bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balancing Act: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Trade-offs in Reproducing Females
Authors: Josefson Chloe C , Fitzwater Brooke M , Beltran Roxanne S , Costa Daniel P , Fornara Josephina H , Garland Theodore , Harris Breanna N , Hinde Katie , Hood Wendy R , Hunt Eloise , Kenagy G J , Liebl Andrea L , Litmer Allison R , Lopes Patricia C , Misra Deblina , Meuti Megan , Place Ned J , Powers Lisa E , Saltzman Wendy , Orr Teri J
Published: July 2024

Synopsis

Trade-offs resulting from the high demand of offspring production are a central focus of many subdisciplines within the field of biology. Yet, despite the historical and current interest on this topic, large gaps in our understanding of whole-organism trade-offs that occur in reproducing individuals remain, particularly as it relates to the nuances associated with female reproduction. This volume of Integrative and Comparative Biology (ICB) contains a series of papers that focus on reviewing trade-offs from the female-centered perspective of biology (i.e., a perspective that places female reproductive biology at the center of the topic being investigated or discussed). These papers represent some of the work showcased during our symposium held at the 2024 meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) in Seattle, Washington. In this roundtable discussion, we use a question-and-answer format to capture the diverse perspectives and voices involved in our symposium. We hope that the dialogue featured in this discussion will be used to motivate researchers interested in understanding trade-offs in reproducing females and provide guidance on future research endeavors.
Insect Flight: State of the Field and Future Directions
Authors: Treidel Lisa A , Deem Kevin D , Salcedo Mary K , Dickinson Michael H , Bruce Heather S , Darveau Charles-A , Dickerson Bradley H , Ellers Olaf , Glass Jordan R , Gordon Caleb M , Harrison Jon F , Hedrick Tyson L , Johnson Meredith G , Lebenzon Jacqueline E , Marden James H , Niitepõld Kristjan , Sane Sanjay P , Sponberg Simon , Talal Stav , Williams Caroline M , Wold Ethan S
Published: July 2024

Synopsis

The evolution of flight in an early winged insect ancestral lineage is recognized as a key adaptation explaining the unparalleled success and diversification of insects. Subsequent transitions and modifications to flight machinery, including secondary reductions and losses, also play a central role in shaping the impacts of insects on broadscale geographic and ecological processes and patterns in the present and future. Given the importance of insect flight, there has been a centuries-long history of research and debate on the evolutionary origins and biological mechanisms of flight. Here, we revisit this history from an interdisciplinary perspective, discussing recent discoveries regarding the developmental origins, physiology, biomechanics, and neurobiology and sensory control of flight in a diverse set of insect models. We also identify major outstanding questions yet to be addressed and provide recommendations for overcoming current methodological challenges faced when studying insect flight, which will allow the field to continue to move forward in new and exciting directions. By integrating mechanistic work into ecological and evolutionary contexts, we hope that this synthesis promotes and stimulates new interdisciplinary research efforts necessary to close the many existing gaps about the causes and consequences of insect flight evolution.
Artificial intelligence co-regulation? The role of standards in the EU AI Act
Authors: Cantero Gamito Marta , Marsden Christopher T
Published: July 2024

This article examines artificial intelligence (AI) co-regulation in the EU AI Act and the critical role of standards under this regulatory strategy. It engages with the foundation of democratic legitimacy in EU standardization, emphasizing the need for reform to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI capabilities, as recently suggested by the European Parliament. The article highlights the challenges posed by interdisciplinarity and the lack of civil society expertise in standard-setting. It critiques the inadequate representation of societal stakeholders in the development of AI standards, posing pressing questions about the potential risks this entails to the protection of fundamental rights, given the lack of democratic oversight and the global composition of standard-developing organizations. The article scrutinizes how under the AI Act technical standards will define AI risks and mitigation measures and questions whether technical experts are adequately equipped to standardize thresholds of acceptable residual risks in different high-risk contexts. More specifically, the article examines the complexities of regulating AI, drawing attention to the multi-dimensional nature of identifying risks in AI systems and the value-laden nature of the task. It questions the potential creation of a typology of AI risks and highlights the need for a nuanced, inclusive, and context-specific approach to risk identification and mitigation. Consequently, in the article we underscore the imperative for continuous stakeholder involvement in developing, monitoring, and refining the technical rules and standards for high-risk AI applications. We also emphasize the need for rigorous training, certification, and surveillance measures to ensure the enforcement of fundamental rights in the face of AI developments. Finally, we recommend greater transparency and inclusivity in risk identification methodologies, urging for approaches that involve stakeholders and require a diverse skill set for risk assessment. At the same time, we also draw attention to the diversity within the European Union and the consequent need for localized risk assessments that consider national contexts, languages, institutions, and culture. In conclusion, the article argues that co-regulation under the AI Act necessitates a thorough re-examination and reform of standard-setting processes, to ensure a democratically legitimate, interdisciplinary, stakeholder-inclusive, and responsive approach to AI regulation, which can safeguard fundamental rights and anticipate, identify, and mitigate a broad spectrum of AI risks.
Where Do Trolls Say They Are? Understanding the Use of Place Claims in Nation State Influence Operations
Authors: Linvill Darren , Warren Jayson , Warren Patrick L , White David
Published: July 2024

This study employs the full public Twitter information operations archive and its nearly 90,000 accounts from at least 22 actors to examine one particular element of the strategies employed by state-backed influence actors—strategic use of place claims. Academic research exploring state-affiliated social media influence operations has, to date, focused on one or a handful of campaigns. We argue this focus has the potential to miss tactics and strategies other nations’ operations may be effectively using. Specifically, we examine account self-identified place claims to build an understanding of when and why these strategies are employed, and how these place claims relate to campaign targeting of specific populations. We examine where accounts claim to be located and how these claims relate to what we know about the targeting of each campaign. We also explore what other account behaviors are correlated with accounts’ use of specific place claims.
Comparing Agenda-Setting Effects for the Issue of Migration Measured with Three Different Indicators of the Public Agenda
Authors: Maurer Marcus , Jost Pablo
Published: July 2024

Recent agenda-setting studies have increasingly replaced survey data with readily available, nonreactive data that at first glance might serve as indicators of the public agenda to the same extent: the amount of online search queries regarding an issue and the volume of donations for non-profit organizations that are collecting money for problem solving related to an issue. This raises the question of whether the results of agenda-setting studies depend on which of these indicators is used to measure the public agenda. In this study, we compare the agenda-setting effect of media coverage of migration on the public salience of this issue in Germany between 2015 and 2020 as measured by three different indicators of the public agenda on a monthly basis: survey data, Google Trends data, and fundraising data. Our analyses show significant simultaneous correlations between the media agenda and all three indicators of the public agenda, with a smaller influence of the media agenda on fundraising data than in the other two cases. However, when Granger causality is used to identify causal relationships, a positive influence of the media agenda on the public agenda is only found when the public agenda is measured with survey data.
Competition policy and the consumer welfare standard
Authors: Vickers John
Published: July 2024

This paper, which was given as the 2024 Bellamy Lecture, reviews the law and economics of the consumer welfare standard in competition policy, particularly in relation to mergers and abuse of dominance. With qualifications relating to input markets, the consumer welfare approach is defended against arguments for its relaxation, and against contrary criticisms that it is unduly permissive.
Do Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) mite flows between Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies bias colony infestation evaluation for resistance selection?
Authors: Guichard Matthieu , von Virag Adrien , Droz Benoît , Dainat Benjamin
Published: July 2024

Since the global invasion of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman), selection of mite-resistant honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies appears challenging and has to date not broadly reduced colony mortality. The low published estimated heritability values for mite infestation levels could explain the limited genetic progresses obtained so far. We hypothesize that intercolonial horizontal mite transmission could differentially affect the single colonies located in a given apiary and therefore invisibly bias colony infestation phenotypes. This bias may be lower in regions with lower colony density, providing suitable conditions to set up evaluation apiaries. To verify these hypotheses, we monitored mite infestation and reinvasion in experimental colonies, as well as infestation in neighboring colonies belonging to beekeepers in three areas with variable colony densities in the canton of Bern, Switzerland during three consecutive beekeeping seasons. Mite immigration fluctuated between apiaries and years and significantly contributed to colony infestation level. Depending on apiary and year, 17–48% of the mites present in the experimental colonies at the time of the summer oxalic acid final treatment potentially derived from mite immigration that had occurred since mid-spring. Mite immigration was not linked to local colony density or the infestation levels of beekeepers’ colonies located within 2 km. Our results do not prove that apiaries for colony evaluation should necessarily be established in areas with low colony density. However, they highlight the high impact of beekeeping management practices on mite colony infestation levels.
Comprehensive mapping of immune perturbations associated with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Chen Yinchun , Deng Haimei , Zhou Ruiqing , Jiang Xiaotao , Wang Huijuan , Xin Songqing , Mo Wenjian , Wang Shunqing , Liu Yufeng
Published: July 2024

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by immune disorders. It is imperative to elucidate the immunophenotypic panorama and the interactions among these cells in patients. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from healthy donors and sHLH patients and tested using multicolor flow cytometry. We used FlowSOM to explore and visualize the immunophenotypic characteristics of sHLH. By demonstrating the phenotypes of immune cells, we discovered that sHLH patients had significantly higher levels of CD56+ monocytes, higher levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, low-density neutrophil-to-T cell ratio, and higher heterogeneous T cell activation than healthy donors. However, natural killer cell cytotoxicity and function were impaired. We then assessed the correlations among 30 immune cell types and evaluated metabolic analysis. Our findings demonstrated polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells, CD56+ monocytes, and neutrophil-to-T cell ratio were elevated abnormally in sHLH patients, which may indicate an association with immune overactivation and inflammatory response. We are expected to confirm that they are involved in the occurrence of the disease through further in-depth research.
Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating 2: an emerging immune checkpoint for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Cao Zeya , Wang Youping , Cheng Shih-Chin , He Nanhai
Published: July 2024

Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating 2 (HHLA2), a member of the B7 family of co-signaling molecules, is aberrantly expressed in various human cancers and has emerged as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. It exhibits a unique structure and tissue distribution pattern compared to other B7 family members, where its expression is regulated by the complex physiological and tumor microenvironment. HHLA2 plays a crucial but contradictory role in immune modulation and is thereby associated with heterogeneous prognostic implications across different cancer types. It interacts with two distinct receptors: transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain-containing 2 (TMIGD2), which is predominantly expressed on naïve T and natural killer (NK) cells to deliver co-stimulatory signals to T cells and NK cells, and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, three immunoglobulin domains, and long cytoplasmic tail (KIR3DL3), which is prevalent on terminally differentiated T and CD56dim CD16+ NK cells to transmit inhibitory signals. The expression dynamics of these receptors on immune cells contribute to the maintenance of immune response homeostasis. Therapeutic strategies targeting the HHLA2 immune checkpoint aim to selectively inhibit the immunosuppressive HHLA2–KIR3DL3 pathway while preserving the HHLA2–TMIGD2 signaling. Several anti-HHLA2 and anti-KIR3DL3 antibodies are currently under investigation in early clinical trials, building upon encouraging results observed in humanized mouse models. Notably, the nonoverlapping expression of HHLA2 and PD-L1 in tumors suggests potential synergistic benefits of combining HHLA2–KIR3DL3-targeted therapies with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade or anti-CTLA-4 to augment antitumor activity.
A multi-informant qualitative analysis of desired features for an mHealth tool for youth living with HIV in South Carolina
Authors: Miller Sarah J , Weaver Katherine E , Harrison Sayward E
Published: July 2024

Objective

Youth living with HIV (YLHIV) in the southern United States experience poor outcomes across the HIV care continuum and are at high-risk for virologic failure. This study used a qualitative, community-engaged approach to inform the development of a tailored mobile Health (mHealth) tool for YLHIV in South Carolina (SC).

Methods

Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with YLHIV in SC (n = 16) and their HIV care providers (n = 15). Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted with HIV-focused community-based organization staff (n = 23). Interviews and FGDs queried desired components for a future mHealth tool tailored for YLHIV. Data were analyzed using a team-based rapid qualitative approach.

Results

Across informants, key themes emerged related to medical management of HIV, including a desire for connections with medical providers, appointment and medication reminders, and accurate HIV information. In addition, informants voiced a desire for mental health resources to be integrated into the app. Connection with HIV-positive peers also emerged as a key desire from youth informants. In terms of app design, informants emphasized the need for strict privacy practices, a youth-friendly design, compensation for use, and integration with existing healthcare systems.

Conclusions

mHealth interventions developed for YLHIV should meet the mental health and social needs of YLHIV in addition to their medical needs. In addition, the highly stigmatized nature of HIV requires careful consideration when designing digital tools—youth want their privacy prioritized, but also express strong desire for social support to help cope with the isolation and stigma of this chronic health condition.
The Independent Works of Luke: Further Evidence on the Early Christian Reception of Luke and Acts
Authors: Davis Lilly Hannah
Published: July 2024

Literary and rhetorical analysis has led scholars to approach the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts as a two-volume work, often referred to as Luke-Acts. In response to increased attention to Luke-Acts, there is renewed interest in the early reception history of these books. Research has focused primarily on the second century ce and yielded little to support the assumption that early recipients consistently read these books together. This lack of evidence for the unified reading of Luke-Acts, heightened by Acts’ own varied reception, has enlivened the discussion of how one should approach the study of Luke and Acts today. This paper seeks to contribute to the discussion by examining early Christian prologues to Luke’s writings, ranging from the second century to the sixth century ce. The prologues will be examined in light of three questions: (1) How do the prologues describe the author of Luke and Acts? (2) How do they engage with Luke’s own prefaces to the books? (3) How do they frame Luke and Acts in light of other literature? What emerges from these texts is that early readers were aware of a connection between Luke and Acts, but such a connection was overshadowed by other associations.
Bridging Histopathology and Radiomics Toward Prognosis of Metastasis in Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Radulović Marko , Li Xingyu , Djuričić Goran J , Milovanović Jelena , Todorović Raković Nataša , Vujasinović Tijana , Banovac Dušan , Kanjer Ksenija
Published: July 2024

Tumor histomorphology is crucial for the prognostication of breast cancer outcomes because it contains histological, cellular, and molecular tumor heterogeneity related to metastatic potential. To enhance breast cancer prognosis, we aimed to apply radiomics analysis—traditionally used in 3D scans—to 2D histopathology slides. This study tested radiomics analysis in a cohort of 92 breast tumor specimens for outcome prognosis, addressing -omics dimensionality by comparing models with moderate and high feature counts, using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator for feature selection and machine learning for prognostic modeling. In the test folds, models with radiomics features [area under the curves (AUCs) range 0.799–0.823] significantly outperformed the benchmark model, which only included clinicopathological (CP) parameters (AUC = 0.584). The moderate-dimensionality model with 11 CP + 93 radiomics features matched the performance of the highly dimensional models with 1,208 radiomics or 11 CP + 1,208 radiomics features, showing average AUCs of 0.823, 0.799, and 0.807 and accuracies of 79.8, 79.3, and 76.6%, respectively. In conclusion, our application of deep texture radiomics analysis to 2D histopathology showed strong prognostic performance with a moderate-dimensionality model, surpassing a benchmark based on standard CP parameters, indicating that this deep texture histomics approach could potentially become a valuable prognostic tool.
The stability of deep learning for 21cm foreground removal across various sky models and frequency-dependent systematics
Authors: Chen T , Bianco M , Tolley E , Spinelli M , Forero-Sanchez D , Kneib J P
Published: July 2024

Deep learning (DL) has recently been proposed as a novel approach for 21cm foreground removal. Before applying DL to real observations, it is essential to assess its consistency with established methods, its performance across various simulation models, and its robustness against instrumental systematics. This study develops a commonly used U-Net and evaluates its performance for post-reionization foreground removal across three distinct sky simulation models based on pure Gaussian realizations, the Lagrangian perturbation theory, and the Planck sky model. Consistent outcomes across the models are achieved provided that training and testing data align with the same model. On average, the residual foreground in the U-Net reconstructed data is $\sim 10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the signal across angular scales at the considered redshift range. Comparable results are found with traditional approaches. However, blindly using a network trained on one model for data from another model yields inaccurate reconstructions, emphasizing the need for consistent training data. The study then introduces frequency-dependent Gaussian beams and bandpass fluctuations to the test data. The network struggles to denoise data affected by ‘unexpected’ systematics without prior information. However, after re-training consistently with systematics-contaminated data, the network effectively restores its reconstruction accuracy. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating prior knowledge during network training compared with established blind methods. Our work provides critical guidelines for using DL for 21cm foreground removal, tailored to specific data attributes. Notably, it is the first time that DL has been applied to the Planck sky model being most realistic foregrounds at present.
Effects of stratification on overshooting and waves atop the convective core of M⊙ main-sequence stars
Authors: Morison A , Le Saux A , Baraffe I , Morton J , Guillet T , Vlaykov D G , Goffrey T , Pratt J
Published: July 2024

As a massive star evolves along the main sequence, its core contracts, leaving behind a stable stratification in helium. We simulate two-dimensional convection in the core at three different stages of evolution of a $5\,\mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$ star, with three different stratifications in helium atop the core. We study the propagation of internal gravity waves in the stably stratified envelope, along with the overshooting length of convective plumes above the convective boundary. We find that the stratification in helium in evolved stars hinders radial motions and effectively shields the radiative envelope against plume penetration. This prevents convective overshooting from being an efficient mixing process in the radiative envelope. In addition, internal gravity waves are less excited in evolved models compared to the zero-age-main-sequence model, and are also more damped in the stratified region above the core. As a result, the wave power is several orders of magnitude lower in mid- and terminal-main-sequence models compared to zero-age-main-sequence stars.
Systematic Review on the Impact of Salt-Reduction Initiatives by Socioeconomic Position to Address Health Inequalities in Adult Populations
Authors: Contreras Navarro Ana , Gallagher Kerrie , Griffin Sally , Leydon Clarissa L , Perry Ivan J , Harrington Janas M
Published: July 2024

Context

International evidence shows that individuals from low socioeconomic positions (SEPs) consume a greater amount of salt than those from higher SEPs. This health inequality reflects a disproportionate effect of salt-reduction initiatives, and explains a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease among the most vulnerable populations. Assessing this impact can help tailor implementation strategies in the future for the benefit of the whole population.

Objective

The aim was to systematically review the literature and assess the impact of salt-reduction initiatives on health and behavioral outcomes of adults by SEP.

Data Sources

The search strategy was conducted in 6 databases (CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science) using the terms sodium or salt, social class, policy, intervention or campaign. Peer-reviewed articles assessing salt-reduction interventions in adults reporting dietary or behavioral changes on salt consumption measurements by SEP were considered for inclusion. Articles in which salt intake data were not reported by SEP were excluded.

Data Extraction

Two reviewers collected data independently using a predesigned electronic form. The AXIS and RoB 2 tools were used for critical appraisal.

Data Analysis

Eight studies containing data from 111 548 adults were interpreted according to study design following a narrative synthesis approach.

Results

Salt-reduction initiatives are effective at reducing the intake of salt and sodium in adults. When reporting the impact of these initiatives, research outcomes are generally not evaluated by SEP, representing a question yet to be explored.

Conclusion

A small number of articles that focused on the impact of salt-reduction interventions reported salt consumption measurements by SEP, indicating a critical gap in research. The limited evidence suggests potentially greater health benefits to be gained from the implementation of population-wide initiatives in adults of low SEP.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021238055.
Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis Undergoing Amputation: Epidemiology and Prognostic Factors for Treatment Failure
Authors: Baek Yae Jee , Lee Eunjung , Jung Jongtak , Won Sung Hun , An Chi Young , Kang Eun Myeong , Park Se Yoon , Baek Seung Lim , Chun Dong-il , Kim Tae Hyong
Published: July 2024

Background

When treating diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO), it remains difficult to determine the presence of residual infection and the optimal treatment after bone resection. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of and prognostic factors in patients with DFO undergoing amputation.

Methods

This retrospective study involved 101 patients with DFO who underwent amputation. Data on their demographics, clinical characteristics, tissue culture, and surgery type were collected. Patients were grouped according to primary closure status and clinical outcome postamputation. A good outcome was defined as a successful complete remission, characterized by the maintenance of complete wound healing with no sign of infection at 6 months postamputation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Outcomes according to surgery type were also analyzed.

Results

Staphylococcus aureus (17%) and Pseudomonas species (14%) were the most prevalent pathogens. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 62% of patients. In patients with primary closure, hemodialysis and ankle brachial index (ABI) <0.6 were associated with poor outcomes. In patients with DFO, ABI <0.6 was the only prognostic factor associated with treatment failure. Antimicrobial stewardship allows patients who underwent major amputation to reduce the duration of antibiotic therapy compared to those after minor amputation, although it did not contribute to reducing mortality.

Conclusions

Peripheral artery disease and hemodialysis were associated with poor outcomes despite radical resection of the infected bone. Vigilant monitoring after amputation and antimicrobial stewardship implemented based on microbiological epidemiology, prognostic factors, and the type of surgery are important. A multidisciplinary team could assist in these activities to ensure treatment success.
Cardiometabolic Characteristics of Obesity Phenotypes in Persons With HIV
Authors: Swartz Alison Z , Robles Michelle E , Park Seungweon , Esfandiari Helia , Bradshaw Marques , Koethe John R , Silver Heidi J
Published: July 2024

Background

In the general population, it is established that adipose tissue depots pose various risks for cardiometabolic diseases. The interaction among obesity, HIV, and antiretroviral treatment promotes even greater risk for persons with HIV (PWH). As obesity is a heterogeneous condition, determining the specific obesity phenotypes present and their characteristics is critical to personalize care in PWH.

Methods

Visceral, sarcopenic, myosteatotic, hepatosteatotic, and metabolically healthy obesity phenotypes were determined by pre-established cut points after segmentation of computed tomography scans at the L3 vertebra. Multivariable linear regression modeling included anthropometrics, clinical biomarkers, and inflammatory factors while controlling for age, sex, race, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

Of 187 PWH, 86% were male, and the mean ± SD age and BMI were 51.2 ± 12.3 years and 32.6 ± 6.3 kg/m2. Overall, 59% had visceral obesity, 11% sarcopenic obesity, 25% myosteatotic obesity, 9% hepatosteatotic obesity, and 32% metabolically healthy obesity. The strongest predictor of visceral obesity was an elevated triglyceride:high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio. Increased subcutaneous fat, waist circumference, and HDL cholesterol were predictors of sarcopenic obesity. Diabetes status and elevated interleukin 6, waist circumference, and HDL cholesterol predicted myosteatotic obesity. An increased CD4+ count and a decreased visceral:subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio predicted hepatosteatotic obesity, though accounting for only 28% of its variability. Participants with metabolically healthy obesity were on average 10 years younger, had higher HDL, lower triglyceride:HDL ratio, and reduced CD4+ counts.

Conclusions

These findings show that discrete obesity phenotypes are highly prevalent in PWH and convey specific risk factors that measuring BMI alone does not capture. These clinically relevant findings can be used in risk stratification and optimization of personalized treatment regimens. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04451980).
Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in People Living With HIV and Disseminated Histoplasmosis at a Tertiary Hospital in Mexico
Authors: Cruz-Quezada Arlen , Moreno Joaquín , Solís-Bravo Miguel Ángel , López Chávez Claudia Andrea , Santos Tiburcio , Fonseca-Mata Juan José , Araiza Javier , Bonifaz Alexandro
Published: July 2024

Background

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is considered a rare disease with high morbidity and mortality risks. Most research on this disease is conducted in pediatric settings. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and outcomes related to HLH in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS) and disseminated histoplasmosis.

Methods

A retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in México City from January 2018 to December 2022, including people living with HIV who had disseminated histoplasmosis confirmed through direct microbiological or immunological methods with an HScore ≥169 or who met 5 of the 8 HLH-2004 criteria.

Results

HLH occurred in 36.1% (n = 26) of patients with HIV and disseminated histoplasmosis; the majority were men (84.9%), and their mean age (standard deviation) was 30.19 (5.6) years. The most frequent clinical manifestations were hepatomegaly (100%), fever (96.2%), and dyspnea (84.6%). The most common biochemical changes were hyperferritinemia (100%), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (100%), and bicytopenia (61.5%). Partial thromboplastin time (P = .012) and prothrombin time (P = .004) were associated with the 30-day mortality rate, and the 30-day survival rate was 65.4%.

Conclusions

We detected a high frequency of HLH; therefore, we encourage physicians to use diagnostic prediction tools (HLH-2004 and HScore criteria) in each reassessment for timely detection.
Heparin-Binding Protein Stratifies Mortality Risk Among Ugandan Children Hospitalized With Respiratory Distress
Authors: Mishra Hridesh , Balanza Núria , Francis Caroline , Zhong Kathleen , Wright Julie , Conroy Andrea L , Opoka Robert O , Bassat Quique , Namasopo Sophie , Kain Kevin C , Hawkes Michael T
Published: July 2024

Background

Current prognostic tools do not reliably and objectively identify children with pneumonia at risk of a severe or life-threatening episode. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a host immune protein that is released in response to infection. We hypothesized that measuring HBP concentrations at hospital admission could help risk-stratify children with pneumonia and identify those at higher risk of an adverse prognosis.

Methods

We evaluated the prognostic accuracy of HBP for predicting in-hospital mortality among children with respiratory distress, and whether HBP could improve the accuracy of validated composite clinical severity scores.

Results

Of 778 Ugandan children under 5 years of age and presenting with clinically defined pneumonia, 60 (7.7%) died during hospital admission. HBP concentrations at presentation were significantly higher in children with fatal outcomes (median, 76 ng/mL [interquartile range {IQR}, 41–150]) compared to children who survived (median, 31 ng/mL [IQR, 18–57]) (P < .001). Children with HBP >41 ng/mL on admission had an elevated risk of death (hazard ratio, 5.3 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.9–9.5]; P < .0001). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, HBP concentrations distinguished between fatal and nonfatal outcomes (area under the ROC curve, 0.75 [95% CI, .66–.84]) and significantly improved the prediction provided by the Respiratory Index of Severity in Children, a composite clinical severity score (P = .0026).

Conclusions

Measuring HBP at presentation could help identify children at risk of severe and fatal pneumonia. Adding HBP to clinical scores could improve the recognition and triage of children with pneumonia at risk of death.
A disease resistance assay in Nicotiana benthamiana reveals the immune function of Response to HopBA1
Authors: Hasegawa Keiichi , Timmers Ton , Chai Jijie , Maekawa Takaki
Published: July 2024

A receptor protein variant lacking 2′,3′-cAMP/cGMP synthetase activity but retaining NADase activity does not induce cell death but confers resistance to Potato virus X.
Cell wall integrity modulates HOOKLESS1 and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 expression controlling apical hook formation
Authors: Lorrai Riccardo , Erguvan Özer , Raggi Sara , Jonsson Kristoffer , Široká Jitka , Tarkowská Danuše , Novák Ondřej , Griffiths Jayne , Jones Alexander M , Verger Stéphane , Robert Stéphanie , Ferrari Simone
Published: July 2024

Formation of the apical hook in etiolated dicot seedlings results from differential growth in the hypocotyl apex and is tightly controlled by environmental cues and hormones, among which auxin and gibberellins (GAs) play an important role. Cell expansion is tightly regulated by the cell wall, but whether and how feedback from this structure contributes to hook development are still unclear. Here, we show that etiolated seedlings of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) quasimodo2-1 (qua2) mutant, defective in pectin biosynthesis, display severe defects in apical hook formation and maintenance, accompanied by loss of asymmetric auxin maxima and differential cell expansion. Moreover, qua2 seedlings show reduced expression of HOOKLESS1 (HLS1) and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4), which are positive regulators of hook formation. Treatment of wild-type seedlings with the cellulose inhibitor isoxaben (isx) also prevents hook development and represses HLS1 and PIF4 expression. Exogenous GAs, loss of DELLA proteins, or HLS1 overexpression partially restore hook development in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings. Interestingly, increased agar concentration in the medium restores, both in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings, hook formation, asymmetric auxin maxima, and PIF4 and HLS1 expression. Analyses of plants expressing a Förster resonance energy transfer-based GA sensor indicate that isx reduces accumulation of GAs in the apical hook region in a turgor-dependent manner. Lack of the cell wall integrity sensor THESEUS 1, which modulates turgor loss point, restores hook formation in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings. We propose that turgor-dependent signals link changes in cell wall integrity to the PIF4-HLS1 signaling module to control differential cell elongation during hook formation.
Attraction by pairwise coherence explains the emergence of ideological sorting
Authors: Zimmerman Federico , Pedraza Lucía , Navajas Joaquín , Balenzuela Pablo
Published: July 2024

Political polarization has become a growing concern in democratic societies, as it drives tribal alignments and erodes civic deliberation among citizens. Given its prevalence across different countries, previous research has sought to understand under which conditions people tend to endorse extreme opinions. However, in polarized contexts, citizens not only adopt more extreme views but also become correlated across issues that are, a priori, seemingly unrelated. This phenomenon, known as “ideological sorting”, has been receiving greater attention in recent years but the micro-level mechanisms underlying its emergence remain poorly understood. Here, we study the conditions under which a social dynamic system is expected to become ideologically sorted as a function of the mechanisms of interaction between its individuals. To this end, we developed and analyzed a multidimensional agent-based model that incorporates two mechanisms: homophily (where people tend to interact with those holding similar opinions) and pairwise-coherence favoritism (where people tend to interact with ingroups holding politically coherent opinions). We numerically integrated the model's master equations that perfectly describe the system's dynamics and found that ideological sorting only emerges in models that include pairwise-coherence favoritism. We then compared the model's outcomes with empirical data from 24,035 opinions across 67 topics and found that pairwise-coherence favoritism is significantly present in datasets that measure political attitudes but absent across topics not considered related to politics. Overall, this work combines theoretical approaches from system dynamics with model-based analyses of empirical data to uncover a potential mechanism underlying the pervasiveness of ideological sorting.
What is creativity?
Authors: Brainard Lindsay
Published: July 2024

I argue for an account of creativity that unifies creative achievements in the arts, sciences, and other domains and identifies its characteristic value. This account draws upon case studies of creative work in both the arts and sciences to identify creativity as a kind of successful exploration. I argue that if creativity is properly understood in this way, then it is fundamentally a property of processes, something only agents can achieve, something that comes in degrees, subjectively novel, and non-formulaic. As I develop the account, I show how it avoids challenges faced by other accounts of creativity, especially concerning creativity's value. Hills and Bird have together argued that creativity is not necessarily valuable. My account challenges this view. If I am right that creativity is a kind of successful exploration, then creativity does have a characteristic value, specifically epistemic value.
Equitable Grading Practices in Physical Therapist Education: A Case Report
Authors: Richardson Shannon , Dial Monica , Kneiss Janet , Somyoo Nipaporn , Varnado Kimberly
Published: July 2024

Objective

To optimize learning in physical therapist education, learners need opportunities to grow from their unique starting points. Traditional grading practices like A to F grades, zero grades, and grading on timeliness and professionalism hinder content mastery and accurate competency assessment. Grading should focus on mastery of skill and content, using summative assessments for final grades, a no-zero policy, and actionable feedback. Equitable grading supports learners from all backgrounds and identities and promotes academic success. This case study provides guidance and recommendations for implementing equitable grading practices in academic physical therapist programs.

Methods

Over a 2-year period, a doctor of physical therapy program began implementing 5 strategies to create more equitable grading practices: (1) eliminating zero grades, (2) allowing late assignment submissions without penalty, (3) using low-stakes formative assessments throughout the semester, (4) weighing end-of-course assessments more heavily than initial ones, and (5) offering a no-stakes anatomy prep course before matriculation.

Results

Outcomes from implementing equitable grading practices varied. Some learners felt increased stress from fewer points opportunities, while others appreciated the reduced anxiety from low-stakes assessments. Some saw multiple attempts for peers as unfair. Faculty faced higher workloads due to detailed feedback and remediation but believed it benefited learners. Median final grades improved in some courses, remained stable in others, and slightly decreased in one. Overall, the changes had minimal impact on most learners’ grades but significantly improved outcomes and retention for struggling learners.

Conclusion

This case report documents the implementation of equitable grading practices in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, offering valuable insights and recommendations for other institutions aiming to adopt similar practices.

Impact

Inequity in assessment widens the gap between learners entering professional programs. Equitable assessment practices level the playing field, enabling learners from diverse backgrounds and identities to succeed. Increased diversity benefits everyone, especially patients, by reducing health disparities for historically marginalized groups.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Patellar Tendinopathy: A randomized controlled trial correlating clinical outcomes and quantitative imaging
Authors: van der Heijden Rianne A , Stewart Zachary , Moskwa Robert , Liu Fang , Wilson John , Hetzel Scott J , Thelen Darryl , Heiderscheit Bryan , Kijowski Richard , Lee Kenneth
Published: July 2024

Background

Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a common overuse injury in active individuals, often with incomplete recovery. Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment has shown promising results. Traditional qualitative markers are not reliable indicators of treatment response. Advanced quantitative imaging, such as Ultrashort-TE (UTE) MRI and ultrasound (US) shear-wave elastography (SWE) may be valuable adjuncts.

Purpose

To investigate the clinical outcomes and quantitative imaging changes in adults with symptomatic patellar tendinopathy treated with PRP, needle tenotomy (NT) or sham injection (SH).

Materials and Methods

Single-blinded prospective randomized controlled trial from April 2017 until July 2022 with three parallel interventions in athletes with symptomatic PT: PRP, NT and SH. VAS pain, VISA-P function, conventional US, shear wave speed (SWS), UTE T2* relaxation time (T2*single) and T2* fraction of fast-relaxing macromolecular-bound water (FF) were acquired at 0, 16 and 52-weeks. Longitudinal analyses were used to compare intra- and inter-group differences over time. Correlations were assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results

29 subjects (mean age, 26.1±5.3 years; 82.8% men) were randomized. At 52-weeks all groups demonstrated a significant improvement in pain, though most pronounced within the PRP group (ΔVAS=-5.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-7.8, -3.9], p<.001). SWS increased significantly only in the PRP group (Δ+2.3, [0.8, 3.9], p=.003). Change in SWS was moderately correlated with change in pain across all groups (r=-.52, [-.76, -.15], p=.009). FF significantly increased in all groups (Δ=0.10-0.11, p=.024-0.046); a significant decrease in T2*single was only seen in the PRP group (Δ=-8.07, [-14.6, -1.55], p=.014).

Conclusion

Clinical improvement was evident irrespective of treatment but was greatest with PRP. SWS correlated with improvement in pain and may represent an adjunctive measure to assess healing in patellar tendinopathy. Correlative changes in T2* UTE quantitative markers suggest their potential for response assessment, but further research is needed to clarify their clinical applicability.
Shared Genetic Architecture Among Gastrointestinal Diseases, Schizophrenia, and Brain Subcortical Volumes
Authors: Xie Yingying , Zhao Yao , Zhou Yujing , Jiang Yurong , Zhang Yujie , Du Jiaojiao , Cai Mengjing , Fu Jilian , Liu Huaigui
Published: July 2024

Background and Hypothesis

The gut-brain axis plays important roles in both gastrointestinal diseases (GI diseases) and schizophrenia (SCZ). Moreover, both GI diseases and SCZ exhibit notable abnormalities in brain subcortical volumes. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of these diseases and the shared alterations in brain subcortical volumes remain unclear.

Study Design

Using the genome-wide association studies data of SCZ, 14 brain subcortical volumes, and 8 GI diseases, the global polygenic overlap and local genetic correlations were identified, as well as the shared genetic variants among those phenotypes. Furthermore, we conducted multi-trait colocalization analyses to bolster our findings. Functional annotations, cell-type enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses were carried out to reveal the critical etiology and pathology mechanisms.

Study Results

The global polygenic overlap and local genetic correlations informed the close relationships between SCZ and both GI diseases and brain subcortical volumes. Moreover, 84 unique lead-shared variants were identified. The associated genes were linked to vital biological processes within the immune system. Additionally, significant correlations were observed with key immune cells and the PPI analysis identified several histone-associated hub genes. These findings highlighted the pivotal roles played by the immune system for both SCZ and GI diseases, along with the shared alterations in brain subcortical volumes.

Conclusions

These findings revealed the shared genetic architecture contributing to SCZ and GI diseases, as well as their shared alterations in brain subcortical volumes. These insights have substantial implications for the concurrent development of intervention and therapy targets for these diseases.
Late-Season Decline, a Bacterial Disease of Corn Caused by Pantoea ananatis, Identified in Sorghum
Authors: Obasa Ken , Coker Dennis , Santiago-Gonzalez Jose
Published: July 2024

Foliar symptoms resembling those associated with late-season decline (LSD) disease of corn, caused by the bacteria Pantoea ananatis, were observed in commercial fields of sorghum plants in 2023 in the Texas panhandle. Diagnosis of symptomatic tissues consistently recovered bacterial isolates that were subsequently identified, based on partial sequences of their respective 16S rRNA gene, as P. ananatis. The pathogenicity of a representative isolate on sorghum was investigated using the method of Koch's postulates and resulted in the successful reproduction of LSD-like foliar symptoms identical to those described for corn, as well as those observed in affected sorghum fields.