remain) effectively invisible in the business ethics and corporate responsibility discourse. This article argues in favor of the moral necessity of according animal welfare a higher priority in business. In line with most streams in both recent and traditional animal ethics, this article derives the avoidance of unnecessary animal suffering as the moral minimum standard for responsible management in the livestock industry. Based on a broad range of different interpretations of what animal suffering may be necessary, the article discusses three distinct ways in which humans working in the animal industry could meet their moral responsibility to avoid unnecessary suffering, and, with this, increase animal welfare: by ameliorating circumstances for animals, by aiming at a two‐pronged transformation, or by transforming into a “zero‐suffering” business. Considering animal welfare as a legitimate ethical value in and of itself is a first step towards overcoming the anthropocentric bias in today's sustainability and corporate responsibility debate.
Ensuring Valid Inference for Cox Hazard Ratios After Variable Selection
Authors: Van Lancker Kelly , Dukes Oliver , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: June 2023

The problem of how to best select variables for confounding adjustment forms one of the key challenges in the evaluation of exposure effects in observational studies, and has been the subject of vigorous recent activity in causal inference. A major drawback of routine procedures is that there is no finite sample size at which they are guaranteed to deliver exposure effect estimators and associated confidence intervals with adequate performance. In this work, we will consider this problem when inferring conditional causal hazard ratios from observational studies under the assumption of no unmeasured confounding. The major complication that we face with survival data is that the key confounding variables may not be those that explain the censoring mechanism. In this paper, we overcome this problem using a novel and simple procedure that can be implemented using off-the-shelf software for penalized Cox regression. In particular, we will propose tests of the null hypothesis that the exposure has no effect on the considered survival endpoint, which are uniformly valid under standard sparsity conditions. Simulation results show that the proposed methods yield valid inferences even when covariates are high-dimensional.
Dirichlet Process Mixture Models for the Analysis of Repeated Attempt Designs
Authors: Daniels Michael J. , Lee Minji , Feng Wei
Published: June 2023

In longitudinal studies, it is not uncommon to make multiple attempts to collect a measurement after baseline. Recording whether these attempts are successful provides useful information for the purposes of assessing missing data assumptions. This is because measurements from subjects who provide the data after numerous failed attempts may differ from those who provide the measurement after fewer attempts. Previous models for these designs were parametric and/or did not allow sensitivity analysis. For the former, there are always concerns about model misspecification and for the latter, sensitivity analysis is essential when conducting inference in the presence of missing data. Here, we propose a new approach which minimizes issues with model misspecification by using Bayesian nonparametrics for the observed data distribution. We also introduce a novel approach for identification and sensitivity analysis. We re-analyze the repeated attempts data from a clinical trial involving patients with severe mental illness and conduct simulations to better understand the properties of our approach.
Response to mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination evaluated by B‐cell receptor repertoire after tixagevimab/cilgavimab administration
Authors: Funakoshi Yohei , Yakushijin Kimikazu , Ohji Goh , Matsutani Takaji , Hojo Wataru , Sakai Hironori , Matsumoto Sakuya , Watanabe Marika , Kitao Akihito , Saito Yasuyuki , Kawamoto Shinichiro , Yamamoto Katsuya , Koyama Taiji , Nagatani Yoshiaki , Kimbara Shiro , Imamura Yoshinori , Kiyota Naomi , Ito Mitsuhiro , Minami Hironobu
Published: June 2023

The use of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody products like tixagevimab/cilgavimab represents an important strategy to protect immunocompromised patients with haematological malignancies from COVID‐19. Although patients who receive these agents should still be vaccinated, the use of tixagevimab/cilgavimab can mask the production of anti‐spike antibody after vaccination, making it hard to assess vaccine response. We have newly established a quantification method to assess the response to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination at the mRNA level using B‐cell receptor (BCR) repertoire assay and the Coronavirus Antibody Database (CoV‐AbDab). Repeated blood samples before and after vaccination were analysed for the BCR repertoire, and BCR sequences were searched in the database. We analysed the number and percentage frequency of matched sequences. We found that the number of matched sequences increased 2 weeks after the first vaccination and quickly decreased. Meanwhile, the number of matched sequences more rapidly increased after the second vaccination. These results show that the postvaccine immune response can be assessed at the mRNA level by analysing the fluctuation in matching sequences. Finally, BCR repertoire analysis with CoV‐AbDab clearly demonstrated the response to mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination even after tixagevimab/cilgavimab administration in haematological malignancy patients who underwent allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Vaccination in sickle cell disease: Immunocompromised or immunocompetent?
Authors: Han Jin , Saraf Santosh L. , Gordeuk Victor R.
Published: June 2023

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an immunocompromised condition and patients with SCD may have a reduced immune response to certain vaccinations. The report by Nakahara et al. demonstrated that SCD patients exhibited elevated and more sustained IgG production following COVID‐19 vaccination, when compared to healthy controls. This suggests that the immune response to vaccinations may vary among different types of vaccines in individuals with SCD.

Commentary on: Nakahara et al. Enhanced IgG immune response to COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with sickle cell disease. Br J Haematol 2023;202:937–941.
Understanding Somatization through the Prism of Deficit Pathology and Winnicott's False Self
Authors: McGovern Peter
Published: June 2023

In this article, the author investigates the wide variation in historical and contemporary understandings of somatization. The article explores the rewards of understanding somatization as a deficit pathology and proposes an integration of deficit pathology theory and Winnicott's theory of self to better understand the causes of somatization. The author postulates a link between the formation of a pathological false self and somatoform symptoms and draws on Killingmo's description of conflict and deficit pathology to integrate the defensive organization (false self) with the concept of deficit. The false self is conceptualized as a defensive organization that is born in a climate of deficit, including early childhood trauma. Therapeutic implications include a focus on experiencing meaning, working with alexithymia, and providing the client an opportunity to confront the painful reality of their unmet needs, in a safe and holding environment not afforded to them in childhood. The author outlines the therapeutic goal of moving toward a renewed sense of ‘equilibrium of self’, where a person can freely and safely demonstrate vulnerability as well as meet their own needs. This in turn works to reduce the need for the protection of a pathological false self and the tightly bound somatoform symptomatology.
The Index of Economic Disparity: Measuring trends in economic disparity across Canadian Census Subdivisions and rural and urban communities
Authors: Weaver David , Krawchenko Tamara , Markey Sean
Published: June 2023

Territorial inequalities have long been a subject of study and concern in Canada. In the face of large structural changes such as industrial shifts and the decarbonization of our economies, there is an urgency to understand such inequalities and design effective policy interventions for those places facing persistent economic decline. This paper shares a novel composite index that measures economic disparity across Canadian Census Subdivisions (CSDs) using Census data from 2001 through 2016 and the 2011 National Household Survey. Named the “Index of Economic Disparity,” it is comprised of an equally weighted average of four sub‐indices that assign percentile rankings for all CSDs based on whether they experience persistent and substantial decline in key economic areas: population, labour force outcomes, working‐age share of population, and industrial diversity. The variation of outcomes across geographies—urban and rural—highlights the importance of place‐based policies.
Is everyone really middle class? Social class position and identification in Alberta
Authors: Maroto Michelle , Brown Delphine , Durou Guillaume
Published: June 2023

In defining social class, researchers often rely on measures of objective class position, even though subjective perceptions of social class identity can better account for the creation of social class boundaries. We explore the relationship between measures of objective class position and subjective class identity using data from an online survey of 1155 residents in Alberta, Canada, a conservative province dependent on a fluctuating energy sector. We find that although most Albertans identified as middle class, the strength of class identity and views regarding linked social class fates varied across categories with poverty class and uppermiddleclass respondents standing out. In reporting class identity, respondents considered measures related to objective class position, especially their income and economic security levels, but gaps still remained. We then use the results of this exploratory study to advocate for more comprehensive measures of social class.
Exploring olfactory receptor family 7 subfamily C member 1 as a novel oral cancer stem cell target for immunotherapy
Authors: Miyamoto Sho , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Morita Rena , Miyazaki Akihiro , Ogi Kazuhiro , Kanaseki Takayuki , Ide Kentaro , Shirakawa Jumpei , Tsukahara Tomohide , Murai Aiko , Sasaya Takashi , Koike Kazushige , Kina Shinichiro , Kawano Toshihiro , Goto Takahiro , Ntege Edward Hosea , Shimizu Yusuke , Torigoe Toshihiko
Published: June 2023

The mortality rate of oral cancer has not improved over the past three decades despite remarkable advances in cancer therapies. Oral cancers contain a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that share characteristics associated with normal stem cells, including self‐renewal and multi‐differentiation potential. CSCs are tumorigenic, play a critical role in cancer infiltration, recurrence, and distant metastasis, and significantly contribute to drug resistance to current therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapy. Cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTLs) are key immune cells that effectively recognize peptide antigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. Increasing evidence suggests that cancer antigen‐specific targeting by CTLs effectively regulates CSCs that drive cancer progression. In this study, we utilized data from public domains and performed various bioassays on human oral squamous cell carcinoma clinical samples and cell lines, including HSC‐2 and HSC‐3, to investigate the potential role of olfactory receptor family 7 subfamily C member 1 (OR7C1), a seven transmembrane G‐protein‐coupled olfactory receptor that is also expressed in nonolfactory tissues and was previously reported as a novel marker and target of colon cancer initiating cell‐targeted immunotherapy, in CSC‐targeted treatment against oral cancer. We found that the OR7C1 gene was expressed only in oral CSCs, and that CTLs reacted with human leukocyte antigen‐A24‐restricted OR7C1 oral CSC‐specific peptides. Taken together, our findings suggest that OR7C1 represents a novel target for potent CSC‐targeted immunotherapy in oral cancer.
Performance of the ACMG‐AMP criteria in a large familial renal glucosuria cohort with identified SLC5A2 sequence variants
Authors: Barata Rui , Fila Marc , Dalla‐Vale Fabienne , Bogarin Roberto , Nunes Paula , Ramalho José , Rueff José , Calado Joaquim
Published: June 2023

Familial Renal Glucosuria (FRG) is a co‐dominantly inherited trait characterized by orthoglycaemic glucosuria. From 2003 to 2015 we have reported several cohorts validating SLC5A2 (16p11.2), encoding SGLT2 (Na+/glucose cotransporter family member 2), as the gene responsible for FRG. The aim of this work was to validate the variants identified in our extended FRG cohort of published, as well more recent unreported cases, according to the ACMG‐AMP 2015 criteria. Forty‐six variants were evaluated, including 16 novel alleles first described in this study. All are rare, ultra‐rare or absent from population databases and most are missense changes. According to the ACMG‐AMP standards, only 74% of the variants were classified as P/LP. The lack of descriptions of unrelated patients with similar variants or failing to test additional affected family members, averted a conclusion for pathogenicity in the alleles that scored VUS, highlighting the importance of both family testing and variant reporting. Finally, the cryo‐EM structure of the hSGLT2–MAP17 complex in the empagliflozin‐bound state improved the ACMG‐AMP pathogenicity score by identifying critical/functional protein domains.