bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macroinvertebrate and environmental responses to dredging and submerged macrophytes transplantation
Authors: Fu Hong , Xu Jun , García Molinos Jorge , Zhang Huan , Wang Huan , Zhang Min , Klaar Megan , Brown Lee E.
Published: March 2024

Eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems is a global problem, but restoration can be difficult due to ongoing problems relating to water pollution, sedimentary nutrient stores and altered aquatic biodiversity. Mitigation of Eutrophication is often conducted alongside transplantation of submerged macrophytes and dredging, but knowledge of ecosystem response to post‐dredging transplantation of submerged macrophytes is limited.

We report a long‐term (2008–2018) in situ monitoring study to evaluate the effects of different restoration measures: dredging only (Dredged) and dredged with post‐transplantation of submerged macrophytes (Dredged with macrophytes) conducted in five subtropical eutrophic lakes, Taihu basin. Water and sediment nutrients, bloom‐forming algaeMicrocystisand macroinvertebrate were monitored every 2 years for each treatment and compared with reference areas (Control) established in unrestored parts of the same lake.

Dredging only decreased sediment nutrients (e.g. carbon, phosphorus) significantly; however, this effect diminished about 5 years later. Dredged with macrophytes had a stronger, longer lasting positive effect on water quality than dredged alone. Disturbance caused by dredging (without macrophytes transplantation) decreased the biomass ofMicrocystis, while transplantation of macrophytes shortly after dredging did not contribute to the decreasing ofMicrocystisbiomass. The biomass ofMicrocystisin Dredged with macrophytes areas was always similar to Control over the period of our monitoring.

A positive effect of submerged macrophytes transplantation post‐dredging was found for macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity: Dredged with macrophytes areas had significantly higher macroinvertebrate biomass and richness than Dredged areas after 9 years' recovery. Macroinvertebrate richness in Dredged with macrophytes areas nearly doubled compared to Control, while Dredged areas were just restored to Control levels.

Synthesis and applications: Our study provides an long‐term field monitoring with new findings about the benefits and caution of submerged macrophytes transplantation post‐dredging and the effect of partial restoration, which could inform eutrophic waterbody restoration schemes.
Replicable Patent Indicators Using the Google Patents Public Datasets
Authors: Abi Younes George , de Rassenfosse Gaétan
Published: March 2024

Recognising the increasing accessibility and importance of patent data, the article underscores the need for standardised and transparent data analysis methods. We illustrate the construction and relevance of commonly used patent indicators derived from Google Patents Public Datasets. The indicators range from citation counts to more advanced metrics like patent text similarity. The BigQuery code is available in an open Kaggle notebook, explaining operational intricacies and potential data issues. By providing clear, adaptable queries and emphasising transparent methods, this article hopes to contribute to the standardisation and accessibility of patent analysis, offering a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners alike.
The Limits of ‘Opportunity’: Is There a Clear Labour or Conservative View of Social Mobility?
Authors: Maslen Joseph
Published: March 2024

This article considers the relationship between views of social mobility in British politics, identifying four competing views in government statements, political news stories and opinion pieces. The two established views are the Blairite liberal view, which seeks to widen entry into the ‘playing field’ of educational ‘opportunity’, and its companion bourgeois view, protecting the acclaim given to elite educational experiences. Against these established views are two insurgent views: a (politically ignored) socialist view and a ‘postliberal’ view introduced into the Social Mobility Commission under the chairship of the loosely Conservative‐aligned Katharine Birbalsingh. On the right, the postliberal and bourgeois views explicitly clash. On the left, with the socialist view dormant, the postliberal view is assimilated by Labour almost as a socialism substitute, appearing in turn with the Blairite liberal view in Labour rhetoric. The result is, respectively on right and left, disharmony and incoherence in the meaning of social mobility.
Shrinking in the dark: Parallel endosymbiont genome erosions are associated with repeated host transitions to an underground life
Authors: Beasley‐Hall Perry G. , Kinjo Yukihiro , Rose Harley A. , Walker James , Foster Charles S. P. , Kovacs Toby G. L. , Bourguignon Thomas , Ho Simon Y. W. , Lo Nathan
Published: March 2024

Microbial symbioses have had profound impacts on the evolution of animals. Conversely, changes in host biology may impact the evolutionary trajectory of symbionts themselves. Blattabacterium cuenoti is present in almost all cockroach species and enables hosts to subsist on a nutrient‐poor diet. To investigate if host biology has impacted Blattabacterium at the genomic level, we sequenced and analyzed 25 genomes from Australian soil‐burrowing cockroaches (Blaberidae: Panesthiinae), which have undergone at least seven separate subterranean, subsocial transitions from above‐ground, wood‐feeding ancestors. We find at least three independent instances of genome erosion have occurred in Blattabacterium strains exclusive to Australian soil‐burrowing cockroaches. These shrinkages have involved the repeated inactivation of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis and nitrogen recycling, the core role of Blattabacterium in the host‐symbiont relationship. The most drastic of these erosions have occurred in hosts thought to have transitioned underground the earliest relative to other lineages, further suggestive of a link between gene loss in Blattabacterium and the burrowing behavior of hosts. As Blattabacterium is unable to fulfill its core function in certain host lineages, these findings suggest soil‐burrowing cockroaches must acquire these nutrients from novel sources. Our study represents one of the first cases, to our knowledge, of parallel host adaptations leading to concomitant parallelism in their mutualistic symbionts, further underscoring the intimate relationship between these two partners.
A global assessment of hemostatic function of healthy allogeneic stem cell donors undergoing apheresis by rotational thromboelastometry
Authors: Cilek Neslihan , Ugurel Elif , Eren Ozgur Can , Yalcin Ozlem , Akay Olga Meltem
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection via apheresis requires the administration of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (filgrastim) to stem cell donors. Several reports have shown that filgrastim administration and apheresis procedure induce a hypercoagulable state across PBSC collection, which might predispose certain donors to thrombotic complications.

Methods

We evaluated the hemostatic functions of healthy allogeneic stem cell donors by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Blood samples from healthy donors (n = 30) were collected at defined time points: before filgrastim (baseline), on the day of apheresis before and after the procedure, and 1 week after apheresis.

Results

The results indicated that hemostatic changes are temporary since all parameters in both EXTEM and INTEM assays are restored to their initial values 1 week after the apheresis.

Conclusion

We concluded that stem cell apheresis does not induce a hypercoagulable state in healthy donors. This is the first study evaluating the hemostatic functions of stem cell donors by ROTEM.
A review of entomopathogenic fungi as a potential tool for mosquito vector control: A cost‐effective and environmentally friendly approach
Authors: Perumal Vivekanandhan , Kannan Swathy , Pittarate Sarayut , Krutmuang Patcharin
Published: March 2024

Mosquitoes around the world spread diseases like malaria, dengue, zika, lymphatic filariasis and arboviruses, which are dangerous to human health and the economy. Eventually, mosquitoes develop resistance to synthetic chemical insecticides and, moreover, these insecticides have adverse environmental impacts, accumulating in soils and in the food chain. So, researchers are searching for better vector control tools from biological sources such as plants, bacteria, fungi, viruses and other predators. Eco‐friendly methods that use entomopathogenic fungi to reduce vector‐borne disease burdens are becoming more popular because they are selective and safe for the environment. Based on existing literature, several microbial agents show potential for the biocontrol of mosquitoes. With advances in genetic recombination and transformation techniques, in the ongoing battle against insecticide‐resistant mosquitoes, genetically engineered fungal biopesticides represent a cutting‐edge solution. These biopesticides are the result of novel genetic changes that improve the ability of fungi to target and kill mosquitoes. These fungi can effectively combat mosquito populations by introducing genes that produce insecticidal proteins or toxins. This method has several advantages, including a lower environmental impact, because the fungi are highly specific to mosquitoes and are harmless to non‐target organisms. It also helps to reduce the problem of insecticide resistance because the fungi have a unique mode of action. These biopesticides hold great promise for reducing mosquito‐borne diseases while minimizing environmental damage and combating resistance. This review article discusses various entomopathogenic fungal pathogens that can act as biocontrol agents and their mode of action against mosquitoes. We discus recent advances in entomopathogenic fungi‐secreted effector molecules for suppressing host immunity and progress in the development of transgenic mosquito‐killing fungi.
Engineering and application of LacI mutants with stringent expressions
Authors: Wu Jieyuan , Liang Chaoning , Li Yufei , Zeng Yueting , Sun Xu , Jiang Peixia , Chen Wei , Xiong Dandan , Jin Jian‐Ming , Tang Shuang‐Yan
Published: March 2024

Optimal transcriptional regulatory circuits are expected to exhibit stringent control, maintaining silence in the absence of inducers while exhibiting a broad induction dynamic range upon the addition of effectors. In the Plac/LacI pair, the promoter of the lac operon in Escherichia coli is characterized by its leakiness, attributed to the moderate affinity of LacI for its operator target. In response to this limitation, the LacI regulatory protein underwent engineering to enhance its regulatory properties. The M7 mutant, carrying I79T and N246S mutations, resulted in the lac promoter displaying approximately 95% less leaky expression and a broader induction dynamic range compared to the wild‐type LacI. An in‐depth analysis of each mutation revealed distinct regulatory profiles. In contrast to the wild‐type LacI, the M7 mutant exhibited a tighter binding to the operator sequence, as evidenced by surface plasmon resonance studies. Leveraging the capabilities of the M7 mutant, a high‐value sugar biosensor was constructed. This biosensor facilitated the selection of mutant galactosidases with approximately a seven‐fold improvement in specific activity for transgalactosylation. Consequently, this advancement enabled enhanced biosynthesis of galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOS).
Streptomyces‐triggered coordination between rhizosphere microbiomes and plant transcriptome enables watermelon Fusarium wilt resistance
Authors: Ge An‐Hui , Li Qi‐Yun , Liu Hong‐Wei , Zhang Zheng‐Kun , Lu Yang , Liang Zhi‐Huai , Singh Brajesh K. , Han Li‐Li , Xiang Ji‐Fang , Xiao Ji‐Ling , Liu Si‐Yi , Zhang Li‐Mei
Published: March 2024

The use of microbial inoculant is a promising strategy to improve plant health, but their efficiency often faces challenges due to difficulties in successful microbial colonization in soil environments. To this end, the application of biostimulation products derived from microbes is expected to resolve these barriers via direct interactions with plants or soil pathogens. However, their effectiveness and mechanisms for promoting plant growth and disease resistance remain elusive. In this study, we showed that root irrigation with the extracts of Streptomyces ahygroscopicus strain 769 (S769) solid fermentation products significantly reduced watermelon Fusarium wilt disease incidence by 30% and increased the plant biomass by 150% at a fruiting stage in a continuous cropping field. S769 treatment led to substantial changes in both bacterial and fungal community compositions, and induced a highly interconnected microbial association network in the rhizosphere. The root transcriptome analysis further suggested that S769 treatment significantly improved the expression of the MAPK signalling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction and plant–pathogen interactions, particular those genes related to PR‐1 and ethylene, as well as genes associated with auxin production and reception. Together, our study provides mechanistic and empirical evidences for the biostimulation products benefiting plant health through coordinating plant and rhizosphere microbiome interaction.
Biocontrol of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by Enterobacter asburiae AEB30 on intact cantaloupe melons
Authors: Tran Thao D. , Lee Sang In , Hnasko Robert , McGarvey Jeffery A.
Published: March 2024

Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes >73,000 foodborne illnesses in the United States annually, many of which have been associated with fresh ready‐to‐eat produce including cantaloupe melons. In this study, we created a produce‐associated bacterial (PAB) library containing >7500 isolates and screened them for the ability to inhibit the growth of E. coli O157:H7 using an in vitro fluorescence‐based growth assay. One isolate, identified by 16S and whole‐genome sequence analysis as Enterobacter asburiae, was able to inhibit the growth of E. coli by ~30‐fold in vitro and produced zones of inhibition between 13 and 21 mm against 12 E. coli outbreak strains in an agar spot assay. We demonstrated that E. asburiae AEB30 was able to grow, persist and inhibit the growth of E. coli on cantaloupe melons under simulated pre‐ and post‐harvest conditions. Analysis of the E. asburiae AEB30 genome revealed an operon encoding a contact‐dependent growth inhibition (CDI) system that when mutated resulted in the loss of E. coli growth inhibition. These data suggest that E. asburiae AEB30 is a potential biocontrol agent to prevent E. coli contamination of cantaloupe melons in both pre‐ and post‐harvest environments and that its mode of action is via a CDI system.
Hyposecretion of cervical MUC5B is related to preterm birth in pregnant women after cervical excisional surgery
Authors: Ueda Yusuke , Mogami Haruta , Chigusa Yoshitsugu , Kawamura Yosuke , Inohaya Asako , Takakura Masahito , Yasuda Eriko , Matsuzaka Yu , Shimada Miho , Ito Shinji , Morita Satoshi , Mandai Masaki , Kondoh Eiji
Published: March 2024

Problem

Excisional surgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is a risk factor for preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. However, the underlying mechanisms of this association remain unclear. We previously showed that cervical MUC5B, a mucin protein, may be a barrier to ascending pathogens during pregnancy. We thus hypothesized that hyposecretion of cervical MUC5B is associated with preterm birth after cervical excisional surgery.

Method of study

This prospective nested case‐control study (Study 1) included pregnant women who had previously undergone cervical excisional surgery across 11 hospitals. We used proteomics to compare cervicovaginal fluid at 18–22 weeks of gestation between the preterm and term birth groups. In another case‒control analysis (Study 2), we compared MUC5B expression in nonpregnant uterine tissues between 15 women with a history of cervical excisional surgery and 26 women without a history of cervical surgery.

Results

The abundance of MUC5B in cervicovaginal fluid was significantly decreased in the preterm birth group (fold change = 0.41, p = .035). Among the 480 quantified proteins, MUC5B had the second highest positive correlation with gestational age at delivery in the combined preterm and term groups. The cervicovaginal microbiome composition was not significantly different between the two groups. Cervical length was not correlated with gestational age at delivery (r = 0.18, p = .079). Histologically, the MUC5B‐positive area in the nonpregnant cervix was significantly decreased in women with a history of cervical excisional surgery (0.85‐fold, p = .048). The distribution of MUC5B‐positive areas in the cervical tissues of 26 women without a history of cervical excisional surgery differed across individuals.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the primary mechanism by which cervical excisional surgery causes preterm birth is the hyposecretion of MUC5B due to loss of the cervical glands.
Visible critique/critical visibility
Authors: Derderian Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

Artists based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are pressured by international art elites to critique the illiberal regime under which they live. But doing so is illegal. It can lead the state to retaliate with harassment, detention, cancellation of residency visas, and expulsion. Nonetheless, gatekeeping curators and critics validate UAE‐based artists’ work as worthwhile and good if these artists critique the UAE state. How do these artists balance the perils of retaliation and deportation with an exhortation to critique the state for the sake of career success and international visibility? They do so by deploying a form of critique predicated on omission and ambiguity; I term it conspicuous omission. This practice reveals norms of critique, and the normative expectations placed on contemporary artists based on their place of residence or origin.
Swimming trapper decreases the proportion of chromosomally unbalanced spermatozoa in human Robertsonian translocation carriers
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Nan , Li Mei‐Yi , Ma Qing‐Ling , Chen Juan , Liu Shuai , Yu Yang , Sun Ling
Published: March 2024

Background

Carriers of reciprocal translocations often have more unbalanced spermatozoa and higher DNA fragmentation rates, elevating reproductive risk. The simple swim‐up method (SSUM) can decrease the amount of spermatozoa with abnormal chromatin structure and fragmented DNA, however, it has limited efficacy in eliminating chromosomally unbalanced sperm.

Methods

The spermatozoa of eight Robertsonian translocation (Rob) carriers were split into three groups: original raw semen group (control group); SSUM and swimming trapper method group (STM) processed semen samples. After different semen preparation procedures, semen qualities, sperm chromosomal aneuploidy, and sperm fragmented DNA were evaluated.

Results

Although spermatozoa with higher motility was obtained by both SSUM and STM, the population of faster forward moving sperm was greater with STM as compared to SSUM. While the rates of DNA fragmentation were statistically much lower in both groups than ejaculated semen sample, our data showed better effect on the decrease of DNA fragmentation index (DFI) after selection by STM for patients who have high DFI (>20%) in neat semen. For all patients, significant decrease in the frequency of chromosomally unbalanced spermatozoa was observed after selection using STM. Although similar trends can be seen in the SSUM group, a significant difference was identified in one patient only.

Conclusions

Use of swimming trapper (STM) is superior for enriching high‐motile and genetically competent sperm in comparison with SSUM.
Editorial: Shorter course of intravenous terlipressin in acute variceal bleeding—the promise, controversies and future directions. Author's reply
Authors: Biswas Sagnik , Vaishnav Manas , Shalimar
Published: March 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Vaishnav et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17868andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17882
Preoperative beta blockers and other drugs in relation to anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Gerdin Anders , Park Jennifer , Häggström Jenny , Segelman Josefin , Matthiessen Peter , Lydrup Marie‐Louise , Rutegård Martin ,   The RectoLeak Study Group
Published: March 2024

Aim

Previous research has indicated that preoperative beta blocker therapy is associated with a decreased risk of complications after surgery for rectal cancer. This is thought to arise because of the anti‐inflammatory activity of the drug. These results need to be reproduced and analyses extended to other drugs with such properties, as this information might be useful in clinical decision‐making. The main aim of this work was to replicate previous findings of beta blocker use as a prognostic marker for postoperative leakage. We also investigated whether drug exposure might induce anastomotic leaks.

Method

This is a retrospective multicentre cohort study, comprising 1126 patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer between 2014 and 2018. The use of any preoperative beta blocker was treated as the primary exposure, while anastomotic leakage within 12 months of surgery was the outcome. Secondary exposures comprised angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, statins and metformin. Using multivariable regression, we performed a replication analysis with a predictive aim for beta blockers only, while adjustment for confounding was done in more causally oriented analyses for all drugs. We estimated incidence rate ratio (IRR) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Anastomotic leakage occurred in 20.6% of patients. Preoperative beta blockers were used by 22.7% of the cohort, while the leak distribution was almost identical between exposure groups. In the main replication analysis, no association could be detected (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.68–1.33). In the causally oriented analyses, only metformin affected the risk of leakage (RR 1.59, 95% Cl 1.31–1.92).

Conclusion

While previous research has suggested that preoperative beta blocker use could be prognostic of anastomotic leakage, this study could not detect any such association. On the contrary, our results indicate that preoperative beta blocker use neither predicts nor causes anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer.
Wakehurst's North American Prairie
Authors: Annette Francis
Published: March 2024

The theory behind the ecology and plant associations of prairie grasslands is summarised, and compared with conventional horticultural perennial planting.
Bile duct cannulation with a balloon catheter and hemostasis when identification of the papilla is difficult due to clots from bleeding after endoscopic sphincterotomy
Authors: Kobori Ikuhiro , Soga Koichi , Tamano Masaya
Published: March 2024

Watch a video of this article.
Alternative host shapes transmission and life‐history trait correlations in a multi‐host plant pathogen
Authors: Susi Hanna
Published: March 2024

Most pathogens are generalists capable of infecting multiple host species or strains. Trade‐offs in performance among different hosts are expected to limit the evolution of generalism. Despite the commonness of generalism, the variation in infectivity, transmission, and trade‐offs in performance among host species have rarely been studied in the wild. To understand the ecological and evolutionary drivers of multi‐host pathogen infectivity and transmission potential, I studied disease severity, transmission dynamics, and infectivity variation of downy mildew pathogen Peronospora sparsa on its three host plants Rubus arcticus, R. chamaemorus, and R. saxatilis. In a survey of 20 wild and cultivated sites of the three host species, disease severity varied by host species and by host population size but not among wild and cultivated sites. To understand how alternative host presence and plant diversity affect transmission of the pathogen, I conducted a transmission experiment. In this experiment, alternative host abundance and plant diversity together modified P. sparsa transmission to trap plants. To understand how resistance to P. sparsa varies among host species and genotypes, I conducted an inoculation experiment using 10 P. sparsa strains from different locations and 20 genotypes of the three host species. Significant variation in infectivity was found among host genotypes but not among host species. When trade‐offs for infectivity were tested, high infectivity in one host species correlated with high infectivity in another host species. However, when pathogen transmission‐related life‐history correlations were tested, a positive correlation was found in R. arcticus but not in R. saxatilis. The results suggest that host resistance may shape pathogen life‐history evolution with epidemiological consequences in a multi‐host pathogen.
Exploring associations among baseline emotion regulation and change in relationship satisfaction among couples in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy compared to usual care
Authors: White VanBoxel Jennifer M. , Miller Debra L. , Morgan Preston , Iqbal Nazia , Edwards Caitlin , Wittenborn Andrea K.
Published: March 2024

Background

Data from a two‐arm randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) compared to usual care were used to examine whether baseline emotion regulation influences relationship satisfaction for female and male partners. This is clinically relevant as clinicians have debated whether clients' initial emotion regulation skills predict positive outcomes in EFT.

Methods

Dyadic multilevel modeling was used to determine whether baseline emotion regulation predicted both initial levels and change in relationship satisfaction and whether that relationship differed by treatment group (i.e., EFT or usual care).

Results

Baseline emotion regulation difficulties were associated with lower initial relationship satisfaction. However, baseline emotion regulation difficulties were not associated with change in relationship satisfaction over the course of treatment and this relationship did not differ by treatment group.

Conclusions

Results demonstrate that partners with diverse presentations of emotion regulation at baseline may benefit from couple therapy.
Experimental Study of Non‐Darcian Flow Characteristics in Low‐Permeability Coal Pillar Dams
Authors: Li Xu , Zhu Peng , Zuo Konghui , Wen Zhang , Zhu Qi , Guo Qiang , Jakada Hamza
Published: March 2024

The safe operation of underground reservoirs and environmental protection heavily rely on the water flow through coal pillar dams in coal mines. Meanwhile, research on the flow characteristics in coal pillar dams has been limited due to their low hydraulic conductivity. To address this gap, this study assembled a novel seepage experimental device and conducted a series of carefully designed seepage experiments to examine the characteristics of low‐permeability in coal pillar dams. The experiments aim to explore the relationship between water flux and hydraulic gradient, considering varying core lengths and immersion times. Flow parameters were determined by fitting observed flux‐gradient curves with predictions from both Darcy and non‐Darcian laws. Several significant results were obtained. First, a noticeable non‐linear relationship between water flux and hydraulic gradient was observed, particularly evident at low flow velocities. Second, the non‐Darcy laws effectively interpreted the experimental data, with threshold pressure gradients ranging 13.60 to 58.64 for different core lengths. Third, the study established that water immersion significantly affects the flow characteristics of coal pillar dams, resulting in an increased hydraulic conductivity and flow velocity. These findings carry significant implications for the design of coal pillar dams within underground coal mine reservoirs, providing insights for constructing more stable structures and ensuring environmental protection.
Race and ethnicity and the success of immune tolerance induction among people with severe haemophilia A in the United States
Authors: Fedewa Stacey A. , Kempton Christine L.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is the only treatment to eradicate inhibitors in people with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors. Since the risk of inhibitor development is greater among Black and Hispanic persons, it has been hypothesized that race and ethnicity may influence ITI success. Limited studies have evaluated this hypothesis.

Aim

To examine the success of ITI according to race and ethnicity.

Methods

Participants who entered the Community Counts (CC) Registry between 2013 and 2017, were aged ≥3 years at study entry, and received ITI were included (n = 559). The proportion of participants with successful ITI was examined with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

Among 559 participants, 56.9%, 19.1%, 18.1% and 4.3% were Non‐Hispanic (NH) White, NH Black, Hispanic and Asian, respectively, and 1.7% were coded as other or missing. Approximately 80% of Hispanic, NH Black and NH White participants had good/very good prognosis, defined as having a pre‐ITI peak inhibitor of < 200 Bethesda Units per millilitre. Nearly 60% of participants (59.7%) achieved successful ITI, 20.7% and 19.5% experienced partially successful or failed ITI, respectively. Successful ITI was non‐significantly lower in NH Black (54.2%; aPR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.62–1.44) and Hispanic (55.4%; aPR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.71–1.13) relative to NH White participants (62.6%).

Conclusion

In this study, 60% of participants in the CC Registry had successful ITI, consistent with previous studies. The proportion with successful ITI was generally comparable across racial and ethnic groups with similar prognosis. These findings do not support the hypothesis that ITI response varies according to race or ethnicity.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐targeting therapies are a first‐line option for the prevention of migraine: An American Headache Society position statement update
Authors: Charles Andrew C. , Digre Kathleen B. , Goadsby Peter J. , Robbins Matthew S. , Hershey Andrew ,   The American Headache Society
Published: March 2024

Objective

To provide a position statement update from The American Headache Society specifically regarding therapies targeting calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) for the prevention of migraine.

Background

All migraine preventive therapies previously considered to be first‐line treatments were developed for other indications and adopted later for migraine. Adherence to these therapies is often poor due to issues with efficacy and tolerability. Multiple new migraine‐specific therapies have been developed based on a broad foundation of pre‐clinical and clinical evidence showing that CGRP plays a key role in the pathogenesis of migraine. These CGRP‐targeting therapies have had a transformational impact on the management of migraine but are still not widely considered to be first‐line approaches.

Methods

Evidence regarding migraine preventive therapies including primary and secondary endpoints from randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials, post hoc analyses and open‐label extensions of these trials, and prospective and retrospective observational studies were collected from a variety of sources including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The results and conclusions based upon these results were reviewed and discussed by the Board of Directors of The American Headache Society to confirm consistency with clinical experience and to achieve consensus.

Results

The evidence for the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of CGRP‐targeting migraine preventive therapies (the monoclonal antibodies: erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and eptinezumab, and the gepants: rimegepant and atogepant) is substantial, and vastly exceeds that for any other preventive treatment approach. The evidence remains consistent across different individual CGRP‐targeting treatments and is corroborated by extensive “real‐world” clinical experience. The data indicates that the efficacy and tolerability of CGRP‐targeting therapies are equal to or greater than those of previous first‐line therapies and that serious adverse events associated with CGRP‐targeting therapies are rare.

Conclusion

The CGRP‐targeting therapies should be considered as a first‐line approach for migraine prevention along with previous first‐line treatments without a requirement for prior failure of other classes of migraine preventive treatment.
Intermittent hydrothermal alteration and silicification of black mudstones found in the Middle to Upper Miocene Yagen Formation, Shimokita Peninsula, Northeast Japan
Authors: Ueda Hirokazu , Sampei Yoshikazu
Published: March 2024

Organic geochemical processes in hydrothermal alteration system in terrestrial areas were investigated in the Shimofuro geothermal field, Northeast Japan. This study describes a continuous long mudstone outcrop of the Middle to Late Miocene Yagen Formation on the Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture. The outcrop located near Mt.Hiuchi‐dake shows sequential alteration with a color change from black to white. Contents of total organic carbon (TOC) vary from 0.00% to 0.46% according to litho‐color change and become higher for black and lower for gray to white. TOC contents show a negative correlation with SiO2 concentration. These indicate that TOC contents in the outcrop strongly depend on silicification caused by hydrothermal alteration. The mineral assemblages are composed of alunite, kaolinite, illite and pyrite, and indicate distinct alteration zones with acidic to neutral hydrothermal activities. Composition of the minerals formed by the alteration suggests that the temperature of hydrothermal fluid ranged from 150 to 250°C in a high‐sulfidation hydrothermal system. Regarding the extracted hydrocarbons, particularly n‐alkane distributions are significant. Values of Carbon Preference Index (CPI) increase up to 2.8 with increasing alteration and with decreasing TOC contents. This can be explained by two processes, (1) at the site of highly hydrothermal alteration, thermal cracking of organic matter in black mudstone strongly occurred and produced low‐molecular gaseous hydrocarbons, and (2) at the site of inner rock with a distance from the hydrothermal alteration, thermal cracking moderately occurred and produced medium to long chain n‐alkanes which were overlapped with original n‐alkanes. Very low Tmax values were found at the hydrothermal zone. This implies that natural extraction, migration, and precipitation of bituminous organic matter were driven by hydrothermal fluid.
The role of monocyte/macrophage chemokines in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: A review
Authors: Luo Hao , Li Linfeng , Han Song , Liu Tao
Published: March 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative diseases characterised by joint pain, swelling and decreased mobility, with its main pathological features being articular synovitis, cartilage degeneration and osteophyte formation. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines secreted by activated immunocytes can trigger various inflammatory and immune responses in articular cartilage and synovium, contributing to the genesis and development of OA. A series of monocyte/macrophage chemokines, including monocyte chemotaxis protein (MCP)‐1/CCL2, MCP2/CCL8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α/CCL3, MIP‐1β/CCL4, MIP‐3α/CCL20, regulated upon activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted /CCL5, CCL17 and macrophage‐derived chemokine/CCL22, was proven to transmit cell signals by binding to G protein–coupled receptors on recipient cell surface, mediating and promoting inflammation in OA joints. However, the underlying mechanism of these chemokines in the pathogenesis of OA remains still elusive. Here, published literature was reviewed, and the function and mechanisms of monocyte/macrophage chemokines in OA pathogenesis were summarised. The symptoms and disease progression of OA were found to be effectively alleviated when the expression of these chemokines is inhibited. Elucidating these mechanisms could contribute to further understand how OA develops and provide potential targets for the early diagnosis of arthritis and drug treatment to delay or even halt OA progression.
Evolution of genome diagnostics in epidermolysis bullosa: Unveiling the power of next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Baardman R. , Lemmink H. H. , Yenamandra V. K. , Commandeur‐Jan S. Z. , Viel M. , Kooi K. A. , Diercks G. F. H. , Meijer R. , van Geel M. , Scheffer H. , Sinke R. J. , Sikkema‐Raddatz B. , Bolling M. C. , van den Akker P. C.
Published: March 2024

Background

Genome diagnostics is considered gold standard diagnostics for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterized by blistering and wounding of mucocutaneous tissues. EB is caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding proteins of the dermo‐epidermal junction. Accurate genetic diagnosis of EB is crucial for prognostication, counselling and precision‐medicine. Genome diagnostics for EB started in 1991 with the introduction of Sanger sequencing (SS), analysing one gene at a time. In 2013, SS was superseded by next‐generation sequencing (NGS), that allow for high‐throughput sequencing of multiple genes in parallel. Several studies have shown a beneficial role for NGS in EB diagnostics, but its true benefit has not been quantified.

Objectives

To determine the benefit of NGS in EB by systematically evaluating the performance of different genome diagnostics used over time based on robust data from the Dutch EB Registry.

Methods

The diagnostic performances of SS and NGS were systematically evaluated in a retrospective observational study including all index cases with a clinical diagnosis of EB in whom genome diagnostics was performed between 01 January 1994 and 01 January 2022 (n = 308), registered at the Dutch EB Expertise Centre.

Results

Over time, a genetic diagnosis was made in 289/308 (94%) EB cases. The diagnostic yield increased from 89% (SS) to 95% (NGS). Most importantly, NGS significantly reduced diagnostic turnaround time (39 days vs. 211 days, p < 0.001). The likelihood of detecting variants of uncertain significance and additional findings increased from 5% and 1% (SS) to 22% and 13% (NGS) respectively.

Conclusions

Our study quantifies the benefit of NGS‐based methods and demonstrate they have had a major impact on EB diagnostics through an increased diagnostic yield and a dramatically decreased turnaround time (39 days). Although our diagnostic yield is high (95%), further improvement of genome diagnostics is urgently needed to provide a genetic diagnosis in all EB patients.
Spatial wage disparities and human capital externalities in France
Authors: Charruau Paul
Published: March 2024

We re‐examine the respective role of local density and local concentration of human capital in the agglomeration gains for about 750,00 individuals working in 304 commuting zones of metropolitan France over the period 2009–2015. Agglomeration gains are mostly driven by human capital effects over this period. Also, because it absorbs dynamic learning effects, the use of worker fixed effects to address spatial sorting of individuals may underestimate, by about two third, the wage premium with respect to local concentration of human capital over a midterm period. Finally, wage gaps stem more from differences in human capital in the private sector than in the public sector. We do not find evidence of a multiplier effect of public employment on local human capital externalities in the private sector.
Assessment of hemostasis in hyperthyroid and euthyroid cats using two viscoelastic assays and platelet aggregometry
Authors: Moreno Daniel , Cosford Kevin , Snead Elisabeth , Carr Anthony
Published: March 2024

Background

Hyperthyroidism in humans is associated with a hypercoagulable state and an increased risk of thromboembolism.

Objective

To evaluate hemostatic variables in hyperthyroid and euthyroid cats with the hypothesis that hyperthyroid cats will have evidence of altered hemostasis consistent with a potential hypercoagulable state.

Animals

Client‐owned hyperthyroid (n = 16) and euthyroid (n = 15) cats over 8 years of age.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Hyperthyroid and euthyroid cats were enrolled. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), whole‐blood platelet impedance aggregometry (WBPIA) and a point‐of‐care viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM‐Vet) were performed immediately after minimally traumatic venipuncture under sedation.

Results

Hyperthyroid cats had significantly higher values for variables as assessed by VCM‐Vet: A10 (34 [17‐47] vs 25 [17‐38], P = .003); A20 (39.5 [23‐55] vs 31 [21‐45], P = .003); and MCF (41 [24‐58] vs 35 [22‐49], P = .03). Hyperthyroid cats had significantly different values versus the euthyroid cohort as assessed by different ROTEM channels: increased A10, INTEM (61.5 [39‐75] vs 54 [23‐66], P = .007) and FIBTEM (18 [10‐35] vs 13 [2‐27], P = .01); increased A20, INTEM (68 [45‐78] vs 61 [30‐70], P = .006) and FIBTEM (17 [10‐34] vs 11 [2‐25], P = .002); increased MCF, EXTEM (72 [65‐81] vs 69 [34‐78], P = .04), INTEM (70 [45‐85] vs 62 [35‐71], P = .01) and FIBTEM (18 [13‐37] vs 14 [3‐27], P = .02); increased alpha angle, EXTEM (80 [68‐85] vs 76 [41‐84], P = .01); shortened CT, EXTEM (52.5 [29‐73] vs 60 [52‐92], P = .003) and FIBTEM (52.5 [16‐75] vs 65 [53‐165], P = .001); and decreased ML, FIBTEM (20 [1‐36] vs 33 [19‐59], P <.001). No significant differences were found with WBPIA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The hyperthyroid cats in this study had evidence of altered hemostasis as assessed by 2 viscoelastic methodologies, and characterized by increased clot amplitude, firmness, and faster coagulation times vs euthyroid controls.
Association between personality traits and psychological distress among postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease: A cross‐sectional survey and mediation analysis
Authors: Liu Xin , Jin Jianfen , Yu Mengying , Shen Lishui , Ning Li , Zheng Beibei
Published: March 2024

Postmenopausal women with negative personality characteristics are at an increased risk of psychological disorders, yet little is known about the mechanism underlying the relationship between type D personality and psychological distress in postmenopausal women with coronary disease. This study assessed the mediating roles of perceived social support and self‐perceived burden in the relationship between type D and psychological distress based on the equity theory and stress‐buffering model. Demographic characteristics, type D, psychological distress, perceived social support, and self‐perceived burden were completed by 335 participants with self‐reported questionnaires using a cross‐sectional design in Southeast China. The results revealed that perceived social support and self‐perceived burden both separately and serially mediated the relationship between type D personality and psychological distress. Effective intervention strategies aimed at improving perceived social support or reducing self‐perceived burden may be beneficial in reducing psychological distress.
Epidemiology of functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis as diagnosed in Flemish‐Belgian primary care: A registry‐based study from the Intego database
Authors: Huang I‐Hsuan , Schol Jolien , Lin Guohao , Chen Yaozhu J. , Carbone Florencia , Vaes Bert , Tack Jan
Published: March 2024

Background

Dyspepsia is a prevalent condition in the general population. Besides organic causes, the differential diagnosis of dyspepsia includes functional dyspepsia (FD) and gastroparesis (GP) which share similar pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentation. So far, no study investigated the prevalence of FD and GP in a primary care in Belgium.

Methods

Data were obtained from Intego, a Flemish‐Belgian general practice‐based morbidity registration network. From 586,164 patients between 2000 and 2021, we selected patients with ICD‐10 code for FD and GP. Patients with organic gastrointestinal diseases were excluded. We determined demographics and comorbidities of FD/GP. For prevalence and incidence calculation, we included those who consulted their general practitioners at least once in the given year. Pair‐wise comparison was conducted to access the impact of comorbidities on risk of FD/GP.

Key Results

Between 2011 and 2021, the prevalence of FD/GP ranged from 1.03% to 1.21%. The incidence of FD/GP ranged from 109 to 142 per 100,000 adults. In total 5242 cases of FD/GP were identified. These cases shared commonly coexisting diagnoses of gastroesophageal reflux disease (18.8%), irritable bowel syndrome (17.1%), and chronic constipation (18.7%). Patients with somatization/anxiety/depression had significantly higher risk of FD/GP, compared to the control (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.19–1.61, p < 0.01).

Conclusions and Inferences

The prevalence (1.03%–1.21%) and incidence (109–142/100,000) of FD/GP in primary care over last decade appear to conflict with epidemiological research in the general population. The discrepancies suggest a potential lack of awareness of FD and GP among physicians and/or patients in Flemish‐Belgium.
COVID‐19 impact on post‐traumatic stress symptoms in burning mouth syndrome: A multicentric study
Authors: Ottaviani Giulia , Canfora Federica , Leuci Stefania , Coppola Noemi , Pecoraro Giuseppe , Rupel Katia , Bogdan Preda Magdalena Theodora , Vello Veronica , Umberto Albert , Gasparro Roberta , Gobbo Margherita , Guarda‐Nardini Luca , Giudice Amerigo , Calabria Elena , Aria Massimo , D'Aniello Luca , Fortuna Giulio , Biasotto Matteo , Di Lenarda Roberto , Mignogna Michele Davide , Adamo Daniela
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study investigates the psychological impact of COVID‐19 on burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients. It focuses on comparing post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), post‐traumatic growth (PTG), and resilience between BMS patients and Controls.

Methods

A total of 100 BMS patients and 100 Controls from five Italian centers participated in this observational cross‐sectional study. They completed several assessments, including the General Health Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, National Stressful Events Survey Short Scale, Impact of Event Scale‐Revised, Post Traumatic Growth Inventory Short Form, and Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale.

Results

BMS patients had significantly higher stress, anxiety, and depression (DASS‐21 score) and post‐traumatic stress symptoms (IES‐R‐6 score), particularly in terms of intrusive thoughts. They showed lower post‐traumatic growth (PTGI‐SF score) compared to Controls. The resilience scale (CDRS‐10) was a key predictor of PTG in both groups, explaining a significant variance in PTGI‐SF scores.

Conclusions

BMS patients experienced heightened post‐traumatic stress, stress, anxiety, and depression during the COVID‐19 pandemic, with reduced post‐traumatic growth. This highlights the need to prioritize their psychological well‐being, focusing on stress management and fostering post‐traumatic growth in challenging times.