bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype Distribution and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Clinical Isolates of Group B Streptococcus in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, South India
Authors: Sangeetha A. V. , devi Sheela , Subramanian Anandhalakshmi , Daniel Mary , Anandh Perumal
Published: March 2023

Background. Streptococcus agalactiae apart from being a colonizer in the genital region is also associated with several other invasive infections in all age groups. With the varied distribution of serotypes across different regions of the world, universal vaccination is also unattainable. However, in India, the knowledge of group B Streptococcus (GBS) genotype distribution is deficient. Thus, this study was initiated to add data on this aspect. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted using isolates of group B Streptococcus from all clinical specimens. Along with that, the clinical specimen type and the antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates were correlated with the genotypes recognized through a multiplex PCR assay. Results. Among the 86 isolates subjected to multiplex PCR for genotype identification, five genotypes were identified with genotype Ib as the predominant one (34.9%), followed by III (20.9%), II (16.3%), Ia (12.7%), and V (11.6%). Conclusion. The results demonstrated a correlation of types Ib and III with vaginal colonization and type II with urine specimens in the current study. This preliminary study exhibited the distribution of common genotypes and their antibiotic resistance profiles in various GBS isolates. However, multiple studies across the country with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.
Harnessing the Power of Discovery
Authors: Scott David , Singer Dinah S.
Published: March 2023

Cancer Grand Challenges is an international funding initiative that aims to unite the world's best scientists to tackle some of cancer's toughest challenges by funding team science on a global scale. Here, we discuss the nine new, ambitious challenges currently open for application.
Secondary Sclerosing Cholangitis due to Severe COVID-19: An Emerging Disease Entity?
Authors: Seifert Michael , Kneiseler Guntje , Dechene Alexander
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to many extrapulmonary manifestations. In this case series, we report on 7 patients developing secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) after severe COVID-19 with intensive care treatment. Methods: Between March 2020 and November 2021, 544 patient cases with cholangitis treated at a German tertiary care centre were screened for SSC. Patients found to be suffering from SSC were assigned to COVID-19 group if SSC presented after a severe course of COVID-19 and to non-COVID-19 group if not. Peak liver parameters as well as intensive care treatment factors and data generated from liver elastography were compared between both groups. Results: We identified 7 patients who developed SSC after a severe course of COVID-19. In the same period, 4 patients developed SSC due to other causes. Mean values of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were higher in the COVID-19 group than in the non-COVID-19 group (GGT: 2,689 U/L vs. 1,812 U/L and ALP: 1,445 U/L vs. 1,027 U/L), whereas intensive care treatment factors were comparable in both groups. Only the mean duration of mechanical ventilation was shorter in the COVID-19 group than in the non-COVID-19 group (22.1 days vs. 36.7 days). Liver elastography indicated a fast progression to liver cirrhosis with a mean liver stiffness of 17.3 kilopascals (kPa) in less than 12 weeks in the COVID-19 group. Conclusions: Our data suggest a more severe course of SSC when caused by SARS-CoV-2. Reasons for this are probably multifactorial, including a direct cytopathogenic effect of the virus.
Inhibitory Control Training Enhanced by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Reduce Binge Eating Episodes: Findings from the Randomized Phase II ACCElect Trial
Authors: Giel Katrin E. , Schag Kathrin , Max Sebastian M. , Martus Peter , Zipfel Stephan , Fallgatter Andreas J. , Plewnia Christian
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent binge eating (BE) episodes with loss of control. Inhibitory control impairments, including alterations in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) functioning, have been described for BED. A targeted modulation of inhibitory control circuits by the combination of inhibitory control training and transcranial brain stimulation could be promising. Objective: The aim of the study was to demonstrate feasibility and clinical effects of a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-enhanced inhibitory control training to reduce BE episodes and to generate an empirical basis for a confirmatory trial. Methods: We performed a monocentric clinical phase II double-blind randomized trial with two parallel arms. Forty-one adult outpatients with full-syndrome BED according to DSM-5 received six sessions of food-related inhibitory control training, randomly combined with 2 mA verum or sham tDCS of the right dlPFC. The main outcome was BE frequency within a 4-week interval after treatment termination (T8; primary) and at 12-week follow-up (T9; secondary) as compared to baseline. Results: BE frequency was reduced in the sham group from 15.5 to 5.9 (T8) and to 6.8 (T9); in the verum group, the reduction was 18.6 to 4.4 (T8) resp. 3.8 (T9). Poisson regression with the study arm as the factor and baseline BE frequency as the covariate revealed a p value of 0.34 for T8 and 0.026 for T9. Sham and real tDCS differed at T9 in BE frequency. Conclusions: Inhibitory control training enhanced by tDCS is safe in patients with BED and results in a substantial and sustainable reduction in BE frequency which unfolds over several weeks post-treatment. These results constitute the empirical basis for a confirmatory trial.
Homo dissipans: Excess and Expenditure as Keys for Understanding the Borderline Condition?
Authors: Stanghellini Giovanni
Published: March 2023

This paper sheds light on some aspects of what contemporary clinical theory calls “borderline” condition providing a description of a key figure of late-modern culture that I will call Homo dissipans (from Latin dissipatio, -onis = scattering, dispersion). Homo dissipans is the opposite of Homo œconomicus, the form that “narcissism” takes on in contemporary “achievement society,” solely concerned with rational action aimed to utility and production. In order to define Homo dissipans, I follow French philosopher, anthropologist, and novelist Georges Bataille’s descriptions of two core phenomena: “excess” and “expenditure.” The former can be defined as a surplus of energy that according to Bataille characterizes human existence, animated by a general movement of exudation and dilapidation and an inexhaustible drive to “pour out” of oneself, especially outside the limits of composure and reasonableness. The latter is an ethical attitude which gives its approval to excess and to its metamorphic and destructive power. The Homo dissipans’ credo is to profitlessly dissipate the surplus of energy, escape into a world of pure intensities in which all forms – including identity – dissolve and surrender themselves to transformation. I argue that Bataille’s ideas about “dissipation” can help us reconsider two features attributed to borderline personality disorder which have been extensively described and sometimes stigmatized – “identity diffusion” and “stable instability” – and to better recognize, understand, and make sense of their phenomenology in the clinical context.
T-Cell Immune Responses and Immunological Factors Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Progression as Predictors for the Severity of the Disease in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Abbasi-Dokht Tannaz , Vafaeinezhad Arefe , Khalesi Negin , Malek Farhad , Haghmorad Dariush , Baharlou Rasoul
Published: March 2023

Introduction: The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly increased worldwide. More investigation is needed to progress toward understanding the exact role of immune responses in the pathology of the disease, leading to improved anticipation and treatment options. Methods: In the present study, we examined the relative expression of T-bet, GATA3, RORγt, and FoxP3 transcription factors as well as laboratory indicators in 79 hospitalized patients along with 20 healthy subjects as a control group. In order to make an exact comparison between various degrees of severity of disease, patients were divided into critical (n = 12) and severe (n = 67) groups. To evaluate the expression of genes of interest by performing real-time PCR, blood samples were obtained from each participant. Results: We found a significant increase in the expression of T-bet, GATA3, and RORγt and a reduction in the expression of FoxP3 in the critically ill patients compared to the severe and control groups. Also, we noticed that the GATA3 and RORγt expressions were elevated in the severe group in comparison with healthy subjects. Additionally, the GATA3 and RORγt expressions showed a positive correlation with elevation in CRP and hepatic enzyme concentration. Moreover, we observed that the GATA3 and RORγt expressions were the independent risk factors for the severity and outcome of COVID-19. Discussion: The present study showed that the overexpression of T-bet, GATA3, and RORγt, as well as a decrease in the FoxP3 expression was associated with the severity and fatal outcome of COVID-19.
Vascular e-Learning in the MENA Region during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors:   Karam, Patelis Nikolaos , Matheiken Sean , Bisdas Theodosios , Jing Zaiping , Feng Jiaxuan , Trenner Matthias , Ocke Reis Paulo Eduardo , Elkouri Stephane , Lecis Alexandre , Le Roux Dirk , Ionac Mihai , Berczeli Marton , Jongkind Vincent , Yeung Kak Khee , Katsargyris Athanasios , Avgerinos Efthymios , Moris Dimitrios , Choong Andrew , Ng Jun Jie , Cvjetko Ivan , Antoniou George A. , Ghibu Phillipe , Svetlikov Alexei , Ebben Harm P. , Stepak Hubert , Kostiv Sviatoslav , Ancetti Stefano , Tadayon Niki , Fidalgo-Domingos Liliana , Sarutte Rosello Eduardo Sebastian , Isik Arda , Kakavia Kyriaki , Georgopoulos Sotirios
Published: March 2023

Introduction: With the steady rise in interest in e-learning and the sudden boost provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes necessary to explore the e-learning experience within the medical community in the MENA region. Methods: An online survey was conducted during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (June 15 – October 15, 2020). Results: Seventy-eight vascular surgeons and trainees from 16 countries participated. 88% of the participants were male. 55% attended more than 4 activities. More than half of the activities did not lead to any official certification. Topic was the primary determinant for attending an activity. National societies and social media played a major role in disseminating activity-related information. Lack of time, increased workload, differences in time zone, and technical issues were the main obstacles cited. 84.7% of the participants had a positive impression. Conclusion: As the COVID-19 pandemic boosted e-learning activities in vascular surgery, a shift was observed in the learning mode and new leadership skills were called upon. Novel ways of quality control are required.
Behavioral Apophenia and Dimensions of Psychoticism in Adolescents with and without Mood Disorders
Authors: Reinke Michael , Longenecker Julia M. , Chowdhury Lamisa , Thai Michelle , Begnel Erin , Horek Nathan , Olman Cheryl , Cullen Kathryn R. , Klimes-Dougan Bonnie
Published: March 2023

Apophenia is the tendency to falsely detect meaningful relationships and may indicate susceptibility to more extreme expressions on the psychotic spectrum. This pilot investigated the fragmented ambiguous object task (FAOT), a new measure designed to assess apophenia behaviorally in a sample of adolescents with and without mood disorders using an image recognition task. Our primary hypothesis was that increased image recognition would be associated with PID-5 psychoticism. Participants were 33 (79% female) adolescents with (n = 18) and without (n = 15) mood disorders. Consistent with predictions, increased recognition of ambiguous images correlated positively with psychoticism. There was also moderate evidence for long-term stability of FAOT apophenia scores over time (mean interval of approximately 10 months). These findings offer preliminary evidence that the FAOT may be reflective of underlying psychoticism in our target population.
Utility of BAP1, p16, and Methylthio-Adenosine Phosphorylase Immunohistochemistry in Cytological and Histological Samples of Pleural Mesotheliomas
Authors: Amacher Vera , Bode Peter Karl , Moch Holger , Lenggenhager Daniela , Vrugt Bart
Published: March 2023

Introduction: In most cases, the diagnostic workup of pleural mesotheliomas (MPMs) starts with cytological examination of pleural effusion, but histology is needed to confirm the diagnosis. The introduction of BAP1 and methylthio-adenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) immunohistochemistry has become a powerful tool to confirm the malignant nature of mesothelial proliferations also in cytological specimens. The objective of this study was to determine the concordance of BAP1, MTAP, and p16 expression between cytological and histological samples of patients with MPM. Methods: Immunohistochemistry of BAP1, MTAP, and p16 was performed on cytological samples and compared with the corresponding histological specimen of 25 patients with MPM. Inflammatory and stromal cells served as positive internal control for all three markers. In addition, samples of 11 patients with reactive mesothelial proliferations served as an external control group. Results: Loss of BAP1, MTAP, and p16 expression was found in 68%, 72%, and 92% of MPM, respectively. Loss of MTAP was associated with loss of p16 expression in all cases. Concordance of BAP1 between cytological and corresponding histological samples was 100% (kappa coefficient 1; p = 0.008). For MTAP and p16, kappa coefficient was 0.9 (p = 0.01) and 0.8 (p = 0.7788), respectively. Conclusions: Concordant BAP1, MTAP, and p16 expression is found between cytological and corresponding histological samples, indicating that a reliable diagnosis of MPM can be made on cytology only. Of the three markers, BAP1 and MTAP are most reliable in distinguishing malignant from reactive mesothelial proliferations.
Perfil da microbiota fecal de gatas ovariohisterectomizadas submetidas à reposição estrogênica
Authors: Haddad Neta Jamile , Trautwein Luiz Guilherme Corsi , Almeida Ana Beatriz Marques , Hidalgo Myrian Megumy Tsunokawa , Martins Maria Isabel Mello
Published: March 2023

O objetivo deste estudo foi observar os efeitos da reposição de 17 β-estradiol na microbiota fecal de gatas castradas. Amostras individuais de fezes frescas foram colhidas e armazenadas a -80°C. Foi realizado o sequenciamento das regiões V3/V4 do gene 16S rRNA e a análise bioinformática. A razão Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes foi menor no grupo que recebeu reposição estrogênica em comparação ao grupo SHAM (P = 0,005). O índice de Jaccard (P = 0,123) e o índice de Yue & Clayton (P = 0,094) não revelaram diferenças na alfa e beta diversidade. A análise discriminatória linear de tamanho do efeito (LefSe) identificou Firmicutes e Megasphaera como biomarcadores para o grupo SHAM, e Burkholderiales, Betaproteobacteria, Sutterellaceae, Suterella, Proteobacteria, Proteobacteria não classificada e Collinsella para o grupo que recebeu reposição estrogênica.
Uveíte anterior hipertensiva após picada de abelha: um relato de caso
Authors: Cunha Carlos Eduardo Ximenes da , Ribeiro Marina Viegas Moura Rezende , Soares Ana Ramalho Gameleira , Castro Laís Rytholz , Jucá João Vitor de Omena
Published: March 2023

A uveíte é a inflamação do trato uveal, podendo causar redução da acuidade visual (AV) e cegueira. Seu diagnóstico e tratamento devem ser feitos precocemente a fim de se evitar o glaucoma secundário do tipo inflamatório, uma temida complicação. Picadas de hymenopteras é uma causa rara e pouco relatada de uveíte, onde esta se deve à reação de hipersensibilidade tipo 1 desencadeada pelas toxinas peptídicas liberadas por estes insetos. O artigo expõe o caso de um homem de 67 anos que se apresentou com diminuição da AV e dor em olho direito após picadas de abelhas. Apesar de ter sido instituído tratamento adequado com corticoesteroides e antibiótico, o enfermo evoluiu com piora do quadro e uveíte anterior hipertensiva devido à não adesão terapêutica, utilizando, então, drogas anti-inflamatórias e anti-glaucoma para impedir a perda permanente da visão, apresentando boa resposta.
Sarcoma de Kaposi clássico agressivo: relato de caso
Authors: Moura Luana Amaral de , Diniz Lucia Martins , Souza Emilly Neves , Oliveira Valentina Lourenço Lacerda de
Published: March 2023

Introdução O sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) é uma neoplasia angioproliferativa associada ao herpesvírus humano tipo 8 (HHV-8). A forma clássica afeta homens idosos, apresentando pápulas e nódulos purpúricos nos membros inferiores, de evolução lenta, em geral sem necessidade de tratamento específico. Objetivo Relatar caso de neoplasia de comportamento agressivo em idoso. Método Foi realizado estudo descritivo do tipo relato de caso, a partir da coleta de dados do prontuário, do registro fotográfico e da revisão da literatura. Relato de caso Homem, 86 anos, apresentando pápulas acastanhadas e violáceas nos membros superiores, pápulas e nódulos violáceos difusos pelo membro inferior direito, algumas de aspecto verruciforme e pápulas e nódulos violáceos na coxa e na região posterior da perna esquerda. A endoscopia digestiva alta evidenciou lesões sugestivas de Sarcoma de Kaposi no duodeno. A imunohistoquímica foi positiva para CD31, CD34 e HHV-8. O paciente apresentou múltiplas descompensações clínicas e laboratoriais, que culminaram em seu óbito. Não havia sido iniciada terapia específica. Discussão O SK clássico é raro, indolente e mais comum em homens de 64 a 72 anos, com descendência sul-americana, mediterrânea ou judeus do leste europeu. A infecção pelo HHV-8, extremamente prevalente em nosso meio, tem sido considerada o fator de risco mais importante. A evolução dessa malignidade é vagarosa, mas o progresso das lesões pode ser variável, com progressão e disseminação das lesões em semanas. O envolvimento visceral, como no caso relatado, ocorre em menos de 10% dos casos. De forma geral, o SK apresenta boa resposta às diferentes terapias. Conclusão É imperativo que o diagnóstico de Sarcoma de Kaposi clássico seja considerado diante de um quadro agressivo, especialmente em homens idosos.
Encarceramento feminino e violência simbólica em uma penitenciária na Paraíba em tempos de pandemia
Authors: Oliveira Josilene Ribeiro de
Published: March 2023

Este trabalho objetiva discutir como a dimensão de gênero é incorporada às práticas comunicativas e de interação no sistema prisional, especialmente durante a pandemia de covid-19. O estudo qualitativo privilegia dados bibliográficos e documentais e a observação direta em uma penitenciária feminina na Paraíba, tendo como eixo norteador a abordagem interseccional. Suportados pelo método da Análise do Discurso, os resultados parciais sugerem que o sistema de comunicação é parte estruturante das violências simbólicas (re)produzidas pelos sistemas carcerário e judiciário.
Comunicação e museus: aportes da comunicação organizacional
Authors: Morás Nicole Sberse , Baldissera Rudimar
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo temos o objetivo de refletir sobre a comunicação organizacional de museus. Para isso, além de breve revisão de literatura, empregamos dados empíricos, coletados por AUTOR (ano) por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com representantes de 12 museus de Porto Alegre. Como resultados, evidenciamos que a comunicação organizacional dos museus ainda é fortemente pautada pelo viés transmissivo, difusionista e de publicização, mas há tendência idealizada de qualificar esses processos mediante comunicação vinculativa e/ou dialógica.
Feminismo e Comunicação: uma relação necessária
Authors: Lago Claudia
Published: March 2023

Este artigo aborda o feminismo e o campo da Comunicação. Inicia contextualizando a temática e oferece uma conceituação sobre o feminismo e suas origens, indicando dados relativos às pautas que apontam as desigualdades de gênero, para, em seguida, enfocar a relação com a Comunicação. Indica uma relação ainda muito tímida que esse campo mantém com os estudos feministas e de gênero, e propõe que essa relação se intensifique e passe a nortear pesquisas na área, independentemente dos objetos empíricos.
Feminismos plurais não podem excluir mulheres com deficiência!
Authors: Certeza Leandra Migotto
Published: March 2023

Este artigo trata sobre como a avassaladora maioria das mulheres com deficiência ainda é completamente excluída das pautas feministas plurais ao redor do mundo. Infantilizadas, enxergadas de forma assistencialista e capacitista e tendo negado o direito de fazer suas próprias escolhas e/ou o respeito às suas particularidades e necessidades de acessibilidade, muitas são invisibilizadas por viverem em situação de pobreza e outras não são ouvidas, vivem amarradas em suas camas e não conseguem denunciar seus agressores físicos e sexuais, principalmente as negras, obesas, indígenas, bissexuais, lésbicas e/ou trans, visto que são triplamente discriminadas.
Guia bibliográfico sobre mulheres e feminismos: novas perspectivas para o campo da comunicação
Authors: Leitzke Milene Rocha Lourenço , Ferrari Maria Aparecida
Published: March 2023

Gênero e feminismo são temáticas que precisam ser discutidas de forma transversal em todas as áreas do conhecimento. Pensando nisso, este estudo apresenta um “guia bibliográfico”, que traz referências de autoras e autores do pensamento feminista, visando contribuir para a ampliação das discussões sobre os pontos de intersecção e tensionamentos com o campo das relações públicas e comunicação organizacional, os quais carecem de estudos sobre os processos comunicacionais a partir de lentes que questionem a heternormatividade e a hegemonia eurocêntrica.
Maternidad, trabajo y cuidados en el contexto de la pandemia del COVID-19
Authors: Saraiva Sheila Prado
Published: March 2023

La experiencia colectiva, global y simultanea de la pandemia del COVID-19 ha puesto en evidencia, entre otras cosas, las desigualdades relacionadas a los trabajos de cuidados, así como los desafíos de conciliar maternidad y vida laboral y sus impactos en la igualdad de género. Con base en la vivencia personal durante la pandemia, la escucha de mujeres madres dio como resultado el estudio Madres en cuarentena (2021) y en diálogos posteriores sobre esta pauta. Ese testimonio presenta algunas inquietudes y reflexiones sobre la tríade maternidad-trabajo-cuidados.
Nitrative Modification of Caveolin-3: A Novel Mechanism of Cardiac Insulin Resistance and a Potential Therapeutic Target Against Ischemic Heart Failure in Prediabetic Animals
Authors: Meng Zhijun , Zhang Zhen , Zhao Jianli , Liu Caihong , Yao Peng , Zhang Ling , Xie Dina , Lau Wayne Bond , Tsukuda Jumpei , Christopher Theodore A. , Lopez Bernard , Zhu Di , Liu Demin , Zhang John Ry , Gao Erhe , Ischiropoulos Harry , Koch Walter , Ma Xinliang , Wang Yajing
Published: March 2023

Background:

Myocardial insulin resistance is a hallmark of diabetic cardiac injury. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Recent studies demonstrate that the diabetic heart is resistant to other cardioprotective interventions, including adiponectin and preconditioning. The “universal” resistance to multiple therapeutic interventions suggests impairment of the requisite molecule(s) involved in broad prosurvival signaling cascades. Cav (Caveolin) is a scaffolding protein coordinating transmembrane signaling transduction. However, the role of Cav3 in diabetic impairment of cardiac protective signaling and diabetic ischemic heart failure is unknown.

Methods:

Wild-type and gene-manipulated mice were fed a normal diet or high-fat diet for 2 to 12 weeks and subjected to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Insulin cardioprotection was determined.

Results:

Compared with the normal diet group, the cardioprotective effect of insulin was significantly blunted as early as 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding (prediabetes), a time point where expression levels of insulin-signaling molecules remained unchanged. However, Cav3/insulin receptor-β complex formation was significantly reduced. Among multiple posttranslational modifications altering protein/protein interaction, Cav3 (not insulin receptor-β) tyrosine nitration is prominent in the prediabetic heart. Treatment of cardiomyocytes with 5-amino-3-(4-morpholinyl)-1,2,3-oxadiazolium chloride reduced the signalsome complex and blocked insulin transmembrane signaling. Mass spectrometry identified Tyr
73
as the Cav3 nitration site. Phenylalanine substitution of Tyr
73
(Cav3
Y73F
) abolished 5-amino-3-(4-morpholinyl)-1,2,3-oxadiazolium chloride–induced Cav3 nitration, restored Cav3/insulin receptor-β complex, and rescued insulin transmembrane signaling. It is most important that adeno-associated virus 9–mediated cardiomyocyte-specific Cav3
Y73F
reexpression blocked high-fat diet–induced Cav3 nitration, preserved Cav3 signalsome integrity, restored transmembrane signaling, and rescued insulin-protective action against ischemic heart failure. Last, diabetic nitrative modification of Cav3 at Tyr
73
also reduced Cav3/AdipoR1 complex formation and blocked adiponectin cardioprotective signaling.

Conclusions:

Nitration of Cav3 at Tyr
73
and resultant signal complex dissociation results in cardiac insulin/adiponectin resistance in the prediabetic heart, contributing to ischemic heart failure progression. Early interventions preserving Cav3-centered signalsome integrity is an effective novel strategy against diabetic exacerbation of ischemic heart failure.
Xylochrysis aquatica sp. nov. (Woswasiaceae) from freshwater habitats in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: SONG JING-YI , YANG YI , YU XIAN-DONG , DISSANAYAKE ASHA J. , TIAN QING
Published: March 2023

During surveys of ascomycetous fungi in Sichuan province, China, a new aquicolous taxon, Xylochrysis aquatica, isolated from a decaying trunk of an undetermined wood is described. Xylochrysis aquatica differs from the type species X. lucida in having solitary, smaller ascomata with a short papillate ostiole, without a golden yellow layer of surrounded cells and larger asci with rounded ascospores. The phylogenetic analysis of the combined ITS-LSU-SSU-rpb2-tef1-α sequence data matrix showed that X. aquatica clustered together with X. lucida and formed as different lineages, it can be recognized as a distinct species. A detailed description and an illustration of the novel species are given while a nucleotide comparison of related species is provided.
Bulbine decastroi (Asphodelaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae), a new peatland species with grass tuft-like rosettes from Mpumalanga, South Africa
Authors: SMITH GIDEON F. , GROBLER RETIEF , HANKEY ANDREW
Published: March 2023

A new species of Bulbine, B. decastroi (Asphodelaceae subfam. Asphodeloideae), with grass tuft-like leaves, is described from north-central Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Bulbine decastroi is a substrate (peatland) specialist. The species is illustrated and compared to B. capitata.
The Coupling Between Tropical Meteorology, Aerosol Lifecycle, Convection, and Radiation during the Cloud, Aerosol and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP2Ex)
Authors: Reid J. S. , Maring H. B. , Narisma G. T. , van den Heever S. , Di Girolamo L. , Ferrare R. , Lawson P. , Mace G. G. , Simpas J. B. , Tanelli S. , Ziemba L. , van Diedenhoven B. , Bruintjes R. , Bucholtz A. , Cairns B. , Cambaliza M. O. , Chen G. , Diskin G. S. , Flynn J. H. , Hostetler C. A. , Holz R. E. , Lang T. J. , Schmidt K. S. , Smith G. , Sorooshian A. , Thompson E. J. , Thornhill K. L. , Trepte C. , Wang J. , Woods S. , Yoon S. , Alexandrov M. , Alvarez S. , Amiot C. G. , Bennett J. R. , Brooks M. , Burton S. P. , Cayanan E. , Chen H. , Collow A. , Crosbie E. , DaSilva A. , DiGangi J. P. , Flagg D. D. , Freeman S. W. , Fu D. , Fukada E. , Hilario M. R. A. , Hong Y. , Hristova-Veleva S. M. , Kuehn R. , Kowch R. S. , Leung G. R. , Loveridge J. , Meyer K. , Miller R. M. , Montes M. J. , Moum J. N. , Nenes A. , Nesbitt S. W. , Norgren M. , Nowottnick E. P. , Rauber R. M. , Reid E. A. , Rutledge S. , Schlosser J. S. , Sekiyama T. T. , Shook M. A. , Sokolowsky G. A. , Stamnes S. A. , Tanaka T. Y. , Wasilewski A. , Xian P. , Xiao Q. , Xu Zhuocan , Zavaleta J.
Published: March 2023

The NASA Cloud, Aerosol, and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP2Ex) employed the NASA P-3, Stratton Park Engineering Company (SPEC) Learjet 35, and a host of satellites and surface sensors to characterize the coupling of aerosol processes, cloud physics, and atmospheric radiation within the Maritime Continent’s complex southwest monsoonal environment. Conducted in the late summer of 2019 from Luzon, Philippines, in conjunction with the Office of Naval Research Propagation of Intraseasonal Tropical Oscillations (PISTON) experiment with its R/V Sally Ride stationed in the northwestern tropical Pacific, CAMP2Ex documented diverse biomass burning, industrial and natural aerosol populations, and their interactions with small to congestus convection. The 2019 season exhibited El Niño conditions and associated drought, high biomass burning emissions, and an early monsoon transition allowing for observation of pristine to massively polluted environments as they advected through intricate diurnal mesoscale and radiative environments into the monsoonal trough. CAMP2Ex’s preliminary results indicate 1) increasing aerosol loadings tend to invigorate congestus convection in height and increase liquid water paths; 2) lidar, polarimetry, and geostationary Advanced Himawari Imager remote sensing sensors have skill in quantifying diverse aerosol and cloud properties and their interaction; and 3) high-resolution remote sensing technologies are able to greatly improve our ability to evaluate the radiation budget in complex cloud systems. Through the development of innovative informatics technologies, CAMP2Ex provides a benchmark dataset of an environment of extremes for the study of aerosol, cloud, and radiation processes as well as a crucible for the design of future observing systems.
Verification of Rapid Refresh and High-Resolution Rapid Refresh Model Variables in Tornadic Tropical Cyclones
Authors: MacDonald Leland M. , Nowotarski Christopher J.
Published: March 2023

Tropical cyclone tornadoes (TCTORs) are a hazard to life and property during landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs). The threat is often spread over a wide area within the TC envelope and must be continually evaluated as the TC moves inland and dissipates. To anticipate the risk of TCTORs, forecasters may use high-resolution, rapidly updating model analyses and short-range forecasts such as the Rapid Refresh (RAP) and High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR), and an ingredients-based approach similar to that used for forecasting continental midlatitude tornadoes. Though RAP and HRRR errors have been identified in typical midlatitude convective environments, this study evaluates the performance of the RAP and the HRRR within the TC envelope, with particular attention given to sounding-derived parameters previously identified as useful for TCTOR forecasting. A sample of 1730 observed upper-air soundings is sourced from 13 TCs that made landfall along the U.S. coastline between 2017 and 2019. The observed soundings are paired with their corresponding model gridpoint soundings from the RAP analysis, RAP 12-h forecast, and HRRR 12-h forecast. Model errors are calculated for both the raw sounding variables of temperature, dewpoint, and wind speed, as well as for the selected sounding-derived parameters. Results show a moist bias that worsens with height across all model runs. There are also statistically significant underpredictions in stability-related parameters such as convective available potential energy (CAPE) and kinematic parameters such as vertical wind shear.
Vulnerability in a Tropical Cyclone Risk Model: Philippines Case Study
Authors: Baldwin Jane W. , Lee Chia-Ying , Walsh Brian J. , Camargo Suzana J. , Sobel Adam H.
Published: March 2023

The authors describe a tropical cyclone risk model for the Philippines using open-source methods that can be straightforwardly generalized to other countries. Wind fields derived from historical observations, as well as those from an environmentally forced tropical cyclone hazard model, are combined with data representing exposed value and vulnerability to determine asset losses. Exposed value is represented by the LitPop dataset, which assumes total asset value is distributed across a country following population density and night-lights data. Vulnerability is assumed to follow a functional form previously proposed by Emanuel, with free parameters chosen by a sensitivity analysis in which simulated and historical reported damages are compared for different parameter values and further constrained by information from household surveys about regional building characteristics. Use of different vulnerability parameters for the region around Manila, Philippines, yields much better agreement between simulated and actually reported losses than does a single set of parameters for the entire country. Despite the improvements from regionally refined vulnerability, the model predicts no losses for a substantial number of destructive historical storms, a difference the authors hypothesize is due to the use of wind speed as the sole metric of tropical cyclone hazard, omitting explicit representation of storm surge and/or rainfall. Bearing these limitations in mind, this model can be used to estimate return levels for tropical cyclone–caused wind hazards and asset losses for regions across the Philippines, relevant to some disaster risk reduction and management tasks; this model also provides a platform for further development of open-source tropical cyclone risk modeling.

Significance Statement

Landfalling tropical cyclones are devastating disasters for which the Philippines is particularly at risk. Here we develop a model for tropical cyclone risk, quantified as property losses, over the Philippines and demonstrate its effectiveness by comparing to historical damages. We find that capturing the difference in vulnerability between the largest city in the Philippines (Manila) and more rural areas is important to accurately represent this risk. Using this model, we can more accurately constrain the risk of very extreme tropical cyclone events in the Philippines. The model can also be straightforwardly adapted for emergency planning in other countries and for climate change scenarios using openly available information.
Validation and Comparison of the Prognosis Predicting Ability of Inflammation-Based Scores Following Endovascular Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Itagaki Tadashi , Ebisawa Soichiro , Kato Tamon , Miura Takashi , Oyama Yushi , Hashizume Naoto , Yokota Daisuke , Taki Minami , Senda Keisuke , Okina Yoshiteru , Wakabayashi Tadamasa , Fujimori Kouki , Karube Kenichi , Sakai Takahiro , Nomoto Fumika , Takamatsu Toshifumi , Tanaka Kiu , Mochidome Tomoaki , Saigusa Tatsuya , Motoki Hirohiko , Kasai Toshio , Ikeda Uichi , Kuwahara Koichiro
Published: March 2023

We assessed the prognostic ability of several inflammation-based scores and compared their long-term outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) following endovascular treatment (EVT). We included 278 patients with PAD who underwent EVT and classified them according to their inflammation-based scores (Glasgow prognostic score [GPS], modified GPS [mGPS], platelet to lymphocyte ratio [PLR], prognostic index [PI], and prognostic nutritional index [PNI]). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 5 years were examined, and C-statistics in each measure were calculated to compare their MACE predictive ability. During the follow-up period, 96 patients experienced MACE. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that higher scores of all measures were associated with a higher MACE incidence. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that GPS 2, mGPS 2, PLR 1, and PNI 1, compared with GPS 0, mGPS 0, PLR 0, and PNI 0, were associated with an increased risk of MACE. C-statistics for MACE for PNI (.683) were greater than those for GPS (.635, P = .021), mGPS (.580, P = .019), PLR (.604, P = .024), and PI (.553, P < .001). PNI is associated with MACE risk and has a better prognosis-predicting ability than other inflammation-scoring models for patients with PAD following EVT.
Low-wage mobility in Central Europe
Authors: Gerbery Daniel , Miklošovič Tomáš
Published: March 2023

The article provides analyses of the mobility and resilience to mobility among low-wage earners in four Central European (CE) countries. It examines transitions into higher-paid jobs, unemployment/inactivity, and the stability of low-wage status. In addition to standard transition matrices and summary mobility indices, it employs multinomial logit models with the aim of identifying individual determinants of low-wage earners’ prospects. The findings show that the CE countries do not represent a homogeneous group in terms of presence of low wages when the period of 2010–2016 is considered. In regard to future prospects, low-wage employees in the countries with higher incidence of low pay are more likely to reproduce their status, as compared with countries with lower incidence. Upward mobility is more likely among younger, high-educated employees and among those who work in “better” occupations.
An analytical formulation of unidirectional composite curved beam with out-of-plane fiber waviness under bending
Authors: Lu Wei-Tsen , Iarve Endel V , Liang Yu-Jui
Published: March 2023

A closed-form analytical solution is developed for analyzing laminated composite curved beam with out-of-plane fiber waviness under bending. Timoshenko beam theory was adopted in derivation where the effects of shear deformation was considered for moderately thick beam. Explicit expressions for evaluating equivalent axial and bending stiffness are formulated based upon the modified lamination theory and taking the structural deformation characteristics of narrow section beam into consideration. Stress distribution at any given location calculated by the proposed method is investigated. Significant increase of radial normal stress and shear stresses are observed when out-of-plane fiber waviness is introduced. The comparisons between present analytical results and numerical data indicate that the present methodology have ability to capture radial normal, circumferential normal, and shear stress distributions of composite curved beam with out-of-plane fiber waviness and the level of stress predicted is satisfactory with numerical results.
The Murine Oral Metatranscriptome Reveals Microbial and Host Signatures of Periodontal Disease
Authors: Joseph S. , Carda-Diéguez M. , Aduse-Opoku J. , Alsam A. , Mira A. , Curtis M.A.
Published: March 2023

Periodontal disease is accompanied by alterations to cellular profiles and biological activities of both the subgingival microbiome and host tissues. Although significant progress has been made in describing the molecular basis of the homeostatic balance of host–commensal microbe interactions in health compared to the destructive imbalance in disease, particularly with respect to immune and inflammatory systems, few studies have attempted a comprehensive analysis in diverse host models. Here, we describe the development and application of a metatranscriptomic approach to analysis of host–microbe gene transcription in a murine periodontal disease model, based on oral gavage infection using Porphyromonas gingivalis in C57BL6/J mice. We generated 24 metatranscriptomic libraries from individual mouse oral swabs, representing health and disease. On average, 76% ± 11.7% reads in each sample belonged to the murine host genome and the remainder to the microbes. We found 3,468 (2.4% of the total) murine host transcripts differentially expressed between health and disease, of which 76% were overexpressed in periodontitis. Predictably, there were prominent alterations to genes and pathways linked with the host immune compartment in disease—the CD40 signaling pathway being the top enriched biological process in this data set. However, in addition, we observed significant alterations to other biological processes in disease, particularly cellular/metabolic processes and biological regulation. The number of differentially expressed microbial genes particularly indicated shifts in carbon metabolism pathways in disease with potential consequences for metabolic end-product formation. Together, these metatranscriptome data reveal marked changes between the gene expression patterns in both the murine host and microbiota, which may represent signatures of health and disease, providing the basis for future functional studies of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cellular responses in periodontal disease. In addition, the noninvasive protocol developed in this study will enable further longitudinal and interventionist studies of host–microbe gene expression networks.
Tertiary Lymphoid Structure Raises Survival and Immunotherapy in HPV− HNSCC
Authors: Li H. , Zhu S.-W. , Zhou J.-J. , Chen D.-R. , Liu J. , Wu Z.-Z. , Wang W.-Y. , Zhang M.-J. , Sun Z.-J.
Published: March 2023

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 has been used for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the overall response rate to ICB therapy for HNSCC remains less than 20%. It has recently been reported that the appearance of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in tumor tissue is correlated with better prognosis and response to ICB treatment. Here, we demonstrated an immune classification for the tumor microenvironment (TME) of HNSCC by analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)–HNSCC data set and found that immunotype D with TLS enrichment had a better prognosis and response to ICB treatment. Furthermore, we observed that TLSs were present in a part of tumor samples of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection negative HNSCC (HPV− HNSCC) and were associated with the densities of dendritic cell (DC)–LAMP+ DCs, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and progenitor T cells in TME. We established an HPV− HNSCC mouse model with TLS-enriched TME by overexpressing LIGHT in a mouse HNSCC cell line. We found that the induction of TLS formation enhanced the response to PD-1 blockade treatment in the HPV− HNSCC mouse model, accompanied by increases in DCs and progenitor exhausted CD8+ T cells in the TME. Elimination of CD20+ B cells attenuated the therapeutic effect of PD-1 pathway blockade in TLS+ HPV− HNSCC mouse models. These results indicate that TLSs contribute to the favorable prognosis and antitumor immunity of HPV− HNSCC. Inducing TLS formation in HPV− HNSCC tumors is a potential therapeutic method for improving the ICB response rate in patients with HPV− HNSCC.
Study on thermal, mechanical, and wettability properties of three-dimensional weft-knitted spacer fabrics with various silica aerogels coating
Authors: Islam Syed Rashedul , Wang Wendi , Junjie Pan , Jiang Jinhua , Shao Huiqi , Chen Nanliang
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the thermal, mechanical, and oil absorption-retention properties at various temperatures (20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, and 60°C) of three-dimensional (3D) weft-knitted spacer fabrics with optimal performance of silica aerogel coating that demands exceptional attention. Silica aerogels and (silica aerogels + poly(vinyl-alcohol)) sols were prepared and coated on 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics to study and compare the basic properties, i.e. thermal resistance, thermal conductivity, tensile strength, initial modulus, compression, bending rigidity, wettability, oil absorption, and retention capacity. The scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies were completed to understand the influence of both coatings on 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics such as surface morphology and molecular interaction. The tensile, bending, and compression tests of 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics were accomplished to check their durability, bendability, and compressibility. All the coated samples (both silica aerogels and (silica aerogels + poly(vinyl-alcohol))) showed greater thermal resistance (0.0971 ± 0.0003 m2 KW−1 and 0.0912 ± 0.0005 m2 KW−1) and lower thermal conductivity (0.0309 ± 0.0001 Wm−1 K−1 and 0.0329 ± 0.0002 Wm−1 K−1) with better thermal stability than the uncoated samples, most specifically coated sample 5. Besides, coated sample 5 exposed higher oil absorption ((7.91 ± 0.06 g/g and 7.88 ± 0.06 g/g) and (7.56 ± 0.04 g/g and 7.53 ± 0.04 g/g)) and retention ((90.10 ± 0.53% and 89.07 ± 0.55%) and (92.47 ± 0.49% and 91.43 ± 0.47%)) capacity for vegetable and engine oil in all conditions, especially at 40°C. The outcomes demonstrated that both coatings played a vital role in the thermal, mechanical, and wettability properties of 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics with statistically significant performance ( p < 0.05). Moreover, these new types of sorbents (3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics) have better consequences in most cases than conventional knitted, woven, and nonwoven sorbents. Hence, these 3D weft-knitted spacer fabrics could be used for industrial applications as eco-friendly and multifunctional oil sorbent materials.
Emojination Facilitates Inclusive Emoji Design Through Technical Writing: Fitting Tactical Technical Communication Inside Institutional Structures
Authors: Gallagher John R. , Avgoustopoulos Rebecca E.
Published: March 2023

Creating new emojis is predicated on a system of technical writing that lobbies for new emojis to the Unicode Consortium. Emojination, an activist collective working for cultural inclusivity, helps everyday people write proposals for inclusive and culturally sensitive emojis. Through a case study of Emojination, this article describes ways that Tactical Technical Communication can work toward cultural inclusivity within regulatory frameworks.
Teaching with TikTok in Online Sociology of Sex and Gender Courses
Authors: Lampe Nik M.
Published: March 2023

Maintaining class participation and engagement poses a unique challenge in teaching online courses at postsecondary institutions. With the distinctive rise of online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a critical need to develop innovative and exciting opportunities in online course concept learning, application, and peer-to-peer engagement. To fulfill this need, I utilized the popular social media app TikTok to help students engage with sociological insights and concepts during course participation activities in two asynchronous, online Sociology of Sex and Gender courses at the University of South Carolina. TikTok is an online-sharing platform that allows users to create short videos with music and visual effects. TikTok can also be a valuable tool for increasing student engagement in online sociology courses. In this article, I describe this teaching activity, present findings of the preliminary teaching evaluation, and discuss the potential impact of using TikTok in online sociology courses.