bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Preoperative Modic Changes Influence the Short‐term Fusion Rate of Single Level Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion?—a Matched‐pair Case Control Study
Authors: Xiao Yang , Xiu Peng , Yang Xi , Wang Liang , Li Tao , Gong Quan , Liu Limin , Song Yueming
Published: July 2023

Objective

At present, the influence of Modic changes (MCs) on postoperative fusion rate of lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is mainly focused on the medium‐ and long‐term fusion rate, while the short‐term fusion rate has not been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the short‐term fusion rate of lumbar degenerative disease patients with and without MCs after single level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Methods

In this retrospective and matched‐pair case control study, we included 100 patients who underwent TLIF from January 2017 to January 2020 and had at least two follow‐up visits over a two‐year period. Fifty patients with MCs (MCs group) were matched with 50 patients without MCs (non MCs group) for age, sex, surgical level, diagnosis, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss. We collected the X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) data of patients from 3 months to 2 years after the operation to assess bony fusion and the cage union ratio. According to the type of cage, the MCs group was further divided into the nano‐hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n‐HA/PA66) group and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) group, and the fusion performance between the two groups was compared. Finally, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking and cage type were included in the logistic regression model for risk factor analysis.

Results

The bony fusion rates in the MCs group at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery were significantly lower than those in the non MCs group (P < 0.05) (23.8% vs 62.5%, 52.6% vs 78.9%, 61.1% vs 83.3%, 74.0% vs 90.0%). The average coronal cage union ratios of the upper and lower endplates in the MCs group were significantly lower than those in the non MCs group (54.3% ± 17.5% vs 75.0% ± 17.2%, P < 0.05; 73.3% ± 12.0% vs 84.9% ± 8.0%, P < 0.05). Similarly, analogous results were obtained by comparing the MCs and non MCs groups' three‐dimensional CT sagittal plane images (62.5% ± 16.5% vs 76.1% ± 12.4%, P < 0.05; 67.0% ± 13.9% vs 79.8% ± 11.5%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Short‐term fusion rates were lower in the MCs group than in the non MCs group. The coronal and sagittal cage union ratio in the MCs group was lower than that in the non MCs group. The fusion performance of n‐HA/PA66 and PEEK cages in the MCs group was comparable.
Patterns and determinants of pediatric dermatologic care in the United States: An evaluation of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2009 to 2015
Authors: Noveir Sasan D. , Afifi Ladan , Nguyen Kevin A. , Cheng Carol E. , Bach Daniel Q.
Published: July 2023

Background

Dermatologists and other providers play essential roles in managing the dermatologic care of pediatric patients. This study aims to identify patterns and elucidate factors associated with receiving dermatologic care in the United States.

Methods

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) was used to identify pediatric patients with dermatologic diagnoses from 2009 to 2015. Clinical and demographic information were evaluated, and visit diagnoses were stratified based on provider type (dermatologists vs. non‐dermatologists). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify key predictors of outpatient dermatology care for pediatric patients. National estimates of diagnoses were procured using weights provided within the NAMCS database to project disease incidence.

Results

A total of 85,217,557 pediatric patients (survey‐weighted) were observed during the study period. Of the sampled patients, 29.3% were evaluated by dermatologists, while 70.7% were seen by non‐dermatology providers. Atopic dermatitis was the most common diagnosis encountered by dermatologists in ages 0–3 years, while unspecified contact dermatitis was the most common diagnosis reported by non‐dermatologists in all age groups. On multivariable logistic regression, ≥1 year of age, Caucasian race, private insurance versus Medicaid, residence in a metropolitan area, referral from another provider, and longer appointment wait time were associated with an increased likelihood of being evaluated by a dermatologist compared to a non‐dermatologist.

Conclusions

Non‐dermatologists are responsible for the majority of pediatric dermatologic care. For pediatric patients, health disparities by race, insurance status, and rurality present significant challenges to being evaluated by a dermatologist.
Effects of adverse life events on mental health in single older adults in Japan
Authors: Murayama Yoh , Yamazaki Sachiko , Hasebe Masami , Kobayashi Erika
Published: July 2023

Background

This study tested a hypothesised model of the effects of adverse life events on the mental health of middle‐aged and older adults living alone, as mediated by thought suppression and help‐seeking behaviours, considering gender differences.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 1202 (622 men; 580 women) individuals from 247445 residents aged 50–79 in District A of Tokyo. The questionnaire items covered parameters on adverse life events, help‐seeking behaviour, thought suppression, and mental health status.

Results

Multiple group structural equation‐modelling analysis revealed that the seriousness of adverse life events, help‐seeking behaviours, and mental health scores were higher in women than in men. No significant gender differences were observed in thought suppression. The findings support all three proposed hypotheses: severe adverse life events will: (a) give rise to help‐seeking behaviours, which will have a positive effect on mental health; (b) intensify thought suppression, which will harm mental health; and (c) inhibit help‐seeking behaviour, especially in single middle‐aged and older adult men.

Conclusion

There is a need to develop interventional programs based on the theory of replacement thinking to encourage help‐seeking behaviours in middle‐aged and older adults.
Glitches in the Aspirational Discourse: Between Enterprise and Compromise1
Authors: Alfi‐Nissan Sari R. , Pagis Michal
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the sociology of culture has turned its gaze to future aspirations. This gaze is in line with contemporary future‐oriented culture, which encourages young people to aspire to fulfill their dreams. A leading carrier of future orientation is the aspirational discourse, which has become prominent in the educational field and among youth. Sociological inquiry is conflicted regarding the outcomes of this discourse. While it is criticized for increasing inequality, it has also been shown that aspirations are means for higher achievements. In this article, we shift from a focus on outcomes to a focus on interpretation and ask: How do social actors make sense of aspiring selves despite social limitations and inequality? Based on a qualitative study that tracks the aspirational discourse among school educators and recent high school graduates in Israel, we introduce the concept of “glitches” as articulated detours that rise in response to a mismatch between the discourse and lived experience. We identify three main glitches: deviating from the message “the sky is the limit” by lowering the aspirational sky, pausing future orientation by taking time out and limiting individual accountability by yielding to force majeure. We discuss how each glitch serves a different role in the construction of individuals' life narratives and argue that the intermittent use of glitches enables individuals to sustain the mythical aspirational discourse, even in moments of mismatch and doubt.
Use of a novel indentometer to evaluate skin stiffness in healthy and diseased human skin
Authors: Ivanova Zlatina , Aleksiev Teodor , Dobrev Hristo , Atanasov Nikolay
Published: July 2023

Background

Mechanical behavior of the skin can be evaluated by different non‐invasive methods. In this study, we applied a new measurement device based on indentometry to determine the skin mechanical properties in healthy individuals and in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Material and methods

Three studies were performed. Study 1 included 100 healthy individuals (46 male and 54 female) divided into four age groups with mean ages of 21.5, 28.9, 51.2, and 69.3 years, respectively. Test sites were located on the center of the forehead and the middle of both volar forearms. Study 2 included 16 healthy individuals (two males and 14 females). Test sites were on both volar forearms. Measurements were made before and after the application of Vaseline and emulsion with 12% urea. Study 3 included 20 patients (one male and 19 females) with SSc and 60 age‐matched healthy individuals (23 males and 37 females). Test sites were on the center of the forehead and the middle of both volar forearms. Skin stiffness was measured with skin Indentometer IDM 800 (Courage + Khazaka, Cologne, Germany) equipped with two probes with pin diameters of 3 and 5 mm, respectively. The stiffer the skin, the less deep the displacement by the indenter. The smaller the diameter, the deeper the pin will go into the skin when using the same force. In addition, the Corneometer CM 820 (Courage + Khazaka) was used to determine epidermal water content in study 2.

Results

Indentometric (IDM) values of healthy subjects measured with both probes were lower on the forehead compared to volar forearms. There was no significant difference between both forearms. In all age groups, the IDM values on the male forearms were lower than on the female forearms whereas there was no significant difference on the forehead. In both sex and on all test locations a significant positive correlation between age and IDM values measured with both probes was observed. There was a significant positive correlation between IDM values measured with both probes. The application of moisturizers induced significant changes in epidermal water content whereas the IDM values remained unchanged. At both the forehead and volar forearms, the IDM values in patients with SSc were significantly lower compared to the healthy control skin.

Conclusion

The non‐invasive indentometric method used can successfully distinguish the changes in normal skin mechanical properties related to age, sex, and anatomical location, as well as in patients with SSc. The method is not appropriate to study the changes related to epidermal hydration.
Agreement between hematocrit values determined by the Cobas b121 blood gas analyzer and the microhematocrit method in dogs, cats, and horses
Authors: Dallarosa Pâmela , Monteiro Eduardo R. , Borenstein Ana Paula S. , Valle Stella F.
Published: July 2023

Background

Packed cell volume (PCV) is important for assessing a patient's health status. Some blood gas analyzers measure hematocrit, and the agreement with PCV varies among different analyzers.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the agreement between PCV measured by microcentrifugation and hematocrit measured by the Cobas b121 blood gas analyzer in dogs, cats, and horses.

Methods

Whole blood samples for PCV and blood gas analysis were collected in lithium‐heparin syringes and analyzed within 10 min of collection. Agreement and association between the PCV and Cobas b121 generated hematocrit were assessed by the Bland–Altman method, Pearson's correlation, Deming regression analysis, and paired t tests. A total allowable error of 10% was used for the analysis.

Results

This study included 45 dogs, 45 cats, and 33 horses. The respective mean ± SD (minimum‐maximum) of PCVs and hematocrits were: dogs, 34.9 ± 9.9% (9.0–55.0) and 32.5 ± 8.8% (10.4–50.6); cats, 29.0 ± 9.6% (11.0–51.0) and 26.9 ± 9.3% (10.2–50.9); horses, 34.2 ± 6.5% (24.0–47.0) and 34.1 ± 6.0% (22.5–46.1). There were no significant differences between the methods. The bias ± SD was: dogs, −2.4 ± 2.6%; cats, −2.2 ± 2.3%; horses, −0.1 ± 2.4%. Pearson's correlation coefficients were > 0.90 for all species (P < 0.0001). In 60%, 49%, and 85% of the samples for dogs, cats, and horses, respectively, the percentage differences between the methods were within 10%.

Conclusions

The Cobas b121 blood gas analyzer provided accurate estimates of PCVs in horses. However, in dogs and cats, there was a large frequency of unacceptable differences between the methods.
Platelet function analyzer‐200 closure curve analysis and assessment of flow‐obstructed samples
Authors: Kornya Matthew R. , Abrams‐Ogg Anthony C. G. , Blois Shauna L. , Wood R. Darren
Published: July 2023

Background

The Platelet function analyzer‐200 can determine the effect of clopidogrel in cats. Flow obstruction is an error that causes uninterpretable results. Closure curves and parameters initial flow rate (IF) and total volume (TV) are displayed by the PFA‐200 and may allow interpretation of results in cases of flow obstruction. The primary hemostasis components (PHC) are calculated values that normalize these parameters.

Objectives

To determine if closure curves and research parameters allow detecting the effect of clopidogrel in cases of flow obstruction.

Methods

A review of closure curves identified those with flow obstruction and paired analysis that did not. Non‐flow–obstructed curves were used to categorize curves with respect to clopidogrel effects. IF, TV, PHC(1), and PHC(2) were evaluated to determine if these could be used to categorize if a sample exhibited the effects of clopidogrel. Curves were visually analyzed, and characteristics identified that were more common with or without the effect of clopidogrel. Visual analysis of curves was performed by blinded observers to determine if a visual analysis was able to predict the effect of clopidogrel.

Results

Analysis of parameters was able to predict closure or non‐closure in flow‐obstructed curves. TV, PHC(1), and PHC(2) had area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristics of 0.79, 0.79, and 0.87. Visual curve analysis was unable to predict closure, with an average accuracy of only 55%, among three reviewers. Agreement between reviewers was poor (Fleiss' Kappa 0.06).

Conclusions

Visual curve analysis was unable to determine the effect of clopidogrel in flow‐obstructed samples. Numerical parameters were able to detect the effect of clopidogrel with a high degree of accuracy in flow‐obstructed samples.
Single-drone energy efficient coverage path planning with multiple charging stations for surveillance
Authors: Celik Atalay , Ustaomer Enes , Satoglu Sule Itir
Published: July 2023

Drones have started to be used for surveillance within the cities, visually scanning the predefined zones, quickly detecting abnormal states such as fires, accidents, and pollution, or assessing the disaster zones. Coverage Path Planning (CPP) is a problem that aims to determine the most suitable path or motion plan for a vehicle to cover the entire desired area in the task. So, this paper proposes a novel two-dimensional coverage path planning (CPP) mathematical model with the fact that a single drone may need to be recharged within its route based on its energy consumption, and the obstacles must be avoided while constructing the route. Our study aims to create realistic routes for drones by considering multiple charging stations and obstacles for surveillance. We tested the model for a grid example based on the scenarios obtained by changing the layout, the number of obstacles and recharging stations, and area size using the Python Gurobi Optimization library. As a contribution, we analyzed the impact of the number of existing obstacles and recharging stations, the size and layout of the area to be covered on total energy consumption, and the total solution time of CPP in our study for the first time in the literature, through a detailed Scenario Analysis. Results show that the map size and the number of covered cells affect the total energy consumption, but different layouts with shuffled cells are not effective.  The area size to be covered affects the total computation time, significantly. As the number of obstacles and recharging stations increases, the computation time decreases up to a certain limit, then stabilizes.
La pedagogía como campo disciplinar y profesional en el trabajo educativo con personas autistas: revisión bibliográfica (2010-2020)*
Authors: Cortes Marlon
Published: July 2023

El artículo es una revisión de bibliografía en revistas latinoamericanas alrededor del campo disciplinar y profesional de la pedagogía especial en el trabajo con estudiantes autistas (2010-2020). En el plano nacional colombiano, en 2009 se reglamentó el servicio de apoyo pedagógico para la atención de los estudiantes en situación de discapacidad. El objetivo de esta investigación es hacer un balance, diez años después, de lo publicado en Latinoamérica, mediante la identificación tanto de las tendencias con respecto a la práctica y a la construcción de saber sobre el trabajo educativo con estudiantes autistas como de las luchas de poder y saber en este campo. Es una investigación cualitativa que tiene como fin identificar las recurrencias, los énfasis y las contradicciones que emergen al estudiar en conjunto los 65 textos encontrados. Tiene una perspectiva crítica, con la cual se busca desnaturalizar ciertas hegemonías que impiden abrir campos de trabajo diversos que reconozcan la singularidad de los estudiantes en el espectro autista. El principal hallazgo son las estrategias educativas alternas a la perspectiva conductual, que no conciben el autismo como un asunto patológico y que le apuestan a un trabajo educativo construido en el aula misma a partir del vínculo maestro-estudiante.
Plants harbouring the red palm mite Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil, with novel host associations
Authors: De Souza Izabel Vieira , Ferreira Maria José Rufino , De Lyra-Lemos Rosângela Pereira , Guzzo Elio Cesar
Published: July 2023

N/A
Recruited macrophages elicit atrial fibrillation
Authors: Hulsmans Maarten , Schloss Maximilian J. , Lee I-Hsiu , Bapat Aneesh , Iwamoto Yoshiko , Vinegoni Claudio , Paccalet Alexandre , Yamazoe Masahiro , Grune Jana , Pabel Steffen , Momin Noor , Seung Hana , Kumowski Nina , Pulous Fadi E. , Keller Daniel , Bening Constanze , Green Ursula , Lennerz Jochen K. , Mitchell Richard N. , Lewis Andrew , Casadei Barbara , Iborra-Egea Oriol , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Sossalla Samuel , Ong Chin Siang , Pierson Richard N. , Aster Jon C. , Rohde David , Wojtkiewicz Gregory R. , Weissleder Ralph , Swirski Filip K. , Tellides George , Tolis George , Melnitchouk Serguei , Milan David J. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Naxerova Kamila , Nahrendorf Matthias
Published: July 2023

Atrial fibrillation disrupts contraction of the atria, leading to stroke and heart failure. We deciphered how immune and stromal cells contribute to atrial fibrillation. Single-cell transcriptomes from human atria documented inflammatory monocyte and
SPP1
+
macrophage expansion in atrial fibrillation. Combining hypertension, obesity, and mitral valve regurgitation (HOMER) in mice elicited enlarged, fibrosed, and fibrillation-prone atria. Single-cell transcriptomes from HOMER mouse atria recapitulated cell composition and transcriptome changes observed in patients. Inhibiting monocyte migration reduced arrhythmia in
Ccr2
−∕−
HOMER mice. Cell-cell interaction analysis identified SPP1 as a pleiotropic signal that promotes atrial fibrillation through cross-talk with local immune and stromal cells. Deleting
Spp1
reduced atrial fibrillation in HOMER mice. These results identify SPP1
+
macrophages as targets for immunotherapy in atrial fibrillation.
Multiplex CRISPR editing of wood for sustainable fiber production
Authors: Sulis Daniel B. , Jiang Xiao , Yang Chenmin , Marques Barbara M. , Matthews Megan L. , Miller Zachary , Lan Kai , Cofre-Vega Carlos , Liu Baoguang , Sun Runkun , Sederoff Henry , Bing Ryan G. , Sun Xiaoyan , Williams Cranos M. , Jameel Hasan , Phillips Richard , Chang Hou-min , Peszlen Ilona , Huang Yung-Yun , Li Wei , Kelly Robert M. , Sederoff Ronald R. , Chiang Vincent L. , Barrangou Rodolphe , Wang Jack P.
Published: July 2023

The domestication of forest trees for a more sustainable fiber bioeconomy has long been hindered by the complexity and plasticity of lignin, a biopolymer in wood that is recalcitrant to chemical and enzymatic degradation. Here, we show that multiplex CRISPR editing enables precise woody feedstock design for combinatorial improvement of lignin composition and wood properties. By assessing every possible combination of 69,123 multigenic editing strategies for 21 lignin biosynthesis genes, we deduced seven different genome editing strategies targeting the concurrent alteration of up to six genes and produced 174 edited poplar variants. CRISPR editing increased the wood carbohydrate-to-lignin ratio up to 228% that of wild type, leading to more-efficient fiber pulping. The edited wood alleviates a major fiber-production bottleneck regardless of changes in tree growth rate and could bring unprecedented operational efficiencies, bioeconomic opportunities, and environmental benefits.
Art in the age of artificial intelligence
Authors: Zylinska Joanna
Published: July 2023

There is more to art than AI-created artifacts, but computational creativity is worth pursuing
Mitigating bias in AI at the point of care
Authors: DeCamp Matthew , Lindvall Charlotta
Published: July 2023

Promoting equity in AI in health care requires addressing biases at clinical implementation
Improving artificial intelligence with games
Authors: Wurman Peter R. , Stone Peter , Spranger Michael
Published: July 2023

Games continue to drive progress in the development of artifi cial intelligence
Do we want less automation?
Authors: Agrawal Ajay , Gans Joshua S. , Goldfarb Avi
Published: July 2023

AI may provide a path to decrease inequality
Genetic editing of wood for sustainability
Authors: Zuin Zeidler Vânia G.
Published: July 2023

Trees engineered to have less lignin could make paper production less polluting
AI safety on whose terms?
Authors: Lazar Seth , Nelson Alondra
Published: July 2023

Rapid, widespread adoption of the latest large language models has sparked both excitement and concern about advanced artificial intelligence (AI). In response, many are looking to the field of AI safety for answers. Major AI companies are purportedly investing heavily in this young research program, even as they cut “trust and safety” teams addressing harms from current systems. Governments are taking notice too. The United Kingdom just invested £100 million in a new “Foundation Model Taskforce” and plans an AI safety summit this year. And yet, as research priorities are being set, it is already clear that the prevailing technical agenda for AI safety is inadequate to address critical questions. Only a sociotechnical approach can truly limit current and potential dangers of advanced AI.
Artificial intelligence meets medical robotics
Authors: Yip Michael , Salcudean Septimiu , Goldberg Ken , Althoefer Kaspar , Menciassi Arianna , Opfermann Justin D. , Krieger Axel , Swaminathan Krithika , Walsh Conor J. , Huang He (Helen) , Lee I-Chieh
Published: July 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in medical robots are bringing a new era to medicine. Advanced medical robots can perform diagnostic and surgical procedures, aid rehabilitation, and provide symbiotic prosthetics to replace limbs. The technology used in these devices, including computer vision, medical image analysis, haptics, navigation, precise manipulation, and machine learning (ML) , could allow autonomous robots to carry out diagnostic imaging, remote surgery, surgical subtasks, or even entire surgical procedures. Moreover, AI in rehabilitation devices and advanced prosthetics can provide individualized support, as well as improved functionality and mobility (see the figure). The combination of extraordinary advances in robotics, medicine, materials science, and computing could bring safer, more efficient, and more widely available patient care in the future.
–Gemma K. Alderton
How do we know how smart AI systems are?
Authors: Mitchell Melanie
Published: July 2023

In 1967, Marvin Minksy, a founder of the field of artificial intelligence (AI), made a bold prediction: “Within a generation…the problem of creating ‘artificial intelligence’ will be substantially solved.” Assuming that a generation is about 30 years, Minsky was clearly overoptimistic. But now, nearly two generations later, how close are we to the original goal of human-level (or greater) intelligence in machines?
In Other Journals
Authors: Jiang Di , Stern Peter , Fregoso Elisa Collado , Uzogara Ekeoma , Maroso Mattia , McCartney Melissa , Lavine Marc S.
Published: July 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Famotidine Enhances Rifampicin Activity against Acinetobacter baumannii by Affecting OmpA
Authors: Zhang Meng-na , Zhao Xiao-ou , Cui Qi , Zhu Dao-mi , Wisal Muhammad Asif , Yu Han-dong , Kong Ling-cong , Ma Hong-xia
Published: July 2023

In this study, famotidine was discovered for the first time to have potential as an antibiotic adjuvant, enhancing the antibacterial activity of rifamycin antibiotics against
A. baumannii
and overcoming the limitations of drug therapy. With the discovery of novel applications for the guanidine-containing medication famotidine, the viability of screening prospective antibiotic adjuvants from guanidine-based molecules was further explored.
SARS-CoV-2 main protease cleaves MAGED2 to antagonize host antiviral defense
Authors: Ju Xiaohui , Wang Ziqiao , Wang Pengcheng , Ren Wenlin , Yu Yanying , Yu Yin , Yuan Bin , Song Jingwei , Zhang Xiaochun , Zhang Yu , Xu Chang , Tian Boxue , Shi Yi , Zhang Rong , Ding Qiang
Published: July 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the agent causing the global pandemic of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes a main protease (nsp5, also called Mpro) and a papain-like protease (nsp3, also called PLpro), which are responsible for processing viral polyproteins to assemble a functional replicase complex. In this study, we found that Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 can cleave human MAGED2 and other mammalian orthologs at Gln-263. Moreover, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV Mpro can also cleave human MAGED2, suggesting MAGED2 cleavage by Mpro is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of coronavirus infection in mammals. Intriguingly, Mpro from Beta variant cleaves MAGED2 more efficiently than wild type, but Omicron Mpro is opposite. Further studies show that MAGED2 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection at viral replication step. Mechanistically, MAGED2 is associated with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein through its N-terminal region in an RNA-dependent manner, and this disrupts the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and viral genome, thus inhibiting viral replication. When MAGED2 is cleaved by Mpro, the N-terminal of MAGED2 will translocate into the nucleus, and the truncated MAGED2 is unable to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication. This work not only discovers the antiviral function of MAGED2 but also provides new insights into how SARS-CoV-2 Mpro antagonizes host antiviral response.

IMPORTANCE

Host factors that restrict severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remain elusive. Here, we found that MAGED2 can be cleaved by SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) at Gln-263. SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV Mpro can also cleave MAGED2, and MAGED2 from multiple species can be cleaved by SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Mpro from Beta variant cleaves MAGED2 more efficiently efficiently than wild type, but Omicron is the opposite. MAGED2 depletion enhances SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting its inhibitory role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mechanistically, MAGED2 restricts SARS-CoV-2 replication by disrupting the interaction between nucleocapsid and viral genomes. When MAGED2 is cleaved, its N-terminal will translocate into the nucleus. In this way, Mpro relieves MAGED2' inhibition on viral replication. This study improves our understanding of complex viral-host interaction and provides novel targets to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Short-Term Dietary Intervention with Whole Oats Protects from Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis
Authors: Costa Stephen K. , Antosca Katherine , Beekman Chapman N. , Peterson Rachel L. , Penumutchu Swathi , Belenky Peter
Published: July 2023

We utilize a multi-omics approach to demonstrate that diets supplemented with oats, a rich source of microbiota-accessible carbohydrates, are able to confer protection against antibiotic-induced dysbiosis (AID). Our findings affirm that not only is host diet important in shaping antibiotics effects on gut microbiome composition and function but also that the timing of these diets may play an even greater role in managing AID.
Multi-Omics Reveals the Impact of Exogenous Short-Chain Fatty Acid Infusion on Rumen Homeostasis: Insights into Crosstalk between the Microbiome and the Epithelium in a Goat Model
Authors: Zhen Yongkang , Xi Zanna , Nasr Shaima Mohamed , He Feiyang , Han Mengli , Yin Junliang , Ge Ling , Chen Yifei , Wang Yusu , Wei Wenjun , Zhang Yihui , Wang Mengzhi
Published: July 2023

The consequences of massive exogenous supplementation of SCFAs on rumen microbial fermentation and rumen epithelium health remain an area that requires further exploration. In our study, we sought to investigate the specific impact of administering high doses of exogenous acetate, propionate, and butyrate on rumen homeostasis, with a particular focus on understanding the interaction between the rumen microbiome and epithelium.
Phytostratigraphic Scale of the Nonmarine Cretaceous of Northeast Asia: Attempts at Elaboration and Results
Authors: Shczepetov S. V. , Herman A. B.
Published: July 2023

At the beginning of the 1970s, the paleobotanist V.A. Samylina published her concept of stratofloras: a stratigraphic scale of nonmarine Cretaceous deposits of Northeast Russia based on plant megafossils. This concept derived from the evolution of a systematic composition of plant communities upon the transition from Mesophyte to Cenophyte. Because the accuracy of this scale was similar to that for marine deposits, it almost instantaneously began to be used for the determination of the age and the correlation of continental deposits of the region. The paper considers the changes in views on the evolution of plant world of the region as new data arrive. It is shown that the elaboration of a common scale for the region is impossible, because the paleolandscape environments differed on this territory. The accuracy of scales for various parts of the region with similar paleolandscape conditions is lower than the stages of the General Stratigraphic Chart.
Interaction of Finite Perturbations with the Front and Singularity of the Profile of a Nonlinear Wave in a Dissipative Medium
Authors: Gusev V. A. , Rudenko O. V.
Published: July 2023

The interaction of a short pulse with three types of wave profiles in a nonlinear dissipative medium are described: a stationary shock front of finite width, a nonstationary forming front, and a “stationary” wave the profile of which contains a singularity. Exact solutions to the Burgers equation are used, which describe these interactions, as well as the symmetry properties of this equation.
Prediction of charmed-bottom pentaquarks in quark model
Authors: Yan Ye , Wu Yuheng , Huang Hongxia , Ping Jialun , Zhu Xinmei
Published: July 2023

Inspired by the fully heavy tetraquark states reported by the LHCb, ATLAS and CMS Collaborations, we perform a systematical investigation of the low-lying fully heavy pentaquark systems composed of charm and bottom quarks (anti-quark) in the chiral quark model. With the help of the channel-coupling, we obtain several fully heavy pentaquark candidates, which are $$cccc\bar{b}$$

c
c
c
c

b

¯

and $$bbbb\bar{c}$$

b
b
b
b

c

¯

systems with $$J^P = 1/2^-$$

J
P

=
1
/

2
-

and $$3/2^-$$

3
/

2
-

, $$cccb\bar{c}$$

c
c
c
b

c

¯

, $$bbbc\bar{b}$$

b
b
b
c

b

¯

, $$cccb\bar{b}$$

c
c
c
b

b

¯

and $$bbbc\bar{c}$$

b
b
b
c

c

¯

systems with $$J^P = 5/2^-$$

J
P

=
5
/

2
-

. The binding energies of these states are all below 10 MeV and the root mean square (RMS) are around 1.8 fm, which indicates that these states are likely to be molecular states. These predicted exotic states may provide new ideas for experimental searches and we expect more experimental and theoretical researches to study and understand the fully heavy states in future.
Cifras de embarazo adolescente en Chile
Authors: Crespo Fernando , Concha Paulina
Published: July 2023

El embarazo adolescente ha sido declarado un problema de Salud Pública, con consecuencias que perpetúan la pobreza, la deserción escolar, la estigmatización social, etc., y con consecuencias médicas como mayor morbimortalidad materno-perinatal e infantil de las madres adolescentes y de sus hijos. Por otra parte, las madres y padres adolescentes muestran competencias parentales inadecuadas, lo que acrecienta el efecto de los embarazos adolescentes en la vida y conducta de sus niños. Continuar leyendo...
El salario mínimo, un componente fundamental del trabajo digno
Authors: Fernández Ana María
Published: July 2023

Desde la Revolución Industrial el trabajo es la fuente principal de ingresos para la mayoría de las personas y familias. Sin embargo, a nivel global en las últimas décadas la participación del ingreso ha disminuido sustancialmente, mientras que la de los propietariosdel capital ha aumentado progresivamente (OIT, 2023). Continuar leyendo...
Data from The prognostic effect of immune cell infiltration depends on molecular subtype in Endometrioid Ovarian Carcinomas
Authors: Heinze Karolin , Cairns Evan S. , Thornton Shelby , Harris Bronwyn , Milne Katy , Grube Marcel , Meyer Charlotte , Karnezis Anthony N. , Fereday Sian , Garsed Dale W. , Leung Samuel C.Y. , Chiu Derek S. , Moubarak Malak , Harter Philipp , Heitz Florian , McAlpine Jessica N. , DeFazio Anna , Bowtell David D.L. , Goode Ellen L. , Pike Malcolm , Ramus Susan J. , Pearce C. Leigh , Staebler Annette , Köbel Martin , Kommoss Stefan , Talhouk Aline , Nelson Brad H. , Anglesio Michael S.
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (ENOC) is the second most-common type of ovarian carcinoma, comprising 10-20% of cases. Recently, the study of ENOC has benefitted from comparisons to endometrial carcinomas (EC) including defining ENOC with four prognostic molecular subtypes. Each subtype suggests differential mechanisms of progression, though tumor initiating events remain elusive. There is evidence that the ovarian microenvironment may be critical to early lesion establishment and progression. However, while immune infiltrates have been well studied in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, studies in ENOC are limited. Experimental Design: We report on 210 ENOC, with clinical follow-up and molecular subtype annotation. Using multiplex immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, we examine the prevalence of T cell lineage, B cell lineage, macrophages, and populations with PD-1 or PD-L1 across subtypes of ENOC. Results: Immune cell infiltrates in tumor epithelium and stroma showed higher densities in ENOC subtypes with known high mutation burden (POLEmut and MMRd). While molecular subtypes were prognostically significant, immune infiltrates were not (OS p>0.2). Analysis by molecular subtype revealed that immune cell density was prognostically significant in only the no specific molecular subtype (NSMP) subtype, where immune infiltrates lacking B cells (TILB minus) had inferior outcome (DSS HR:4.0 CI 1.1-14.7, p<0.05). Similar to EC, molecular subtype stratification was generally superior to immune response in predicting outcomes. Conclusions: Subtype stratification is critical for better understanding of ENOC, in particular the distribution and prognostic significance of immune cell infiltrates. The role of B cells in the immune response within NSMP tumors warrants further study.
Adorar, demorar e comer: ler e comentar Jacques Derrida e suas perguntas a partir da pergunta “che cos’è la poesia?”
Authors: Saldanha Fabio Pomponio
Published: July 2023

Este trabalho relê “Che cos’è la poesia?”, de Jacques Derrida, buscando encontrar questões que, em um primeiro momento, pensam a possibilidade de resposta enquanto aquela a sempre se definir e se atualizar a partir da leitura (logo, dando a entender que toda leitura poderia, por ventura, se tornar uma leitura crítica) e, dado o encontro do leitor com o poema (metonímia da poesia, única forma possível de entendê-la), esboçar certos argumentos que unam leitor e poema a uma certa maneira de ler enquanto uma teoria do amor, do afeto e de seus próprios limites.
Sobre o gênero literário do Quixote
Authors: Santos Rafael Mariano dos
Published: July 2023

Este ensaio tem por objetivo discutir a questão do gênero do Quixote. Sabemos que se trata de lugar-comum, em livros de crítica e história literária, a aplicação genérica do rótulo de “primeiro romance moderno” à criação máxima de Cervantes. Diante disso, surge a pergunta: será que essa classificação se sustenta? Apesar de entendermos tal designação como imprecisa, não temos a pretensão de refutar, exaustivamente, todas as limitações que esse tipo de categorização impõe à compreensão da obra, mas, apenas, de problematizar o assunto, tendo em vista o fato incontestável de que o romance moderno absorveu várias técnicas do texto cervantino. Após breve comentário sobre a história da interpretação da obra, passaremos pela questão terminológica e tentaremos observar, a partir do contexto em que o romance surgiu e de algumas de suas características, se tal nomenclatura pode ser aplicada à obra do mestre espanhol.
Like a sticker
Authors: Xu Rui-Liang , Lu Chia-Rung
Published: July 2023

This study explores a new type of grammaticalisation, namely, grammatical constructionalisation, based on an investigation of the use of a newly emerging construction, the [X.jpg] construction, in online forums in Taiwan. JP(E)G stands for ‘Joint Photographic Experts Group’. As an abbreviation for the file extension of images, it was initially attached to image files in computers. However, in Taiwanese Mandarin, new usages for it have developed, whereby it can be attached to any phrase, including those without any source images, thereby simply pretending that the phrase has an attached image. Since the file extension .jpg is a technical term and a bound morpheme, when it extends to attenuating the force of the speech act, it functions as a pragmatic marker or hedge. This process of change from lexical to grammatical is known as grammatical constructionalisation and reveals the results of the interplay between popular Internet memes and user psychology. When using [X.jpg], users tend to downtone the speaker’s attitude, increase solidarity among insiders and pursue vividness and a sense of humour. This usage initially emerged under the technical limitations of a text-only online environment. The findings of this study suggest that the constructionist approach is an efficient, unified theoretical framework for its explanatory adequacy in addressing issues concerning both synchronic lexical semantics and diachronic grammatical change.
‘It sounds a little cool’
Authors: Hsieh Chen-Yu Chester
Published: July 2023

Social media platforms such as YouTube have become increasingly popular for language teaching and learning. Despite adequate research on the use of YouTube for educational purposes, it is necessary to explore the verbal and non-verbal features YouTubers deploy, as in Taiwan, to construct online discourse in a multilingual context. Using the Appraisal Theory framework, this study analyses the evaluative practices in three Taiwan-based English-teaching videos. The results reveal that YouTubers made evaluations fairly frequently and used specific multimodal devices for evaluation in language-teaching videos, such as expressions of judgement, disclaim, and focus, and gestures such as beats and pointing. The evaluation was found to serve genre-specific functions, including explaining pedagogical content, making meta-pragmatic comments about language use, marking the opening and closing of the video, and promoting products or services. The findings have implications for research on appraisal, social media pragmatics, and online language teaching practices.
Précis of Radical Skepticism and Epistemic Intuition
Authors: Bergmann Michael
Published: July 2023

In this précis of Radical Skepticism and Epistemic Intuition, I highlight the main lines of argument in the book and provide an outline of each of the book’s three parts. I explain how: Part I lays out an argument for radical skepticism and objects to one of the two main ways of responding to it; Part ii presents my version of the other main way of responding to that skeptical argument (a version that relies heavily on epistemic intuition); and Part iii defends epistemic intuition (and, thereby, my response to radical skepticism) from several important objections.
Replies to Chudnoff, Lemos, and McCain
Authors: Bergmann Michael
Published: July 2023

These replies to critical comments by Elijah Chudnoff, Noah Lemos, and Kevin McCain on my book Radical Skepticism and Epistemic Intuition begin (after the Introduction) with Section 2, where I address a cluster of complaints from Chudnoff and McCain in connection with skepticism-supporting underdetermination principles. (These principles play a significant role in my portrayal of radical skepticism and in my Reidian response to it.) In Section 3, I reply to some objections from Lemos concerning a claim (from Radical Skepticism and Epistemic Intuition) that I call ‘the Paradigm-case Thesis’. In Section 4, I respond to some concerns that McCain and Lemos raise in connection with my discussion of the rationality of seemings. Lastly, Section 5 covers a few remaining objections from McCain and Lemos having to do with Chisholm’s “Problem of the Criterion,” the comparative strength of seemings, and the challenge of identifying which seemings count as epistemic intuitions.
The Influence of ngos on Danish Migration Policy in the 1930s: the Role of Moral and Pragmatic Legitimacy
Authors: Syberg Mikkel Witt
Published: July 2023

This article contributes to a debate initiated in this journal in 2019 on the influence of ngos on migration policies in twentieth-century Western Europe. The study further develops previous studies by examining how ngos in 1930s Denmark managed and used different types of legitimacy to gain political influence. The claims of this article can be useful in seeing the influence of ngos as a process in which moral and pragmatic legitimacy are decisive factors in different phases of this process. The study finds that moral legitimacy is crucial for ngos in the initial phase of gaining access to negotiations with policymakers: the so-called ‘insider strategies’. Pragmatic legitimacy proves to be important for ngos when access to insider strategies is achieved. The ngos used their pragmatic legitimacy – for instance, their ability to reduce costs for the state – when negotiating with policymakers.
A new species of cirri-bearing eel of the genus Cirrhimuraena (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the coastal Bay of Bengal, India
Authors: MOHANTY SWARUP RANJAN , BEHERA RAJESH KUMAR , PATRO SHESDEV , MOHAPATRA ANIL
Published: July 2023

A new species of cirri-bearing ophichthidae eel Cirrhimuraena odishaensis sp. nov. is described here, on the basis of two specimens collected from the Palur canal and Talasari fish landing centre in Odisha, India. The distinguishing characters of Cirrhimuraena odishaensis sp. nov. that separate it from its congeners include the presence of a single row of mandibular teeth, origin of the dorsal fin directly above the midpoint of pectoral fin, vertebral counts (pre-dorsal 10, pre-anal 46–47, and total 160–162), and number of cirri (13) on the upper jaw. Morphologically Cirrhimuraena odishaensis shows close affinity with Cirrhimuraena yuanding and Cirrhimuraena orientalis. The new species differs from C. yuanding by origin of dorsal fin, number of intermaxillary and maxillary teeth, and length of head. The new species differs from C. orientalis with relatively higher vertebrae.
An Iterative Approach toward Development of Ensemble Visualization Techniques for High-Impact Winter Weather Hazards: Part II: Product Evaluation
Authors: Radford Jacob T. , Lackmann Gary M. , Goodwin Jean , Correia James , Harnos Kirstin
Published: July 2023

We developed five prototype convection-allowing model ensemble visualization products with the goal of improving depictions of the timing of winter weather hazards. These products are interactive, web-based plots visualizing probabilistic onset times and durations of intense snowfall rates, probabilities of heavy snow at rush hour, periods of heightened impacts, and mesoscale snowband probabilities. Prototypes were evaluated in three experimental groups coordinated by the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) Hydrometeorological Testbed (HMT), with a total of 53 National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters. Forecasters were asked to complete a simple forecast exercise for a snowfall event, with a control group using the Storm Prediction Center’s (SPC) High-Resolution Ensemble Forecast (HREF) system viewer, and an experimental group using both the HREF viewer and the five experimental graphics. Forecast accuracy was similar between the groups, but the experimental group exhibited smaller mean absolute error for snowfall duration forecasts. A series of Likert-scale questions saw participants respond favorably to all of the products and indicated that they would use them in operational forecasts and in communicating information to core partners. Forecasters also felt that the new products improved their comprehension of ensemble spread and reduced the time required to complete the forecasting exercise. Follow-up plenary discussions reiterated that there is a high demand for ensemble products of this type, though a number of potential improvements, such as greater customizability, were suggested. Ultimately, we demonstrated that social science methods can be effectively employed in the atmospheric sciences to yield improved visualization products.
Regional Implications of COVID-19
Authors: Bourdin Sebastien , Levratto Nadine
Published: July 2023

This special issue of the International Regional Science Review illuminates the “geography of COVID-19”, examining the spatial patterns, distribution, and interconnectedness of COVID-19 cases. It explores the regional disparities in infection rates, highlighting how socioeconomic factors, mobility, and healthcare accessibility contributed to these inequalities. The issue is divided into three sections, focusing on regional economic dynamics and labor markets, public health responses and vaccination policies, and social and demographic vulnerabilities. Each section comprises research papers presenting insights and analyses on their respective topics, from labor mobility responses to vaccine hesitancy, job insecurity, regional resilience, and more. This issue underscores the importance of regional science in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by the pandemic and formulating effective, location-specific strategies to mitigate its impacts.