bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MetaGate: Interactive Analysis of High-Dimensional Cytometry Data with Meta Data Integration
Authors: Ask Eivind Heggernes , Tschan-Plessl Astrid , Hoel Hanna Julie , Kolstad Arne , Holte Harald , Malmberg Karl-Johan
Published: November 2023

Flow cytometry is a powerful technology for high-throughput protein quantification at the single-cell level, widely used in basic research and routine clinical diagnostics. Traditionally, data analysis is carried out using manual gating, in which cut-offs are defined manually for each marker. Recent technical advances, including the introduction of mass cytometry, have increased the number of proteins that can be simultaneously assessed in each cell. To tackle the resulting escalation in data complexity, numerous new analysis algorithms have been developed. However, many of these show limitations in terms of providing statistical testing, data sharing, cross-experiment comparability integration with clinical data. We developed MetaGate as a platform for interactive statistical analysis and visualization of manually gated high-dimensional cytometry data with integration of clinical meta data. MetaGate allows manual gating to take place in traditional cytometry analysis software, while providing a combinatorial gating system for simple and transparent definition of biologically relevant cell populations. We demonstrate the utility of MetaGate through a comprehensive analysis of peripheral blood immune cells from 28 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) along with 17 age- and sex-matched healthy controls using two mass cytometry panels made of a total of 55 phenotypic markers. In a two-step process, raw data from 143 FCS files is first condensed through a data reduction algorithm and combined with information from manual gates, user-defined cellular populations and clinical meta data. This results in one single small project file containing all relevant information to allow rapid statistical calculation and visualization of any desired comparison, including box plots, heatmaps and volcano plots. Our detailed characterization of the peripheral blood immune cell repertoire in patients with DLBCL corroborate previous reports showing expansion of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, as well as an inverse correlation between NK cell numbers and disease progression.
Molecular evaluation ofConogethes punctiferalis(Guenée, 1854): Species status and intraspecific divergence
Authors: An Jin , Yao Ya-Lin , Gao Ping , Xiu Minghua , Shi Cheng-Min
Published: November 2023

Species are not only the fundamental units of taxonomy but also the basic units of pest management. Insects ofConogethesare important agricultural and forestry pests. However, species boundaries withinConogethesoften appear obscure. In the present study, we re-evaluated the species status ofConogethesby applying three species delimitation approaches based on the mitochondrial DNA sequences, with particular emphasis on the yellow peach mothC. punctiferalis(Guenée, 1854). We first optimized species delimitation and inter-species genetic divergence threshold using a DNA barcoding dataset. Our results revealed that several nominal species ofConogethesspecies harbored deeply diverged mitochondrial lineages which were recognized as independent species by the species delimitation methods. The p-distance between the delimited putative species ranged from 0.0159 to 0.1321 with a mean of 0.0841. Then we refined the species status ofC. punctiferalisusing the smallest interspecific distance threshold based on a geographically comprehensive population-scale dataset. This procedure narrowed the species concept ofC. punctiferalisto a genetically coherent unit. Further investigation of its intraspecific divergence in the geographic context revealed that the refinedC. punctiferaliswas still widely distributed with the same or highly similar mitochondrial haplotypes occurring across South and East Asia.
Diverse and flexible behavioral strategies arise in recurrent neural networks trained on multisensory decision making
Authors: Wierda Thomas , Dora Shirin , Pennartz Cyriel M. A. , Mejias Jorge F.
Published: November 2023

Behavioral variability across individuals leads to substantial performance differences during cognitive tasks, although its neuronal origin and mechanisms remain elusive. Here we use recurrent neural networks trained on a multisensory decision-making task to investigate inter-subject behavioral variability. By uniquely characterizing each network with a random synaptic-weights initialization, we observed a large variability in the level of accuracy, bias and decision speed across these networks, mimicking experimental observations in mice. Performance was generally improved when networks integrated multiple sensory modalities. Additionally, individual neurons developed modality-, choice- or mixed-selectivity, these preferences were different for excitatory and inhibitory neurons, and the concrete composition of each network reflected its preferred behavioral strategy: fast networks contained more choice- and mixed-selective units, while accurate networks had relatively less choice-selective units. External modulatory signals shifted the preferred behavioral strategies of networks, suggesting an explanation for the recently observed within-session strategy alternations in mice.
Nicotine in adolescence freezes dopamine circuits in an immature state
Authors: Reynolds Lauren M. , Gulmez Aylin , Fayad Sophie L. , Campos Renan Costa , Rigoni Daiana , Nguyen Claire , Borgne Tinaïg Le , Topilko Thomas , Rajot Domitille , Franco Clara , Marti Fabio , Heck Nicolas , Mourot Alexandre , Renier Nicolas , Barik Jacques , Faure Philippe
Published: November 2023

Nicotine use during adolescence is largely associated with negative long-term outcomes, including addiction to nicotine in adulthood. How nicotine acts on developing neurocircuitry in adolescence remains largely unknown, but may hold the key for informing more effective intervention efforts. We found transient nicotine exposure in early adolescence was sufficient for adult mice to show a marked vulnerability to nicotine. Brain-wide activity mapping showed that these mice had an enhanced response to an acute nicotine injection and widespread disruption of functional connectivity in comparison to controls, particularly within dopaminergic networks. Neurophysiological analysis further revealed that their ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons show an immature basal plasticity signature and an adolescent-like imbalance in nicotine-induced activity between nucleus accumbens (NAc) and amygdala (AMG)-projecting pathways, known to respectively produce the reinforcing and anxiogenic effects of nicotine. The anxiogenic effect of nicotine is abolished in adult mice treated with nicotine in adolescence, strongly resembling the normal phenotype of young mice. Together these results suggest that nicotine exposure in adolescence somehow “froze” both their neural circuit and behavioral reaction to nicotine, carrying an adolescent-like vulnerability to the drug into adulthood. Finally, we are able to “thaw” the behavioral response to acute nicotine in adolescent-exposed mice by chemogenetically resetting the balance between the underlying NAc- and AMG-projecting dopamine circuits, restoring a mature anxiety-like response to acute nicotine. Together, our results highlight how diverse dopamine pathways can be impacted by experience in adolescence, and further suggest that the perseverance of a developmental imbalance between dopamine pathways may alter vulnerability profiles for later dopamine-dependent psychopathologies.
RNA isoform expression landscape of the human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) generated from long read sequencing
Authors: Arendt-Tranholm Asta , Mwirigi Juliet M. , Price Theodore J.
Published: November 2023

Splicing is a post-transcriptional RNA processing mechanism that enhances genomic complexity by creating multiple isoforms from the same gene. Diversity in splicing in the mammalian nervous system is associated with neuronal development, synaptic function and plasticity, and is also associated with diseases of the nervous system ranging from neurodegeneration to chronic pain. We aimed to characterize the isoforms expressed in the human peripheral nervous system, with the goal of creating a resource to identify novel isoforms of functionally relevant genes associated with somatosensation and nociception. We used long read sequencing (LRS) to document isoform expression in the human dorsal root ganglia (hDRG) from 3 organ donors. Isoforms were validatedin silicoby confirming expression in hDRG short read sequencing (SRS) data from 3 independent organ donors. 19,547 isoforms of protein-coding genes were detected using LRS and validated with SRS and strict expression cutoffs. We identified 763 isoforms with at least one previously undescribed splice-junction. Previously unannotated isoforms of multiple pain-associated genes, includingASIC3,MRGPRX1andHNRNPKwere identified. In the novel isoforms ofASIC3, a region comprising ∼35% of the 5’UTR was excised. In contrast, a novel splice-junction was utilized in isoforms ofMRGPRX1to include an additional exon upstream of the start-codon, consequently adding a region to the 5’UTR. Novel isoforms ofHNRNPKwere identified which utilized previously unannotated splice-sites to both excise exon 14 and include a sequence in the 5’ end of exon 13. The insertion and deletion in the coding region was predicted to excise a serine-phosphorylation site favored by cdc2, and replace it with a tyrosine-phosphorylation site potentially phosphorylated by SRC. We also independently confirm a recently reported DRG-specific splicing event in WNK1 that gives insight into how painless peripheral neuropathy occurs when this gene is mutated. Our findings give a clear overview of mRNA isoform diversity in the hDRG obtained using LRS. Using this work as a foundation, an important next step will be to use LRS on hDRG tissues recovered from people with a history of chronic pain. This should enable identification of new drug targets and a better understanding of chronic pain that may involve aberrant splicing events.
Deep Learning-Based Prediction Model of Heart Failure with Improved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Zhang Yan , Pan Yanbing , Zhang Yanzi , Wang Yongle , Jia Qiuting , Kong Yihui
Published: November 2023

Background

This study developed a deep learning model to predict improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with heart failure.

Methods

An internal database comprising clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic features obtained from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University was used to construct and train the deep learning model.

Results

A total of 422 cases were included in this study. 122 (28.9%) were patients with HFimpEF, 300 (71.0%) were patients with HFrEF. Multivariable analyses showed that smaller baseline left atrial anterior-posterior diameter (LAD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), higher baseline interventricular septal thickness at diastole (IVSD) and levels of prealbumin were the independent clinical predictors of LVEF improvement. Deep learning model demonstrated an overall predict accuracy of 96% in the validation set and 89% in the training set.

Conclusions

Independent predictors of LVEF improvement were smaller baseline LVEDD, LAD, higher baseline IVSD and baseline levels of prealbumin. Our deep learning model had shown acceptable performance in predicting improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with heart failure.

Registration

URL:https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier:NCT06070506.
Cross-modal interactions and movement-related tactile gating: the role of vision
Authors: Casado-Palacios Maria , Tonelli Alessia , Campus Claudio , Gori Monica
Published: November 2023

When engaging with the environment, multisensory cues interact and are integrated to create a coherent representation of the world around us, process that has been suggested to be affected by the lack of visual feedback in blind individuals. In addition, the presence of voluntary movement seems to be responsible for suppressing somatosensory information that is processed by the cortex, which can lead to a worse encoding of tactile information. In this work, we aim to explore how multisensory processing can be affected by active movements and the role of vision in this process. To this end, we measure the precision of 18 sighted controls and 18 blind individuals in a velocity discrimination task. The participants were instructed to detect the stimulus that contained the faster speed, between a sequence of two, in both passive and active touch conditions. The sensory stimulation could be either just tactile or audio-tactile, where a non-informative sound occurred simultaneously with the tactile stimulation. The measure of precision was obtained by computing the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) of each participant. The results show worse precision in the bimodal audio-tactile sensory stimulation in the active condition for the sighted group but not for the blind one. In the sighted group, the noise of the tactile feedback might make them more vulnerable to the noisy interference of the audio modality; however, this is not the case for the blind one, which seems to be only affected by the movement itself. Our work should be considered when developing next-generation haptic devices; moreover, it supports the need for action in the blind population.
Sleep-state dependent cerebellar processing in adult mice
Authors: Canto Cathrin B. , Bauer Staf , Hoogland Tycho M. , Hoedemaker Hugo H. , Geelen Cynthia , Loyola Sebastian , Miaja Pablo , De Zeeuw Chris I.
Published: November 2023

The cerebellum is important for motor performance and adaptation as well as cognition. Sleep is essential for optimizing of all these functions, but it remains to be elucidated how sleep affects cerebellar processing. It has been suggested that sleep periods with muscle twitches entrain the cerebellum with a copy of motor commands and subsequent sensory feedback signals, to develop predictive coding of movements. If this hypothesis is correct, one expects phasic correlations between the muscle twitches and specific features of the electro-encephalography (EEG) recordings in the cerebellum during various sleep stages as well as the climbing fiber activity in the cerebellar cortex, the modulation of which is relayed from the cerebral cortex via mesodiencephalic junction and inferior olive.

Here we provide evidence for coherent correlations between cerebellar and cerebral cortical sleep spindles, twitches as well as patterns of climbing fiber activity. Our data are compatible with the novel concept that muscle twitches evoke complex spike synchronicity during NREM, which in turn affects cerebellar spindle activity and cerebellar-cortical information flow, thereby entraining an internal forward model.
Preterm formula, fortified or unfortified human milk for very preterm infants, the PREMFOOD study, a parallel randomised feasibility trial
Authors: Mills Luke , Chappell Karyn E , Emsley Robby , Alavi Afshin , Andrzejewska Izabela , Santhakumaran Shalini , Nicholl Richard , Chang John , Uthaya Sabita , Modi Neena
Published: November 2023

Objective

Uncertainty exists regarding optimal supplemental diet for very preterm infants if mother’s own milk (MM) is insufficient. We evaluated feasibility for a randomised controlled trial (RCT) powered to detect important differences in health outcomes.

Methods

In this open, parallel, feasibility trial, we randomised infants 25+0-31+6 weeks gestation by opt-out consent, to one of three diets: unfortified human milk (UHM) (unfortified MM and/or unfortified pasteurised human donor milk (DM) supplement; fortified human milk (FHM) (fortified MM and/or fortified DM supplement), and unfortified MM and/or preterm formula (PTF) supplement from birth to 35+0 weeks post menstrual age. Feasibility outcomes included opt-outs, adherence rates, and slow growth safety criteria. We also obtained anthropometry, and magnetic resonance imaging body composition data at term and term plus 6 weeks (opt-in consent).

Results

35 infants were randomised to UHM, 34 to FHM, and 34 to PTF groups, of which 21, 19, and 24 infants completed imaging at term. Study entry opt-out rate was only 38%, while 6% of parents subsequently withdrew from feeding intervention. Two infants met predefined slow weight gain thresholds. There were no significant between-group differences in total adipose tissue volume at term (mean (sd): UHM: 0.870L (0.35L); FHM: 0.889L (0.31L); PTF: 0.809L (0.25L), p=0.66), nor in any other body composition measure or anthropometry at either timepoint.

Conclusions

Randomisation to UHM, FHM, and PTF feeding interventions by opt-out consent was acceptable to parents and clinical teams, associated with safe growth profiles and no significant differences in body composition. Our data provide justification to proceed to a larger RCT.
Legionella pneumophilaexploits the endo-lysosomal network for phagosome biogenesis by co-opting SUMOylated Rab7
Authors: Li Chuang , Fu Jiaqi , Shao Shuai , Luo Zhao-Qing
Published: November 2023

L. pneumophilastrains harboring wild-typerpsLsuch as Lp02rpsLWT cannot replicate in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) due to induction of extensive lysosome damage and apoptosis. The mechanism of this unique infection-induced cell death remains unknown. Using a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening, we identifiedHmg20aandNol9as host factors important for restricting strain Lp02rpsLWT in BMDMs. Depletion ofHmg20aprotects macrophages from infection-induced lysosomal damage and apoptosis, allowing productive bacterial replication. The restriction imposed byHmg20awas mediated by repressing the expression of several endo-lysosomal proteins, including the small GTPase Rab7. We found that SUMOylated Rab7 is recruited to the bacterial phagosome via SulF, a Dot/Icm effector that harbors a SUMO-interacting motif (SIM). Moreover, overexpression of Rab7 rescues intracellular growth of strain Lp02rpsLWT in BMDMs. Our results establish thatL. pneumophilaexploits the lysosomal network for the biogenesis of its phagosome in BMDMs.
Protocols to enable fluorescence microscopy of microbial interactions on living maize silks (style tissue) that balance the requirements for containment, biological relevance, viability, and experimental accessibility
Authors: Thompson M.E.H , Raizada M.N.
Published: November 2023

There is interest in studying microbes that colonize maize silks (style tissue, critical for reproduction) including the fungal pathogenFusarium graminearum(Fg) and its interactions with the microbiome and biocontrol agents.In plantaimaging of these interactions on living silks using confocal fluorescence microscopy would provide key insights. However, newly discovered microbes have unknown effects of on human health, and there are regulatory requirements to prevent the release of fluorescently-tagged microbes into the environment.

Therefore, the microbe infection, colonization, and interaction stages on silks prior to microscopy must be contained. At the same time, silk viability must be maintained and experiments conducted that are biologically relevant (e.g. silks should remain attached to the cob), yet the silk tissue must be accessible to the researcher (i.e. not within husk leaves) and allow for multiple replicates. Here we present methods that meet these five contrasting criteria. We tested these methods usingFgand four silk-derived bacterial endophytes. The endophytes were previously known to have anti-Fgactivityin vitro, butin plantaobservations were lacking. In Method 1, a portion of the tip of a cob was dissected, and silks remained attached to the cob in a Petri dish. The cob was placed on a water agar disc to maintain hydration. DsRed-tagged bacteria and GFP-taggedFgwere inoculated onto the silks and incubated, allowing the two microbes to grow towards one another before staining with propidium iodide for confocal microscopy. A variation of the protocol was presented in Method 2, where detached silk segments were placed directly on water agar where they were inoculated with bacteria andFgto promote dense colonization, and to allow for many replicates and interventions such as silk wounding. The bacterial endophytes were successfully observed colonizingFghyphae, silk trichomes, and entering silks via cut ends and wounds. These protocols can be used to study other silk-associated microbes including several globally important fungal pathogens that enter maize grain through silks.
Passive stomatal closure under extreme drought in an angiosperm species
Authors: McAdam Scott A. M. , Manandhar Anju , Kane Cade N. , Mercado-Reyes Joel A.
Published: November 2023

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA), synthesized as leaf turgor declines, plays a major role in closing stomata in species from this lineage, but recent reports of some angiosperms having a peaking-type ABA dynamic in which under extreme drought ABA levels decline to pre-stressed levels raises the possibility that passive stomatal closure by leaf water status alone can occur in species from this lineage. To test this hypothesis, we conducted instantaneous rehydration experiments in the peaking-type speciesUmbellularia californicathrough a long-term drought in which ABA levels declined to pre-stress levels yet stomata remain closed. We found that when ABA levels were lowest during extreme drought stomata ofU. californicawere passively closed by leaf water status alone, with stomata reopening rapidly to maximum rates of gas exchange on instantaneous rehydration. This contrasts with leaves early in drought in which ABA levels are highest, where we found stomata do not reopen on instantaneous rehydration. The transition from ABA driven stomatal closure to passively driven stomatal closure as drought progresses in this species occurs at very low water potentials facilitated by highly embolism resistant xylem. These results have important implications for understanding stomatal control during drought in angiosperms.
Comprehending Atopic Risk Elements (CARE): An observational study to determine lifestyle, biophysical and environmental risk factors in the development of early-onset pediatric atopic dermatitis
Authors: Brandwein Michael , Gamrasni Keren , Landau Tamar , Levin Alex , Smolkin Tatiana , Bauer-Rusek Sofia
Published: November 2023

Background

Atopic dermatitis and food allergies affect a growing swath of the population and there is consensus that their development is determined by a confluence of inherent and environmental factors. Of the numerous influences identified, a significant proportion of them are readily accessible from birth, thereby potentially opening a path for risk stratification from birth. The CARE study aims to harness this knowledge, coupled with advances in machine learning predictive modeling, to effectively determine whether a neonate is at-risk for developing atopic dermatitis or food allergies from birth.

Methods & Design

The CARE study is a prospective observational study of neonates recruited 1-5 days following birth from the neonatal ward of participating medical centers. Upon recruitment, trans-epidermal water loss measurements will be taken from neonates and their biological parents, and a survey will be administered to parents to record various environmental, historic and lifestyle elements that may contribute to or protect against the development of atopic dermatitis and food allergy. Follow-up questionnaires will be administered at ages 6, 12 and 24 months. Atopic dermatitis outcome measures, primarily a modified version of the UK Working Party diagnostic criteria for atopic eczema, will be assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months and food allergy outcome measures will be assessed at 12 and 24 months of age.

Discussion

The data generated from the CARE trial will serve to validate the notion that easily-accessible measures of risk can enable risk stratification from birth for infants at-risk of developing atopic dermatitis and food allergies.

Trial Registration

www.clinicaltrial.govNCT04325451, prospectively registered on March 27, 2020
Lessons and challenges of China's state‐led and party‐dominated governance model
Authors: Yang Yuqing
Published: November 2023

The case of China gets at one of the core questions that the Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) poses—can we necessarily assume that democratic accountability makes for better governance performance? China has steadily improved in public goods and state capacity according to the BGI data from 2000 and 2019, especially in terms of economic public goods and fiscal capacity due to its rapid GDP growth under an investment‐led growth model. However, China's democratic accountability has worsened, presenting an uncommon case of improved governance performance. Now China's economy stands at a crossroads amid the precedent‐breaking leadership of Xi Jinping. Will China disprove the ‘autocratic fallacy,’ whereby a dominant state setting priorities and making decisions for a society is sufficient? To what extent can China improve public goods provision and expand state capacity while limiting voice processes? This article examines key policies and strategies of China's governance performance over the past two decades. It also identifies future challenges underlying China's party‐dominated and whole‐of‐nation approach to governance and its investment‐led and export‐oriented development model.
Conformal sphincteric resection for ultra‐low rectal cancer located below the dentate line: A pilot report
Authors: Zhou Yi‐Ming , Zang Yi‐Wen , Li Zhen‐Yang , Zhou Min‐Wei , Wang Zi‐Hao , Chen Zong‐You , Ding Jian‐Hua , Xiang Jian‐Bin
Published: November 2023

Aim

Sphincter‐sparing surgery can be achieved in most cases of low rectal cancer with the development of intersphincteric resection. However, abdominoperineal resection is still inevitable for patients with tumours located below the dentate line. To address this, we have developed a procedure called conformal sphincteric resection (CSR) in which the corresponding part of the subcutaneous portion of the external anal sphincter and the perianal skin on the tumour side is removed to achieve a safe distal resection margin and lateral resection margin while the dentate line and the internal anal sphincter on the tumour‐free side are preserved as much as possible, to achieve sphincter preservation without compromising oncological safety and functional acceptability, and to render tumour location no longer a contraindication for sphincter‐sparing surgery. This is the first study to describe the concept, indication and surgical procedure of CSR and to report its preliminary surgical, oncological and functional results.

Methods

This is a retrospective, single‐centre, single‐arm pilot study conducted at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University. Demographic, clinicopathological, oncological and functional follow‐up data were collected from 20 consecutive patients with rectal tumours located below the dentate line who underwent laparoscopic CSR by the same surgical team from June 2018 to March 2022.

Results

The mean distance of the tumour's lower edge from the anal verge was 13.1 ± 6.0 mm. The mean distal resection margin was 10.6 ± 4.3 mm. All circumferential resection margins were negative. There were no instances of perioperative mortality. The complication rate was 25% but all were Clavien−Dindo Grade I. Among the 20 cases, 17 were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, one with squamous cell carcinoma and two with adenoma featuring high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia. Pathological TNM staging revealed two, seven, five, five and one case(s) in Stages 0, I, II, III and IV, respectively. The median follow‐up period was 20 months (interquartile range 22 months), with no withdrawals. The overall and disease‐free survival rates were both 95%. The mean Wexner incontinence score and low anterior resection syndrome score recorded 18 months following diverting ileostomy closure were 6.3 ± 3.8 and 27.3 ± 3.6, respectively.

Conclusions

This study has proposed the CSR procedure for the first time, which is a technically feasible, oncologically safe and functionally acceptable procedure for carefully selected patients with rectal tumours located below the dentate line.
Testing the effects of kinship, reciprocity and dominance on prosocial food provisioning in azure‐winged magpies (Cyanopica cyana), carrion crows (Corvus corone) and common ravens (C. corax)
Authors: Horn Lisa , Bugnyar Thomas , Massen Jorg J. M.
Published: November 2023

Prosocial behaviour (i.e. benefitting others without receiving a direct gain) has long been perceived as an evolutionary puzzle but is nevertheless relatively common among non‐human animals. Prosocial food provisioning has recently been documented in several large‐brained bird species, such as corvids and parrots. Yet, to date, little is known about which factors influence food provisioning in these species. Here, we investigated whether kinship, reciprocity and dominance affected food provisioning in the group service paradigm in three corvid species, namely azure‐winged magpies (Cyanopica cyana), carrion crows (Corvus corone) and common ravens (C. corax). In this paradigm, the subjects are tested in their regular social groups and can choose to make food available to their group members by landing on a simple seesaw apparatus. We found no evidence for an effect of kinship or reciprocity on food provisioning. Contrary to our predictions, the subjects' dominance was not positively correlated with their rate of food provisioning in any species. Among ravens, dominance was instead positively correlated with receiving food. We conclude that preferential provisioning for kin and direct reciprocity might have been impeded by the provider's inability to control who receives the food in the group service paradigm, but that our findings provide another piece of evidence that dominance is a highly important factor in the social interactions of common ravens.
Expression analysis of genes important for maintaining skin function in a senescence‐accelerated mouse prone model
Authors: Shinozaki Yui , Ikarashi Nobutomo , Tabata Keito , Miyazawa Ayuka , Kon Risako , Sakai Hiroyasu , Hosoe Tomoo
Published: November 2023

Aim

Senescence‐accelerated mouse prone (SAMP) mice can reproduce the same conditions as normal aging mice in a short period. Although SAMP mice have been widely used in aging research, research on skin function in SAMP mice is lacking. In this study, to investigate the skin function of SAMP mice, we analyzed the expression of genes important for maintaining skin function.

Methods

Eight‐month‐old SAMP mice and senescence‐accelerated mouse resistant (SAMR) mice with normal aging were used. The expression levels of various functional genes in the skin were analyzed.

Results

The dermal water content of SAMP mice was significantly lower than that of SAMR mice, indicating dry skin. The mRNA expression levels of elastin (Ela), filaggrin (Flg), loricrin (Lor), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (Col1a1) and Col1a2 in the skin of SAMP mice were all significantly decreased compared with those of SAMR mice. Hyaluronan‐degrading enzyme (Hyal1) expression levels in SAMP mice were similar to those in SAMR mice, but hyaluronan synthase (Has2) levels were significantly decreased. In addition, the expression level of aquaporin‐3 in the skin of SAMP mice was significantly decreased at both the mRNA and protein levels.

Conclusions

In the skin of SAMP mice, the expression levels of various skin function‐regulating genes were decreased, and this phenomenon might cause skin dryness. The SAMP mouse could be a tool for analyzing skin aging. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 951–957.
Evidence synthesis on coercion in mental health: An umbrella review
Authors: Aragonés‐Calleja Miriam , Sánchez‐Martínez Vanessa
Published: November 2023

Coercion in mental healthcare is ubiquitous and affects the physical health, recovery and psychological and emotional well‐being of those who experience it. Numerous studies have explored different issues related to coercion, and the present umbrella review aims to gather, evaluate and synthesise the evidence found across systematic reviews. The protocol, registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020196713), included 46 systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of primary studies whose main theme was coercion and which were obtained from databases (Medline/PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL) and repositories of systematic reviews following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. All the reviews were subjected to independent assessment of quality and risk of bias and were grouped in two categories: (1) evidence on specific coercive measures (including Community Treatment Orders, forced treatment, involuntary admissions, seclusion and restriction and informal coercion), taking into account their prevalence, related factors, effectiveness, harmful effects and alternatives to reduce their use; and (2) experiences, perceptions and attitudes concerning coercion of professionals, mental health service users and their caregivers or relatives. This umbrella review can be useful to professionals and users in addressing the wide variety of aspects encompassed by coercion and the implications for professionals' daily clinical practice in mental health units. This research received funding from two competitive calls.
Supply chain coordination with financial constraints considering delivery time and cross‐channel spillover effect
Authors: Xu Xiaoping , Yang Yuanyuan , Chen Fang , Cheng T. C. Edwin , Qin Hao
Published: November 2023

A manufacturer selling its products via an offline channel and a capital‐constrained platform is considered in our work. The agency or reseller mode is operated by the platform. Affected by the delivery time, the offline demand is affected by the online channel, which is called the cross‐channel spillover effect (CCSE). Building game models for analysis, we derive the following major results: First, how the commission rate affects the optimal production quantity depends on CCSE. CCSE has no impact on (decreases) the platform's optimal delivery time in the agency (reseller) mode. Besides, the platform's optimal profit decreases with a positive CCSE but increases with a negative CCSE in the agency mode. But in the reseller mode, it always increases with CCSE. Second, the financial constraint decreases the optimal production quantity and extends the optimal delivery time. Third, the agency mode always leads to a larger market share and longer delivery time than the reseller mode. The manufacturer should choose the reseller mode (agency mode) under a high (low) slotting fee. Last, the manufacturer and platform cannot realize coordination by using only the agency or reseller mode. However, considering the manufacturer‐led Stackelberg game, the reseller mode can do so, while the agency mode cannot. Further, considering a retailer and a third party under the omnichannel strategy, the reseller mode can always coordinate them, and the agency mode can only do so at a low interest rate of the loan.
RETRACTED: Prevalence of surgical site wound infection after spine surgery in nasal colonization of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Imam Mohamed S. , Abdel‐Sattar Randa M. , Alqarni Faisal , Aljumayi Saad Yousef S. , Altukhais Ibrahim , Altukhays Abdullah Saad , Abdelrahim Mohamed E. A.
Published: November 2023

The purpose of the meta‐analysis was to evaluate and compare the prevalence of surgical site infection (SSI) after spine surgery (SS) in nasal colonization of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The results of this meta‐analysis were analysed, and the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using dichotomous or contentious random‐ or fixed‐effect models. For the current meta‐analysis, 14 examinations spanning from 2014 to 2022 were included, encompassing 18 410 people who were tested for nasal colonization after SS. MRSA‐positive had a significantly higher SSI (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.48–5.37, p < 0.001) compared with MRSA‐negative in SS subjects. However, no significant difference was found between methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus aureus negative (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.32–2.79, p = 0.91), and Staphylococcus aureus positive and negative (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.26–17.41, p = 0.48) in SS subjects. The examined data revealed that MRSA colonization had a significant effect on SSI; however, methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus aureus had no significant effect on SSI in SS subjects. However, given that some comparisons included a small number of chosen studies, attention should be given to their values.
Circulating metabolites and risk of incident dementia: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Huang Shu‐Yi , Zhang Ya‐Ru , Yang Liu , Li Yu‐Zhu , Wu Bang‐Sheng , Chen Shi‐Dong , Feng Jian‐Feng , Dong Qiang , Cheng Wei , Yu Jin‐Tai
Published: November 2023

Identifying circulating metabolites associated with dementia, cognition, and brain volume may improve the understanding of dementia pathogenesis and provide novel insights for preventive and therapeutic interventions. This cohort study included a total of 87 885 participants (median follow‐up of 9.1 years, 54% female) without dementia at baseline from the UK Biobank. A total of 249 plasma metabolites were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at baseline. Cox proportional regression was used to examine the associations of each metabolite with incident dementia (cases = 1134), Alzheimer's disease (AD; cases = 488), and vascular dementia (VD; cases = 257) during follow‐up. Dementia‐associated metabolites were further analyzed for association with cognitive deficits (N = 87 885) and brain volume (N = 7756) using logistic regression and linear regression. We identified 26 metabolites associated with incident dementia, of which 6 were associated with incident AD and 5 were associated with incident VD. These 26 dementia‐related metabolites were subfractions of intermediate‐density lipoprotein, large low‐density lipoprotein (L‐LDL), small high‐density lipoprotein (S‐HDL), very‐low‐density lipoprotein, fatty acids, ketone bodies, citrate, glucose, and valine. Among them, the cholesterol percentage in L‐LDL (L‐LDL‐C%) was associated with lower risk of AD (HR [95% CI] = 0.92 [0.87–0.97], p = 0.002), higher brain cortical (β = 0.047, p = 3.91 × 10−6), and hippocampal (β = 0.043, p = 1.93 × 10−4) volume. Cholesteryl ester–to–total lipid ratio in L‐LDL (L‐LDL‐CE%) was associated with lower risk of AD (HR [95% CI] = 0.93 [0.90–0.96], p = 1.48 × 10−4), cognitive deficits (odds ratio = 0.98, p = 0.009), and higher hippocampal volume (β = 0.027, p = 0.009). Cholesteryl esters in S‐HDL (S‐HDL‐CE) were associated with lower risk of VD (HR [95% CI] = 0.81 [0.71–0.93], p = 0.002), but not AD. Taken together, circulating levels of L‐LDL‐CE% and L‐LDL‐C% were robustly associated with risk of AD and AD phenotypes, but not with VD. S‐HDL‐CE was associated with lower risk of VD, but not with AD or AD phenotypes. These metabolites may play a role in the advancement of future intervention trials. Additional research is necessary to gain a complete comprehension of the molecular mechanisms behind these associations.
Qual é a Sua Massa Crítica? Uma Abordagem Empírica Para Cálculo da Massa Crítica em Plataformas Digitais
Authors: Nicolini de Morais João Carlos , De Castro Lima Leonardo , Silva Takahashi Gabriel
Published: November 2023

O ponto de massa crítica é um indicador crucial para plataformas digitais, pois representa um estágio a partir do qual o crescimento é sustentável. Identificar esse ponto é importante para as decisões estratégicas das empresas, como a entrada em novos mercados ou investimentos futuros. Por esses motivos, é também um conceito importante para a avaliação do ambiente competitivo, sendo relevante para a política concorrencial. Este artigo busca detalhar esse conceito, apresentando uma metodologia que permite a identificação aproximada da massa crítica. A metodologia é aplicada com dados de usuários do jogo Counter-Strike Global Offensive e no histórico da participação de usuários da plataforma Windows 7. Utilizando informações públicas sobre o jogo e o Windows 7, é possível verificar a consistência do ponto identificado.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: plataformas digitais; massa crítica; defesa da concorrência
Paediatric subepidermal calcified nodule of the ear
Authors: Lloyd Ashley , Lloyd Shannon , Reilly Brian K
Published: November 2023

Subepidermal calcified nodules are benign entities that can be seen in the head and neck region and are part of a family of calcifying disorders known as calcinosis cutis, in which calcium is deposited in subcutaneous tissue. We describe a middle aged childhood boy with a rapidly enlarging ear mass of unknown aetiology who presents for otolaryngologic evaluation. In this case, surgical excision provided both definitive diagnosis and sufficient treatment. Although uncommon, it is important to recognise these lesions in order to appropriately counsel patients on management options and rule out underlying disorders that may be responsible for the pathology.
New species and new record of Candolleomyces (Psathyrellaceae) from India
Authors: Nayana P.K. , Pradeep C.K.
Published: November 2023

Three species of Candolleomyces D. Wächt. & A. Melzer (Agaricomycetes, Psathyrellaceae) were identified in the course of our studies to characterize the psathyrelloid fungi of Kerala state, India. Among these, two species, e.g., Candolleomyces brunneopileatus and Candolleomyces niveofloccosus, are new to science, while Candolleomyces asiaticus represents a new Indian record. Detailed descriptions, photographs, and comparison of these species are provided based on morphology and molecular data. A phylogenetic reconstruction based on maximum likelihood analyses of a combined nrITS and nrLSU sequence is also provided.
An Overview of 3GPP Standardization for Extended Reality (XR) in 5G and Beyond
Authors: Luo Qinpei , Zhang Hongliang , Xu Minrui , Di Boya , Chen Anthony , Mao Shiwen , Niyato Dusit , Han Zhu
Published: November 2023

In recent years, aiming to enhance and extend user experiences beyond the real world, Extended Reality (XR) has emerged to become a new paradigm that enables a plethora of applications [1], e.g., online gaming, online conferencing, social media, etc. XR refers to the human-machine interactions that combine real and virtual environments with the support of computing/communications technologies and wearable devices. The XR content is generated by providers or other users, including audio, video and other metadata. In general, the generated XR content is transmitted to XR devices and rendered into XR scenes (i.e., to generate an image from a 2D or 3D model by means of a computer program), where users can experience a hybrid experience of the real and virtual worlds.
Leakyscatter: Scaling Wireless Backscatter Above 100 GHz
Authors: Kludze Atsutse , Ghasempour Yasaman
Published: November 2023

The past decade has seen rapid innovations in the design and deployment of low-power wireless communication mechanisms. Among them, the backscatter technique has been shown to be promising as it reduces the required power budget by orders of magnitude. However, most existing backscatter architectures operate in the sub-6 GHz regimes with a few recent examples in the lower mmWave bands. Meanwhile, despite the fact that power consumption increases radically above 100 GHz, the spectral regime has gained a lot of attention due to its abundant available bandwidth for 6G and beyond. In this article, we discuss a first-of-its-kind architecture that allows ultra-wideband directional data backscattering above 100 GHz regime while drawing near-zero power from the mobile device.
Mosaicism in BRPF1-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder: Report of Two Sisters and Literature Review
Authors: Bayanbold Khaliunaa , Younger Georgianne , Darbro Benjamin , Sidhu Alpa
Published: November 2023

Bromodomain and PHD finger containing 1 (BRPF1)-related neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, hypotonia, dysmorphic facial features, ptosis, and blepharophimosis. Both de novo and inherited pathogenic variants have been previously reported in association with this disorder. We report two affected female siblings with a novel variant in BRPF1 c.2420_2433del (p.Q807Lfs

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27) identified through whole-exome sequencing. Their history of mild intellectual disability, speech delay, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and ptosis align with the features previously reported in the literature. The absence of the BRPF1 variant in parental buccal samples provides evidence of a de novo frameshift pathogenic variant, most likely as a result of parental gonadal mosaicism, which has not been previously reported. The frameshift pathogenic variant reported here lends further support to haploinsufficiency as the underlying mechanism of disease. We review the literature, compare the clinical features seen in our patients with others reported, and explore the possibility of genotype-phenotype correlation based on the location of pathogenic variants in BRPF1. Our study helps to summarize available knowledge and report the first case of a de novo frameshift pathogenic variant in BRPF1 in two siblings with this neurodevelopmental disorder.
A Paradigm Shift in the Management of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Tsamis Konstantinos I. , Odin Per , Antonini Angelo , Reichmann Heinz , Konitsiotis Spyridon
Published: November 2023

Background: Technological evolution leads to the constant enhancement of monitoring systems and recording symptoms of diverse disorders. Summary: For Parkinson’s disease, wearable devices empowered with machine learning analysis are the main modules for objective measurements. Software and hardware improvements have led to the development of reliable systems that can detect symptoms accurately and be implicated in the follow-up and treatment decisions. Key Messages: Among many different devices developed so far, the most promising ones are those that can record symptoms from all extremities and the trunk, in the home environment during the activities of daily living, assess gait impairment accurately, and be suitable for a long-term follow-up of the patients. Such wearable systems pave the way for a paradigm shift in the management of patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: An Unusual Pericardial and Pulmonary Metastasis – A Case Report
Authors: Rasheed Waqas , Usman Omer , Rehman Obaid Ur , Fatima Eeshal , Nashwan Abdulqadir J.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) manifests in the glandular cells present in the lining of the esophagus and usually forms in the distal portion of the esophagus. The metastasis of EAC has been reported to occur in surrounding lymphovascular structures, the liver, brain, and bones. Case Presentation: We present the rare case of a 52-year-old Hispanic male with EAC metastasis to the pericardium and lungs. The patient presented with shortness of breath off and on for the last 6 weeks without any usually reported symptoms of EAC like chest pain, vomiting, or chronic cough. Respiratory examinations of this patient were significant for bilateral bronchial breathing and coarse crackles. The patient had been given numerous courses of oral antibiotics over the previous weeks with the provisional diagnosis of atypical pneumonia. Cardiac tamponade pathophysiology was also observed in this patient, for which a pericardial window was created to relieve the patient’s symptoms. A final diagnosis of EAC with an unusual metastasis in the lungs and pericardium was made based on radiological and pathological findings. The patient chose palliative care instead of curative care because of the advanced stage of this cancer. The patient received cancer diagnosis counseling and was sent to hospice care for further management. Conclusion: The metastasis of EAC to the pericardium and lungs instead of usual sites constitutes an important prognostic factor in the overall survival of patients.