bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut microbial dysbiosis and inflammation: Impact on periodontal health
Authors: Zhao Yifan , Liu Yi , Jia Lu
Published: July 2024

Periodontitis is widely acknowledged as the most prevalent type of oral inflammation, arising from the dynamic interplay between oral pathogens and the host's immune responses. It is also recognized as a contributing factor to various systemic diseases. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiota can significantly alter the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. Researchers have delved into the links between periodontitis and systemic diseases through the “oral–gut” axis. However, whether the associations between periodontitis and the gut microbiota are simply correlative or driven by causative mechanistic interactions remains uncertain. This review investigates how dysbiosis of the gut microbiota impacts periodontitis, drawing on existing preclinical and clinical data. This study highlights potential mechanisms of this interaction, including alterations in subgingival microbiota, oral mucosal barrier function, neutrophil activity, and abnormal T‐cell recycling, and offers new perspectives for managing periodontitis, especially in cases linked to systemic diseases.
Centralized management of copyright royalties: A case study on the National Collective Management Organization for songs and music in Indonesia
Authors: Ayu Palar Miranda Risang , Rafianti Laina , Puspitasari Wina , Novianti Isti
Published: July 2024

This paper tries to examine the role and function of the National Collective Management Organization (NCMO) and Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) for songs and music authors along with their related rights based on the existing law and implementing regulations in Indonesia. The discussion specifically revolves around controversies, challenges, advantages, and disadvantages that occurred from the centralized management system in songs and music conducted by NCMO to ease the royalties payment process for commercial users. The research was made by analyzing qualitative data on the laws and their implementing regulations in Indonesia, and also formal reports, it is supported by in‐depth observation and interviews with selected sources in the fields. Results show that to perform its task as the centralized management body for royalties of copyrights in Indonesia, the NCMO has to transform the way they operate. There are three practicable and acceptable options of transformation which all shall require a structural change, transparency, and reasonable operational costs shared in terms of NCMO's and CMOs' operation. It must also involve improvement in consistency to NCMO, CMOs, and other related agencies to act as trustee bodies.
Ontogenetic variation in the marine foraging of Atlantic salmon functionally links genomic diversity with a major life history polymorphism
Authors: Aykanat Tutku , Jacobsen Jan Arge , Hindar Kjetil
Published: July 2024

The ecological role of heritable phenotypic variation in free‐living populations remains largely unknown. Knowledge of the genetic basis of functional ecological processes can link genomic and phenotypic diversity, providing insight into polymorphism evolution and how populations respond to environmental changes. By quantifying the marine diet of Atlantic salmon, we assessed how foraging behaviour changes along the ontogeny, and in relation to genetic variation in two loci with major effects on age at maturity (six6 and vgll3). We used a two‐component, zero‐inflated negative binomial model to simultaneously quantify foraging frequency and foraging outcome, separately for fish and crustaceans diets. We found that older salmon forage for both prey types more actively (as evidenced by increased foraging frequency), but with a decreased efficiency (as evidenced by fewer prey in the diet), suggesting an age‐dependent shift in foraging dynamics. The vgll3 locus was linked to age‐dependent changes in foraging behaviour: Younger salmon with vgll3LL (the genotype associated with late maturation) tended to forage crustaceans more often than those with vgll3EE (the genotype associated with early maturation), whereas the pattern was reversed in older salmon. Vgll3 LL genotype was also linked to a marginal increase in fish acquisition, especially in younger salmon, while six6 was not a factor explaining the diet variation. Our results suggest a functional role for marine feeding behaviour linking genomic diversity at vgll3 with age at maturity among salmon, with potential age‐dependent trade‐offs maintaining the genetic variation. A shared genetic basis between dietary ecology and age at maturity likely subjects Atlantic salmon populations to evolution induced by bottom‐up changes in marine productivity.
The violence of curriculum: Dismantling systemic racism, colonisation and indigenous erasure within medical education
Authors: Razack Saleem , Richardson Lisa , Pillay Suntosh R.
Published: July 2024

Background

Epistemic violence is enacted in medical curricula in mundane ways all the time, negatively impacting learners, teachers and patients. In this article, we address three forms of such violence: White supremacy, indigenous erasure and heteronormativity.

Methods

In this article, we examine the knowledge systems of medicine as a global phenomenon, impacted by Western and European ideologies of race and colonisation, both produced by them, helping to reproduce them through authoritative and hegemonic ideologies. We seek not only to problematise but also to propose alternative teaching approaches rooted in the Global South and in Indigenous ways of knowing. Taking inspiration from Paulo Freire, we advocate for the development of critical consciousness through the integration of critical pedagogies of love, emancipation and shared humanity. Drawing on Irihapeti Ramsden, we advocate for cultural safety, which emphasises power relations and historical trauma in the clinical encounter and calls for a rights‐based approach in medical education. Deliberately holding space for our own vulnerabilities and that of our students requires what Megan Boler calls a pedagogy of discomfort.

Conclusions and Significance

Our perspectives converge on the importance of critical consciousness development for culturally safe practice in medical education, acknowledging the need to emphasise a curriculum of shared humanity, introducing the concept of Ubuntu from Southern Africa. Ubuntu can be encapsulated in the phrase ‘I am because we are’, and it promotes a collective approach to medical education in which there is active solidarity between the profession and the diverse populations which it serves.
Aristotle's tyche (τύχη) and contemporary debates about luck
Authors: Groarke Louis
Published: July 2024

This paper proposes an interpretation of Aristotle's understanding of tyche (τύχη), a Greek term that can be alternatively translated as luck, fortune, or fate. The paper disentangles various threads of argument in the primary sources to argue for a realist understanding of what we moderns call “luck.” In short, it contends that Aristotle's account of these issues is mostly correct and merits close attention when canvassing recent philosophical debates about luckology. Aristotle argues that science pertains to the general rule; it is not about the particular. Particular events have contingent content that exceeds the scope of science. Even if we could predict all future events with ultimate accuracy, we would still be left wondering why good or bad things happen to specific people. Although luck is not a scientific category, it has an existential reality that leaves momentous events open to metaphysical and even religious interpretation.
A dimensional analysis of experienced intensive care unit nurses' clinical decision‐making for bleeding after cardiac surgery
Authors: Lavoie Patrick , Arbour Caroline , Garneau Amélie Blanchet , Côté José , Crétaz Maude , Denault André , Gosselin Émilie , Lapierre Alexandra , Mailhot Tanya , Tessier Virginie
Published: July 2024

Background

Bleeding following cardiac surgery is common and serious, yet a gap persists in understanding how experienced intensive care nurses identify and respond to such complications.

Aim

To describe the clinical decision‐making of experienced intensive care unit nurses in addressing bleeding after cardiac surgery.

Study Design

This qualitative study adopted the Recognition‐Primed Decision Model as its theoretical framework. Thirty‐nine experienced nurses from four adult intensive care units participated in semi‐structured interviews based on the critical decision method. The interviews explored their clinical judgements and decisions in bleeding situations, and data were analysed through dimensional analysis, an alternative to grounded theory.

Results

Participants maintained consistent vigilance towards post‐cardiac surgery bleeding, recognizing it through a haemorrhagic dimension associated with blood loss and chest drainage and a hypovolemic dimension focusing on the repercussions of reduced blood volume. These dimensions organized their understanding of bleeding types (i.e., normal, medical, surgical, tamponade) and necessary actions. Their decision‐making encompassed monitoring bleeding, identifying the cause, stopping the bleeding, stabilizing haemodynamic and supporting the patient and family. Participants also adapted their actions to specific circumstances, including local practices, professional autonomy, interprofessional dynamics and resource availability.

Conclusions

Nurses' decision‐making was shaped by their personal attributes, the patient's condition and contextual circumstances, underscoring their expertise and pivotal role in anticipating actions and adapting to diverse conditions. The concept of actionability emerged as the central dimension explaining their decision‐making, defined as the capability to implement actions towards specific goals within the possibilities and constraints of a situation.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study underscores the need for continual updates to care protocols to align with current evidence and for quality improvement initiatives to close existing practice gaps. Exploring the concept of actionability further, developing adaptability‐focused educational programmes, and understanding decision‐making intricacies are crucial for informing nursing education and decision‐support systems.
He Uiui Aromatawai Tūraru: Guidance for ‘risky’ and uncertain resource use decision‐making in Aotearoa
Authors: Le Heron Erena , Le Heron Richard , Awatere Shaun , Blackett Paula , Logie June , Hyslop Jade
Published: July 2024

Recent environmental events in land, coastal and ocean domains in Aotearoa have raised serious questions about risks and uncertainties connected with natural resource decision‐making at all levels and in all places. Evidence from consenting processes associated with proposed investments in seabed mining of Chatham Rock Phosphate and sub‐division development at Okura, Auckland City, illustrate the presence and nature of three key but often invisible influences – personal positionalities, discipline assumptions and worldviews – affecting decision processes. Readers are invited to go on a ‘risk journey’, of discovery, to help develop their capabilities to engage in investment decision‐making processes.
CASTing the net wider: A case report of PLACK syndrome associated with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Nguyen Cassidy , Hughes Connor , Little Samantha , Carruth Alexander , Nolan Daniel , Ruth Jennifer
Published: July 2024

PLACK syndrome (OMIM 616295) is a rare genodermatosis associated with peeling skin, leukonychia, acral punctate keratosis, cheilitis, and knuckle pads and is caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the CAST gene, which encodes calpastatin, a calcium‐dependent protease. This case report highlights a case of PLACK syndrome presenting with the unique findings of striate hyperkeratosis on the palms as well as life‐threatening cardiomyopathy. We review why CAST mutations might impact cardiac function and raise awareness of the potential association between PLACK syndrome and cardiac manifestations.
Family Environment, Social Support, and Health‐Related Quality of Life in Adolescents Following Kidney Transplant
Authors: Roberts Emma , Zelikovsky Nataliya
Published: July 2024

Background

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for pediatric end‐stage renal disease. Transplant recipients often have better neurocognitive, academic, and health‐related outcomes. While there is some evidence that health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) improves following kidney transplant, other studies have found adolescent transplant recipients report lower overall HRQOL than healthy peers. Current research has focused on individual‐level factors affecting adjustment to organ transplant, warranting examination of HRQOL from a systems perspective. Family environment and social support contribute to a system of proximal relationships that are crucial in adolescents' development, making them important factors to study in relation to HRQOL post‐transplant.

Methods

The current study utilized archival data of adolescent renal transplant patients who completed surveys about their family environment, social support, and HRQOL during routine transplant clinic visits.

Results

Family cohesion, as well as social support from parents, classmates, and people in school, were positively correlated with HRQOL. Social support from people in school uniquely predicted variance in HRQOL, beyond the contribution of overall family environment after controlling for demographic factors. Relative to comparable adolescent samples, transplant recipients reported more optimal overall family environment, greater social support from teachers, and lower social support from close friends.

Conclusion

Psychosocial interventions for adolescent kidney transplant recipients may be enhanced by collaborating with school professionals and further bolstering strengths in the family environment. Kidney transplant recipients may benefit from long‐term intervention, as decreased HRQOL appears to persist years post‐transplant.
One‐pot, easy and scalable synthesis of large‐size short wave length IR emitting PbS quantum dots
Authors: Sahu Umasharan , Prasad Bhagavatula L. V.
Published: July 2024

This study presents a versatile and efficient method to synthesize large‐size lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) that display emission in the short‐wave infrared (SWIR) region, using accessible and stable diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate (C2)2DTCA and octylammonium octyldithiocarbamate (C8DTCA) as sulfur sources. As these sulfur sources enable the formation of well‐dispersed, large‐size PbS QDs in a very convenient way, this method can further be taken up for scale‐up studies. Importantly, this approach allows precise control over QD sizes, thereby enhancing their SWIR optical properties. By adjusting the hot injection temperatures and sulfur source concentrations, different synthesis routes are explored, providing flexibility for the desired QD characteristics. The results presented here offer a promising opportunity to leverage the synthesized PbS QDs in applications such as optoelectronics, sensors, and imaging technology.
Relationship commitment regulation: Influencing a partner's commitment to achieve one's commitment goals
Authors: Machia Laura V. , Tan Kenneth , Agnew Christopher R.
Published: July 2024

We introduce a model of relationship commitment regulation, which describes how romantic partners might use empirically‐validated antecedents of commitment level strategically to influence a partner's commitment toward their relationship based on certain commitment goals they have for the relationship. People are generally aware of and relatively accurate with respect to knowing their partner's level of commitment and also have preferences regarding their desired level. We summarize key antecedents of commitment level (i.e., satisfaction level, alternative quality, investment size, future plans, and subjective norms) and then describe how each can be manipulated via relationship maintenance activities to move a partner's commitment level up or down, or maintained at a desired current level. Collectively, the model provides a strategic roadmap for actions one can take to foster desired commitment in one's partner and provides insight into the dyadic processes and outcomes of relationship maintenance.
Association between HLA alleles and haplotypes with age at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in an admixed Brazilian population: A nationwide study
Authors: Gomes Marília Brito , dos Santos Gilson Costa , de Sousa Azulay Rossana Santiago , Santos Deborah Conte , Silva Dayse Aparecida , Carvalho Paulo Ricardo Vilas Boas , Negrato Carlos Antonio , Porto Luís Cristóvão
Published: July 2024

To investigate the potential relationship between HLA alleles and haplotypes and the age at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1DAgeD) in an admixed Brazilian population. This nationwide study was conducted in public clinics across 12 Brazilian cities. We collected demographic and genetic data from 1,600 patients with T1D. DNA samples were utilised to determine genomic ancestry (GA) and perform HLA typings for DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1. We explored allele and haplotype frequencies and GA in patients grouped by T1DAgeD categories (<6 years, ≥6–<11 years, ≥11–<19 years and ≥19 years) through univariate and multivariate analyses and primary component analyses. Additionally, we considered self‐reported colour–race and identified a familiar history of T1D in first‐degree relatives. The homozygosity index for DRB1~DQA1~DQB1 haplotypes exhibited the highest variation among T1DAgeD groups, and the percentages of Sub‐Saharan African and European ancestries showed opposite trends in principal component analysis (PCA) analyses. Regarding the association of alleles and haplotypes with T1DAgeD, risk alleles such as HLA‐DQB1*03:02g, ‐DQA1*03:01g, ‐02:01g, DRB1*04:05g and ‐04:02g were more frequently observed in heterozygosity or homozygosity in T1D patients with an early disease onset. Conversely, alleles such as DRB1*07:01g, ‐13:03g, DQB1*06:02g and DQA1*02:01 were more prevalent in older T1D patients. The combination DR3/DR4.5 was significantly associated with early disease onset. However, gender, GA, familiar history of T1D and self‐reported colour–race identity did not exhibit significant associations with the onset of T1D. It is worth noting that the very common risk haplotype DRB1*03:01g~DQA1*05:01g~DQB1*02:01g did not differentiate between T1DAgeD groups. In the admixed Brazilian population, the high‐risk haplotype DRB1*04:05~DQA1*03:01~DQB1*03:02 was more prevalent in individuals diagnosed before 6 years of age. In contrast, the protective alleles DQA1*01:02g, DQB1*06:02g, DRB1*07:01g and DRB1*13:03g and haplotypes DRB1*13:03g~DQA1*05:01g~DQB1*03:01g and DRB1*16:02g~DQA1*01:02g~DQB1*05:02g were more frequently observed in patients diagnosed in adulthood. Notably, these associations were independent of factors such as sex, economic status, GA, familiar history of T1D and region of birth in Brazil. These alleles and haplotypes contribute to our understanding of the disease onset heterogeneity and may have implications for early interventions when detected in association with well‐known genomic risk or protection factors for T1D.
The novel HLA‐A allele, HLA‐A*03:478, identified in a Korean individual
Authors: Kim Jung‐Ah , Bang Hae In , Chae Soobin , Im Hwa Young , Shin Jeong Won
Published: July 2024

One nucleotide substitution in codon 320 of A*03:01:01:01 results in the novel allele, HLA‐A*03:478.
The novel HLA‐DRB1 allele, HLA‐DRB1*09:54 was identified in a Chinese individual
Authors: Zhao Shouxian , Chen Chen , Wang Fang , Zhang Wei , Zhu Faming
Published: July 2024

HLA‐DRB1*09:54 shows a substitution G to A at position 449 when compared with HLA‐DRB1*09:01:02:01.
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola effector Tal10a directly activates rice OsHXK5 expression to facilitate pathogenesis
Authors: Wang Jiuxiang , Liao Zhouxiang , Jin Xia , Liao Lindong , Zhang Yaqi , Zhang Rongbo , Zhao Xiyao , Qin Huajun , Chen Jianghong , He Yongqiang , Zhuang Chuxiong , Tang Jiliang , Huang Sheng
Published: July 2024

Bacterial leaf streak (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), is a major bacterial disease in rice. Transcription activator‐like effectors (TALEs) from Xanthomonas can induce host susceptibility (S) genes and facilitate infection. However, knowledge of the function of Xoc TALEs in promoting bacterial virulence is limited. In this study, we demonstrated the importance of Tal10a for the full virulence of Xoc. Through computational prediction and gene expression analysis, we identified the hexokinase gene OsHXK5 as a host target of Tal10a. Tal10a directly binds to the gene promoter region and activates the expression of OsHXK5. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing in the effector binding element (EBE) of OsHXK5 significantly increases rice resistance to Xoc, while OsHXK5 overexpression enhances the susceptibility of rice plants and impairs rice defense responses. Moreover, simultaneous editing of the promoters of OsSULTR3;6 and OsHXK5 confers robust resistance to Xoc in rice. Taken together, our findings highlight the role of Tal10a in targeting OsHXK5 to promote infection and suggest that OsHXK5 represents a potential target for engineering rice resistance to Xoc.
Diversity and phylogeny of demosponge fauna in the abyssal nodule fields of the eastern Clarion‐Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean
Authors: Lim Swee‐Cheng , Wiklund Helena , Bribiesca‐Contreras Guadalupe , Glover Adrian G. , Dahlgren Thomas G. , Tan Koh‐Siang
Published: July 2024

More than 7000 demosponge species have been described to date globally but <2% are known from the abyssal plains, which occupy some 50% of the Earth's surface. The demosponge fauna in the abyssal nodule fields at Clarion‐Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean, a region being explored for potential deep‐sea mining, is a case in point. A total of 21 species belonging to 13 genera in nine families and seven orders were identified from the eastern region of the CCZ, of which most are new to science. They are small in size (<5 mm), with simple skeletons and poor spicule diversity. All ordinal representatives of Demospongiae were utilized to determine taxonomic position of the highly homoplasious tiny demosponges in our molecular phylogenetic analyses. Our results indicated Plenaster craigi, the most common and abundant species in the eastern CCZ, represents a new family, and possibly in a new order. Interestingly, P. craigi and members of the families Polymastiidae and Hamacanthidae, all filter‐feeding demosponge species, are far more abundant in nodule fields than the carnivorous sponges (Cladorhizidae) which were widely known to be the most dominant demosponge group in the abyssal depths. Lastly, it is highly likely that such tiny demosponges are present in other habitats. They might have been overlooked and/or ignored by sponge researchers in the past due to their tiny size and nondescript habitus. These demosponges could be distinct new species, not juveniles or indeterminates and warrant full taxonomic treatment.
Existence and uniqueness study for partial neutral functional fractional differential equation under Caputo derivative
Authors: Sene Ndolane , Ndiaye Ameth
Published: July 2024

The partial neutral functional fractional differential equation described by the fractional operator is considered in the present investigation. The used fractional operator is the Caputo derivative. In the present paper, the fractional resolvent operators have been defined and used to prove the existence of the unique solution of the fractional neutral differential equations. The fixed point theorem has been used in existence investigations. For an illustration of our results in this paper, an example has been provided as well.
Can We Just Play? Internal Validity of Assessing Physiological State With a Semistandardized Kicking Drill in Professional Australian Football
Authors: Arguedas-Soley Adriano , Shushan Tzlil , Murphy Andrew , Poulos Nicholas , Lovell Ric , Norris Dean
Published: July 2024

Purpose: To examine associations between exercise heart rate (HRex) during a continuous-fixed submaximal fitness test (CF-SMFT) and an intermittent-variable protocol (semistandardized kicking drill [SSD]) in Australian Football athletes, controlling for external intensities, within-session scheduling, and environmental conditions. Methods: Forty-four professional male Australian Football athletes (22.8 [8.0] y) were monitored over 10 sessions involving a 3-minute CF-SMFT (12 km·h−1) as the first activity and a SSD administered 35.7 (8.0) minutes after the CF-SMFT. Initial heart rate and HRex were collected, with external intensities measured as average velocity (in meters per minute) and average acceleration–deceleration (in meters per second squared). Environmental conditions were sampled. A penalized hierarchical linear mixed model was tuned for a Bayesian information criterion minima using a 10-fold cross-validation, with out-of-sample prediction accuracy assessed via root-mean-squared error. Results: SSD average acceleration–deceleration, initial heart rate, temperature, and ground hardness were significant moderators in the tuned model. When model covariates were held constant, a 1%-point change in SSD HRex associated with a 0.4%-point change in CF-SMFT HRex (95% CI, 0.3–0.5). The tuned model predicted CF-SMFT HRex with an average root-mean-squared error of 2.64 (0.57) over the 10-fold cross-validation, with 74% and 86% of out-of-sample predictions falling within 2.7%-points and 3.7%-points, respectively, from observed values, representing the lower and upper limits for detecting meaningful changes in HRex according to the documented typical error. Conclusions: Our findings support the use of an SSD to monitor physiological state in Australian Football athletes, despite varied scheduling within session. Model predictions of CF-SMFT HRex from SSD HRex closely aligned with observed values, considering measurement imprecision.
Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Reducing Pain and Increasing Function After Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Frey Erin , Brown Christopher D. , Tripp Brady
Published: July 2024

Clinical Scenario: Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in athletics, and many lead to recurrent sprains, chronic ankle instability, and persistent symptoms. Treatment improvements are needed. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) involves formulating autologous plasma with higher platelet concentration to be injected in the desired tissue. There is currently high-quality evidence supporting the use of PRP with lateral epicondylitis and knee osteoarthritis to accelerate the healing process and decrease pain. Clinical Question: Does the injection of PRP relieve pain faster and improve function compared with no injection or placebo in patients with a lateral ankle sprain? Summary of Key Findings: A computerized search yielded 191 studies; of these, 3 studies fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. PRP injection reduces pain and increases function after lateral ankle sprain 5 to 8 weeks after intervention. Clinical Bottom Line: The use of PRP after lateral ankle sprain to decrease pain and increase function is supported with moderate evidence. Strength of Recommendation: Based on the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy, evidence from the included studies is considered as level B, reflecting limited quality patient-oriented evidence.
27-Hydroxycholesterol acts on estrogen receptor α expressed by POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus to modulate feeding behavior
Authors: Ye Hui , Yang Xiaohua , Feng Bing , Luo Pei , Torres Irizarry Valeria C. , Carrillo-Sáenz Leslie , Yu Meng , Yang Yongjie , Eappen Benjamin P. , Munoz Marcos David , Patel Nirali , Schaul Sarah , Ibrahimi Lucas , Lai Penghua , Qi Xinyue , Zhou Yuliang , Kota Maya , Dixit Devin , Mun Madeline , Liew Chong Wee , Jiang Yuwei , Wang Chunmei , He Yanlin , Xu Pingwen
Published: July 2024

Oxysterols are metabolites of cholesterol that regulate cholesterol homeostasis. Among these, the most abundant oxysterol is 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), which can cross the blood-brain barrier. Because 27HC functions as an endogenous selective estrogen receptor modulator, we hypothesize that 27HC binds to the estrogen receptor α (ERα) in the brain to regulate energy balance. Supporting this view, we found that delivering 27HC to the brain reduced food intake and activated proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (POMCARH) in an ERα-dependent manner. In addition, we observed that inhibiting brain ERα, deleting ERα in POMC neurons, or chemogenetic inhibition of POMCARHneurons blocked the anorexigenic effects of 27HC. Mechanistically, we further revealed that 27HC stimulates POMCARHneurons by inhibiting the small conductance of the calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel. Together, our findings suggest that 27HC, through its interaction with ERα and modulation of the SK channel, inhibits food intake as a negative feedback mechanism against a surge in circulating cholesterol.
IRF8-mutant B cell lymphoma evades immunity through a CD74-dependent deregulation of antigen processing and presentation in MHCII complexes
Authors: Qiu Zhijun , Khalife Jihane , Ethiraj Purushoth , Jaafar Carine , Lin An-Ping , Holder Kenneth N. , Ritter Jacob P. , Chiou Lilly , Huelgas-Morales Gabriela , Aslam Sadia , Zhang Zhao , Liu Zhijie , Arya Shailee , Gupta Yogesh K. , Dahia Patricia L. M. , Aguiar Ricardo C.T.
Published: July 2024

The mechanism by which interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) mutation contributes to lymphomagenesis is unknown. We modeled IRF8 variants in B cell lymphomas and found that they affected the expression of regulators of antigen presentation. Expression of IRF8 mutants in murine B cell lymphomas suppressed CD4, but not CD8, activation elicited by antigen presentation and downmodulated CD74 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DM, intracellular regulators of antigen peptide processing/loading in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II. Concordantly, mutant IRF8 bound less efficiently to the promoters of these genes. Mice harboring IRF8 mutant lymphomas displayed higher tumor burden and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, typified by depletion of CD4, CD8, and natural killer cells, increase in regulatory T cells and T follicular helper cells. Deconvolution of bulk RNA sequencing data from IRF8-mutant human diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) recapitulated part of the immune remodeling detected in mice. We concluded that IRF8 mutations contribute to DLBCL biology by facilitating immune escape.
Hierarchical multi-task deep learning-assisted construction of human gut microbiota reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzymes database
Authors: Yan Yueyang , Shi Zhanpeng , Zhang Yongrui
Published: July 2024

In the process of oxygen reduction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as intermediates, including superoxide anion (O
2−
), hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
), and hydroxyl radicals (OH
−
). ROS can be destructive, and an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in the body can lead to pathological inflammation. Inappropriate ROS production can cause oxidative damage, disrupting the balance in the body and potentially leading to DNA damage in intestinal epithelial cells and beneficial bacteria. Microorganisms have evolved various enzymes to mitigate the harmful effects of ROS. Accurately predicting the types of ROS-scavenging enzymes (ROSes) is crucial for understanding the oxidative stress mechanisms and formulating strategies to combat diseases related to the “gut–organ axis.” Currently, there are no available ROSes databases (DBs). In this study, we propose a systematic workflow comprising three modules and employ a hierarchical multi-task deep learning approach to collect, expand, and explore ROSes-related entries. Based on this, we have developed the human gut microbiota ROSes DB (
http://39.101.72.186/
), which includes 7,689 entries. This DB provides user-friendly browsing and search features to support various applications. With the assistance of ROSes DB, various communication-based microbial interactions can be explored, further enabling the construction and analysis of the evolutionary and complex networks of ROSes DB in human gut microbiota species.

IMPORTANCE

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is generated during the process of oxygen reduction, including superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. ROS can potentially cause damage to cells and DNA, leading to pathological inflammation within the body. Microorganisms have evolved various enzymes to mitigate the harmful effects of ROS, thereby maintaining a balance of microorganisms within the host. The study highlights the current absence of a ROSes DB, emphasizing the crucial importance of accurately predicting the types of ROSes for understanding oxidative stress mechanisms and developing strategies for diseases related to the “gut–organ axis.” This research proposes a systematic workflow and employs a multi-task deep learning approach to establish the human gut microbiota ROSes DB. This DB comprises 7,689 entries and serves as a valuable tool for researchers to delve into the role of ROSes in the human gut microbiota.
Barriers and facilitators of habit building for long-term adherence to antihypertensive therapy among people with hypertensive disorders in Los Angeles, California: a qualitative study
Authors: Ghai Ishita , Palimaru Alina , Ebinger Joseph E , Barajas Denisse , Vallejo Rocio , Morales Michelle , Linnemayr Sebastian
Published: July 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to a) explore barriers and facilitators associated with medication-taking habit formation, and b) elicit feedback on the components of an intervention designed to help form strong habits for long-term medication adherence.

Design

The study design was qualitative; we conducted semistructured interviews between September 2021 and February 2022.

Setting

The interviews were conducted online, with 27 participants recruited at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

Participants

A purposive sample of 20 patients who were over 18 years of age, had been diagnosed with hypertensive disorder (or reported high blood pressure; >140/90 mm Hg) and who were prescribed antihypertensive therapy at the time of recruitment, along with seven providers were interviewed.

Results

Contextual factors included frequent changes to prescription for regimen adjustment, and polypharmacy. Forgetfulness, perceived need for medication, and routine disruptions were identified as possible barriers to habit formation. Facilitators of habit formation included identification of stable routines for anchoring, planning, use of external reminders (including visual reminders) and pillboxes for prescription management, and extrinsic motivation for forming habits. Interestingly, experiencing medication side effects was identified as a possible barrier and a possible facilitator of habit formation. Feedback on study components included increasing text size, and visual appeal of the habit leaflet; and imparting variation in text message content and adjusting their frequency to once a day. Patients generally favoured the use of conditional financial incentives to support habit formation.

Conclusion

The study sheds light on some key considerations concerning the contextual factors for habit formation among people with hypertension. As such, future studies may evaluate the generalisability of our findings, consider the role of visual reminders in habit formation and sustenance, and explore possible disruptions to habits.

Trial registration number

NCT04029883.
‘The unexpected journey’: a qualitative interview study exploring patient and health professionals experiences of participating in the knee arthroplasty versus joint distraction study (KARDS)
Authors: Arnold Susanne , Pandit Hemant , Croft Julie , Stocken Deborah D , Ellard David R
Published: July 2024

Objective

The aim of the knee arthroplasty versus joint distraction (KARDS) randomised trial was to investigate whether knee joint distraction (KJD) is non-inferior to knee arthroplasty, also known as knee replacement (KR). Here we report the findings from qualitative interviews that were part of the planned KARDS process evaluation.

Design and methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff and participants in secondary care. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

We were unable to complete the full-planned KARDS process evaluation as recruitment to the trial was closed early but key common themes emerged.

Eleven members of staff were interviewed from two KARDS sites (eight initial interviews just after site opening and three follow-up interviews at 12 months). Eleven KARDS participants (six KR and five KJD) were interviewed. One overarching theme emerged: ‘An unexpected journey’. This incorporated subthemes including ‘an important research question’, ‘a roller coaster ride’, ‘lessons learnt’, ‘managing expectations’ and ‘a slow recovery’. These encapsulate experiences of both staff and participants.

Conclusion

The information that we were able to collect highlights that providing adequate and comprehensive information about all aspects of treatment including estimated timelines of recovery are essential in clinical trials of novel interventions. Incorporating a comprehensive rehabilitation package following KJD was a key learning. Process evaluations in these complex trials are essential to determine issues as early as possible so appropriate changes can be made to ensure participants have a smooth journey through the trial experience.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN14879004.
Background incidence rates of health outcomes of interest for COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring in a US population: a claims database analysis
Authors: Banga Sonja , Khromava Alena , Serradell Laurence , Chabanon Anne-Laure , Pan Chunshen , Estevez Irisdaly , Schilsky Samantha , Kreisberg Hannah
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate background incidence rates of 59 health outcomes of interest (HOI) in a diverse population, including important subpopulations, during the pre-COVID-19 era (1 January 2017–31 December 2019) and the COVID-19 era (1 March 2020–31 December 2020), before the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.

Design

Observational retrospective cohort study. Annual incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of HOIs were estimated for each population of interest, stratified by: age, sex, age and sex and seasonality.

Data source

Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database (CDM).

Participants

Individuals from the US general population and four subgroups of interest: influenza-vaccinated, paediatric (<18 years of age), elderly (≥65 years of age) and pregnant women.

Results

During the COVID-19 era, the incidence of several cardiac conditions, coagulation disorders and acute liver injury increased across all populations assessed while the rates of some dermatological and neurological HOIs decreased relative to the pre-COVID-19 era. The incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) varied considerably by subgroup: among the elderly, it decreased annually during the pre-COVID-19 era but peaked during the COVID-19 era; among pregnant women, it slightly increased annually during the pre-COVID-19 era and substantially increased during the COVID-19 era; among paediatrics, it decreased annually over the entire study. The incidence of the majority of HOIs increased with age, but were generally comparable between sexes with few exceptions. Cardiac, gastrointestinal, neurological and haematological HOIs, along with acute kidney injury and ARDS, were more common in males, whereas several immunological HOIs and chilblain-like lesions were more common in females. Pregnancy-related HOIs did not increase during the COVID-19 era, except for spontaneous abortions which increased annually over the entire study.

Conclusion

These observations help contextualise fluctuations in background rates of adverse events noted during the COVID-19 era, and provide insight on how their use may impact safety surveillance for other vaccines.
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND FIRMS’ ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF CONFUCIAN CULTURE
Authors: LIAO ZHONGJU , LIU XIAODIE
Published: July 2024

Against the backdrop of the increasingly deteriorating global ecological environment, government institutions play an important role in promoting environmental innovation and achieving sustainable development. Based on institutional theory and cultural theory, this study explores the impact of two types of government institutions on firms’ environmental innovation, as well as the moderating role of Confucian culture. This study selected heavily polluting firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares in China from 2015 to 2021 as the research sample. The results indicate that both environmental regulations and green taxes have a significant positive impact on firms’ environmental innovation. The impact of green taxes on firms’ environmental innovation is positively moderated by Confucian culture, while the impact of environmental regulations on firms’ environmental innovation is negatively moderated by Confucian culture. After robustness testing, this conclusion holds. This study provides a useful reference for the government to formulate reasonable policies based on the level of Confucian culture in various regions to promote firms’ environmental innovation.
An Inexact Bundle Method for Semi-Infinite Minimax Problems
Authors: Shang Tianyou , Su Ke , Wei Yanshu , Zhao Bing
Published: July 2024

Semi-infinite minimax problems are widely utilized in various fields; however, there is a scarcity of algorithms that can directly tackle convex-convex and convex-concave semi-infinite minimax problems. An inexact algorithm based on the bundle method is introduced in this paper, which can be directly applied to solve both types of semi-infinite minimax problems. The novel algorithm offers the advantage of not requiring exact solutions for the inner maximization problem but only necessitates optimal solution with a certain level of precision. Additionally, the augmentation function method is employed to address nonconvergence issues encountered in traditional bundle method when dealing with convex-convex minimax problems. Global convergence of our algorithm is proven under reasonable assumptions. Numerical results from several examples demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of our proposed approach.
Automatic Face Detection of Farm Images Based on an Enhanced Lightweight Deep Learning Model
Authors: Huang Xiaoping , Huang Fei , Hu Jiahui , Zheng Huanyu , Liu Mengyi , Dou Zihao , Jiang Qing
Published: July 2024

In the realm of precise management, artificial intelligence has garnered significant attention and adoption, particularly within the domain of smart agriculture. In modern animal husbandry, animal face detection is conducive to individual identification, expression detection and behavior analysis of animals, and this technological advancement holds immense importance in fostering the advancement of intelligent farming practices. In order to solve the challenge of face detection caused by similar appearance features (color, texture, etc.) and no obvious feature differences between the solid-color goats and sheep in the natural environment, this research introduces a novel approach for face detection by combining the capabilities of YOLOv5 and a convolutional block attention module (CBAM). First, datasets of goats and sheep with different angles, scales and densities were constructed. Second, the basic framework of YOLOv5 was used for object detection. To address the obstacle posed by the limited presence of distinguishing features on the faces of goats and sheep, this study aims to overcome the challenge of extracting informative facial characteristics. The CBAM block was introduced to construct the YOLOv5-CBAM model to improve the feature extraction ability. Finally, 2412 images were selected and divided into training set and verification set according to 8:1. The experimental results of this dataset show that the proposed YOLOv5-CBAM model yielded remarkable results with a precision rate of 0.970, a recall rate of 0.890, a mAP@0.5 score of 0.935, an frames per second (FPS) of 140.845, and a model size of 14.680[Formula: see text]MB. In comparison to other approaches such as Faster R-CNN, SSD, YOLOv3, and YOLOv5, the proposed model demonstrated superior performance in some aspects. In addition, it excelled in both lightweight design and overall effectiveness, and it is well-suited for real-time detection of animal faces in real-world farming settings, ensuring efficient identification and monitoring of animals within practical agricultural environments.
An Improved SEIR Dynamics Model for Actual Infection Scale Estimation of COVID-19
Authors: Zheng Pengfei , Li Jiazhou , Cui Zhikun , Alharbi Abdullah , Tolba Amr
Published: July 2024

It is crucial to capture the actual infection scale of communicable diseases. However, the official case numbers cannot equal to actual infection scale in society, because a large number of asymptomatic individuals are not recognized. To deal with this challenge, this paper takes COVID-19 as the object, and develops an improved SEIR dynamics model to estimate its actual infection scale. Generalized to the circumstances in this work, we improve the classical SEIR model by considering three implicit factors: self-recovered asymptomatic individuals, recovered individuals, and deceased individuals. The dynamics process inside the improved model is expressed using mathematical formulas, and the parameter estimation scheme is given accordingly. To evaluate the estimation effect of the proposal, we employ pandemic data from 10 representative countries to build experimental scenario. The results obtained through model fitting demonstrate that the estimated actual infection scale is approximately 10–30 times higher than the reported average “newly confirmed cases”. Furthermore, our findings reveal a noteworthy negative correlation between the transmission coefficient and vaccination rate, confirming the beneficial role of vaccination in mitigating COVID-19 spreading.
A Visual Transformer and Convolution Neural Network-Based Intelligent Recommender System for e-Commerce Scenes
Authors: Deng Hua , Huang Haiying , Alfarraj Osama , Tolba Amr
Published: July 2024

Recommender systems have been a kind of powerful tool to improve e-commerce benefits. Existing recommender systems mostly employ explicit features of products, such as description and attributes. However, visual characteristics contain fruitful implicit and intuitive information, and are always ignored by existing works. To deal with this issue, this paper proposes a novel intelligent recommender system via visual Transformer (ViT) model and convolutional neural network (CNN) structure. First, the ViT part is utilized to extract visual feature representation. By learning the visual similarity among products, it is expected to obtain a better scene understanding. Then, an improved CNN part is utilized to extract hidden association information from historical behaviors of users. It is expected to better perceive user preference and purchasing characteristics. The combination of two parts constructs the proposed recommender system. Finally, we make performance evaluation for the proposal on real-world e-commerce dataset. The results indicate that the proposal exhibits high recommendation accuracy and efficiency. Compared with other typical algorithms, our proposal can better understand product images and user behaviors, providing more personalized recommendation results.