bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment eosinophil count predicts response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Toshida Katsuya , Itoh Shinji , Yoshiya Shohei , Nagao Yoshihiro , Tomino Takahiro , Izumi Takuma , Iseda Norifumi , Toshima Takeo , Ninomiya Mizuki , Yoshizumi Tomoharu
Published: December 2023

Aim

Pretreatment peripheral blood markers have value in predicting the treatment outcome of various cancers. In particular, the eosinophil count has recently gained attention. However, no study has reported the influence of the pretreatment eosinophil count on the outcomes of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATZ/BEV), which is the recommended first‐line systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u‐HCC).

Methods

We enrolled 114 patients with u‐HCC treated with ATZ/BEV (n = 48) or lenvatinib (n = 66). The patients receiving ATZ/BEV or lenvatinib were divided into two groups by calculating the cutoff value of the pretreatment eosinophil count. The groups were compared regarding the clinicopathological characteristics, outcomes, and incidence of adverse events (AEs).

Results

Twenty‐three of 48 patients (47.9%) who received ATZ/BEV therapy were categorized as the ATZ/BEV‐eosinophil‐high group, which had better responses than the ATZ/BEV‐eosinophil‐low group (P = 0.0090). Kaplan–Meier curves revealed a trend toward significantly better progression‐free survival (PFS) in the ATZ/BEV‐eosinophil‐high group than the ATZ/BEV‐eosinophil‐low group (the median PFS: 4.7 months in the ATZ/BEV‐eosinophil‐low group vs 12.6 months in the ATZ/BEV‐eosinophil‐high group; P = 0.0064). Multivariate analysis showed that a low eosinophil count was an independent risk factor for worse PFS after ATZ/BEV therapy (P = 0.0424, hazard ratio: 2.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–4.89). AEs (≥ grade 3) were significantly more likely to occur in the ATZ/BEV‐eosinophil‐high group (P = 0.0285). The outcomes did not significantly differ between the LEN‐eosinophil‐high group and the LEN‐eosinophil‐low group.

Conclusion

A high pretreatment eosinophil count predicted a better response to ATZ/BEV therapy for u‐HCC and was associated with the incidence of AEs (≥ grade 3).
First detection of Rift Valley fever virus antibodies in non‐human primates in Cameroon
Authors: Ebogo‐Belobo Jean Thierry , Sadeuh‐Mba Serge Alain , Chavely Gwladys Monamele , Groschup Martin H. , Mbacham Wilfred Fon , Njouom Richard
Published: December 2023

We tested for Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) from at least 15 species of non‐human primates. RVFV IgG/IgM antibodies were detected in 3.7% (2 out of 53) of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and in 1.4% (1 out of 72) of unidentified non‐human primate species. This study was the first investigation of RVFV in monkeys in Cameroon.
Efficiency of KTP laser for verrucae vulgaris and plantaris: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Dursun Pinar , Bulut Bilal , Kaya Tamer Irfan
Published: December 2023

Background

Verrucae are benign proliferations caused by human papillomavirus. Treatment is needed for pain, bleeding, contagiousness, and cosmetically.

Aims

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of KTP laser treatment in verrucae, as well as side effects and recurrence rates.

Patients and Methods

Patients who had Verrucae vulgaris (V. vulgaris) and Verrucae plantaris (V. plantaris) previously treated with KTP laser were scanned for their eligibility. Twenty‐nine patients who met the inclusion criteria were included. There was complete recovery in 24 patients (82.8%) and partial recovery in two patients (6.9%). Three patients (10.3%) were unresponsive to treatment after six sessions (no recovery). Two patients had mild pain during the application, and 65.4% of the patients had complete cosmetic recovery at the 3rd month follow‐up.

Results

As a result, we found that the standard KTP laser can be an effective option for both types of verrucae.

Conclusions

We think KTP laser treatment can be preferred for verrucae treatment.
Post‐transcriptional control of the essential enzyme MurF by a small regulatory RNA in Brucella abortus
Authors: King Kellie A. , Benton Angela H. , Caudill Mitchell T. , Stoyanof S. Tristan , Kang Lin , Michalak Pawel , Lahmers Kevin K. , Dunman Paul M. , DeHart Tanner G. , Ahmad Saadman S. , Jutras Brandon L. , Poncin Katy , De Bolle Xavier , Caswell Clayton C.
Published: December 2023

Brucella abortus is a facultative, intracellular, zoonotic pathogen that resides inside macrophages during infection. This is a specialized niche where B. abortus encounters various stresses as it navigates through the macrophage. In order to survive this harsh environment, B. abortus utilizes post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression through the use of small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs). Here, we characterize a Brucella sRNAs called MavR (for MurF‐ and virulence‐regulating sRNA), and we demonstrate that MavR is required for the full virulence of B. abortus in macrophages and in a mouse model of chronic infection. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealed that a major regulatory target of MavR is MurF. MurF is an essential protein that catalyzes the final cytoplasmic step in peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis; however, we did not detect any differences in the amount or chemical composition of PG in the ΔmavR mutant. A 6‐nucleotide regulatory seed region within MavR was identified, and mutation of this seed region resulted in dysregulation of MurF production, as well as significant attenuation of infection in a mouse model. Overall, the present study underscores the importance of sRNA regulation in the physiology and virulence of Brucella.
Functional traits shape plant–plant interactions and recruitment in a hotspot of woody plant diversity
Authors: Cooksley Huw , Dreyling Lukas , Esler Karen J. , Griebenow Stian , Neumann Günter , Valentine Alex , Schleuning Matthias , Schurr Frank M.
Published: December 2023

Understanding and predicting recruitment in species‐rich plant communities requires identifying functional determinants of both density‐independent performance and interactions.

In a common‐garden field experiment with 25 species of the woody plant genus Protea, we varied the initial spatial and taxonomic arrangement of seedlings and followed their survival and growth during recruitment. Neighbourhood models quantified how six key functional traits affect density‐independent performance, interaction effects and responses.

Trait‐based neighbourhood models accurately predicted individual survival and growth from the initial spatial and functional composition of species‐rich experimental communities. Functional variation among species caused substantial variation in density‐independent survival and growth that was not correlated with interaction effects and responses. Interactions were spatially restricted but had important, predominantly competitive, effects on recruitment. Traits increasing the acquisition of limiting resources (water for survival and soil P for growth) mediated trade‐offs between interaction effects and responses. Moreover, resprouting species had higher survival but reduced growth, likely reinforcing the survival–growth trade‐off in adult plants.

Resource acquisition of juvenile plants shapes Protea community dynamics with acquisitive species with strong competitive effects suffering more from competition. Together with functional determinants of density‐independent performance, this makes recruitment remarkably predictable, which is critical for efficient restoration and near‐term ecological forecasts of species‐rich communities.
The tonoplast localized protein PtNPF1 participates in the regulation of nitrogen response in diatoms
Authors: Santin Anna , Russo Monia Teresa , de los Ríos Laura Morales , Chiurazzi Maurizio , d'Alcalà Maurizio Ribera , Lacombe Benoît , Ferrante Maria Immacolata , Rogato Alessandra
Published: December 2023

Diatoms are a highly successful group of phytoplankton, well adapted also to oligotrophic environments and capable of handling nutrient fluctuations in the ocean, particularly nitrate. The presence of a large vacuole is an important trait contributing to their adaptive features. It confers diatoms the ability to accumulate and store nutrients, such as nitrate, when they are abundant outside and then to reallocate them into the cytosol to meet deficiencies, in a process called luxury uptake.

The molecular mechanisms that regulate these nitrate fluxes are still not known in diatoms. In this work, we provide new insights into the function of Phaeodactylum tricornutum NPF1, a putative low‐affinity nitrate transporter. To accomplish this, we generated overexpressing strains and CRISPR/Cas9 loss‐of‐function mutants.

Microscopy observations confirmed predictions that PtNPF1 is localized on the vacuole membrane. Furthermore, functional characterizations performed on knock‐out mutants revealed a transient growth delay phenotype linked to altered nitrate uptake.

Together, these results allowed us to hypothesize that PtNPF1 is presumably involved in modulating intracellular nitrogen fluxes, managing intracellular nutrient availability. This ability might allow diatoms to fine‐tune the assimilation, storage and reallocation of nitrate, conferring them a strong advantage in oligotrophic environments.
Peer Migration in China
Authors: Chen Yuyu , Jin Ginger Zhe , Yue Yang
Published: December 2023

With over 290 million rural labourers transitioning to urban areas in 2019, China is experiencing an unparalleled scale of internal migration, the largest in human history. Employing instrumental variables (IVs) gleaned from the 2006 China Agricultural Census (CAC), we find that a 10 percentage point increase in the migration rate among co‐villagers amplifies an individual's probability of migrating by 7.13 percentage points. Influencing factors such as information dissemination at the origin and cost efficiencies at the destination likely contribute to the observed clustering of migration by age, destination and industrial sector. Intriguingly, migration seems to exert a negligible influence on the agricultural productivity of those who remain, which may be due to substantial labour redundancy at the point of origin and potentially higher productivity among migrants.
Relationship between burning mouth disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A scoping review
Authors: Li Linman , Wu Shuangshuang , Noma Noboru , Young Andrew , Wang Xu , Yan Zhimin
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study aims to provide a scoping review and attempts to uncover the possible association between burning mouth disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Ovid, Scopus, and a search platform (EBSCOhost) were searched from their inception to August 22, 2023.

Results

After screening 2795 records, 18 articles were included in the final review, comprising cross‐sectional studies (n = 9), case–control studies (n = 5), case reports (n = 2), case series (n = 1), and experimental study (n = 1). The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and its extraesophageal manifestations of laryngopharyngeal reflux in burning mouth patients was reported 3.39%–23.4% and 50%–93.8%, respectively, while oral burning was reported in 9%–45% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. In case–control studies, gastroesophageal reflux disease was more prevalent in patients with burning mouth disorder compared with controls. Burning mouth would be resolved after antireflux therapy in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients in case series. PH value and saliva alternation might be the possible mechanisms.

Conclusion

The possibility of the correlation between burning mouth disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease still needs to be clearly demonstrated through better‐conducted studies. The link between them is worth to be explored in future research.
Methods and approaches to facilitate inclusion of the views, perspectives and preferences of people with moderate‐to‐severe dementia in research: A narrative systematic review
Authors: Collins Rachel , Martyr Anthony , Hunt Anna , Quinn Catherine , Pentecost Claire , Hughes Julian C. , Clare Linda
Published: December 2023

Background

The perspectives of people with moderate‐to‐severe dementia are rarely directly elicited in research studies.

Objectives

This systematic review will explore methods and approaches for including the perspectives and preferences of people with moderate‐to‐severe dementia in research.

Methods

AgeLine, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Social Policy and Practice and Web of Science were searched until June 16 2022. Study quality was assessed using the 16‐item Quality Assessment Tool. We described specific communication tools, reviewed the evidence for their effectiveness and considered their strengths and limitations. We examined the more general communication skills and techniques applied to support the use of these tools using thematic synthesis. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO CRD42019130386 and the review was conducted and reported according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Seven studies reported in 11 publications were included. In these studies five specific communication tools were used: Talking Mats, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Flexiboard, generic photographs in combination with a preference placement board, consultation ballot and personalised communication prescriptions. Each tool identified had advantages and disadvantages depending on dementia severity, verbal or physical ability, expense, researcher training requirements and ease of use. Thematic synthesis identified five general approaches to optimising communication that were employed to support use of the tools: ensuring conversations are individual and person‐centred, managing external influences, engaging others, creating structure and facilitation skills.

Conclusion

All tools had some utility and there was no clear evidence to support the recommendation of any one specific tool; therefore, researchers are advised to select the tool most appropriate to their context.

Implications for Practice

The findings offer general guidance for researchers and practitioners on how to facilitate communication with people with moderate‐to‐severe dementia.
The Utilitarian's Guide to Dreams
Authors: Piovarchy Adam
Published: December 2023

Unpleasant dreams occur much more frequently than many people realise. If one is a hedonistic utilitarian – or, at least, one thinks that dreams have positive or negative moral value in virtue of their experiential quality – then one has considerable reason to try to make such dreams more positive. Given it is possible to improve the quality of our dreams, we ought to be promoting and implementing currently available interventions that improve our dream experiences, and conducting research to find new, more effective interventions.
Selection for drought tolerance in backcross populations derived from interspecific crosses of Solanum lycopersicum × Solanum pennellii
Authors: Henschel Juliane Maciel , Batista Diego Silva , de Souza de Voltare Heloisa , Silva Júnior André Dutra , Ribas Alessandra Ferreira , da Silva Daniel Fernandes , Zeist André Ricardo
Published: December 2023

Drought strongly limits tomato yield, and the introgression of genes from wild tomatoes is a powerful tool to obtain drought‐tolerant progenies. The aim of this study was to select drought‐tolerant transgressive progeny obtained from interspecific crosses between drought‐susceptible tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) × drought‐tolerant wild species (Solanum pennellii) under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. BC1F2 populations were advanced from backcrosses between F1 × Jumbo AG‐592 (cultivar for fresh consumption) and F1 × BRS Tospodoro (cultivar for industrial processing). For this, BC1F2 seeds were germinated in vitro and evaluated for tolerance to drought. Then, eight genotypes from each BC1F2 were selected and submitted to 14 days of drought (0% of water supply) or well‐watered (100% of water supply) in greenhouse conditions and evaluated for growth, water balance and gas exchanges. Using in vitro assays with mannitol‐induced drought proved to be effective for the initial screening of drought‐tolerant BC1F2 plants, while greenhouse experiments showed that drought decreased photosynthesis in all genotypes, but almost all the BC1F2 progenies had greater photosynthetic capacity, water balance and growth than their commercial parents. As a result, we selected six progenies for fresh consumption and six progenies for industrial processing with increased drought tolerance.
Small mammal responses to biosolids on grazed rangelands in British Columbia
Authors: Meineke Jennifer , Doyle Francis I. , Oukil Louisa , Hodges Karen E.
Published: December 2023

Grasslands are globally declining due to habitat conversion, overgrazing, climate change, and changes in fire and drought regimes. Degraded grasslands are less able to support wildlife species, which contributes to the imperilment of many species. Biosolids are used by some ranchers as an organic amendment to support more plant growth and in turn more livestock. We worked on a large cattle ranch in central British Columbia, Canada, to determine how biosolids amendment affected small mammal populations, as mice and voles are major prey for many predators and contribute to seed dispersal and underground dynamics. We found that biosolids‐amended pastures had more grass cover and supported fewer deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) than did unamended pastures. Voles were scarce, likely due to a cyclic low. Although we sampled sites that had had biosolids applied 1 or 3 years prior to our work started, deermouse populations were similarly low across these sites. The reduction in deermice on sites with biosolids relative to unamended sites could be a signal of habitat restoration, because deermice prefer disturbed habitats rather than ones with high plant cover. Grass cover was more than twice as high on sites amended with biosolids, making these sites less suitable for deermice.
Applications of the new Aeva‐HE™ imaging system: Its link with the visual evaluation of facial wrinkles and its potential in screening tensile products
Authors: Shaiek Ayet , Monot Muriel , Rubert Virginie , Cornillon Celine , Vicic Marco , Decocq Geraldine , Flament Frederic
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To evaluate, in vivo, a recently developed imaging system (Aeva‐HE™), based on fringe projection methodology: (i) its correlation with expert's assessments and real age of 85 French Caucasian women and (ii) its potential, as a screening tool, in rapidly selecting prototypes of tensile cosmetic products.

Materials and Methods

First, the bare faces of 85 differently aged French/Caucasian women were photographed under standard conditions and further analyzed by the Aeva‐HE™ device. An expert aesthetician graded the severity of wrinkling on a fixed scale, helped by the use of a dedicated Skin Aging Atlas. A panel of 15 judges performed the same task on full‐face standard photographs. The Aeva‐HE™ software yielded various wrinkle's parameters (density, volume, mean depth, etc.) on different facial locations, according to age‐groups. Second, seven women, balanced in age and wrinkling severity, were recruited in a separate study. These women applied at Day 1 a prototype of the tensile product and at Day 2, they applied another prototype of the tensile product. The whole faces (before and after products application) of the seven studied women were captured and analyzed by the Aeva‐HE™ system.

Results

The density of wrinkles was significantly highly correlated with the aesthetician scores and, unsurprisingly, with age. Some parameters (volume, depths) of different wrinkles (glabellar, crow's feet, cheeks) were quantified, showing different absolute values and of statistically different progressions with age. The amplitudes of the rapid effects brought by the two prototypes of tensile products were clearly differentiated.

Conclusion

The recently developed device Aeva‐HE™ is an efficient system for rapidly establishing a faithful and precise status of facial wrinkles, in vivo and seems like a precious tool in the rapid screening of tensile products, possibly performed on a rather limited number of subjects.
Concept and measurement: Exploring foreign policy similarity
Authors: Lee Sukwon
Published: December 2023

Objective

This paper aims to evaluate existing measurements and propose new ones for foreign policy similarity in international politics, emphasizing the importance of measurement in social science. The indicators designed must align with theoretical concepts and data characteristics to ensure consistency and validity.

Methods

The paper meticulously examines the assumptions and calculation methods of existing indicators, such as the S‐score and tau‐b, to rigorously evaluate their alignment with theoretical concepts and data characteristics. It then proposes alternative measurements that can address these criteria.

Results

The new indicators introduced in this paper address the limitations of the existing measurements. While producing values similar to existing measurements, they maintain conceptual consistency and operational interpretability. Additionally, the paper presents a tau‐like indicator weighted by national capability, an aspect not feasible with the previous tau‐b, leading to new meaningful conclusions.

Conclusions

This paper emphasizes the importance of understanding measurements when creating or using them. A deep comprehension of similarity measures and the research topic facilitates more precise measurements, thereby enhancing research outcomes in international politics.
Referential Cohesion, Ambiguity, Vagueness and Generality in Parliamentary Debate*
Authors: Ribera Josep E.
Published: December 2023

Political discourse has been characterised as being ‘vague’ and ‘ambiguous’. It is argued that politicians tend to use generic and unspecific words in order to avoid explicit commitment (McGee 2018). Although this situation may describe discourse genres such as political interviews and election debates, it is unclear that it can be applied to parliamentary debate. This study analyses a corpus consisting of two parliamentary debates in English and Catalan with respect to ambiguity, vagueness and generality in connection to referential cohesion. Three variables are qualitatively and quantitatively analysed: a) the abstractness of the topics, b) the non‐specific or specific nature of these entities, and c) the grammatical or lexical nature of the units that maintain referential cohesion. The results show that ambiguity and vagueness are rather infrequent in parliamentary debate. However, the high frequencies of non‐concrete referential entities, and of non‐specific referents characterise parliamentary debate as a general discourse. As a counterpart, lexical cohesion devices as repetition and encapsulation highlight the topics under discussion, what leads to avoid ambiguity and vagueness.
Donor aKIR genes influence the risk of EBV and CMV reactivation after anti‐thymocyte globulin‐based haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Gao Fei , Shi Zhuoyue , Shi Jimin , Luo Yi , Yu Jian , Fu Huarui , Lai Xiaoyu , Liu Lizhen , Yuan Zhiyang , Zheng Zhongzheng , Huang He , Zhao Yanmin
Published: December 2023

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers the highest curative potential for patients with hematological malignancies. Complications including infection, graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), and relapse reflect delayed or dysregulated immune reconstitution. After transplantation, NK cells rapidly reconstitute and are crucial for immune surveillance and immune tolerance. NK cell function is tightly regulated by killer immunoglobin‐like receptors (KIRs). Previous studies have revealed that donor KIRs, especially some activated KIRs (aKIRs) are closely related to transplant outcomes. Here, we performed a retrospective study, including 323 patients who received haploidentical (haplo) HSCT in our center. In univariate analysis, donor KIR2DS1, KIR2DS3 and KIR3DS1 gene protected patients with lymphoid disease from Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, while donor KIR2DS1, KIR2DS5 and KIR3DS1 gene conferred a higher risk of CMV reactivation for patients with myeloid disease. Multivariate analysis confirmed that donor telomeric (Tel) B/x and KIR2DS3 gene best protected patients with lymphoid disease from EBV (p = 0.017) and CMV reactivation (p = 0.004). In myeloid disease, grafts lacking Tel B/x and KIR2DS5 gene correlated with the lowest risk of CMV reactivation (p = 0.018). Besides, donor aKIR genes did not influence the rates of GVHD, relapse, non‐relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS) in this study. The reactivation of EBV and CMV was associated with poor prognosis of haplo‐HSCT. In conclusion, we found that donor aKIR genes might have a synergistic effect on CMV and EBV reactivation after haplo‐HSCT. Whether the influence of donor aKIR genes varies with disease types remained to be studied.
Identification of the novel HLA‐C*03:648 allele by next generation sequencing
Authors: Du Zeying , Williams Charles , Robinson Terrence , Hardage Brittney , Elrefaei Mohamed
Published: December 2023

HLA‐C*03:648 differs from HLA‐C*03:04:02 by one nucleotide substitution at Codon ‐23 (CGG > CTG) in exon 1.
Polydopamine modification of polydimethylsiloxane for multifunctional biomaterials: Immobilization and stability of albumin and fetuin-A on modified surfaces
Authors: Li Jie , Barlow Leah N. , Martinez Santos Miguel , Sask Kyla N.
Published: December 2023

The surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can be modified to immobilize proteins; however, most existing approaches are limited to complex reactions and achieving multifunctional modifications is challenging. This work applies a simple technique to modify PDMS using polydopamine (PDA) and investigates immobilization of multiple proteins. The surfaces were characterized in detail and stability was assessed, demonstrating that in a buffer solution, PDA modification was maintained without an effect on surface properties. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine fetuin-A (Fet-A) were used as model biomolecules for simultaneous or sequential immobilization and to understand their use for surface backfilling and functionalization. Based on 125I radiolabeling, amounts of BSA and Fet-A on PDA were determined to be close to double that were obtained on control PDMS surfaces. Following elution with sodium dodecyl sulfate, around 67% of BSA and 63% of Fet-A were retained on the surface. The amount of immobilized protein was influenced by the process (simultaneous or sequential) and surface affinity of the proteins. With simultaneous modification, a balanced level of both proteins could be achieved, whereas with the sequential process, the initially immobilized protein was more strongly attached. After incubation with plasma and fetal bovine serum, the PDA-modified surfaces maintained over 90% of the proteins immobilized. This demonstrates that the biological environments also play an important role in the binding and stability of conjugated proteins. This combination of PDA and surface immobilization methods provides fundamental knowledge for tailoring multifunctional PDMS-based biomaterials with applications in cell-material interactions, biosensing, and medical devices.
The Effects of 2 Different Soft Tissue Mobilization Techniques on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Male Recreational Athletes: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sarac Devrim Can , Kocak Umut Ziya , Bayraktar Deniz , Gucenmez Sercan , Kaya Derya Özer
Published: December 2023

Context: Soft tissue mobilization is frequently employed for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) management. Foam roller and percussive massage are 2 popular soft tissue mobilization methods preferred by various professionals. However, their effects on DOMS symptoms are controversial and there are no studies comparing these 2 methods. The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of soft tissue mobilization with a foam roller or a percussive massage device on DOMS in young male recreational athletes. Design: A parallel, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-six participants (median [interquartile range 25/75]; age: 20.0 [19.3/21.0] y) were randomly allocated to percussive massage group (n = 12), foam roller group (n = 12), and control group (n = 12). First, a fatigue protocol targeting quadriceps femoris was performed. Then, participants received soft tissue mobilization with foam roller/percussive massage or rested for 10 minutes according to their groups. Pain and fatigue were evaluated by a visual analog scale, and the skin surface temperature of over the quadriceps femoris was measured with thermal camera imaging. Evaluations were performed at baseline, following fatigue protocol, at 24th hour, and at 48th hour. Changes from the baseline at 24th and 48th hours were compared between groups. Results: No significant between-group differences were observed at the assessments performed at 24th or 48th hour regarding the changes from baseline in pain (P value for 24th hour = .905, P value for 48th hour = .733), fatigue (P value for 24th hour = .895, P value for 48th hour = .606), or skin surface temperature measurements (P values for 24th hour = between .300 and .925, P values for 48th hour = between .311 and .750). Conclusions: Soft tissue mobilizations applied with foam roller or percussive massage device do not seem to be superior to passive resting in alleviating DOMS symptoms in recreational athletes.
How to Promote Physical Activity Across the Life Span: Tips From Grasshoppers, Ants … and Eleanor Metheny
Authors: Kretchmar R. Scott
Published: December 2023

This paper addresses two of the recurring themes of the 2023 National Academy of Kinesiology meeting—namely, how to articulate the value of physical activity most forcefully and how to promote it most effectively. Authors of several papers placed an emphasis on the values of well-being, particularly those related to health, fitness, physical rehabilitation, and exercise persistence. Yet, there was an acknowledgment that we had not been sufficiently effective in winning converts to activity across the life span. Questions were also raised, both implicitly and explicitly, about our unity in kinesiology and where we (or different parts of us) belong in university structures. I address these issues by employing two characters from The Fables of Aesop (the grasshopper and the ant) in addition to the philosophies of G.K. Chesterton and Eleanor Metheny. I present a paradoxical model for kinesiology that focuses on how different movements mean and celebrates extreme levels of diversity amid unshakable unity.
A caspase finds a target
Authors: Baek Amy E.
Published: December 2023

The noncanonical caspase caspase-4 processes the pro form of IL-18 in response to LPS.
Antifungal susceptibility testing following the CLSI M27 document, along with the measurement of MFC/MIC ratio, could be the optimal approach to detect amphotericin B resistance in
Clavispora
(
Candida
)
lusitaniae
. Susceptibility patterns of contemporary isolates of this species
Authors: Sasoni Natalia , Caracciolo Beatriz , Cabeza Matías S. , Gamarra Soledad , Carnovale Susana , Garcia-Effron Guillermo
Published: December 2023

Antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) is crucial in clinical settings to guide appropriate therapy. Nevertheless, discrepancies between treatment response and some results still persist, particularly in detecting resistance to amphotericin B (AMB) in
Clavispora
(
Candida
)
lusitaniae
. This study aimed to assess the susceptibility patterns of 48 recent isolates of
C. lusitaniae
to 9 antifungal agents and explore the feasibility of using a CLSI reference-based method to identify AMB resistance. Microdilution techniques revealed a wide range of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for azole antifungals, while echinocandins and AMB exhibited a narrow range of MIC values, with all strains considered wild-type for the tested polyene and echinocandins. However, when agar diffusion (ellipsometry) was employed for AST, certain strains displayed colonies within the inhibition ellipse, indicating potential resistance. Interestingly, these strains did not respond to AMB treatment and were isolated during AMB treatment (breakthrough). Moreover, the evaluation of AMB minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) indicated that only the strains with colonies inside the ellipse had MFC/MIC ratios ≥ 4, suggesting reduced fungicidal activity. In conclusion, this study confirms the effectiveness of ellipsometry with RPMI-1640 2% glucose agar for detecting AMB resistance in
C. lusitaniae
. Additionally, the proposed approach of culturing “clear” wells in the microdilution method can aid in uncovering resistant strains. The findings highlight the importance of appropriate AST methods to guide effective treatment strategies for deep-seated candidiasis caused by
C. lusitaniae
. Further collaborative studies are warranted to validate these findings and improve the detection of AMB clinical resistance.
Connecting thiamine availability to the microbial community composition in Chinook salmon spawning habitats of the Sacramento River basin
Authors: Suffridge Christopher P. , Shannon Kelly C. , Matthews H. , Johnson R. C. , Jeffres C. , Mantua N. , Ward A. E. , Holmes E. , Kindopp J. , Aidoo M. , Colwell F. S.
Published: December 2023

Thiamine deficiency complex (TDC) is a major emerging threat to global populations of culturally and economically important populations of salmonids. Salmonid eggs and embryos can assimilate exogenous thiamine, and evidence suggests that microbial communities in benthic environments can produce substantial amounts of thiamine. We therefore hypothesize that natural dissolved pools of thiamine exist in the surface water and hyporheic zones of riverine habitats where salmonids with TDC migrate, spawn, and begin their lives. To examine the relationship between dissolved thiamine-related compounds (dTRCs) and their microbial source, we determined the concentrations of these metabolites and the compositions of microbial communities in surface and hyporheic waters of the Sacramento River, California and its tributaries. Here we determine that all dTRCs are present in femto-picomolar concentrations in a range of critically important salmon spawning habitats. We observed that thiamine concentrations in the Sacramento River system are orders of magnitude lower than those of marine waters, indicating substantial differences in thiamine cycling between these two environments. Our data suggest that the hyporheic zone is likely the source of thiamine to the overlying surface water. Temporal variations in dTRC concentrations were observed where the highest concentrations existed when Chinook salmon were actively spawning. Significant correlations were seen between the richness of microbial taxa and dTRC concentrations, particularly in the hyporheic zone, which would influence the conditions where embryonic salmon incubate. Together, these results indicate a connection between microbial communities in freshwater habitats and the availability of thiamine to spawning TDC-impacted California Central Valley Chinook salmon.

IMPORTANCE

Pacific salmon are keystone species with considerable economic importance and immeasurable cultural significance to Pacific Northwest indigenous peoples. Thiamine deficiency complex has recently been diagnosed as an emerging threat to the health and stability of multiple populations of salmonids ranging from California to Alaska. Microbial biosynthesis is the major source of thiamine in marine and aquatic environments. Despite this importance, the concentrations of thiamine and the identities of the microbial communities that cycle it are largely unknown. Here we investigate microbial communities and their relationship to thiamine in Chinook salmon spawning habitats in California’s Sacramento River system to gain an understanding of how thiamine availability impacts salmonids suffering from thiamine deficiency complex.
Pemetrexed alleviates piglet diarrhea by blocking the interaction between porcine epidemic diarrhea virus nucleocapsid protein and Ezrin
Authors: Zhang Shujuan , Wang Jing , Liu Xiangyang , Kan Zifei , Zhang Yiling , Niu Zheng , Hu Xia , Zhang Li , Zhang Xingcui , Song Zhenhui
Published: December 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an enteric coronavirus that causes high mortality in piglets, thus posing a serious threat to the world pig industry. Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is related to the imbalance of sodium absorption by small intestinal epithelial cells; however, the etiology of sodium imbalanced diarrhea caused by PEDV remains unclear. Herein, we first proved that PEDV can cause a significant decrease in Na
+
/H
+
exchanger 3 (NHE3) expression on the cell membrane, in a viral dose-dependent manner. Further study showed that the PEDV nucleocapsid (N) protein participates in the regulation of NHE3 activity through interacting with Ezrin. Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy results indicated a serious imbalance in Na
+
concentration inside and outside cells following overexpression of PEDV N. Meanwhile, molecular docking technology identified that the small molecule drug Pemetrexed acts on the PEDV N-Ezrin interaction region. It was confirmed that Pemetrexed can alleviate the imbalanced Na
+
concentration in IPEC-J2 cells and the diarrhea symptoms of Rongchang pigs caused by PEDV infection. Overall, our data suggest that the interaction between PEDV N and Ezrin reduces the level of phosphorylated Ezrin, resulting in a decrease in the amount of NHE3 protein on the cell membrane. This leads to an imbalance of intracellular and extracellular Na
+
, which causes diarrhea symptoms in piglets. Pemetrexed is effective in relieving diarrhea caused by PEDV. Our results provide a reference to screen for anti-PEDV targets and to develop drugs to prevent PED.

IMPORTANCE

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) has caused significant economic losses to the pig industry since its initial outbreak, and the pathogenic mechanism of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is still under investigation. Herein, we found that the PEDV nucleocapsid protein interacts with Ezrin to regulate Na
+
/H
+
exchanger 3 activity. In addition, we screened out Pemetrexed, a small molecule drug, which can effectively alleviate pig diarrhea caused by PEDV. These results provide support for further exploration of the pathogenesis of PEDV and the development of drugs to prevent PED.
Supplemental Material: Geoheritage: Progress toward Preservation
Authors: Clary Renee , al. et
Published: December 2023

Table S1. Geoheritage video and Story Maps, aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards Earth and Space Science Disciplinary Core Ideas, with suggested free resources from SERC Carlton Teach the Earth Collection.  
Towards an international consensus on safety netting advice for acutely ill children presenting to ambulatory care: a modified e-Delphi procedure
Authors: Burvenich Ruben , Heytens Stefan , De Sutter An , Struyf Thomas , Toelen Jaan , Verbakel Jan Y
Published: December 2023

Objective

Develop a consensus on the content and form of safety netting advice (SNA) for parents of acutely ill children.

Design

Four-round modified e-Delphi using online questionnaires and feedback among clinical and research experts.

Setting

Ambulatory care in high-income countries.

Participants

Forty-one experts from 13 countries: 3 emergency physicians, 15 general practitioners, 4 nurses and 19 paediatricians.

Results

The experts defined the content of SNA as advice on the normal, expected disease course of the provisional diagnosis, diagnostic uncertainty, alarm signs that indicate the need for medical help and information on where and how to find such help. Regarding the form of the SNA, the experts agree that a reliable source should give SNA verbally with paper or digital written or video/image resources at every appropriate healthcare encounter in a short and simple empowering fashion, specific to the child’s situation and seek confirmatory feedback from parents.

Conclusions

SNA needs to contain advice on the expected disease course, alarm signs and where and how to find help. It should be given verbally with written resources by a reliable healthcare professional or digital platform. Short, simple and specific, SNA needs to empower the parent whose understanding of the advice should be checked. The effectiveness of SNA resources coproduced by parents and experts should be assessed in different settings and those providing SNA require up-to-date and reliable training.
Single-cell RNA-sequencing uncovers the dynamic changes of tumour immune microenvironment in advanced lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lu Haijiao , Qian Jialin , Cheng Lei , Shen Yinchen , Chu Tianqing , Zhao Chaoxian
Published: December 2023

Background

The heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) plays a vital role in determining the development of cancer and therapeutic sensitivity and significantly hinders the clinical treatment of LUAD.

Objective

To elucidate the cellular composition and reveal previously uncharacterised tumour microenvironment in LUAD using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods

Two scRNA-seq datasets with 106 829 high-quality cells from 34 patients including 11 normal, 9 early (stage I and II) and 14 advanced (stage III and IV) LUAD were integrated and clustered to explore diagnostic and therapeutic cell populations and their biomarkers for diverse stages of LUAD. Three independent bulk RNA-seq datasets were used to validate the results from scRNA-seq analysis. The expression of marker genes for specific cell types in early and advanced LUAD was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

Comprehensive cluster analysis identified that S100P+ epithelial and SPP1+ macrophage, positively related to poor outcomes, were preferentially enriched in advanced stage. Although the accumulation of KLRB1+CD8+ T cell and IGHA1+/IGHG1+ plasma cell both significantly associated the favourable prognosis, we also found KLRB1+CD8+ T cell decreased in advanced stage while IGHA1+/IGHG1+ plasma cells were increased. Cell-cell communication analysis showed that SPP1+ macrophage could interact with most of CD8+ subclusters through SPP1-CD44 axis. Furthermore, based on three independent bulk RNA-seq datasets, we built risk model with nine marker genes for specific cell subtypes and conducted deconvolution analysis, both supporting our results from scRNA-seq data. We finally validated the expression of four marker genes in early and advanced LUAD by IHC.

Conclusion

Our analyses highlight the molecular dynamics of LUAD epithelial and microenvironment and provide new targets to improve LUAD therapy.
Public health and elections: Correlating COVID-19 vaccination rates with 2020 U.S. presidential election results
Authors: Villaseñor-Ibáñez J. , del Castillo-Mussot M. , Hernández-Ramírez E.
Published: December 2023

We correlate county-level partial and full vaccination rates with results from the 2020 United States (U.S.) election, obtaining Pearson correlation values for each individual state, noting top and bottom values, and observing an almost absolute positive correlation between Biden support and vaccination rates, and inversely a negative correlation when considering Trump support. This trend holds for other territorial categories: regions and subdivisions. Correlation values based on county-level data for two other categories of interest are found: urbanization level and ethnic group majority by county. We find a higher degree of correlation for White majority counties, and a lower one for majority minority counties. When analyzing urbanization level we find the lowest values in highly urban counties. We posit a relationship between these two categories, based on the fact that urban counties are generally more ethnically diverse, and suburban and rural areas generally retain white majorities. Our results showcase the current process of political polarization and history leading to this phenomenon, which includes the role that health topics and issues have played in it, reinforcing the idea of politics and health being strongly linked subjects in the United States.
NATURAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: AN EXTENDED ECONOMIC GROWTH ANALYSIS MODEL
Authors: WU LIANGPENG , SUN YIRONG , SUO CAI , LI XINGCHEN
Published: December 2023

The main focus of this study is to determine suitable strategies for investing in natural capital to ensure steady economic growth. In this research, we categorize natural capital into three main areas: investment in energy and mineral resources development, investment in non-energy and mineral resources development and investment in the protection of natural resources. Subsequently, these three types of investment strategies are integrated into economic growth models, and we construct extended economic growth models that consider both exogenous and endogenous natural resources investment rates. Theoretical models indicate that in order to maintain stable economic growth, the growth rates of the three types of investments should be aligned. Furthermore, the optimal balanced growth rate of natural capital investment is influenced not only by the output elasticity of each input factor and the time discount rate, but also by the production efficiency of the research and development (R&D) sector, as well as the level of human capital invested in the R&D sector. These findings are in line with empirical evidence. Lastly, based on our research, we provide recommendations to maximize the overall potential of the local economy, society and environment. These recommendations aim to optimize the utilization of natural capital, leading to sustainable economic development.
THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN DIVESTMENT ON CHINESE FIRMS’ EXPORT QUALITY
Authors: XIONG RAN , ZHANG HUI , ZHANG CHENGCHENG , MU GUANGYUAN , WEI PING
Published: December 2023

Divestment by multinational corporations is a significant yet poorly understood phenomenon. We focus on divestments, that is, affiliates that have been divested by their foreign owners and then acquired by domestic owners. Using a combination of difference-in-differences and propensity score matching methods, we investigate the impact of foreign divestment on export quality. Results show that foreign divestment significantly negatively impacts the quality of firms’ export. Furthermore, “productivity effect” and “fixed cost effect” are two mechanisms by which foreign divestment influences export quality. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of benefits from foreign direct investment and economic consequences of foreign divestment.
Characterization of Ca-doped YCoO3 Perovskite-type oxide as cathode for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Oishi Masatsugu , Takagi Akihiro , Takamatsu Akihiro , Sakai Takaaki
Published: December 2023

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) uses solid oxide as an electrolyte and has a high-power generation efficiency. One of the major problems in the development of SOFC is the side reaction that occurs at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte. (Y, Ca)CoO[Formula: see text] materials were evaluated as a new air electrode material to replace the conventional (La, Sr)CoO3 materials. Y[Formula: see text]Ca[Formula: see text]CoO[Formula: see text] has good compatibility with Y-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) electrolyte. In addition, the power generation performance was equal to or better than the conventional SOFC cells.