bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NFS-13. UNUSUAL NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE 1-ASSOCIATED PILOCYTIC ASTROCYTOMAWITH MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION IN A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL
Authors: Mobark Nahla Aly , Alotabi Fahad , Balbaid Ali Abdullah O , Alshoumer Azhar , Al-Dandan Sadeq
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION

Neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) is a tumor predisposition syndrome with germline NF 1 gene aberrations with overactivation of the RAS–MAPK signaling pathway. NF1-associated gliomas in children are usually low-grade Glioma with indolent course. Malignant transformation in NF1 associated LGG is predominated in adults is scarce in children

METHOD

A 7-year-old girl diagnosed as NF1-based on diagnostic criteria and germline NF1 gene mutation, presented with progressive RT side hemiplegia, Brain MRI showed a large left thalamic cystic and solid mass and obstructive hydrocephalus she had VPS insertion and stereotactic biopsy.pathological examination revealed aggressive High-grade Glioma HGG features diffuse brain infiltration, endothelial hyperplasia, increased mitotic activity necrosis, and High Ki67. Immunohistochemically and molecular analysis showed NF1 mutation in addition to TP53 mutation, retained ATRX, negative CDKN2A/B, and high tumor mutational burden (6 Muts/Mb). Tumor methylation profiling (DKFZ CNS v12.5) classified as Supratentorial midline pilocytic astrocytoma (score 0.6878). debulking of the tumor and ommaya reservoir insertion was done with recurrent aspiration of the cystic component. The second biopsy demonstrated low-grade pilocytic astrocytoma, confirmed by methylation profiling (score 0.9377). Immunohistochemically and molecular analysis showed NF1 mutation, negative TP53, and Retained ATRX

RESULT

She was treated with low-grade glioma chemotherapy carboplatin/ vincristine, with improved clinical and neurological condition and stable MRI evaluation. One year after diagnosis while on maintenance LGG chemotherapy MRI imaging showed tumor progression Subtotal resection of the mass was performed, morphology and molecular studies confirmed HGG, and she received focal radiation therapy. Up till now, the patient is currently stable clinically and by imaging surveillance.

CONCLUSION

Our case characterized a transformed glioma in a child with NF1 illustrating the intratumoral heterogeneity and presence of transformed/anaplastic clone within NF1-associated pilocytic astrocytoma and demonstrate the complexity of molecular genetics of gliomas in children with NF1.
QOL-27. EARLY CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN WITH MEDULLBLASTOMA AND EMBRYONAL BRAIN TUMOURS
Authors: Prasad Maya , Patil Vikas , sahoo Jitesh Prasad , Parambil Badira , Gollamudi Venkata Ramamohan , Dasgupta Archya , Chatterji Abhishek , Gupta Tejpal , Chinnaswamy Girish
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, severity and time to develop Chemotherapy-induced hearing loss (HL) in a cohort of embryonal brain tumors(ET) treated with cisplatin and cranial radiation(RT).

METHODS

Our cohort included children 3-15years treated between January2022 and June2023 for medulloblastoma and other ETs with surgery, craniospinal RT and 6 cycles of CET chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide,vincristine,cisplatin). Cisplatin 75mg/m2 was given in alternate cycles with a cumulative dose of 225 mg/m2. Children underwent clinical evaluation and age-appropriate audiological assessment at diagnosis,every 1-2cycles of cisplatin and end-of-treatment. Grading of ototoxicity was done per SIOP-Boston grading. Children with grade2 and above HL did not receive further cisplatin.Children with grade1HL underwent frequent monitoring.For this study, pure-tone-audiometry from start of treatment to end of treatment were analyzed and ≥Grade2HL was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 63 children were included in the study, 28(44.%)female, median age 7years (range 3-15years). Twenty (31.7%) children developed >grade2HL; the worse ear had grade 4 HL in 1(1.6%),grade 3 in 13(20.6%) and grade 2 in 6(9.5%).One had grade 2HL and 4 had grade 1HL even prior to start of cisplatin.The median cumulative cisplatin dose at developing >grade2HL was 0mg/m2(n=1), 75mg/m2(n=8), 150mg/m2(n=3) and 225mg/m2(n=9; 5 at end-of-treatment and 4 at follow-up). Age, gender and diagnosis were not associated with development of HL.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of early-onset ototoxicity in children with embryonal brain tumours is concerning.We recommend close monitoring of hearing function,at least every 2 cycles of cisplatin chemotherapy, if not more frequently. Incorporation of pharmacogenomics to identify highly susceptible individuals and therapeutic interventions such as cessation of cisplatin or replacement with alternatives in early ototoxicity would help reduce a potentially life-altering and long-term health concern.
Investigating risk factors and treatment options for severe, partially steroid responsive, and steroid-refractory checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis
Authors: Moodabagil Meghana , Easterling Robert , Peng Jing , Abu-Sbeih Hamzah , Meara Alexa , Donnelly Edwin , Owen Dwight H , Ho Kevin
Published: June 2024

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer care with incredible reductions in mortality. One of the most devastating complications of treatment is ICI-related pneumonitis (ICI-p). Despite this, little is known regarding risk factors for severe pneumonitis and treatment effectiveness of various therapeutic options for steroid-refractory disease. To address this, we conducted a retrospective study on patients with cancer who developed ICI-p.

Methods

We examined consecutive patients who received ICIs and developed ICI-p. Risk factors of interest for severe disease and steroid-refractory ICI-p, including pre-treatment pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and chest imaging, were compared between patients with severe (grades 3-5) and mild (grades 1-2) pneumonitis. The clinical and treatment courses for patients with steroid-refractory ICI-p were recorded.

Results

A total of 132 patients developed ICI-p, with 60 patients having mild and 72 with severe disease. We found that lower forced vital capacity percent predicted (66.24 vs 85.05, P = .05), lower total lung capacity percent predicted (85.23 vs 99.71, P = .13), and specific radiographic patterns on pre-treatment chest imaging were predictors of severe disease. Initial corticosteroid dose of less than 1 milligram per kilogram prednisone equivalent (P = .14) was correlated with partially steroid-responsive or steroid-refractory ICI-p. Ten patients had steroid refractory ICI-p, and those who received IVIG alone as the immune suppressant beyond corticosteroids had improved survival (P = 05).

Conclusions

We are the first to identify pre-treatment PFTs and chest imaging abnormalities as risk factors for severe ICI-p. We also found that lower corticosteroid doses were associated with partially steroid-responsive and steroid-refractory ICI-p. Larger, prospective studies are needed to validate our results.
Associations with other cancer-related biomarkers might contribute to poor outcomes in RAS-altered, younger patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kundranda Madappa N , Kemkes Ariane C , Evans Mark C , Flannery Cynthia A , Hall David W , Hoag Jess R , Therala Nishitha , Thakkar Snehal G , De La O Jean-Paul
Published: June 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer in younger adults. In patients undergoing liver resection with RAS-altered CRCs, there is evidence suggesting younger patients have worse outcomes than older patients. To explain this pattern, differences in associations between RAS status and other cancer-related biomarkers in tumors from younger versus older patients with CRC were evaluated in a cohort of 925 patients with CRC, 277 (30.0%) of whom were ≤50 years old, and 454 (49.1%) who had RAS-altered tumors. For 3 biomarkers, RNF43, APC, and microsatellite instability (MSI), the association with RAS status was significantly modified by age after adjustment for multiple testing. Specifically, younger patients with RAS-altered tumors were more likely to be MSI-high, RNF43 mutated, and APC wild type. These differences might contribute to the observed pattern of diminished survival in younger versus older patients with CRC with RAS-mutated tumors undergoing liver metastasis resection.
Caught out in the cold: Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard) survival decreased during an extreme climatic event
Authors: Blake-Bradshaw Abigail G , Masto Nicholas M , Highway Cory J , Keever Allison C , Link Paul T , Feddersen Jamie C , Hagy Heath M , Osborne Douglas C , Cohen Bradley S
Published: June 2024

Extreme climatic events (ECEs) can have profound impacts on individual fitness, affecting survival directly or indirectly. Late winter ECEs may be especially detrimental to fitness due to limited food resources and increased energetic requirements during this time. A polar vortex disruption ECE descended upon the mid-continental United States during February 7–20, 2021 with temperatures as low as −29°C in areas concurrent with ongoing research on Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard) movement ecology and survival in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, United States spanning winters 2019–2022. Therefore, we opportunistically evaluated the effects of individual characteristics and latitude on daily survival during the ECE. We extended the survival analysis to March to test for lasting effects of the ECE on survival. We tracked 181 Global Positioning System (GPS)-marked A. platyrhynchos during February 2020, 256 in February 2021, and 324 in February 2022. We documented 22 mortalities during the February 2021 ECE (i.e., 9%), but only 6 mortalities during February 2020 (i.e., 2%) and 2022 (i.e., 1%) when conditions were average. February survival (e.g., 28-day survival) during the ECE was 0.908 (85% CI: 0.879–0.937) but was 0.982 (85% CI: 0.973–0.991) during the 2 non-ECE Februaries. The ECE effect on survival was isolated to February and did not affect March survival. Anas platyrhynchos was 5.4 times more likely to die during the ECE in 2021 compared to non-ECE Februaries. Although large-bodied waterfowl appear cold-tolerant and less sensitive to polar vortex disruptions compared to smaller-bodied passerines, direct mortalities can occur if conditions are severe enough and persist, highlighting the need to consider the influence of ECEs on common, seemingly robust species in future global climate change scenarios.
Prestige-Biased Social Learning
Authors: Offord Matt , Brand Charlotte , Kendal Jeremy
Published: June 2024

This chapter explores the role of prestige-biased social learning within cultural evolution studies. The authors define and underscore the significance of prestige, tracing its historical development in the social sciences. Originating from early twentieth-century concerns about propaganda and influence, the theme became intertwined with early notions of imitation. Although initially abandoned by sociologists, cultural evolution researchers revived this connection, establishing an evolutionary theory of prestige-biased social learning. The chapter explains cultural evolution theories of prestige, addressing critiques and refinements, and highlighting key experiments and fieldwork. A nuanced understanding of prestige-bias emerges from this synthesis. Finally, the authors present a practical example quantifying prestige bias, drawing from research on Royal Navy warships, offering tangible insights into information transmission dynamics.
Rapid plant-to-plant systemic signaling via a Cuscuta bridge
Authors: Fichman Yosef , Peláez-Vico María Ángeles , Mudalige Asha Kaluwella , Lee Hyun-Oh , Mittler Ron , Park So-Yon
Published: June 2024

Two plants connected via a Cuscuta bridge exchange rapid systemic calcium, electric, and reactive oxygen species signals, suggesting that Cuscuta may have beneficial effects to host plants.
Beyond Discharge Disposition: A Scoping Review on Sociodemographic Disparities in Rehabilitation Use After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Bove Allyn , Aldhahwani Bayan , Turner Rose , Repage Sean , Denny Parker , Brand Cynthia , Sweeney Kaitlyn , Allison Sam , Ross Heather , Allen Kelli D , Magnani Jared W , Terhorst Lauren , Delitto Anthony , Freburger Janet
Published: June 2024

Objective

The aims of this scoping review were to summarize the evidence regarding sex, racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities in post-acute rehabilitation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

Literature searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PEDro. Studies were included if they were original research articles published 1993 or later; used data from the US; included patients after THA and/or TKA; presented results according to relevant sociodemographic variables, including sex, race, ethnicity, geography, or socioeconomic status; and studied the utilization of post-acute rehabilitation as an outcome.

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Five examined disparities in inpatient rehabilitation and found that Black patients and women experience longer lengths of stay after arthroplasty, and women are less likely than men to be discharged home after inpatient THA rehabilitation. Four studies examined data from skilled nursing facilities and found that insurance type and dual eligibility impact length of stay and rates of community discharge but found conflicting results regarding racial disparities in skilled nursing facility utilization after TKA. Five studies examined home health data and noted that rural agencies provide less care after TKA. Results regarding racial disparities in home health utilization after arthroplasty were conflicting. Six studies of outpatient rehabilitation noted geographic differences in timing of outpatient rehabilitation but mixed results regarding race differences in outpatient rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Current evidence indicates that sex, race, ethnicity, geography, and socioeconomic status are associated with disparities in postacute rehabilitation use after arthroplasty.

Impact

Rehabilitation providers across the postacute continuum should be aware of disparities in the population of patients after arthroplasty and regularly assess social determinants of health and other factors that may contribute to disparities. Customized care plans should ensure optimal timing and amount of rehabilitation is provided, and advocate for patients who need additional care to achieve the desired functional outcome.
Mediation effect of sleep time on the association between outdoor activity and myopia in Chinese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Tongtong , Deng Chaoming , Li Jing , Chen Ying , Chen Xukun , Zhang Naijian , Li Zhongxia , Wang Enming , Qin Wei , Yang Mengtong , Li Xiangyun , Li Li , Wang Haiyan , Guo Yanjun , Lu Wenli , Qian Xuehan , Yan Jing
Published: June 2024

Background

This study aimed to assess the association between outdoor activity and myopia among children and adolescents and investigate whether sleep time could mediate this relationship.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on students aged 4–16 years in China, from August 2021 to January 2022. Outdoor activity was assessed by the Assessment Questionnaire of Exposure to Sunlight Activities for Students (AQESAS). Binary logistic regression combined with the mediation analysis was used to analyze the association of AQESAS with myopia and the mediating effect of sleep time on this relationship.

Results

The prevalence of myopia was 53.51% (N = 1609). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that more sleep time (OR = 0.794, 95%CI: 0.707–0.893) and a higher score of AQESAS (OR = 0.989, 95%CI: 0.981–0.996) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of myopia. Mediation analysis revealed that sleep time plays a mediating role in the association between outdoor activity and myopia (ACME = −0.0006, P < 0.001), and the mediation proportion was 19.7%.

Conclusion

Outdoor activity affects myopia directly and indirectly through sleep time. The result suggested that children may be able to reduce the risk of myopia by promoting sleep through increased awareness of outdoor activity and exposure to sunlight.
Validation of a questionnaire for central nervous system aspects of joint pain: the CAP questionnaire
Authors: McWilliams Daniel F , Georgopoulos Vasileios , Patel Jayamala , Millar Bonnie , Smith Stephanie L , Walsh David A
Published: June 2024

Background

Neuropathic-like pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulty, catastrophizing, anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression and widespread pain associate with a single factor in people with knee pain. We report the Central Aspects of Pain questionnaire (CAP) to characterize this across painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods

CAP was derived from the 8-item CAP-Knee questionnaire, and completed by participants with joint pain in the Investigating Musculoskeletal Health and Wellbeing survey. Subgroups had OA, back pain or FM. Acceptability was evaluated by feedback and data missingness. Correlation coefficients informed widespread pain scoring threshold in relation to the other items, and evaluated associations with pain. Factor analysis assessed CAP structure. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) between paper and electronic administration assessed reliability. Friedman test assessed score stability over 4 years in people reporting knee OA.

Results

Data were from 3579 participants (58% female, median age 71 years), including subgroups with OA (n = 1158), back pain (n = 1292) or FM (n = 177). Across the three subgroups, ≥10/26 painful sites on the manikin scored widespread pain. Reliability was high [ICC = 0.89 (95% CI 0.84–0.92)] and CAP scores fit to one- and two-factor model, with a total CAP score that was associated with pain severity and quality (r = 0.50–0.72). In people with knee pain, CAP scores were stable over 4 years at the group level, but displayed significant temporal heterogeneity within individual participants.

Conclusions

Central aspects of pain are reliably measured by the CAP questionnaire across a range of painful musculoskeletal conditions, and is a changeable state.
Generational Dissonance or Cultural Persistence? European Immigration and the Intergenerational Transmission of Gender Beliefs
Authors: McManus Patricia A , van der Does Tamara , Adem Muna
Published: June 2024

Contemporary perspectives on gender highlight the multilevel processes that maintain the gender system, from the hegemonic cultural beliefs embedded in state institutions to the gendered interactions that occur in everyday life. This study investigates immigration as a source of diversity and adaptation in the gender system. Using data on immigrant and native adolescents in the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Survey in Four European Countries (CILS4EU), we examine the intergenerational transmission of attitudes about the domestic division of labor. Our results show a strong association between mother’s gender attitudes and child’s gender attitudes among both immigrants and natives, with no significant difference between the two groups. The persistence of beliefs grounded in family culture results in significantly higher levels of gender traditionalism among adolescent children of immigrants as compared to their native peers. These results underscore the centrality of families as a relational context that contributes both to the reproduction of cultural beliefs about gender and the slow pace of shifts in hegemonic gender beliefs in response to social change.
Aleppo Buttons and Sulphur Injections: The Politics of Science and Citation in Mandatory Palestine and Transjordan
Authors: Irving Sarah
Published: June 2024

This article explores the experiences of two doctors, Jamil Tutunji and Tawfiq Canaan, in their efforts to interact with, contribute to and debate with international colleagues in the medical journals of the 1920s–40s. Respectively from Transjordan and Palestine, both at the time ruled by British colonial administrations under League of Nations Mandates, these men’s work seems to have been ignored or sidelined in favour of that by European or European-Jewish scholars working on similar topics. The resulting trajectories they followed, however, differed significantly, highlighting the shifting opportunities available to scientists of Arab origin in the colonial world of academic publishing, collaboration and citation. Canaan and Tutunji’s engagement with medical research highlights the precarity of their positions as doctors committed to a model of medicine the operation of which was policed by professionals and institutions in the colonial metropole.
Supervision and Prudential Regime of the Banking Sector of Mauritius: An Evaluative Review of Statutes
Authors: Mahadew Bhavna
Published: June 2024

This article provides an evaluative review of the supervision and prudential regime of the banking sector of Mauritius. It assesses the normative framework that provides for the basis of bank supervision in Mauritius using relevant international standards as applicable. It can be observed that the banking sector of Mauritius is quite advanced and compliant with international standards though there is room for improvement. The Bank of Mauritius has been proactive in ensuring that the supervision and prudential regime meets the exigencies of the standards of an international financial centre which Mauritius aspires to be. The aim of this evaluative review is to provide an overview of bank supervision and the prudential regime of Mauritius to the academic and research community since there is a dearth of literature on this aspect coming from Mauritius. Additionally, there are certain lessons that can be learnt from the Mauritian experience regarding bank supervision especially for African countries.
Xylem cell size regulation is a key adaptive response to water deficit in Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Keret Rafael , Drew David M , Hills Paul N
Published: June 2024

Future climatic scenarios forecast increasingly frequent droughts that will pose substantial consequences on tree mortality. In light of this, drought-tolerant eucalypts have been propagated; however, the severity of these conditions will invoke adaptive responses, impacting the commercially valuable wood properties. To determine what mechanisms govern the wood anatomical adaptive response, highly controlled drought experiments were conducted in Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, with the tree physiology and transcriptome closely monitored. In response to water deficit, E. grandis displays an isohydric stomatal response to conserve water and enable stem growth to continue, albeit at a reduced rate. Maintaining gaseous exchange is likely a critical short-term response that drives the formation of hydraulically safer xylem. For instance, the development of significantly smaller fibers and vessels was found to increase cellular density, thereby promoting drought tolerance through improved functional redundancy, as well as implosion and cavitation resistance. The transcriptome was explored to identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for controlling xylem cell size during prolonged water deficit. Downregulation of genes associated with cell wall remodeling and the biosynthesis of cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin appeared to coincide with a reduction in cellular enlargement during drought. Furthermore, transcript levels of NAC and MYB transcription factors, vital for cell wall component biosynthesis, were reduced, while those linked to lignification increased. The upregulation of EgCAD and various peroxidases under water deficit did not correlate with an increased lignin composition. However, with the elevated cellular density, a higher lignin content per xylem cross-sectional area was observed, potentially enhancing hydraulic safety. These results support the requirement for higher density, drought-adapted wood as a long-term adaptive response in E. grandis, which is largely influenced by the isohydric stomatal response coupled with cellular expansion-related molecular processes.
Exploring the role of uncertainty regulation strategies to demystify the link between person–environment misfit and late-career outcomes
Authors: Harris America , Davenport Meghan K , Fasbender Ulrike
Published: June 2024

Amidst global workforce aging and uncertain times, retirement systems advocate for the extension of working lives to alleviate labor shortages; simultaneously, older workers may want to or need to work longer. Uncertainty in one’s work ability resulting from person–environment (P–E) misfit may lead to working lives being cut short prematurely unless the uncertainty can be effectively regulated. By extending the uncertainty regulation model to the late-career development context, our study aimed to uncover in what way utilizing uncertainty regulation—opening and closing strategies—may shape late-career outcomes: retirement, bridge employment, and senior entrepreneurship intentions; and to understand how and through which mechanisms late-career outcomes were related to P–E misfit. We tested our preregistered hypotheses using three-wave data from 902 older workers. Results of structural equation modeling showed that P–E misfit predicted uncertainty in work ability, which in turn, predicted the use of opening strategies, but not closing strategies. Opening strategies were negatively linked to retirement intentions and positively linked to bridge employment and senior entrepreneurship intentions. Closing strategies were negatively linked to bridge employment and senior entrepreneurship intentions. Our findings further demonstrated that opening strategies mediated the relationship between uncertainty in work ability resulting from P–E misfit and late-career outcomes. Together, these findings highlight that opening strategies benefit late-career development as they defer retirement, and encourage bridge employment and senior entrepreneurship, thereby extending working lives; while closing strategies hinder bridge employment and senior entrepreneurship, thereby impeding these routes to extend working lives.
The systematics and nomenclature of the Dodo and the Solitaire (Aves: Columbidae), and an overview of columbid family-group nomina
Authors: Young Mark T , Hume Julian P , Day Michael O , Douglas Robert P , Simmons Zoë M , White Judith , Heller Markus O , Gostling Neil J
Published: June 2024

The Dodo and its extinct sister species, the Solitaire, are iconic exemplars of the destructive capabilities of humanity. These secondarily terrestrial columbids became extinct within a century of their first encounter with humanity. Their rapid extinction, with little material retained in natural history collections, led 18th and some early 19th century naturalists to believe that these aberrant birds were mythological. This meant that the nomenclatural publications in which their scientific nomina were established were based on accounts written before the species became extinct. As such, no type specimens were designated for either the Dodo or the Solitaire. Our in-depth historical overview of both species and associated family-group nomina found that the nominal authority of the Dodo-based family group is not what is reported in the literature. Moreover, our detailed review of the family-group nomina based on columbid genera ensures that the current columbid family-group systematization is valid. Changing nomenclatural norms between the 19th and 20th centuries had a profound impact on Dodo nomenclature; so much so that the Dodo is an example of how pervasive nomenclatural ‘ripples’ can be and a warning for our current world of multiple nomenclatural codes.
Variability in Chromosome 1 of Select Moroccan Pyrenophora teres f. teres Isolates Overcomes a Highly Effective Barley Chromosome 6H Source of Resistance
Authors: Li Jinling , Wyatt Nathan A. , Skiba Ryan M. , Kariyawasam Gayan K. , Richards Jonathan K. , Effertz Karl , Rehman Sajid , Liu Zhaohui , Brueggeman Robert S. , Friesen Timothy L.
Published: June 2024

Barley net form net blotch (NFNB) is a destructive foliar disease caused by Pyrenophora teres f. teres. Barley line CIho5791, which harbors the broadly effective chromosome 6H resistance gene Rpt5, displays dominant resistance to P. teres f. teres. To genetically characterize P. teres f. teres avirulence/virulence on the barley line CIho5791, we generated a P. teres f. teres mapping population using a cross between the Moroccan CIho5791-virulent isolate MorSM40-3 and the avirulent reference isolate 0-1. Full genome sequences were generated for 103 progenies. Saturated chromosome-level genetic maps were generated, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping identified two major QTL associated with P. teres f. teres avirulence/virulence on CIho5791. The most significant QTL mapped to chromosome (Ch) 1, where the virulent allele was contributed by MorSM40-3. A second QTL mapped to Ch8; however, this virulent allele was contributed by the avirulent parent 0-1. The Ch1 and Ch8 loci accounted for 27 and 15% of the disease variation, respectively, and the avirulent allele at the Ch1 locus was epistatic over the virulent allele at the Ch8 locus. As a validation, we used a natural P. teres f. teres population in a genome-wide association study that identified the same Ch1 and Ch8 loci. We then generated a new reference quality genome assembly of parental isolate MorSM40-3 with annotation supported by deep transcriptome sequencing of infection time points. The annotation identified candidate genes predicted to encode small, secreted proteins, one or more of which are likely responsible for overcoming the CIho5791 resistance.

[Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2024.
Reconstructing the Global Migration History of Phytophthora infestans Toward Colombia
Authors: Patarroyo Camilo , Lucca Florencia , Dupas Stéphane , Restrepo Silvia
Published: June 2024

The evolution of new variants of plant pathogens is one of the biggest challenges to controlling and managing plant diseases. Of the forces driving these evolutionary processes, global migration events are particularly important for widely distributed diseases such as potato late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans. However, little is known about its migration routes outside North America and Europe. This work used genotypic data from population studies to elucidate the migration history originating the Colombian P. infestans population. For this purpose, a dataset of 1,706 P. infestans genotypes was recollected, representing North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Descriptive analysis and historical records from North America and Europe were used to propose three global migration hypotheses, differing on the origin of the disease (Mexico or Peru) and the hypothesis that it returned to South America from Europe. These scenarios were tested using approximate Bayesian computation. According to this analysis, the most probable scenario (posterior probability = 0.631) was the one proposing a Peruvian origin for P. infestans, an initial migration toward Colombia and Mexico, and a later event from Mexico to the United States and then to Europe and Asia, with no return to northern South America. In Colombia, the scenario considering a single migration from Peru and posterior migrations within Colombia was the most probable, with a posterior probability of 0.640. The obtained results support the hypothesis of a Peruvian origin for P. infestans followed by rare colonization events worldwide.
Accelerating the continuous community sharing of digital neuromorphology data
Authors: Tecuatl Carolina , Ljungquist Bengt , Ascoli Giorgio A.
Published: June 2024

The tree‐like morphology of neurons and glia is a key cellular determinant of circuit connectivity and metabolic function in the nervous system of essentially all animals. To elucidate the contribution of specific cell types to both physiological and pathological brain states, it is important to access detailed neuroanatomy data for quantitative analysis and computational modeling. NeuroMorpho.Org is the largest online collection of freely available digital neural reconstructions and related metadata and is continuously updated with new uploads. Earlier in the project, we released multiple datasets together yearly, but this process caused an average delay of several months in making the data public. Moreover, in the past 5 years, >80% of invited authors agreed to share their data with the community via NeuroMorpho.Org, up from <20% in the first 5 years of the project. In the same period, the average number of reconstructions per publication increased 600%, creating the need for automatic processing to release more reconstructions in less time. The progressive automation of our pipeline enabled the transition to agile releases of individual datasets as soon as they are ready. The overall time from data identification to public sharing decreased by 63.7%; 78% of the datasets are now released in less than 3 months with an average workflow duration below 40 days. Furthermore, the mean processing time per reconstruction dropped from 3 h to 2 min. With these continuous improvements, NeuroMorpho.Org strives to forge a positive culture of open data. Most importantly, the new, original research enabled through reuse of datasets across the world has a multiplicative effect on science discovery, benefiting both authors and users.
Kinesin motor KIF16A regulates microtubule stability and actin‐dependent spindle migration in mouse oocyte meiosis
Authors: Wang Wei , Shi Zhenhu , Zhang Dandan , Hou Wenwen , Ma Huijie , Liu Xinyu , Zhang Yongteng , Zhu Jinbao , Yang Zaishan , Jia Bo , Xu Qimei , Zhang Yunhai , Zhang Mianqun
Published: June 2024

Kif16A, a member of the kinesin‐3 family of motor proteins, has been shown to play crucial roles in inducing mitotic arrest, apoptosis, and mitotic cell death. However, its roles during oocyte meiotic maturation have not been fully defined. In this study, we report that Kif16A exhibits unique accumulation on the spindle apparatus and colocalizes with microtubule fibers during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Targeted depletion of Kif16A using gene‐targeting siRNA disrupts the progression of the meiotic cell cycle. Furthermore, Kif16A depletion leads to aberrant spindle assembly and chromosome misalignment in oocytes. Our findings also indicate that Kif16A depletion reduces tubulin acetylation levels and compromises microtubule resistance to depolymerizing drugs, suggesting its crucial role in microtubule stability maintenance. Notably, we find that the depletion of Kif16A results in a notably elevated incidence of defective kinetochore‐microtubule attachments and the absence of BubR1 localization at kinetochores, suggesting a critical role for Kif16A in the activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) activity. Additionally, we observe that Kif16A is indispensable for proper actin filament distribution, thereby impacting spindle migration. In summary, our findings demonstrate that Kif16A plays a pivotal role in regulating microtubule and actin dynamics crucial for ensuring both spindle assembly and migration during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.
Temporal Analysis of the Incidence, Mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years of Benign Gallbladder and Biliary Diseases in High-Income Nations, 1990–2019
Authors: Proctor Dominic W. , Goodall Richard , Borsky Kim , Salciccioli Justin D. , Marshall Dominic C. , Shanmugarajah Kumaran , Shalhoub Joseph
Published: June 2024

Objective:

The aim of this observational study was to analyze trends in the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of benign gallbladder and biliary diseases across high-income countries between 1990 and 2019.

Background:

Benign gallbladder and biliary diseases place a substantial burden on healthcare systems in high-income countries. Accurate characterization of the disease burden may help optimize healthcare policy and resource distribution.

Materials and methods:

Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs), and DALYs data for gallbladder and biliary diseases in males and females were extracted from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. A mortality-incidence index (MII) was also calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed.

Results:

The median ASIRs across the European Union 15+ countries in 2019 were 758/100,000 for females and 282/100,000 for males. Between 1990 and 2019 the median percentage change in ASIR was +2.49% for females and +1.07% for males. The median ASMRs in 2019 were 1.22/100,000 for females and 1.49/100,000 for males with a median percentage change over the observation period of −21.93% and −23.01%, respectively. In 2019, the median DALYs was 65/100,000 for females and 37/100,000 among males, with comparable percentage decreases over the observation period of −21.27% and −19.23%, respectively.

Conclusions:

International variation in lifestyle factors, diagnostic and management strategies likely account for national and sex disparities. This study highlights the importance of ongoing clinical efforts to optimize treatment pathways for gallbladder and biliary diseases, particularly in the provision of emergency surgical services and efforts to address population risk factors.
Liver transplantation for alcohol-associated liver disease
Authors: Simonetto Douglas A. , Winder Gerald Scott , Connor Ashton A. , Terrault Norah A.
Published: June 2024

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and a leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in many countries, including the United States. However, LT for ALD is a complex and evolving field with ethical, social, and medical challenges. Thus, it requires a multidisciplinary approach and individualized decision-making. Short-term and long-term patient and graft survival of patients undergoing LT for ALD are comparable to other indications, but there is a continued need to develop better tools to identify patients who may benefit from LT, improve the pretransplant and posttransplant management of ALD, and evaluate the impact of LT for ALD on the organ donation and transplantation systems. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on LT for ALD, from alcohol-associated hepatitis to decompensated alcohol-associated cirrhosis. We discuss the indications, criteria, outcomes, and controversies of LT for these conditions and highlight the knowledge gaps and research priorities in this field.
Research on Detection Efficiency of Imaging Plates for Alpha Particles Using Two Types of Imaging Plate
Authors: Qin Fengdi , He Zhengzhong , Fan Zhongkai , Lu Kejun , Li Haoxuan , Luo Yizhe , Yang Xiyu , Deng Tianyu , Cai Xiangming , Sun Cong , Shan Jian
Published: June 2024

Imaging plates can measure isotopes with alpha decay (such as radon and its progeny, americium, and so on). However, the detection efficiency of imaging plates is affected by alpha particle energy, types of imaging plates, and the overlapping effect. In this study, simulations were performed to analyze the relationship between detection efficiency and these three influence factors. The research findings suggest that BAS-TR and BAS-MS are well-suited for the detection of alpha particles with energy levels below 6.83 MeV and above, respectively. The track overlap effect correction method proposed in this study is applicable to both BAS-TR and BAS-MS image plates. The measurement results of radon progeny demonstrate that the correction method enhances the detection efficiency from 0.203 to 0.288. This study presents a valuable approach for selecting the appropriate image plate and correcting the track overlap effect in the measurement of alpha radioactive material concentration and other related information.
Mini-Scleral Lens: An Effective Mode of Visual Rehabilitation in Eyes With Resolved Hydrops
Authors: Sinha Rajesh , Anjum Shahnaz , Dwivedi Shwetangi , Agarwal Rinky , Bari Aafreen
Published: June 2024

Objectives:

To evaluate the visual outcome of mini-scleral contact lenses (MSLs) in keratoconus following the resolution of acute hydrops.

Methods:

This was a prospective observational case series of patients of healed hydrops in keratoconus fitted with an MSL (Keracare, Acculens, Lakewood, CO) who were managed for acute hydrops medically or surgically at least 3 months prior. Uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacles-corrected visual acuity, best lens-corrected visual acuity, topographic indices, keratometric indices, contact lens parameters, and ocular aberrometric changes were evaluated. All patients were followed up for at least 3 months.

Results:

Eighteen eyes of 17 patients were included in the analysis. The mean post-hydrops topographic values of the eyes included flat keratometric value (K1) 64.93±10.88 (range 44.30–93.40) diopters (D), steep keratometric value (K2) 70.41±10.92 D (range 45.8–98.6 D), and Kmax of 79.53±17.73 D (range 50–130.2). The final mini-scleral lens's mean dioptric power was −8.56±3.96 D (range −18 to −4). Visual acuity significantly improved from post-hydrops resolution uncorrected visual acuity of 1.5±0.71 logMAR to 0.79±0.18 logMAR best spectacles-corrected visual acuity to 0.27±0.01 logMAR best lens-corrected visual acuity (P-value <0.0001). Similarly, there was considerable improvement in corneal aberrometric values after wearing an MSL. At the 3-month follow-up, 15 patients (16 eyes) were compliant to contact lens use with a minimum of 6 to 8 hr daily while two patients (2 eyes) were poorly compliant.

Conclusions:

A MSL is a valuable option for visual rehabilitation in keratoconus following the resolution of acute hydrops.
Prevalence of Keratoconus and Characteristics of Refractive Errors in First-Degree Relatives of Patients With Keratoconus Among Egyptians
Authors: Mousa Rasha Mohamed , Saif Mohamed Yaseer Sayed , Said Mostafa Abd Elnaby , Mohamed Taher Reem Mostafa
Published: June 2024

Purpose:

This study investigated the occurrence of keratoconus among first-degree relatives of patients with keratoconus and evaluated their refractive characteristics.

Method:

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 248 relatives of 52 patients with keratoconus in whom bilateral eye analysis was conducted. Corneal tomography was performed for all participants with a comprehensive analysis of various parameters, including K1, K2, Kmax, elevation, skewing, and thinnest location. In addition, the following data were also analyzed: uncorrected visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, refraction measurements alongside a slit-lamp examination, and fundus examination.

Results:

Among 248 participants, 19 (7.7%) had keratoconus, 3.2% had forme fruste, and 15.3% had suspected keratoconus. Among all studied cases, 73.8% had normal corneas. Significant differences (P = 0.001) were found in the distribution of keratoconus prevalence among brothers, mothers, sons, and sisters (13.6%, 4.3%, 5.6%, and 12.1%, respectively). The presence of refractive errors also showed significant differences between the relatives (P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

Increased keratoconus prevalence among relatives of patients with keratoconus indicates the vulnerability of this population to the development of the disease, necessitating early screening of this group for detection of keratoconus as early as possible.
Assessing Heart Failure Self-management Knowledge Through Vignettes
Authors: da Costa Ferreira Oberfrank Natany , Watkinson Erica , Buck Harleah , Lopez Karen Dunn
Published: June 2024

Background

Heart failure (HF) self-care is key to managing symptoms, but current HF knowledge instruments are at risk for social desirability bias (ie, tendency to respond in a way that is viewed favorably). Vignettes may be a useful method to mitigate this bias by measuring knowledge via scenarios in which individuals with HF are invited to respond to fictional characters' self-management problems rather than disclosing their own practices.

Objective

The aims of the study were to develop and test the content validity of vignettes measuring individuals' knowledge of HF symptom self-management.

Methods

The study had 3 phases. In phase 1, two vignettes were developed. One focused on psychological symptom self-management (ie, anxiety, depression), and the other focused on physical symptom self-management (ie, edema, fatigue). In phase 2, the research team and lay experts made improvements to the vignettes' readability. In phase 3, five HF self-care nurse experts evaluated the vignettes' clarity and importance with a 3-point Likert-type scale using Delphi methods. We calculated the vignettes' content validity using the scale-level content validity index.

Results

The final content validation encompassed 2 Delphi rounds (phase 3), yielding a scale-level content validity index of 0.92 and 0.94 for the psychological and physical symptom vignettes, respectively. These results indicate excellent initial content validity.

Conclusions

The content of vignettes measuring individuals' knowledge of HF symptom self-management is valid based on the opinions of nurse experts. The vignettes offer a promising method to assess knowledge about HF self-care management without the pressure of disclosing individual patient practices.
Optimization of Endoscopic Ultrasound Characteristics in the Diagnosis of Malignant Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm
Authors: Kobayashi Masanori , Niimi Mao , Katsuda Hiromune , Akahoshi Keiichi , Kinowaki Yuko , Sasaki Masanao , Hirakawa Akihiro , Tateishi Ukihide , Tanabe Minoru , Okamoto Ryuichi
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an excellent diagnostic tool that provides high-resolution images of pancreatic cystic lesions. However, its role in the diagnosis of malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) remains limited and unclear. We aimed to determine the usefulness of this modality for such diagnosis.

Methods

Overall, 246 patients who underwent EUS for IPMN after computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from April 2018 to June 2021 were followed up until March 2022. We assessed the added value of performing EUS after CT or MRI for diagnosing malignant IPMN, using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Walls as thick as 2 mm were considered thickened in this study if they were highly uneven.

Results

EUS clearly enhanced accuracy in identifying enhancing nodules and thickened walls. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were 0.655 (0.549–0.760) and 0.566 (0.478–0.654) upon CT/MRI but 0.853 (0.763–0.942) and 0.725 (0.634–0.817) when observed using EUS. The combination of nodule size, thickened wall, and main duct size yielded the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.944 [0.915–0.973]).

Conclusions

EUS more accurately detects malignant IPMN, as uneven wall thickening and certain nodules cannot be identified with CT/MRI.