bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment priorities and regret in older adults with head and neck cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Fahy Emer , Cantwell Linda A. , Patterson Joanne M. , Cherry Mary Gemma , Rogers Simon , Akpan Asangaedem , Hamilton David Winston
Published: September 2023

Background

The majority of head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnoses are seen in people aged 70 and older; these numbers are set to increase. Greater understanding of treatment needs of older patients with HNC is essential. These older patients often have co‐existing health conditions, are prone to frailty and may not prioritise survival when considering treatment options. This systematic review examines the current research with regard to priorities and factors influencing treatment regret in older people with HNC.

Methods

Studies were eligible for inclusion if they (i) reported data from patients with a mean age of 65 years or older who had a confirmed diagnosis of HNC and had been treated using surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with either palliative or curative intent, (ii) considered patient's priorities or preferences or examined treatment regret as one of the primary outcomes of the study (iii) were published in English.

Results

Pilot search identified n = 7222 articles; however, following screening, only four papers met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis was indicated to analyse quantitative and qualitative evidence in parallel, as meta‐analyses were not possible.

Discussion

There is a paucity in the literature examining older adults with HNC. There is an indication that older adults prioritise maintaining independence when making treatment decisions and treatment regret is seen in those with high levels of depression with level of frailty also a contributing factor. Clinicians should consider patient's social circumstances, premorbid status and priorities in maintaining independence and managing symptoms when making treatment decisions in this cohort.
Dapagliflozin improves erectile dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An open‐label, non‐randomized pilot study
Authors: Cannarella Rossella , Condorelli Rosita A. , Leanza Claudia , Garofalo Vincenzo , Aversa Antonio , Papa Giuseppe , Calogero Aldo E. , La Vignera Sandro
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The role of dapagliflozin on erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition widely affecting patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has not yet been studied.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of dapagliflozin alone or in combination with tadalafil on ED in patients with T2DM.

Methods

This was an open‐label, non‐randomized pilot study involving 30 Caucasian male patients with T2DM and severe ED. They were equally divided into three groups, assigned to treatment with tadalafil 5 mg/day (Group 1), tadalafil 5 mg/day plus dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (Group 2) and dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (Group 3) for 3 months. The presence and the severity of ED were evaluated at enrolment and after treatment, by the International Index of Erectile Function 5‐item (IIEF‐5) questionnaire and the dynamic penile echo colour Doppler ultrasound (PCDU) examination.

Results

At the end of treatment, the three groups showed a significant improvement in IIEF‐5 score, by 294%, 375% and 197%, in Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. PCDU evaluation showed a significant increase in peak systolic velocity by 178.9%, 339% and 153%; acceleration time was significantly shortened in Group 2 (−26.2%) and was significantly lower than in Group 1 and 3 (−7.2% and −6.6%), while no significant difference was found in end‐diastolic velocity after treatment. The greatest rates of improvement were observed in Group 2 for all the end points.

Conclusions

Dapagliflozin improves ED in patients with T2DM and enhances the efficacy of tadalafil. Further studies are needed to confirm our results explain the mechanism(s) by which dapagliflozin exerts its effects on ED.
A phytoplasma survey reveals the presence of ‘CandidatusPhytoplasma fragariae’ inUlmusspp. andAcer pseudoplatanusin Belgium
Authors: De Jonghe Kris , Goedefroit Thomas , Deeren Anne‐Marie , Fauche Frédéric , Steyer Stéphan
Published: September 2023

A Belgium‐wide survey to determine the presence of ‘CandidatusPhytoplasma ulmi’ elm trees was performed on nearly 600 elm trees. The randomly sampled elms were screened for the presence of phytoplasmas using a standard generic nested PCR method. In five symptomless elm trees, phytoplasmas were detected. Multiple gene sequence analysis (16S rRNA, tuf, rplV‐rpsC‐rplP), virtual RFLP of the 16S rRNA gene fragment and phylogenetic analysis showed that the phytoplasma strains detected in all five elm trees could be classified into the 16SrXII‐E subgroup (‘CandidatusPhytoplasma fragariae’‐related phytoplasma). In addition, a maple tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) located in close proximity to one of these elm trees was also determined to be infected with ‘Ca. P. fragariae’.UlmusandAcerare new host plant genera for this phytoplasma. Further studies are needed to elucidate the epidemiological impact of these findings.
Assessment of a virtual prosthetic case planning environment for dental education – A multicentric analysis
Authors: Liebermann A. , Bjelopavlovic M. , Rauch A. , Schlenz M. A. , Erdelt K.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The aim of the present study was the multicentric assessment of the virtual prosthetic case planning environment (VCPE), which relocates patient planning into the virtual space in dental education.

Materials and Methods

The VCPE is separated into two rooms: a virtual entry area where the user can choose between 10 different prosthetic case plans of ascending complexity, and a virtual patient case planning room. In spring term 2022, the use of virtual case planning was voluntarily assessed in four different German dental schools (DSs) from the perspective of both lecturers and students. The assessment was performed afterwards using a questionnaire. Data were analysed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, exploratory data analysis, Fisher–Freeman–Halton test, and exact Fisher test. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach Alpha test (α < 0.05).

Results

A total of 59 lecturers and 63 students were included. There were 38.5% male, 60.7% female, and 0.8% diverse participants. The mean age of the lecturers was 36.2 ± 9.0 years and of the students 24.3 ± 3.0 years. The VCPE was assessed as good, yet the evaluations between either the DSs or between the lecturers and students were significantly different.

Conclusions

Even though for some assessment criteria significantly different results between the four DS were observed, the majority of participants evaluated the VCPE positively and recommended them for teaching. The virtual reality as a teaching method for teaching prosthetic case planning for the further preparation of the students for the later professional life can be considered as helpful.
Antiphospholipid syndrome in cardiovascular disease and cancer
Authors: Pessach Ilias , Kyriakou Elias , Kalampokas Emmanouil , Kalampokas Theodoros , Bitsani Aikaterini , Kotsianidis Ioannis
Published: September 2023

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder which is characterized by the presence of heterogeneous antiphospholipid antibodies. There is an evidence on antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies related to thromboembolic events in cancer patients. In fact, the thrombotic complications in patients with malignancy occur at a rather high frequency, compared to other risk factors. In parallel with standard therapies available, there is need of case‐by‐case monitoring of each patient and the introduction of new therapies and need for more clinical trials which will address many questions for the optimal management of patients. This paper presents a basic review of the literature on the aPL antibodies associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as its complications, which are reported so far in the bibliography.
Morphological and histological investigation of the conduction system in the equine atrial muscle sleeve of pulmonary veins
Authors: Kovacs Szilvia , Racz Bence , Sotonyi Peter , Bakos Zoltan
Published: September 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in horses causing poor performance. The role of pulmonary vein triggers in the pathogenesis has been identified in horses. Ablation methods have been investigated, but the available information on anatomical, histological and immunohistochemical assessment of the pulmonary vein ostia and the conduction system of the myocardial sleeve is still limited.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to describe the morphological properties of the myocardial sleeve in healthy horses.

Study design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

Eighty‐three equine hearts were dissected. The number and diameters of pulmonary vein ostia were determined, and anatomical localisation was described. Fifty‐eight tissue samples were collected for routine histology and 12 of these were used for immunohistochemistry (connexin 43, 45, S100, and tyrosine hydroxylase antibodies).

Results

The mean number of pulmonary vein ostia was 4.5 (4 veins: 46 horse, 5 veins: 31 horses, 6 veins: 6 horses). Diameters (mean ± SD) of the main ostia were as follows: vein I: 20.2 ± 7.0 mm, vein II: 32.7 ± 7.1 mm, vein III: 33.4 ± 5.9 mm, vein IV: 18.1 ± 4.5 mm. Diameters of supernumerary vein ostia varied between 3.0 and 28.0 mm (11.5 ± 5.5 mm). Early branching was found in 26 horses (31.3%) and 30 veins (vein I: 14, vein II: 9, vein III: 5, vein IV: 2). Histology confirmed the presence of a muscle sleeve composed of myocardial tissue in each pulmonary vein. S100 and TH positivity was detected in each vein, and it confirmed the presence of adrenergic and non‐adrenergic nerve fibres within the myocardial sleeve. Cx43 and 45 positivity were also found in each vein indicating the presence of gap junctions.

Main limitations

The effect of bodyweight on pulmonary vein dimensions is unknown.

Conclusions

Future ablation techniques should consider that conductive tissue is present in the entire myocardial sleeve in all pulmonary vein ostia.
Female genital mutilation/cutting as a ground for asylum in France
Authors: Sonobe Yuko
Published: September 2023

This study examines how France's national asylum legislation has changed politically and ideologically from following a gender‐blind policy to recognizing gender‐based violence as a ground for asylum. Among European countries, France receives the largest number of female asylum seekers (FAS) from sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries, where female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is practiced. Although France was one of the first countries to recognize FGM/C as a reason for granting asylum, it was reluctant to accept FAS as a “particular social group (PSG).” This article analyzes the increase in asylum claims based on FGM/C in the 2000s and examines the political discourses on changing asylum legislation up to the 2010s. Data from official reports of government organizations were examined to investigate the decisions on asylum applications involving FGM/C. France changed its policies in the 2000s to include gender equality in its republican identity due to ultra‐right party and social campaigns criticizing male members of minority groups for violence and discrimination against women. The then conservative government exploited these circumstances and enacted restrictive immigration laws that addressed FGM/C grievances partially; the succeeding socialist government recognized FGM/C as a ground for asylum. This study concludes by arguing that the 2011 European directive was a turning point for French asylum legislation to include gender‐sensitive interpretation of the grounds under the Convention on the Status of Refugees, in line with European policy. However, the status of SSA women and girls remains uncertain while they are subjected to medical examination and the application range of PSG could be reconsidered.
Effects of a self‐determination theory‐based physical activity programme for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yun Hye‐Won , Kim Chun‐Ja , Ahn Jeong‐Ah , Schlenk Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2023

Aims

The study aimed to develop and evaluate the effects of a self‐determination theory‐based, nurse‐led, physical activity programme for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

Between December 2019 and April 2020, this randomized controlled trial recruited 62 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis from a university‐affiliated hospital in South Korea. The intervention group participated in a self‐determination theory‐based, nurse‐led, physical activity programme that consisted of Tai Chi‐based physical activity, a supportive psychosocial strategy, and interactive counselling for 16 weeks, and the control group continued to undergo their usual care.

Results

There were statistically significant group‐by‐time interactions in physical activity and perceived sarcopenia, which favoured the intervention group. Additionally, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the perceived therapeutic efficacy of physical activity, grip strength, walking speed, disease activity score, and health‐related quality of life.

Conclusions

The programme developed in this study can be an effective and feasible approach for postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis in improving physical activity, selected osteosarcopenic outcomes, and health‐related quality of life. Further research is required to investigate the long‐term effects of this theory‐based programme for postmenopausal women in diverse settings.
Quality of life and self‐esteem in women living with urinary incontinence in Turkey
Authors: Türk Fatma Hilal Kaya , Koçak Hatice Serap
Published: September 2023

This study was conducted to determine the quality of life and self‐esteem levels of women with urinary incontinence (UI). A total of 180 women participated in this cross‐sectional study. This study was conducted in two stages. First, the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire‐UI short form (ICIQ‐SF) was implemented, and then other measures were applied to the women who scored 8 or more as the most appropriate cut‐off point for ‘irritating’ UI. More specifically, a personal information form, the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale (RBSS), the urogenital distress inventory‐6 (UDI‐6), and the incontinence impact questionnaire‐7 (IIQ‐7) were applied. It was observed that the mean self‐esteem score of women with UI was generally sufficient. In line with the data obtained, it was observed that as the UI levels of women increased, their quality of life decreased. Similarly, a decrease was observed in the self‐esteem levels of women whose quality of life decreased. As a woman's UI worsens, levels of urogenital distress increase and quality of life decreases, which leads to decreased self‐esteem. Urinary incontinence is often kept secret, ignored, considered private, and seen as an unavoidable consequence of ageing.
Ame‐miR‐980‐3p participates in autophagy‐mediated midgut remodelling in Apis mellifera via targeting Atg2B
Authors: Chen Wen‐Feng , Chi Xue‐Peng , Song Hong‐Yu , Wang Hong‐Fang , Wang Ying , Liu Zhen‐Guo , Xu Bao‐Hua
Published: September 2023

Autophagy is a process that serves to degrade damaged proteins and organelles, thereby promoting cell homeostasis, differentiation, development and survival. Many miRNAs have been found to have regulatory roles in autophagy. In insects, it has been shown that autophagy is involved in hormone‐regulated programmed cell death during metamorphic midgut remodelling. However, whether this is also true during the remodelling of the honey bee midgut is unclear. In the present study, we explored the relationship between autophagy and midgut remodelling and sought to identify miRNAs involved in this physiological process. We found that autophagy occurred during midgut remodelling and that the inhibition of autophagy resulted in midgut dysplasia in prepupae. Differentially expressed miRNAs enriched in the autophagy signalling pathway during midgut remodelling were identified by small RNA‐seq. Ame‐miR‐980‐3p, which targets the autophagy‐related gene Atg2B, was screened out. Furthermore, abnormal expression of ame‐miR‐980‐3p in the pupal stage led to the thinning of the midgut wall of newly emerged bees (NE). When ame‐miR‐980‐3p expression was inhibited, the intestinal villi of NE bees became significantly shorter and sparse, and the lipid signal in the peritrophic matrix of Pb almost disappeared, indicating that the adult midgut was underdeveloped and the lipid absorption ability was weakened. Taken together, ame‐miR‐980‐3p targeted Atg2B to participate in the regulation of midgut autophagy in the pupae, and the abnormal expression of ame‐miR‐980‐3p would interfere with cell proliferation and death in the process of midgut remodelling, hinder the formation of adult midgut and eventually lead to adult midgut dysplasia and affect the lipid absorption function of the midgut in Apis mellifera.
Simultaneous control of mechanical strength and hierarchical structure in freeze‐casted porous alumina by two‐step sintering
Authors: Jeon Sang‐Chae , Woo Jong‐Won , Kim Sung‐Hyun , Ha Jang‐Hoon , Yang Dong‐Yeol , Moon Kyoung‐Seok , Wu Haoyue , Yang Jae‐Hwan , Kim Dong‐Kyu
Published: September 2023

To increase mechanical strength of porous ceramics, here, an effective two‐step sintering (TSS) technique capable of producing highly porous alumina with enhanced mechanical strength is suggested. Based on the sintering theories, here, a significantly lower activation energy for densification at low temperature region allowed a beneficial temperature range for the TSS to be deduced. With a specific TSS regime (T1 = 1550°C and T2 = 1400°C), significantly higher compressive strength levels (8.00–15.24 MPa) were measured with an apparent porosity of 56.49% compared to conventional sintering (1.03–1.86 MPa) with similar apparent porosity of 57.84%. Specifically, another TSS regime (T1 = 1550°C and T2 = 1380°C) left submicron‐sized open pores within the lamellar walls, providing a hierarchical porous structure with enhanced mechanical strength. An evaluation of the mechanical stability by a finite element analysis indicated outstanding compressive strength even with small pores in the lamella walls.
The role of telomerase in hair growth and relevant disorders: A review
Authors: Wang Chaofan , Bi Lingbo , Du Yimei , Lu Changpei , Zhao Min , Lin Xuewen , Ding Yunbu , Fan Weixin
Published: September 2023

Background

Hair diseases may present with hair loss, hirsutism, hair melanin abnormalities and other manifestations. Hair follicles are known as mini‐organs that undergo periodic remodeling, and their constant regeneration in vivo reflects interesting anti‐aging functions. Telomerase prevents cellular senescence by maintaining telomere length, but its excessive proliferation in cancer cells may also induce cancer. However, the effects of telomerase in hair growth have rarely been reported.

Methods

In this study, we reviewed the role of telomerase in hair growth and the effects of hair disorders through literature search and analysis.

Results

There is growing evidence that telomerase plays an important role in maintaining hair follicle function and proliferation. Changes in telomerase levels in hair follicles have also been found in a variety of hair disorders.

Conclusion

Telomerase plays a positive role in hair growth and is expected to become a new target for the treatment of alopecia or other hair diseases in the future.
What are the roles of eHealth literacy and empowerment in self‐management in an eHealth care context? A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Shiu Lian‐Shin , Liu Chieh‐Yu , Lin Cheng‐Jui , Chen Yu‐Chi
Published: September 2023

Aims

To examine the relationship among eHealth literacy, empowerment and self‐management and the mediating effects of empowerment in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients in the eHealthcare context.

Background

Self‐management is an essential aspect of healthcare in delaying disease progression for DKD. In the eHealthcare era, health services providing self‐management are transforming. The ability and confidence of patients to use eHealth services is a critical issue that impacts the effectiveness of self‐management, but little is known about the role of eHealth literacy and empowerment in self‐management.

Design

A cross‐sectional study guided by the STROBE.

Methods

Overall, 127 Taiwanese patients were enrolled using convenience sampling. Data collection used structured questionnaires and chart reviews. Multiple regression was used to infer self‐management predictors, and SPSS PROCESS macro and bootstrapping verified the mediating effects.

Results

Empowerment and eHealth literacy both showed significant positive correlations with self‐management. Empowerment was the main predictor of self‐management and had a complete mediating effect between eHealth literacy and self‐management.

Conclusion

Increasing patients' eHealth literacy can improve empowerment and prevent health inequality issues. Healthcare providers should consider improving patients' eHealth literacy to enhance their self‐management.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Healthcare service systems need to create user‐friendly eHealthcare environments, and healthcare professionals can provide multifaceted instructions that fit patients' eHealth literacy levels to enhance their motivation and confidence in disease care, thus cultivating positive self‐management behaviours.

Impact

The popularity of eHealthcare services aimed at promoting self‐management behaviours is increasing. However, the level of eHealth literacy is an essential factor that affects the effectiveness of self‐management in the healthcare environment. In addition, empowerment is a major critical influence factor of self‐management and a completely mediating variable between self‐management and eHealth literacy. Consequently, healthcare providers should consider promoting patients' eHealth literacy to empower people using eHealthcare services for implementing self‐management.

Reporting Method

The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in cross‐sectional studies (STROBE) checklist was used to ensure comprehensive reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients were diagnosed with DKD in the study hospital. Physicians and case managers transferred patients to research assistants who screened them for the inclusion criteria and invited them to participate in this study if they met the requirements. After participants signed informed consent, the research nurse encouraged participants to respond to the research questionnaire face to face.
Understanding quality of life of persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Authors: Nieuwenhuijse A. M. , Willems D. L. , Kruithof K.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we discuss the applicability of the consensus document, prepared by the Special Interest Research Group on quality of life (QoL) of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities in August 2000, for persons with Profound Intellectual and Multiple disabilities (PIMD). We compare our findings from previous empirical research with some elements of the themes and principles of the consensus document. We will reflect (1) on the domains of QoL mentioned in the consensus document, and (2) on the assessment by proxies. We recommend reflection on the following aspects when composing a new consensus document, which includes QoL of persons with PIMD: first, reconsider whether all eight domains are useful in care practice for—and research about—persons with PIMD. We assert that the domains of health, well‐being, capability to influence the environment, and also (family) relationships, are particularly relevant for the QoL of persons with PIMD and, second, accept interpretation of signals and signs by proxies in the assessment of QoL in persons with PIMD and do not value this as second best.
A systematic review of service user’s experience of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
Authors: Balmain Nadia , Melia Yvonne , Dent Helen , Smith Karen
Published: September 2023

Purpose

It is increasingly acknowledged that understanding of the process and impact of psychotherapy is enhanced by awareness of the experience of service users. Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) was developed as a time‐limited and integrative psychotherapeutic approach. Although reviews have been published on CAT outcome studies, no reviews are currently available on service users’ experience of CAT. This paper aims to systematically review and synthesize what is known about service users’ experience of CAT.

Methods

A systematic search of HDAS, Cochrane, and Ethos databases was conducted. Following this, fourteen papers were selected for review, appraised using CASP tools, and then thematically synthesized.

Results

CAT therapy enabled service users to acquire useful knowledge and skills. Most service users found CAT tools helpful in gaining insight into their reciprocal roles and patterns. However, CAT was experienced by some service users as a painful, frightening, and upsetting process, particularly in relation to the sequential diagrammatical reformulation (SDR) and reformulation letter. The importance of the therapeutic relationship was highlighted, as well as difficulties some service users had with trusting their therapist.

Conclusions

CAT is helpful in supporting service users to understand their patterns and to identify useful coping skills. However, some service users can experience strong emotions in therapy and struggle to trust their therapist. Greater attention to working within the service users’ zone of proximal development (ZPD) and engendering hope during the reformulation stage may attenuate some of these risks. Recommendations are made for future research directions.

Practitioner points

CAT therapy enables users to develop insight to their reciprocal roles and patterns and helpful coping skills.

The service user’s ZPD should be worked with when delivering CAT to manage risk of distress and reciprocal role enactments and enhance the working alliance.

CAT therapists should explore ways to engender hope by attending to any helpful reciprocal roles, patterns, and exits.
E3 ubiquitin ligases SINA4 and SINA11 regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis by targeting the IAA29‐ARF5‐1‐ERF3 module in apple
Authors: Li Hong‐Liang , Liu Zhi‐Ying , Wang Xiao‐Na , Han Yuepeng , You Chun‐Xiang , An Jian‐Ping
Published: September 2023

Auxin/indole‐3‐acetic acid (AUX/IAA) and auxin response factor (ARF) proteins are important components of the auxin signalling pathway, but their ubiquitination modification and the mechanism of auxin‐mediated anthocyanin biosynthesis remain elusive. Here, the ARF MdARF5‐1 was identified as a negative regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple, and it integrates auxin and ethylene signals by inhibiting the expression of the ethylene response factor MdERF3. The auxin repressor MdIAA29 decreased the inhibitory effect of MdARF5‐1 on anthocyanin biosynthesis by attenuating the transcriptional inhibition of MdERF3 by MdARF5‐1. In addition, the E3 ubiquitin ligases MdSINA4 and MdSINA11 played negative and positive regulatory roles in anthocyanin biosynthesis by targeting MdIAA29 and MdARF5‐1 for ubiquitination degradation, respectively. MdSINA4 destabilized MdSINA11 to regulate anthocyanin accumulation in response to auxin signalling. In sum, our data revealed the crosstalk between auxin and ethylene signals mediated by the IAA29‐ARF5‐1‐ERF3 module and provide new insights into the ubiquitination modification of the auxin signalling pathway.
A fatal case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis due to neonatal lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mazori Daniel R. , Kleitsch Julianne , Kabir Soodeh , Uwakwe Laura N. , Glick Sharon A.
Published: September 2023

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an autoimmune disease caused by the passive transfer of autoantibodies from mother to child during pregnancy. A rare complication of NLE is hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a potentially life‐threatening hyperinflammatory state more commonly associated with other rheumatologic disorders. Herein, we describe a fatal case of NLE‐associated HLH.
Treatment of aseptic facial granuloma as a manifestation of pediatric rosacea with oral macrolides
Authors: Lenders Daniela , Lenders Max Matthias , Jäger Manuel , Schaller Martin
Published: September 2023

Aseptic facial granuloma is a rare pediatric disease, presenting with asymptomatic facial nodules on the cheeks or the eyelids and may represent a form of granulomatous rosacea in children. In this retrospective case series, 12 children with aseptic facial granuloma were treated with oral macrolides (erythromycin or roxithromycin) resulting in a healing of the lesions within a mean treatment time of 5.25 months with no recurrences. The treatment was mainly well tolerated. Oral macrolides may be effective in the treatment of patients with aseptic facial granuloma.
Domino liver transplantation for maple syrup urine disease in children: A single‐center case series
Authors: Kumar Vikram , Gautam Vipul , Agarwal Shaleen , Pandey Vijaykant , Goyal Sumit , Nasa Vaibhav , Singh Shweta A. , Al‐Thihli Khalid , Al‐Murshedi Fathiya , Al Hashmi Nadia , Al Rawahi Yusriya , Al‐Bahlani Al‐Qasim , Al Said Khoula , Gupta Subhash
Published: September 2023

Background

Domino liver transplant (DLT) represents another type of liver donor to expand the donor pool. Recent reports of successful DLT in children with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) show promising long‐term outcomes.

Methods

It was a retrospective study. All children with MSUD were paired with either recipients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) or non‐MSUD metabolic disease. Each pair underwent simultaneous liver transplant (LT), where the MSUD recipient received the graft from a living‐related donor and the liver explanted from the MSUD donor was transplanted to the respective paired domino recipient. We report our experience regarding the techniques and outcomes of DLT at our center.

Results

Eleven children with MSUD and 12 respective DLT recipients were enrolled, one of which was domino split‐liver transplantation. DLT recipients included seven ESLD, two propionic acidemia (PA), one glycogen storage disease(GSD) type‐1, one GSD type‐3, and one Citrullinemia. Post‐LT ICU and hospital stays were comparable (p > .05). Patient and graft survival was 100% and 66.6% in the MSUD group and DLT recipients at a mean follow‐up of 13.5 and 15 months. There was no death in the MSUD group as compared to four in the DLT group. The amino acid levels rapidly normalized after the LT in the children with MSUD and they tolerated the normal unrestricted diet. No vascular, biliary, or graft‐related complications were seen in the post‐transplant period. No occurrence of MSUD was noted in DLT recipients.

Conclusion

DLTs have excellent post‐surgical outcomes. DLT should be strongly considered and adopted by transplant programs worldwide to circumvent organ shortage.
Power outage prediction using data streams: An adaptive ensemble learning approach with a feature‐ and performance‐based weighting mechanism
Authors: Kabir Elnaz , Guikema Seth D. , Quiring Steven M.
Published: September 2023

A wide variety of weather conditions, from windstorms to prolonged heat events, can substantially impact power systems, posing many risks and inconveniences due to power outages. Accurately estimating the probability distribution of the number of customers without power using data about the power utility system and environmental and weather conditions can help utilities restore power more quickly and efficiently. However, the critical shortcoming of current models lies in the difficulties of handling (i) data streams and (ii) model uncertainty due to combining data from various weather events. Accordingly, this article proposes an adaptive ensemble learning algorithm for data streams, which deploys a feature‐ and performance‐based weighting mechanism to adaptively combine outputs from multiple competitive base learners. As a proof of concept, we use a large, real data set of daily customer interruptions to develop the first adaptive all‐weather outage prediction model using data streams. We benchmark several approaches to demonstrate the advantage of our approach in offering more accurate probabilistic predictions. The results show that the proposed algorithm reduces the probabilistic predictions' error of the base learners between 4% and 22% with an average of 8%, which also result in substantially more accurate point predictions. The improvement made by our algorithm is enhanced as we exchange base learners with simpler models.
Validating self‐reported compliance with COVID‐19 regulations: Demonstrating group‐level sociodemographic self‐reported compliance that mirrors actual morbidity rates
Authors: Slater Jonathan , Katzir Maayan , Halali Eliran
Published: September 2023

Using a novel approach, in this work, we establish an association between self‐reported compliance with COVID‐19 preventive behaviors and fear of the virus with morbidity rates (i.e., actual tests and their outcome). In two nationally representative samples that were collected in Israel during the first (April 2020: N = 507) and second (August 2020: N = 515) waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic, participants responded to items assessing their compliance with the COVID‐19 preventive behaviors and their fear of contracting the virus. Participants' compliance and fear self‐reports served as a proxy for morbidity rates. Specifically, we assessed the association between sociodemographic variables (gender, age, or belonging to a minority group), self‐reports, and morbidity rates (as reported in publicly open databases of the Israeli health ministry). We found that self‐reports of compliance and fear were mirrored and aligned with actual morbidity rates across sociodemographic variables and studies. By establishing a clear connection between specific behavior (i.e., compliance with covid regulations) and emotion (i.e., fear of getting infected by the virus), self‐reports and sociodemographic variables represent a real related phenomena (i.e., covid 19 morbidity rates), our findings overall validate numerous studies that used self‐reports to assess compliance with COVID‐19 preventive behaviors.
Relative ability of aqueous humor from dogs with and without primary angle‐closure glaucoma and ADAMTS10 open‐angle glaucoma to catalyze or inhibit collagenolysis
Authors: Pumphrey Stephanie A. , Harman Christine D. , Anderson Amanda L. , Sweigart Benjamin , Komáromy András M.
Published: September 2023

Objective

The objective of the study was to compare the ability of aqueous humor (AH) from dogs with primary angle‐closure glaucoma (CPACG), companion dogs without overt evidence of CPACG, and Beagles with and without ADAMTS10 open‐angle glaucoma (ADAMTS10‐OAG) to catalyze or inhibit collagenolysis.

Animals studied

Seventeen normal pet dogs, 27 dogs with CPACG, 19 Beagles with ADAMTS10‐OAG, and 4 unaffected Beagles.

Procedures

A fluorescein‐based substrate degradation assay was used to assess AH proteolytic capacity. Samples were then assayed using the same substrate degradation assay, with recombinant activated matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) added to measure protease inhibition effects.

Results

For the protease activity assay, relative fluorescence (RF) for AH from normal pet dogs was 13.28 ± 2.25% of control collagenase while RF for AH from dogs with CPACG was 17.47 ± 4.67%; RF was 8.57 ± 1.72% for ADAMTS10‐OAG Beagles and 7.99 ± 1.15% for unaffected Beagles. For the MMP‐2 inhibition assay, RF for AH from normal dogs was 34.96 ± 15.04% compared to MMP‐2 controls, while RF from dogs with CPACG was 16.69 ± 7.95%; RF was 85.85 ± 13.23% for Beagles with ADAMTS10‐OAG and 94.51 ± 8.36% for unaffected Beagles. Significant differences were found between dogs with CPACG and both normal pet dogs and dogs with ADAMTS10‐OAG and between normal pet dogs and both groups of Beagles.

Conclusions

AH from dogs with CPACG is significantly more able to catalyze proteolysis and inhibit MMP‐2 than AH from normal dogs or dogs with ADAMTS10‐OAG. Results suggest that pathogenesis may differ between CPACG and ADAMTS10‐OAG.
Lagrangian cobordism functor in microlocal sheaf theory I
Authors: Li Wenyuan
Published: September 2023

Let be Legendrian submanifolds in the cosphere bundle . Given a Lagrangian cobordism of Legendrians from to , we construct a functor between sheaf categories of compact objects with singular support on and its right adjoint on sheaf categories of proper objects, using Nadler–Shende's work. This gives a sheaf theory description analogous to the Lagrangian cobordism map on Legendrian contact homologies and the right adjoint on their unital augmentation categories. We also deduce some long exact sequences and new obstructions to Lagrangian cobordisms between high‐dimensional Legendrian submanifolds.
Investigation of the intrinsic outgassing rates for narrow structured vacuum devices under readsorption effect
Authors: Mei Zhengwei , Bi Hailin , Cao Qing , Wang Yuqing , Lin Wenyu , Ye Junfeng , Wang Xudi
Published: September 2023

The narrow structure within the vacuum system usually results in a slow evacuation process. Additionally, the high outgassing rate caused by the large surface-to-volume ratio can prevent the vacuum level from meeting the performance requirements of the device. In this paper, the evacuation of the stainless steel parallel plates is established based on a two-dimensional equation combined with the outgassing theory of the recombination–dissociation-limited model. The relationship between the measured and intrinsic outgassing rates was investigated by varying the gap size, pump-out port size, and temperature. The results show that the internal pressure is nonuniformly distributed during the pump-down process, even reaching a quasiequilibrium state. This indicates that the widely used throughput method can make a difference in measuring outgassing rates. This provides a theoretical basis for testing intrinsic outgassing rates, calculating pressure distribution, and configuring pumps or getters in complex vacuum systems.
Coding-complete genomes of XBB.1.16, XBB.2.3, FL.4 (alias of XBB.1.9.1.4), and XBB.3 of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron isolated from Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Saikt , Habib Mohammad Tanbir , Afrad Mokibul Hassan , Hasan Mahin , Tahsin Anika , Jubair Mohammad , Khan Manjur Hossain , Alam Ahmed Nawsher , Chowdhury Emran Kabir , Rahman Mustafizur , Ryan Edward Thomas , Shirin Tahmina , Qadri Firdausi
Published: September 2023

We announce the coding-complete genomes of four different strains of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages, XBB.1.16, XBB.2.3, FL.4 (alias of XBB.1.9.1.4), and XBB.3. These strains were obtained between October 2022 and May 2023 from nasopharyngeal swabs of four Bangladeshi individuals, while one of them had a travel history. Genomic data were produced by implementing ARTIC Network-based amplicon sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore Technology.
Unveiling abundance-dependent metabolic phenotypes of microbial communities
Authors: Jiménez Natalia E. , Acuña Vicente , Cortés María Paz , Eveillard Damien , Maass Alejandro Eduardo
Published: September 2023

Constraint-based modeling has risen as an alternative for characterizing metabolism of communities. Adaptations of flux balance analysis have been proposed to model metabolic interactions, which in most cases consider the maximization of biomass production as their objective. In nature, novel essential functions are not directly related to cell growth force communities to display suboptimal growth rates. These suboptimal states allow a degree of plasticity in their metabolism, thus allowing quick shifts between alternative flux distributions as an initial response to environmental changes. In this work, we introduce the abundance-growth space as a representation of metabolic phenotypes of a community. This space is defined by the composition of a community, represented by its members’ relative abundances, and their growth rate. The analysis of this space allows us to pinpoint how critical reactions respond to shifts of the environment, showing where changes in community plasticity occur. Interestingly, it highlights the relevance of the relative abundance of its members in the lost or gain of plasticity. This method is applied to two simple communities that exchange metabolites. A synthetic community of two mutant
Escherichia coli
strains and an environmental bioleaching community composed by
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
Wenelen and
Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans
Cutipay, where only Cutipay consumes organic matter disposed of by the community.

IMPORTANCE

In nature, organisms live in communities and not as isolated species, and their interactions provide a source of resilience to environmental disturbances. Despite their importance in ecology, human health, and industry, understanding how organisms interact in different environments remains an open question.

In this work, we provide a novel approach that, only using genomic information, studies the metabolic phenotype exhibited by communities, where the exploration of suboptimal growth flux distributions and the composition of a community allows to unveil its capacity to respond to environmental changes, shedding light of the degrees of metabolic plasticity inherent to the community.
Field testing of an enzymatic quorum quencher coating additive to reduce biocorrosion of steel
Authors: Huang Siqian , Bergonzi Celine , Smith Sherry , Hicks Randall E. , Elias Mikael H.
Published: September 2023

Microbial colonization can be detrimental to the integrity of metal surfaces and lead to microbiologically influenced corrosion. Biocorrosion is a serious problem for aquatic and marine industries in the world and severely affects the maritime transportation industry by destroying port infrastructure and increasing fuel usage and the time and cost required for maintenance of transport vessels. Here, we evaluate the potential of a stable quorum quenching lactonase enzyme to reduce biocorrosion in the field. Over the course of 21 months, steel samples coated with lactonase-containing acrylic paint were submerged at two different sites and depths in the Duluth-Superior Harbor (Lake Superior, MN, USA) and benchmarked against controls, including the biological biocide surfactin. In this experiment, the lactonase treatment outperformed the surfactin biocide treatment and significantly reduced the number of corrosion tubercles (37%;
P
< 0.01) and the corroded surface area (39%;
P
< 0.01) as compared to the acrylic-coated control coupons. In an attempt to evaluate the effects of signal disruption of surface microbial communities and the reasons for lower corrosion levels, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed and community populations were analyzed. Interestingly, surface communities were similar between all treatments, and only minor changes could be observed. Among these changes, several groups, including sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), appeared to correlate with corrosion levels, and more specifically, SRB abundance levels were lower on lactonase-treated steel coupons. We surmise that these minute community changes may have large impacts on corrosion rates. Overall, these results highlight the potential use of stable quorum quenching lactonases as an eco-friendly antifouling coating additive.

IMPORTANCE

Biocorrosion severely affects the maritime transportation industry by destroying port infrastructure and increasing fuel usage and the time and cost required to maintain transport vessels. Current solutions are partly satisfactory, and the antifouling coating still largely depends on biocide-containing products that are harmful to the environment. The importance of microbial signaling in biofouling and biocorrosion is not elucidated. We here take advantage of a highly stable lactonase that can interfere with N-acyl homoserine lactone-based quorum sensing and remain active in a coating base. The observed results show that an enzyme-containing coating can reduce biocorrosion over 21 months in the field. It also reveals subtle changes in the abundance of surface microbes, including sulfate-reducing bacteria. This work may contribute to pave the way for strategies pertaining to surface microbiome changes to reduce biocorrosion.
Watershed-scale provenance heterogeneity within Eocene nonmarine basin fill: Southern Greater Green River Basin, western USA
Authors: Parrish Ethan C. , Carroll Alan R. , Gregorich Holly , Smith M. Elliot , Schwaderer Colby
Published: September 2023

Weathering, erosion, and sediment transport in modern landscapes may be investigated via direct observation of attributes such as elevation, relief, bedrock lithology, climate, drainage organization, watershed extent, and others. Studies of ancient landscape evolution lack this synoptic perspective, however, and instead must rely more heavily on downstream records of fluvial deposits. Provenance analysis based on detrital grain ages has greatly enhanced the utility of such records but has often focused broadly on regional to continental scales. This approach may overlook important details of localized watersheds, which could lead to significant misinterpretation of past sediment dispersal patterns. The present study, therefore, explores the impact of geographic and stratigraphic sampling density on detrital zircon provenance, based on a high-density investigation of U-Pb ages (N = 23, n = 4905) obtained from a narrow chronostratigraphic range (∼2 m.y.) within a relatively small (∼25,000 km2) area of an Eocene nonmarine sedimentary basin. Based on multi-dimensional scaling and DZmix modeling, these strata comprise seven distinct, approximately isochronous detrital zircon (DZ) chronofacies, defined as “. . . a group of sedimentary rocks that contains a speciﬁed suite of detrital zircon age populations” (Lawton et al., 2010). Four of these DZ chronofacies reflect long-distance transport from extrabasinal source areas. DZ chronofacies CO-1 and CO-2 are interpreted to derive from a primary sediment source in central Colorado (USA), corroborating previously proposed long-distance sediment transport via the Aspen paleoriver. DZ chronofacies ID-1 and ID-2 are interpreted to have been delivered to the basin from central Idaho by the Idaho paleoriver. In contrast, DZ chronofacies UT-1 and UT-2 are interpreted to reflect local drainage from the Uinta Uplift south of the basin, and DZ chronofacies WY-1 is interpreted to have been sourced from the Rawlins, Granite, and Sierra Madre uplifts to the north and east via the Toya Puki paleoriver. Lateral transitions between different DZ chronofacies in some cases occur over distances as little as 5 km, implying that depositional systems carrying sand from disparate watersheds directly competed to fill available basin accommodation. The results of this study reveal a high degree of complexity of Eocene rivers that converged on the Greater Green River Basin, indicating that their deposits contain a rich record of fine-scale landscape evolution across much of the Laramide foreland and Cordilleran orogen. These results illustrate the need for adequate sample density when assessing basin-scale provenance and offer a cautionary consideration for researchers using sandstone (and incorporated authigenic cement) in other nonmarine basins as the basis for paleoaltimetry or detrital thermochronology studies.
Supplemental Material: Oceanic serpentinites: A potentially critical reservoir for deep nitrogen recycling
Authors: Li Kan , al. et
Published: September 2023

Detailed sample descriptions (S1), description of high-temperature and low-temperature serpentinization (S2), analytical methods (S3), two-component mixing model (S4), estimation of nitrogen input flux of the serpentinized slab mantle (S5), Figure S1 (compilation of nitrogen concentration data of altered oceanic crust), Figure S2 (two-component mixing model), and Figure S3 (temperature and pressure conditions of meta-basalts, meta-gabbros and meta-serpentinites).  