bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term monitoring of cycles in Clethrionomys rutilus in the Yukon boreal forest
Authors: KREBS Charles J. , KENNEY Alice J. , GILBERT B. Scott , BOONSTRA Rudy
Published: March 2023

Baseline studies of small rodent populations in undisturbed ecosystems are rare. We report here 50 years of monitoring and experimentation in Yukon of a dominant rodent species in the North American boreal forest, the red‐backed vole Clethrionomys rutilus. These voles breed in summer, weigh 20–25 g, and reach a maximum density of 20 to 25 per ha. Their populations have shown consistent 3–4‐year cycles for the last 50 years with the only change being that peak densities averaged 8/ha until 2000 and 18/ha since that year. During the last 25 years, we have measured food resources, predator numbers, and winter weather, and for 1‐year social interactions, to estimate their contribution to changes in the rate of summer increase and the rate of overwinter decline. All these potential limiting factors could contribute to changes in density, and we measured their relative contributions statistically with multiple regressions. The rate of winter decline in density was related to both food supply and winter severity. The rate of summer increase was related to summer berry crops and white spruce cone production. No measure of predator numbers was related to winter or summer changes in vole abundance. There was a large signal of climate change effects in these populations. There is no density dependence in summer population growth and only a weak one in winter population declines. None of our results provide a clear understanding of what generates 3–4‐year cycles in these voles, and the major missing piece may be an understanding of social interactions at high density.
Development and validation of risk prediction models for large for gestational age infants using logistic regression and two machine learning algorithms
Authors: Wang Ning , Guo Haonan , Jing Yingyu , Zhang Yifan , Sun Bo , Pan Xingyan , Chen Huan , Xu Jing , Wang Mengjun , Chen Xi , Song Lin , Cui Wei
Published: March 2023

Background

Large for gestational age (LGA) is one of the adverse outcomes during pregnancy that endangers the life and health of mothers and offspring. We aimed to establish prediction models for LGA at late pregnancy.

Methods

Data were obtained from an established Chinese pregnant women cohort of 1285 pregnant women. LGA was diagnosed as >90th percentile of birth weight distribution of Chinese corresponding to gestational age of the same‐sex newborns. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were classified into three subtypes according to the indexes of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Models were established by logistic regression and decision tree/random forest algorithms, and validated by the data.

Results

A total of 139 newborns were diagnosed as LGA after birth. The area under the curve (AUC) for the training set is 0.760 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.706–0.815), and 0.748 (95% CI 0.659–0.837) for the internal validation set of the logistic regression model, which consisted of eight commonly used clinical indicators (including lipid profile) and GDM subtypes. For the prediction models established by the two machine learning algorithms, which included all the variables, the training set and the internal validation set had AUCs of 0.813 (95% CI 0.786–0.839) and 0.779 (95% CI 0.735–0.824) for the decision tree model, and 0.854 (95% CI 0.831–0.877) and 0.808 (95% CI 0.766–0.850) for the random forest model.

Conclusion

We established and validated three LGA risk prediction models to screen out the pregnant women with high risk of LGA at the early stage of the third trimester, which showed good prediction power and could guide early prevention strategies.
Clinical utility of urinary gluten immunogenic peptides in the follow‐up of patients with coeliac disease
Authors: Garzón‐Benavides Marta , Ruiz‐Carnicer Ángela , Segura Verónica , Fombuena Blanca , García‐Fernandez Francisco , Sobrino‐Rodriguez Salvador , Gómez‐Izquierdo Lourdes , Montes‐Cano Marco Antonio , Millan‐Domínguez Raquel , del Carmen Rico María , González‐Naranjo Carmen , Bozada‐García Juan Manuel , Coronel‐Rodríguez Cristóbal , Espin Beatriz , Díaz Jacobo , Comino Isabel , Argüelles‐Arias Federico , Cebolla Ángel , Romero‐Gómez Manuel , Rodriguez‐Herrera Alfonso , Sousa Carolina , Pizarro‐Moreno Ángeles
Published: March 2023

Background

Gluten‐free diet (GFD) is the only treatment for patients with coeliac disease (CD)

and its compliance should be monitored to avoid cumulative damage.

Aims

To analyse gluten exposures of coeliac patients on GFD for at least 24 months using different monitoring tools and its impact on duodenal histology at 12‐month follow‐up and evaluate the interval of determination of urinary gluten immunogenic peptides (u‐GIP) for the monitoring of GFD adherence.

Methods

Ninety‐four patients with CD on a GFD for at least 24 months were prospectively included. Symptoms, serology, CDAT questionnaire, and u‐GIP (three samples/visit) were analysed at inclusion, 3, 6, and 12 months. Duodenal biopsy was performed at inclusion and 12 months.

Results

At inclusion, 25.8% presented duodenal mucosal damage; at 12 months, this percentage reduced by half. This histological improvement was indicated by a reduction in u‐GIP but did not correlate with the remaining tools. The determination of u‐GIP detected a higher number of transgressions than serology, regardless of histological evolution type. The presence of >4 u‐GIP‐positive samples out of 12 collected during 12 months predicted histological lesion with a specificity of 93%. Most patients (94%) with negative u‐GIP in ≥2 follow‐up visits showed the absence of histological lesions (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study suggests that the frequency of recurrent gluten exposures, according to serial determination of u‐GIP, could be related to the persistence of villous atrophy and that a more regular follow‐up every 6 months, instead of annually, provides more useful data about the adequate adherence to GFD and mucosal healing.
Safety of an investigational formulation of budesonide (budesonide oral suspension) for eosinophilic oesophagitis: an integrated safety analysis of six phase 1–3 clinical trials
Authors: Hirano Ikuo , Dellon Evan S. , Gupta Sandeep K. , Katzka David A. , Collins Margaret H. , Wojtowicz Abigail M. , Terreri Brian , Zhang Wenwen , Boules Mena , Bhatia Siddharth , Desai Nirav K.
Published: March 2023

Background

Questions remain regarding the safety of swallowed topical corticosteroids in eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

Aim

To assess the safety of an investigational formulation of budesonide (budesonide oral suspension; BOS) from six trials.

Methods

Safety data were integrated from six trials (healthy adults: SHP621‐101 [phase 1]; patients with EoE: MPI 101‐01 and MPI 101‐06 [phase 2]; SHP621‐301, SHP621‐302 and SHP621‐303 [phase 3]) for participants who received ≥1 dose of study drug (BOS 2.0 mg twice daily [b.i.d.], BOS any dose [including BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d.] and placebo). Adverse events (AEs), laboratory testing, bone density and adrenal AEs were assessed. Exposure‐adjusted incidence rates were calculated for AEs and AEs of special interest (AESIs).

Results

Overall, 514 unique participants were included (BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d., n = 292; BOS any dose, n = 448; placebo, n = 168). The BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d., BOS any dose and placebo groups totalled 93.7, 122.4 and 25.0 participant‐years of exposure (PY), respectively. Proportions of treatment‐emergent AEs (TEAEs) and AESIs (any) reported were higher for BOS than placebo; however, most were mild/moderate in severity. The most commonly reported AESIs (exposure‐adjusted incidence rates [per 100 PY]) in the BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d., BOS any dose and placebo groups were infections (133.5, 154.4 and 136.2, respectively) and gastrointestinal AEs (84.3, 80.9 and 92.1, respectively). Adrenal AEs were more frequent with BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d. and BOS any dose than placebo (44.8, 34.3 and 24.0, respectively). TEAEs and AESIs related to study drug or leading to discontinuation were infrequent.

Conclusions

BOS was well‐tolerated; most TEAEs with BOS were mild/moderate in severity.

ClinicalTrials.gov numbers

SHP621‐101 (no clinical trials registration number), MPI 101‐01 (NCT00762073), MPI 101‐06 (NCT01642212), SHP621‐301 (NCT02605837), SHP621‐302 (NCT02736409) and SHP621‐303 (NCT03245840).
Out of their depth: The successful use of cultured subtidal mussels for intertidal restoration
Authors: Toone Trevyn A. , Hillman Jenny R. , Benjamin Emilee D. , Handley Sean , Jeffs Andrew
Published: March 2023

Ecosystem restoration has proliferated across the globe to combat widespread ecosystem decline. Translocations of viable individuals into degraded habitats form a core component of restoration efforts, but the selection of source populations poses challenges because phenotypic differences between source populations and depleted populations result in low post‐translocation survival. Intertidal mussel restoration is typically reliant on subtidal source populations despite their weaker shells, lighter weights, and poorer respiratory abilities compared to intertidal mussels. Intertidal mussel restoration using subtidal mussels has recorded very low survival, leading to suggestions that subtidal mussels are unfit for the intertidal zone, effectively eliminating the possibility of translocation‐based intertidal mussel restoration. In this study, small‐scale intertidal mussel restoration was tested using subtidal cultured mussels transplanted to paired plots, half in the lower intertidal and half in the upper subtidal. The results demonstrate the first scientific evidence of the successful restoration of intertidal mussel reefs using subtidal mussels at this scale. Specifically, one location recorded very high survival after 12 months (95.1 ± 0.6%; mean ± SE), comparable to the survival recorded in the subtidal zone (97.6 ± 0.3%). Translocations to the intertidal at the other two locations experienced mortality during the Austral summer (final survival: 81.3 ± 1.6% and 56.6 ± 7.4%), which directly correlated with exposure to extreme temperatures (>40°C). These results reveal that despite phenotypic differences, subtidal cultured mussels are potential sources for successful intertidal restoration. However, care should also be taken to avoid locations prone to high temperatures, particularly in light of a warming global environment. Ultimately, to achieve the massive upscaling in restoration called for by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, we encourage restoration managers to think broadly about potential source populations, avoid rejections based solely on phenotypic differences, and explore every potential avenue for restoration success.
Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in skin surgery – Position paper of the Antibiotic Stewardship working group of the German Society for Dermatologic Surgery (DGDC), Part 1: Procedure‐ and patient‐related risk factors
Authors: Löser Christoph R. , Becker Sören L. , Hartmann Daniela , Kofler Lukas , Kunte Christian , Müller Cornelia S. L. , Schlager Justin Gabriel , Balakirski Galina
Published: March 2023

The aim of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is to prevent the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) or other infectious complications (especially bacterial endocarditis or septic arthritis). PAP is effective in surgeries where overall infection rates are high even without considering patient‐related risk factors (such as orthopedic surgery or fracture repair). Surgery on airways, gastrointestinal, genital, or urinary tract is also considered to be associated with a risk of infection and may require PAP. Overall, SSIs in skin surgery are relatively rare and vary between 1% and 11% depending on the localization, complexity of the wound closure and patient cohort. Therefore, the general surgical recommendations regarding PAP only partially reflect the needs of dermatologic surgery. In contrast to the USA, where recommendations on the use of PAP in skin surgery already exist, there are currently no guidelines for the use of PAP specifically designed for dermatologic surgery in Germany. In the absence of an evidence‐based recommendation, the use of PAP is guided by the experience of the surgeons and leads to a heterogeneous use of antimicrobial substances. In this work, we summarize the current scientific literature on the use of PAP and make a recommendation depending on procedure‐ and patient‐related risk factors.
Status quo and future perspectives of molecular diagnostics in dermatology
Authors: Gebhardt Christoffer , Eyerich Kilian , Garzorz‐Stark Natalie
Published: March 2023

Molecular diagnostics (MDx) has become an indispensable pillar of diagnostics in dermatology. Modern sequencing technologies allow for identification of rare genodermatoses, analysis of somatic mutations in melanoma are prerequisite for targeted therapies, and cutaneous infectious pathogens are quickly detected by PCR and other amplification methods. However, to push innovation in molecular diagnostics and tackle so far unmet clinical needs, research activities need to be bundled and the pipeline from idea to MDx product clearly rolled out. Only then, the requirements for technical validity and clinical utility of novel biomarkers can be fulfilled and the long‐term vision of personalized medicine will be realized.
Functional connectivity between medial pulvinar and cortical networks as a predictor of arousal to noxious stimuli during sleep
Authors: Bastuji Hélène , Cadic‐Melchior Andéol , Ruelle‐Le Glaunec Lucien , Magnin Michel , Garcia‐Larrea Luis
Published: March 2023

The interruption of sleep by a nociceptive stimulus is favoured by an increase in the pre‐stimulus functional connectivity between sensory and higher level cortical areas. In addition, stimuli inducing arousal also trigger a widespread electroencephalographic (EEG) response reflecting the coordinated activation of a large cortical network. Because functional connectivity between distant cortical areas is thought to be underpinned by trans‐thalamic connections involving associative thalamic nuclei, we investigated the possible involvement of one principal associative thalamic nucleus, the medial pulvinar (PuM), in the sleeper's responsiveness to nociceptive stimuli. Intra‐cortical and intra‐thalamic signals were analysed in 440 intracranial electroencephalographic (iEEG) segments during nocturnal sleep in eight epileptic patients receiving laser nociceptive stimuli. The spectral coherence between the PuM and 10 cortical regions grouped in networks was computed during 5 s before and 1 s after the nociceptive stimulus and contrasted according to the presence or absence of an arousal EEG response. Pre‐ and post‐stimulus phase coherence between the PuM and all cortical networks was significantly increased in instances of arousal, both during N2 and paradoxical (rapid eye movement [REM]) sleep. Thalamo‐cortical enhancement in coherence involved both sensory and higher level cortical networks and predominated in the pre‐stimulus period. The association between pre‐stimulus widespread increase in thalamo‐cortical coherence and subsequent arousal suggests that the probability of sleep interruption by a noxious stimulus increases when it occurs during phases of enhanced trans‐thalamic transfer of information between cortical areas.
Excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties of SiCN ceramic aerogels via a controlled hydrosilylation reaction
Authors: You Guiqin , Han Daoyang , Tian Huijie , Liang Junfang , Wang Chang‐An , Yuan Keke , He Jilin , Li Mingliang , Wang Hailong , Zhang Rui , Shao Gang
Published: March 2023

Polymer‐derived ceramic materials exhibit adjustable composition, microstructure, and dielectric properties and are widely used as high temperature microwave absorption materials in the aerospace field. In this study, polymer‐derived SiCN ceramic aerogels with excellent electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) properties were successfully fabricated through a combination of the sol‐gel, freeze‐ drying, and polymer precursor conversion methods. The hydrosilylation reaction between the Si‐H bond in polysilazane (a polymer ceramic precursor) and the C = C bond in divinylbenzene (a cross‐linking agent) occurs to form a wet gel. The effects of the molar ratios of the two bonds (C = C/Si‐H) on the microstructure and EMA properties of the SiCN ceramic aerogels were systematically studied. At a C = C/Si–H molar ratio of 1.25:1, the minimum reflection loss of the SiCN ceramic aerogels is −37.57 dB at 10.88 GHz. Moreover, the corresponding effective absorption bandwidth covers almost the entire X‐band, showing excellent EMA properties.
Induction of systemic, mucosal, and cellular immunity against SARS‐CoV‐2 in mice vaccinated by trans‐airway with a S1 protein combined with a pulmonary surfactant‐derived adjuvant SF‐10
Authors: Kimoto Takashi , Sakai Satoko , Kameda Keiko , Morita Ryoko , Takahashi Etsuhisa , Shinohara Yasuo , Kido Hiroshi
Published: March 2023

Background

There is a need for vaccines that can induce effective systemic, respiratory mucosal, and cellular immunity to control the COVID‐19 pandemic. We reported previously that a synthetic mucosal adjuvant SF‐10 derived from human pulmonary surfactant works as an efficient antigen delivery vehicle to antigen presenting cells in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts and promotes induction of influenza virus antigen‐specific serum IgG, mucosal IgA, and cellular immunity.

Methods

The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of a new administration route of trans‐airway (TA) vaccine comprising recombinant SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein 1 (S1) combined with SF‐10 (S1‐SF‐10 vaccine) on systemic, local, and cellular immunity in mice, compared with intramuscular injection (IM) of S1 with a potent adjuvant AddaS03™ (S1‐AddaS03™ vaccine).

Results

S1‐SF‐10‐TA vaccine induced S1‐specific IgG and IgA in serum and lung mucosae. These IgG and IgA induced by S1‐SF‐10‐TA showed significant protective immunity in a receptor binding inhibition test of S1 and angiotensin converting enzyme 2, a receptor of SARS‐CoV‐2, which were more potent and faster achievement than S1‐AddaS03™‐IM. Enzyme‐linked immunospot assay showed high numbers of S1‐specific IgA and IgG secreting cells (ASCs) and S1‐responsive IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐17A cytokine secreting cells (CSCs) in the spleen and lungs. S1‐AddaS03™‐IM induced IgG ASCs and IL‐4 CSCs in spleen higher than S1‐SF‐10‐TA, but the numbers of ASCs and CSCs in lungs were low and hardly detected.

Conclusions

Based on the need for effective systemic, respiratory, and cellular immunity, the S1‐SF‐10‐TA vaccine seems promising mucosal vaccine against respiratory infection of SARS‐CoV‐2.
Summary of best evidence for prevention and control of pressure ulcer on support surfaces
Authors: Huang Lijun , Yan Yu , Huang Yimin , Liao Yuan , Li Wenjie , Gu Cuijin , Lu Xiaoting , Li Yu , Li Chun
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to summarise the best evidence for the prevention and control of pressure ulcer at the support surface based on the site and stage of the pressure ulcer in order to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcer and improve the quality of care. In accordance with the top‐down principle of the 6 S model of evidence‐based resources, evidence from domestic and international databases and websites on the prevention and control of pressure ulcer on support surfaces, including randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, evidence‐based guidelines, and evidence summaries, was systematically searched for the period from January 2000 to July 2022. Evidence grading based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence‐Based Health Care Centre Evidence Pre‐grading System (2014 version), Australia. The outcomes mainly embraced 12 papers, including three randomised controlled trials, three systematic reviews, three evidence‐based guidelines, and three evidence summaries. The best evidence summarised included a total of 19 recommendations in three areas: type of support surface selection assessment, use of support surfaces, and team management and quality control.
Missorting of plasma miRNAs in aging and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Čarna Maria , Novotny Jan S. , Dragišić Neda , Slavik Hanuš , Sheardova Kateřina , Geda Yonas E. , Vyhnalek Martin , Laczo Jan , Hort Jakub , Mao Zixu , Rissman Robert A. , Hajduch Marian , Dammer Eric B. , Stokin Gorazd B.
Published: March 2023

The observation that aging is regulated by microRNAs (miRNA) and at the same time represents the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), prompted us to examine the circulating miRNA network in AD beyond aging. We here show that plasma miRNAs in aging are downregulated and predicted to be preferentially targeted to the extracellular vesicle (EV) content. In AD, miRNAs are further downregulated, display altered proportions of motifs relevant to their loading into EVs and secretion propensity, and are forecast to be found exclusively in EVs. The circulating miRNA network in AD, therefore, reflects pathological exacerbation of the aging process whereby physiological suppression of AD pathology by miRNAs becomes insufficient.

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Diversity and mean specific leaf area of Mediterranean woody vegetation changes in response to summer drought across a double stress gradient: The role of phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Carrascosa Alejandro , Silvestre Mariola , Morgado Laura , Azcárate Francisco M.
Published: March 2023

Aim

Many aspects of vegetation response to increased drought remain uncertain but it is expected that phenotypic plasticity may be key to early adaptation of plants to environmental stress. In this work we observe the response of specific leaf area (SLA) of woody shrub vegetation to the summer drought typical of the Mediterranean climate. In addition, to observe the possible interaction between the impact of drought and the environmental characteristics of the ecosystems, communities from different edaphic and structural contexts distributed along the double stress gradient of the Mediterranean mountains (high temperature and low precipitation at low elevation; low temperature and high irradiation at high elevation) have been analysed.

Location

Central Mountain range of the Iberian Peninsula.

Methods

Along the entire altitudinal gradient, 33 shrub communities belonging to different habitat typologies (shrublands, rocky areas, hedgerows, understorey) were sampled before and after the passage of summer, both in 2017 and 2019. A total of 1724 individuals and 15,516 leaves were collected and measured to estimate the mean values and diversity of SLA of each community.

Results

The community‐weighted mean and functional divergence have inverse quadratic relationships with the environmental gradient. Shrub communities at both ends of the gradient have low mean SLA values and high functional divergence of this trait. Summer drought implies a generalised decrease in the mean SLA of the communities throughout the gradient, as well as an alteration in functional richness and uniformity. However, the effect of summer drought on the plant community is mediated by the microenvironmental characteristics of its habitat.

Conclusions

Drought acclimatisation of shrub communities through phenotypic plasticity leads to rapid changes in their functional leaf structure. In the long term, our results point to an increase in plant conservative strategies, reduced ecosystem productivity, slower nutrient recycling and the reduction of communities of specific habitats as drought increases.
Reduced protein intake in Procambarus clarkii fed diets containing graded levels of purslane: Effects on growth and quality
Authors: Martinoli Marco , Martini Arianna , Pulcini Domitilla , Renzi Gianluca , Tonachella Nicolò , Veroli Maxim , Capoccioni Fabrizio
Published: March 2023

In this study, 144 red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, initial mean weight 3.9 ± 0.3 g) juveniles were fed diets containing graded levels of purslane (Portulaca oleracea), with a decreasing percentage of proteins (from 17.3% to 1.0%) for 10 weeks. Six diets were administered: four fishmeal diets containing 5%, 15%, 25%, and 50% purslane, a diet with 100% purslane, and a commercial diet. Growth performance and the amounts of fatty acids and carotenoids were measured. Crayfish fed 25% and 50% purslane diets showed optimal contents in fatty acids (FAs) and astaxanthin, and their growth was comparable to that of the control group. Significant differences in FA content of the crayfish groups were observed for saturated FAs, monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs). The highest levels of n − 3 α‐linolenic acid (ALA) and n − 6 linoleic acid (LA) were found in the groups fed 25%, 50%, and 100% purslane diets. This study shows that the best purslane content to be included in the crayfish diet should range between 25% and 50%. Although the nutritional value of purslane is low, its inclusion at up to 50% in crayfish diets seems to improve the carotenoid content and FA quality, while reducing the daily intake of animal protein, without affecting growth performance, thus contributing to the goal of more sustainable crustacean aquaculture.
Curricular representation of neurogastroenterology: A survey among medical students in Germany
Authors: Patejdl Robert , Demir Ihsan Ekin , Frieling Thomas , Goebel‐Stengel Miriam , Günther Lydia , Keller Jutta , Niesler Beate , Stengel Andreas , Neckel Peter H.
Published: March 2023

Background

Neurogastroenterological disorders (NGDs) are highly prevalent and substantially impact patients' quality of life. Effective treatment of NGDs depends on the competence and training of medical caregivers. Students' perceived competence in neurogastroenterology and its place in medical school curricula are assessed in this study.

Methods

A multi‐center digital survey among medical students was conducted at five universities. Self‐ratings of competence regarding basic mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of six chronic medical conditions were assessed. These included irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease, and achalasia. Ulcerative colitis, hypertension, and migraine were included as references.

Key Results

Of 231 participants, 38% remembered that neurogastroenterology was covered in their curriculum. Highest competence ratings were stated for hypertension and the lowest for IBS. These findings were identical for all institutions irrespective of their curricular model and demographic parameters. Students who remembered neurogastroenterology as a part of their curriculum reported higher competence ratings. According to 72% of students, NGDs should be highlighted more prominently in the curriculum.

Conclusions & Inferences

Despite its epidemiological relevance, neurogastroenterology is only weakly represented in medical curricula. Students report low levels of subjective competence in handling NGDs. In general, assessing the learners' perspective on an empirical basis may enrichen the process of national standardization of medical school curricula.
Comparison between digital and conventional impression techniques in children on preference, time and comfort: A crossover randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bosoni Carlo , Nieri Michele , Franceschi Debora , Souki Bernardo Quiroga , Franchi Lorenzo , Giuntini Veronica
Published: March 2023

Objective

To compare the conventional alginate impression and the digital impression taken with an intraoral scanner of both dental arches in children, using a randomized crossover design.

Trial Design

This is a monocentric, controlled, superiority, randomized, crossover, open study.

Methods

Twenty‐four orthodontic patients between 6 and 11 years of age underwent intraoral scanning (TRIOS 3; 3Shape) and alginate impression of both dental arches with an interval of 1 week between the two procedures. Participants were recruited from September 2021 to March 2022 and the study was completed in April 2022. Impression time for the two procedures was compared. Patients were asked which one of the two impression procedures they preferred. A questionnaire including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for comfort, pain, gag reflex and difficulty in breathing, was administered to the patients.

Results

Eighteen out of 24 patients preferred digital impression (75%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 55% to 88%; P = .014). Scanning time was significantly shorter than alginate impression time (difference −118 seconds; 95% CI: −138 to −99; P < .001). Comfort was significantly higher for digital impression (difference 1.7; 95% CI: 0.5 to 2.8; P = .007). There was no difference in pain (difference −0.2; 95% CI: −1.5 to 1.0; P = .686) while gag reflex and breathing difficulties were smaller for digital impression (gag reflex difference −2.5; 95% CI: −4.0 to −0.9; P = .004 and breathing difficulties difference −1.5; 95% CI: −2.5 to −0.5; P = −.004).

Conclusions

Digital impression is preferred by children aged 6–11 years and it is significantly faster in acquisition time than conventional alginate impression.

Registration

The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number NCT04220957 on January 7th, 2020 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04220957).
Lung cancer screening an asbestos exposed population: Existing lung cancer risk criteria are not sufficient
Authors: Brims Fraser J. H. , Harris Edward J. A. , Murray Conor , Kumarasamy Chellan , Ho Alice , Adler Brendan , Franklin Peter , de Klerk Nick H.
Published: March 2023

Background and Objective

Asbestos is a major risk factor for lung cancer, with or without tobacco smoke exposure. Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for early lung cancer is effective but only when targeting high risk populations. This study aimed to analyse the effectiveness of LDCT screening in an asbestos exposed population and to compare lung cancer screening program (LCSP) eligibility criteria.

Methods

Participants in an asbestos health surveillance program, the Western Australia Asbestos Review Program, underwent at least one LDCT scan and lung function assessment as part of annual review between 2012 and 2017. Lung cancer cases were confirmed through linkage to the WA cancer registry. Theoretical eligibility for different screening programs was calculated.

Results

Five thousand seven hundred and two LDCT scans were performed on 1743 individuals. The median age was 69.8 years, 1481 (85.0%) were male and 1147 (65.8%) were ever‐smokers (median pack‐year exposure of 20.0). Overall, 26 lung cancers were detected (1.5% of the population; 3.5 cases per 1000 person‐years of observation). Lung cancer was early stage in 86.4% and four (15.4%) cases were never smokers. Based on current lung screening program criteria, 1299 (74.5%) of this population, including the majority (17, 65.4%) of lung cancer cases, would not have been eligible for any LCSP.

Conclusion

This population is at raised risk despite modest tobacco exposure. LDCT screening is effective at identifying early‐stage lung cancer in this population and existing lung cancer risk criteria do not capture this population adequately.
Improved three‐dimensional mapping of soil chromium pollution with sparse borehole data: Incorporating multisource auxiliary data into IDW‐based interpolation
Authors: Chen Jian , Han Chunmei , Peng Yuxuan , Wang Meiyan , Zhao Yongcun
Published: March 2023

Deriving an accurate three‐dimensional (3D) spatial distribution of heterogeneous soil pollutants at contaminated sites using traditional spatial interpolation methods, such as inverse distance weighting (IDW), is challenging; especially when only limited borehole data are available. This study presents a novel IDW‐COV method, where weighting is determined by optimizing relative importance between feature distances of covariates and spatial distances to soil sample locations. The method was tested by mapping the 3D distributions of Cr (VI) and total Cr at a Cr salt production workshop (Site A) and a legacy Cr slag stacking site (Site B). The results were compared with those of IDW, the soil land inference model (SoLIM), and the SoLIM combined with IDW method (SoLIM‐IDW). The proposed IDW‐COV method returned the highest accuracy, with R2 values of 0.83 for Cr (VI) in Site A and 0.75 for total Cr in Site B, compared with 0.65 and 0.57 for IDW, 0.16 and 0.58 for SoLIM, and 0.73 and 0.61 for SoLIM‐IDW. This study highlights the importance of considering differences in explanatory power between multidimensional covariate and geographical spatial distance when incorporating multisource auxiliary data into weighted average estimators and provides guidance for mapping 3D distributions of heterogeneous pollutants from sparse soil borehole data.
The novel HLA‐C*03:621 allele, identified by Sanger dideoxy nucleotide sequencing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Zi Fu‐Ming , Zheng Zhong‐Zheng , Du Ke‐Ming , An Lin , Wang Qing‐Ming
Published: March 2023

HLA‐C*03:621 differs from HLA‐C*03:04:01:01 by one nucleotide in exon 1.
Inhabiting Regional Geographical Practice in a Climate‐Changing World
Authors: Taylor Zac J.
Published: March 2023

Reflecting on the limits of the sovereign‐state centricity of mainstream contemporary climate action, Peter Taylor calls for new forms of regional geographical analysis and intervention. What might these aims and ambitions look and feel like for geographers? With this commentary, I take up Taylor's propositions through personal reflection on the work of “doing regional geography” in this current juncture of transnational climate action and transformation. I engage with the analytical challenges associated with regional climate research today – in my case, by way of financialized climate governance puzzles in Florida and the Netherlands. I also discuss how deconstructive and reconstructive approaches to knowledge production enliven my regional geographical engagement, but also generate new personal and disciplinary dilemmas. With this brief note, I hope to reinforce continued reflection on how geographers might take up – or inhabit – timely calls for regional analysis and intervention in climate‐changing regions.
Fern cell walls and the evolution of arabinogalactan proteins in streptophytes
Authors: Mueller Kim‐Kristine , Pfeifer Lukas , Schuldt Lina , Szövényi Péter , de Vries Sophie , de Vries Jan , Johnson Kim L. , Classen Birgit
Published: March 2023

Significant changes have occurred in plant cell wall composition during evolution and diversification of tracheophytes. As the sister lineage to seed plants, knowledge on the cell wall of ferns is key to track evolutionary changes across tracheophytes and to understand seed plant‐specific evolutionary innovations. Fern cell wall composition is not fully understood, including limited knowledge of glycoproteins such as the fern arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). Here, we characterize the AGPs from the leptosporangiate fern genera Azolla, Salvinia, and Ceratopteris. The carbohydrate moiety of seed plant AGPs consists of a galactan backbone including mainly 1,3‐ and 1,3,6‐linked pyranosidic galactose, which is conserved across the investigated fern AGPs. Yet, unlike AGPs of angiosperms, those of ferns contained the unusual sugar 3‐O‐methylrhamnose. Besides terminal furanosidic arabinose, Ara (Araf), the main linkage type of Araf in the ferns was 1,2‐linked Araf, whereas in seed plants 1,5‐linked Araf is often dominating. Antibodies directed against carbohydrate epitopes of AGPs supported the structural differences between AGPs of ferns and seed plants. Comparison of AGP linkage types across the streptophyte lineage showed that angiosperms have rather conserved monosaccharide linkage types; by contrast bryophytes, ferns, and gymnosperms showed more variability. Phylogenetic analyses of glycosyltransferases involved in AGP biosynthesis and bioinformatic search for AGP protein backbones revealed a versatile genetic toolkit for AGP complexity in ferns. Our data reveal important differences across AGP diversity of which the functional significance is unknown. This diversity sheds light on the evolution of the hallmark feature of tracheophytes: their elaborate cell walls.
Non‐volatile metabolites mediate plant interactions with insect herbivores
Authors: Luo Mei , Li Bin , Jander Georg , Zhou Shaoqun
Published: March 2023

Non‐volatile metabolites constitute the bulk of plant biomass. From the perspective of plant–insect interactions, these structurally diverse compounds include nutritious core metabolites and defensive specialized metabolites. In this review, we synthesize the current literature on multiple scales of plant–insect interactions mediated by non‐volatile metabolites. At the molecular level, functional genetics studies have revealed a large collection of receptors targeting plant non‐volatile metabolites in model insect species and agricultural pests. By contrast, examples of plant receptors of insect‐derived molecules remain sparse. For insect herbivores, plant non‐volatile metabolites function beyond the dichotomy of core metabolites, classed as nutrients, and specialized metabolites, classed as defensive compounds. Insect feeding tends to elicit evolutionarily conserved changes in plant specialized metabolism, whereas its effect on plant core metabolism varies widely based the interacting species. Finally, several recent studies have demonstrated that non‐volatile metabolites can mediate tripartite communication on the community scale, facilitated by physical connections established through direct root‐to‐root communication, parasitic plants, arbuscular mycorrhizae and the rhizosphere microbiome. Recent advances in both plant and insect molecular biology will facilitate further research on the role of non‐volatile metabolites in mediating plant–insect interactions.
Myocardial steatosis impairs left ventricular diastolic–systolic coupling in healthy humans
Authors: Oneglia Andrew P. , Szczepaniak Lidia S. , Jaffery Manall F. , Cipher Daisha J. , McDonald Jeffrey G. , Haykowsky Mark J. , Moreau Kerrie L. , Clegg Deborah J. , Zaha Vlad , Nelson Michael D.
Published: March 2023

Mounting evidence suggests that myocardial steatosis contributes to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, but definitive evidence in humans is lacking due to confounding comorbidities. As such, we utilized a 48‐h food restriction model to acutely increase myocardial triglyceride (mTG) content – measured by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy – in 27 young healthy volunteers (13 men/14 women). Forty‐eight hours of fasting caused a more than 3‐fold increase in mTG content (P < 0.001). Diastolic function – defined as early diastolic circumferential strain rate (CSRd) – was unchanged following the 48‐h fasting intervention, but systolic circumferential strain rate was elevated (P < 0.001), indicative of systolic–diastolic uncoupling. Indeed, in a separate control experiment in 10 individuals, administration of low‐dose dobutamine (2 μg/kg/min) caused a similar change in systolic circumferential strain rate as was found during 48 h of food restriction, along with a proportionate increase in CSRd, such that the two metrics remained coupled. Taken together, these data indicate that myocardial steatosis contributes to diastolic dysfunction by impairing diastolic–systolic coupling in healthy adults, and suggest that steatosis may contribute to the progression of heart disease.

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Key points

Preclinical evidence strongly suggests that myocardial lipid accumulation (termed steatosis) is an important mechanism driving heart disease.

Definitive evidence in humans is limited due to the confounding influence of multiple underlying comorbidities.

Using a 48‐h food restriction model to acutely increase myocardial triglyceride content in young healthy volunteers, we demonstrate an association between myocardial steatosis and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

These data advance the hypothesis that myocardial steatosis may contribute to diastolic dysfunction and suggest myocardial steatosis as a putative therapeutic target.
‘Māori History can be a Freeing Shaper’: Embracing Māori Histories to Construct a ‘Good’ Pākehā Identity
Authors: Pedersen Rachelle , McCreanor Tim , Braun Virginia
Published: March 2023

Recent upheaval in racism debates across western countries is exemplified in New Zealand in the decision to compulsorily teach Māori histories in schools. Until recently this history has been largely marginalised and ignored by settlers/Pākehā who maintained a belief in histories which served to legitimise the Pākehā position of power. Earlier analyses have identified how the media has maintained normative Pākehā dominance and power through a consistent dissemination of a limited set of racist discourses. Our thematic and discursive analysis explores how media that embrace Māori histories (9 media items published 1 April 2019 to 30 September 2019) work to provide discursive resources for Pākehā in navigating the current debates. A process of hard work followed by transformation into an enlightened future was identified as a pathway for Pākehā to navigate the current upheaval and construct a ‘good’ Pākehā identity. The construction of a racist Pākehā outgroup works as a comparison to emphasise the ‘good’ Pākehā as ideal, and to assign blame for past and present racism. Our analysis demonstrates that despite overtly positive coverage, media accounts can still work to maintain Pākehā centrality and side-line or render invisible structural racism and Pākehā privilege.
Keywords: te Tiriti o Waitangi; colonialism; media studies; discourse analysis; New Zealand history
Magnetic ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate characterized by XPS
Authors: Shigemoto Akihiko , Osaki Shusuke , Mori Megumi , Tokieda Kentaro
Published: March 2023

The XPS spectra of ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate (EmimFeCl4) were collected with Al Kα x-radiation, and the result provides a valence band spectrum in addition to the core Fe 2p, Cl 2p, and C 1s spectra.
Reconsidering classic ideas in speech communication
Authors: Winn Matthew B. , Wright Richard A. , Tucker Benjamin V.
Published: March 2023

The papers in this special issue provide a critical look at some historical ideas that have had an influence on research and teaching in the field of speech communication. They also address widely used methodologies or address long-standing methodological challenges in the areas of speech perception and speech production. The goal is to reconsider and evaluate the need for caution or replacement of historical ideas with more modern results and methods. The contributions provide respectful historical context to the classic ideas, as well as new original research or discussion that clarifies the limitations of the original ideas.
Loudspeaker array beamforming for sound projection in a half-space with an impedance boundary
Authors: Pan Keyu , Huang Jie , Cheng Jiazheng , Shen Yong
Published: March 2023

Sound projection is a method of using highly focused sources to project sound onto reflective surfaces to create the impression of surround sound, which can be realized via beamforming using loudspeaker arrays. Generally, these devices are mounted near a surface with a finite acoustic impedance, such as a TV accent wall. The beamforming performance degrades in this half-space with an impedance boundary when the filters are designed using transfer functions measured in the free field. This paper proposes a model for predicting the beamforming performance in a half-space with an impedance boundary in terms of the transfer functions in the free field. A mathematical model is presented, and the results are compared with practical measurements for a 16-driver line array in real-use environments. The results show that reflections from the boundary lead to “dark bands” in the beam, causing the beam to deviate from the designed direction. Using filters designed with transfer functions calculated by the proposed model yields improved beamforming performance.
Structure and mechanism of the plant RNA polymerase V
Authors: Xie Guohui , Du Xuan , Hu Hongmiao , Li Sisi , Cao Xiaofeng , Jacobsen Steven E. , Du Jiamu
Published: March 2023

In addition to the conserved RNA polymerases I to III (Pols I to III) in eukaryotes, two atypical polymerases, Pols IV and V, specifically produce noncoding RNA in the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway in plants. Here, we report on the structures of cauliflower Pol V in the free and elongation conformations. A conserved tyrosine residue of NRPE2 stacks with a double-stranded DNA branch of the transcription bubble to potentially attenuate elongation by inducing transcription stalling. The nontemplate DNA strand is captured by NRPE2 to enhance backtracking, thereby increasing 3′-5′ cleavage, which likely underpins Pol V’s high fidelity. The structures also illuminate the mechanism of Pol V transcription stalling and enhanced backtracking, which may be important for Pol V’s retention on chromatin to serve its function in tethering downstream factors for RNA-directed DNA methylation.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens: a Transformative Agent for Fundamental Insights into Host-Microbe Interactions, Genome Biology, Chemical Signaling, and Cell Biology
Authors: Brown Pamela J. B. , Chang Jeff H. , Fuqua Clay
Published: March 2023

Agrobacterium tumefaciens
incites the formation of readily visible macroscopic structures known as crown galls on plant tissues that it infects. Records from biologists as early as the 17th century noted these unusual plant growths and began examining the basis for their formation.
SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) from New York City
Authors: Wang Yang , Lenoch Julianna , Kohler Dennis , DeLiberto Thomas J. , Tang Cynthia Y. , Li Tao , Tao Yizhi Jane , Guan Minhui , Compton Susan , Zeiss Caroline , Hang Jun , Wan Xiu-Feng
Published: March 2023

The host tropism expansion of SARS-CoV-2 raises concern for the potential risk of reverse-zoonotic transmission of emerging variants into rodent species, including wild rat species. In this study, we present both genetic and serological evidence for SARS-CoV-2 exposure to the New York City wild rat population, and these viruses may be linked to the viruses that were circulating during the early stages of the pandemic.
Forming and preserving aragonite in shear zones: First report of blueschist facies metamorphism in the Jabal Akhdar Dome, Oman Mountains
Authors: Zuccari C. , Vignaroli G. , Callegari I. , Nestola F. , Novella D. , Giuntoli F. , Guillong M. , Viola G.
Published: March 2023

We report the first occurrence of high-pressure metamorphic aragonite in Precambrian carbonates of the Jabal Akhdar Dome in the Oman Mountains (northern Oman). We propose a model for both its formation at blueschist facies conditions and its subsequent preservation to the surface within the tectonic framework of the Late Cretaceous obduction of the Semail Ophiolite. Aragonite formed at temperature ~350 °C and pressure ≥0.9 GPa and is preserved within mylonitic shear zones and in stretched-fiber dilational veins where the necessary conditions for its formation and preservation, such as plastic strain accommodation, fluid-enhanced mineralogical reactions, and an anisotropic permeability structure, were preferentially met with respect to the surrounding rock. High-strain structural domains are ideal sites to look for and study prograde and retrograde high-pressure metamorphic histories in deeply subducted and exhumed terrains.