bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of chemosensory genes in Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Authors: Cohen Zachary , Crossley Michael S , Mitchell Robert F , Engsontia Patamarerk , Chen Yolanda H , Schoville Sean D
Published: December 2023

Associating with plant hosts is thought to have elevated the diversification of insect herbivores, which comprise the majority of global species diversity. In particular, there is considerable interest in understanding the genetic changes that allow host-plant shifts to occur in pest insects and in determining what aspects of functional genomic diversity impact host-plant breadth. Insect chemoreceptors play a central role in mediating insect–plant interactions, as they directly influence plant detection and sensory stimuli during feeding. Although chemosensory genes evolve rapidly, it is unclear how they evolve in response to host shifts and host specialization. We investigate whether selection at chemosensory genes is linked to host-plant expansion from the buffalo burr, Solanum rostratum, to potato, Solanum tuberosum, in the super-pest Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). First, to refine our knowledge of CPB chemosensory genes, we developed novel gene expression data for the antennae and maxillary-labial palps. We then examine patterns of selection at these loci within CPB, as well as compare whether rates of selection vary with respect to 9 closely related, non-pest Leptinotarsa species that vary in diet breadth. We find that rates of positive selection on olfactory receptors are higher in host-plant generalists, and this signal is particularly strong in CPB. These results provide strong candidates for further research on the genetic basis of variation in insect chemosensory performance and novel targets for pest control of a notorious super-pest.
Offspring overcome poor parenting by being better parents
Authors: Potticary Ahva L , Cunningham Christopher B , Moore Allen J
Published: December 2023

The evolutionary repercussions of parental effects—the impact of the developmental environment provided by parents on offspring—are often discussed as static effects that can have negative influences on offspring fitness that may even persist across generations. However, individuals are not passive recipients and may mitigate the persistence of parental effects through their behaviour. Here, we tested how the burying beetle, Nicrophorus orbicollis, a species with complex parental care, responded to poor parenting. We cross-fostered young and manipulated the duration of parental care received and measured the impact on traits of both F1 and F2 offspring to experimentally extricate the effect of poor parenting from other parental effects. As expected, reducing parental care negatively affected traits that are ecologically important for burying beetles, including F1 offspring development time and body size. However, F1 parents that received reduced care as larvae spent more time feeding F2 offspring than parents that received full care as larvae. As a result, both the number and mass of F2 offspring were unaffected by the developmental experience of their parents. Our results show that flexible parental care may be able to overcome poor developmental environments and limit negative parental effects to a single generation.
Modelling evolutionary tempo and mode using formal morphological spaces and Markov chain principles
Authors: Fontanarrosa Gabriela , Abdala Virginia , Dos Santos Daniel Andrés
Published: December 2023

Evolutionary tempo and mode summarize ancient and controversial subjects of theoretical biology such as gradualism, convergence, contingence, trends, and entrenchment. We employed an integrative methodological approach to explore the evolutionary tempo and mode of Lepidosaurian phalangeal formulae (PFs). This approach involves quantifying the frequencies of morphological changes along an evolutionary trajectory. The five meristic characters encoded by PFs are particularly valuable in revealing evolutionary patterns, owing to their discrete nature and extensive documentation in the literature. Based on a pre-existing dataset of PFs from 649 taxa (35 Lepidosauria families, including fossils), from which there exists a unique repertoire of 53 formulations, our approach simultaneously considers phenetic and phylogenetic data. This culminates in a diagram accounting for the phylogenetic dynamic of evolution traversing across different regions of morphospace. The method involves enumerating phenotypical options, reconstructing phenotypes across the phylogeny, projecting phenotypes onto a morphospace, and constructing a flow network from the frequency of evolutionary transitions between unique phenotypic conditions. This approach links Markovian chains and evolutionary trajectories to formally define parameters that describe the underlying transitions of morphological change. Among other results, we found that (a) PF evolution exhibits a clear trend towards reduction in the phalangeal count and that (b) evolutionary change tends to occur significantly between morphologically similar PFs. Notwithstanding, although minor but not trivial, transitions between distant formulas -jumps- occur. Our results support a pluralistic view including stasis, gradualism, and saltationism discriminating their prevalence in a target character evolution.
Inbreeding depression in a sexually selected weapon and the homologue in females
Authors: Allen Pablo E , Miller Christine W
Published: December 2023

Theory predicts that traits with heightened condition dependence, such as sexually selected traits, should be affected by inbreeding to a greater degree than other traits. The presence of environmental stress may compound the negative consequences of inbreeding depression. In this study, we examined inbreeding depression across multiple traits and whether it increased with a known form of environmental stress. We conducted our experiment using both sexes of the sexually dimorphic leaf-footed cactus bug, Narnia femorata (Hemiptera: Coreidae). Adult male cactus bugs have enlarged hind legs used as weapons in male–male contests; these traits, and their homologue in females, have been previously found to exhibit high condition dependence. In this study, we employed a small developmental group size as an environmental stress challenge. Nymph N. femorata aggregate throughout their juvenile stages, and previous work has shown the negative effects of small group size on survivorship and body size. We found evidence of inbreeding depression for survival and seven of the eight morphological traits measured in both sexes. Inbreeding depression was higher for the size of the male weapon and the female homolog. Additionally, small developmental group size negatively affected survival to adulthood. However, small group size did not magnify the effects of inbreeding on morphological traits. These findings support the hypothesis that traits with heightened condition dependence exhibit higher levels of inbreeding depression.
High specificity of symbiont-conferred resistance in an aphid-parasitoid field community
Authors: Gimmi Elena , Vorburger Christoph
Published: December 2023

Host–parasite coevolution is mediated by genetic interactions between the antagonists and may lead to reciprocal adaptation. In the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae fabae, resistance to parasitoids can be conferred by the heritable bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa. H. defensa has been shown to be variably protective against different parasitoid species, and different genotypes of the black bean aphid’s main parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum. However, these results were obtained using haphazard combinations of laboratory-reared insect lines with different origins, making it unclear how representative they are of natural, locally (co)adapted communities. We therefore comprehensively sampled the parasitoids of a natural A. f. fabae population and measured the ability of the five most abundant species to parasitize aphids carrying the locally prevalent H. defensa haplotypes. H. defensa provided resistance only against the dominant parasitoid L. fabarum (70% of all parasitoids), but not against less abundant parasitoids, and resistance to L. fabarum acted in a genotype-specific manner (G × G interactions between H. defensa and L. fabarum). These results confirm that strong species- and genotype-specificity of symbiont-conferred resistance is indeed a hallmark of wild A. f. fabae populations, and they are consistent with symbiont-mediated adaptation of aphids to the parasitoids posing the highest risk.
Relationship between area-level socioeconomic status and health-related quality of life among cancer survivors
Authors: Conley Claire C , Derry-Vick Heather M , Ahn Jaeil , Xia Yi , Lin Li , Graves Kristi D , Pan Wei , Fall-Dickson Jane M , Reeve Bryce B , Potosky Arnold L
Published: December 2023

Area-level socioeconomic status (SES) impacts cancer outcomes, such as stage at diagnosis, treatments received, and mortality. However, less is known about the relationship between area-level SES and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for cancer survivors. To assess the additive value of area-level SES data and the relative contribution of area- and individual-level SES for estimating cancer survivors’ HRQOL, we conducted a secondary analysis of data from a population-based survey study of cancer survivors (the Measuring Your Health [MY-Health] Study). Multilevel multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between individual-level SES, area-level SES as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index, and HRQOL group membership (high, average, low, or very low HRQOL). Area-level SES did not significantly increase model estimation accuracy compared to models using only individual-level SES. However, area-level SES could be an appropriate proxy when the individual-level SES is missing.
Gender disparities among publications within international sexual medicine urology journals and the impact of blinding in the review process
Authors: Burg Madeleine L , Kohli Priya , Ha Nhi , Mora Richard , Kurup Trisha , Sidhu Hannah , Rodman Jack , Cacciamani Giovanni E , Samplaski Mary K
Published: December 2023

Background

While female urologists are known to publish at less frequency than their male peers, The Journal of Sexual Medicine was reported to have among the highest growth in female authorship from 2002 to 2020 in urology journals.

Aim

We sought to assess the frequency of female authorship in sexual medicine journals worldwide and the factors that affect this, including the blinded/unblinded review process.

Methods

Eleven sexual medicine journals were assessed for geographic location, peer review method, and SCImago Journal Rank citation index (a metric of citation frequency and prestige). Journals were grouped into top, middle, and bottom quartiles based on metric score. Web of Science was used to access the publications’ first, second, last, and corresponding authors from the past 5 years. An internet search or Gender-API.com was used to determine the gender identities of authors. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were performed.

Outcomes

Outcomes included the likelihood of female authorship (first, second, last, and corresponding) based on journal location and ranking, the clustering of female authors, the journal’s peer review process, and the frequency of female editorial board members.

Results

Overall, 8938 publications were identified. Women represented 30.7%, 31.3%, 21.3%, and 18.7% of the first, second, last, and corresponding authors, respectively; gender was unable to be assessed for 2.6%, 17.2%, 7.3%, and 2.7%. On univariate analysis, journals from North America, in the top quartile, and with a double-blind review process were more likely to have female authors (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, articles were more likely to have a female first author if they had a double-blind peer review process (odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.40), a female second author (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 2.26-2.85), or a female corresponding author (OR, 7.80; 95% CI, 6.69-9.10).

Clinical Implications

Gender-concordant mentoring and universal double-blind manuscript review processes may minimize the impact of gender bias and increase female authorship rates, in turn producing more diverse research.

Strengths and Limitations

This is the first study assessing female authorship in sexual medicine journals. Limitations include not assessing every author listed on articles and being unable to determine gender identities for some authors.

Conclusion

Female authorship rates are higher than reported rates of practicing female urologists but still lower than their male peers. Female authors were more likely to be published in journals with double-blind peer review processes and when publishing with additional female authors.
Reciprocal regulation of cellulose and lignin biosynthesis by the transcription factor OsTCP19
Authors: Ishida Konan
Published: December 2023

This article comments on:

Lv S, Lin Z, Shen J, Luo L, Xu Q, Li L, Gui J. 2024. OsTCP19 coordinates inhibition of lignin biosynthesis and promotion of cellulose biosynthesis to modify lodging resistance in rice. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 123–136.
Complications after orthopaedic surgeries in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Janus kinase inhibitors: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Bekki Hirofumi , Hashiguchi Tomomitsu , Kawamura Seiichi , Kondo Masakazu , Tsushima Hidetoshi , Sakuraba Koji , Hara Masamitsu , Ohta Masanari , Miyahara Hisaaki , Nakashima Yasuharu , Fukushi Jun-ichi
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The current study compared the outcome after orthopaedic surgeries in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) versus biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs).

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Sixty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis using JAKi preoperatively underwent orthopaedic surgeries. Using propensity score matching, these 62 patients were matched with 62 patients using bDMARDs preoperatively. The number of adverse events was counted. We also examined whether the drug-withholding period in the JAKi-treated group was associated with the occurrence of major postoperative adverse events, namely inflammatory flares and delayed wound healing.

Results

JAKi-treated patients had a higher incidence of postoperative flares than bDMARD-treated patients (29% versus 12.1%, P = .01). The incidences of postoperative complications other than flares were not significantly different between the two groups. Among the JAKi-treated group, a longer perioperative drug-withholding period (≥11 days) was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative flares (P = .04). The incidences of delayed wound healing and surgical site infection were not associated with the duration of the JAKi-withholding period.

Conclusions

JAKi-treated patients had a higher incidence of postoperative flares than bDMARD-treated patients. A total of ≥11 days of drug withdrawal was associated with postoperative flares.
Rational combination platform trial design for children and young adults with diffuse midline glioma: A report from PNOC
Authors: Mueller Sabine , Kline Cassie , Franson Andrea , van der Lugt Jasper , Prados Michael , Waszak Sebastian M , Plasschaert Sabine L A , Molinaro Annette M , Koschmann Carl , Nazarian Javad
Published: December 2023

Background Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a devastating pediatric brain tumor unresponsive to hundreds of clinical trials. Approximately 80% of DMGs harbor H3K27M oncohistones, which reprogram the epigenome to increase the metabolic profile of the tumor cells.

Methods We have previously shown preclinical efficacy of targeting both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis through treatment with ONC201, which activates the mitochondrial protease ClpP, and paxalisib, which inhibits PI3K/mTOR, respectively.

Results ONC201 and paxalisib combination treatment aimed at inducing metabolic distress led to the design of the first DMG-specific platform trial PNOC022 (NCT05009992).

Conclusions Here, we expand on the PNOC022 rationale and discuss various considerations, including liquid biome, microbiome, and genomic biomarkers, quality-of-life endpoints, and novel imaging modalities, such that we offer direction on future clinical trials in DMG.
The impact of continuous calorie restriction and fasting on cognition in adults without eating disorders
Authors: O’Leary John , Georgeaux-Healy Chloé , Serpell Lucy
Published: December 2023

Research into the effects of calorie restriction continues to intrigue those interested in whether it may allow humans to live longer and healthier lives. Animal studies of continuous calorie restriction (CCR) and fasting have demonstrated substantial advantages to health and longevity. However, concerns remain about the impact of restricting calorie intake on human health and cognition. Given the emerging evidence of cognitive impairments in eating disorders, studies investigating restricted calorie intake in healthy humans (in an ethical way) may also have implications for understanding restrictive eating disorders. In this review, the published literature on the impact of CCR and fasting on cognitive function in healthy human participants is synthesized. Of the 33 studies of CCR and fasting in humans identified, 23 demonstrated significant changes in cognition. Despite variation across the cognitive domains, results suggest CCR benefits inhibition, processing speed, and working memory, but may lead to impairments in cognitive flexibility. The results of fasting studies suggest fasting is associated with impairments in cognitive flexibility and psychomotor abilities. Overall, the results of these studies suggest the degree (ie, the severity) of calorie restriction is what most likely predicts cognitive improvements as opposed to impairments. For individuals engaging in sustained restriction, this may have serious, irreversible consequences. However, there are mixed findings regarding the impact of CCR and fasting on this aspect of human functioning, suggesting further research is required to understand the costs and benefits of different types of calorie restriction.
The effect of post-COVID-19 ventilation measures on indoor air quality in primary schools
Authors: Eichholtz Piet , Kok Nils , Sun Xudong
Published: December 2023

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has made people acutely aware of the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) and building ventilation systems, particularly in densely occupied places like offices and schools. As a result, governments and other public entities are increasingly investing in the installation, maintenance, and upgrades of ventilation systems in public buildings. However, little is known about the effect of building ventilation systems on actual IAQ and its impact on occupant behavior. This paper exploits exogenous closing and opening events of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with policy measures focusing on maximizing ventilation rates inside classrooms, to assess the effectiveness of building ventilation systems in primary schools. We use a unique sensor network implemented before the COVID-19 pandemic, consisting of measurement devices installed in 252 classrooms across 27 Dutch primary schools, continuously monitoring IAQ indicators such as CO2 levels and fine particle concentrations. Using high-frequency data from 2018 to 2022 school years, we compare the IAQ differences between natural and mechanical ventilation through a fixed-effect identification strategy. Our results show that mechanically ventilated classrooms perform better with respect to CO2 and fine particle levels. However, the post-COVID-19 ventilation measures implemented after school reopening had stronger effects on naturally ventilated (NV) classrooms, suggesting behavioral changes at the classroom level. We also investigate the longer term effects of these post-COVID-19 ventilation measures and show some evidence of decay in effectiveness, as well as a strong seasonal effect, particularly in NV classrooms, which seems the result of a trade-off between ventilation and thermal comfort.
Unveiling moisture transport mechanisms in cellulosic materials: Vapor vs. bound water
Authors: Zou Yuliang , Maillet Benjamin , Brochard Laurent , Coussot Philippe
Published: December 2023

Natural textiles, hair, paper, wool, or bio-based walls possess the remarkable ability to store humidity from sweat or the environment through “bound water” absorption within nanopores, constituting up to 30% of their dry mass. The knowledge of the induced water transfers is pivotal for advancing industrial processes and sustainable practices in various fields such as wood drying, paper production and use, moisture transfers in clothes or hair, humidity regulation of bio-based construction materials, etc. However, the transport and storage mechanisms of this moisture remain poorly understood, with modeling often relying on an assumption of dominant vapor transport with an unknown diffusion coefficient. Our research addresses this knowledge gap, demonstrating the pivotal role of bound water transport within interconnected fiber networks. Notably, at low porosity, bound water diffusion dominates over vapor diffusion. By isolating diffusion processes and deriving diffusion coefficients through rigorous experimentation, we establish a comprehensive model for moisture transfer. Strikingly, our model accurately predicts the evolution of bound water’s spatial distribution for a wide range of sample porosities, as verified through magnetic resonance imaging. Showing that bound water transport can be dominant over vapor transport, this work offers a change of paradigm and unprecedented control over humidity-related processes.
Intercultural gaps in knowledge, skills and attitudes of public health professionals: a systematic review
Authors: Huish Clare , Greenhalgh Christine , Garrow Adam , Verma Arpana
Published: December 2023

Background

Previous cultural competence reviews focused on medical professions. Identifying intercultural competence gaps for public health professionals is long overdue. Gaps will inform training to work effectively within increasingly diverse cultural contexts.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted identifying intercultural competence gaps using hand/electronic searches: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL and CDSR, 2004–March 2020. Data were extracted on intercultural knowledge, skills and attitude gaps. Themes were coded into an emerging framework, mapped against three competences. Studies were assessed using validated tools.

Results

506 studies retrieved and 15 met inclusion criteria. Key findings include: intercultural knowledge requires local demographics framing within global context to better understand culturally informed community health needs; intercultural skills lack training opportunities applying cultural theory into practice using flexible, diverse methods encouraging culturally appropriate responses in diverse settings; intercultural attitude gaps require a non-judgemental focus on root causes and population patterns, preventing stereotypes further increasing health disparities.

Conclusion

Gaps found indicate understanding local public health within its global context is urgently required to deliver more effective services. Flexible, diverse training opportunities applying cultural theory into practice are essential to engage successfully with diverse communities. A non-judgemental focus on population patterns and root causes enables selecting culturally aligned health strategies to mitigate stereotyping communities and increasing health disparities.
Modified realist evaluation of a complex, multi-centred, multi-intervention programme
Authors: Greenhalgh C , Williams G , Harrison A , Garrow A , Mitchell S , Verma A
Published: December 2023

Well North was a complex, multi-intervention health improvement programme spanning 10 sites across the North of England. The aim was to address inequalities by improving the health of the poorest fastest, increasing resilience and reducing levels of worklessness. The intention of the programme was for all sites to have freedom and flexibility to conduct different interventions reflecting local priorities. Evaluation ran concurrently with the programme, and an iterative approach was required to ensure constant feedback, allowing the programme to be adapted and improved as necessary.

Realist methodology was chosen for evaluation, as it provides insight into what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Due to the complex nature of the programme and diverse approaches, it was necessary to adapt the methodology to meet the needs of the evaluation. The Evaluation Team utilized a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques within the context of a Rapid Cycle Evaluation framework. For each project, Contexts, Mechanisms and Outcomes (CMOs) were identified at three stages and were incorporated into the CMO configuration, leading to the development of a middle range theory. Validation and testing of theory took place at every stage.

Realist methodology was the most appropriate existing method. However, it still necessitated modification.
Association between alcohol use and frailty among elder adults in three Chinese cities
Authors: Nie Xin , Williams Greg , Verma Arpana , Zhu Yongkai , Fu Hua , Jia Yingnan , Dai Junming , Gao Junling
Published: December 2023

Background

Frailty is often described as a condition of the elderly and alcohol use is associated with frailty. The aim of this study is to examine the associations between alcohol use and frailty in three cities in elder adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities in China from June 2017 to October 2018. In total, 2888 residents aged ≥65 years old were selected by using a multi-level stage sampling procedure. Alcohol use was assessed by Focusing on Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, Guilty feeling, and Eye-openers (CAGE) four-item questionnaire. Frailty was measured by a validated Chinese version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, and Loss of weight (FRAIL) scale. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine the association of alcohol use with pre-frailty and frailty after controlling for varied covariates.

Results

In general, the prevalence of pre-frailty and frailty was 38.64 and 20.26%, respectively. After controlling for covariates and interaction of age and problematic drinking, non-problematic drinkers neither had association with pre-frailty (OR: 1.15, 95%CI:0.86–1.52) nor with frailty (OR:0.90, 95%CI:0.60–1.36), and problematic drinkers neither had association with frailty (OR: 1.21, 95%CI:0.83–1.76), while problematic drinkers had high odd ratios of frailty (OR:3.28, 95%CI:2.02–5.33) compared with zero-drinker.

Conclusions

Our study found a positive association between problematic drinking and frailty, no relationship between non-problematic drinking and (pre-)frailty compared with zero-drinking among Chinese elder adults. Based on previous findings and ours, we conclude it is important for the prevention of frailty to advocate no problematic drinking among elder adults.
Place Your Bets? The Value of Investment Research on Reddit’s Wallstreetbets
Authors: Bradley Daniel , Hanousek Jan , Jame Russell , Xiao Zicheng
Published: December 2023

We examine the value of due diligence recommendations on Reddit’s Wallstreetbets (WSB) platform. Before the Gamestop (GME) short squeeze, recommendations are significant predictors of returns and cash-flow news. This predictability is eliminated post-GME. Post-GME, the fraction of reports emphasizing price-pressure or attention-grabbing stocks dramatically increases, and the decline in informativeness is concentrated in these reports. Similarly, retail trade informativeness is particularly strong following DD reports in the pre-GME period, but not post-GME. Our findings are consistent with the view that the Gamestop event altered the culture of WSB, leading to a deterioration in investment quality that adversely affected smaller investors.
Regional differences in clinical phenotype of axial spondyloarthritis: results from the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS)
Authors: Poddubnyy Denis , Sommerfleck Fernando , Navarro-Compán Victoria , Bundy Christine , Makri Souzi , Akerkar Shashank , Wermskog Lillann , Karam Elie , Correa-Fernández José , Siddiqui Asif , Garrido-Cumbrera Marco
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To explore differences in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) clinical phenotype around the world in a large sample of patients included in the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS).

Method

IMAS was a cross-sectional online survey (2017–2022) of 5557 unselected axSpA patients from 27 countries. We analysed across five geographic regions the age at symptom onset, diagnostic delay, gender, HLA-B27, family history, extra-musculoskeletal manifestations, presence of comorbidities, disease activity (BASDAI), level of spinal stiffness and treatments.

Results

Of 5557 IMAS participants, 3493 were from Europe, 770 from North America, 600 from Asia, 548 from Latin America and 146 from South Africa. Age at symptom onset ranged between 25 and 30 years and was higher in Latin America. Diagnostic delay was longest in South Africa and lowest in Asia. The lowest HLA-B27 positivity was observed in Latin America and the highest in Asia. Extra-musculoskeletal manifestations were the lowest in Europe. Mean disease activity (BASDAI) was 5.4, with highest values in South Africa and lowest in Asia. Most of the patients had used NSAIDs for their condition and less than half had ever taken conventional synthetic DMARDS; both were more frequent in Latin America and South Africa. Almost half of the patients had ever taken biologic DMARDs, more frequent use being in the Americas.

Conclusion

There is great heterogeneity of axSpA clinical phenotype presentation around the world. AxSpA manifests differently in different regions, so further understanding of these differences of phenotypes is needed to achieve early diagnosis and initiation of optimal disease treatment in axSpA in the different regions.
Precision measurements of U3O8 and Ra(eU3O8) in uraniferous samples by gamma ray spectrometry using two HPGe coaxial P-type detectors (GCD30180 & GC5019 models)—a comparative study
Authors: Shankar V Madhavi , Rupa N , Rao R Bala Bhaskara
Published: December 2023

The precision measurements of U3O8 and Ra(eU3O8) concentrations were evaluated in 23 geological rock samples by high resolution gamma ray spectrometry (HPGe) using two P-type HPGe detectors. The use of Detector 2 (DET2) (GC5019) has increased the sensitivity by a factor of two for both the measurements in comparison to Detector 1 (DET1) (GCD30180). The Minimum Detection Limit (MDL) and Limit of quantification (LOQ) for U3O8 in DET2 has increased significantly because of negligible background counts in 1.001 MeV ϒ energy peak (0.838% gamma yield). The MDL for Ra(eU3O8) measured by 0.609 MeV and 1.760 MeV has not improved significantly due to the high background counts in these energies whereas LOQ has improved appreciably. DET 2 has given higher level of confidence in reporting the analytical results with acceptable repeatability due to the decrease in uncertainty of the measurements.
Estimation of radioactivity in soil and drinking water samples from Northern Gulbarga District of Karnataka
Authors: Rajesh Mugalgaon Archana , Mugalgaon Rajesh Siddanna , Kerur Basavaraj Rachappa , Rangaswamy Devagondanahalli Rangegowda
Published: December 2023

The gamma activity of the radionuclides238U, 232Th and 40K were measured in surface soil samples collected from 40 villages of Aland, Afzalpur, Ganaghapur and Kamalapur talukas of Northern Gulbarga district, Karnataka. The gamma activity of natural radionuclides were measured using 4" × 4" NaI (Tl) scintillation detector, the spectrum was analysed using a PC based 1 k MCA (winTMCA 32 scinti SPEC) and the 222Rn activity concentrations in drinking water were determined by the Emanometry method. The activity of 238U, 232Th and 40K was found to be in the range from 14.3 ± 0.3 to 64.5 ± 6.1, 15.4 ± 0.2 to 95.0 ± 4.1 and 21 ± 06 to 323 ± 09 Bq kg−1, respectively. Outdoor AED from 0.023 to 0.07 mSv y−1 and all the radiological hazards indices were well within the safe limit. The 222Rn activity in ground water is found to vary from 1.11 to 66.6 Bq l−1. The total annual effective doses due to 222Rn inhalation and ingestion range from 3.02 to 181.81 μSv y−1, respectively, with an average value of 77.18 μSv y−1.
Thermoluminescence properties of copper-doped TiO2 nanoparticles synthesised using co-precipitation method for high-dose gamma dosimetry
Authors: Sharmila Kankanady , Prabhu Nimitha S , Kamath Sudha D , Kamat Vinayak A , Swaroop Kumaraswamy , Somashekarappa Hiriyur M
Published: December 2023

In this work, copper (Cu)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation. For studying the morphological properties, the copper doped titanium dioxide (TiO2:Cu) nanocrystalline structures were characterised through powder X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The prepared TiO2:Cu nanoparticles were annealed at two temperatures, namely, copper doped titanium dioxide annealed at 723 K temperayure (TC1) and copper doped titanium dioxide annealed at 1073 K temperayure (TC2). The annealed samples were exposed to gamma radiation of 10-Gy-to-25-kGy doses. Thermoluminescence and dosimetric properties were evaluated using a thermoluminescent dosemeter reader. The glow curves of the TiO2:Cu nanoparticles were analysed. The thermoluminescence (TL) response of samples exhibited good linearity between 100 Gy and 10 kGy with high sensitivity of 1755.25 (TC1) and 5587.06 (TC2) counts g−1Gy−1 and a minimum detectable dose of 2.9666 Gy (TC1) and 0.4892 Gy (TC2). The fading of signals was observed by 12% for TC1 and 10% for TC2 samples after a week of storage.
A review of 20 years publication in the field of radiation protection in diagnostic radiology in Iran
Authors: Zarghani Hassan , Pandesh Sajjad , Jabbari Masoud
Published: December 2023

In recent years, knowing the risks of stochastic effects of radiation, patient dose in diagnostic radiology is taken in to consideration extensively. Many countries and international organization, including International Commission on Radiological Protection, use quantities such as dose area product, entrance surface dose, etc. in radiological investigations, which serve as a guide for patient dose reduction. The concept of diagnostic reference level (DRL) is used to optimizing the dose of patients undergoing diagnostic radiology examinations. The present study aimed to review the studies on the DRLs in Iran. This study was conducted to review the status of patient dose in diagnostic radiology in Iran. A comprehensive literature search was performed without time constraints in the popular databases such as Google Scholar, Medline, Embase, PubMed, Irandoc, Iran Medex, Magiran and Scientific Information Database under the key words ‘Entrance Surface Dose’, ‘dose area product, ‘diagnostic reference level’ and ‘DRL’ in Iran. Data on the radiation dose to patients has demonstrated further reductions in patient doses in the Iran. Considering advanced techniques and dose reduction methodologies complicates comparability between studies. Joint efforts of experts in the field of radiological protection and medical imaging and training program are necessary for achieving an acceptable condition.
Development and characterisation of a plastic scintillator dosemeter in high-energy photon beams
Authors: Wahabi Janatul M , Ung N M , Mahdiraji Ghafour A , Wong Jeannie H D
Published: December 2023

The radioluminescent (RL) dosemeter is excellent for real-time radiation measurement and can be used in various applications. A plastic scintillator is often the choice sensor because of its size and tissue equivalency. This study aims to characterise a novel plastic scintillator irradiated with high-energy photon beams. An RL dosimetry system was developed using the plastic scintillator. The RL dosimetry system was irradiated using a linear accelerator to characterise the dose linearity, dose rate, energy dependency and depth dose. The developed system showed a linear response toward the dose and dose rate. An energy dependency factor of 1.06 was observed. Depth dose measurement showed a mean deviation of 1.21% from the treatment planning system. The response and characteristics of the plastic scintillator show that it may be used as an alternative in an RL dosimetry system.
Nonstructural carbohydrates explain post-fire tree mortality and recovery patterns
Authors: Reed Charlotte C , Hood Sharon M
Published: December 2023

Trees use nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) to support many functions, including recovery from disturbances. However, NSC’s importance for recovery following fire and whether NSC depletion contributes to post-fire delayed mortality are largely unknown. We investigated how fire affects NSCs based on fire-caused injury from a prescribed fire in a young Pinus ponderosa (Lawson & C. Lawson) stand. We assessed crown injury (needle scorch and bud kill) and measured NSCs of needles and inner bark (i.e., secondary phloem) of branches and main stems of trees subject to fire and at an adjacent unburned site. We measured NSCs pre-fire and at six timesteps post-fire (4 days–16 months). While all trees initially survived the fire, NSC concentrations declined quickly in burned trees relative to unburned controls over the same post-fire period. This decline was strongest for trees that eventually died, but those that survived recovered to unburned levels within 14 months post-fire. Two months post-fire, the relationship between crown scorch and NSCs of the main stem inner bark was strongly negative (Adj-R2 = 0.83). Our results support the importance of NSCs for tree survival and recovery post-fire and suggest that post-fire NSC depletion is in part related to reduced photosynthetic leaf area that subsequently limits carbohydrate availability for maintaining tree function. Crown scorch is a commonly measured metric of tree-level fire severity and is often linked to post-fire tree outcome (i.e., recovery or mortality). Thus, our finding that NSC depletion may be the mechanistic link between the fire-caused injury and tree outcome will help improve models of post-fire tree mortality and forest recovery.
A cytokinin response factor PtCRF1 is involved in the regulation of wood formation in poplar
Authors: Fu Xiaokang , Xin Yufeng , Shen Gui , Luo Keming , Xu Changzheng , Wu Nengbiao
Published: December 2023

Wood formation is a complex developmental process under the control of multiple levels of regulatory transcriptional network and hormone signals in trees. It is well known that cytokinin (CK) signaling plays an important role in maintaining the activity of the vascular cambium. The CK response factors (CRFs) encoding a subgroup of AP2 transcription factors have been identified to mediate the CK-dependent regulation in different plant developmental processes. However, the functions of CRFs in wood development remain unclear. Here, we characterized the function of PtCRF1, a CRF transcription factor isolated from poplar, in the process of wood formation. The PtCRF1 is preferentially expressed in secondary vasculature, especially in vascular cambium and secondary phloem, and encodes a transcriptional activator. Overexpression of PtCRF1 in transgenic poplar plants led to a significant reduction in the cell layer number of vascular cambium. The development of wood tissue was largely promoted in the PtCRF1-overexpressing lines, while it was significantly compromised in the CRISPR/Cas9-generated double mutant plants of PtCRF1 and its closest homolog PtCRF2. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses showed that PtCRF1 repressed the expression of the typical CK-responsive genes. Furthermore, bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays revealed that PtCRF1 competitively inhibits the direct interactions between histidine phosphotransfer proteins and type-B response regulator by binding to PtHP protein. Collectively, these results indicate that PtCRF1 negatively regulates CK signaling and is required for woody cell differentiation in poplar.
An atypical case of acute transverse myelitis following COVID-19 infection
Authors: Spillman Amanda Mallory
Published: December 2023

Acute transverse myelitis is a rare condition that can follow a viral infection. At least 43 cases of COVID-19 associated with acute transverse myelitis have been presented in the literature. This case review highlights one such case in a young man. Although rare, acute transverse myelitis following COVID-19 can cause significant disability for patients. Clinicians must be equipped and encouraged to report and study cases of neurologic complications following COVID-19 infection to develop further treatment and cure.
Shedding new light on actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma in situ
Authors: Khachemoune Amor , Juan Hui Yu , Singh Rohan
Published: December 2023

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma can arise from various premalignant lesions such as actinic keratosis, Bowen disease, and premalignant genital squamous cell lesions. Identification and treatment can prevent malignant transformation and death. This article describes the causes, epidemiology, and characteristics of suspicious premalignant squamous cell lesions so that clinicians can identify these lesions and refer patients for specialist treatment as appropriate.
COVID-19 Four Years Later: What We Know Now
Authors: Roush Karen
Published: December 2023

Much has been learned about the virus, but questions remain.
The U.S. Maternal Health Crisis
Authors: McSpedon Corinne
Published: December 2023

An urgent need to make pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period safer
Family Management Skills Reported by Parents of Preterm Infants in the NICU Using the Self- and Family Management Framework (SFMF)
Authors: Weber Ashley , Bakas Tamilyn , Schulman-Green Dena , Voos Kristin C. , Rice Jared B. , Bailey Richard , Reigel Alexandra , Oudat Qutaibah , Holmes Maya , Tubbs-Cooley Heather L. , Kaplan Heather C.
Published: December 2023

Background:

Across the globe, family-integrated care (FICare) has become an evidence-based standard in which parents deliver the majority of infant care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Because of extensive barriers to parent presence, adaptations to FICare may be required for successful implementation. Family management theory may provide structure to the Parent Education of FICare and help nurses guide parents’ skill development as equal care members.

Purpose:

To identify family management skills employed by NICU parents using the Self- and Family Management Framework (SFMF).

Methods:

We conducted secondary analyses of qualitative interview data from NICU parents (n = 17) who shared their experiences of using family management skills to care for their infant. We categorized skills according to 3 main self- and family management processes: Focusing on Infant Illness Needs; Activating Resources; and Living With Infant Illness.

Results:

Parents reported several family management skills currently identified in the SFMF, as well as new skills such as conflict management, power brokerage, and addressing resources related to social determinants of health. Parent activation of resources was critical to sustaining parent focus on the infant's illness needs.

Implications for Practice and Research:

By teaching skills that parents reported as helping them manage infant care, neonatal nurses may better facilitate parent integration into the care team. Future researchers can incorporate the skills identified in this study into the design of family management interventions that facilitate FICare implementation in the United States.
Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion for Severe, Left-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Bergh Eric , Baschat Ahmet A. , Cortes Magdalena Sanz , Hedrick Holly L. , Ryan Greg , Lim Foong-Yen , Zaretsky Michael V. , Schenone Mauro H. , Crombleholme Timothy M. , Ruano Rodrigo , Gosnell Kristen A. , Johnson Anthony
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To report the outcomes of fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion in a multicenter North American cohort of patients with isolated, left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and to compare neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia who underwent fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion with those expectantly managed.

METHODS:

We analyzed data from 10 centers in the NAFTNet (North American Fetal Therapy Network) FETO (Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion) Consortium registry, collected between November 1, 2008, and December 31, 2020. In addition to reporting procedure-related surgical outcomes of fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion, we performed a comparative analysis of fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion compared with contemporaneous expectantly managed patients.

RESULTS:

Fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion was successfully performed in 87 of 89 patients (97.8%). Six-month survival in patients with severe left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia did not differ significantly between patients who underwent fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion and those managed expectantly (69.8% vs 58.1%, P=.30). Patients who underwent fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion had higher rates of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (54.0% vs 14.3%, P<.001), earlier gestational age at delivery (median 35.0 weeks vs 38.3 weeks, P<.001), and lower birth weights (mean 2,487 g vs 2,857 g, P=.001). On subanalysis, in patients for whom all recorded observed-to-expected lung/head ratio measurements were below 25%, patients with fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion required fewer days of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (median 9.0 days vs 17.0 days, P=.014).

CONCLUSION:

In this cohort, fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion was successfully implemented across several North American fetal therapy centers. Although survival was similar among patients undergoing fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion and those expectantly managed, fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion in North American centers may reduce morbidity, as suggested by fewer days of ECMO in those patients with persistently reduced lung volumes (observed-to-expected lung/head ratio below 25%).