bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between body fat composition and hyperhomocysteinemia in the analysis of the baseline data of the Northwest China Natural Population Cohort: Ningxia Project (CNC‐NX)
Authors: Liu Wanlu , Li Qingqing , Wang Qingan , Ma Shengchao , Yang Xiaoling , Zhang Jiaxing , Qiu Jiangwei , Li Juan , Yang Chan , Li Xiaoxia , Zhang Huiping , Jiang Yideng , Zhang Yuhong , Zhao Yi
Published: May 2023

The authors conducted an observational study to explore the association between body fat composition and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and their combined effect on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Adults aged 18–74 years from the Northwest China Natural Population Cohort: Ningxia Project (CNC‐NX) were recruited in this study. Association between body fat composition and HHcy was evaluated by logistic regression model. Restricted cubic spline was used to find nonlinear association. The impact of the interaction between HHcy and body fat composition on CVD was evaluated using the addition interaction model and mediation effect model. In total, 16 419 participants were included in this research. Body fat percentage, visceral fat level, and abdominal fat thickness were positively associated with overall HHcy (pfor trend < .001). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) in quarter 4 were 1.181 (95% CI: 1.062, 1.313), 1.202 (95% CI: 1.085, 1.332), and 1.168 (95% CI: 1.055, 1.293) for body fat percentage, visceral fat level, and abdominal fat thickness, respectively, compared with those in quarter 1. Subgroup analysis indicated age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and CVD were the interaction factors of body fat percentage, visceral fat level, abdominal fat thickness with HHcy (allpfor interaction < .05). ORs of CVD were higher in participants with HHcy and high body fat. Body fat composition was positively associated with HHcy, indicating that reducing body, abdominal, and visceral fat content may lower the risk of HHcy and CVD.
Cognitive protection of incretin‐based therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis based on clinical studies
Authors: Chai Sanbao , Liu Fengqi , Yu Shuqing , Yang Zhirong , Sun Feng
Published: May 2023

Aims/introduction

Cognitive dysfunction, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia, is increasingly recognized as an important complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aims of the preset study was to investigate the cognitive protection of incretin‐based therapies, including glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science and PsycINFO were searched from the inception through 17 January 2023 for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies on the association between incretin‐based therapies and cognitive function. A total of 15 studies were finally included in our systematic review, and eight of which were incorporated into our meta‐analysis.

Results

Pooled results showed that the Mini‐Mental State Examination score in incretin‐based therapy groups was increased by 1.20 compared with the control group (weighted mean difference 1.20, 95% confidence interval 0.39–2.01). The results of eight studies assessed by the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool, and the quality of the eight studies were at a relatively high level. Egger's regression did not show significant publication bias.

Conclusions

Current evidence shows that incretin‐based therapies might be more effective, when compared with the other hypoglycemic drugs, for cognitive improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Speed of clinical improvement in the real‐world setting from patient‐reported Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs Diary: Secondary outcomes from the Psoriasis Study of Health Outcomes through 12 weeks
Authors: Reich A. , Pinter A. , Maul J.‐T. , Vender R. B. , Torres T. , Brnabic A. , Haustrup N. , Reed C. , Schuster C. , Riedl E.
Published: May 2023

Background

Rapid skin improvement is a key treatment goal of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis (PsO).

Objectives

To compare the speed of clinical improvement of approved biologics on the symptoms and signs of psoriasis assessed by patients using the validated Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs Diary (PSSD) through 12 weeks.

Methods

Psoriasis Study of Health Outcomes (PSoHO) is an international, prospective, non‐interventional study that compares the effectiveness of anti‐interleukin (IL)‐17A biologics versus other biologics, together with pairwise comparisons of ixekizumab versus five individual biologics in patients with PsO. Using the PSSD 7‐day recall period, patients assessed the symptoms (itch, skin tightness, burning, stinging and pain) and signs (dryness, cracking, scaling, shedding/flaking, redness and bleeding) of their psoriasis (0–10). Symptom and sign summary scores (0–100) are derived from the average of individual scores. Percentage change in summary scores and proportion of patients with clinically meaningful improvements (CMI) in PSSD summary and individual scores are evaluated weekly. Longitudinal PSSD data are reported as observed with treatment comparisons analysed using mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM).

Results

Across cohorts and treatments, eligible patients (n = 1654) had comparable baseline PSSD scores. From Week 1, the anti‐IL‐17A cohort achieved significantly larger score improvements in PSSD summary scores and a higher proportion of patients showed CMIs compared to the other biologics cohort through 12 weeks. Lower PSSD scores were associated with a greater proportion of patients reporting their psoriasis as no longer impacting their quality‐of‐life (DLQI 0,1) and a high level of clinical response (PASI100). Results also indicate a relationship between an early CMI in PSSD score at Week 2 and PASI100 score at Week 12.

Conclusions

Treatment with anti‐IL‐17A biologics, particularly ixekizumab, resulted in rapid and sustained patient‐reported improvements in psoriasis symptoms and signs compared with other biologics in a real‐world setting.
In vivo evaluation of skin of children with LC‐OCT: An objective assessment
Authors: del Río‐Sancho S. , Gallay C. , Ventéjou S. , Christen‐Zaech S.
Published: May 2023

Background

Several non‐invasive skin imaging methods have been developed in recent years. Line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC‐OCT) is one of them, leading to the best compromise in terms of resolution and penetration depth. Skin biopsies are an essential technique in paediatric dermatology, but they are a major stressful event for the child and their parents. Current LC‐OCT studies have not been dedicated to a paediatric population. If, however, LC‐OCT proves to be helpful in children, it may help guide and decrease a certain number of skin biopsies.

Objectives

(1) To evaluate the feasibility of using LC‐OCT in paediatric patients, and (2) to assess the maturation of skin structures in children over time with this method.

Methods

In vivo LC‐OCT images were collected on six specific body regions (forehead, forearm, chest, back, dorsum of the hand and palmar surface) and in six age groups (between the ages of 0 and 16 years).

Results

In all body areas and age groups assessed, 9 of 10 images were rated as good‐to‐excellent, the only exception were the images acquired on the palmar surface. LC‐OCT allowed visualizing very well the skin structures up to a penetration of 500 μm. We observed that the body regions located on the upper extremities of the body (forearm, dorsum of the hand and palmar surface) showed both a maturation on their structure and differences in thickness with respect to the other regions evaluated.

Conclusions

LC‐OCT can easily be used for non‐invasive imaging of children's skin and allows to document progressive skin changes in the different age groups. It may be a useful asset for imaging and diagnosing superficial skin disorders and as such reducing the number of invasive procedures while increasing the speed of diagnosis in the paediatric population.
The psoriasis area and severity index is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events: A prospective register study
Authors: Svedbom A. , Ståhle M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Patients treated with systemics for moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no data on the association between clinical disease activity and future cardiovascular events in this population. Such data could help identify patients at increased CVD risk and inform the potential for CVD prevention with effective psoriasis treatment.

Objective

To estimate the association between the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and cardiovascular events defined as hospitalization for CVD and cardiovascular death.

Methods

We linked prospectively collected data on PASI and CVD risk factors to population‐based administrative data on hospitalizations and causes of death. We estimated the association between PASI and cardiovascular events using Cox proportional hazard models with PASI and Framingham 10‐year cardiovascular risk as time‐varying covariates.

Results

A total of 767 patients with 6264 PASI scores were included. After adjusting for 10‐year cardiovascular risk and prior CVD, a one‐point increase in PASI was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.04 (95% CI: 1.01–1.07) for cardiovascular events. The findings were robust in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

PASI is an independent marker for future cardiovascular events in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.
Ciona robusta macrophage migration inhibitory factor (Mif1 and Mif2) genes are differentially regulated in the lipopolysaccharide‐challenged pharynx
Authors: Dumas Francesca , Mauro Manuela , Vazzana Mirella , Arizza Vincenzo , Vizzini Aiti
Published: May 2023

The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on Mif (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) gene expression in the pharynx (haemapoetic tissue) of Ciona robusta were investigated using quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) and in situ hybridisation (ISH). To verify the induction of an inflammatory response in the pharynx, a qRT‐PCR analysis was performed to evaluate the change in the expression of proinflammatory marker genes such as Mbl, Ptx‐like, Tnf‐α and Nf‐kb, which were shown to be upregulated 1 h post LPS challenge. The change in the expression of the two Mif paralogs in the pharynx was assessed before and after stimulation, and qRT‐PCR and ISH results showed that, although Mif2 and Mif2 were expressed in clusters of haemocytes in pharynx vessels, only Mif1 expression increased after LPS stimulation. This indicates that the Mif genes are differently regulated and respond to different ambient inputs that need further analysis.
Deficient anterior pituitary with common variable immune deficiency (DAVID syndrome): a new case and literature reports
Authors: Mac Thi Thom , Castinetti Frederic , Bar Céline , Julia Sophie , Pasquet Marlene , Romanet Pauline , Saveanu Alexandru , Mougel Gregory , Fauquier Teddy , Jullien Nicolas , Barlier Anne , Reynaud Rachel , Brue Thierry
Published: May 2023

Deficient anterior pituitary with common variable immune deficiency (DAVID) syndrome is a rare condition characterized by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency and primary hypogammaglobulinemia. It is due to heterozygous mutations of the nuclear factor kappa‐B subunit 2 (NFKB2) gene. Only a few isolated cases have been reported since its first description by our team. Through the international multicenter GENHYPOPIT network, we identified a new case of DAVID syndrome. We then conducted an extensive review of the DAVID syndrome cases published from 2012 to 2022. A 7‐year‐old boy was diagnosed with symptomatic hypoglycemia revealing ACTH deficiency. Laboratory tests showed asymptomatic hypogammaglobulinemia. He harbored a heterozygous point mutation in NFKB2 gene (c.2600C > T, p.Ala867Val). His management included hydrocortisone replacement treatment, and he also received subcutaneous immunoglobulins during the Covid‐19 pandemic. We analyzed 28 cases of DAVID syndrome with ACTH deficiency. ACTH deficiency was the only hormone deficiency in 79% of patients, but some patients harbored growth hormone (GH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiencies. The first presenting symptoms were sinus/pulmonary infections (82%, mean age of 3 years) and alopecia (mean age of 4.7 years). ACTH deficiency was the third presenting condition (mean age at diagnosis of 8.6 years). All patients had hypogammaglobulinemia (decreased IgA and IgM levels), and 57% of patients had at least one autoimmune manifestation. Heterozygous mutations at the 3′end of the NFKB2 gene, coding for the C‐terminal domain of the protein, were identified in all cases. Better knowledge of DAVID syndrome will help clinicians make an early diagnosis to avoid life‐threatening complications.
Impaired cerebral autoregulation in Fabry disease: A case‐control study
Authors: Palaiodimou Lina , Papagiannopoulou Georgia , Bakola Eleni , Papadopoulou Marianna , Kokotis Panagiotis , Moschovos Christos , Vrettou Agathi‐Rosa , Kapsia Eleni , Petras Dimitrios , Anastasakis Aris , Lionaki Sophia , Vlachopoulos Charalambos , Boletis Ioannis N. , Zompola Christina , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: May 2023

Background and Purpose

Cerebral small vessel disease is a common manifestation among patients with Fabry disease (FD). As a biomarker of cerebral small vessel disease, the prevalence of impaired cerebral autoregulation as assessed by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography was evaluated in FD patients and healthy controls.

Methods

TCD was performed to assess pulsatility index (PI) and vasomotor reactivity expressed by breath‐holding index (BHI) for the middle cerebral arteries of included FD patients and healthy controls. Prevalence of increased PI (>1.2) and decreased BHI (<0.69) and ultrasound indices of cerebral autoregulation were compared in FD patients and controls. The potential association of ultrasound indices of impaired cerebral autoregulation with white matter lesions and leukoencephalopathy on brain MRI in FD patients was also evaluated.

Results

Demographics and vascular risk factors were similar in 23 FD patients (43% women, mean age: 51 ± 13 years) and 46 healthy controls (43% women, mean age: 51 ± 13 years). The prevalence of increased PI (39%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 20%‐61%), decreased BHI (39%; 95% CI: 20%‐61%), and the combination of increased PI and/or decreased BHI (61%; 95% CI: 39%‐80%) was significantly (p < .001) higher in FD patients compared to healthy controls (2% [95% CI: 0.1%‐12%], 2% [95% CI: 0.1%‐12%], and 4% [95% CI: 0.1%‐15%], respectively). However, indices of abnormal cerebral autoregulation were not associated independently with white matter hyperintensities and presented a low‐to‐moderate predictive ability for the discrimination of FD patients with and without white matter hyperintensities.

Conclusions

Impaired cerebral autoregulation as assessed by TCD appears to be highly more prevalent among FD patients compared to healthy controls.
Preoperative slow‐wave sleep is associated with postoperative delirium after heart valve surgery: A prospective pilot study
Authors: Lin Yanjuan , Xu Shurong , Peng Yanchun , Li Sailan , Huang Xizhen , Chen Liangwan
Published: May 2023

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a very common neurological complication after valve surgery. Some studies have shown that preoperative sleep disorder is associated with POD, but the correlation between preoperative slow wave sleep (SWS) and POD remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to identify the correlation between preoperative slow wave sleep and postoperative delirium in patients with heart valve disease. This was a prospective, observational study of elective valve surgery patients admitted to the Heart Medical Center between November 2021 and July 2022. Polysomnography (PSG) was used to monitor sleep architecture from 9:30 p.m. for 1 night before surgery to 6:30 a.m. on the day of surgery. Patients were assessed for postoperative delirium from postoperative day 1 to extubation or day 5 by using the Richmond Agitation/Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM‐ICU). A total of 60 elective valve surgery patients were enrolled in this study. Prolonged N1 (11.44%) and N2 (58.62%) sleep, decreased N3 sleep (8.75%) and REM sleep (18.24%) within normal limits were the overall sleep architecture. Compared with patients without POD, patients with POD had less slow wave sleep 1 night before surgery (5.77% vs 10.88%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, slow wave sleep (OR: 0.647, 95% CI 0.493–0.851, p = 0.002) was found to be a protective factor for postoperative delirium. The preoperative SWS is a predictive factor of the POD in patients undergoing valve surgery. But further studies with larger sample sizes are still needed to elucidate the relationship between preoperative slow wave sleep and postoperative delirium.
Durkheim and realism
Authors: Meadwell Hudson
Published: May 2023

This article examines Durkheim's relationship to realism. I argue that there is enough prima facie evidence of realist commitments in his work that our task should be to consider what kind of realist Durkheim was. I discuss, first of all, Durkheim's epistemics and follow that analysis with a discussion of metaphysical realism in his texts. The first part of the paper covers a wide range of his work; the second part focuses primarily on The Elementary Forms of Religious Life. In a final concluding section, I go on to consider how his epistemic arguments and his philosophical realism might work together to support important parts of his general sociology. Realism is not often brought to bear on Durkheim's work. When it has been, Durkheim has been identified as a naïve realist. These interpretations of Durkheim do not recognize the sophistication of contemporary realism, which does not reduce to naïve representationalism. This paper will sort out Durkheim's realist commitments in his texts, and in light of the variety of realisms consistent with “sophisticated” (that is, non‐naïve) realism.
Evaluation of an HMGA2 variant contribution to height and basal insulin concentrations in ponies
Authors: Clark Brianna L. , Bamford Nicholas J. , Stewart Allison J. , McCue Molly E. , Rendahl Aaron , Bailey Simon R. , Bertin François‐René , Norton Elaine M.
Published: May 2023

Background

The HMGA2:c.83G>A variant was identified in Welsh ponies having pleiotropic effects on height and insulin concentration.

Objective

Determine whether the HMGA2:c.83G>A variant is associated with decreased height and higher basal insulin concentrations across pony breeds.

Animals

Two hundred thirty‐six ponies across 6 breeds.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Ponies were genotyped for the HMGA2:c.83G>A variant and phenotyped for height and basal insulin concentrations. Stepwise regression was performed for model analysis using a linear regression model for height and mixed linear model for insulin with farm as a random effect. Coefficient of determination, pairwise comparison of the estimated marginal means and partial correlation coefficients (parcor) were calculated to assess the relationship between HMGA2 genotype and height or insulin.

Results

Breed and genotype accounted for 90.5% of the variation in height across breeds, and genotype explained 21% to 44% of the variation within breeds. Breed, genotype, cresty neck score, sex, age, and farm accounted for 45.5% of the variation in insulin, with genotype accounting for 7.1%. The HMGA2 A allele frequency was 62% and correlated with both height (parcor = −0.39; P < .001) and insulin (parcor = 0.22; P = .02). Pairwise comparisons found A/A ponies were >10 cm shorter than other genotypes. Compared with G/G individuals, A/A and G/A individuals had 4.3 μIU/mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8‐10.5) and 2.7 μIU/mL (95% CI: 1.4‐5.3) higher basal insulin concentrations, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

These data demonstrate the pleiotropic effects of the HMGA2:c.83G>A variant and its role in identifying ponies at increased risk for insulin dysregulation.
Education and domestic violence: Evidence from a natural experiment in Turkey
Authors: Özer Mustafa , Fidrmuc Jan , Eryurt Mehmet Ali
Published: May 2023

We utilize a natural experiment, an education reform increasing compulsory schooling from 5 to 8 years in Turkey, to obtain endogeneity‐robust estimates of the effect of male education on the incidence of domestic violence against women. We find that husband's education lowers the probability of physical, emotional, and economic violence. Schooling lowers also the likelihood of having an arranged marriage and makes men less inclined to engage in various socially unacceptable behaviors. We show that these findings are very robust to alternative regression specifications and restricted sample estimation. Finally, we argue that assortative mating implies that the educational outcomes of the two spouses are correlated. Our findings are robust to accounting for the husbands' and wives' education jointly. Moreover, when we separate the two effects, we show that the favorable effect of education can be attributed causally to men's education rather than to the education of their wives.
The interaction between the lemon ribosomal protein ClRPS9‐2 and citrus yellow vein clearing virus coat protein affects viral infection and gene silencing suppressor activity
Authors: Zeng Ting , Liao Ping , Zheng Cairong , Gao Haixing , Ye Xiao , Zhou Changyong , Zhou Yan
Published: May 2023

Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) is an emerging virus that causes serious economic damage to the lemon industry worldwide. The coat protein (CP) of CYVCV is a strong RNA silencing suppressor and is associated with the severity of symptoms in citrus, yet the interaction between CP and host factors remains unknown. In this study, the 40S ribosomal subunit protein S9‐2 (ClRPS9‐2) was identified as a CP‐binding partner using the yeast two‐hybrid system from a lemon (cv. Eureka) cDNA library, and the interaction between CP and ClRPS9‐2 was demonstrated by in vivo methods. The results suggest that the N‐terminal 8–108 amino acid sequence of ClRPS9‐2 is crucial for its interaction with CP and may be associated with the nuclear localization of ClRPS9‐2. The accumulation and silencing suppressor activity of CP were reduced by transient expression of ClRPS9‐2 in Nicotiana benthamiana. Reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR analysis showed that the content of CYVCV in ClRPS9‐2 transgenic Eureka lemon plants was approximately 50% of that in CYVCV‐infected wild‐type plants 1 month after inoculation, and mild yellowing and vein clearing symptoms were observed in the transgenic plants. These findings demonstrate that ClRPS9‐2 plays a role in host defensive reactions, and the enhanced resistance of transgenic plants to CYVCV may be associated with the up‐regulation of salicylic acid‐related and R genes.
Quality of life in women with chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis: A sub‐analysis of the prospective multicentre phase IIb/III Prof‐001 study
Authors: Lietz Andrea , Eckel Fanny , Kiss Herbert , Noe‐Letschnig Marion , Farr Alex
Published: May 2023

Background

Chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC), defined as three or more episodes of vulvovaginal candidosis per year, significantly impairs quality of life (QoL) and sexual health.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to assess health‐related QoL in women with RVVC using validated questionnaires before and after treatment. The secondary objective was to analyse the effect of RVVC on women's sexual health.

Patients/Methods

This was a sub‐analysis of a randomised, controlled, double‐blinded study titled ‘A phase IIb/III, parallel‐arm, randomized, active‐controlled, double‐blind, double‐dummy, multicenter, non‐inferiority study in patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis to compare the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of topically administered ProF‐001 (Candiplus®) to oral fluconazole, which was conducted at 35 study sites in Austria, Poland and Slovakia. QoL was assessed using the European Quality of Life (EQ) five‐dimension five‐level scale (EQ‐5D‐5L) and visual analogue scale (EQ‐VAS) questionnaires, followed by specific questions regarding sexuality.

Results

From 2019 to 2021, 360 of 432 (83.3%) women with RVVC had accomplished a 6‐months maintenance treatment and were enrolled in this sub‐analysis. The EQ‐5D‐5L and EQ‐VAS scores demonstrated improved QoL in 137 (65.2%) and 159 (75.4%) women after 6 months of maintenance treatment. Each individual aspect of sexual health significantly improved (all p < .05). A reduction in pain frequency during or after sexual intercourse in the 6‐month period occurred in 124 (66.3%) women.

Conclusions

Women with RVVC had high QoL and sexual health impairment; however, a 6‐months maintenance treatment resulted in effective improvement in QoL and sexual health.
Carotid artery stenting or carotid endarterectomy for residual significant stenosis after thrombectomy in acute tandem occlusion stroke?
Authors: Cappellari Manuel , Zivelonghi Cecilia , Micheletti Nicola , Mezzetto Luca , Augelli Raffaelle
Published: May 2023

A 82‐year‐old male presented with right‐sided hemiplegia and aphasia. CT‐scan showed hyperdensity of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). CT‐angiography revealed occlusion of the left MCA and intra‐cranial internal carotid artery (ICA) in combination with occlusion of the left extra‐cranial ICA. Complete recanalization of intra‐cranial vessels was obtained after thrombectomy within 6 h from symptom onset, but residual significant extra‐cranial stenosis remained. Non‐contrast CT‐scan after thrombectomy revealed large hyperdensities secondary to contrast extravasation in the left MCA territory. Residual extra‐cranial ICA stenosis was not treated with emergent stenting. At 24 h, NIHSS score was 0, but follow‐up CT‐scan showed an ischemic lesion with spontaneous hemorrhagic transformation. A single antiplatelet treatment was reintroduced after 24 h and carotid endarterectomy was done without complications after 2 weeks.
Granular cell tumor of the neurohypophysis presenting as a third ventricle mass
Authors: Lopez Gianluca , Pescia Carlo , Galli Carlo , Bramerio Manuela , Tosoni Antonella , Nebuloni Manuela , Ferrara Mariarosa , Bertani Giulio , Caschera Luca , Triulzi Fabio Maria , Locatelli Marco , Tabano Silvia , Croci Giorgio Alberto
Published: May 2023

Granular cell tumors of the neurohypophysis (GCT) are rare benign neoplasms belonging, along with pituicytoma and spindle cell oncocytoma, to the family of TTF1‐positive low‐grade neoplasms of the posterior pituitary gland. GCT usually present as a solid sellar mass, slowly growing and causing compressive symptoms over time, occasionally with suprasellar extension. They comprise polygonal monomorphous cells with abundant granular cytoplasm, which is ultrastructurally filled with lysosomes. Here we report the case of a GCT presenting as a third ventricle mass, radiologically mimicking chordoid glioma, with aberrant expression of GFAP and Annexin‐A, which lends itself as an example of an integrated diagnostic approach to sellar/suprasellar and third ventricle masses.
Expression of symptoms elicited by a hammerhead viroid through RNA silencing is related to population bottlenecks in the infected host
Authors: Serra Pedro , Navarro Beatriz , Forment Javier , Gisel Andreas , Gago‐Zachert Selma , Di Serio Francesco , Flores Ricardo
Published: May 2023

Chlorosis is frequently incited by viroids, small nonprotein‐coding, circular RNAs replicating in nuclei (family Pospiviroidae) or chloroplasts (family Avsunviroidae). Here, we investigated how chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid (CChMVd, Avsunviroidae) colonizes, evolves and initiates disease.

Progeny variants of natural and mutated CChMVd sequence variants inoculated in chrysanthemum plants were characterized, and plant responses were assessed by molecular assays.

We showed that: chlorotic mottle induced by CChMVd reflects the spatial distribution and evolutionary behaviour in the infected host of pathogenic (containing a UUUC tetranucleotide) and nonpathogenic (lacking such a pathogenic determinant) variants; and RNA silencing is involved in the initiation of the chlorosis in symptomatic leaf sectors through a viroid‐derived small RNA containing the pathogenic determinant that directs AGO1‐mediated cleavage of the mRNA encoding the chloroplastic transketolase.

This study provides the first evidence that colonization of leaf tissues by CChMVd is characterized by segregating variant populations differing in pathogenicity and with the ability to colonize leaf sectors (bottlenecks) and exclude other variants (superinfection exclusion). Importantly, no specific pathogenic viroid variants were found in the chlorotic spots caused by chrysanthemum stunt viroid (Pospiviroidae), thus establishing a clear distinction on how members of the two viroid families trigger chlorosis in the same host.
Components explain, but do eddy fluxes constrain? Carbon budget of a nitrogen‐fertilized boreal Scots pine forest
Authors: Marshall John D. , Tarvainen Lasse , Zhao Peng , Lim Hyungwoo , Wallin Göran , Näsholm Torgny , Lundmark Tomas , Linder Sune , Peichl Matthias
Published: May 2023

Nitrogen (N) fertilization increases biomass and soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation in boreal pine forests, but the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. At two Scots pine sites, one undergoing annual N fertilization and the other a reference, we sought to explain these responses.

We measured component fluxes, including biomass production, SOC accumulation, and respiration, and summed them into carbon budgets. We compared the resulting summations to ecosystem fluxes measured by eddy covariance.

N fertilization increased most component fluxes (P < 0.05), especially SOC accumulation (20×). Only fine‐root, mycorrhiza, and exudate production decreased, by 237 (SD = 28) g C m−2 yr−1. Stemwood production increases were ascribed to this partitioning shift, gross primary production (GPP), and carbon‐use efficiency, in that order. The methods agreed in their estimates of GPP in both stands (P > 0.05), but the components detected an increase in net ecosystem production (NEP) (190 (54) g C m−2 yr−1; P < 0.01) that eddy covariance did not (19 (62) g C m−2 yr−1; ns).

The pairing of plots, the simplicity of the sites, and the strength of response provide a compelling description of N effects on the C budget. However, the disagreement between methods calls for further paired tests of N fertilization effects in simple forest ecosystems.
Peat loss collocates with a threshold in plant–mycorrhizal associations in drained peatlands encroached by trees
Authors: Defrenne Camille E. , Moore Jessica A. M. , Tucker Colin L. , Lamit Louis J. , Kane Evan S. , Kolka Randall K. , Chimner Rodney A. , Keller Jason K. , Lilleskov Erik A.
Published: May 2023

Drainage‐induced encroachment by trees may have major effects on the carbon balance of northern peatlands, and responses of microbial communities are likely to play a central mechanistic role.

We profiled the soil fungal community and estimated its genetic potential for the decay of lignin and phenolics (class II peroxidase potential) along peatland drainage gradients stretching from interior locations (undrained, open) to ditched locations (drained, forested).

Mycorrhizal fungi dominated the community across the gradients. When moving towards ditches, the dominant type of mycorrhizal association abruptly shifted from ericoid mycorrhiza to ectomycorrhiza at c. 120 m from the ditches. This distance corresponded with increased peat loss, from which more than half may be attributed to oxidation. The ectomycorrhizal genus Cortinarius dominated at the drained end of the gradients and its relatively higher genetic potential to produce class II peroxidases (together with Mycena) was positively associated with peat humification and negatively with carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio.

Our study is consistent with a plant–soil feedback mechanism, driven by a shift in the mycorrhizal type of vegetation, that potentially mediates changes in aerobic decomposition during postdrainage succession. Such feedback may have long‐term legacy effects upon postdrainage restoration efforts and implication for tree encroachment onto carbon‐rich soils globally.
Psychological impediments are at the core of theIsraeli–Palestinianconflict
Authors: Ben‐Meir Alon
Published: May 2023

The most puzzling aspect of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is that, after 73 years of mutual violence, enmity, and suffering, it remains unresolved even when coexistence is inevitable and a two‐state solution remains the only viable option, in the context of a confederation between Israel, a future Palestinian state, and Jordan. Although there are many contentious issues that must be specifically addressed and resolved before a final agreement can be implemented, especially the dispute over the land, it is the psychological dimension of the conflict which directly impacts every conflicting issue and makes it increasingly intractable. To mitigate the conflict, we must first look into the elements that inform the psychological dimension—psychological resistance, historical experience and perception, entrenched ideologies, mutual delegitimization, and religious conviction—and how to alleviate them as prerequisites to finding a solution.

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Characterization and fitness of Fusarium graminearum mutants resistant to fluazinam
Authors: Shi Dongya , Li Xin , Cao Yingying , Li Qiankun , Wang Jin , Zhang Zhihui , Mbadianya Jane Ifunanya , Chen Changjun
Published: May 2023

Fusarium head blight (FHB), predominately caused by ascomycete Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto, is a devastating fungal disease of cereal crops worldwide. In this study, baseline sensitivity of F. graminearum s. str. to fluazinam was established using 100 isolates that were collected from Anhui and Jiangsu provinces of China in 2009 and 2018. The EC50 values of fluazinam on mycelial growth inhibition ranged from 0.0211 to 0.1097 μg/mL and the mean EC50 was 0.0601 ± 0.0191 μg/mL, which indicated that fluazinam had a strong inhibitory effect on mycelial growth of F. graminearum s. str. To acquire fluazinam‐resistant (FluR) mutants, one wild‐type strain (PH‐1, with assembled genome) and another four fluazinam‐sensitive (FluS) isolates randomly selected from the above‐mentioned population were domesticated with fluazinam or mutagenized by ultraviolet light in vitro. As a result, 45 FluR mutants were obtained with resistance frequencies of 0.68% (domestication) and 8 in 10−8 (mutagenesis), respectively. Of the 45 FluR mutants, 11 were selected to determine the biological fitness. Based on data of radial mycelial growth, asexual and sexual reproduction, response to environmental stresses, pathogenicity and deoxynivalenol production, all the tested mutants suffered from a fitness penalty. Additionally, slightly positive cross‐resistance was observed between the combination of fluazinam and tebuconazole, pyraclostrobin, or pydiflumetofen, but not phenamacril or carbendazim. Therefore, a low‐to‐moderate risk of development of F. graminearum s. str. resistant to fluazinam was suggested, indicating that fluazinam could be a good alternative fungicide against the FHB in the field.
Climate change before the European and Inter‐American Courts of Human Rights: Comparing possible avenues before human rights bodies
Authors: Rocha Armando , Sampaio Rômulo
Published: May 2023

In the light of an increasing trend of climate change‐related litigation before human rights bodies, this article assesses and compares the possible outcomes of cases submitted before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Inter‐American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR). First, it assesses what rights can be used in a climate change‐related case. Second, it analyses the collective causation arguments that may be raised. Third, it assesses the conditions of victimhood hand‐in‐hand with the causal link between greenhouse gas emissions and the harm suffered. Third, it considers States' jurisdiction under human rights treaties to assess if climate change‐related obligations are also extraterritorial. Finally, it assesses the possible ruling of these courts in climate change‐related cases. Our main finding is that it is likely that the ECtHR and the IACtHR will follow a similar reasoning and that it is possible that both courts will end up declaring a human rights violation related to States' failure to adopt adaptation policies (and, to a lesser extent, mitigation policies also). However, it may be more difficult to set out what remedies are owed to the applicants.
Postgraduate dental resident education: A pilot in age‐friendly “mentation” training
Authors: Arany Szilvia , Eliav Eli , Medina‐Walpole Annette , Caprio Thomas V.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Postdoctoral dental education in caring for older adults lacks didactic and clinical training in mentation topics, one of the core elements of the Age‐Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) framework. Our primary goal was to launch a pilot project in clinical geriatrics focusing on older adults' mentation concerns, with a secondary goal to improve dental residents' confidence and competence in dental care and oral health.

Background

Age‐friendly care elements are not routinely incorporated into the dental education of residents caring for older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia. Therefore, we implemented a pilot educational project, providing the missing educational opportunity for residents in geriatric training covering cognitive impairment and focusing on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Materials and Methods

We designed educational sessions through a needs assessment, focus group discussions, and expert validation. We developed three e‐Learning modules covering mentation concerns and dementia screening. We tested the modules in a pilot study of 15 dental postdoctoral residents as an essential part of their clinical practice.

Results

The dementia dental learning module increased the residents' satisfaction with didactic preparedness (4.45 0.97) and knowledge acquisition (4.36 0.84). Residents strongly believed that learning about the AFHS‐mentation topic would improve patient care.

Conclusion

Our pilot study is a pioneer project in support of a new AFHS‐themed dental curriculum for clinical education. Further expansion of the age‐friendly principles to include mobility, medications, and what matters to older adults will establish a model framework of redesigned geriatric dental education for academic centers.
Mobilization of a diatom mutator‐like element (MULE) transposon inactivates the uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) locus in Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Abbriano Raffaela M. , George Jestin , Kahlke Tim , Commault Audrey S. , Fabris Michele
Published: May 2023

Diatoms are photosynthetic unicellular microalgae that drive global ecological phenomena in the biosphere and are emerging as sustainable feedstock for an increasing number of industrial applications. Diatoms exhibit enormous taxonomic and genetic diversity, which often results in peculiar biochemical and biological traits. Transposable elements (TEs) represent a substantial portion of diatom genomes and have been hypothesized to exert a relevant role in enriching genetic diversity and making a core contribution to genome evolution. Here, through long‐read whole‐genome sequencing, we identified a mutator‐like element (MULE) in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and we report the direct observation of its mobilization within the course of a single laboratory experiment. Under selective conditions, this TE inactivated the uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) gene of P. tricornutum, one of the few endogenous genetic loci currently targeted for selectable auxotrophy for functional genetics and genome‐editing applications. We report the observation of a recently mobilized transposon in diatoms with unique features. These include the combined presence of a MULE transposase with zinc‐finger SWIM‐type domains and a diatom‐specific E3 ubiquitin ligase of the zinc‐finger UBR type, which are suggestive of a mobilization mechanism. Our findings provide new elements for the understanding of the role of TEs in diatom genome evolution and in the enrichment of intraspecific genetic variability.
Antioxidant 1 copper chaperone gene expression and copper levels in dog osteosarcoma patients
Authors: Rivera Pedro L. , Li William T. , Bhogal Sumail , Mandell Jonathan B. , Belayneh Rebekah , Hankins Margaret L. , Payne John T. , Watters Rebecca J. , Weiss Kurt R.
Published: May 2023

Twenty‐four dogs with OS underwent limb amputation. Serum, OS tumour, and normal bone were harvested at time of surgery. RNA was extracted and gene expression was performed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Tissue and blood copper concentrations were also determined with spectrophotometry. Compared to bone, tumour samples had significantly higher expressions of antioxidant 1 copper chaperone (ATOX1,p = .0003). OS tumour copper levels were significantly higher than that of serum (p < .010) and bone (p = .038). Similar to our previous observations in mouse and human OS, dog OS demonstrates overexpression of genes that regulate copper metabolism (ATOX1), and subsequent copper levels. Dogs with OS may provide a robust comparative oncology platform for the further study of these factors, as well as potential pharmacologic interventions.
Genetic knockout of porcine GGTA1 or CMAH/GGTA1 is associated with the emergence of neo‐glycans
Authors: Morticelli Lucrezia , Rossdam Charlotte , Cajic Samanta , Böthig Dietmar , Magdei Mikhail , Tuladhar Sugat Ratna , Petersen Björn , Fischer Konrad , Rapp Erdmann , Korossis Sotirios , Haverich Axel , Schnieke Angelika , Niemann Heiner , Buettner Falk F. R. , Hilfiker Andres
Published: May 2023

Background

Pig‐derived tissues could overcome the shortage of human donor organs in transplantation. However, the glycans with terminal α‐Gal and Neu5Gc, which are synthesized by enzymes, encoded by the genes GGTA1 and CMAH, are known to play a major role in immunogenicity of porcine tissue, ultimately leading to xenograft rejection.

Methods

The N‐glycome and glycosphingolipidome of native and decellularized porcine pericardia from wildtype (WT), GGTA1‐KO and GGTA1/CMAH‐KO pigs were analyzed by multiplexed capillary gel electrophoresis coupled to laser‐induced fluorescence detection.

Results

We identified biantennary and core‐fucosylated N‐glycans terminating with immunogenic α‐Gal‐ and α‐Gal‐/Neu5Gc‐epitopes on pericardium of WT pigs that were absent in GGTA1 and GGTA1/CMAH‐KO pigs, respectively. Levels of N‐glycans terminating with galactose bound in β(1‐4)‐linkage to N‐acetylglucosamine and their derivatives elongated by Neu5Ac were increased in both KO groups. N‐glycans capped with Neu5Gc were increased in GGTA1‐KO pigs compared to WT, but were not detected in GGTA1/CMAH‐KO pigs. Similarly, the ganglioside Neu5Gc‐GM3 was found in WT and GGTA1‐KO but not in GGTA1/CMAH‐KO pigs. The applied detergent based decellularization efficiently removed GSL glycans.

Conclusion

Genetic deletion of GGTA1 or GGTA1/CMAH removes specific epitopes providing a more human‐like glycosylation pattern, but at the same time changes distribution and levels of other porcine glycans that are potentially immunogenic.
Bridging Two Continents: Using Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) to Explore Healthcare Services
Authors: Gray Marzell I. , Pike James , Nyashanu Mathew
Published: May 2023

Intercultural competence is becoming necessary in all structures of life as our diversity grows and globalization continues to grow. Even in the field of business intercultural learning is equally vital domestically and internationally (Bennett, J. M. 2008). Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a methodology in teaching and learning that continues to grow in use and can aid in filling this intercultural gap. The methodological COIL approach aids to building cultural competency and partnerships in the higher education community. Throughout this collaborative manuscript between three instructors at two universities, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in the United Kingdom and University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) in the United States, discussions will be around the pedagogy of carrying out a COIL module and how COIL was completed in the Fall semester of 2021. Over the course of four weeks, NTU and UMD students worked together to complete key learning objectives of healthcare systems, alternative care, and COVID-19 response in the United Kingdom and the United States. NTU and UMD used technology such as Google My Maps, video recording presentations, and interview questions to further the learning around the key objectives. NTU and UMD each had separate final projects and grading rubrics for final grading and evaluation. Pre-and post-assessment data was collected to better understand student learning outcomes including, cultural learning and cross-cultural ambivalence within the COIL unit. The assessments also provided an overview of future considerations for the collaboration between future instructors in the COIL unit based on student feedback.