bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adenosine receptor A2b confers ovarian cancer survival and PARP inhibitor resistance through IL‐6‐STAT3 signalling
Authors: Chi Liqing , Huan Lin , Zhang Chunyan , Wang Hanming , Lu Jian
Published: June 2023

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer worldwide, and the therapeutic options are limited. PARP inhibitor (PARPi) represents an effective therapeutic strategy and has been approved for maintenance therapy. However, the intrinsic or acquired resistance to PARPi becomes a big challenge. To investigate the mechanisms for PARPi resistance, we analysed public databases and established Olaparib‐resistant ovarian cancer cells for exploration. Our results showed that the inflammatory pathway and adenosine receptor A2b (Adora2b/A2B) expression were significantly increased in Olaparib‐resistant cells. A2B was highly expressed in recurrent ovarian tumours and negatively correlated with the clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Olaparib treatment enhanced A2B expression through NF‐κB activation. The elevated A2B contributed to Olaparib resistance by sensing adenosine signal and promoting tumour cell survival, growth and migration via IL‐6‐STAT3 signalling. Therefore, inhibition of A2B‐IL‐6‐STAT3 axis could overcome Olaparib resistance and synergize with Olaparib to reduce cancer cell growth and lead to cell death. Our findings reveal a critical role of A2B signalling in mediating PARPi resistance independent of DNA damage repair, providing insights into developing novel therapies in ovarian cancers.
A cross‐lagged twin study of emotional symptoms, social isolation and peer victimisation from early adolescence to emerging adulthood
Authors: Morneau‐Vaillancourt Geneviève , Oginni Olakunle , Assary Elham , Krebs Georgina , Thompson Ellen J. , Palaiologou Elisavet , Lockhart Celestine , Arseneault Louise , Eley Thalia C.
Published: June 2023

Background

Emotional symptoms, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms, are common during adolescence, often persist over time, and can precede the emergence of severe anxiety and depressive disorders. Studies suggest that a vicious cycle of reciprocal influences between emotional symptoms and interpersonal difficulties may explain why some adolescents suffer from persisting emotional symptoms. However, the role of different types of interpersonal difficulties, such as social isolation and peer victimisation, in these reciprocal associations is still unclear. In addition, the lack of longitudinal twin studies conducted on emotional symptoms during adolescence means that the genetic and environmental contributions to these relationships during adolescence remain unknown.

Methods

Participants (N = 15,869) from the Twins Early Development Study completed self‐reports of emotional symptoms, social isolation and peer victimisation at 12, 16 and 21 years old. A phenotypic cross‐lagged model examined reciprocal associations between variables over time, and a genetic extension of this model examined the aetiology of the relationships between variables at each timepoint.

Results

First, emotional symptoms were reciprocally and independently associated with both social isolation and peer victimisation over time, indicating that different forms of interpersonal difficulties uniquely contributed to emotional symptoms during adolescence and vice versa. Second, early peer victimisation predicted later emotional symptoms via social isolation in mid‐adolescence, indicating that social isolation may constitute an intermediate pathway through which peer victimisation predicts longer‐term emotional symptoms. Finally, individual differences in emotional symptoms were mostly accounted for by non‐shared environmental factors at each timepoint, and both gene–environment and individual‐specific environmental mechanisms were involved in the relationships between emotional symptoms and interpersonal difficulties.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the necessity to intervene early in adolescence to prevent the escalation of emotional symptoms over time and to consider social isolation and peer victimisation as important risk factors for the long‐term persistence of emotional symptoms.
Evaluation of blood‐based PRO‐C3 testing as a diagnostic marker for staging liver fibrosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Menglu , Qiu Hanying , Zhang Wenyan , Mei Tingting , Tang Shan , Gao Yuxue , Zhu Yanqiu , Huang Xiaojie , Yu Haibin
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim

With the global increase in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, there is an increasing need to identify non‐invasive biomarkers to measure the severity of disease progression while reducing reliance on pathological biopsies. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic value of PRO‐C3 as a biomarker for staging liver fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis or fatty liver disease.

Methods

Articles published until January 6, 2023, were searched in the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2 tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and likelihood ratios were integrated using a random‐effects model, and a summary receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed. Publication bias was also detected. Subgroup and meta‐regression analyses, as well as sensitivity analysis, were also performed.

Results

Fourteen studies with 4315 patients were included. Summary area under the curve of PRO‐C3 for the identification of significant fibrosis (≥ F2) and advanced fibrosis (≥ F3) was 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.76–0.83). Subgroup and meta‐regression analyses suggested that disease type and sample size may be the primary factors of heterogeneity in PRO‐C3 diagnosis of ≥ F2, while study design, study sample type, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit brand may be the primary sources of heterogeneity in PRO‐C3 diagnosis of ≥ F3.

Conclusions

PRO‐C3 demonstrated clinically meaningful diagnostic accuracy when used alone as a non‐invasive biomarker for diagnosing the liver fibrosis stage in individuals with viral hepatitis or fatty liver disease.
Comparison of pancreatic enzyme abnormalities and protease‐activated receptor‐2‐positive eosinophils in the duodenum of patients with functional dyspepsia‐irritable bowel syndrome overlap with functional dyspepsia alone in Asian populations
Authors: Futagami Seiji , Kessoku Takaomi , Kasai Yuki , Higurashi Takuma , Nakajima Atsushi , Agawa Shuhei , Yamawaki Hiroshi , Nakamura Ken , Habiro Mayu , Kawawa Rie , Ueki Nobue , Higashida Sakura , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Yamato Hiroshi , Yamamoto Takatsugu , Takasaki Yusuke , Ito Koichi , Hojo Mariko , Isayama Hiroyuki , Motoda Norio , Ohashi Ryuji , Siah Kewin Tien Ho , Ng Carissa Kahmun , Gwee Kok‐Ann
Published: June 2023

Background and Aim

Some patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders exhibit pancreatic dysfunctions and pancreatic enzyme abnormalities. Thus, we aimed to clarify whether significant differences in clinical characteristics, prevalence of pancreatic enzyme abnormalities, duodenal inflammation, and protease‐activated receptor 2 (PAR2) expression levels related to hypersensitivity exist between functional dyspepsia (FD) alone and FD‐irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) overlap group.

Methods

Ninety‐three patients based on the Rome IV criteria, FD alone (n = 44) and FD overlapped with IBS (n = 49) group were enrolled. The patients scored their own clinical symptoms after consuming high‐fat meals. Serum trypsin, PLA2, lipase, p‐amylase, and elastase‐1 levels were measured. PAR2, eotaxin‐3, and TRPV4 mRNA levels in duodenum were determined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction methods. PRG2‐ and PAR2 in the duodenum were evaluated using immunostaining.

Results

FD score and global GSRS in patients with FD‐IBS overlap were significantly higher than FD alone. Although the prevalence of pancreatic enzyme abnormalities in patients with FD alone was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that in FD‐IBS overlap, the ratio of aggravation of clinical symptoms following high‐fat intake in patients with FD‐IBS overlap was significantly higher (P = 0.007) than that in patients with FD alone. PAR2‐ and PRG2‐double positive cells were localized in the degranulated eosinophils in the duodenum of patients with FD‐IBS overlap. The number of PAR2‐ and PRG2‐double positive cells in FD‐IBS overlap was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than FD alone.

Conclusions

Pancreatic enzyme abnormalities and PAR2 expression on degranulated eosinophils infiltrations in the duodenum may be associated with the pathophysiology of patients with FD‐IBS overlap in Asian populations.
A crosswalk of commonly used frailty scales
Authors: Sison Stephanie Denise M. , Shi Sandra M. , Kim Kyung Moo , Steinberg Nessa , Jeong Sohyun , McCarthy Ellen P. , Kim Dae Hyun
Published: June 2023

Background

Several validated scales have been developed to measure frailty, yet the direct relationship between these measures and their scores remains unknown. To bridge this gap, we created a crosswalk of the most commonly used frailty scales.

Methods

We used data from 7070 community‐dwelling older adults who participated in National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 5 to construct a crosswalk among frailty scales. We operationalized the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture Index (SOF), FRAIL Scale, Frailty Phenotype, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Vulnerable Elder Survey‐13 (VES‐13), Tilburg Frailty Indictor (TFI), Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS), and 40‐item Frailty Index (FI). A crosswalk between FI and the frailty scales was created using the equipercentile linking method, a statistical procedure that produces equivalent scoring between scales according to percentile distributions. To demonstrate its validity, we determined the 4‐year mortality risk across all scales for low‐risk (equivalent to FI <0.20), moderate‐risk (FI 0.20 to <0.40), and high‐risk (FI ≥0.40) categories.

Results

Using NHATS, the feasibility of calculating frailty scores was at least 90% for all nine scales, with the FI having the highest number of calculable scores. Participants considered frail on FI (cutpoint of 0.25) corresponded to the following scores on each frailty measure: SOF 1.3, FRAIL 1.7, Phenotype 1.7, CFS 5.3, VES‐13 5.5, TFI 4.4, GFI 4.8, and EFS 5.8. Conversely, individuals considered frail according to the cutpoint of each frailty measure corresponded to the following FI scores: 0.37 for SOF, 0.40 for FRAIL, 0.42 for Phenotype, 0.21 for CFS, 0.16 for VES‐13, 0.28 for TFI, 0.21 for GFI, and 0.37 for EFS. Across frailty scales, the 4‐year mortality risks between the same categories were similar in magnitude.

Conclusion

Our results provide clinicians and researchers with a useful tool to directly compare and interpret frailty scores across scales.
Biophysical economic interpretation of the Great Depression: A critical period of an energy transition
Authors: Kennedy Christopher A.
Published: June 2023

The objective of this paper is to explain the cause and proceedings of the 1930s Great Depression from a biophysical economic perspective. The Depression was a painful episode in the socio‐technological transition from a coal/railroad regime to one based on hydrocarbons, motor vehicles, and electricity. The beginning—the Great Crash of October 1929—corresponded with drastic cuts in oil prices and announcement of oil supply certainty, following discovery of huge oilfields in the US Southwest. The Depression principally centered on a change from railroads to motor‐vehicle‐based transportation, but was long and drawn‐out due to the hegemonic power that the railroads held over the US economy. The late 1920s saw increased use of hydrocarbon‐based technologies, but the emerging technologies were still reliant on the old technological system. Methods of biophysical economics, mapping energy flows to capital formation, show the critical role of railroads in the Depression. In 1929, railroads accounted for 24% of the non‐residential capital stock; they delivered between 70% and 76% of energy needs; and 69% of energy required for capital formation. Thus a hypothesis emerges that dwindling investment in the railroads was a major constraint on the economy. In biophysical terms, the US economy's main energy delivery system—coal carried by railcars—was hamstrung. Energy flow Sankey diagrams for 1929 and 1939 show the gradual change in energy systems that occurred over the Depression.
Ceftriaxone improves impairments in synaptic plasticity and cognitive behavior in APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting extrasynaptic NMDAR‐STEP61 signaling
Authors: He Ruo‐Bing , Li Li , Liu Li‐Zhe , Ma Ya‐Jun , Fan Shu‐Juan , Liu Li‐Rong , Li Wen‐Bin , Xian Xiao‐Hui
Published: June 2023

Abnormal activation of the extrasynaptic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ceftriaxone (Cef) can improve cognitive impairment by upregulating glutamate transporter‐1 and promoting the glutamate–glutamine cycle in an AD mouse model. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cef on synaptic plasticity and cognitive‐behavioral impairment and to unravel the associated underlying mechanisms. We used an APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model of AD in this study. Extrasynaptic components from hippocampal tissue homogenates were isolated using density gradient centrifugation. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expressions of extrasynaptic NMDAR and its downstream elements. Intracerebroventricular injections of adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐striatal enriched tyrosine phosphatase 61 (STEP61) and AAV‐STEP61‐shRNA were used to modulate the expressions of STEP61 and extrasynaptic NMDAR. Long‐term potentiation (LTP) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were performed to evaluate the synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. The results showed that the expressions of GluN2B and GluN2BTyr1472 in the extrasynaptic fraction were upregulated in AD mice. Cef treatment effectively prevented the upregulation of GluN2B and GluN2BTyr1472 expressions. It also prevented changes in the downstream signals of extrasynaptic NMDAR, including increased expressions of m‐calpain and phosphorylated p38 MAPK in AD mice. Furthermore, STEP61 upregulation enhanced, whereas STEP61 downregulation reduced the Cef‐induced inhibition of the expressions of GluN2B, GluN2BTyr1472, and p38 MAPK in the AD mice. Similarly, STEP61 modulation affected Cef‐induced improvements in induction of LTP and performance in MWM tests. In conclusion, Cef improved synaptic plasticity and cognitive behavioral impairment in APP/PS1 AD mice by inhibiting the overactivation of extrasynaptic NMDAR and STEP61 cleavage due to extrasynaptic NMDAR activation.

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Masticatory myology of the llama (Lama glama, Camelidae) and comparisons with other camelids and euungulates
Authors: Ercoli Marcos D. , Álvarez Alicia , Moyano S. Rocío
Published: June 2023

Camelids are the only living representatives of the Suborder Tylopoda, and present a unique set of osteo‐myological masticatory features, differing from all other extant euungulates. They combine selenodont dentition and rumination with a fused symphysis, and roughly plesiomorphic muscle proportions. Despite its potential relevance as an euungulate model in comparative anatomy studies, the available data is strikingly scarce. The present study represents the first description of the masticatory muscles of a Lamini, analyzing the functional morphology of Lama glama and other camelids in a comparative framework. Both sides of the head of three adult specimens from Argentinean Puna were dissected. Descriptions, illustrations, muscular maps, and weighing of all masticatory muscles were performed. Some facial muscles are also described. The myology of llamas confirms that camelids possess relatively large temporalis muscles, with Lama being less extreme than Camelus. This plesiomorphic feature is also recorded in suines and some basal euungulates. Conversely, the direction of the fibers of the M. temporalis is mainly horizontal, resembling grinding euungulates such as equids, pecorans, and some derived suines. Although the M. masseter of camelids and equids do not reach the particularly modified configuration of pecorans, in which it is rostrally extended and arranged horizontally, the posterior sectors of Mm. masseter superficialis and pterygoideus medialis have acquired relatively horizontal disposition in the former lineages, suitable for protraction. The pterygoidei complex presents several bundles, and its relative size is intermediate between suines and derived grinding euungulates. The whole masticatory muscles are relatively light when compared to jaw weight. The evolution of the masticatory muscles and chewing of camelids implied that grinding abilities were reached with less extreme modifications of the topography and/or proportions than pecoran ruminants and equids. A relatively large M. temporalis recruited as a powerful retractor during the power stroke is a key feature of camelids. The relaxed pressure on chewing derived from the acquisition of rumination explains the slenderer build masticatory musculature of camelids compared to other euungulates except ruminants.
Bone resorption and formation in the pedicles of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in relation to the antler cycle—A morphological and microanalytical study
Authors: Kierdorf Uwe , Gomez Santiago , Stock Stuart R. , Antipova Olga , Kierdorf Horst
Published: June 2023

We analyzed pedicle bone from roe bucks that had died around antler casting or shortly before or during the rutting period. Pedicles obtained around antler casting were highly porous and showed signs of intense osteoclastic activity that had caused the formation of an abscission line. Following the detachment of the antler plus a portion of pedicle bone, osteoclastic activity in the pedicles continued for some time, and new bone was deposited onto the separation plane of the pedicle stump, leading to partial pedicle restoration. Pedicles obtained around the rutting period were compact structures. The newly formed, often very large secondary osteons, which had filled the resorption cavities, exhibited a lower mineral density than the persisting older bone. The middle zones of the lamellar infilling frequently showed hypomineralized lamellae and enlarged osteocyte lacunae. This indicates a deficiency in mineral elements during the formation of these zones that occurred along with peak antler mineralization. We suggest that growing antlers and compacting pedicles compete for mineral elements, with the rapidly growing antlers being the more effective sinks. The competition between the two simultaneously mineralizing structures is probably more severe in Capreolus capreolus than in other cervids. This is because roe bucks regrow their antlers during late autumn and winter, a period of limited food and associated mineral supply. The pedicle is a heavily remodeled bone structure with distinct seasonal variation in porosity. Pedicle remodeling differs in several aspects from the normal bone remodeling process in the mammalian skeleton.
Comparative analysis of the jaw apparatus of three marine annelids using scanning electron microscopy: Microstructure and elemental composition
Authors: Gonçalves Cátia , Alves de Matos António P. , Costa Pedro M.
Published: June 2023

Polychaeta are highly diversified invertebrates that inhabit marine, brackish or freshwater environments. They have acquired a unique range of adaptative features for securing food. However, the jaw apparatus may reveal not only defence and predation mechanisms, but also its relation to environmental chemistry. The present work compared the structure and chemical profile of the jaws of different estuarine Polychaeta: Nephtys hombergii (Nephtyidae), Hediste diversicolor (Nereididae) and Glycera alba (Glyceridae) using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X‐Ray (SEM–EDX). Analyses revealed that N. hombergii possesses a muscular jawless proboscis with terminal sensorial papillae for detecting prey, whereas the G. alba proboscis exhibits four delicately sharp jaws with perforations for venom delivery and H. diversicolor bears two blunt denticulated jaws to grasp a wide variety of food items. Melanin and metals like copper provide hardness to the slender jaws of Glycera, while, in the absence of heavier metallic elements, halogens contribute to H. diversicolor jaws robustness. The more specific chemistry of the jaws of glycerids is associated with its more refined venom injection, whereas Hediste is an opportunistic omnivore and Nepthys an agile forager. Altogether, the chemistry of jaws is an adaptive feature for feeding, locomotion and even resilience to complex and often adverse chemical profiles of estuaries.
Overconfident CEOs in Dire Straits: How Incumbent and Successor CEOs’ Overconfidence Affects Firm Turnaround Performance
Authors: Kowalzick Marc , Ahrens Jan‐Philipp , Lauterbach Jochim G. , Tang Yi
Published: June 2023

As a well‐studied executive bias, CEO overconfidence usually has negative connotations – although empirical evidence of its performance effects remains inconclusive. By theorizing on CEO overconfidence in a turnaround situation, we propose that CEO overconfidence can either help or hinder turnaround performance, depending on whether the overconfident CEO is the incumbent who steered the firm into dire straits, or a successor hired during decline. Our empirical findings suggest that overconfidence in an incumbent CEO damages turnaround performance; replacing overconfident incumbents improves turnaround performance and overconfident successors hired during decline enhance turnaround performance. Exploratory post‐hoc analyses further suggest that these effects are driven by the divergent ways in which overconfidence biases incumbent and successor CEOs’ assessment of organizational decline. Comprehensive implications for research and practice on CEO overconfidence are discussed.
Serum proteome profiles in cats with chronic enteropathies
Authors: Yu Jane , Boland Lara , Catt Melissa , Puk Leah , Wong Nadia , Krockenberger Mark , Bennett Peter , Ruaux Craig , Wasinger Valerie C.
Published: June 2023

Background

Serum protein biomarkers are used to diagnose, monitor treatment response, and to differentiate various forms of chronic enteropathies (CE) in humans. The utility of liquid biopsy proteomic approaches has not been examined in cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To explore the serum proteome in cats to identify markers differentiating healthy cats from cats with CE.

Animals

Ten cats with CE with signs of gastrointestinal disease of at least 3 weeks duration, and biopsy‐confirmed diagnoses, with or without treatment and 19 healthy cats were included.

Methods

Cross‐sectional, multicenter, exploratory study with cases recruited from 3 veterinary hospitals between May 2019 and November 2020. Serum samples were analyzed and evaluated using mass spectrometry‐based proteomic techniques.

Results

Twenty‐six proteins were significantly (P < .02, ≥5‐fold change in abundance) differentially expressed between cats with CE and controls. Thrombospondin‐1 (THBS1) was identified with >50‐fold increase in abundance in cats with CE (P < 0.001) compared to healthy cats.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Damage to the gut lining released marker proteins of chronic inflammation that were detectable in serum samples of cats. This early‐stage exploratory study strongly supports THBS1 as a candidate biomarker for chronic inflammatory enteropathy in cats.
Advancements in hatchery production of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus: Exclusive use of small strain rotifers as initial prey for larval rearing
Authors: Buchalla Yole , McGuigan Charles James , Stieglitz John D. , Hoenig Ronald H. , Tudela Carlos E. , Darville Kimberly G. , Ibarra‐Castro Leonardo , Benetti Daniel
Published: June 2023

The red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) has one of the most valued fisheries in the southeastern United States and has been largely studied for its aquaculture potential with varied results that revealed production challenges. This study focused on addressing challenges in larval rearing and juvenile production of this species. Broodstock fish were acclimated in a 60 m3 tank equipped with recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and temperature control. After 1 year in captivity, fish volitionally spawned and larval rearing trials were conducted in replicated flow‐through seawater tanks ranging from 0.4 to 2.4 m3, at a temperature range of 24–26°C. Enriched s‐strain rotifers, Brachionus rotundiformis (lorica length of 100–210 μm), were used for first feeding. Enriched Artemia sp. were gradually introduced after 18 days post hatch (DPH). The survival rate before metamorphosis (12 DPH) averaged 66.09 ± 0.08%. Survival rate from yolk‐sac larvae to post‐metamorphic early juvenile averaged 4.43 ± 0.01%. At 40 DPH, early red snapper juveniles averaged 0.35 ± 0.02 g in weight and 28.83 ± 0.60 mm in standard length. A total of 31,849 fully weaned juveniles were harvested. This study demonstrates that small strain rotifers can be used exclusively as first feeding prey organism for red snapper larvae, representing a significant advancement for red snapper juvenile production.
Testing for adaptive changes linked to range expansion following a single introduction of the fall webworm
Authors: Dai Jin‐Xu , Cao Li‐Jun , Chen Jin‐Cui , Yang Fangyuan , Shen Xiu‐Jing , Ma Li‐Jun , Hoffmann Ary Anthony , Chen Min , Wei Shu‐Jun
Published: June 2023

Adaptive evolution following colonization can affect the impact of invasive species. The fall webworm (FWW) invaded China 40 years ago through a single introduction event involving a severe bottleneck and subsequently diverged into two genetic groups. The well‐recorded invasion history of FWW, coupled with a clear pattern of genetic divergence, provides an opportunity to investigate whether there is any sign of adaptive evolution following the invasion. Based on genome‐wide SNPs, we identified genetically separated western and eastern groups of FWW and correlated spatial variation in SNPs with geographical and climatic factors. Geographical factors explained a similar proportion of the genetic variation across all populations compared with climatic factors. However, when the two population groups were analysed separately, environmental factors explained more variation than geographical factors. SNP outliers in populations of the western group had relatively stronger response to precipitation than temperature‐related variables. Functional annotation of SNP outliers identified genes associated with insect cuticle protein potentially related to desiccation adaptation in the western group and genes associated with lipase biosynthesis potentially related to temperature adaptation in the eastern group. Our study suggests that invasive species may maintain the evolutionary potential to adapt to heterogeneous environments despite a single invasion event. The molecular data suggest that quantitative trait comparisons across environments would be worthwhile.
Assessing spoken lexical and lexicogrammatical proficiency using features of word, bigram, and dependency bigram use
Authors: Kyle Kristopher , Eguchi Masaki
Published: June 2023

The measurement of second language (L2) productive lexical proficiency has driven a great deal of research over the past two decades. Research has indicated that more proficient speakers and writers tend to use a wider range of words and that more proficient writers tend to use words that are more sophisticated (less frequent in reference corpora). Research over the past 15 years has also demonstrated that the way words are used in context (i.e., collocation use) is also an important indicator of both written and spoken proficiency. In this study, we extend recent research that has modeled writing proficiency using collocation indices based on grammatical dependencies (e.g., verb–direct object) to spoken contexts. In particular, we model speaking proficiency scores from a large corpus of oral proficiency interview responses using a range of well‐known indices of productive proficiency and newly developed grammatical dependency indices. The results indicated that all index types demonstrated small to moderate correlations with speaking proficiency individually but explained a large proportion of the variance when used in a multivariate model that included dependency collocation indices.
Nausea is the only symptom associated with delayed gastric emptying in pediatric functional dyspepsia patients
Authors: De Keukelaere Marijke , Carbone Florencia , van Hoeve Karen , Tack Jan , Hoffman Ilse
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a heterogeneous functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) with a highly prevalent symptom complex. The aim of our study is to investigate the relation between symptoms of FD and results of gastric emptying (GE) breath test in children.

Methods

This study included patients (6–17 years old) presented at the general gastroenterology outpatient clinic with dyspeptic symptoms (Rome IV criteria) and underwent careful history taking with clinical examination. A GE breath test with a13C‐octanoic acid labeled (250 kcal) solid meal was performed and dyspepsia symptom scores, clarified using pictograms for postprandial fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and burning, were obtained every 15 min ranging from 0 to 4 for a total of 240 min. The severity of the complaints (overall and individual symptoms) as displayed by the symptom questionnaire was compared between normal and delayed GE groups. The relationship between GE time and the severity of FD symptoms was assessed using Mann–Whitney test.

Results

Thirty nine FD patients (55% girls; mean age: 11.9 ± 3.3 years) participated in the study. Of these, 43% had delayed GE. The overall symptom severity in patients with delayed GE was similar to the symptoms of patients with a normal GE rate (149.5 ± 12.7 points vs. 123.9 ± 9.0;p = 0.19). Individual symptoms scores showed only nausea to be significantly increased in the group with delayed GE (21.5 ± 1.9 points vs. 33.2 ± 4.6;p = 0.048,p < 0.1).

Conclusion

Especially in children with nausea as presenting symptom of FD, a low threshold should be withheld to perform a GE breath test.
Evolutionary lineage explains trait variation among 75 coexisting grass species
Authors: Donnelly Ryan C. , Wedel Emily R. , Taylor Jeffrey H. , Nippert Jesse B. , Helliker Brent R. , Riley William J. , Still Christopher J. , Griffith Daniel M.
Published: June 2023

Evolutionary history plays a key role driving patterns of trait variation across plant species. For scaling and modeling purposes, grass species are typically organized into C3 vs C4 plant functional types (PFTs). Plant functional type groupings may obscure important functional differences among species. Rather, grouping grasses by evolutionary lineage may better represent grass functional diversity.

We measured 11 structural and physiological traits in situ from 75 grass species within the North American tallgrass prairie. We tested whether traits differed significantly among photosynthetic pathways or lineages (tribe) in annual and perennial grass species.

Critically, we found evidence that grass traits varied among lineages, including independent origins of C4 photosynthesis. Using a rigorous model selection approach, tribe was included in the top models for five of nine traits for perennial species. Tribes were separable in a multivariate and phylogenetically controlled analysis of traits, owing to coordination of important structural and ecophysiological characteristics.

Our findings suggest grouping grass species by photosynthetic pathway overlooks variation in several functional traits, particularly for C4 species. These results indicate that further assessment of lineage‐based differences at other sites and across other grass species distributions may improve representation of C4 species in trait comparison analyses and modeling investigations.
The high‐light‐induced protein SliP4 binds to NDH1 and photosystems facilitating cyclic electron transport and state transition in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Alvarenga‐Lucius Luna , Linhartová Markéta , Schubert Hendrik , Maaß Sandra , Becher Dörte , Hess Wolfgang R. , Sobotka Roman , Hagemann Martin
Published: June 2023

An increasing number of small proteins has been identified in the genomes of well‐annotated organisms, including the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. We describe a newly assigned protein comprising 37 amino acids that is encoded upstream of the superoxide dismutase SodB encoding gene.

To clarify the role of SliP4, we analyzed a Synechocystis sliP4 mutant and a strain containing a fully active, Flag‐tagged variant of SliP4 (SliP4.f).

The initial hypothesis that this small protein might be functionally related to SodB could not be supported. Instead, we provide evidence that it fulfills important functions related to the organization of photosynthetic complexes. Therefore, we named it a small light‐induced protein of 4 kDa, SliP4. This protein is strongly induced under high‐light conditions. The lack of SliP4 causes a light‐sensitive phenotype due to impaired cyclic electron flow and state transitions. Interestingly, SliP4.f was co‐isolated with NDH1 complex and both photosystems. The interaction between SliP4.f and all three types of complexes was further confirmed by additional pulldowns and 2D‐electrophoreses.

We propose that the dimeric SliP4 serves as a molecular glue promoting the aggregation of thylakoid complexes, which contributes to different electron transfer modes and energy dissipation under stress conditions.
Drought response strategies are coupled with leaf habit in 35 evergreen and deciduous oak (Quercus) species across a climatic gradient in the Americas
Authors: Kaproth Matthew A. , Fredericksen Brett W. , González‐Rodríguez Antonio , Hipp Andrew L. , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine
Published: June 2023

Distinct survival strategies can result from trade‐offs in plant function under contrasting environments. Investment in drought resistance mechanisms can enhance survivorship but result in conservative growth. We tested the hypothesis that the widespread oaks (Quercus spp.) of the Americas exhibit an interspecific trade‐off between drought resistance and growth capacity.

Using experimental water treatments, we isolated adaptive trait associations among species in relation to their broad climates of origin and tested for correlated evolution between plant functional responses to water availability and habitat.

Across all lineages, oaks displayed plastic drought responses – typically acclimating through osmolyte accumulation in leaves and/or employing conservative growth. Oaks from xeric climates had higher osmolytes and reduced stomatal pore area index, which allows for moderated gas exchange and limits tissue loss.

Patterns suggest drought resistance strategies are convergent and under strong adaptive pressure. Leaf habit, however, mediates the growth and drought resistance strategies of oaks. Deciduous species, and evergreen species from xeric climates, have increased drought tolerance through osmoregulation, which allows for continuous, conservative growth. Evergreen mesic species show limited drought resistance but could enhance growth under well‐watered conditions. Consequently, evergreen species from mesic environments are especially vulnerable to chronic drought and climate change.
SlERF.H6 mediates the orchestration of ethylene and gibberellin signaling that suppresses bitter‐SGA biosynthesis in tomato
Authors: Hao Yingchen , Xiang Lijun , Lai Jun , Li Chun , Zhong Yue , Ye Weizhen , Yang Jie , Yang Jun , Wang Shouchuang
Published: June 2023

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) constitute a characteristic class of antinutritional metabolites that are found in certain Solanum species. Despite the considerable studies on SGA biosynthesis, the mechanisms of crosstalk between hormone signaling pathways that regulate SGA content still remain to be elucidated.

Here, we performed a metabolic genome‐wide association study (mGWAS) based on the levels of SGA metabolites and identified SlERF.H6 as a negative regulator of bitter‐SGA biosynthesis. SlERF.H6 repressed the expression of SGA biosynthetic glycoalkaloid metabolism (GAME) genes and caused a subsequent decrease in the abundance of bitter SGAs. Furthermore, SlERF.H6 were shown to act downstream of GAME9, a regulator of SGA biosynthesis in tomato.

We also uncovered the interplay between ethylene and gibberellin (GA) signaling in regulating SGA biosynthesis. SlERF.H6, acting as a downstream component in ethylene signaling, modulated GA content by inhibiting SlGA2ox12 expression. Increasing levels of endogenous GA12 and GA53 in SlERF.H6‐OE could inhibit of GA on SGA biosynthesis.

Additionally, 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) treatment decreased the stability of SlERF.H6, weakening its inhibition on GAME genes and SlGA2ox12, and caused bitter‐SGA accumulation. Our findings reveal a key role of SlERF.H6 in the regulation of SGA biosynthesis through the coordinated ethylene‐gibberellin signaling.
Analysis of real‐world visual ergonomics at the visual display unit
Authors: Kolbe Oliver , Müller Jennifer , Degle Stephan , Anders Christoph
Published: June 2023

Introduction

In this interventional study, the ergonomic workplace set‐up and the impact of character size on subjectively estimated working productivity and computer vision syndrome (CVS) were evaluated in the field.

Methods

The number of displays and their size, resolution, surface structure, position in the room and relation to the eye were evaluated for 152 units. CVS was assessed using the CVS‐Questionnaire. Habitually used character size for an uppercase E was recorded and compared to the ISO 9241–303:2011, national standards (e.g., ANSI/HFES 100–2007) and national guidelines (e.g., German DGUV Information 215–410). In case of failure to comply with these standards, character size was increased to 22 angular minutes to reach the recommended ranges. Reasons for returning to former or smaller character sizes were recorded, and subjectively perceived changes in productivity were estimated by the participants using a visual analogue scale before and 2 weeks after the intervention using a questionnaire.

Results

The average visual display unit consisted of two non‐glare (matt) 24″ widescreen monitors that were located approximately 73 cm (primary) and 76 cm (secondary) from the eyes. The mean (SD) habitually set character size was 14.29 angular minutes (3.53) and therefore both statistically and clinically significantly too small compared with ISO 9241–303:2011 (p < 0.001). Increasing the character size to 22 angular minutes produced a 26% reduction in subjectively rated productivity (p < 0.001). No significant correlation between character size and symptoms of CVS was demonstrated.

Conclusions

In the workplaces investigated, recommendations for character size were not adhered to. This resulted in a reduction in productivity and was not compatible with some of the work requirements, for example, obtaining a broad overview of a spreadsheet.
Feasibility and safety of introducing cashew nut spread in infant diets—A randomized trial
Authors: Palmer Debra J. , Silva Desiree T. , Prescott Susan L.
Published: June 2023

Background

To reduce peanut allergy prevalence, infant feeding guidelines now recommend introducing peanuts in an age‐appropriate form (such as peanut butter) as part of complementary feeding. However, due to a lack of randomized trial evidence, most infant feeding and food allergy prevention guidelines do not include tree nuts. The aims of this trial were to determine safety and feasibility of dosage consumption recommendations for infant cashew nut spread introduction.

Methods

This is a parallel, three‐arm (1:1:1 allocation), single‐blinded (outcome assessors), randomized controlled trial. General population term infants were randomized at 6–8 months of age to either a one teaspoon (Intervention 1 n = 59) or increasing dosage regime of one teaspoon at 6–7 months, two teaspoons at 8–9 months, and three teaspoons from 10 months of age onwards (Intervention 2 n = 67) cashew nut spread, both three times per week, or no specific advice on cashew introduction (Control n = 70). At 1 year of age, food challenge proven IgE‐mediated cashew nut allergy was assessed.

Results

Compliance in Intervention 1 (92%) was higher than Intervention 2 (79%), p = .04. Only one infant had delayed (at 5 h) facial swelling and eczema flare to cashew introduction at 6.5 months, but no cashew allergy at 1 year. Only one infant (Control) had cashew allergy at 1 year, and this infant had not been introduced to cashew prior to 12 months of age.

Conclusion

Regular infant consumption of one teaspoon of cashew nut spread three times per week from 6 to 8 months of age was found to be feasible and safe.
Outcomes in pediatric liver transplant recipients receiving bilateral continuous erector spinae plane blocks
Authors: Dewey Megan M. , Kodali Ahalya , Jiao York , Drobish Julie K.
Published: June 2023

Background

Regional anesthesia allows for opioid‐sparing and enhanced recovery after many major surgeries. Erector spinae blockade, with reduced bleeding risk and the option for continuous infusion, offers an opportunity to promote this principle in pediatric liver transplant patients. Our goal was to evaluate pain scores, opioid use, and return of bowel function following continuous ESP blockade in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included extubated patients who received a liver transplant at St. Louis Children's Hospital from July 2016 to July 2021. The control group, which did not meet the criteria for ESP blockade and received standard analgesia regimens, was compared to the group receiving continuous ESP blockade. Measured outcomes included pain scores, opioid consumption through postoperative day two, date of first bowel movement, and length of stay in the ICU and the hospital.

Results

Patient demographics between control and ESP groups showed no significant differences. Pain scores between control and ESP groups also showed no significant differences. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid requirements, studied in oral morphine equivalents per kilogram (OME/kg), were significantly lower for patients with ESP blockade. Time to first bowel movement was also significantly earlier for the ESP group. No significant differences were found in length of ICU or hospital stay. There were no safety concerns or complications related to ESP blockade.

Conclusions

Use of continuous ESP blockade resulted in reduced opioid consumption through postoperative day two and earlier return of bowel function.
The act‐type theory of propositions as a theory of what is said
Authors: Hodgson Thomas
Published: June 2023

I propose a version of the act‐type theory of propositions, following Hanks and Soames. According to the theory, propositions are types of act of predication. The content of a sentence is the type of such act performed when that sentence is uttered. A consequence of this theory is that the structure of the content of a sentence will mirror the structure of that sentence. I defend this consequence of the theory from two important objections. I then argue that this theory is well motivated because it can be part of a theory of what is said.
Her strength: Reflections on nurse home‐visiting
Authors: Campbell Karen A.
Published: June 2023

The Nurse‐Family Partnership is a targeted parenting intervention designed to improve maternal and child health. In Canada it is delivered exclusively by public health nurses who provide complex care to adolescent girls and young women. A process evaluation was conducted to better understand the experiences of public health nurses delivering the Nurse‐Family Partnership program in Canada. Although the traditional qualitative data analysis led to the creation of significant findings and clinical implications, it lacked the “heart” of public health nursing practice. Through a reflective process, and to present an evocative account of the multifaceted nursing care provided by the study participants, direct quotes were used to create a poetic display of nurses’ experiences. Through the power of found poetry, the complexities of clients’ lives, as well as the challenges and joys of home‐visitation nursing, were illuminated.
A semiparametric Bayesian model for queueing arrival processes: An application to call centers
Authors: Kuzu Kaan , Soyer Refik , Tarimcilar Murat T.
Published: June 2023

Nonhomogeneous Poisson process models have commonly been used to analyze and forecast arrivals. Such processes require specification of intensity (arrival rate) functions, which are typically defined in a parametric form. The accuracy of the parametric models is highly sensitive to the choice of the specific intensity function for the arrival process. We use a Bayesian framework by proposing a nonparametric form for the intensity function and introduce a robust semiparametric model. The model is suitable for analyzing both time of arrival data and interval censored count data and can capture both monotonic and non‐monotonic arrival intensity. The intensity function in the model can be modulated to incorporate auxiliary information as well as seasonal and random effect components. We develop the Bayesian analysis of the proposed model and implement it on two real call center datasets with different characteristics. We also consider several extensions to our model and develop their Bayesian analyses. Our random effects extension model with cumulative baseline intensity changing on the days of the week and interday correlation with the Markov evolution extension model both provide high predictive accuracy. We also show that our proposed semiparametric model has robust performance for out‐of‐sample predictions. Accurate predictions of arrivals will assist managers in determining appropriate staffing levels and effective workforce scheduling, resulting in more efficient operations.
The heritability of weight gain in infancy: A population‐based twin study
Authors: Krichevski Masha , Calderon‐Margalit Ronit , Carmi Shai , Raz Raanan
Published: June 2023

Background

Rapid weight gain during infancy is a strong predictor of childhood obesity and is affected by genetic and environmental factors. Identifying ages with low heritability will allow for targeted interventions that might be able to prevent the adverse effects of childhood obesity.

Objectives

The objective of the study is to estimate the heritability of weight gain from birth to defined ages during infancy, as well as during 6‐month periods from birth to 18 months of age. We address this by leveraging large‐scale computerised anthropometric data from the state‐run network of well‐baby clinics in Israel.

Methods

We performed a population‐based twin study. We extracted weight measurements recorded between birth to 24 months from well‐baby clinics for 9388 twin pairs born in Israel between 2011 and 2015. The reported sexes of the twins were used as a proxy for their zygosity status. We estimated the heritability of the weight z‐score change from birth to specific ages and during particular periods in infancy. To assess the validity of the results, we repeated the analysis in a sub‐cohort of twin pairs with complete weight measurements.

Results

During the first 2 years of life, heritability was lowest for birthweight (). Heritability for weight gain since birth was highest at 4 months (), and then gradually decreased until age 18 months (). Estimating the heritability in 6‐month intervals from birth to 18 months, heritability was highest during the 6–12‐month interval (), and was substantially lower during the subsequent 12–18‐month interval ().

Conclusions

Heritability of weight gain decreases substantially in the second year of life, suggesting that this period could be an appropriate time for interventions for infants who are at an increased risk of childhood obesity.