bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of early weight loss in post‐bariatric surgery patients receiving adjunctive behavioural treatments for loss‐of‐control eating
Authors: Smith Caitlin E. , Dilip Abhaya , Ivezaj Valentina , Duffy Andrew J. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: June 2023

This study examined baseline patient characteristics as predictors of early weight loss, defined as any weight loss within the first month of treatment, among patients receiving adjunctive behavioural treatments for loss‐of‐control (LOC) eating about 6 months after bariatric surgery. Participants were 126 patients in a treatment trial for LOC‐eating (roughly 6 months postoperatively) categorized by early weight change following 1 month of treatment. Early weight‐loss, defined as any weight loss following 1 month of treatment, and weight‐gain, defined as any weight gain, groups were compared on sociodemographic and clinical variables assessed using a battery of reliably administered diagnostic and clinical interviews and established self‐report measures, and on surgery‐related variables (time since surgery, percent total [%TWL], and percent excess weight loss). Most patients (n = 99; 78.6%) lost weight after the first month of adjunctive treatments. Black patients (n = 24; 61.5%) were significantly less likely to achieve early weight loss compared to patients identifying as White (n = 60; 83%) or ‘other’ (n = 15; 100%) which was not predicted by any other sociodemographic variable. Severity of eating‐disorder psychopathology, psychiatric comorbidity, and a broad range of psychosocial measures were not significantly predictive of early weight changes. Duration since surgery and percent weight loss from time of surgery to study enrolment 6‐months post‐surgery differed by early weight‐loss and weight‐gain groups. Findings suggest that among post‐bariatric surgery patients receiving adjunctive behavioural treatments for LOC‐eating, baseline patient characteristics, aside from race and surgery‐related variables, do not predict early weight loss.
Fitness consequences and ancestry loss in the Apennine brown bear after a simulated genetic rescue intervention
Authors: Maroso Francesco , Padovani Giada , Muñoz Mora Víctor Hugo , Giannelli Francesco , Trucchi Emiliano , Bertorelle Giorgio
Published: June 2023

Reduction in population size, with its predicted effects on population fitness, is the most alarming anthropogenic impact on endangered species. By introducing compatible individuals, genetic rescue (GR) is a promising but debated approach for reducing the genetic load unmasked by inbreeding and for restoring the fitness of declining populations. Although GR can improve genetic diversity and fitness, it can also produce loss of ancestry, hampering local adaptation, or replace with introduced variants the unique genetic pools evolved in endemic groups. We used forward genetic simulations based on empirical genomic data to assess fitness benefits and loss of ancestry risks of GR in the Apennine brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus). There are approximately 50 individuals of this isolated subspecies, and they have lower genetic diversity and higher inbreeding than other European brown bears, and GR has been suggested to reduce extinction risks. We compared 10 GR scenarios in which the number and genetic characteristics of migrants varied with a non‐GR scenario of simple demographic increase due to nongenetic factors. The introduction of 5 individuals of higher fitness or lower levels of deleterious mutations than the target Apennine brown bear from a larger European brown bear population produced a rapid 10–20% increase in fitness in the subspecies and up to 22.4% loss of ancestry over 30 generations. Without a contemporary demographic increase, fitness started to decline again after a few generations. Doubling the population size without GR gradually increased fitness to a comparable level, but without losing ancestry, thus resulting in the best strategy for the Apennine brown bear conservation. Our results highlight the importance for management of endangered species of realistic forward simulations grounded in empirical whole‐genome data.
The perils of measuring biodiversity responses to habitat change using mixed metrics
Authors: Liu Mingxin , Miao Xinran , Hua Fangyuan
Published: June 2023

Existing quantitative syntheses on how biodiversity responds to anthropogenic habitat change appear to sometimes mix different biodiversity metrics in drawing inferences. This “mixing metrics” practice, if prevalent, would considerably bias our understanding of biodiversity responses and render uninterpretable conclusions. However, the prevalence of this practice remains unknown, and the bias it potentially renders has not been empirically assessed. We fill this gap by conducting a systematic literature assessment of existing syntheses on biodiversity responses to habitat change, along with an analysis of a global database specifically on forest restoration. We found that the “mixing metrics” practice was used in almost a quarter of existing syntheses across a wide range of ecosystem and habitat change types. This practice predictably altered the quantitative, and frequently even the qualitative, inferences on biodiversity responses to forest restoration, in ways contingent on the composition of metrics mixed. We call on future syntheses to be cognizant of the difference in metric meaning and behaviors, and to avoid mixing different metrics in studying biodiversity responses to habitat change.
Rewilding giant tortoises engineers plant communities at local to landscape scales
Authors: Tapia Aguilera Washington , Gibbs James P.
Published: June 2023

Trophic rewilding is increasingly being used to promote megafauna reintroductions to island ecosystems, yet ecosystem response to population restoration once megafauna reintroduction occurs remains understudied. In this study of a population of Galapagos giant tortoises reintroduced to an arid island, tortoise exclosures monitored over an 8‐year‐long period revealed that, in response to the presence of tortoises, herbaceous plant cover and numbers of regenerating woody plants decreased, whereas extent of grass cover increased. Vegetation mapping over a 15‐year‐long period across the island indicated a threshold density of 1–2 tortoises per hectare halted incursion of woody plants and triggered a shift in this savannah‐type ecosystem toward more grasses. Restoration of this giant tortoise population has shaped plant communities at both local and landscape scales with cascading effects on many components of biodiversity on the island.
Significant colony differences in thermal tolerances and decoupling of high and low critical temperatures in the army ant Eciton burchellii parvispinum
Authors: O'Donnell Sean , Baudier Kaitlin M.
Published: June 2023

Differences in behaviour and physiology among social insect colonies provide opportunities for evolutionary responses to environmental selection. Colony differences in thermal physiology can indicate potential for social insect populations to accommodate temperature extremes and determine how populations will respond to changing climates.

We tested whether army ant (Eciton burchellii parvispinum) colonies differed in their distributions of worker tolerances of extreme low temperatures (CTmin) and extreme high temperatures (CTmax). We sampled workers across a range of body sizes in each colony, and we collected data from colonies at both warmer low elevation sites and cooler high elevation sites.

Colonies differed significantly in the distributions of both CTmin and CTmax; colony mean CTmin and CTmax were not correlated.

The colony differences were not associated with worker body size variation. Some thermal physiology differences were associated with local climates: colonies from warmer lower elevation sites had significantly higher CTmin and higher CTmax, but much of the inter‐colony variation was unexplained.

If significant colony variation in thermal physiology is associated with genetic differences, thermal environments could drive evolutionary changes in thermal physiology.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation for telomere biology diseases: A retrospective single‐center cohort study
Authors: Nichele Samantha , Bonfim Carmem , Junior Luiz G. D. , Loth Gisele , Kuwahara Cilmara , Trennephol Joanna , Funke Vaneuza A. M. , Marinho Daniela E. , Koliski Adriana , Rodrigues Adriana M. , Mousquer Rebeca T. G. , Fasth Anders , Lima Alberto C. M. , Calado Rodrigo T. , Pasquini Ricardo
Published: June 2023

Background

Telomere biology diseases (TBD) result from defective telomere maintenance, leading to bone marrow failure. The only curative treatment for aplastic anemia related to TBD is a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Although reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens decrease transplant‐related mortality, non‐hematological phenotypes represent a major challenge and are associated with poor long‐term follow‐up outcomes.

Objective

To describe the outcome of TBD patients transplanted for marrow failure.

Study Design

This is a retrospective, single‐center study describing the outcomes of 32 consecutive transplants on 29 patients between 1993 and 2019.

Results

The median age at transplantation was 14 years (range, 3–30 years). Most patients received a RIC regimen (n = 28) and bone marrow (BM) from an unrelated donor (n = 16). Four patients received a haploidentical transplant. Chimerism was available for 27 patients with a median time to neutrophil recovery of 20 days (13–36 days). Primary graft failure occurred in one patient, whereas second graft failure occurred in two. Acute GVHD grade II‐IV and moderate to severe chronic GVHD occurred in 22% of patients at risk. Fourteen patients were alive after HCT at the last follow‐up (median, 6 years; 1.4–19 years). The 5‐year overall survival was better after matched sibling donor (MSD) transplantation compared to other hematopoietic stem cell sources (88.9% vs. 47.7%; p = .05; CI = 95%). Overall, 15 patients died after HCT, most of them (n = 11) after the first year of transplant, due to non‐hematological disease progression or complication of chronic GVHD.

Conclusions

Hematopoietic cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment option for TBD, nonetheless the poor outcome reflects the progression of non‐hematologic disease manifestations, which should be considered when transplantation is indicated.
Like bringing a knife to a gunfight: Why IRC Section 2036 is not the right weapon to combat abusive family limited partnerships
Authors: Trotta Nicholas J.
Published: June 2023

Family Limited Partnerships (“FLPs”), which were once a great estate planning technique, have now become victim to Section 2036 assertions made by the IRS. Over the years, the IRS has struggled to find a means to combat abusive FLPs until the courts began to embrace Section 2036 as a weapon for them to use. Different courts, however, have maintained different rules and have now subjected both abusive and non‐abusive FLPs to inclusion of their assets into their gross estates. This has shed light onto the main issue, that is, that Section 2036 is not the appropriate tool to combat abusive FLPs.
Two centuries of spatial and temporal dynamics of freshwater fish introductions
Authors: Muñoz‐Mas Rafael , Essl Franz , van Kleunen Mark , Seebens Hanno , Dawson Wayne , Casal Christine Marie V. , García‐Berthou Emili
Published: June 2023

Aim

Investigating major freshwater fish flows (translocations) between biogeographic regions and their temporal dynamics and also quantifying spatial patterns and temporal changes in the array of introduced species, and the emergence and distance between major donor and recipient regions.

Location

Global.

Time Period

1800–2020.

Major Taxa Studied

Freshwater fishes.

Methods

We analysed a global dataset on freshwater fish introductions (4241 events of 688 species). Freshwater fish flows were investigated with flow diagrams and χ2 tests, while PERMANOVA (permutational multivariate analysis of variance) was used to test the association between species and regions and temporal shifts. Cluster analysis revealed major recipient areas and composition of the introduced species. Finally, changes in distances between donor and recipient sites were tested with PERMANOVA.

Results

The number of introductions between biogeographic regions mirrored the European and North American dominance before World War II (WWII) and the trends in recreational fishing, biocontrol programmes and food production, especially in the Sino‐Oriental region, which has a long tradition of aquaculture and fishkeeping. Over the years, the origins and composition of introduced species changed uniquely in each biogeographic region, although the most introduced species are common to every region. Salmonids and other cold‐water species were frequently introduced before the 1950s, whereas tropical ornamental and aquaculture species currently prevail. Distances between donor and recipient sites did not vary over the time. After WWII, the Sino‐Oriental region consolidated its dominance and the Ethiopian and Neotropical regions emerged as new global donor and recipient regions.

Main Conclusions

Global policy should focus on tropical ornamental and aquaculture species, which could benefit from global warming, especially in the Sino‐Oriental region, because it currently dominates freshwater fish species flows, and the Ethiopian and Neotropical regions, because they recently emerged as important global donor and recipient regions of freshwater fish introductions.
Long term reduction of cardiovascular risk factors associated with three hour daily dialysis: A prospective, cohort study
Authors: Achinger Steven G. , Ayus Juan Carlos
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Daily hemodialysis (DHD) compared to conventional hemodialysis (CHD) leads to improvements in left ventricular hypertrophy and mineral metabolism at 1‐year follow‐up. However, there is no information from prospective studies on the long terms effects of DHD on these key cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a 4 year, prospective cohort study of 26 DHD and 51 matched CHD patients on the effect of DHD (six sessions/week × 3 h) versus CHD (three sessions/week × 4 h), 15 DHD, and 26 CHD patients completed 4‐years follow‐up. Measures of left ventricular mass index (LVMI), blood pressures, hemoglobin, and mineral metabolism markers were performed.

Results

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the DHD group than the CHD group at 4‐year follow‐up, 128 mmHg (95% CI, 111–143) versus 148 mmHg (95% CI, 137–158) (p < 0.05) and 60 mmHg (95% CI, 56–63) versus 71 mmHg (95% CI, 64–76) (p < 0.05). DHD was associated with fewer patients taking any anti‐hypertensive drug therapy than CHD, 50% versus 80% (p < 0.05). DHD was associated with improved attainment of mineral metabolism goals for phosphorus (adjusted HR 3.6, p = 0.002) and calcium × phosphorus product (adjusted HR 3.66, p = 0.001) at 4‐years follow‐up compared to CHD. At 4 years, there was a nonsignificant trend toward lower LVMI in the DHD than in the CHD group: 116 g/m2 (95% CI, 97–136) versus 138 g/m2 (95% CI, 115–172) (p = 0.23). Similarly, improvements in hemoglobin also persisted at 4 years follow‐up.

Conclusion

DHD is associated with long‐term (4 year) improvements in key cardiovascular risk factors: blood pressure, mineral metabolism, and anemia with trends toward improved LVMI.
Michel de Certeau's keys of political discernment in May 1968: The theological‐spiritual assumptions that informed his tools of analysis
Authors: SJ Carlos Álvarez
Published: June 2023

This article seeks to identify the theoretical tools that supported Michel de Certeau's political discernment during the crisis of May 1968 in France. De Certeau's ability to elucidate the novelty and complexity of this event is linked to the intertwining of his experiences as a historian, traveller (voyageur), and Christian (specifically a Jesuit). De Certeau's articulation of a 'theology of difference' allowed him to construct the intellectual and spiritual tools that enabled a lucid discernment of May 1968. Through this theology, derived from negative theology, de Certeau made the experience of faith operative at a moment of cultural crisis. The article also analyses possibilities involved in the ‘rupture’, that is, the fracture that is implied in modernity; in the notion of an event that highlights the deficiency of language, its incapacity to establish ‘a truthful communication’ in society; and the recognition of the poetic dimension of speech, which is capable of interweaving speech and action. The May 1968 event invites these elements mutually to redefine themselves.
Revisiting space and emotion: New ways to study buildings and feelings
Authors: Hultman Maja , Cooper Sophie
Published: June 2023

In her 2014 History Compass article, Margrit Pernau issued a call for scholars to consider entanglements between history of emotion methodologies and space. She argued that ‘bodies are necessarily situated in space, and they bear the imprint of the spaces they are moving through and have moved through.’ Nine years after the publication of Pernau's article, this study engages with developments in the field of history of emotions to posit that emotional methodologies provide important opportunities for scholars of the urban built environment, adding additional lenses that can help to push the boundaries of urban history. Extending Pernau's thesis by borrowing theoretical and methodological muscle from affect theory and the combined field of slavery and gender studies, via the concepts of atmospheres, reconstruction, and critical fabulation, this article explores new avenues for research that aims to understand and analyse marginalised groups in urban history. The explorative analysis is tested on a macroanalysis of social processes among the Irish diaspora in nineteenth century Melbourne and Chicago and a microhistorical study of a Pietist orphanage in nineteenth century Stockholm and thus showcases the possibility of the approach to go beyond spatial‐emotional management and reach contradictory and alternative strategies and experiences.
LEARNING AND EVIDENCE IN INSURANCE MARKETS
Authors: Pram Kym
Published: June 2023

I analyze a model of monopoly insurance contracting where the consumer has access to endogenous, costly evidence of his risk type. I characterize when the consumer is worse off if the insurer is allowed to condition contracts on evidence and when the ability to contract on evidence leads to a Pareto improvement. I compare the results to an analogous setting with perfect competition: Under perfect competition, when evidence acquisition costs are low, the ability to contract on evidence is always Pareto improving. For intermediate costs, I uncover a new source of unraveling.
Non‐operative management of pilonidal sinus disease; classification and outcome
Authors: Salih Abdulwahid M. , Ahmed Mohsin M. , Baba Hiwa O. , Kakamad Fahmi Hussein , Salih Karzan M. , Muhedin Saman S. , Abdalla Berun A. , Abdullah Hiwa O. , Hamad Aga K. , Abdullah Hawnaz S. , Qadir Vian J. , Mahmood Ahmed J. , Mohammed Shvan H.
Published: June 2023

The characteristics of the pilonidal sinus that are associated with recurrence have scarcely been investigated in the literature. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease who were managed by a non‐operative technique using Salih's preparation. This study also tries to classify the patients according to the features that determine the outcome of the intervention. This is a single‐group cohort study that enrolled consecutive patients that had pilonidal sinus. All the patients were managed using Salih's preparation. The patients were seen at the clinic 6 weeks after the intervention to record data of recurrence. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25 was used for coding and analysing the data. Test of significance and odds ratio were calculated for all of the features. The total number of patients receiving Salih's preparation was 12 123 cases, of which only 3529 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the participants was 26.95 years, ranging from 14 to 55 years. The most significant factor related to the recurrence was the presence of an abscess. After summation of all odd ratios, the percentage of each one from the total was calculated, and accordingly, the patients were divided into three classes. Non‐operative methods using a preparation with antimicrobial and sclerosing properties can be an alternative for surgical intervention with a lower risk of recurrence. Classification of patients based on specific criteria can give clinicians and even patients themselves a vision of the chance of recurrence and treatment success.
Low albumin‐to‐fibrinogen ratio predicts adverse clinical outcomes after primary total joint arthroplasty: A retrospective observational investigation
Authors: Shang Jingjing , Jiang Shijie , Gong Jinhong , Zhao Gongyin , Su Dan , Wang Liangliang
Published: June 2023

Nutritional markers for adverse clinical outcomes following total joint arthroplasty (TJA) remain controversial. This study attempted to explore the validity of the albumin‐to‐fibrinogen ratio (AFR) in nutritional assessment and assess its predictive value for adverse postoperative outcomes in patients receiving TJA. 2137 patients who underwent primary TJA between January 2016 and June 2021 were screened. We performed receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) to assess predictive value and establish optimal thresholds. Multivariate regression models were then used to assess potential associations between AFR and adverse postoperative outcomes. AFR might predict postoperative deep surgical site infections (AUC = 0.699, P = .023). The optimal threshold for wound complications, determined by the Youden index, was 12.96. Compared with patients with reduced AFR, patients with high AFR exhibited an enhanced risk of adverse postoperative outcomes (adjusted OR: 4.010–8.832, all P < .05). Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, we further confirmed a higher risk of adverse postoperative outcomes in patients with low AFR (adjusted HR: 3.733–7.335, all P < .05). Reduced preoperative AFR markedly enhanced adverse postoperative outcomes. Hence, AFR may serve as a potential biomarker for nutritional assessment, and may predict postoperative wound complications following primary TJA.
Classification of soybean genotypes during the seedling stage in controlled drought and salt stress environments using the decision tree algorithm
Authors: de Oliveira Bruno Rodrigues , Zuffo Alan Mario , Steiner Fábio , Aguilera Jorge González , Gonzales Hebert Hernán Soto
Published: June 2023

Soybean is one of the most important oilseed crops grown worldwide. However, abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity can seriously affect soybean production, especially in tropical climate conditions. To evaluate the adaptability and stability of soybean genotypes under abiotic stress conditions, some studies have proposed a multitrait tool to select stress‐tolerant soybean genotypes through a multitrait stability index (MTSI). This index can be used under stressful environmental conditions to quantify the genotypic stability of soybean cultivars. Our study is based on an unprecedented approach, where we propose to use a machine learning algorithm called ‘Random Forest’ to obtain a classification model based on a decision tree algorithm. The decision tree data structure can be used even by nonexperts facilitating the decision‐making process for genotype selection. The proposed model evaluated the importance of six shoot and root morphological variables and predicted from which controlled growth environment the soybean plants originated. Using this model more than 73% of the genotypic patterns were learned correctly. Besides that, this model can also predict and rank the most critical variables in the development of soybean genotypes, having obtained results very similar to recent field research. The research is important for plant breeders who seek an early selection of soybean seedlings for drought and saline stresses.
Effect of subgingival periodontal therapy on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients: Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression of 6‐month follow‐up randomized clinical trials
Authors: Oliveira Victor Bento , Costa Fábio Wildson Gurgel , Haas Alex Nogueira , Júnior Renan Magalhães Montenegro , Rêgo Rodrigo Otávio
Published: June 2023

Background

Periodontitis worsens the hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subgingival instrumentation, with or without surgical access, is the gold‐standard treatment for periodontitis. The aim was to summarize the evidence on the effect of subgingival instrumentation (with or without open flap) on the reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c).

Methods

Nine electronic databases were searched up to 15 February 2023. Twelve randomized controlled trials with at least 6 months of follow‐up were included. Studies using systemic or local‐delivery antimicrobial therapies were excluded. Meta‐analyses were performed using the random‐effects model. The sources of heterogeneity were assessed by applying linear meta‐regression. Risk of bias was assessed by RoB 2, and certainty of evidence by GRADE.

Results

Eleven studies were included in the quantitative analyses (1374 patients). Subgingival instrumentation resulted in 0.29% lower HbA1c (95% confidence interval: 0.10–0.47; p = .03) compared with non‐active treatment.

Discussion

None of the 12 studies were assessed as having low risk of bias. The percentage of females and the time of diabetes diagnosis significantly explained the high level of heterogeneity. Subgingival periodontal therapy results in a significant and clinically relevant improvement in glycaemic control over 6 months in patients with T2DM and periodontitis. The grade of evidence was moderate.
Susceptibility of grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to insecticides in Michigan vineyards
Authors: Hubhachen Zhaorigetu , Pointon Henry , Perkins Jacquelyn A. , Isaacs Rufus
Published: June 2023

Grape berry moth is a major pest of vineyards across eastern North America. Increasing infestations in Michigan commercial vineyards under active pest management have raised concerns about insecticide resistance in this species. We tested the susceptibility of male moths of this pest from 5 vineyards in southwestern Michigan over 2 years using a range of concentrations, followed by probit analysis of the resulting mortality data. In 2021 and 2022, topical applications of phosmet and zeta‐cypermethrin were applied to moths collected from each vineyard, and the LC50, LC90 and LC99 values were calculated for each population. The LC50 values were similar among sites, whereas the LC99 values for phosmet were highly variable across years, with sensitivity 2.78 times higher in 2022 than 2021 at Farm 2 and 61.66‐fold higher in 2021 at Farm 3. Sensitivity to zeta‐cypermethrin was generally similar between years at the LC50 level, but it was variable at the LC99, with two sites showing lower sensitivity in 2022 compared to 2021 and three farms with an increased sensitivity in 2022. The response to carbaryl was similar for Farm 3 across both years. However, in 2022 the LC50, LC90 and LC99 values in Farm 3 were 2.34, 6.33 and 14.29‐fold, respectively, higher compared to those in Farm 5. In conclusion, our results show that sensitivity to insecticides in grape berry moth populations in southwest Michigan vineyards is highly variable between different farms and across years. These results highlight the need for continued monitoring of sensitivity to insecticides in this species, and development and implementation of alternative control strategies in vineyards to maintain pest susceptibility to insecticides.
Latitudinal and anthropogenic effects on the structuring of networks linking blood‐feeding flies and their vertebrate hosts
Authors: Bellekom Ben , Lewis Owen T. , Hackett Talya D.
Published: June 2023

Biting flies (Diptera) transmit pathogens that cause many important diseases in humans as well as domestic and wild animals. The networks of feeding interactions linking these insects to their hosts, and how they vary geographically and in response to human land‐use, are currently poorly documented but are relevant to understanding cross‐species disease transmission. We compiled a database of biting Diptera–host interactions from the literature to investigate how key interaction network metrics vary latitudinally and with human land‐use. Interaction evenness and H2' (a measure of the degree of network specificity) did not vary significantly with latitude. Compared to near‐natural habitats, interaction evenness was significantly lower in agricultural habitats, where networks were dominated by relatively few species pairs, but there was no evidence that the presence of humans and their domesticated animals within networks led to systematic shifts in network structure. We discuss the epidemiological relevance of these results and the implications for predicting and mitigating future spill‐over events.
Functional profile of oral plaque microbiome: Further insight into the bidirectional relationship between type 2 diabetes and periodontitis
Authors: Favale Nicoletta , Farina Roberto , Carrieri Alberto , Simonelli Anna , Severi Mattia , Sabbioni Silvia , Trombelli Leonardo , Scapoli Chiara
Published: June 2023

Increasing evidence support the association between the oral microbiome and human systemic diseases. This association may be attributed to the ability of many oral microbes to influence the inflammatory microenvironment. Herein, we focused our attention on the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes using high‐resolution whole metagenomic shotgun analysis to explore the composition and functional profile of the subgingival microbiome in diabetics and non‐diabetics subjects with different periodontal conditions.

In the present study, the abundance of metabolic pathways encoded by oral microbes was reconstructed from the metagenome, and we identified a set of dysregulated metabolic pathways significantly enriched in the periodontitis and/or diabetic patients. These pathways were mainly involved in branched and aromatic amino acids metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis and adipocytokine signaling pathways, ferroptosis and iron homeostasis, nucleotide metabolism, and finally in the peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharides synthesis.

Overall, the results of the present study provide evidence in favor of the hypothesis that during the primary inflammatory challenge, regardless of whether it is induced by periodontitis or diabetes, endotoxemia and/or the release of inflammatory cytokines cause a change in precursor and/or in circulating innate immune cells. Dysbiosis and inflammation, also via oral–gut microbiome axis or adipose tissue, reduce the efficacy of the host immune response, while fueling inflammation and can induce that metabolic/epigenetic reprogramming of chromatin accessibility of genes related to the immune response.

Moreover, the presence of an enhanced ferroptosis and an imbalance in purine/pyrimidine metabolism provides new insights into the role of ferroptotic death in this comorbidity.
A rare case of modified superior vena cava isolation by using the ultra‐high‐resolution mapping system
Authors: Yamashita Seigo , Oseto Hirotsuna , Morita Tetsuro , Tokutake Kenichi , Yoshimura Michihiro , Yamane Teiichi
Published: June 2023

We report a case of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation, which patient had AF trigger in the superior vena cava (SVC) near the sinus node (SN). The ultra‐high‐resolution mapping revealed that SN located within the SVC and the atrial activation from the SN to SVC propagated in both septal and lateral direction, then upward with circumventing the spontaneous conduction block identified just above and lateral SN (upper hemisphere). We successfully isolated SVC including the ectopic origin at the same level as the SN by utilizing the spontaneous conduction block line around the SN without any complication.
Extrapolation estimation for nonparametric regression with measurement error
Authors: Song Weixing , Ayub Kanwal , Shi Jianhong
Published: June 2023

For the nonparametric regression models with covariates contaminated with the normal measurement errors, this paper proposes an extrapolation algorithm to estimate the regression functions. By applying the conditional expectation directly to the kernel‐weighted least squares of the deviations between the local linear approximation and the observed responses, the proposed algorithm successfully bypasses the simulation step in the classical simulation extrapolation, thus significantly reducing the computational time. It is noted that the proposed method also provides an exact form of the extrapolation function, although the extrapolation estimate generally cannot be obtained by simply setting the extrapolation variable to negative one in the fitted extrapolation function, if the bandwidth is less than the SD of the measurement error. Large sample properties of the proposed estimation procedure are discussed, as well as simulation studies and a real data example being conducted to illustrate its applications.
The sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of COVID‐19 vaccine concerns among urban college students
Authors: Kaighobadi Farnaz , Shane Jacob , Niwa Erika Y. , Ahmed Tanzina , Reigada Laura C.
Published: June 2023

COVID‐19 vaccine concerns remain high among Americans. Although recent studies have investigated the sociodemographic disparities in vaccine concerns, less attention has been given to reasons for vaccine skepticism and psychosocial factors that may explain it. The current study examined specific types of vaccine concerns among a diverse sample of college students (N = 1985) living in New York City. Participants who identified as Black, younger, with later immigrant generational status, and those with more conservative political leanings reported more vaccine concerns. Concerns regarding vaccine side effects were the most frequently reported source of concern. Reason for getting vaccinated, personal experiences with COVID, and COVID stress was also associated with vaccine concerns. Study results emphasize the importance of sociodemographic factors and COVID knowledge and stress in examining and addressing vaccine concerns.
Genomic analyses reveal dead‐end hybridization between two deeply divergent kiwifruit species rather than homoploid hybrid speciation
Authors: Yu Xiaofen , Qin Mengyun , Qu Minghao , Jiang Quan , Guo Sumin , Chen Zhenghai , Shen Yufang , Fu Guodong , Fei Zhangjun , Huang Hongwen , Gao Lei , Yao Xiaohong
Published: June 2023

Despite the importance of hybridization in evolution, the evolutionary consequence of homoploid hybridizations in plants remains poorly understood. Specially, homoploid hybridization events have been rarely documented due to a lack of genomic resources and methodological limitations. Actinidia zhejiangensis was suspected to have arisen from hybridization of Actinidia eriantha and Actinidia hemsleyana or Actinidia rufa. However, this species was very rare in nature and exhibited sympatric distribution with its potential parent species, which implied it might be a spontaneous hybrid of ongoing homoploid hybridization. Here, we illustrate the dead‐end homoploid hybridization and genomic basis of isolating barriers between A. eriantha and A. hemsleyana through whole genome sequencing and population genomic analyses. Chromosome‐scale genome assemblies of A. zhejiangensis and A. hemsleyana were generated. The chromosomes of A. zhejiangensis are confidently assigned to the two haplomes, and one of them originates from A. eriantha and the other originates from A. hemsleyana. Whole genome resequencing data reveal that A. zhejiangensis are mainly F1 hybrids of A. hemsleyana and A. eriantha and gene flow initiated about 0.98 million years ago, implying both strong genetic barriers and ongoing hybridization between these two deeply divergent kiwifruit species. Five inversions containing genes involved in pollen germination and pollen tube growth might account for the fertility breakdown of hybrids between A. hemsleyana and A. eriantha. Despite its distinct morphological traits and long recurrent hybrid origination, A. zhejiangensis does not initiate speciation. Collectively, our study provides new insights into homoploid hybridization in plants and provides genomic resources for evolutionary and functional genomic studies of kiwifruit.
Monitoring viral genomic sequences in transfusion‐transmitted viruses
Authors: Candotti Daniel , Drews Steven J. , Faddy Helen M. ,   ISBT Transfusion‐Transmitted Infectious Diseases Working Party, Subgroup on Viruses
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives

Monitoring genomic sequences of blood‐borne viruses infecting blood donors enables blood operators to undertake molecular epidemiology, confirm transfusion transmission and assess and characterize molecular and serological screening assays. The purpose of the study was to determine how blood operators globally value viral diversity surveillance and to assess its impact.

Materials and Methods

An electronic questionnaire was developed and circulated to members of the International Society of Blood Transfusion‐transmitted infectious diseases working party. Responses were compiled and complete data sets were analysed.

Results

Ninety‐seven percent of respondents agreed that monitoring viral genomic sequences was important to blood operators and the transfusion community. However, only 47% of respondents are currently doing this monitoring. The main limitations reported were a lack of financial resources and expertise. Sequencing techniques, primarily next‐generation sequencing and also Sanger sequencing, were considered most appropriate, with the preferred option for testing being regional or national reference centres. Respondents agreed that engagement with public health authorities needs to be enhanced.

Conclusion

Monitoring genomic sequences of blood‐borne viruses is widely considered important by the transfusion community because of its direct applications for transfusion safety, and beyond for public health in general. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen collaboration between blood operators and public health authorities. While national and regional reference centres may be the most appropriate structure for such testing, international collaborations should not be overlooked. Overcoming financial barriers will be an important hurdle for many.
THE EFFECT OF ADOPTING RAPIDLY EMERGING TECHNOLOGY ITEMS DURING THE DEVELOPMENTAL PHASE ON SYSTEMS ENGINEERING DESIGN IN AVIATION INDUSTRY
Authors: Ibrahim Mahir , Mahmoud Abdelgadir
Published: June 2023

Requests from stakeholders to include Rapidly Emerging Technology Items into the system under development during the design phase become essential to maintain competitiveness. This paper aims to analyze the effect of adopting the Rapidly Emerging Technology Items (RETIs) during the development process phase of the Systems Engineering approach. Subject matter experts were surveyed with various qualitative questions. Purposeful sampling was used in choosing participants who were "information-rich." Therefore, the individuals and sites selected should be knowledgeable people who have experience in engineering projects' technical and managerial aspects. Referring to the pattern of the data and the author's reflexivity, five themes were identified in this paper, including the problem validation, design professionality, the drivers of the Rapidly Emerging Technology Items (RETIs), the technology type, interaction between the design organization and the RETIs drivers, and the tool for evaluating the rapidly emerging technologies. The analysis of the themes revealed that, due to the adoption of RETIs, the design organization needs to re-define the requirements, re-verify and re-validate the System-Of-Interest (SOI), which leads to longer time in system design and increases the allocated budget. Finally, improvement interventions are required to ensure that RETIs are adopted efficiently throughout the development phase.
MODELING OF GROUNDWATER LEVEL CHANGES DUE TO DEEP WELL EXTRACTION USING MODFLOW IN THE NORTH OF BANDAR LAMPUNG
Authors: Purwadi Ofik Taupik , Darmawan I Gede Boy , Yuwono Slamet Budi , Triyono Sugeng , Kusumastuti Dyah Indriana
Published: June 2023

The growth rate of urban areas in the north of Bandar Lampung has caused the extraction of groundwater resources through deep well pumping to increase. Therefore, it is necessary to study the impact of pumping to prevent groundwater depletion. This study performs numerical simulation modeling to identify the impact of deep well pumping on changes in groundwater levels in three sub-districts north of Bandar Lampung city. Modeling is done using MODFLOW-6 and ModelMuse as a graphical user interface (GUI). The simulation method uses steady-state and transient models with four stress periods in 2000, 2010, 2020, and 2030. A total of 30 data wells are used for model setup, and 15 of them as observation and validation points. The simulation results show that hydraulic head changes occur at depths of 10 m to more than 40 m. Drawdown and groundwater head changes are concentrated at deep well points with a radius of up to 1 km. The model also successfully identified a decrease in groundwater level to more than 8 m in the deepest well area DW1. Thus, it is necessary to take action that can overcome the impact of changes in groundwater level due to pumping from deep wells. Furthermore, groundwater storage engineering can be one solution by utilizing rainwater harvesting technology to recharge the groundwater aquifer system.
A PROPOSAL FOR SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF PRE-ENGINEERED STEEL BUILDINGS IN BANGLADESH USING SIMPLIFIED JAPANESE INDEX METHOD
Authors: Wahid Chowdhury Mohammad Shams , Al Rahman Muzammil , Akhtaruzzaman Syed , Bin Alam Md. Jahir
Published: June 2023

At present seismic evaluation of structures has become very crucial in Bangladesh as the country is in earthquake prone region. Lots of studies have been performed and many methods have been proposed for the rapid seismic evaluation of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. Over the past two decades the country has been going through an important evolution which is rapid construction of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEB). Unfortunately, there has not been a single research work done or any method proposed for the seismic evaluation of these type of structures. In this work, simplified structural evaluation which is based on Japanese Index Method has been used for the seismic evaluation of 05 existing PEB steel structure. The structural seismic index of the building, IBS has been compared with the seismic judgement index IBSO which is a function of seismic zone co-efficient, structural importance coefficient and normalized acceleration response spectrum. The service load index IBD has also been compared with service load judgement indices, IBD01 and IBD02 which has been calculated from the material strength. For example, from the judgement of one building at ground floor, 0.5IBSO ≦ IBS＜IBSO and IBD02＜IBDhave been observed hence immediate detail evaluation recommended.
PROPERTIES EVALUATION OF GREEN MORTAR CONTAINING WASTE MATERIALS
Authors: Fakhri Rana Shamseldeeen , Thanoon Dawood Eethar
Published: June 2023

The accumulation of massive waste has impacted human health and the city's appearance. As a result, there was a need to reduce waste by using by-products from industrial waste to replace cement, such as limestone, fly ash, silica fume, steel slag, and other minerals known as supplementary cementitious materials are produced environmentally and sustainably. This paper's purpose is to design a green mortar with the highest possible replacement of cement that has acceptable fresh and hardened characteristics. In this paper, three (SCMs), such as limestone powder (10%), calcined clay (0–35%), and slag (0–30%), were used to prepare ternary mixtures. The materials used in this research are available locally in Mosul, Iraq. The experimental studies were carried out for twelve mixes. The tests of flowability, flexural strength, compressive strength, dry density, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and water absorption on green mortar have been conducted. The cement was replaced 30% to 60% with a combination of ternary cement containing calcined clay, limestone, and slag in different replacement percentages than in other green mortar mixes. The results found that replacing OPC (30%), which contains 10% limestone, 10% steel slag, and 10% calcined clay, gives the highest compressive strength and flexure strength enhancement, which are 24% and 18% greater than the plain mortar after 28 days. When cement replacement was increased for ternary mixes, the result differed slightly from the plain mortar. Water absorption increased as the SCMs were increased. Dry density showed little effect.
PERFORMANCE OF TERNARY CEMENT MORTAR USING STEEL SLAG, FLY ASH, AND METAKAOLIN
Authors: Kader Ola T. , T. Dawood Eethar
Published: June 2023

Green mortar is a mortar that is environmentally friendly and that uses waste materials or by-products to reduce CO2 emissions that are produced during cement production. This study aims to produce a new type of green mortar by using ternary cement mixes with acceptable fresh and hardened properties. The materials used were metakaolin (10-20%), slag (15-30%), and fly ash (10-20%). The experimental work was divided into two steps. Firstly, metakaolin was replaced with various percentages of 10%, 15%, and 20%, and then the optimum percentage having the highest compressive strength was chosen to use in ternary mixes. Secondly, cement was replaced with a ternary mix (slag, fly ash, and metakaolin) with a replacement ratio of 40% and 50%. Properties were studied flowability, compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, dry density, ultra-sonic plus velocity test, The results show that using metakaolin as a partial replacement for cement decreased flowability and increased superplasticizer dosage. From the results can conclude the use of ternary mixes decreased the workability of mixes and increased the dosage of superplasticizers to 1.8% at 50% replacement of cement. The results of compressive strength showed an increase of 50.6% after replacing 10% metakaolin at 7 days and 17.35% after replacing ternary mixes with 15% slag, 15% fly ash, and 10% metakaolin, while flexural strength increased by 26.47% after replacing the same percent of metakaolin and by 10.4% after replacing a ternary mix with the same percent of materials. The results show that using 10% metakaolin decreased water absorption by 28.75% while increasing slag increased water absorption in ternary mixes. The results for dry density slightly decreased or increased with the increased replacement of ternary cement mixes from 1.2% to 0.33% compared with the control mix. The UPV test result increased by 5.4% in ternary cement mixes, and when replacing metakaolin with 10% and 15%, it increased UPV by 5.7% and 5.2%, respectively, at 28 days.