bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe pulmonary hypertension–interstitial lung disease presenting as right ventricular failure: stabilisation with intravenous prostacyclin and maintenance with inhaled prostacyclin
Authors: Parikh Raj , Thomas Alysse , Sharofi Aldo , Moallem Niala , Fiscus Garrett , Farber Harrison W.
Published: January 2024

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) leads to increased morbidity and mortality in interstitial lung disease (ILD). While the INCREASE trial highlighted the use of inhaled prostacyclin in PH-ILD patients, such therapy may be inadequate when right ventricular failure (RVF) is also present. In this study, we report the use of intravenous prostacyclin in three PH-ILD patients to stabilise right ventricular (RV) function, with a subsequent transition to maintenance therapy with inhaled prostacyclin.

Methods

We evaluated three consecutive PH-ILD patients with RVF. RV afterload and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were treated with intravenous prostacyclin during the induction phase of the therapy. Patients transitioned from intravenous prostacyclin to the maintenance phase of the treatment with inhaled prostacyclin once three transition criteria were met: cardiac index (CI) >2 L·min−1·m−2, PVR <7 Wood units (WU) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) change >1 mm or TAPSE >1.6 cm.

Results

Pre-treatment parameters for the three patients were a mean PVR of 14.3 WU, a mean Fick CI of 1.8 L·min−1·m−2and a mean TAPSE of 1.4 cm. The average intravenous prostacyclin dose at the time of transition to maintenance therapy was 20.7 ng·kg−1·m−2of treprostinil. At 3-months follow-up, the mean PVR was 6.3 WU, Fick CI 2.2 L·min−1·m−2and TAPSE 1.7 cm.

Conclusion

This case series of three PH-ILD patients with RVF introduces the concept of an initial intravenous prostacyclin induction phase, followed by a transition to maintenance therapy with inhaled prostacyclin. Further development of this treatment algorithm with a refinement of the transition criteria, potential testing in a clinical trial and a longer-term follow-up period is warranted to improve the outcomes of advanced PH-ILD patients with concomitant RVF.
Use of CompEx in eosinophilic patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma on benralizumab
Authors: Bolton Clare , Harrison Tim , Lugogo Njira , Fuhlbrigge Anne , Hirsch Ian , Bengtsson Thomas , Peterson Stefan , Sidaway Martin , Garcia Gil Esther , Fagerås Malin , Da Silva Carla A.
Published: January 2024

Background

CompEx Asthma, a composite end-point for asthma exacerbations, captures clinically relevant, diary-based acute worsening events (AWEs) (defined as deterioration in daily peak expiratory flow concurrent with deterioration in asthma symptoms and/or rescue therapy use) and severe exacerbations (SevEx) (defined by American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines). We hypothesised that CompEx and SevEx would show similar benralizumab treatment effects and correlations to blood eosinophil counts in patients with severe asthma.

Methods

Thispost hocanalysis of pooled 12-month data from two phase 3 studies included patients aged ≥16 years with severe, uncontrolled asthma who were randomised to benralizumab 30 mg or placebo. Annualised event rates were analysed using a negative binomial model. The impact of blood eosinophil count on treatment effect was assessed.

Results

Among patients with a blood eosinophil count ≥300 cells·µL−1(n=913), benralizumab reduced the annualised event rateversusplacebo for CompEx (1.57versus2.57; risk ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.53–0.70, p<0.001), SevEx (0.94versus1.55; risk ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.52–0.70, p<0.001) and AWE (0.92versus1.57; risk ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.48–0.72, p<0.001), with greater treatment effects observed for higher blood eosinophil counts. In patients with blood eosinophil count ≥300 cells·µL−1, benralizumab was associated with shorter median event duration (CompEx: 10.5 daysversus17.0 days; SevEx: 10.0 daysversus15.0 days; AWE: 5.0 daysversus6.0 days).

Conclusions

Benralizumab reduced the risk of CompEx events with treatment effects similar to those for SevEx and AWEs across a range of blood eosinophil counts. Use of CompEx supports the evaluation of benralizumab and other novel drugs in clinical studies.
Prioritization of Trypanosoma brucei editosome protein interactions interfaces at residue resolution through proteome-scale network analysis
Authors: Poorinmohammad Naghmeh , Salavati Reza
Published: January 2024

Background

Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent for trypanosomiasis in humans and livestock, which presents a growing challenge due to drug resistance. While identifying novel drug targets is vital, the process is delayed due to a lack of functional information on many of the pathogen’s proteins. Accordingly, this paper presents a computational framework for prioritizing drug targets within the editosome, a vital molecular machinery responsible for mitochondrial RNA processing in T. brucei. Importantly, this framework may eliminate the need for prior gene or protein characterization, potentially accelerating drug discovery efforts.

Results

By integrating protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, PPI structural modeling, and residue interaction network (RIN) analysis, we quantitatively ranked and identified top hub editosome proteins, their key interaction interfaces, and hotspot residues. Our findings were cross-validated and further prioritized by incorporating them into gene set analysis and differential expression analysis of existing quantitative proteomics data across various life stages of T. brucei. In doing so, we highlighted PPIs such as KREL2-KREPA1, RESC2-RESC1, RESC12A-RESC13, and RESC10-RESC6 as top candidates for further investigation. This includes examining their interfaces and hotspot residues, which could guide drug candidate selection and functional studies.

Conclusion

RNA editing offers promise for target-based drug discovery, particularly with proteins and interfaces that play central roles in the pathogen’s life cycle. This study introduces an integrative drug target identification workflow combining information from the PPI network, PPI 3D structure, and reside-level information of their interface which can be applicable to diverse pathogens. In the case of T. brucei, via this pipeline, the present study suggested potential drug targets with residue-resolution from RNA editing machinery. However, experimental validation is needed to fully realize its potential in advancing urgently needed antiparasitic drug development.
Comparative genomic analyses provide new insights into evolutionary history and conservation genomics of gorillas
Authors: van der Valk Tom , Jensen Axel , Caillaud Damien , Guschanski Katerina
Published: January 2024

Genome sequencing is a powerful tool to understand species evolutionary history, uncover genes under selection, which could be informative of local adaptation, and infer measures of genetic diversity, inbreeding and mutational load that could be used to inform conservation efforts. Gorillas, critically endangered primates, have received considerable attention and with the recently sequenced Bwindi mountain gorilla population, genomic data is now available from all gorilla subspecies and both mountain gorilla populations. Here, we reanalysed this rich dataset with a focus on evolutionary history, local adaptation and genomic parameters relevant for conservation. We estimate a recent split between western and eastern gorillas of 150,000–180,000 years ago, with gene flow around 20,000 years ago, primarily between the Cross River and Grauer’s gorilla subspecies. This gene flow event likely obscures evolutionary relationships within eastern gorillas: after excluding putatively introgressed genomic regions, we uncover a sister relationship between Virunga mountain gorillas and Grauer’s gorillas to the exclusion of Bwindi mountain gorillas. This makes mountain gorillas paraphyletic. Eastern gorillas are less genetically diverse and more inbred than western gorillas, yet we detected lower genetic load in the eastern species. Analyses of indels fit remarkably well with differences in genetic diversity across gorilla taxa as recovered with nucleotide diversity measures. We also identified genes under selection and unique gene variants specific for each gorilla subspecies, encoding, among others, traits involved in immunity, diet, muscular development, hair morphology and behavior. The presence of this functional variation suggests that the subspecies may be locally adapted. In conclusion, using extensive genomic resources we provide a comprehensive overview of gorilla genomic diversity, including a so-far understudied Bwindi mountain gorilla population, identify putative genes involved in local adaptation, and detect population-specific gene flow across gorilla species.
Evaluating the usefulness of considering the size and morphological type of type B2 vessel area based on Japan Esophageal Society classification in estimating tumor invasion depth in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas: study protocol for a prospective observational study (Japan BEES study)
Authors: Yoshida Masao , Mori Keita , Urabe Yuji , Hirasawa Dai , Sasaki Fumisato , Takeuchi Manabu , Kadota Tomohiro , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Yoshinaga Shigetaka , Kitamura Yoko , Ohno Kazuya , Ono Yoichiro , Igarashi Kimihiro , Takahashi Hiroaki , Ishihara Ryu
Published: January 2024

Background

Accurate evaluation of tumor invasion depth is essential to determine the appropriate treatment strategy for patients with superficial esophageal cancer. The pretreatment tumor depth diagnosis currently relies on the magnifying endoscopic classification established by the Japan Esophageal Society (JES). However, the diagnostic accuracy of tumors involving the muscularis mucosa (MM) or those invading the upper third of the submucosal layer (SM1), which correspond to Type B2 vessels in the JES classification, remains insufficient. Previous retrospective studies have reported improved accuracy by considering additional findings, such as the size and macroscopic type of the Type B2 vessel area, in evaluating tumor invasion depth. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether incorporating the size and/or macroscopic type of the Type B2 vessel area improves the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative tumor invasion depth prediction based on the JES classification.

Methods

This multicenter prospective observational study will include patients diagnosed with MM/SM1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on the Type B2 vessels of the JES classification. The tumor invasion depth will be evaluated using both the standard JES classification (standard-depth evaluation) and the JES classification with additional findings (hypothetical-depth evaluation) for the same set of patients. Data from both endoscopic depth evaluations will be electronically collected and stored in a cloud-based database before endoscopic resection or esophagectomy. This study’s primary endpoint is accuracy, defined as the proportion of cases in which the preoperative depth diagnosis matched the histological depth diagnosis after resection. Outcomes of standard- and hypothetical-depth evaluation will be compared.

Discussion

Collecting reliable prospective data on the JES classification, explicitly concerning the B2 vessel category, has the potential to provide valuable insights. Incorporating additional findings into the in-depth evaluation process may guide clinical decision-making and promote evidence-based medicine practices in managing superficial esophageal cancer.

Trial registration

This trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN-CTR) under the identifier UMIN000051145, registered on 23/5/2023.
PerSurge (NOA-30) phase II trial of perampanel treatment around surgery in patients with progressive glioblastoma
Authors: Heuer Sophie , Burghaus Ina , Gose Maria , Kessler Tobias , Sahm Felix , Vollmuth Philipp , Venkataramani Varun , Hoffmann Dirk , Schlesner Matthias , Ratliff Miriam , Hopf Carsten , Herrlinger Ulrich , Ricklefs Franz , Bendszus Martin , Krieg Sandro M. , Wick Antje , Wick Wolfgang , Winkler Frank
Published: January 2024

Background

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and a particularly malignant primary brain tumor with no efficacy-proven standard therapy for recurrence. It has recently been discovered that excitatory synapses of the AMPA-receptor subtype form between non-malignant brain neurons and tumor cells. This neuron-tumor network connectivity contributed to glioma progression and could be efficiently targeted with the EMA/FDA approved antiepileptic AMPA receptor inhibitor perampanel in preclinical studies. The PerSurge trial was designed to test the clinical potential of perampanel to reduce tumor cell network connectivity and tumor growth with an extended window-of-opportunity concept.

Methods

PerSurge is a phase IIa clinical and translational treatment study around surgical resection of progressive or recurrent glioblastoma. In this multicenter, 2-arm parallel-group, double-blind superiority trial, patients are 1:1 randomized to either receive placebo or perampanel (n = 66 in total). It consists of a treatment and observation period of 60 days per patient, starting 30 days before a planned surgical resection, which itself is not part of the study interventions. Only patients with an expected safe waiting interval are included, and a safety MRI is performed. Tumor cell network connectivity from resected tumor tissue on single cell transcriptome level as well as AI-based assessment of tumor growth dynamics in T2/FLAIR MRI scans before resection will be analyzed as the co-primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints will include further imaging parameters such as pre- and postsurgical contrast enhanced MRI scans, postsurgical T2/FLAIR MRI scans, quality of life, cognitive testing, overall and progression-free survival as well as frequency of epileptic seizures. Further translational research will focus on additional biological aspects of neuron-tumor connectivity.

Discussion

This trial is set up to assess first indications of clinical efficacy and tolerability of perampanel in recurrent glioblastoma, a repurposed drug which inhibits neuron-glioma synapses and thereby glioblastoma growth in preclinical models. If perampanel proved to be successful in the clinical setting, it would provide the first evidence that interference with neuron-cancer interactions may indeed lead to a benefit for patients, which would lay the foundation for a larger confirmatory trial in the future.

Trial registration

EU-CT number: 2023-503938-52-00 30.11.2023.
Enhanced tumor control activities of anti-mPD-L1 antibody and antigen-presenting cell-like natural killer cell in an allograft model
Authors: Hung Yi-Ping , Tu Chia-Chun , Lai Jiun-I , Yang Muh-Hwa , Lee Jan-Mou , Chao Yee
Published: January 2024

Background

Despite the utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating numerous types of cancers being approved, their efficacy in tumor control in the clinic is not satisfactory. Since adoptive cell therapy (ACT) can alter the tumor microenvironment, we hypothesized that ACT potentially synergized with ICI in tumor control and examined this hypothesis via a murine allograft model.

Methods

Female C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with interleukin 15 and granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor, followed by collecting their bone marrow cells for murine NKDC cultivation. Then, female C57BL/6 mice, inoculated with lymphoma cancer cell line E.G7-OVA, were administrated with murine NKDC cells, murine anti-program cell death ligand-1 antibody (α-mPD-L1), or both for 28 days. After 28 days of treatment, mice were sacrificed whose inoculated tumors, spleen, sentinel lymph nodes, and peripheral blood were collected to measure tumor size, lymphocyte infiltration, and change of immune cell profile.

Results

Combined treatment of NKDCs with α-mPD-L1 exhibited significantly stronger tumor control efficacy than treatment of NKDCs or α-mPD-L1 alone. NKDCs/α-mPD-L1 combination increased migration of dendritic cells, CD4, CD8 T cells, and activated CD8 T cells to the tumor-bedding site, and promoted endogenous tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cell response.

Conclusion

The current study confirmed our hypothesis that combining NKDC ACT with ICI therapy can potentiate tumor control efficacy by manipulating the tumor microenvironment. This study provided a novel circumstance on tumor immunotherapy.
Changes in patient care through flexible and integrated treatment programs in German psychiatric hospitals: meta-analyses based on a series of controlled claims-based cohort studies
Authors: Neumann Anne , Schmitt Jochen , Seifert Martin , Kliemt Roman , March Stefanie , Häckl Dennis , Swart Enno , Pfennig Andrea , Baum Fabian
Published: January 2024

Background

Global treatment budgets, i.e. predefined budgets for patients treated in hospital independent of the setting within the hospital, together with flexible and integrated treatment (FIT) have been introduced in some German psychiatric hospitals since 2013. We investigated pooled changes in inpatient, day-care, outpatient treatment, and continuity of care for patients with mental disorders in 12 FIT-hospitals.

Methods

We conducted a series of 12 controlled cohort studies regarding FIT hospitals using anonymized patient claims data from more than 70 German statutory health insurance funds. Each study compared one FIT-hospital to matched patients from equivalent non-FIT-hospitals (routine care). We included only those patients without treatment in the respective hospital within two years prior to first hospital treatment (either FIT or routine care). We contrasted results between the year prior to with the first and second year after patient’s first treatment (treatment continuity: only group comparison) using multivariate multi-level models. To approximate the difference-in-difference effect in the meta-analysis, we used the interaction terms group (FIT hospital vs. routine care) x time (year before vs. first or second patient year after study inclusion) in the Poisson models.

Results

The 12 studies included 36,069 patients with 2,358 patients from a Department of child and adolescent psychiatry. The pooled effect revealed a 5.1 days lower increase in inpatient treatment in FIT-hospitals during the first patient year compared to routine care. Results were statistically significant for adult care FIT-hospitals but not for child and adolescent FIT-hospitals. Utilization of day-care treatment increased more in most FIT-hospitals during the first year, while outpatient contacts increased in some and decreased in others. The odds of treatment continuity increased by 1.4 in FIT-hospitals compared to non-FIT-hospitals.

Conclusions

Global treatment budgets lead to the intended changes in mental health care in the majority of FIT-hospitals compared to routine care in this large real-world evidence study from Germany. For child and adolescent psychiatry, more evidence is needed to draw firm conclusions.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the database “Health Services Research Germany” (trial number: VVfD_EVA64_15_003713).
Comparison of the prevalence of osteoporosis in people with spinal cord injury according to bone mineral density reference values for the diagnosis of osteoporosis: a retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Lim Jisun , Kim Onyoo
Published: January 2024

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex cause of rapid low bone mass that easily predisposes the affected individuals to osteoporosis-induced fractures. Several studies have investigated osteoporosis pathophysiology in SCI; however, those associated with its diagnosis in SCI are limited. Additionally, errors in osteoporosis diagnosis and its prevalence vary based on the bone mineral density (BMD) reference values (BMDRV), and no studies have reported BMDRV application for osteoporosis diagnosis in individuals with SCI. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the prevalence of osteoporosis among Korean adults aged ≥ 50 years with SCI according to BMDRV for diagnosing osteoporosis.

Methods

Overall, 855 patients with SCI who underwent BMD tests of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip at the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC) in Korea between 2010 and 2020 were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in patients with SCI by comparing the differences in prevalence, diagnostic consistency, and risk factors according to the region-based BMDRV of the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) manufacturer and international BMDRV based on the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data of females aged 20–29 years.

Results

The prevalence of osteoporosis according to the T-score provided by a single reference population of the NHANES III (TNHA) (PONHA) (males: 26.69%; females: 69.35%) was significantly higher in females and males than that according to the T-scores provided by the DXA manufacturer (TDXA) (PODXA) (males: 15.32%; females: 43.15%). The lumbar spine and femoral neck were major osteoporosis diagnosis sites for the PODXA and PONHA, respectively. Risk factors for osteoporosis differed based on the probability of osteoporosis (also known as the OZ ratio) according to the BMD criteria; however, the risk factors were similar according to old age, female sex, low body mass index (BMI), and long SCI period. No significant relationship was noted between the different SCI-related clinical factors (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The osteoporosis diagnostic site and prevalence in SCI differed according to the regional-based TDXA and international standards of the TNHA. Therefore, further studies on BMDRV are warranted to establish accurate diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis prevention in patients with SCI.
Energy-efficient access point clustering and power allocation in cell-free massive MIMO networks: a hierarchical deep reinforcement learning approach
Authors: Tan Fangqing , Deng Quanxuan , Liu Qiang
Published: January 2024

Cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (CF-mMIMO) has attracted considerable attention due to its potential for delivering high data rates and energy efficiency (EE). In this paper, we investigate the resource allocation of downlink in CF-mMIMO systems. A hierarchical depth deterministic strategy gradient (H-DDPG) framework is proposed to jointly optimize the access point (AP) clustering and power allocation. The framework uses two-layer control networks operating on different timescales to enhance EE of downlinks in CF-mMIMO systems by cooperatively optimizing AP clustering and power allocation. In this framework, the high-level processing of system-level problems, namely AP clustering, enhances the wireless network configuration by utilizing DDPG on the large timescale while meeting the minimum spectral efficiency (SE) constraints for each user. The low layer solves the link-level sub-problem, that is, power allocation, and reduces interference between APs and improves transmission performance by utilizing DDPG on a small timescale while meeting the maximum transmit power constraint of each AP. Two corresponding DDPG agents are trained separately, allowing them to learn from the environment and gradually improve their policies to maximize the system EE. Numerical results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in term of its convergence speed, SE, and EE.
De-noising classification method for financial time series based on ICEEMDAN and wavelet threshold, and its application
Authors: Liu Bing , Cheng Huanhuan
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes a classification method for financial time series that addresses the significant issue of noise. The proposed method combines improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (ICEEMDAN) and wavelet threshold de-noising. The method begins by employing ICEEMDAN to decompose the time series into modal components and residuals. Using the noise component verification approach introduced in this paper, these components are categorized into noisy and de-noised elements. The noisy components are then de-noised using the Wavelet Threshold technique, which separates the non-noise and noise elements. The final de-noised output is produced by merging the non-noise elements with the de-noised components, and the 1-NN (nearest neighbor) algorithm is applied for time series classification. Highlighting its practical value in finance, this paper introduces a two-step stock classification prediction method that combines time series classification with a BP (Backpropagation) neural network. The method first classifies stocks into portfolios with high internal similarity using time series classification. It then employs a BP neural network to predict the classification of stock price movements within these portfolios. Backtesting confirms that this approach can enhance the accuracy of predicting stock price fluctuations.
Accurate models and nutritional strategies for specific oxidative stress factors: Does the dose matter in swine production?
Authors: Hong Changming , Huang Yujian , Cao Shuting , Wang Li , Yang Xuefen , Hu Shenglan , Gao Kaiguo , Jiang Zongyong , Xiao Hao
Published: January 2024

Oxidative stress has been associated with a number of physiological problems in swine, including reduced production efficiency. Recently, although there has been increased research into regulatory mechanisms and antioxidant strategies in relation to oxidative stress-induced pig production, it remains so far largely unsuccessful to develop accurate models and nutritional strategies for specific oxidative stress factors. Here, we discuss the dose and dose intensity of the causes of oxidative stress involving physiological, environmental and dietary factors, recent research models and the antioxidant strategies to provide theoretical guidance for future oxidative stress research in swine.
Parental stress and child stimulation practices: examining associations with child developmental outcomes over time in Kenya and Zambia
Authors: Okelo Kenneth , Murray Aja Louise , King Josiah , Kitsao-Wekulo Patricia , Onyango Silas , Nampijja Margaret , Auyeung Bonnie
Published: January 2024

Background

Parental stress often arises when parenting demands exceed the expected and actual resources available for parents to succeed in the parenting role. Parental stress is an important contributor to parent-child relationships. This, in turn, affects opportunities to engage their children in stimulating activities which could improve their development outcomes. However, limited evidence exists from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on the association between parental stress, caregiving practices, and child developmental outcomes.

Methods

The findings reported in this paper were derived from data collected through previous longitudinal work on nurturing care evaluation studies in Kisumu and Nairobi Counties in Kenya, and Chisamba District in Zambia. A total of 341 caregivers and their children who participated in the three rounds of data collection were included in this study. The children’s mean age was 9.3 (SD = 8.2) months pre-intervention, 25.5 (SD = 8.6) months in mid-intervention, and 36 (SD = 10.0) months post-intervention. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and caregiving tools were used to assess children’s developmental outcomes, parental stress, and stimulation practices, respectively. A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel model (RI-CLPM) was used to determine the association between caregivers’ parenting stress, child stimulation practices, and child developmental outcomes.

Results

The findings showed that caregiver stimulation practices were positively associated with developmental outcomes. Findings on the associations between parental stress and caregivers’ stimulation practices and children’s developmental outcomes were not universally supported.

Conclusion

The findings show that improved caregiver stimulation practices are likely to improve children’s developmental outcomes. The policy implications of the findings from this study focus on improving parenting practices by addressing the predictors of parental stress. This includes subsidising childcare services to reduce costs.

Trial registration

Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/) database (ID number: PACTR20180774832663 Date: 26/July/2018.
Dynamic organelle changes and autophagic processes in lily pollen germination
Authors: Yen Chih-Chung , Hsu Chia-Mei , Jiang Pei-Luen , Jauh Guang-Yuh
Published: January 2024

Pollen germination is a crucial process in the life cycle of flowering plants, signifying the transition of quiescent pollen grains into active growth. This study delves into the dynamic changes within organelles and the pivotal role of autophagy during lily pollen germination. Initially, mature pollen grains harbor undifferentiated organelles, including amyloplasts, mitochondria, and the Golgi apparatus. However, germination unveils remarkable transformations, such as the redifferentiation of amyloplasts accompanied by starch granule accumulation. We investigate the self-sustained nature of amylogenesis during germination, shedding light on its association with osmotic pressure. Employing BODIPY 493/503 staining, we tracked lipid body distribution throughout pollen germination, both with or without autophagy inhibitors (3-MA, NEM). Typically, lipid bodies undergo polarized movement from pollen grains into elongating pollen tubes, a process crucial for directional growth. Inhibiting autophagy disrupted this essential lipid body redistribution, underscoring the interaction between autophagy and lipid body dynamics. Notably, the presence of tubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-like structures associated with developing amyloplasts and lipid bodies implies their participation in autophagy. Starch granules, lipid bodies, and membrane remnants observed within vacuoles further reinforce the involvement of autophagic processes. Among the autophagy inhibitors, particularly BFA, significantly impede germination and growth, thereby affecting Golgi morphology. Immunogold labeling substantiates the pivotal role of the ER in forming autophagosome-like compartments and protein localization. Our proposed speculative model of pollen germination encompasses proplastid differentiation and autophagosome formation. This study advances our understanding of organelle dynamics and autophagy during pollen germination, providing valuable insights into the realm of plant reproductive physiology.
Translating brand reputation into equity from the stakeholder’s theory: an approach to value creation based on consumer’s perception & interactions
Authors: Adewole Olukorede
Published: January 2024

This study is to examine the translation of a reputable brand into equity and how consumers’ perceptions can trigger value creation from commitment and pursuit of CSR by an organization and adopting the same as a brand, lifestyle, and culture, while pointing attention to the stakeholder’s theory as well as pointing to brand interactions from consumer perceptions based on a mixed methods research approach from quantitative and qualitative analyses as presented with a sampling survey of 205 observations and respondents from Roma and neighbourhood.

A CSR-based business model tied to the cultural and lifestyles of the people in brand context, while deciphering and delineating consumer behavior, even pointing significantly to the “black box models and rational choices,” would foster effectiveness and efficiency in the operational modules as well as impact on financial performance as unveiled from the qualitative data analysis and inferential statistics, thus emphasizing the significance of brand from the consumer side.

It can be inferred that culture and traditional behavior play significant roles in brand perception considering the complexes, unpredictable trends, or patterns associated with consumers’ expressions and behavior in the context of a black box, rational and complex mixes, even justified by the result of the hypothesis testing of the composite attributes and evident from the ‘inference statistics and results, which gave a p–value exceeding 0.05.

Conclusively, a CSR–based business model and structure can enhance change transitions from short– term to long– term goals, drive to sustainability, localized stabilization, and sustainable domains. Even brand interactions can be significantly enhanced by CSR, as ascertained by the relatively high R– squared value of 0.8826 and the justification of statistical significance from the factors as indicated by the ‘SEM results and analyses. Organizations can essentially adopt and apply the concept of bran translating to equity from CSR and consumer perceptions when embedded in their business model as a strategic tool in enhancing their performances and finances.
Probing the glioma microvasculature: a case series of the comparison between perfusion MRI and intraoperative high-frame-rate ultrafast Doppler ultrasound
Authors: Alafandi Ahmad , Tbalvandany Sadaf Soloukey , Arzanforoosh Fatemeh , van Der Voort Sebastian R. , Incekara Fatih , Verhoef Luuk , Warnert Esther A. H. , Kruizinga Pieter , Smits Marion
Published: January 2024

Background

We aimed to describe the microvascular features of three types of adult-type diffuse glioma by comparing dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intraoperative high-frame-rate ultrafast Doppler ultrasound.

Methods

Case series of seven patients with primary brain tumours underwent both DSC perfusion MRI and intra-operative high-frame-rate ultrafast Doppler ultrasound. From the ultrasound images, three-dimensional vessel segmentation was obtained of the tumour vascular bed. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps were generated with leakage correction and normalised to the contralateral normal-appearing white matter. From tumour histograms, median, mean, and maximum rCBV ratios were extracted.

Results

Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) showed lower perfusion than high-grade gliomas (HGGs), as expected. Within the LGG subgroup, oligodendroglioma showed higher perfusion than astrocytoma. In HGG, the median rCBV ratio for glioblastoma was 3.1 while astrocytoma grade 4 showed low perfusion with a median rCBV of 1.2. On the high-frame-rate ultrafast Doppler ultrasound images, all tumours showed a range of rich and organised vascular networks with visually apparent abnormal vessels, even in LGG.

Conclusions

This unique case series revealed in vivo insights about the microvascular architecture in both LGGs and HGGs. Ultrafast Doppler ultrasound revealed rich vascularisation, also in tumours with low perfusion at DSC MRI. These findings warrant further investigations using advanced MRI postprocessing, in particular for characterising adult-type diffuse glioma.

Relevance statement

Our findings challenge the current assumption behind the estimation of relative cerebral blood volume that the distribution of blood vessels in a voxel is random.

Key points

• Ultrafast Doppler ultrasound revealed rich vascularity irrespective of perfusion dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI state.

• Rich and organised vascularisation was also observed even in low-grade glioma.

• These findings challenge the assumptions for cerebral blood volume estimation with MRI.

Graphical Abstract
Plant-plant interactions influence post-fire recovery depending on fire history and nurse growth form
Authors: Bashirzadeh Maral , Abedi Mehdi , Farzam Mohammad
Published: January 2024

Backgrounds

Plant-plant interactions are among the most important factors affecting the natural recovery of vegetation. While the impacts of nurse plants on species composition and biodiversity are well documented, the effects of different nurse’s growth forms on all biodiversity components including taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity have been less studied and compared, especially for their effects on different times after fire disturbance. This research was focused on comparing the effects of a perennial grass (Elymus hispidens), a perennial herb (Phlomis cancellata), and a high shrub species (Lonicera nummulariifolia) on species composition and the biodiversity components, and how these impacts change across five sites with short-term (1 and 4 years sites), long-term (10 and 20 years sites) times since last fire and a control site where no fire was known in recorded history in semi-arid shrublands of Fereizi Chenaran located in Northeast of Iran. The changes of species composition and taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity were calculated with respect to the presence/absence of nurse’s growth forms, fire history, and their interactions.

Results

Nurse shrubs affected species composition and all biodiversity components, whereas all indices were reduced when considering Elymus grass as nurse plant. On the other hand, the herb Phlomis enhanced species composition and taxonomic diversity, while it had a negative effect on functional and phylogenetic diversity. Such specific effects of nurse types were mostly observed under long timescales (i.e., 10- and 20-year sites). Interestingly, the relative importance of nurse types and time since the last fire largely explained the variation of species composition and biodiversity components, with larger effects of nurse types on all biodiversity components. However, we found a significant contribution of fire explaining variation of species composition and phylogenetic diversity.

Conclusions

These results indicated nurse plants can affect the post-fire recovery of vegetation by providing specific mechanisms controlling beneficiary relatedness depending on their growth forms and time scales since the last fire. Therefore, these findings suggest perennial plants in the form of nurse species as a useful factor to develop techniques of active restoration in burned ecosystems.
Multimode Rayleigh wave dispersion spectrum inversion using Wasserstein distance coupled with Bayesian optimization
Authors: Niu Yanlong , Fang Gang , Li Yunyue Elita , Chian Siau Chen , Nilot Enhedelihai
Published: January 2024

We develop a new automatic framework for the nondestructive multichannel analysis of surface waves that combines multimode dispersion spectrum matching and a finite-element method (FEM)-based inversion to enhance the accuracy of subsurface profiling in site investigation activities. This framework eliminates the need for manual identification of the Rayleigh wave energy component and multimode assignment, reducing dependence on operator experience and judgment. The dispersion spectrum is generated through an FEM model that simulates 2D seismic wave propagation, taking into account the actual acquisition layout and lateral variations in the subsurface. We introduce the Wasserstein distance (WD) for evaluating the difference between the observed and simulated spectra and incorporate Bayesian optimization for efficiently inverting S-wave velocity profiles. The effectiveness of our framework is demonstrated through synthetic data examples, and the superiority of the WD-based objective function is illustrated by comparing it with the conventional mean square error-based objective function. Subsequently, we conduct a field test on a reclaimed landfill to validate our framework. This test confirms the ability of the framework to retrieve multimode Rayleigh waves and demonstrates its effectiveness in providing high-resolution S-wave profiles of the shallow subsurface.
A new method for the estimation of the Rayleigh wave group-velocity spectrum
Authors: Li Jiazhe , Song Xianhai , Zhang Xueqiang , Yuan Shichuan , Wang Limin , Zhang Kai
Published: January 2024

S-wave velocity is commonly used to understand the characteristics of the subsurface, which can be retrieved by inverting the phase or group velocity in Rayleigh wave surveys. Now, many studies have shown the advantage of analyzing group velocity over phase velocity to obtain the S-wave velocity. However, previous methods often suffer from poor resolution in estimating group velocity. To improve the resolution of the group velocity and reduce uncertainty in extracting dispersion curves, we develop a new method for the estimation of the Rayleigh wave group-velocity spectrum based on the slant stack and an adaptive generalized S-transform (APST) with energy reassignment. This method incorporates the APST and the energy reassignment technique to enhance the time-frequency representation and then calculates the group velocity at each frequency using the slant stack. By conducting experiments with synthetic seismic records, it is evident that the new method has high resolution and accurate multimode group-velocity calculations. Furthermore, when applied to a field data set and a synthetic record with noise, the method shows better results and noise robustness. This confirms the superior performance of the method at generating high-resolution dispersion images of the group velocity compared with previous approaches. The method will become an efficient tool in Rayleigh wave exploration.
Development of a family-based treatment for co-occurring intimate partner violence and child maltreatment: the MST-IPV model
Authors: Swenson Cynthia Cupit , Schaeffer Cindy M.
Published: January 2024

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global problem that affects the health of children, parents/caregivers and extended family. The effects can be lifelong and span generations. Treatments for IPV are focused largely on individual work with men as the primary aggressor. Even when the situation includes child maltreatment, generally all family members are referred to a host of providers for varied treatments. Traditionally, couples and family work does not occur. In this article, we detail the development and practice of a comprehensive treatment model for complex cases of co-occurring IPV and child maltreatment that is inclusive of the family and couple. Of particular note, the development of this model, Multisystemic Therapy for Intimate Partner Violence (MST-IPV), involved input from the IPV stakeholder community.
Variable brane tension and dark energy
Authors: Kumar Naman
Published: January 2024

In this letter, we show that in a particular braneworld scenario with variable brane tension, we obtain matter acting as dark energy while the gravitational constant G promoted to a scalar field on the brane plays the role of matter (both in the sense that they have an “effective” equation of state equivalent to that of dark energy and matter, respectively). This result is interpreted from the Friedmann equation obtained from our model that exactly matches the standard Friedmann equation of general relativity with a cosmological constant Λ in terms of the aforementioned quantities. The universe is assumed to consist of only matter and dark energy in this model which is a good approximation for our universe.
Constructing the image of a city-state 'at the mid-point of Asia'. Bessarion's encomium on Trebizond
Authors: SMARNAKIS Ioannis
Published: January 2024

Η Κατασκευή της εικόνας μιας Πόλης - Κράτους. "Μέσην ἄν φαίην ... τοῦ τῆς Ἀσίας ὡς εἰπεῖν πλείστου".Το Εγκώμιο της Τραπεζούντας  από τον Βησσαρίωνα
Το άρθρο διερευνά την εικόνα της Τραπεζούντας όπως παρουσιάζεταιστην έκφραση του Βησσαρίωνα για την πόλη, εστιάζοντας κυρίως στην πολιτική λειτουργία του κειμένου. Τα δύο πρώτα μέρη επικεντρώνονταιστην παρουσίαση της Τραπεζούντας ως πόλης-κράτους και στην αφήγησητου ιστορικού της παρελθόντος. Οι δύο επόμενες ενότητες ασχολούνταιαντίστοιχα με την ανάλυση από τον συγγραφέα των σχέσεων της πόλης μετον υπόλοιπο κόσμο και την αφηγηματική αναπαράσταση του αστικού χώρου και των σημείων αναφοράς του. Τέλος, αναδεικνύονται τα χαρακτηριστικά της πολιτικής και χωρικής ταυτότητας που ο Βησσαρίων έχει αναδείξει στο κείμενο.
Wörtliche Zitate und Anspielungen in der Alexias Anna Komnenes: Deuteros Plous
Authors: TZIATZI-PAPAGIANNI Maria
Published: January 2024

Verbatim Quotations and Allusions in Anna Komnene’s “Alexiad”: Deuteros Plous
The paper presents and analyzes some passages of Anna Komnene's "Alexiad", which are either verbatim quotations or echoes of earlier texts. These were identified neither by Reinsch – Kambylis in the most recent critical edition, nor by myself in my detailed review of their edition, nor in my own relevant paper “Über Zitate und Anspielungen in der Alexias Anna Komnene’s sowie Anklänge derselben in den späteren Geschichtsschreibern”. Thus, the passages discussed in the paper contribute to the already existing research on the sources of the “Alexiad” and further clarify its intertextuality by providing new and rich material, which helps to better appreciate both the text and Anna Komnene herself within the field of Byzantine literature, historiography in particular.
Response of four greenhouse pepper hybrids to NaCl salinity
Authors: Αργυροπούλου Κωνσταντίνα
Published: January 2024

Η μείωση της διαθεσιμότητας γλυκού νερού στην περιοχή της Ιεράπετρας, Κρήτη, Ελλάδα είχε ως αποτέλεσμα την αυξημένη χρήση αλατούχου νερού για άρδευση θερμοκηπιακών καλλιεργειών. Ο σκοπός αυτής της εργασίας είναι να μελετήσει τις ανταποκρίσεις τεσσάρων υβριδίων πιπεριάς θερμοκηπίου, που χρησιμοποιούνται ευρέως στην περιοχή (Capsicum annuum L., Drago, Sammy, Kappy και Gracia), στην αλατότητα NaCl κατά την υδροπονική καλλιέργεια (περλίτης) και την καλλιέργεια στο έδαφος νεαρών φυτών και κατά την in vitro βλάστηση και την ανάπτυξη δενδρυλλίων. Μεταχειρήσεις αλατότητας επιβλήθηκαν με προσθήκη NaCl είτε στο διάλυμα άρδευσης, είτε στο υπόστρωμα της in vitro καλλιέργειας, σε συγκεντρώσεις 0, 12,5, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM. Οι υψηλές συγκεντρώσεις NaCl επηρέασαν την ανάπτυξη των φυτών σε υδροπονική καλλιέργεια και σε καλλιέργεια εδάφους και την ανάπτυξη των φυταρίων in vitro και στα τέσσερα υβρίδια. Οι παράμετροι ανάπτυξης όπως το ύψος, ο αριθμός των φύλλων, οι καρποί και τα άνθη ανά φυτό και το βάρος του φυτού μειώθηκαν σημαντικά σε όλα τα υβρίδια. Το ποσοστό βλάστησης στην in vitro καλλιέργεια των σπόρων ήταν 100% για όλα τα υβρίδια σε όλες τις συγκεντρώσεις NaCl. Ο φωτοσυνθετικός ρυθμός (Po), η στοματική αγωγιμότητα, η διακυτταρική συγκέντρωση CO2 και η διαπνοή επηρεάστηκαν σημαντικά σε υψηλές συγκεντρώσεις NaCl στο Drago και στο Sammy. Οι τιμές Fv/Fm των φύλλων, που σχετίζονται με τον φθορισμό της χλωροφύλλης, μειώθηκαν σημαντικά στα 100-200 mM NaCl, περισσότερο στο Kappy και στο Gracia και λιγότερο στο Drago και το Kappy. Η περιεκτικότητα σε χλωροφύλλη στα φύλλα επηρεάστηκε αρνητικά σε όλα τα υβρίδια. Το NaCl προκάλεσε μείωση των διαλυτών πρωτεϊνών σε όλα τα υβρίδια. Η μείωση ήταν σημαντική στους Drago, Kappy και Gracia στο πείραμα του θερμοκηπίου ενώ in vitro η περιεκτικότητα σε πρωτεΐνη επηρεάστηκε λιγότερο από τις αυξανόμενες συγκεντρώσεις NaCl. Η αλατότητα του εδάφους επηρέασε θετικά τη δραστηριότητα της GDH στα 100 mM έως 200 mM NaCl περισσότερο στο Kappy και στο Gracia και λιγότερο στο Sammy και το Drago. Στα πειράματα vitro υπήρξε μια μικρή αύξηση στις υψηλότερες συγκεντρώσεις άλατος σε όλα τα υβρίδια. Η παρουσία NaCl επηρέασε το αντιοξειδωτικό ένζυμο GPX στο Sammy Kappy και το Gracia, το SOD στο Drago και το POD στο Kappy ενώ το APX δεν επηρεάστηκε. Γενικά ο Sammy επηρεάστηκε λιγότερο από το NaCl ακολουθούμενο από τους Kappy, Drago και Gracia.