bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A global phylogeny of butterflies reveals their evolutionary history, ancestral hosts and biogeographic origins
Authors: Kawahara Akito Y. , Storer Caroline , Carvalho Ana Paula S. , Plotkin David M. , Condamine Fabien L. , Braga Mariana P. , Ellis Emily A. , St Laurent Ryan A. , Li Xuankun , Barve Vijay , Cai Liming , Earl Chandra , Frandsen Paul B. , Owens Hannah L. , Valencia-Montoya Wendy A. , Aduse-Poku Kwaku , Toussaint Emmanuel F. A. , Dexter Kelly M. , Doleck Tenzing , Markee Amanda , Messcher Rebeccah , Nguyen Y-Lan , Badon Jade Aster T. , Benítez Hugo A. , Braby Michael F. , Buenavente Perry A. C. , Chan Wei-Ping , Collins Steve C. , Rabideau Childers Richard A. , Dankowicz Even , Eastwood Rod , Fric Zdenek F. , Gott Riley J. , Hall Jason P. W. , Hallwachs Winnie , Hardy Nate B. , Sipe Rachel L. Hawkins , Heath Alan , Hinolan Jomar D. , Homziak Nicholas T. , Hsu Yu-Feng , Inayoshi Yutaka , Itliong Micael G. A. , Janzen Daniel H. , Kitching Ian J. , Kunte Krushnamegh , Lamas Gerardo , Landis Michael J. , Larsen Elise A. , Larsen Torben B. , Leong Jing V. , Lukhtanov Vladimir , Maier Crystal A. , Martinez Jose I. , Martins Dino J. , Maruyama Kiyoshi , Maunsell Sarah C. , Mega Nicolás Oliveira , Monastyrskii Alexander , Morais Ana B. B. , Müller Chris J. , Naive Mark Arcebal K. , Nielsen Gregory , Padrón Pablo Sebastián , Peggie Djunijanti , Romanowski Helena Piccoli , Sáfián Szabolcs , Saito Motoki , Schröder Stefan , Shirey Vaughn , Soltis Doug , Soltis Pamela , Sourakov Andrei , Talavera Gerard , Vila Roger , Vlasanek Petr , Wang Houshuai , Warren Andrew D. , Willmott Keith R. , Yago Masaya , Jetz Walter , Jarzyna Marta A. , Breinholt Jesse W. , Espeland Marianne , Ries Leslie , Guralnick Robert P. , Pierce Naomi E. , Lohman David J.
Published: May 2023

Butterflies are a diverse and charismatic insect group that are thought to have evolved with plants and dispersed throughout the world in response to key geological events. However, these hypotheses have not been extensively tested because a comprehensive phylogenetic framework and datasets for butterfly larval hosts and global distributions are lacking. We sequenced 391 genes from nearly 2,300 butterfly species, sampled from 90 countries and 28 specimen collections, to reconstruct a new phylogenomic tree of butterflies representing 92% of all genera. Our phylogeny has strong support for nearly all nodes and demonstrates that at least 36 butterfly tribes require reclassification. Divergence time analyses imply an origin ~100 million years ago for butterflies and indicate that all but one family were present before the K/Pg extinction event. We aggregated larval host datasets and global distribution records and found that butterflies are likely to have first fed on Fabaceae and originated in what is now the Americas. Soon after the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum, butterflies crossed Beringia and diversified in the Palaeotropics. Our results also reveal that most butterfly species are specialists that feed on only one larval host plant family. However, generalist butterflies that consume two or more plant families usually feed on closely related plants.
Inadvertent human genomic bycatch and intentional capture raise beneficial applications and ethical concerns with environmental DNA
Authors: Whitmore Liam , McCauley Mark , Farrell Jessica A. , Stammnitz Maximilian R. , Koda Samantha A. , Mashkour Narges , Summers Victoria , Osborne Todd , Whilde Jenny , Duffy David J.
Published: May 2023

The field of environmental DNA (eDNA) is advancing rapidly, yet human eDNA applications remain underutilized and underconsidered. Broader adoption of eDNA analysis will produce many well-recognized benefits for pathogen surveillance, biodiversity monitoring, endangered and invasive species detection, and population genetics. Here we show that deep-sequencing-based eDNA approaches capture genomic information from humans (Homo sapiens) just as readily as that from the intended target species. We term this phenomenon human genetic bycatch (HGB). Additionally, high-quality human eDNA could be intentionally recovered from environmental substrates (water, sand and air), holding promise for beneficial medical, forensic and environmental applications. However, this also raises ethical dilemmas, from consent, privacy and surveillance to data ownership, requiring further consideration and potentially novel regulation. We present evidence that human eDNA is readily detectable from ‘wildlife’ environmental samples as human genetic bycatch, demonstrate that identifiable human DNA can be intentionally recovered from human-focused environmental sampling and discuss the translational and ethical implications of such findings.
Reconstruction of the personal information from human genome reads in gut metagenome sequencing data
Authors: Tomofuji Yoshihiko , Sonehara Kyuto , Kishikawa Toshihiro , Maeda Yuichi , Ogawa Kotaro , Kawabata Shuhei , Nii Takuro , Okuno Tatsusada , Oguro-Igashira Eri , Kinoshita Makoto , Takagaki Masatoshi , Yamamoto Kenichi , Kurakawa Takashi , Yagita-Sakamaki Mayu , Hosokawa Akiko , Motooka Daisuke , Matsumoto Yuki , Matsuoka Hidetoshi , Yoshimura Maiko , Ohshima Shiro , Nakamura Shota , Inohara Hidenori , Kishima Haruhiko , Mochizuki Hideki , Takeda Kiyoshi , Kumanogoh Atsushi , Okada Yukinori
Published: May 2023

Human DNA present in faecal samples can result in a small number of human reads in gut shotgun metagenomic sequencing data. However, it is presently unclear how much personal information can be reconstructed from such reads, and this has not been quantitatively evaluated. Such a quantitative evaluation is necessary to clarify the ethical concerns related to data sharing and to enable efficient use of human genetic information in stool samples, such as for research and forensics. Here we used genomic approaches to reconstruct personal information from the faecal metagenomes of 343 Japanese individuals with associated human genotype data. Genetic sex could be accurately predicted based on the sequencing depth of sex chromosomes for 97.3% of the samples. Individuals could be re-identified from the matched genotype data based on human reads recovered from the faecal metagenomic data with 93.3% sensitivity using a likelihood score-based method. This method also enabled us to predict the ancestries of 98.3% of the samples. Finally, we performed ultra-deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing of five faecal samples as well as whole-genome sequencing of blood samples. Using genotype-calling approaches, we demonstrated that the genotypes of both common and rare variants could be reconstructed from faecal samples. This included clinically relevant variants. Our approach can be used to quantify personal information contained within gut metagenome data.
Tectonic evolution of the Nootka fault zone and deformation of the shallow subducted Explorer plate in northern Cascadia as revealed by earthquake distributions and seismic tomography
Authors: Hutchinson Jesse , Kao Honn , Riedel Michael , Obana Koichiro , Wang Kelin , Kodaira Shuichi , Takahashi Tsutomu , Yamamoto Yojiro
Published: May 2023

At the northern Cascadia subduction zone, the subducting Explorer and Juan de Fuca plates interact across a transform deformation zone, known as the Nootka fault zone (NFZ). This study continues the Seafloor Earthquake Array Japan Canada Cascadia Experiment to a second phase (SeaJade II) consisting of nine months of recording of earthquakes using ocean-bottom and land-based seismometers. In addition to mapping the distribution of seismicity, including an MW 6.4 earthquake and aftershocks along the previously unknown Nootka Sequence Fault, we also conducted seismic tomography, which delineates the geometry of the shallow subducting Explorer plate (ExP). We derived hundreds of high-quality focal mechanism solutions from the SeaJade II data. The mechanisms manifest a complex regional tectonic state, with normal faulting of the ExP west of the NFZ, left-lateral strike-slip behaviour of the NFZ, and reverse faulting within the overriding plate above the subducting Juan de Fuca plate. Using data from the combined SeaJade I and II catalogs, we have performed double-difference hypocentre relocations and found seismicity lineations to the southeast of, and oriented 18° clockwise from, the subducted NFZ, which we interpret to represent less active small faults off the primary faults of the NFZ. These lineations are not optimally oriented for shear failure in the regional stress field, which we inferred from averaged focal mechanism solutions, and may represent paleo-configurations of the NFZ. Further, active faults interpreted from seismicity lineations within the subducted plate, including the Nootka Sequence Fault, may have originated as conjugate faults within the paleo-NFZ.
Exact solutions via Prabhakar fractional approach to investigate heat transfer and flow features of hybrid nanofluid subject to shape and slip effects
Authors: Asifa  , Anwar Talha , Kumam Poom , Almusawa Musawa Yahya , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Suttiarporn Panawan
Published: May 2023

The core devotion of this study is to develop a generalized model by means of a recently proposed fractional technique in order to anticipate the enhancement in the thermal efficiency of engine oil because of the dispersion of graphene and magnesia nanoparticles. In addition to investigating the synergistic attributes of the foregoing particles, this work evaluates shape impacts for column, brick, tetrahedron, blade, and lamina-like shapes. In the primary model, the flow equation is coupled with concentration and energy functions. This classical system is transmuted into a fractional environment by generalizing mathematical expressions of thermal and diffusion fluxes by virtue of the Prabhakar fractional operator. In this study, ramped flow and temperature slip conditions are simultaneously applied for the first time to examine the behavior of a hybrid nanofluid. The mathematical analysis of this problem involves the incorporation of dimension-independent parameters into the model and the execution of the Laplace transform for the consequent equations. By doing so, exact solutions are derived in the form of Mittag–Leffler functions. Multiple illustrations are developed by dint of exact solutions to chew over all aspects of temperature variations and flow dynamics. For the preparation of these illustrations, the details of parametric ranges are as follows: $$0.00 \le \varUpsilon \le 0.04$$

0.00
≤
Υ
≤
0.04

, $$2.0 \le Gr_1 \le 8.0$$

2.0
≤
G

r
1

≤
8.0

, $$0.5 \le Sc \le 2.0$$

0.5
≤
S
c
≤
2.0

, $$0.1 \le \uptau \le 4.0$$

0.1
≤
τ
≤
4.0

, $$0.1 \le d \le 0.6$$

0.1
≤
d
≤
0.6

, $$0.2 \le \lambda _1 \le 1.5$$

0.2
≤

λ
1

≤
1.5

, and $$1.0 \le Gr_2 \le 7.0$$

1.0
≤
G

r
2

≤
7.0

. The contribution of differently shaped nanoparticles, volume proportions, and fractional parameters in boosting the heat-transferring attributes of engine oil is also anticipated. In this regard, results for Nusselt number are provided in tabular form. Additionally, a brief analysis of shear stress is carried out for fractional parameters and various combinations of magnesia, graphene, and engine oil. This investigation anticipates that engine oil’s hybridization with magnesia and graphene would result in a 33% increase in its thermal performance, which evidently improves its industrial significance. The enhancement in Schmidt number yields an improvement in the mass transfer rate. An increment in collective volume fraction leads to raising the profile of the thermal field. However, the velocity indicates a decreasing behavior. Nusselt number reaches its highest value ($$Nu=8.1363$$

N
u
=
8.1363

) for the lamina shape of considered particles. When the intensity of the buoyancy force augments, it causes the velocity to increase.
Mediation of the mediolateral ground reaction force profile to maintain straight running among unilateral transfemoral amputees
Authors: Tang Ying Wai , Murai Akihiko , Hobara Hiroaki
Published: May 2023

The mediolateral ground reaction force (M-L GRF) profile that realizes a symmetrical mediolateral ground reaction impulse (M-L GRI) between both limbs is essential for maintaining a straight movement path. We aimed to examine the M-L GRF production across different running speeds in unilateral transfemoral amputees (TFA) to identify strategies for maintaining straight running. The average medial and lateral GRF, contact time (tc), M-L GRI, step width, and center of pressure angle (COPANG) were analyzed. Nine TFAs performed running trials at 100% speed on an instrumented treadmill. Trials were set at 30–80% speed with an increment of 10%. Seven steps from the unaffected and affected limbs were analyzed. Overall, the unaffected limbs exhibited a higher average medial GRF than the affected limbs. The M-L GRI were similar between both limbs at all speeds, implying that the participants were able to maintain a straight running path. The affected limb exhibited a longer tc and a lower M-L GRF profile than the unaffected limb. The results showed that unilateral TFAs adopted limb-specific strategies to maintain a straight running path, and that these limb-specific strategies were consistent across different running speeds.
Behavioral and cellular responses to circadian disruption and prenatal immune activation in mice
Authors: Delorme Tara C. , Ozell-Landry William , Cermakian Nicolas , Srivastava Lalit K.
Published: May 2023

Most individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders, experience disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms. Epidemiological studies indicate that exposure to prenatal infection increases the risk of developing NDDs. We studied how environmental circadian disruption contributes to NDDs using maternal immune activation (MIA) in mice, which models prenatal infection. Pregnant dams were injected with viral mimetic poly IC (or saline) at E9.5. Adult poly IC- and saline-exposed offspring were subjected to 4 weeks of each of the following: standard lighting (LD1), constant light (LL) and standard lighting again (LD2). Behavioral tests were conducted in the last 12 days of each condition. Poly IC exposure led to significant behavioral differences, including reduced sociability (males only) and deficits in prepulse inhibition. Interestingly, poly IC exposure led to reduced sociability specifically when males were tested after LL exposure. Mice were exposed again to either LD or LL for 4 weeks and microglia were characterized. Notably, poly IC exposure led to increased microglial morphology index and density in dentate gyrus, an effect attenuated by LL exposure. Our findings highlight interactions between circadian disruption and prenatal infection, which has implications in informing the development of circadian-based therapies for individuals with NDDs.
Layer-dependent stability of 2D mica nanosheets
Authors: Kim Jae-Hun , Kulish Vadym. V. , Wu Shunnian , Wu Ping , Shi Yue , Osada Minoru , Kim Hyoun Woo , Kim Sang Sub
Published: May 2023

We report on the layer-dependent stability of muscovite-type two-dimensional (2D) mica nanosheets (KAl3Si3O10(OH)2). First-principles calculations on mica nanosheets with different layer thicknesses (n = 1, 2, and 3) reveal their layer-dependent stability; odd-numbered 2D mica nanosheets are more stable than even-numbered ones, and the preferable stability of odd-numbered layers originates from electronic effects. A core-shielding model is proposed with a reasonable assumption, successfully proving the instability of the even-numbered mica nanosheets. Raman imaging supports that the population of odd-numbered mica nanosheets is predominant in exfoliated mica products. The alternating charge states with odd/even layers were evidenced by Kelvin probe force microscopy. We also demonstrate a unique photocatalytic degradation, opening new doors for environmental applications of mica nanosheets.
Mutational signatures association with replication timing in normal cells reveals similarities and differences with matched cancer tissues
Authors: Yaacov Adar , Rosenberg Shai , Simon Itamar
Published: May 2023

Mutational signatures’ association with replication timing (RT) has been studied in cancer samples, but the RT distribution of somatic mutations in non-cancerous cells was only minimally explored. Here, we performed comprehensive analyses of mutational signatures in 2.9 million somatic mutations across multiple non-cancerous tissues, stratified by early and late RT regions. We found that many mutational processes are active mainly or solely in early RT, such as SBS16 in hepatocytes and SBS88 in the colon, or in late RT, such as SBS4 in lung and hepatocytes, and SBS18 across many tissues. The two ubiquitous signatures, SBS1 and SBS5, showed late and early bias, respectively, across multiple tissues and in mutations representing germ cells. We also performed a direct comparison with cancer samples in 4 matched tissue-cancer types. Unexpectedly, while for most signatures the RT bias was consistent in normal tissue and in cancer, we found that SBS1’s late RT bias is lost in cancer.
Transcriptomic and glycomic analyses highlight pathway-specific glycosylation alterations unique to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tang Xinyu , Tena Jennyfer , Di Lucente Jacopo , Maezawa Izumi , Harvey Danielle J. , Jin Lee-Way , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Zivkovic Angela M.
Published: May 2023

Glycosylation has been found to be altered in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, it is unknown which specific glycosylation-related pathways are altered in AD dementia. Using publicly available RNA-seq datasets covering seven brain regions and including 1724 samples, we identified glycosylation-related genes ubiquitously changed in individuals with AD. Several differentially expressed glycosyltransferases found by RNA-seq were confirmed by qPCR in a different set of human medial temporal cortex (MTC) samples (n = 20 AD vs. 20 controls). N-glycan-related changes predicted by expression changes in these glycosyltransferases were confirmed by mass spectrometry (MS)-based N-glycan analysis in the MTC (n = 9 AD vs. 6 controls). About 80% of glycosylation-related genes were differentially expressed in at least one brain region of AD participants (adjusted p-values < 0.05). Upregulation of MGAT1 and B4GALT1 involved in complex N-linked glycan formation and galactosylation, respectively, were reflected by increased concentrations of corresponding N-glycans. Isozyme-specific changes were observed in expression of the polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GALNT) family and the alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminide alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6GALNAC) family of enzymes. Several glycolipid-specific genes (UGT8, PIGM) were upregulated. The critical transcription factors regulating the expression of N-glycosylation and elongation genes were predicted and found to include STAT1 and HSF5. The miRNA predicted to be involved in regulating N-glycosylation and elongation glycosyltransferases were has-miR-1-3p and has-miR-16-5p, respectively. Our findings provide an overview of glycosylation pathways affected by AD and potential regulators of glycosyltransferase expression that deserve further validation and suggest that glycosylation changes occurring in the brains of AD dementia individuals are highly pathway-specific and unique to AD.
Changes in the epidemiological characteristics of prehospital emergency services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chengdu, 2016–2021
Authors: Zhang Bihua , Kang Wenchao , Xiong Shiqiang , Huang Xia , Chen Pei , Huang Jinmin , Hou Yufei , Ma Lin , Xiang Tao
Published: May 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought a healthy crisis all around the world. It’s not only affected healthcare utilization, but also some disease’s incidence. We collected pre-hospital emergency data in Chengdu from January 2016 to December 2021, and studied the demand for emergency medical services (EMSs), emergency response times (ERTs), and the disease spectrum in the city proper of Chengdu as a whole. A total of 1,122,294 prehospital emergency medical service (EMS) instances met the inclusion criteria. Under the influence of COVID-19, notably in 2020, the epidemiological characteristics of prehospital emergency services in Chengdu were considerably altered. However, as the pandemic was brought under control, they returned to normal or even earlier in 2021.The COVID-19 pandemic had an effect on people's medical care-seeking behavior and the performance of prehospital emergency services. Although the indicators associated with prehospital emergency services eventually recovered as the epidemic was brought under control, they remained marginally different from before the outbreak.
Effect of inclined magnetic field on radiative heat and mass transfer in chemically reactive hybrid nanofluid flow due to dual stretching
Authors: Arshad Mubashar , Alharbi Fahad M. , Hassan Ali , Haider Qusain , Alhushaybari Abdullah , Eldin Sayed M. , Ahmad Zubair , Al-Essa Laila A. , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: May 2023

This research analyzes the three-dimensional magneto hydrodynamic nanofluid flow through chemical reaction and thermal radiation above the dual stretching surface in the presence of an inclined magnetic field. Different rotational nanofluid and hybrid nanofluids with constant angular velocity $${\upomega }^{*}$$

ω

∗

for this comparative study are considered. The constitutive relations are used to gain the equations of motion, energy, and concentration. This flow governing extremely non-linear equations cannot be handled by an analytical solution. So, these equations are transformed into ordinary differential equalities by using the similarity transformation and then handled in MATLAB by applying the boundary values problem practice. The outcomes for the considered problem are accessed through tables and graphs for different parameters. A maximum heat transfer amount is observed in the absence of thermal radiation and when the inclined magnetic field and axis of rotation are parallel.
Association between characteristics of swallowing-related muscles and trunk muscle mass
Authors: Yamaguchi Kohei , Nakagawa Kazuharu , Yoshimi Kanako , Ariya Chantaramanee , Nakane Ayako , Ishii Miki , Hasegawa Shohei , Tohara Haruka
Published: May 2023

Swallowing function is associated with systemic factors. Whether trunk or appendicular skeletal muscle mass is a better indicator of swallowing-related muscle characteristics in community-dwelling older adults is not clear. Hence, we investigated the association between the characteristics of swallowing-related muscles (e.g., mass and quality) and trunk muscle mass. Community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years (n = 141; men: n = 45, women: n = 96) were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study via a health survey conducted in 2018. Trunk muscle mass index (TMI) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and echo intensity (EI) of the geniohyoid muscle (GHM) and tongue were evaluated using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of the characteristics of swallowing-related muscle with TMI and SMI. Multiple regression analysis showed that CSA of the GHM was positively associated with both TMI (B = 24.9, p < 0.001) and SMI (B = 13.7, p = 0.002). EIs of swallowing-related muscles were not associated with TMI and SMI. Trunk muscle mass was associated with swallowing-related muscle mass and not muscle quality. The results of this study shed light on the elucidation of association of dysphagia with TMI and SMI.
Effects of antibiotic interaction on antimicrobial resistance development in wastewater
Authors: Sutradhar Indorica , Ching Carly , Desai Darash , Heins Zachary , Khalil Ahmad S. , Zaman Muhammad H.
Published: May 2023

While wastewater is understood to be a critically important reservoir of antimicrobial resistance due to the presence of multiple antibiotic residues from industrial and agricultural runoff, there is little known about the effects of antibiotic interactions in the wastewater on the development of resistance. We worked to fill this gap in quantitative understanding of antibiotic interaction in constant flow environments by experimentally monitoring E. coli populations under subinhibitory concentrations of combinations of antibiotics with synergistic, antagonistic, and additive interactions. We then used these results to expand our previously developed computational model to account for the effects of antibiotic interaction. We found that populations grown under synergistic and antagonistic antibiotic conditions exhibited significant differences from predicted behavior. E. coli populations grown with synergistically interacting antibiotics developed less resistance than predicted, indicating that synergistic antibiotics may have a suppressive effect on resistance development. Furthermore E. coli populations grown with antagonistically interacting antibiotics showed an antibiotic ratio-dependent development of resistance, suggesting that not only antibiotic interaction, but relative concentration is important in predicting resistance development. These results provide critical insight for quantitatively understanding the effects of antibiotic interactions in wastewater and provide a basis for future studies in modelling resistance in these environments.
A multicenter study of factors affecting nonunion by radiographic analysis after intramedullary nailing in segmental femoral shaft fractures
Authors: Kook Incheol , Park Ki-Chul , Kim Dong-Hong , Sohn Oog-Jin , Hwang Kyu Tae
Published: May 2023

The factors affecting the outcomes of segmental femoral shaft fractures are currently unknown. We evaluated the outcomes of intramedullary (IM) nail fixation and investigated factors affecting nonunion of femoral shaft segmental fractures. A total of 38 patients who underwent IM nail fixation for femoral shaft segmental fractures (AO/OTA 32C2) at three university hospitals with a minimum 1-year follow-up period were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into union (n = 32) and nonunion (n = 6) groups. We analyzed smoking status, diabetes mellitus, location of the segmental fragment, segment comminution, filling of the IM nail in the medullary canal, residual gap at the fracture site, use of a cerclage wire or blocking screws as factors that may affect the surgical outcome. In the union group, the average union time was 5.4 months (4–9 months). In the nonunion group, five patients required additional surgery within an average of 7.2 months (5–10 months) postoperatively, whereas one patient remained asymptomatic and did not require further intervention. On comparing the two groups, insufficient canal filling of the IM nail (union, 25.0%; nonunion, 83.3%; p = 0.012) and the presence of a residual gap at the fracture site after reduction (union, 31.3%; nonunion, 83.3%; p = 0.027) were significantly different. In the multivariate analysis, only insufficient canal filling of the IM nail was found to be a factor affecting nonunion, with an odds ratio of 13.3 (p = 0.036). In this study, a relatively high nonunion rate (15.8%) was observed after IM nail fixation. Insufficient IM nail canal filling and a residual gap at the fracture site post reduction were factors affecting segmental femoral shaft fracture nonunion after IM nail fixation.
Effects of lidocaine incorporation (without epinephrine) on pain and 2-week complications of botulinum toxin: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Sarkarat Farzin , Bagheri Diba , Kahali Roozbeh , Fateh Ali , Rakhshan Vahid
Published: May 2023

No study has assessed the effects of the incorporation of isolated lidocaine into botulinum toxin for reducing its pain or complications. Studies on the dilution of botulinum toxin with other materials are as well extremely few, small, and limited methodologically. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the effects of the incorporation of lidocaine alone into botulinum toxin type A on post-injection pain and complications. In this 2-week prospective, multicenter, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, 729 participants (667 females) were enrolled. They were randomized into placebo and lidocaine dilutions (about 2:1), and then into two brands of toxins (Dysport versus Xeomin). Hence, there were 4 subgroups. In the 2 experimental subgroups, botulinum toxin was diluted with 2% lidocaine without adrenaline; in the 2 control subgroups, botulinum toxin was diluted with normal saline as a placebo. After injection, the pain level was recorded (as an 11-scale numerical rating scale from 0 to 10). After 2 weeks, post-injection complications were assessed based on the participants’ reports and the surgeon’s observations. Data were analyzed using 3-way ANCOVA, multiple binary logistic regression, and bivariable analyses (α = 0.05, β ≤ 0.1). The mean ± SD pain levels in the lidocaine group (n = 263) and the placebo group (n = 466) were 3.51 ± 2.04 and 4.15 ± 2.35, respectively. The mean ± SD pain levels in the subgroups ‘Xeomin-Lidocaine (n = 61), Dysport-Lidocaine (n = 202), Xeomin-Placebo (n = 133), and Dysport-Placebo (n = 333)’ were respectively 3.39 ± 1.86, 3.55 ± 2.09, 4.61 ± 2.49, and 3.97 ± 2.24. Lidocaine incorporation (P = 0.001), Dysport brand (P = 0.030), and younger age (P = 0.032) [but not sex (P = 0.406)] reduced pain. The only significant findings for 2-week complications were for the associations observed between aging with increased asymmetry (P = 0.022, OR = 1.032) and a need for a retouch (P = 0.039, OR = 1.021). Botulinum toxin dilution with lidocaine alone (without adrenaline or other ingredients) can reduce pain without affecting postinjection complications. Toxin brands may cause different extents of pain. Aging, but not sex, may increase pain. Two-week complications were not affected by any factors, except aging in the case of asymmetry and the need for a botulinum toxin retouch.
The risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Chen Peng , Du Rongrong , Chang Zhengyao , Gao Wenxing , Zhao Wen , Jin Lujia , Zhao Yingjie , Li Dingchang , Liu Hao , Liu Xianqiang , Dong Guanglong
Published: May 2023

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common side effect after laparoscopic surgery. The aim of the study is to investigate the variables that could predict PONV in patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy. We divided patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy into PONV and No-PONV groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to adjust confounding factors for further validation, and ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for PONV. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis, the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (odds ratio [OR]: 3.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–7.38; p < 0.01) was identified as an independent risk factor for the presence of PONV and a predictor of the severity of PONV (OR: 3.44, 95% CI: 1.67–5.20; p < 0.01) in 94 PSM patients. Besides, NLR was positively correlated with the PONV score (r = 0.534, p < 0.001). In the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, an NLR with an optimal cutoff value of 1.59 predicted severe PONV with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 81%. The NLR was an independent risk factor for the presence of PONV, and a high NLR tends to be positively associated with the severity of PONV after laparoscopic gastrectomy.
Genomic variability correlates with biofilm phenotypes in multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Islam Ovinu Kibria , Islam Israt , Saha Otun , Rahaman Md. Mizanur , Sultana Munawar , Bockmühl Dirk P. , Hossain M. Anwar
Published: May 2023

The multifactorial nature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development and genomic variabilities implicates its resistance to conventional antimicrobials and virulence. Therefore, genetic determinants need to be extensively studied to block the early steps of biofilm or already formed biofilms. In this study, a total of 20 multidrug resistant (MDR) clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were evaluated for their biofilm forming abilities and related genes. Of the isolates tested, all of them showed surface attachment tendencies in nutrient limiting conditions, and classified as strong (SBF = 45%), moderate (MBF = 30%) and weak (WBF = 25%) biofilm formers. Complete genome sequencing of representative strong (DMC-27b), moderate (DMC-20c) and weak biofilm former (DMC-30b) isolates was performed. Analysis of biofilm related genes in the sequenced genomes revealed that, 80 of the 88 biofilm related genes possess 98–100% sequence identity to the reference PAO1 strain. Complete and partial sequence data of LecB proteins from tested isolates indicate that isolates containing PA14-like LecB sequences produced strong biofilms. All of the 7 pel operon protein coding genes in weak biofilm former isolate 30b showed significant nucleotide sequence variation with other tested isolates, and their corresponding proteins are 99% identical with the pel operon proteins of PA7. Bioinformatics analyses identified divergent sequence and structural features that separate PA7 like pel operon proteins from reference PAO1-like pel operon. Congo red and pellicle forming assays revealed that the sequence and structure variations may have interfered with the Pel production pathway and resulted in impaired Pel production in isolate 30b that has a PA7 like pel operon. Expression analysis also showed that both pelB and lecB genes were about 5 to 6 folds upregulated after 24 h in SBF 27b in comparison with WBF 30b. Our findings indicate significant genomic divergence in biofilm related genes of P. aeruginosa strains that affect their biofilm phenotypes.
Local mechanisms for global daytime, nighttime, and compound heatwaves
Authors: Wu Sijia , Luo Ming , Zhao Rui , Li Jing , Sun Peng , Liu Zhen , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Peng , Zhang Hui
Published: May 2023

Heatwaves impose serious impacts on ecosystems, human health, agriculture, and energy consumption. Previous studies have classified heatwaves into independent daytime, independent nighttime, and compound daytime-nighttime types, and examined the long-term changes in the three types. However, the underlying mechanisms associated with the variations in different heatwave types remain poorly understood. Here we present the first investigation of the local physical processes associated with the daytime, nighttime, and compound heatwaves over the global land during 1979–2020. The results show that three heatwave types occur frequently and increasingly in most regions worldwide. Nighttime and compound heatwaves exhibit stronger increases in both frequency (the yearly number of the events) and fraction (the ratio of the yearly number of one heatwave type to the total yearly number of all types) than daytime heatwaves. Composite diagnostic analyses of local meteorological variables suggest that daytime heatwaves are associated with increased solar radiation under dry conditions and reduced cloud cover and humidity under a clear sky. In contrast, nighttime heatwaves are typically accompanied by moist conditions with increases in cloud fraction, humidity, and longwave radiation at night. These synoptic conditions for daytime and nighttime heatwaves are combined to contribute to compound heatwaves. Local divergences and moisture fluxes responsible for different heatwaves are further revealed. Positive moisture divergence anomalies are seen in most land areas for daytime and compound heatwaves, while they mainly appear in low latitudes for nighttime heatwaves. Our research provides a comprehensive understanding of the local mechanisms of different heatwave types, informing future risks and impact assessments.
Development and testing of a polygenic risk score for breast cancer aggressiveness
Authors: Shieh Yiwey , Roger Jacquelyn , Yau Christina , Wolf Denise M. , Hirst Gillian L. , Swigart Lamorna Brown , Huntsman Scott , Hu Donglei , Nierenberg Jovia L. , Middha Pooja , Heise Rachel S. , Shi Yushu , Kachuri Linda , Zhu Qianqian , Yao Song , Ambrosone Christine B. , Kwan Marilyn L. , Caan Bette J. , Witte John S. , Kushi Lawrence H. , ‘T Veer Laura van , Esserman Laura J. , Ziv Elad
Published: May 2023

Aggressive breast cancers portend a poor prognosis, but current polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for breast cancer do not reliably predict aggressive cancers. Aggressiveness can be effectively recapitulated using tumor gene expression profiling. Thus, we sought to develop a PRS for the risk of recurrence score weighted on proliferation (ROR-P), an established prognostic signature. Using 2363 breast cancers with tumor gene expression data and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes, we examined the associations between ROR-P and known breast cancer susceptibility SNPs using linear regression models. We constructed PRSs based on varying p-value thresholds and selected the optimal PRS based on model r2 in 5-fold cross-validation. We then used Cox proportional hazards regression to test the ROR-P PRS’s association with breast cancer-specific survival in two independent cohorts totaling 10,196 breast cancers and 785 events. In meta-analysis of these cohorts, higher ROR-P PRS was associated with worse survival, HR per SD = 1.13 (95% CI 1.06–1.21, p = 4.0 × 10–4). The ROR-P PRS had a similar magnitude of effect on survival as a comparator PRS for estrogen receptor (ER)-negative versus positive cancer risk (PRSER-/ER+). Furthermore, its effect was minimally attenuated when adjusted for PRSER-/ER+, suggesting that the ROR-P PRS provides additional prognostic information beyond ER status. In summary, we used integrated analysis of germline SNP and tumor gene expression data to construct a PRS associated with aggressive tumor biology and worse survival. These findings could potentially enhance risk stratification for breast cancer screening and prevention.
α-Synuclein fibril and synaptic vesicle interactions lead to vesicle destruction and increased lipid-associated fibril uptake into iPSC-derived neurons
Authors: Stephens Amberley D. , Villegas Ana Fernandez , Chung Chyi Wei , Vanderpoorten Oliver , Pinotsi Dorothea , Mela Ioanna , Ward Edward , McCoy Thomas M. , Cubitt Robert , Routh Alexander F. , Kaminski Clemens F. , Kaminski Schierle Gabriele S.
Published: May 2023

Monomeric alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is a well characterised protein that importantly binds to lipids. aSyn monomers assemble into amyloid fibrils which are localised to lipids and organelles in insoluble structures found in Parkinson’s disease patient’s brains. Previous work to address pathological aSyn-lipid interactions has focused on using synthetic lipid membranes, which lack the complexity of physiological lipid membranes. Here, we use physiological membranes in the form of synaptic vesicles (SV) isolated from rodent brain to demonstrate that lipid-associated aSyn fibrils are more easily taken up into iPSC-derived cortical i3Neurons. Lipid-associated aSyn fibril characterisation reveals that SV lipids are an integrated part of the fibrils and while their fibril morphology differs from aSyn fibrils alone, the core fibril structure remains the same, suggesting the lipids lead to the increase in fibril uptake. Furthermore, SV enhance the aggregation rate of aSyn, yet increasing the SV:aSyn ratio causes a reduction in aggregation propensity. We finally show that aSyn fibrils disintegrate SV, whereas aSyn monomers cause clustering of SV using small angle neutron scattering and high-resolution imaging. Disease burden on neurons may be impacted by an increased uptake of lipid-associated aSyn which could enhance stress and pathology, which in turn may have fatal consequences for neurons.
Hemispheric asymmetries and brain size in mammals
Authors: Ocklenburg Sebastian , El Basbasse Yasmin , Ströckens Felix , Müller-Alcazar Anett
Published: May 2023

Hemispheric asymmetries differ considerably across species, but the neurophysiological base of this variation is unclear. It has been suggested that hemispheric asymmetries evolved to bypass interhemispheric conduction delay when performing time-critical tasks. This implies that large brains should be more asymmetric. We performed preregistered cross-species meta-regressions with brain mass and neuron number as predictors for limb preferences, a behavioral marker of hemispheric asymmetries, in mammals. Brain mass and neuron number showed positive associations with rightward limb preferences but negative associations with leftward limb preferences. No significant associations were found for ambilaterality. These results are only partly in line with the idea that conduction delay is the critical factor that drives the evolution of hemispheric asymmetries. They suggest that larger-brained species tend to shift towards more right-lateralized individuals. Therefore, the need for coordination of lateralized responses in social species needs to be considered in the context of the evolution of hemispheric asymmetries.
Blocking muscle wasting via deletion of the muscle-specific E3 ligase MuRF1 impedes pancreatic tumor growth
Authors: Neyroud Daria , Laitano Orlando , Dasgupta Aneesha , Lopez Christopher , Schmitt Rebecca E. , Schneider Jessica Z. , Hammers David W. , Sweeney H. Lee , Walter Glenn A. , Doles Jason , Judge Sarah M. , Judge Andrew R.
Published: May 2023

Cancer-induced muscle wasting reduces quality of life, complicates or precludes cancer treatments, and predicts early mortality. Herein, we investigate the requirement of the muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, MuRF1, for muscle wasting induced by pancreatic cancer. Murine pancreatic cancer (KPC) cells, or saline, were injected into the pancreas of WT and MuRF1-/- mice, and tissues analyzed throughout tumor progression. KPC tumors induces progressive wasting of skeletal muscle and systemic metabolic reprogramming in WT mice, but not MuRF1-/- mice. KPC tumors from MuRF1-/- mice also grow slower, and show an accumulation of metabolites normally depleted by rapidly growing tumors. Mechanistically, MuRF1 is necessary for the KPC-induced increases in cytoskeletal and muscle contractile protein ubiquitination, and the depression of proteins that support protein synthesis. Together, these data demonstrate that MuRF1 is required for KPC-induced skeletal muscle wasting, whose deletion reprograms the systemic and tumor metabolome and delays tumor growth.
Blood-feeding adaptations and virome assessment of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae guided by RNA-seq
Authors: Ribeiro José M. , Hartmann David , Bartošová-Sojková Pavla , Debat Humberto , Moos Martin , Šimek Petr , Fara Jiří , Palus Martin , Kučera Matěj , Hajdušek Ondřej , Sojka Daniel , Kopáček Petr , Perner Jan
Published: May 2023

Dermanyssus gallinae is a blood-feeding mite that parasitises wild birds and farmed poultry. Its remarkably swift processing of blood, together with the capacity to blood-feed during most developmental stages, makes this mite a highly debilitating pest. To identify specific adaptations to digestion of a haemoglobin-rich diet, we constructed and compared transcriptomes from starved and blood-fed stages of the parasite and identified midgut-enriched transcripts. We noted that midgut transcripts encoding cysteine proteases were upregulated with a blood meal. Mapping the full proteolytic apparatus, we noted a reduction in the suite of cysteine proteases, missing homologues for Cathepsin B and C. We have further identified and phylogenetically analysed three distinct transcripts encoding vitellogenins that facilitate the reproductive capacity of the mites. We also fully mapped transcripts for haem biosynthesis and the ferritin-based system of iron storage and inter-tissue trafficking. Additionally, we identified transcripts encoding proteins implicated in immune signalling (Toll and IMD pathways) and activity (defensins and thioester-containing proteins), RNAi, and ion channelling (with targets for commercial acaricides such as Fluralaner, Fipronil, and Ivermectin). Viral sequences were filtered from the Illumina reads and we described, in part, the RNA-virome of D. gallinae with identification of a novel virus, Red mite quaranjavirus 1.
Dinuclear and tetranuclear group 10 metal complexes constructed from linear tetrasilane comprising both Si-H and Si-Si moieties
Authors: Umehara Yoshihiko , Usui Ryosuke , Wada Yoshimasa , Sunada Yusuke
Published: May 2023

The activation of Si-H bonds and/or Si-Si bonds in organosilicon compounds by transition-metal species plays a crucial role for the production of functional organosilicon compounds. Although group-10-metal species are frequently used to activate Si-H and/or Si-Si bonds, so far, systematic investigation to clarify the preferences of these metal species with respect to the activation of Si-H and/or Si-Si bonds remain elusive. Here, we report that platinum(0) species that bear isocyanide or N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) ligands selectively activates the terminal Si-H bonds of the linear tetrasilane Ph2(H)SiSiPh2SiPh2Si(H)Ph2 in a stepwise manner, whereby the Si-Si bonds remain intact. In contrast, analogous palladium(0) species are preferably inserted into the Si-Si bonds of the same linear tetrasilane, whereby the terminal Si-H bonds remain intact. Substitution of the terminal hydride groups in Ph2(H)SiSiPh2SiPh2Si(H)Ph2 with chloride groups leads to the insertion of platinum(0) isocyanide into all Si-Si bonds to afford an unprecedented zig-zag Pt4 cluster.
SIRT2 regulates extracellular vesicle-mediated liver–bone communication
Authors: Lin Longshuai , Guo Zengya , He Enjun , Long Xidai , Wang Difei , Zhang Yingting , Guo Weihong , Wei Qian , He Wei , Wu Wanying , Li Jingchi , Wo Lulu , Hong Dengli , Zheng Junke , He Ming , Zhao Qinghua
Published: May 2023

The interplay between liver and bone metabolism remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we uncover a mechanism of liver-bone crosstalk regulated by hepatocyte SIRT2. We demonstrate that hepatocyte SIRT2 expression is increased in aged mice and elderly humans. Liver-specific SIRT2 deficiency inhibits osteoclastogenesis and alleviates bone loss in mouse models of osteoporosis. We identify leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) as a functional cargo in hepatocyte-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). In SIRT2-deficient hepatocytes, LRG1 levels in sEVs are upregulated, leading to increased transfer of LRG1 to bone-marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs), and in turn, to inhibition of osteoclast differentiation via reduced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Treatment with sEVs carrying high levels of LRG1 inhibits osteoclast differentiation in human BMDMs and in mice with osteoporosis, resulting in attenuated bone loss in mice. Furthermore, the plasma level of sEVs carrying LRG1 is positively correlated with bone mineral density in humans. Thus, drugs targeting hepatocyte-osteoclast communication may constitute a promising therapeutic strategy for primary osteoporosis.
Low-carbon diets can reduce global ecological and health costs
Authors: Lucas Elysia , Guo Miao , Guillén-Gosálbez Gonzalo
Published: May 2023

Potential external cost savings associated with the reduction of animal-sourced foods remain poorly understood. Here we combine life cycle assessment principles and monetarization factors to estimate the monetary worth of damage to human health and ecosystems caused by the environmental impacts of food production. We find that, globally, approximately US$2 of production-related external costs were embedded in every dollar of food expenditure in 2018—corresponding to US$14.0 trillion of externalities. A dietary shift away from animal-sourced foods could greatly reduce these ‘hidden’ costs, saving up to US$7.3 trillion worth of production-related health burden and ecosystem degradation while curbing carbon emissions. By comparing the health effects of dietary change from the consumption versus the production of food, we also show that omitting the latter means underestimating the benefits of more plant-based diets. Our analysis reveals the substantial potential of dietary change, particularly in high and upper-middle-income countries, to deliver socio-economic benefits while mitigating climate change.