bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Millimetre and sub-millimetre spectroscopy of doubly deuterated acetaldehyde (CHD2CHO) and first detection towards IRAS 16293-2422
Authors: Ferrer Asensio J. , Spezzano S. , Coudert L. H. , Lattanzi V. , Endres C. P. , Jørgensen J. K. , Caselli P.
Published: January 2023

Context. The abundances of deuterated molecules with respect to their main isotopologue counterparts have been determined to be orders of magnitude higher than expected from the cosmic abundance of deuterium relative to hydrogen. The increasing number of singly and multi-deuterated species detections helps us to constrain the interplay between gas-phase and solid-state chemistry and to understand better deuterium fractionation in the early stages of star formation. Acetaldehyde is one of the most abundant complex organic molecules (COMs) in star-forming regions and its singly deuterated isotopologues have already been observed towards protostars.

Aims. A spectroscopic catalogue for astrophysical purposes is built for doubly deuterated acetaldehyde (CHD2CHO) from measurements in the laboratory. With this accurate catalogue, we aim to search for and detect this species in the interstellar medium and retrieve its column density and abundance.

Methods. Sub-millimetre wave transitions were measured for the non-rigid doubly deuterated acetaldehyde CHD2CHO displaying hindered internal rotation of its asymmetrical CHD2 methyl group. An analysis of a dataset consisting of previously measured microwave transitions and of the newly measured ones was carried out with an effective Hamiltonian which accounts for the tunnelling of the asymmetrical methyl group.

Results. A line position analysis was carried out, allowing us to reproduce 853 transition frequencies with a weighted root mean square standard deviation of 1.7, varying 40 spectroscopic constants. A spectroscopic catalogue for astrophysical purposes was built from the analysis results. Using this catalogue, we were able to detect, for the first time, CHD2CHO towards the low-mass proto-stellar system IRAS 16293-2422 utilising data from the ALMA Proto-stellar Interferometric Line Survey.

Conclusions. The first detection of the CHD2CHO species allowed for the derivation of its column density with a value of 1.3×1015 cm−2 and an uncertainty of 10–20%. The resulting D2/D ratio of ~20% is found to be coincident with D2/D ratios derived for other COMs towards IRAS 16293-2422, pointing to a common formation environment with enhanced deuterium fractionation.
Effect of protonation on the UV/VUV photostability of cyano-substituted anthracene and phenanthrene
Authors: Jacovella Ugo , Giuliani Alexandre , Hansen Christopher S. , Trevitt Adam J. , Nahon Laurent , Malloci Giuliano , Mulas Giacomo
Published: January 2023

Context. The vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoprocessing of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been established as a key piece of the puzzle to understand the life cycle of carbon-based molecules in space. The recent detection of cyano (CN) aromatic species, with unexpectedly high abundance, motivated the current study of investigating their interaction with UV/VUV radiation.

Aims. The aims were to investigate the fate, after VUV photoexcitatation, of medium-size (three rings) CN-PAH radical cations and of their protonated analogs, and thus to assess the effect of protonation on the photostability of the CN-PAHs. Photoproducts (ionic fragments and dications) were mass-analyzed and measured as a function of photon energy. The results were also compared with those for the bare anthracene radical cation to assess the influence of the added CN group.

Methods. The positively charged CN-PAHs were stored in a quadrupole ion trap prior to interrogation by UV/VUV radiation, with photon energies between 4.5 and 13.6 eV, delivered by the DESIRS beamline from the synchrotron SOLEIL.

Results. The HCN/HNC loss channel is present for both radical cations and protonated species, but H2 loss is only apparent for the radical cations. Based on comparison with quantum chemical calculations, radiative and/or collisional processes should be relevant at energies lower than 8 eV, with a stronger propensity for radical cation than protonated CN-PAHs. The cata-condensed 9-CN-anthracene has a nearly two-fold larger photoionization yield at 13.6 eV than peri-condensed 9-CN-phenanthrene.

Conclusions. The photoionization yield of singly and doubly ionized CN-PAHs is greater for radical cations than for protonated analogs. The photoionization yields of CN-PAHs is diminished by protonation and, in the future, similar investigations should target larger protonated CN-PAHs to support a general model for the photo-processing of these relevant molecular systems. Similar processes to those for the bare PAH radical cations may involve the radical cations of CN-PAHs, making their addition important in models that describe the photoelectric heating of interstellar gas.
Local null controllability of a quasi-linear system and related numerical experiments
Authors: Fernández-Cara Enrique , Límaco Juan , Thamsten Yuri , Menezes Denilson
Published: January 2023

This paper concerns the null control of quasi-linear parabolic systems where the diffusion coefficient depends on the gradient of the state variable. In our main theoretical result, with some assumptions on the regularity and growth of the diffusion coefficient and regular initial data, we prove that local null controllability holds. To this purpose, we consider the null controllability problem for the linearized system, we deduce new estimates on the control and the state and, then, we apply a Local Inversion Theorem. We also formulate an iterative algorithm of the quasi-Newton kind for the computation of a null control and an associated state. We apply this method to some numerical approximations of the problem and illustrate the results with several experiments.
Sustainable inventory model with environmental impact for non-instantaneous deteriorating items with composite demand
Authors: Pervin Magfura , Roy Sankar Kumar , Sannyashi Prasenjit , Weber Gerhard-Wilhelm
Published: January 2023

Global warming and climate change become a sensitive issue worldwide, and many countries try to control the CO2emissions by investigating in many projects. This study proposes a sustainable inventory model to reduce carbon emission. It is generally assumed that demand is increasing at starting of an inventory level and decreasing at ending for a particular newly launched product. In this situation, demand is usually represented by Normal distribution or imprecise fuzzy demand. However, in reality, those assumptions do not always hold. In most of the inventory models, it is seen that demand is a linearly increasing function of time before starting deterioration; then, the demand decreases inversely proportional to the deterioration rate after starting the deterioration. To describe the possible situations more clearly, we introduce here a new type of demand, called as composite demand. Most of the products have a fixed life span for maintaining the quality in original condition which is known as non-instantaneous deterioration. Therefore, we design an inventory model for non-instantaneous deteriorating items with composite demand function. The deterioration rate is assumed to follow an exponential distribution; the holding cost is considered as time dependent. The model is formulated based on retailer’s perspective and, thereafter, the total cost for the retailer is calculated. Numerical examples are provided for better understanding of this model. The results show that the total profit for non-instantaneous deteriorating items is higher than for instantaneously deteriorating items. A sensitivity analysis is conducted based on the important parameters. Finally, the paper ends with conclusions and an outlook to future research.
Strength and Wear Behavior of Three-Dimensional Printed and Prefabricated Denture Teeth: An In Vitro Comparative Analysis
Authors: Gad Mohammed M. , Alalawi Haidar , Akhtar Sultan , Al-Ghamdi Raghad , Alghamdi Rahaf , Al-Jefri Alaa , Al-Qarni Faisal D.
Published: January 2023

Objectives With advanced technology for complete denture fabrication, there is a lack of knowledge on the mechanical behavior of three-dimensional (3D) printed teeth despite the development of complete denture fabrication technologies. This study aimed to compare different types of 3D-printed teeth in terms of wear and fracture resistance in comparison to control prefabricated denture teeth.

Materials and Methods One prefabricated tooth was selected and fixed in a resin holder and half of the tooth remained in anatomic form, while the other half was flattened for the wear test. One from each type was scanned and then printed with different resins; Asiga (DentaTOOTH, Asiga, Alexandria 2015,NSW, Australia), FormLabs (Denture Base LP, FormLabs, Berlin, Germany), and NextDent (NextDent C&B MFH, NextDent B.V., Soesterberg, the Netherlands) according to manufacturer recommendations. A total of 60 specimens (20/resin, n = 10) were thermo cycled (5,000 cycles) and wear test samples were further subjected to cyclic loading (1,70,000 cycles) in a chewing simulator machine CS-4.2 (SD Mechatronik GmbH, Germany). The fracture strength of anatomic teeth was measured using a universal testing machine (Instron model 5965, Massachusetts, United States), while Geomagic Control X software was used to assess the amount of wear of flattened teeth. Statistical analyses were performed with one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc test at significance level of α = 0.05.

Results NextDent specimens showed the greatest volume loss, whereas FormLabs specimens showed the least volume loss. Comparing NextDent specimens to FromLabs specimens, FromLabs showed statistically significantly less volume loss (p < 0.001). No other group pairs differed significantly from one another in terms of volume loss (p > 0.06).

Conclusion 3D-printed denture teeth showed comparable strength and wear resistance with the prefabricated denture teeth and were suitable for long-term clinical usage except for NextDent that significantly showed the lowest fracture resistance.
Impact of Vitamin D Level on Sarcopenia in Elderly People: A Critical Review
Authors: Khan Saniya , Kumar Sunil , Acharya Sourya , Wanjari Anil
Published: January 2023

Vitamin D insufficiency is a widespread health issue globally, particularly among the elderly. Vitamin D controls and affects the metabolism and functionality of several human systems, including muscle tissue. The action of vitamin D on muscles has been extensively studied, with evidence indicating that this vitamin can increase the osteogenic differentiation of muscle fibers, hence preserving and enhancing muscular strength and athletic performance. Low hormone levels are more common in older people as a result of poor food intake and decreased skin ultraviolet irradiation. As a result, elderly persons who are deficient in vitamin D may be at risk of developing sarcopenia, a geriatric condition defined by gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that is frequently accompanied by adverse events such as falls, incapacity hospitalization, and mortality. As a result, these activities are seen to be crucial in illuminating the underlying functional condition of the aged, and functional mobility is employed as a technique for assessing fall risk and frailty. Several randomized controlled studies have been done to explore the efficacy of oral treatment in elderly people to prevent or cure sarcopenia; however, the results are still debatable. We describe the biochemical, clinical, and epidemiological data supporting the idea of a causal relationship between vitamin D insufficiency and a higher likelihood of sarcopenia in elderly adults in this narrative review. The muscular system, the biggest organ in the body, contributing to around 40% of body composition, is vital in exercising and glycogen depletion. Sarcopenia, a steady deterioration in muscle mass and strength, and function in the aged can result in prolonged circumstances, wheelchair confinement, and a reduction in quality of life. Diagnosis and control of muscle wasting are vital for improving health and quality of life in industrialized nations with aging populations. Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, has gained popularity in recent years because of its relevance in sarcopenia. The role of vitamin D deficiency and fortification on muscle wasting will be the focus of this review.
Masquelet Procedure for the Treatment of Intra-articular Defects of the Wrist
Authors: Jawahier Priscilla A. , Waaijer Laurien , d'Ailly Philippe N. , Schep Niels W.L.
Published: January 2023

Background The purpose of this case series is to show our experiences with the Masquelet procedure in a variety of infected defects of the wrist.

Case Description All consecutive patients that were treated between 2015 and 2021 were included in this case series. Five patients were included with an infected defect of the wrist, involving the radiocarpal and/or the distal radioulnar joints (DRUJ). All patients underwent thorough debridement of the defect and the created void was filled with a gentamicin/vancomycin cement spacer. Cultures were taken and appropriate antibiotic therapy was initiated. Two patients had a renewal of the cement spacer before definitive surgery. Finally, two patients received a DRUJ prosthesis, two patients had autologous bone grafting and wrist arthrodesis and one patient kept the cement spacer as distal ulna prosthesis due to minor complaints.

Literature Review Current literature provides examples of the Masquelet procedure in traumatic defects or non-unions of the long bones. These cases are almost always about metaphyseal or diaphyseal defects but rarely include intra-articular joint defects therefore no comparisons could be made between the cases we reported with any existing literature.

Clinical Relevance The Masquelet procedure showed to be effective in eradicating infected defects of the wrist involving the radiocarpal joint and/or DRUJ. All patients had an aseptic environment before performing definitive surgery. This technique showed to be save and no reinfections occurred.
Application of an in silico approach identifies a genetic locus within ITGB2, and its interactions with HSPG2 and FGF9, to be associated with anterior cruciate ligament rupture risk
Authors: Dlamini Senanile B. , Saunders Colleen J. , Laguette Mary‐Jessica N. , Gibbon Andrea , Gamieldien Junaid , Collins Malcolm , September Alison V.
Published: January 2023

We developed a Biomedical Knowledge Graph model that is phenotype and biological function‐aware through integrating knowledge from multiple domains in a Neo4j, graph database. All known human genes were assessed through the model to identify potential new risk genes for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Genes were prioritised and explored in a case–control study comparing participants with ACL ruptures (ACL‐R), including a sub‐group with non‐contact mechanism injuries (ACL‐NON), to uninjured control individuals (CON). After gene filtering, 3376 genes, including 411 genes identified through previous whole exome sequencing, were found to be potentially linked to AT and ACL ruptures. Four variants were prioritised: HSPG2:rs2291826A/G, HSPG2:rs2291827G/A, ITGB2:rs2230528C/T and FGF9:rs2274296C/T. The rs2230528 CC genotype was over‐represented in the CON group compared to ACL‐R (p < 0.001) and ACL‐NON (p < 0.001) and the TT genotype and T allele were over‐represented in the ACL‐R group and ACL‐NON compared to CON (p < 0.001) group. Several significant differences in distributions were noted for the gene‐gene interactions: (HSPG2:rs2291826, rs2291827 and ITGB2:rs2230528) and (ITGB2:rs2230528 and FGF9:rs2297429). This study substantiates the efficiency of using a prior knowledge‐driven in silico approach to identify candidate genes linked to tendon and ACL injuries. Our biomedical knowledge graph identified and, with further testing, highlighted novel associations of the ITGB2 gene which has not been explored in a genetic case control association study, with ACL rupture risk. We thus recommend a multistep approach including bioinformatics in conjunction with next generation sequencing technology to improve the discovery potential of genomics technologies in musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries.
Effects of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 shoe on long‐interval training performance, kinematics, neuromuscular parameters, running power and fatigue
Authors: Castellanos‐Salamanca Mario , Rodrigo‐Carranza Víctor , Rodríguez‐Barbero Sergio , González‐Ravé José María , Santos‐Concejero Jordan , González‐Mohíno Fernando
Published: January 2023

We analysed the effects of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly (VPF) on long‐interval training performance, kinematic parameters, running power and fatigue compared to a traditional running shoe. Twelve well‐trained men (mean ± SD: 32.91 ± 7.50 years; 69.29 ± 7.55 kg and 172.73 ± 5.97 cm) performed two long‐interval training sessions (5 × 1000 m with 90s recovery period) 7 days apart, with the VPF shoe or a traditional running shoe (CON) in random order. The countermovement jump (CMJ) height was measured before and after the training sessions and heart rate, spatiotemporal parameters, running power and leg stiffness was measured during training sessions. Running‐related pain was assessed prior and post‐24 h of each training session. Long‐interval training performance improved 2.4% using the VPF shoe compared to CON (p = 0.009; ES = 0.482). Step length, contact time and leg stiffness were higher (p < 0.05; ES = 0.51, ES = 0.677, ES = 0.356) while flight time was lower (p < 0.001; ES = 0.756) when using VPF. Running power decreased in a similar way in both conditions throughout the training session. Vertical power was significantly higher in the VPF condition (p = 0.023, ES = 0.388). CMJ height decreased in both conditions after training (4.7 vs. 7.2%, for the VPF and control, respectively, p < 0.001; ES = 0.573). Finally, the perceived muscle pain was influenced by the shoe model condition (chi‐square 5.042, P = 0.025). VPF shoes improved the long‐interval training performance with similar running power, heart rate and neuromuscular fatigue, and reduced subjective perceived muscle pain compared to regular training shoes.
Echinocandin exposures in obese patients: A scoping review and clinical perspectives
Authors: Alsowaida Yazed S , Alamer Ahmad , Thabit Abrar K , Almulhim Abdulaziz S , Aleissa Muneerah M , Kalbasi Alireza , Eljaaly Khaled , Almangour Thamer A , Erstad Brian L
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Echinocandins are favored drugs for the treatment of fungal infections. There is growing evidence that obese patients treated with echinocandins have lower exposures due to pharmacokinetic (PK) alterations. We conducted a scoping review to characterize, evaluate, and summarize the available evidence on echinocandins exposures in obese patients.

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies on echinocandins published from database inception to October 28, 2022, was conducted using PRISMA-ScR methodology. A total of 25 studies comprising more than 3,174 subjects (8 micafungin studies, 7 caspofungin studies, 9 anidulafungin studies, and 1 rezafungin study) were included in this review. Seventeen studies reported lower echinocandins exposures in overweight and obese individuals compared with normal-weight individuals; the authors of these studies recommended dose adjustments. Conversely, 8 studies did not find significant differences in echinocandin exposure among subjects in varying body weight categories. Clinicians may consider dose adjustments of echinocandins in obese patients; however, there is limited evidence on the ideal dose adjustment strategy to overcome the low echinocandins exposures in obese patients.

Conclusion

This scoping review shed light on a growing body of evidence indicating that obese patients have lower echinocandin exposures relative to targeted PK indices, which may lead to negative therapeutic implications. Currently, a lack of high-quality evidence impedes reaching consensus on recommendations for echinocandin dosing adjustment in obese patients. Future research evaluating the optimal echinocandin dosing strategy for obese patients is needed.
Pharmacist-led improvement in perioperative antibiotic selection for patients with a penicillin allergy label
Authors: Stonerock Devon , Hallo-Carrasco Alejandro , Edwards Michael , Porter Steven B , Epps Kevin L , Gonzalez-Estrada Alexei
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Surgical patients with a penicillin allergy label (PAL) are less likely to receive β-lactams for surgical site infection (SSI) prophylaxis and more likely to receive second-line antibiotics, which may increase the risk of SSI, drug toxicities, and associated costs. We assessed the impact of implementing a pharmacist-led quality improvement project to increase the use of cefazolin as a first-line agent in this population.

After implementation of a pilot project in December 2021, all patients with a PAL and orders for preoperative antibiotics were risk stratified into high- or low-risk categories by a pharmacist. For the low-risk group, cefazolin was recommended. For the high-risk group, cefazolin was avoided and a second-line agent was administered. Our analysis compared 422 preintervention patients (August 15 to November 15, 2021) to 492 postintervention patients (December 15 to March 15, 2022). During the postintervention period, β-lactam usage increased (from 12.6% to 37.8%, P < 0.001), while usage of vancomycin (45.5% vs 29.5%, P < 0.001) and other second-line antibiotics (87.4% vs 62.2%, P < 0.001) declined. There were no adverse reactions reported in the preintervention cohort, with 2 potential adverse reactions reported after the intervention (0% vs 0.4%, P = 0.190). Medication costs based on claims data were 50% to 80% lower for patients receiving cefazolin.

Conclusion

In our cohort, a pharmacy-led antibiotic selection algorithm for patients with a PAL receiving perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis resulted in increased use of β-lactam antibiotics, decreased use of second-line antibiotics, and decreased costs without a significant change in the incidence of adverse reactions.
From Silence to Silencing? Contradictions and Tensions in Language Revitalization
Authors: Lane Pia
Published: January 2023

Language revitalization is imbued with tensions, and while it often is emancipatory, reclaiming a language can be a painful, silencing experience. Processes of colonization have led to epistemological absences (Santos 2012), which may be conceptualized as manifestations of silence. Understanding how and why silences come about and linger today is important for overcoming challenges those engaging in language reclamation may face. Therefore, paying attention to silences and emotional aspects of revitalization processes is important. In order to explore the inherent tensions of revitalization processes, I investigate lived experiences of language reclamation, focusing on emotions and silences in revitalization processes of Sámi in Northern Norway. European nation states colonized not only in the global South, but also ‘at home’. Thus, the South, in the form of silenced and marginalized populations, also exists in the global North (Santos 2012). Drawing on perspectives from Southern Theory and Gordon’s (2017) sociology of haunting, I investigate silences, emotions and tensions in language reclamation to shed light on how our colonial past may re-emerge in processes of language reclamation.
Immediate CT after hospital arrival and decreased in-hospital mortality in severely injured trauma patients
Authors: Yamamoto Ryo , Suzuki Masaru , Funabiki Tomohiro , Sasaki Junichi
Published: January 2023

Background

Immediate whole-body CT (about 10 min after arrival) in an all-in-one resuscitation room equipped with CT has been found to be associated with shorter time to haemostasis and lower in-hospital mortality. The aim of this study was to elucidate the benefits of immediate whole-body CT after hospital arrival in patients with severe trauma with the hypothesis that immediate CT within 10 min is associated with lower in-hospital mortality.

Method

This retrospective cohort study of patients with an injury severity score of more than 15 who underwent whole-body CT was conducted using the Japanese Trauma Databank (2019–2020). An immediate CT was conducted within 10 min after arrival. In-hospital mortality, frequency of subsequent surgery, and time to surgery were compared with immediate and non-immediate CT. Inverse probability weighting was conducted to adjust for patient backgrounds, including mechanism and severity of injury, prehospital treatment, vital signs, and institutional characteristics.

Results

Among the 7832 patients included, 646 underwent immediate CT. Immediate CT was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (12.5 versus 15.7 per cent; adjusted OR 0.77 (95 per cent c.i. 0.69 to 0.84); P < 0.001) and fewer damage-control surgeries (OR 0.75 (95 per cent c.i. 0.65 to 0.87)). There was a 10 to 20 min difference in median time to craniotomy, laparotomy, and angiography. These benefits were observed regardless of haemodynamic instability on hospital arrival, while they were identified only in elderly patients with severe injury and altered consciousness.

Conclusion

Immediate CT within 10 min after arrival was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality in severely injured trauma patients.
Suspected Non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome meeting rapid rule-out criteria: resource utilization, diagnostic yield, and clinical outcomes of hospital admission
Authors: Cohen Ben , Cohen Sharon , Tor Ruth , Shochat Tzippy , Fuchs Shmuel , Kornowski Ran , Grossman Alon , Hasdai David
Published: January 2023

Aims

Many patients with suspected non-ST-elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are admitted, even those with initial high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTn) values who meet rapid rule-out criteria for myocardial infarction (MI). We examined the clinical outcomes, resource utilization, and diagnostic yield of suspected NSTE-ACS patients, who presented with hs-cTnT values meeting these criteria but were nevertheless hospitalized.

Methods and results

Applying the 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) rapid rule-out MI criteria, we identified consecutive patients with an initial value of hs-cTnT <5 ng/L or an initial value of ≥5 ng/L but <14 ng/L (99th percentile) and a small increment in a subsequent test, who were nevertheless admitted. The majority (85.4%) of patients presented to the emergency department (ED) with suspected NSTE-ACS had an initial hs-cTnT <99th percentile. We examined 3775 admitted patients out of 11 477 patients who were triaged and met MI rule-out criteria. Only 0.32% (12 patients) of admitted patients experienced index MI or overall death within 30 days. Resource utilization in terms of ED stay, hospital stay, noninvasive and invasive tests was substantial, yet revascularization was uncommon (2.5%). Multivariate adjustment for age, gender, and baseline cardiovascular risk factors demonstrates similar survival of admitted vs. discharged patients (P = 0.88). Initial hs-cTnT even below the 99th percentile provided a prognostic stratification for long term mortality.

Conclusion

Our findings support a policy of ED discharge of suspected NSTE-ACS patients meeting rapid MI rule-out criteria and subsequent ambulatory evaluation, sparing resource-consuming admissions. In-hospital and ensuing prognosis were better with lower initial hs-cTnT values.
The source of uncertainty influences technology adoption
Authors: Singerman Ariel , Lence Sergio H
Published: January 2023

We shed light on Florida citrus growers’ decisions regarding their adoption of scientifically untested antibiotic sprays over insecticide spray coordination for dealing with the devastating impact of a pernicious plant disease. Using data from a framed field economic experiment, we examine growers’ preferences towards two types of uncertain outcomes, the first resulting from a game against nature and the second involving strategic interaction. We find evidence that, on average, growers prefer the game against nature. Moreover, we find that they prefer such a game even for ranges over which the game involving strategic interaction has a higher likelihood of success. The results and insights we obtain help better understand growers’ preferences over different types of uncertainty, which can play a key role in their technology adoption decisions. Our findings should be useful for policymakers to realise the implications of allowing the use of uncertain technologies and the detrimental impact they can have in dealing with issues that involve externalities such as those present in pest and disease management.
Geographic isolation alone does not explain divergence of a group of orchid species across Brazil’scampos rupestressky-islandsIsolamento geográfico por si só não explica a divergência de um grupo de espécies de orquídeas nos campos rupestres do Brasil
Authors: Fiorini Cecilia F , Borba Eduardo Leite , Resende-Moreira Luciana C , de Camargo Smidt Eric , Knowles L Lacey
Published: January 2023

Mountains play a crucial role in the origin and maintenance of Neotropical biodiversity, but there are still unanswered questions about the diversification of the campos rupestres (CR), an herbaceous-shrubby sky-island vegetation in eastern South America. For orchids distributed across this disjunct rock habitat, difficulties with distinguishing morphological taxa add an additional challenge to disentangling the history of divergence. Here, we combined the power of ddRAD genomic data with broad sampling of Bulbophyllum sect. Didactyle (Orchidaceae), across the CR and other Neotropical outcrops, to estimate evolutionary relationships and evaluate the biogeography of the group’s diversification. Although genetic lineages generally align with geographic disjunctions, we also observe distantly related lineages within some previously recognized species. For such taxa, their lack of monophyly and a shared regional divergence pattern suggests a complex history that may include unrecognized diversity. When viewed through the lens of morphological variability, our study raises intriguing questions about the persistence and permeability of species barriers among orchid populations. These results, in addition to the recency of the divergence history of B. sect. Didactyle, provide insights about hypothesized community level vs. species-specific paths of diversification across the Neotropical sky-islands of the CR.
Restoration age and reintroduced bison may shape soil bacterial communities in restored tallgrass prairies
Authors: Barber Nicholas A , Klimek Desirae M , Bell Jennifer K , Swingley Wesley D
Published: January 2023

Knowledge of how habitat restoration shapes soil microbial communities often is limited despite their critical roles in ecosystem function. Soil community diversity and composition change after restoration, but the trajectory of these successional changes may be influenced by disturbances imposed for habitat management. We studied soil bacterial communities in a restored tallgrass prairie chronosequence for >6 years to document how diversity and composition changed with age, management through fire, and grazing by reintroduced bison, and in comparison to pre-restoration agricultural fields and remnant prairies. Soil C:N increased with restoration age and bison, and soil pH first increased and then declined with age, although bison weakened this pattern. Bacterial richness and diversity followed a similar hump-shaped pattern as soil pH, such that the oldest restorations approached the low diversity of remnant prairies. β-diversity patterns indicated that composition in older restorations with bison resembled bison-free sites, but over time they became more distinct. In contrast, younger restorations with bison maintained unique compositions throughout the study, suggesting bison disturbances may cause a different successional trajectory. We used a novel random forest approach to identify taxa that indicate these differences, finding that they were frequently associated with bacteria that respond to grazing in other grasslands.
Functional significance of microbial diversity in arid soils: biological soil crusts and nitrogen fixation as a model system
Authors: Barrón-Sandoval Alberto , Martiny Jennifer B H , Pérez-Carbajal Teresa , Bullock Stephen H , Leija Alfonso , Hernández Georgina , Escalante Ana E
Published: January 2023

Microbial communities respond to changes in environmental conditions; however, how compositional shifts affect ecosystem processes is still not well-understood and it is often assumed that different microbial communities will function equally under similar environmental conditions. We evaluated this assumption of functional redundancy using biological soil crusts (BSCs) from two arid ecosystems in Mexico with contrasting climate conditions (hot and cold deserts) following an experimental approach both in the field (reciprocal transplants) and in laboratory conditions (common garden), focusing on the community’s composition and potential for nitrogen fixation. Potential of nitrogen fixation was assessed through the acetylene reduction assay. Community composition and diversity was determined with T-RFLPs of nifH gene, high throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons and metagenomic libraries. BSCs tended to show higher potential nitrogen fixation rates when experiencing temperatures more similar to their native environment. Moreover, changes in potential nitrogen fixation, taxonomic and functional community composition, and diversity often depended on an interactive effect of origin of the communities and the environment they experienced. We interpret our results as legacy effects that result from ecological specialization of the BSC communities to their native environment. Overall, we present evidence of nonfunctional redundancy of BSCs in terms of nitrogen fixation.
The escape of CRISPR-mediated gene editing inZymomonas mobilis
Authors: Chen Mao , Huang Yuhuan , Zheng Yudi , Wu Bo , He Mingxiong
Published: January 2023

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) systems have been widely applied for gene or genome editing. Adequate checking is important to screen mutants after CRISPR-mediated editing events. Here, we report gene escape cases after the knockout by Type I-F native CRISPR system in Zymomonas mobilis. Through amplifying both the gene of interest and its flanking homologous arms, followed by curing the editing plasmid, we found different destinies for gene-editing events. Some genes were readily knocked out and followed by the easy plasmid curing. In some other cases, however, the editing plasmid was difficult to remove from the cell, or the deleted genes were transferred into the editing plasmid. For example, the targeted region of fur can be integrated into the editing plasmid after the knockout, resulting in a spurious editing event. We supposed that the transfer of the gene may be attributed to bacterial insertion sequences. Searching for literatures on the gene knockout using CRISPR in bacteria reveals that the escape event is likely underestimated due to inadequate validation in other microbes. Hence, several strategies are proposed to enhance gene knockout and plasmid curing.
The Decision Trees Method to Support the Choice of Economic Evaluation Procedure: The Case of Protection Forests
Authors: Bruzzese Stefano , Blanc Simone , Brun Filippo
Published: January 2023

The adoption of nature-based solutions, such as forests, is playing an increasingly important role in risk analysis and related decision-making. However, decision-makers struggle to put a value on the services provided by these solutions, as there is no reference market, and are thus faced with several challenges, which relate to the choice of the best forest management program or the interventions needed to make a forest resistant and resilient to the expected negative impacts of ongoing climate change. In this article, we started with an exploratory analysis to identify the key factors in the choice of an economic method to build predictive models to support the choice in an evaluation of the forest protection service against natural hazards. The exploratory analysis showed that non-demand-based methods have a good degree of replicability and reliability and are cheaper, whereas stated preference methods can estimate the intangible component. Concerning predictive models, almost all methods showed a high level of correct classification (95%), apart from the avoided damages method (90%) and, more generally, there is no method that is valid for all operational contexts but rather the choice changes depend on the demands made by the stakeholders and their availability in economic, human, and technological terms. In conclusion, it should be remembered that the methodological framework chosen should not be seen as a substitute for the human ability to analyze complex situations but rather as an aid to this process.

Study Implications: The adoption of decision support systems and methodological frameworks and guidelines can help decision-makers to make the most effective and efficient choices, in terms of time needed, resources used, and intervention costs. The combination of this decision support system with other tools, such as frameworks and guidelines, provides a flexible support system aimed at improving the design and implementation of future ecosystem service assessments and management as well as related decision-making.
Risk Variants in or NearZBTB40ANDNFATC1Increase the Risk of Both IBD and Adverse Bone Health Outcomes Highlighting Common Genetic Underpinnings Across Both Diseases
Authors: Cushing Kelly C , Chen Yanhua , Du Xiaomeng , Chen Vincent , Kuppa Annapurna , Higgins Peter , Speliotes Elizabeth K
Published: January 2023

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. The aims of this study were to (1) confirm the association between IBD and low bone density and (2) test for shared risk variants across diseases.

Methods

The study cohort included patients from the Michigan Genomics Initiative. Student’s t tests (continuous) and chi-square tests (categorical) were used for univariate analyses. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to test the effect of IBD on osteoporosis or osteopenia. Publicly available genome-wide association summary statistics were used to identify variants that alter the risk of IBD and bone density, and Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to identify causal effects of genetically predicted IBD on bone density.

Results

There were 51 405 individuals in the Michigan Genomics Initiative cohort including 10 378 (20.2%) cases of osteoporosis or osteopenia and 1404 (2.7%) cases of IBD. Patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia were more likely to be older (64 years of age vs 56 years of age; P < .001), female (67% vs 49%; P < .001), and have a lower body mass index (29 kg/m2 vs 30 kg/m2; P < .001). IBD patients with (odds ratio, 4.60; 95% confidence interval, 3.93-5.37) and without (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-2.21) steroid use had a significantly higher risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia. Twenty-one IBD variants associated with reduced bone mineral density at P ≤ .05 and 3 IBD risk variants associated with reduced bone mineral density at P ≤ 5 × 10-8. Of the 3 genome-wide significant variants, 2 increased risk of IBD (rs12568930-T: MIR4418;ZBTB40; rs7236492-C: NFATC1). MR did not reveal a causal effect of genetically predicted IBD on bone density (MR Egger, P = .30; inverse variance weighted, P = .63).

Conclusions

Patients with IBD are at increased risk for low bone density, independent of steroid use. Variants in or near ZBTB40 and NFATC1 are associated with an increased risk of IBD and low bone density.
Comparison of a Novel Thin-Walled 25-gauge Needle Push Button Blood Collection Set to a Standard 23-gauge Needle in a Cancer Patient Population
Authors: Kirchhoff Daniel , Baser Raymond , Kwong David , Ramanathan Lakshmi , McCash Samuel I
Published: January 2023

Background

Phlebotomy can be an uncomfortable and even painful experience that increases in likelihood in patients who require frequent blood draws, such as those with cancer. The 25-gauge BD Vacutainer® UltraTouch™ Push Button Blood Collection Set has a smaller outer bore needle size and unique bevel configuration, which in theory should reduce pain associated with phlebotomy. Smaller needles typically cause less pain, however, they have a higher incidence of compromising the specimen integrity. Innovative engineering allows this particular needle to maintain a larger inner bore size similar to a standard 23-gauge needle. This study compares pain and specimen integrity between this novel device and a standard 23-gauge needle.

Methods

Two cohorts of 190 patients each had phlebotomy performed with either needle. Pain experienced was assessed by patient surveys, rating pain from 0 (low) to 10 (high). Sample integrity was assessed by determining the hemolysis index (Abbott Architect c8000).

Results

No statistically significant difference in median pain scores was observed between the 2 cohorts, P-value: 0.068. The 23-gauge cohort more frequently reported 3+ pain than the 25-gauge cohort, 14/190 vs 5/190. Pain scoring 1 and 2 was more frequent in the 25-gauge cohort, 84/190 vs 54/190. Pain scores of 0 were more frequent in the 23-gauge cohort, 122/190 vs 101/190. This stratification is statistically significant, P-value: 0.003. The 25-gauge needle showed no increase in hemolysis rates, P-value: 0.5.

Conclusions

Sample integrity was identical between both needles. The 25-gauge needle resulted in less 3+ pain, while pain scoring 1 and 2 was more frequent in the 25-gauge cohort.
Women’s Fertility and Labor Market Responses to a Health Innovation
Authors: Bhalotra Sonia , Venkataramani Atheendar , Walther Selma
Published: January 2023

We investigate women’s fertility, labor, and marriage market responses to a health innovation that led to reductions in mortality from treatable causes, and especially large declines in child mortality. We find delayed childbearing, with lower intensive and extensive margin fertility, a decline in the chances of ever having married, increased labor force participation, and an improvement in occupational status. Our results provide the first evidence that improvements in child survival allow women to start fertility later and invest more in the labor market. We present a new theory of fertility that incorporates dynamic choices and reconciles our findings with existing models of behavior.
The Canadian Society for Immunology's 34th annual meeting 2022: symposia minireview
Authors: Carter Emily B , Pugh-Toole Morgan , Kabil Ahmed , Boudreau Jeanette E , Nersesian Sarah
Published: January 2023

The Canadian Society for Immunology 2022 Annual Meeting (June 17–20, 2022) brought together immunologists from across the country to discuss current topics and cutting-edge research in immunology. Here we highlight the published work presented during three thematic symposia (1) Immune Development and Layered Immunity; (2) Primary Immune Deficiencies from Thymic Developmental Defects to Dysregulation and Inflammation; and (3) Opposing Inflammatory and Suppressive Regulation of Anti-Tumor Immunity.
Observer error in grassland vegetation surveys: effects on species diversity metrics and species–abundance relationships
Authors: Morrison Lloyd W , Leis Sherry A , DeBacker Michael D
Published: January 2023

We investigated the effect of observer error on four commonly used species diversity measures: species richness, Shannon–Weiner diversity, Shannon–Weiner evenness and Simpson’s index of diversity. We also evaluated how observer error affects inferences derived from multivariate analyses of species–abundance relationships as determined by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination. Grassland vegetation was sampled by three different botanists at two national park units in Missouri and Kansas, USA. The same plots were sampled by two of the botanists, who compiled lists of species composition and estimated foliar cover. Differences in the data records were then compared. Pseudoturnover (i.e. apparent turnover due to observer error) ranged from 17.1% to 22.1%, and differences in cover class estimation ranged from 21.5% to 30.5%. The percentage difference in species diversity measures between pairs of observers depended on how data were summarized, but were always <20%, and often <10%. Based on these results, species diversity metrics are affected to a relatively smaller extent by observer error than turnover indices. Turnover indices, however, contain more information because they track individual species, whereas species are interchangeable in most species diversity indices. Thus, less of the error is identified because of how species diversity indices are calculated. NMS ordinations revealed that while the characterizations of some plots by different observers were similar, differences between observers’ records for other plots resulted in greater separation in ordination space. Points representing one observer’s records were often shifted in ordination space in the same direction compared with the other observer.
Sophorolipids produced by Yarrowia lipolytica grown on Moringa oleifera oil cake protect against acetic acid-induced colitis in rats: impact on TLR-4/p-JNK/NFκB-p65 pathway
Authors: Nooman Mohamed U , Al-kashef Amr S , Rashad Mona M , Khattab Abd El-Nasser A , Ahmed Kawkab A , Abbas Samah S
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) activation plays a major role in triggering oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Due to sophorolipids (SLs) antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, they are interestingly becoming more valued for their potential effectiveness in treating a variety of diseases. This study was designed to explore the effect of SLs produced by microbial conversion of Moringa oleifera oil cake using isolated yeast Yarrowia lipolytica against UC induced by acetic acid (AA) in rats.

Methods

The produced SLs were identified by FTIR, 1H NMR and LC-MS/MS spectra, and administered orally for 7 days (200 mg/kg/day) before AA (2 ml, 4% v/v) to induce UC intrarectally on day eight. Biochemically, the levels of TLR-4, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), nuclear factor kappa B-p65 (NFκB-p65), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), malondialdehyd, glutathione, Bax/Bcl2 ratio and the immunohistochemical evaluation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and caspase-3 were assayed.

Key findings

SLs significantly reduced OS, inflammatory and apoptotic markers in AA-treated rats, almost like the reference sulfasalazine.

Conclusions

This study provided a novel impact for SLs produced by microbial conversion of M. oleifera oil cake against AA-induced UC in rats through hampering the TLR-4/p-JNK/NFκB-p65 signalling pathway.