bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platysma Prominence: Review and Expert Analysis of Clinical Presentation, Burden, and Treatment Considerations
Authors: Trindade de Almeida Ada , De Boulle Koenraad , Lorenc Z. Paul , Carruthers Jean , Braz Andre , Bertossi Dario , Dimitrijevic Elena , Shimoga Sandhya , Hopfinger René
Published: February 2025

Background:

Platysma prominence (PP) is a sign of aging in the lower face and neck characterized primarily by a blunting of the jawline and the presence of vertical banding along the anterior and posterior margins of the muscle on one or both sides of the neck. The aim of this review was to combine findings from the literature on topics relevant to PP with expert perspective to help guide clinical decision-making in assessment and treatment.

Methods:

A review of the literature focusing on platysma muscle anatomy and function; PP signs, characteristics, causes, clinical severity, and aesthetic and psychosocial effects; and treatment options for PP was performed and summarized. Expert clinical perspectives of these findings elucidated from the authors’ experience were used to develop considerations for the evaluation and treatment of PP.

Results:

PP is an aesthetically undesirable condition that is bothersome to affected individuals and has negative effects on quality of life and psychological and emotional well-being. Knowledge of platysma muscle anatomy, proper patient assessment, and considerations in the use of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of PP, including selection of the appropriate candidates and careful dosing and injection techniques, can produce consistent results with limited adverse events, potentially enhancing the patient’s quality of life.

Conclusions:

PP is a bothersome condition with a detrimental impact on patient quality of life and psychological and emotional well-being. OnabotulinumtoxinA is a nonsurgical treatment option with a record of safe, consistent results in treating PP.
Potentiation of visualized exosomal miR-1306-3p from primary sensory neurons contributes to chronic visceral pain via spinal P2X3 receptors
Authors: Sun Qian , Weng Rui-Xia , Li Yong-Chang , Jia Shu-Man , Ma Chun-Tao , Zhang Hong-Hong , Tang Yong , Li Rui , Xu Guang-Yin
Published: February 2025

Exosomes served as “communicators” to exchange information among different cells in the nervous system. Our previous study demonstrated that the enhanced spinal synaptic transmission contributed to chronic visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome. However, the underlying mechanism of primary sensory neuron (PSN)-derived exosomes on spinal transmission remains unclear. In this study, an exosome visualization method was established to specifically track exosomes derived from PSNs in CD63-GFPf/+ (green fluorescent protein) mice. Neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD) was adopted to induce chronic visceral pain in CD63-GFPf/+ male mice. The exosome visualization technology demonstrated that NMD increased visible PSN-derived exosomes in the spinal dorsal horn, enhanced spinal synaptic transmission, and led to visceral pain in CD63-GFPf/+ male mice. The PSN-derived exosomal miR-1306-3p sorted from spinal dorsal horn activated P2X3R, enhanced spinal synaptic transmission, and led to visceral pain in NMD mice. Moreover, upregulation of Rab27a in dorsal root ganglia mediated the increased release of PSN-derived exosomes, and intrathecal injection of siR-Rab27a reduced visible PSN-derived exosomes in spinal cord, suppressed spinal synaptic transmission, and alleviated visceral pain in NMD mice. This and future studies would reveal the detailed mechanisms of PSN-derived exosomes and provide a potential target for clinical treatment of chronic visceral pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
A cross-sectional analysis of acute injuries among U.S. Coast Guard responders to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Authors: Keshav Taj , McAdam Jordan , Denic-Roberts Hristina , Gribble Matthew O. , Thomas Dana L. , Engel Lawrence S. , Rusiecki Jennifer A.
Published: February 2025

STRUCTURED ABSTRACT

Objective: We investigated factors associated with acute injury among U.S. Coast Guard responders to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Methods: Self-reported data across five domains (demographic, operational, military, environmental, and comorbidities) were evaluated as potential risk factors for self-reported injuries experienced while deployed (slips, trips, and falls [STFs] and penetrating injuries [PIs]). Adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results: Factors associated with STFs included increasing age, Hispanic ethnicity, Unknown race/ethnicity, service in the Selected Reserve, junior enlisted rank, operational response duties for longer duration, self-reported crude oil exposure, use of heat-susceptible personal protective equipment, musculoskeletal symptoms, reduced sleep, and high overall exposure based on a latent class variable. Factors associated with PIs were similar, though also included time outdoors and fatigue.

Conclusions: The environment defined by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was associated with increased acute injury prevalence in oil spill responders.
Predicting futile outcomes following deceased donor liver transplantation in non-Hcc patients with MELD-Na score above 30: a retrospective international multicenter cohort study
Authors: Jo Hye-Sung , Yoon Young-in , Kim Ki-Hun , Tabrizian Parissa , Marino Rebecca , Marin-Castro Pedro , Andraus Wellington , Kim Jongman , Choi Gyu-Seong , Kim Deok-Gie , Joo Dong Jin , Florez-Zorrilla Carlos , Balci Deniz , Petrowsky Henrik , Halazun Karim J , Kim Dong-Sik
Published: February 2025

Background:

In the current “sickest first” allocation policy for limited deceased liver grafts, identifying patients “too sick to transplant” before transplantation is crucial to optimize outcomes. This study aimed to predict futile outcomes following deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) scores ≥30.

Methods:

This international multicenter study was conducted as part of the International Society of Liver Surgeons. We collected data from patients with a MELD-Na score ≥30 who underwent DDLT. A total of 994 patients were enrolled between 2010–2021, including 654 from the Republic of Korea, 224 from the US, and 116 from other regions. Futility was defined as death within three months or during the hospital stay following a DDLT. After exclusion, 160 (16.6%) patients were classified into a futile group and 803 (83.4%) into a non-futile group.

Results:

The MELD-Na scores collected at three time points (listing, matching, and transplantation) were comparable between the groups (P = 0.442, P = 0.180, and P = 0.554, respectively). Regarding concomitant organ failure factors, the futile group showed a higher incidence of organ dysfunction across all measured parameters, including the use of mechanical ventilators, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), pneumonia, bacteremia, and vasopressor use (all P<0.01). Independent risk factors for futile outcome were recipient age (≥65 years), body mass index (<18.5 kg/m2), mechanical ventilator use, CRRT (≥1 week), and prolonged ICU stay before transplantation (≥2 weeks). The futility rate was 53.3% in patients with ≥3 risk factors (P<0.001). We developed a nomogram to predict futility after DDLT based on multivariate regression analysis, which showed a better predictive power than previous models.

Conclusions:

The risk factors and new nomogram, which adequately reflect concomitant organ failure before liver transplantation, could effectively predict the risk of futile outcomes after DDLT and contribute to decision-making regarding transplantation eligibility in clinical practice.
Early Identification and Referral of Patients With Diabetic Foot Complications in the Emergency Department
Authors: Liu AnChi , Stevenson Eleanor , Menchine Michael , Mallett Sheila , Castillo Christina
Published: February 2025

Background:

Prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department (ED) and lack of post-ED follow-up pose a risk of worsening infection and amputation among patients with diabetic foot complications.

Local Problem:

Excessive ED LOS posed a risk of delayed foot care, and triage providers underutilized post-ED telehealth referrals.

Interventions:

A graphic icon on the ED dashboard, nurse-initiated order set, and staff education were implemented.

Methods:

A pre-/postimplementation design was used. Outcomes included usage of the graphic icon and order set, ED LOS, and telehealth referrals.

Results:

Use of the graphic icon and order sets significantly increased (P < .001). The rate of telehealth referrals upon discharge also increased but was not significant (P = .086). Interestingly, LOS increased after the intervention.

Conclusion:

Using the graphic icon and order set can streamline patient referral to telehealth care. Various factors lead to an extended LOS.
Cultural or Spiritual End-of-Life Practice Preference Assessment and Documentation
Authors: Combs Kayla , Stamm Robyn , Thienprayoon Rachel , Foster Kimberly Ann , Behm Karen , Rozcicha Laura
Published: February 2025

Communities use rituals at end of life to foster a peaceful death, ensure passage to the afterlife, and grieve their lost loved ones. Studies report fear of misunderstanding or impeding rituals as a barrier to accepting hospice care. However, there has been little research on cultural and spiritual rituals in the setting of hospice care or how patient preference should be assessed, documented, and supported by hospice staff. This project sought to identify the current practice for assessment of cultural or spiritual end-of-life practice preferences, and the documentation of those preferences, within pediatric hospice programs in a Midwestern state. In surveys of 2 pediatric hospice programs, employee respondents reported routine assessment (97.3%) and routine documentation (70.3%) of cultural or spiritual end-of-life practice preferences. Most respondents reported documentation was written by various disciplines and in various locations in the medical record. Additionally, a retrospective chart review was performed including decedents of 1 pediatric hospice program over a 5-year period. Documentation affirming familial spiritual beliefs was identified in 75.9% of charts, of which, only 12.2% had documentation regarding end-of-life–specific spiritual needs. Standardized documentation practices may help foster equitable hospice care for all patients by ensuring care providers are aware of the patient and/or family’s end-of-life spiritual needs.
Dental Anesthesia Guidelines and Regulations of US States and Major Professional Organizations: A Review
Authors: Simon Natalie B. , Barnett Kara M. , Sweitzer BobbieJean , Gates Nicole , Yun Steve , Kim Kristie , Marcinkowski Bridget , Hendrix Joseph M.
Published: February 2025

This summary reviews guidelines and regulations pertaining to dental anesthesia across the United States, including guidelines of the American Dental Association (ADA), American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). The analysis addresses a range of requirements, including definitions of anesthesia and requirements for training and certification across professional societies and the 50 US states, with a focus on office-based settings. Strikingly, substantial variation exists among state rules and regulations and the ADA, AAOMS, and ASA guidelines with implications for variations of care, outcomes, and patient safety. We examined definitions of sedation and general anesthesia, patient selection and evaluation, fasting requirements, emergency preparedness, drug administration, monitoring, equipment, procedure selection, education and training requirements, permit requirements, life support certifications, reporting of adverse events, and inspection requirements. This comprehensive analysis serves to educate dental practitioners and office staff, patients, primary care providers, and state dental boards about the regulatory landscape of dental anesthesia. Our findings establish a foundation for future research and policy development aimed at improving consistency, best practices, and safety in dental anesthesia practices.
Commentary: Is Your Department Ready to Educate Generation Z?
Authors: Ersahin Devrim
Published: February 2025

It is estimated that Generation Z will outnumber the next closest generation, the Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996), by 2040.Only a small number of them are currently in residency training; however, they have already entered the workforce in other professions. Many companies have studied Generation Z and have recognized major differences compared with older generations. Medical professionals can learn from the work already done to adjust for a smooth transition to medical training and postgraduate practice.
Comparison of Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Pediatric Abdominopelvic Photon-Counting Versus Energy-Integrating Detector CT
Authors: Siegel Marilyn J. , Thomas Matthew Allan , Haq Adeel , Seymore Noah , Sodhi Kushaljit Singh , Abadia Andres
Published: February 2025

Objective:

Adoption of abdominal photon counting detector CT (PCD-CT) into clinical pediatric CT practice requires evidence that it provides diagnostic images at acceptable radiation doses. Thus, this study aimed to compare radiation dose and image quality of PCD-CT and conventional energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) in pediatric abdominopelvic CT.

Materials and Methods:

This institutional review board–approved retrospective study included 147 children (median age 8.5 y; 80 boys, 67 girls) who underwent clinically indicated contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic PCD-CT between October 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023 and 147 children (median age 8.5 y; 74 boys, 73 girls) who underwent EID-CT between July 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022. Patients in the 2 groups were matched by age and effective diameter. Radiation dose parameters (CT dose index volume, CTDIvol; dose length product, DLP; size-specific dose estimate, SSDE) were recorded. In a subset of 25 matched pairs, subjective image quality was assessed on a scale of 1 to 4 (1=highest quality), and liver attenuation, dose-normalized noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured. Groups were compared using parametric and/or nonparametric testing.

Results:

Among the 147 matched pairs, there were no significant differences in sex (P=0.576), age (P=0.084), or diameter (P=0.668). PCD-CT showed significantly lower median CTDIvol, DLP, and SSDE (1.6 mGy, 63.8 mGy-cm, 3.1 mGy) compared with EID-CT (3.7 mGy, 155.3 mGy-cm, 6.0 mGy) (P<0.001). In the subset of 25 patients, PCD-CT and EID-CT showed no significant difference in overall image quality for reader 1 (1.0 vs. 1.0, P=0.781) or reader 2 (1.0 vs. 1.0, P=0.817), or artifacts for reader 1 (1.0 vs. 1.0, P=0.688) or reader 2 (1.0 vs. 1.0, P=0.219). After normalizing for radiation dose, image noise was significantly lower with PCD-CT (P<0.001), while CNR in the liver (P=0.244) and portal vein (P=0.079) were comparable to EID-CT.

Conclusion:

Abdominopelvic PCD-CT in children significantly reduces radiation dose while maintaining subjective image quality, and accounting for dose levels, has the potential to lower image noise and achieve comparable CNR to EID-CT. These data expand understanding of the capabilities of PCD-CT and support its routine use in children.
Anatomy-guided Injection Techniques for Nasal Augmentation in Asians: Practical Guidelines and Safety Considerations
Authors: Hong Gi-Woong , Yi Kyu-Ho
Published: February 2025

Nasal augmentation using dermal fillers has become a popular nonsurgical esthetic procedure, particularly among Asian populations. This review explores the anatomical considerations, injection techniques, and safety measures essential for successful outcomes. The complex nasal anatomy, comprising 5 distinct soft tissue layers and intricate vascular networks, necessitates a thorough understanding to minimize risks of complications such as skin necrosis and visual impairment. The authors discuss the ideal nasal proportions and angles, emphasizing the importance of tailoring treatments to individual ethnic characteristics. The article outlines both needle-based and cannula-based injection techniques for the nasal dorsum, tip, and columella, highlighting the advantages and precautions for each approach. The dual-plane remodeling technique, utilizing firm and soft fillers, is presented as an advanced method for comprehensive nasal reshaping. Special attention is given to the columella injection technique, which addresses both esthetic and functional aspects of nasal tip projection. The discussion emphasizes the importance of choosing appropriate fillers, understanding vascular anatomy, and employing safe injection practices. As the field of non-surgical rhinoplasty evolves, continued refinement of techniques and ongoing research are crucial for enhancing safety and expanding the range of achievable outcomes in nasal augmentation with dermal fillers.
Reconsidering Abdominal Drainage After Left Pancreatectomy – The Randomized Controlled PANDRA II Trial
Authors: Kaiser Joerg , Niesen Willem , Hinz Ulf , Diener Markus K. , Pianka Frank , Klotz Rosa , Strobel Oliver , Mehrabi Arianeb , Berchtold Christoph , Müller Beat , Schneider Martin , Loos Martin , Michalski Christoph , Büchler Markus W. , Hackert Thilo , Probst Pascal
Published: February 2025

Objective:

Intraabdominal drainage following left pancreatectomy (LP) has been a longstanding practice to mitigate postoperative complications, particularly postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPF).

Summary Background Data:

Recent studies challenge the necessity of routine drainage, suggesting potential benefits in omitting drains.

Methods:

The PANDRA II trial was a randomized controlled non-inferiority study conducted at the University Hospital Heidelberg between 2017 and 2023. It compared outcomes between patients undergoing open or minimally-invasive LP with and without abdominal drainage. The primary endpoint was overall postoperative morbidity assessed by the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI).

Results:

A total of 246 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis (125 with drainage, 121 without drainage). The no-drain group demonstrated non-inferiority to the drain group in terms of CCI (13.90 ± 16.51 vs. 19.43 ± 16.92, P<0.001 for non-inferiority). Moreover, the no-drain group had lower overall complication rates (50.41% vs. 78.40%, P<0.001). Specific complications such as POPF (14.88% vs. 20.8%, P=0.226) and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) (4.96% vs. 4.80%, P>0.999) did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion:

The results of the PANDRA II trial demonstrate that omitting routine abdominal drainage after LP is non-inferior to placing a routine abdominal drainage regarding morbidity measured by the CCI. Omitting a routine abdominal drainage even led to a significant reduction of the overall complication rate.
Limited or Lasting: Is Preoperative Weight Loss as Part of Prehabilitation Maintained after Open Ventral Hernia Repair?
Authors: Holland Alexis M , Lorenz William R , Ayuso Sullivan A , Katzen Michael M , Kundu Souma , Rosas David A , Mead Brittany S , Scarola Gregory T , Augenstein Vedra A , Heniford B Todd
Published: February 2025

Background:

Obesity is directly correlated with wound complications and recurrence following open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). Preoperative weight loss (WL) mitigates these risks, improves overall health, and reduces intraabdominal volume. For patients successful in losing weight, it is unclear whether this WL is maintained.

Study Design:

A prospective, single-institution hernia database was queried for patients with a BMI≥25kg/m2, who were requested to lose weight and lost a minimum of 10lbs preoperatively. Patients’ weight was examined at two timepoints: postoperative appointment 6months-1year and their most recent documented weight.

Results:

Of 256 included patients, average age was 58.2±11.2 years, 30.5% were diabetic, and 67.9% were ASA class III-IV. At initial consultation, average BMI was 38.2±6.6kg/m2 and 34.0±5.8kg/m2 at time of surgery. Average preoperative WL was 26.1±17.1lbs (10-120lbs) over 10.0±13.6 months.

At the first postoperative timepoint, average BMI was 33.6±5.8kg/m2, and patients lost an additional 1.8±16.2lbs over 8.4±9.0 months after surgery. At 42.0±36.2 months postoperatively, patients gained an average of 2.0±27.1lbs, for a net WL of 24.0±31.9lbs from consultation.

After surgery, 47.3% of patients continued WL for an additional 18.6±26.4lbs (total net WL: 44.7lbs) and decreased BMI by 2.5±3.6kg/m2; 0.8% maintained their same weight; 22.3% gained back less than half of preoperative WL, totaling 70.3% of patients with long-term optimization.

Conclusion:

Prehabilitation-induced WL averaged 26lbs. With 3.5years follow-up, patients weighed an average of 24lbs less than their initial consult weight. Nearly half of patients continued WL postoperatively, and more than 70% maintained at least half of their WL, demonstrating longevity to preoperative optimization.
SOLARIS project: a portable 3D-printed bioaerosol sampler for environmental bacterial collection
Authors: Dobroes Fonseca Pedro Henrique , Duarte Filipe Miguel Borgas Henriques , Alves Frederico Silva de Sousa , Borges Jose Alberto de Jesus , Cardoso Susana Isabel Pinheiro , Silverio Vania Cristina Henriques , Antunes Wilson David Talhao
Published: February 2025

Bioaerosols, a subset of aerosols released from the biosphere, can carry pathogens, and include particles with diameters from nanometres to a few micrometres. They can remain suspended indoors and travel significant distances. Bioaerosol studies play a vital role in public health, as bioaerosols are an effective route for human and animal pathogen transmission, especially in animal production and handling facilities, which are considered hotspots for the emergence of zoonotic pathogens. The ‘One Health‘ approach, which interconnects human, animal and environmental health, underscores the need for robust biomonitoring and biosurveillance systems. We introduce the SOLARIS project, a novel bioaerosol sampler manufactured through three-dimensional printing with a biocompatible material. Our sampler is compact, portable and uses a liquid collection medium, increasing bioefficiency. Our sampler’s laboratory testing demonstrated the successful separation of viable
Escherichia coli
bacteria from artificially generated bioaerosols. Collected samples were found suitable for downstream analysis methods such as culturing, mass spectrometry, molecular detection and electron microscopy. A field trial at a swine facility was performed, in which
Clostridioides difficile
spores were successfully collected from bioaerosols and identified using microbiological and molecular methods, reinforcing our sampler’s utility and emphasizing the significance of incorporating aerosol samples in research studies within the One Health approach.
Investigating the encapsulation of lead bromide perovskite with poly(3-bromothiophene) for improved aqua stability and enhanced fluorescence memory
Authors: Brahma Debasis , Satra Jit , Basak Sayan , Chakraborty Subhadeep , Chatterjee Rahul , Acharya Suman , Basu Debdipta , Bandyopadhyay Abhijit
Published: February 2025

Formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr
₃
) perovskites are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications owing to their exceptional semiconducting and photoluminescent properties. However, their high sensitivity to environmental factors like moisture and polar solvents limits their long-term stability, posing a barrier to commercial applications. This study addresses this stability challenge by encapsulating FAPbBr
₃
in poly(3-bromothiophene) (PTBr), a high molecular-weight-conducting polymer, to enhance resistance to aqueous and solvent-based degradation. The PTBr encapsulation was found to significantly improve the thermal and environmental stability of FAPbBr
₃
, as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis, which revealed a reduced and delayed mass loss and an increased residual mass (up to 28.17% in composites with 70% PTBr content). Photoluminescence studies demonstrated that the encapsulated composites exhibited a mean fluorescence lifetime of 87.4 ns, compared with 12.56% fluorescence retention in unencapsulated FAPbBr
₃
after exposure to moisture for 45 days. Moreover, encapsulated FAPbBr
₃
retained over 80% of its green light fluorescence intensity even after 1 year, whereas the unencapsulated sample degraded to less than 5%. Notably, the composites displayed fluorescence recovery upon exposure to polar solvents, further highlighting PTBr’s protective role. These findings provide a practical, non-interacting encapsulation strategy that enhances both the environmental and thermal stability of FAPbBr
₃
while preserving its emission characteristics, offering potential to support the further development of perovskite-based optoelectronic devices for practical applications.
Refining the prediction of user satisfaction on chat-based AI applications with unsupervised filtering of rating text inconsistencies
Authors: Jung Hae Sun , Kim Jang Hyun , Lee Haein
Published: February 2025

The swift development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has triggered substantial changes, particularly evident in the emergence of chat-based services driven by large language models. With the increasing number of users utilizing these services, understanding and analysing user satisfaction becomes crucial for service improvement. While previous studies have explored leveraging online reviews as indicators of user satisfaction, efficiently collecting and analysing extensive datasets remain a challenge. This research aims to address this challenge by proposing a framework to handle extensive review datasets from the Google Play Store, employing natural language processing with machine learning techniques for sentiment analysis. Specifically, the authors collect review data of chat-based AI applications and perform filtering through majority voting of multiple unsupervised sentiment analyses. This framework is a proposed methodology for eliminating inconsistencies between ratings and contents. Subsequently, the authors conduct supervised sentiment analysis using various machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach showing improvement in prediction accuracy with cost efficiency. In summary, the findings of this study enhance the predictive performance of user satisfaction for improving service quality in chat-based AI applications and provide valuable insights for the advancement of next-generation chat-based AI services.
The neural substrate of navigation using hydrostatic cues in goldfish
Authors: Givon Shachar , Altsuler-Nagar Renana , Segev Ronen
Published: February 2025

Hydrostatic pressure is a global sensory cue exploited by fish to navigate in the vertical dimension. Unlike other navigational cues in the horizontal plane that usually require learning and memory to determine location, hydrostatic pressure signals the absolute position along the vertical axis. Recently, it was shown that fish can use hydrostatic signals to navigate. It remains unclear, however, which brain regions are involved in processing this signal. Here, we tested whether the dorsomedial and lateral parts of the pallium, two regions that were found to be critical in horizontal navigation, are also critical for hydrostatic cue detection in goldfish. The results show that lesions to both these regions cause fish performance to deteriorate to chance values, indicating that both regions play an important role in processing hydrostatic pressure cues. These findings thus contribute to the rapidly growing body of knowledge on teleost navigation in space.
Mathematical theory and applications of multiple wave scattering
Authors: Bennetts L. G. , Meylan M. H. , Peter M. A. , Pinfield V. J. , Umnova O.
Published: February 2025

The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences hosted a six-month programme on Mathematical Theory and Applications of Multiple Wave Scattering (MWS) in 2023. The programme was driven by the rapidly growing international research interest in multiple wave scattering, linked to developments in many application areas, from photonics, medical imaging and metamaterials. While it was readily apparent that there are theoretical approaches to multiple wave scattering that are common to various wave phenomena (acoustic, optical, etc.), the research community was widely dispersed in a variety of disciplinary areas, or focused on particular applications, which was holding back the potential for broad scientific advancements. Thus, the MWS programme aimed to bring together these distributed researchers, in order to share their knowledge, bridge the gaps between disciplines and applications and develop a shared language and understanding of the approaches taken by the diverse research communities. In doing so, it was intended to accelerate the progress of mathematical theory for numerous application areas and establish new collaborations between previously disconnected (or merely weakly connected) research communities, to the benefit of enhanced research development. This special feature showcases a cross-section of outcomes of the work initiated or progressed during the MWS programme.
Ancient frameworks as modern templates: exploring reef rubble consolidation in an ancient reef system
Authors: Godbold Amanda , James Chase C. , Kiessling Wolfgang , Hohmann Niklas , Jarochowska Emilia , Corsetti Frank A. , Bottjer David J.
Published: February 2025

Both natural and human-induced stressors cause reef erosion, resulting in reef rubble formation. When consolidated, the rubble can facilitate reef recovery, sparking interest in artificial rubble stabilization as a method for reef restoration. However, our understanding of the natural processes governing coral reef regeneration within rubble beds is limited. This study examines the regeneration processes within ancient rubble frameworks in a Late Triassic carbonate platform. Results show that Late Triassic rubble environments exhibit successional trajectories similar to contemporary rubble environments. Key organisms such as sponges, calcareous red algae, bryozoans, microbes and scleractinian corals, which are instrumental in the consolidation of modern reef rubble, appear to have played comparable roles during the Late Triassic. The similarities between Late Triassic and modern reef rubble consolidation highlight enduring ecological mechanisms important for reef regeneration. This study deepens our understanding of reef dynamics and offers valuable insights for improving current reef restoration strategies, grounded in time-tested natural processes.
Systematic shifts in the variation among host individuals must be considered in climate-disease theory
Authors: Mihaljevic Joseph R. , Páez David J.
Published: February 2025

To make more informed predictions of host–pathogen interactions under climate change, studies have incorporated the thermal performance of host, vector and pathogen traits into disease models to quantify effects on average transmission rates. However, this body of work has omitted the fact that variation in susceptibility among individual hosts affects disease spread and long-term patterns of host population dynamics. Furthermore, and especially for ectothermic host species, variation in susceptibility is likely to be plastic, influenced by variables such as environmental temperature. For example, as host individuals respond idiosyncratically to temperature, this could affect the population-level variation in susceptibility, such that there may be predictable functional relationships between variation in susceptibility and temperature. Quantifying the relationship between temperature and among-host trait variation will therefore be critical for predicting how climate change and disease will interact to influence host–pathogen population dynamics. Here, we use a model to demonstrate how short-term effects of temperature on the distribution of host susceptibility can drive epidemic characteristics, fluctuations in host population sizes and probabilities of host extinction. Our results emphasize that more research is needed in disease ecology and climate biology to understand the mechanisms that shape individual trait variation, not just trait averages.
Intraspecific divergence within
Microcystis aeruginosa
mediates the dynamics of freshwater harmful algal blooms under climate warming scenarios
Authors: Kuijpers Mirte C. M. , Quigley Catherine V. , Bray Nicole C. , Ding Wenbo , White Jeffrey D. , Jackrel Sara L.
Published: February 2025

Intraspecific biodiversity can have ecosystem-level consequences and may affect the accuracy of ecological forecasting. For example, rare genetic variants may have traits that prove beneficial under future environmental conditions. The cyanobacterium responsible for most freshwater harmful algal blooms worldwide,
Microcystis aeruginosa
, occurs in at least three types. While the dominant type occurs in eutrophic environments and is adapted to thrive in nutrient-rich conditions, two additional types have recently been discovered that inhabit oligotrophic and eutrophic environments and have genomic adaptations for survival under nutrient limitation. Here, we show that these oligotrophic types are widespread throughout the Eastern USA. By pairing an experimental warming study with gene expression analyses, we found that the eutrophic type may be most susceptible to climate warming. In comparison, oligotrophic types maintained their growth better and persisted longer under warming. As a mechanistic explanation for these patterns, we found that oligotrophic types responded to warming by widespread elevated expression of heat shock protein genes. Reduction of nutrient loading has been a historically effective mitigation strategy for controlling harmful algal blooms. Our results suggest that climate warming may benefit oligotrophic types of
M. aeruginosa
, potentially reducing the effectiveness of such mitigation efforts. In-depth study of intraspecific variation may therefore improve forecasting for understanding future whole ecosystem dynamics.
Pair-bond strength is consistent and related to partner responsiveness in a wild corvid
Authors: Hahn Luca G. , Hooper Rebecca , McIvor Guillam E. , Thornton Alex
Published: February 2025

The need to maintain strong social bonds is widely thought to be a key driver of cognitive evolution. Cognitive abilities to track and respond to information about social partners may be favoured by selection if they vary within populations and confer fitness benefits. Here we evaluate four key assumptions of this argument in wild jackdaws (
Corvus monedula
), corvids whose long-term pair bonds exemplify one of the putative social drivers of cognitive evolution in birds. Combining observational and experimental behavioural data with long-term breeding records, we found support for three assumptions: (i) pair-bond strength varies across the population, (ii) is consistent within pairs over time and (iii) is positively associated with partner responsiveness, a measure of socio-cognitive performance. However, (iv) we did not find clear evidence that stronger pair bonds lead to better fitness outcomes. Strongly bonded pairs were better able to adjust hatching synchrony to environmental conditions but they did not fledge more or higher quality offspring. Together, these findings suggest that maintaining strong pair bonds is linked to socio-cognitive performance and may facilitate effective coordination between partners. However, they also imply that these benefits are insufficient to explain how selection acts on social cognition. We argue that evaluating how animals navigate trade-offs between investing in long-term relationships versus optimizing interactions in their wider social networks will be a crucial avenue for future research.
Acidovorax sacchari sp. nov., a pathogen causing red stripe of sugarcane in Japan
Authors: Sawada Hiroyuki , Shinohara Hirosuke , Takashima Yusuke , Naito Ken , Satou Mamoru
Published: February 2025

Phytopathogenic bacteria (MAFF 311311T and MAFF 311313) were isolated from sugarcane plants exhibiting leaf stripe symptoms associated with red stripe disease in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The strains were Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, motile with one polar flagellum, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.0 mol%, and the major cellular fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) included summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
 ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c). Phylogenomic analyses using whole-genome sequences consistently placed these strains within the genus Acidovorax. However, their phylogenetic positions did not correspond to any known species within this genus. Comparative analyses, including average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization with closely related species, yielded values below the thresholds for prokaryotic species delineation (95–96 and 70 %, respectively), with the highest values observed for Acidovorax oryzae ATCC 19882T (93.98 and 54.3 %, respectively). Phenotypic characteristics, cellular fatty acid composition and a repertoire of secretion systems and their effectors can differentiate these strains from their closest relatives. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data obtained in this study indicate that MAFF 311311T and MAFF 311313 constitute a novel species within the genus Acidovorax, for which we propose the name Acidovorax sacchari sp. nov., with MAFF 311311T (=ICMP 25276T) designated as the type strain.
Mutation in the rat interleukin 34 gene impacts macrophage development, homeostasis and inflammation in the brain and periphery
Authors: Huang Stephen , Patkar Omkar L. , Schulze Sarah , Carter-Cusack Dylan , Millard Susan , Ranpura Ginell , Green Emma K. , Maxwell Emma , Kanesarajah Jeeva , Cowin Gary , Stimson Damion , Kurniawan Nyoman D. , Keshvari Sahar , Allavena Rachel , Kanesarajah Jeeva , Pettit Allison R. , Irvine Katharine M. , Hume David A.
Published: February 2025

Interleukin-34 (IL34) and colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) signal through a shared receptor (CSF1R) to control macrophage survival, differentiation and function. Here we describe the impact of loss of function mutation in the ratIl34gene.Il34−/−rats showed a partial reduction in macrophages within squamous epithelia (Langerhans-like cells) and in the testis. In the brain, microglia and brain-associated macrophages were selectively depleted in grey matter. A gradient of microglial density inIl34−/−cortex suggests that CSF1 can diffuse outwards from the corpus callosum. The reduced density of microglia was not associated with detectable neuropathology or behavioural alterations. In RNA-seq analysis of cortex, hippocampus and thalamus the only change is selective and uniform loss of the microglial signature. In the periphery, increasedIl34expression has been associated with epithelial injury. In the adenine diet model of renal interstitial fibrosis bothIl34andCsf1were induced. The absence of IL34 led to a significant reduction in macrophage recruitment compared to controls, but pathology assessed histologically or by detection of damage-associated mRNA signature was unaffected. We suggest that IL34 and CSF1 provide redundant signals to sustain microglia and to direct macrophage recruitment and repair tissue injury in the periphery.
ECD, a novel androgen receptor target promotes prostate cancer tumorigenesis by regulating glycolysis
Authors: Raza Mohsin , Rajan Asher Rajkumar , Kennedy Benjamin B. , Reznicek Timothy E. , Oruji Farshid , Mirza Sameer , Rowley M Jordan , Kristiansen Glen , Datta Kaustubh , Mohapatra Bhopal C. , Band Hamid , Band Vimla
Published: February 2025

Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signaling is essential for PC tumorigenesis. In TCGA database we observed a positive correlation between ECD and AR expression. Consistently, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment of PC cell lines increased ECD mRNA and protein levels, and AR knockdown (KD) reduced ECD expression. Bioinformatic analysis predicted three consensus androgen response elements in the ECD promoter, and DHT treatment increased AR occupancy at the ECD promoter, and enhanced ECD promoter activity. Enzalutamide treatment decreased ECD levels, and ECD knockout (KO) in PC cells reduced oncogenic traits, suggesting a functional role of ECD to maintain PC oncogenesis. ECD mRNA and protein are overexpressed in PC patient tissues, and its overexpression predicts shorter survival. Overexpression of ECD in PC cell lines enhanced the oncogenic traitsin vitroand developed faster and larger highly proliferative xenograft tumors. RNA-seq analysis of mouse tumors revealed increase mRNA levels of several glycolytic genes. ECD associates with mRNA of several key glycolytic genes and is required for their stability, consistent with our recent demonstration of ECD as an RNA binding protein. Higher glucose uptake and glycolysis was seen upon ECD OE in PC cells. Together, we demonstrate role of a novel AR target gene ECD in PC tumorigenesis.
IL-9 signaling redirects CAR T cell fate toward CD8+ memory and CD4+ cycling states, enhancing anti-tumor efficacy
Authors: Castelli Sofía , Wilson Wesley V. , Uslu Ugur , Finck Amanda , Assenmacher Charles-Antoine , Atoche Sebastian J. , Siurala Mikko , Young Regina M. , June Carl H.
Published: February 2025

The success of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies targeting solid tumors is limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We demonstrate that endowing CAR T cells with ectopic interleukin-9 (IL-9) signaling by co-expressing an IL-9 receptor, rewires CAR T cell fate under antigen stress to enhance anti-tumor efficacy. In preclinical solid tumor models, IL-9-signaling CAR T cells exhibit increased expansion, persistence, and tumor infiltration, resulting in superior tumor control at significantly lower doses than conventional products. Trajectory and RNA velocity analyses of single-cell RNA sequencing data reveal that IL-9 signaling alters CAR T cell differentiation under antigen stress away from dysfunction, favoring a multipotent transition toward CD8+ cell memory and effector states, and promoting a CD4+ cell proliferative state. Interrogation of transcription factor pathways indicates that IL-9-mediated activation of STAT1 and STAT4 drives the superior phenotype of IL-9-signaling CAR T cells, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for targeting solid cancers.
Causal differential expression analysis under unmeasured confounders with causarray
Authors: Du Jin-Hong , Shen Maya , Mathys Hansruedi , Roeder Kathryn
Published: February 2025

Advances in single-cell sequencing and CRISPR technologies have enabled detailed case-control comparisons and experimental perturbations at single-cell resolution. However, uncovering causal relationships in observational genomic data remains challenging due to selection bias and inadequate adjustment for unmeasured confounders, particularly in heterogeneous datasets. To address these challenges, we introduce causarray, a doubly robust causal inference framework for analyzing array-based genomic data at both bulk-cell and single-cell levels. causarray integrates a generalized confounder adjustment method to account for unmeasured confounders and employs semiparametric inference with flexible machine learning techniques to ensure robust statistical estimation of treatment effects. Benchmarking results show that causarray robustly separates treatment effects from confounders while preserving biological signals across diverse settings. We also apply causarray to two single-cell genomic studies: (1) an in vivo Perturb-seq study of autism risk genes in developing mouse brains and (2) a casecontrol study of Alzheimer’s disease using three human brain transcriptomic datasets. In these applications, causarray identifies clustered causal effects of multiple autism risk genes and consistent causally affected genes across Alzheimer’s disease datasets, uncovering biologically relevant pathways directly linked to neuronal development and synaptic functions that are critical for understanding disease pathology.
Recolonisation strategies of early animals in the Avalon (Ediacaran 574 – 560 Ma)
Authors: Stephenson Nile P. , Delahooke Katie M. , Buma-at Princess A. , Rideout Benjamin W. T. , Barnes Nicole , Kenchington Charlotte G. , Manica Andrea , Mitchell Emily G.
Published: February 2025

The first geographically widespread metazoans are found in the Avalon assemblage (Ediacaran; 574 – 560 Ma). These early animals were regularly disturbed by sedimentation events such as ash flows and turbidites, leading to an apparent “resetting” of communities. However, it is not clear how biological legacies – remains or survivors of disturbance events – influenced community ecology in the Avalon. Here, we use spatial point process analysis on 19 Avalon palaeocommunities to test whether two forms of biological legacy (fragmentary remains ofFractofususand surviving frondomorphs) impacted the recolonisation dynamics of Avalon palaeocommunities. We found that densities ofFractofususwere increased around theFractofususfragments, suggesting that they helped to recolonise the post-disturbance substrate, potentially contributing to theFractofususdominance found in 8 of the 19 palaeocommunities. However, we found no such effects for survivor fronds. Our results suggest that the evolution of height was for long-distance dispersal rather than local recolonisation. In modern deep-sea environments, there is a trade-off between local and long-distance dispersal, and our work demonstrates that this differentiation of reproductive strategies had already developed in the early animals of the Avalon.
The lower jaw of Devonian ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii): anatomy, relationships, and functional morphology
Authors: Igielman Ben , Figueroa Rodrigo Tinoco , Higgins Robert R , Pierce Stephanie E , Coates Michael I. , Troyer Emily M. , Fernandez Vincent , Dollman Kathleen , Lu Jing , Zhu Min , Friedman Matt , Giles Sam
Published: February 2025

Actinopterygii is a major extant vertebrate group, but limited data are available for its earliest members. Here we investigate the morphology of Devonian actinopterygians, focusing on the lower jaw. We use X-Ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to provide comprehensive descriptions of the mandibles of 19 species, which span the whole of the Devonian and represent roughly two thirds of all taxa known from more than isolated or fragmentary material. Our findings corroborate previous reports in part but reveal considerable new anatomical data and represent the first detailed description for roughly half of these taxa. The mandibles display substantial variation in size, spanning more than an order of magnitude. Although most conform to a generalized pattern of a large dentary and one or two smaller infradentaries, XCT data reveal significant differences in the structure of the jaw and arrangement of teeth that may be of functional relevance. We report the presence of a rudimentary coronoid process in several taxa, contributed to by the dentary and/or infradentaries, as well a raised articular region, resulting in a mandible with an offset bite and that functions as a bent level arm. Among the most striking variation is that of tooth morphology: several taxa have heterodont dentary teeth that vary in size and orientation, and multiple variations on enlarged, whorl-like and posteriorly-oriented anterior coronoid dentition are observed. We use these new data to revise morphological characters that may be of phylogenetic significance and consider the possible functional implications of these traits. The observed variation in mandible form and structure suggests previously unappreciated functional diversity among otherwise morphologically homogenous Devonian ray-finned fishes.