bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erenumab versus topiramate: migraine‐related disability, impact and health‐related quality of life
Authors: Reuter Uwe , Heinze Axel , Gendolla Astrid , Sieder Christian , Hentschke Christian
Published: August 2024

Background and purpose

HER‐MES was the first head‐to‐head study of erenumab against topiramate (standard of care). This post hoc analysis of the HER‐MES study evaluated the effect of erenumab versus topiramate on patient‐reported outcomes at week 24.

Methods

Adult patients with episodic or chronic migraine (n = 777) were randomized (1:1) to monthly subcutaneous erenumab (n = 389) or daily oral topiramate (n = 388). Migraine‐related disability, as measured by the Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT‐6) and Short Form 36 Health Survey version 2 (SF‐36v2), was analysed in the entire study cohort and true completers.

Results

In the erenumab group (vs. topiramate), significant improvements were reported in Headache Impact Test 6 total scores (composite populations, −10.88 vs. −7.72; true completers, −11.92 vs. −10.61) and a higher proportion of patients achieved a ≥5‐point reduction from baseline with erenumab (composite populations, 72.2% vs. 53.9%; true completers, 79.64% vs. 71.43%). The adjusted mean change from baseline in the SF‐36v2 score was greater with erenumab for both physical component summary (composite population, 5.48 vs. 3.63; true completers, 5.95 vs. 5.23) and mental component summary (composite populations, 1.00 vs. −1.18; true completers, 1.74 vs. −0.33). A higher proportion of patients on erenumab versus topiramate had a ≥5‐point improvement in SF‐36v2 for the physical component summary (composite populations, 47.7% vs. 37.4%; true completers, 52.1% vs. 48.9%) and mental component summary (composite populations, 25.3% vs. 16.8%; true completers, 27.3% vs. 17.7%).

Conclusions

This post hoc analysis demonstrated that patients treated with erenumab had significant improvements in headache impact and quality of life as measured by patient‐reported outcomes versus patients treated with topiramate.
A nationwide Guillain–Barré syndrome epidemiological study in Spain during the COVID‐19 years
Authors: Blanco‐Ruiz Marina , Martín‐Aguilar Lorena , Caballero‐Ávila Marta , Lleixà Cinta , Pascual‐Goñi Elba , Collet‐Vidiella Roger , Tejada‐Illa Clara , Turon‐Sans Janina , Carbayo Álvaro , Llansó Laura , Cortés Elena , Amaya Pascasio Laura , Querol Luis
Published: August 2024

Background and purpose

The purpose was to perform a nationwide epidemiological study of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) in Spain, analysing background incidences and seasonal variation and trying to identify incidence changes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) years.

Methods

This was an observational study collecting all GBS diagnoses from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network collected by the Ministry of Health. Patients discharged with GBS as the main diagnosis and admitted during 2018–2021 were included. Data on the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections were obtained from the National Epidemiology Centre.

Results

In total, 3147 cases were included, 832 in 2018, 861 in 2019, 670 in 2020 and 784 in 2021. Nationwide hospital incidence was 1.78 in 2018, 1.71 in 2019, 1.41 in 2020 and 1.66 in 2021, with an increased frequency in males, the elderly population and in the winter season. Eleven per cent of GBS patients needed ventilatory support. GBS and SARS‐CoV‐2 incidences did not correlate with one another (r = −0.29, p = 0.36). GBS incidence decreased during 2020 and during the COVID‐19 lockdown period in comparison to the same months of 2018–2019.

Conclusions

The incidence of GBS in Spain is similar to that of other countries. Despite prior reports describing a significant increase in COVID‐19‐associated GBS in Spain, a significant drop of GBS incidence during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic was detected, probably due to prevention measures.
Sulfuric acid‐induced skin neoplasms in immunocompetent mice
Authors: Chgari Oumaima , Marnissi Farida , Moukhfi Fatimazahra , Ndayambaje Martin , Wahnou Hicham , Limami Youness , Karkouri Mehdi , Oudghiri Mounia
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the carcinogenic potential of chronic dermal exposure (16 weeks) to sulfuric acid (SA) in immunocompetent mice. Clinical assessments, histopathological analyses, immunohistochemical analyses and biochemical assays were conducted to evaluate skin irritation, oxidative stress biomarkers and the potential carcinogenic effect of SA. Results indicated that prolonged exposure to SA leads to various alterations in skin structure, notably inflammation, preneoplastic and neoplastic proliferation in hair follicles, as well as hyperkeratosis and acanthosis, resulting in an increased epidermal thickness of 98.50 ± 21.6 μm. Immunohistochemistry analysis further corroborates these observations, showcasing elevated nuclear expression of p53 and Ki‐67, with a significant mitotic index of (57.5% ± 2.5%). Moreover, biochemical analyses demonstrate that SA induces lipid peroxidation in the skin, evidenced by a high level of Malondialdehyde and a consequential reduction in catalase activity. These findings suggest that prolonged exposure to SA can induce skin neoplasms, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in environments where SA is frequently used. This study underscores the potential occupational health risks associated with SA exposure.
Metaheuristic tuned decentralized PID controller based active suspension system for railway vehicle
Authors: Nitish  , Singh Amit Kumar
Published: August 2024

A high‐speed railway system is one of the sustainable alternatives to other modes of transportation and may connect the most congested urban cities with minimum carbon emissions. However, the vibration intensity increases as the train's operating speed increases, resulting in deteriorated ride comfort and stability. Hence, this article investigates a 27‐degree‐of‐freedom (DOF) dynamic model of railway vehicles with an improved active suspension system. The decentralized control structure performs the controlling action with five optimized Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers that suppress the vehicle body's vertical, lateral, pitch, roll, and yaw motions. Further, to optimize the PID parameters, three metaheuristic optimization techniques, Genetic algorithm (GA), Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), and Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA), are utilized, and their simulated results are compared with the passive system as well as other conventional tuning technique. Moreover, the performance of the proposed control strategy is evaluated in the frequency domain under random track irregularities, and the results are characterized in terms of power spectral densities (PSDs). The simulated results show that among the proposed metaheuristic algorithms, FPA outperforms with a significant reduction in vehicle vibration compared to other tuning methods. The percentage reduction of the vertical, lateral, pitch, rolls, and yaw accelerations is 71.4%, 35.1%, 52.8%, 48.1%, and 38.2%, respectively, ensuring enhanced vehicle ride comfort.
Dynamical modelling of lipid droplet formation suggests a key function of membrane phospholipids
Authors: Holzhütter Hermann‐Georg
Published: August 2024

Cells store triacylglycerol (TAG) within lipid droplets (LDs). A dynamic model describing complete LD formation at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane does not yet exist. A biochemical‐biophysical model of LD synthesis is proposed. It describes the time‐dependent accumulation of TAG in the ER membrane as the formation of a potential LD (pLD) bounded by spherical caps of the inner and outer monolayers of the membrane. The expansion rate of the pLD depends on the TAG supply, the elastic properties of the ER membrane, and the recruitment of phospholipids (PLs) to the cap‐covering monolayers. Model simulations provided the following insights: (a) Marginal differences in the surface tension of the cap monolayers are sufficient to fully drive the expansion of the pLD towards the cytosol or lumen. (b) Selective reduction of PL supply to the luminal monolayer ensures stable formation of cytosolic LDs, irrespective of variations in the elasto‐mechanical properties of the ER membrane. (c) The rate of TAG supply to the cytosolic monolayer has a major effect on the size and maturation time of LDs but has no significant effect on the TAG export per individual LD. The recruitment of additional PLs to the cap monolayers of pLDs critically controls the budding direction, size, and maturation time of LDs. The ability of cells to acquire additional LD initiation sites appears to be key to coping with acutely high levels of potentially toxic free fatty acids.
On comparison of fracture energy measured for six hot mix asphalt composite mixtures using force–load line displacement and force–crack mouth opening displacement curves at intermediate temperatures and different loading rates
Authors: Fattahi Amirdehi H. R. , Ghoreishi S. M. N. , Aliha M. R. M. , Hesami Saeid , Jafari Haghighatpour Pegah , Choupani Naghdali
Published: August 2024

There are two methods for determining the fracture energy (Gf) of hot mix asphalt (HMA) composites at intermediate temperatures: (i) load–crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) and (ii) load–load line displacement (LLD) curves. The effects of these two methods on the Gf values of different HMA mixtures are investigated at different loading rates and temperatures. A large number of semicircular bend (SCB) specimens were tested under mode I at different temperatures of 5°C, 15°C, and 25°C and loading rates of 1, 5, 10, and 50 mm/min. The three‐dimensional (3D) fracture energy surface plots obtained from the tests revealed that both temperature and loading rate have noticeable effects on the fracture energy, such that Gf values generally increased by increasing the loading rate and reducing the temperature. Also, the Gf values measured by the LLD method were higher than those by the CMOD method for lower temperatures and lower loading rates (i.e., below 10 mm/min). For the higher loading rates, the Gf values determined by the CMOD method were higher than those by the LLD method. Furthermore, the HMA type had meaningful influences on the variations of Gf at different temperatures and loading rates.
‘If It Was Easy Somebody Would Have Fixed It’: An Exploration of Loneliness and Social Isolation Amongst People Who Frequently Call Ambulance Services
Authors: Moseley Lisa , Scott Jason , Fidler Gayle , Agarwal Gina , Clarke Cathy , Hammond‐Williams Jonathan , Ingram Carrie , McDonnell Aidan , Collins Tracy
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The aim of the study was to explore social isolation and loneliness in those who frequently contacted the ambulance service, what factors contributed to this and how unmet needs could be addressed.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews with staff from the ambulance service and service users who were identified as frequently contacting the ambulance service. Service users also completed the UCLA loneliness scale and personal community maps. Data were analysed thematically before triangulation with the UCLA loneliness scale and personal community maps.

Results

The final analysis was drawn from 15 staff and seven service user participants. The relationship between social isolation and loneliness and contacting the ambulance service was a contributing, but not the driving, factor in contacting the ambulance service. For service users, we identified three key themes: (1) impact on activities of daily living and loneliness and/or isolation as a result of a health condition; (2) accessing appropriate health and social care services to meet needs; (3) the link between social isolation and/or loneliness and contact with the ambulance service. The analysis of staff data also highlighted three key themes: (1) social isolation and/or loneliness in their role; (2) access to other appropriate health and social care services; (3) the impact of austerity and Covid‐19 on social isolation and/or loneliness.

Conclusions

Our research emphasises the complex nature of social isolation and loneliness, including the cyclic nature of poor health and social isolation and loneliness, and how this contributes to contact with the ambulance service.

Patient or Public Contribution

The advisory group for the study was supported by a public and patient representative who contributed to the design of the study documentation, data analysis and authorship.
Conservation implications of a genomic‐based taxonomy for threatened allopatric Agriades butterflies
Authors: Lam Nok Ting , Ivanov Vladislav , Dapporto Leonardo , Vila Roger , Mutanen Marko , Dincă Vlad
Published: August 2024

A good knowledge of the evolutionary history of organisms and an accurate taxonomic framework are keys for efficient biodiversity conservation measures. This is particularly relevant for European butterflies, which are often used as bioindicator organisms and umbrella species for conservation.

The Holarctic butterfly genus Agriades includes seven European arctic‐alpine species of which several have a debated taxonomic status. They are localized and allopatric, and at least two of them are of high conservation concern, namely A. aquilo (in Europe, restricted to northern Scandinavia) and A. zullichi (endemic to southern Spain). Despite high conservation value and taxonomic uncertainty, molecular studies on these taxa are limited to DNA barcodes.

We investigated the evolutionary history and species delimitation of West Palearctic Agriades using double‐digest RAD sequencing (ddRADseq).

Various analyses using genomic data suggested the presence of one species in the glandon species group and one or two in the pyrenaicus species group. The differentiation within the former group (i.e., glandon, aquilo, zullichi) appears to be relatively recent, although the main allopatric populations represent evolutionary significant units (ESUs). Notable geographic structure was found within the pyrenaicus species group, with four allopatric ESUs detected.

Wolbachia screening highlighted the presence of several allele combinations, some associated with particular Agriades populations.

Genomic data revealed the evolutionary trajectory of European Agriades and a tendency for taxonomic oversplitting within this genus. These findings aid conservation by providing genetic background for region or population prioritization (including ESUs), and for the management of potential population reinforcement or reintroductions.
Mindfulness therapy for patients with coronary heart disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Weina , Liao Xiaoqin , Geng Dandan , Yang Jiechao , Chen Hu , Hu Shuqin , Dai Mengqiao
Published: August 2024

Aim

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease with high mortality rates worldwide. Patients with CHD often experience adverse psychological stress related to the disease's diagnosis, treatment and recovery phases. This stress can hurt sleep quality and overall quality of life. Mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) have been studied as a psychotherapeutic approach to alleviating the psychological stress associated with CHD. This study aimed to determine the effectives of MBIs for health outcomes in patients with CHD.

Methods

A total of eight English‐language databases were searched, and eight relevant studies were included in the analysis. The included studies were assessed for literature quality, and data were extracted and analysed using Review Manager 5.3.

Results

A total of eight studies involving 802 participants were included in the analysis. Compared to control groups, MBIs significantly reduced anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and systolic blood pressure. However, there was no significant effect on diastolic blood pressure, quality of life or body mass index. One study reported that MBIs significantly improved sleep quality in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention but had no significant effect on body mass index.

Conclusion

MBIs had significant effects on anxiety and depression in patients with CHD, reduced perceived stress and were associated with reductions in systolic blood pressure and improvements in sleep quality. However, they did not significantly affect diastolic blood pressure, quality of life or body mass index.
Content validation study on the Advanced Practice Role Delineation Tool
Authors: Jokiniemi Krista , Ackerman Michael , Hako Laura , Pietilä Anna‐Maija
Published: August 2024

Background

Role understanding and practice standards become extremely important in countries that are developing and assessing nursing and advanced practice nursing (APN) roles.

Aim

To describe the process and findings of a content validation study conducted on the Advanced Practice Role Delineation (APRD) tool in a Finnish context.

Design

A tool content validation study.

Method

Between September and October 2019, three rounds of surveys (n = 9, n = 8, n = 5) were conducted to assess the content validity of the APRD tool. Furthermore, a thorough literature review was conducted in December 2020 to examine how the tool has been used and validated between January 2000 and December 2020.

Results

A 45‐item amendment of the APRD tool was created. The Scale Content Validity Index Average of 0.97 reflects excellent content validity. A literature review of 15 studies revealed that the tool has been used by many researchers, yet there is limited research on its content and construct.

Conclusion

The steps taken in this study were effective and may be replicated in other countries. Further studies are needed to validate the content and structure of the developed 45‐item modification of the APRD tool.
Preparing for a Day that May Never Come: Venturing in Limbo
Authors: Fathallah Ramzi , Williams Trenton Alma , McMullen Jeffery S.
Published: August 2024

The new venture creation process is a central phenomenon in entrepreneurship research. Typically, scholarship has sought to identify common, linear stages of development in this process in pursuit of a sustained, growing venture. In contrast to this theory, this study reveals dynamic, non‐linear venturing processes that allowed for venture persistence despite failing to ‘progress’ toward traditional outcomes. We generate these insights from qualitative data on Syrian refugee entrepreneurs seeking to create and sustain ventures in Lebanon while living in a state of limbo – a precarious situation where the future is unknown and unknowable. We organize our findings in a model of venturing in limbo, which explains why and how entrepreneurs persist in venture creation practices despite experiencing repeated and significant setbacks that return them ‘to square one’. We reveal dynamic venture creation processes that allow for adaptive responses to erratic environmental shifts by producing entrepreneurial readiness, which consists of behavioural, cognitive, and psychological/emotional capabilities. Entrepreneurial readiness enables persistence of venturing efforts in the face of chronic precarity. Our study contributes to theory on new venture creation in entrepreneurship and organizational liminality.
Testing covariance separability for continuous functional data
Authors: Dette Holger , Dierickx Gauthier , Kutta Tim
Published: August 2024

Analyzing the covariance structure of data is a fundamental task of statistics. While this task is simple for low‐dimensional observations, it becomes challenging for more intricate objects, such as multi‐variate functions. Here, the covariance can be so complex that just saving a non‐parametric estimate is impractical and structural assumptions are necessary to tame the model. One popular assumption for space‐time data is separability of the covariance into purely spatial and temporal factors. In this article, we present a new test for separability in the context of dependent functional time series. While most of the related work studies functional data in a Hilbert space of square integrable functions, we model the observations as objects in the space of continuous functions equipped with the supremum norm. We argue that this (mathematically challenging) setup enhances interpretability for users and is more in line with practical preprocessing. Our test statistic measures the maximal deviation between the estimated covariance kernel and a separable approximation. Critical values are obtained by a non‐standard multiplier bootstrap for dependent data. We prove the statistical validity of our approach and demonstrate its practicability in a simulation study and a data example.
MiRNome Profiling of Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis D Undergoing Pegylated Interferon Alpha Treatment
Authors: Caviglia Gian Paolo , Casalone Elisabetta , Olivero Antonella , Birolo Giovanni , Ciancio Alessia , Matullo Giuseppe , Rizzetto Mario
Published: August 2024

Micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the modulation of viral replication and host immune antiviral response. Using next‐generation sequencing, we investigated the miRNome profile of circulating extracellular vesicles in 20 patients with chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection undergoing pegylated interferon alpha (Peg‐IFNα) treatment. Circulating miRNAs' expression was analysed according to virologic response (i.e., HDV RNA clearance maintained at least 6 months after the end of therapy). Overall, 8 patients (40%) achieved a virologic response to Peg‐IFNα treatment. At baseline, 14 miRNAs were differentially expressed between responders and non‐responders; after 6 months of Peg‐IFNα treatment, 7 miRNAs (miR‐155‐5p, miR‐1246, miR‐423‐3p, miR‐760, miR‐744‐5p, miR‐1307‐3p and miR‐146a‐5p) were consistently de‐regulated. Among de‐regulated miRNAs, miR‐155‐5p showed an inverse correlation with HDV RNA (at baseline: rs = −0.39, p = 0.092; at 6 months: rs = −0.53, p = 0.016) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (at baseline: rs = −0.49, p = 0.028; at 6 months: rs−0.71, p < 0.001). At logistic regression analysis, both miR‐155‐5p (at baseline: OR = 4.52, p = 0.022; at 6 months: OR = 5.30, p = 0.029) and HDV RNA (at baseline: OR = 0.19, p = 0.022; at 6 months: OR = 0.38, p = 0.018) resulted significantly associated to virologic response. Considering that Peg‐IFNα still has a relevant role in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis D infection, the assessment of EV miR‐155‐5p may represent an additional valuable tool for the management of HDV patients undergoing Peg‐IFNα treatment.
Heat‐stress memory enhances the acclimation of a migratory insect pest to global warming
Authors: Quan Peng‐Qi , Guo Pan‐Long , He Jing , Liu Xiang‐Dong
Published: August 2024

In the face of rising global temperatures, the mechanisms behind an organism's ability to acclimate to heat stress remain enigmatic. The rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, traditionally viewed as temperature‐sensitive, paradoxically exhibits robust larval acclimation to heat stress. This study used the heat‐acclimated strain HA39, developed through multigenerational exposure to 39°C during the larval stage, and the unacclimated strain HA27 reared at 27°C to unravel the transgenerational effects of heat acclimation and its regulatory mechanisms. Heat acclimation for larvae incurred a fitness cost in pupae when exposed to high temperature, yet a significant transgenerational effect surfaced, revealing heightened fitness benefit in pupae from HA39, even without additional heat exposure during larval recovery at 27°C. This transgenerational effect exhibited a short‐term memory, diminishing after two recovery generations. Moreover, the effect correlated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and expression levels of oxidoreductase genes, representing physiological and molecular foundations of heat acclimation. Heat‐acclimated larvae displayed elevated DNA methylation levels, while pupae from HA39, in recovery generations, exhibited decreased methylation indicated by the upregulation of a demethylase gene and downregulation of two methyltransferase genes at high temperatures. In summary, heat acclimation induces DNA methylation, orchestrating heat‐stress memory and influencing the expression levels of oxidoreductase genes and SOD activity. Heat‐stress memory enhances the acclimation of the migratory insect pest to global warming.
The practical turn in philosophy: A revival of the ancient art of living through modern philosophical practice
Authors: Ding Xiaojun , Harteloh Peter , Pan Tianqun , Yu Feng
Published: August 2024

Philosophical practice, an art of living rooted in ancient traditions, is enriched by modern techniques such as individual counseling, Socratic group dialogues, and organizational consulting. Philosophical counseling, a key aspect of this practice, employs traditional philosophical frameworks and rational reasoning to address clients' concerns, distinguishing itself from psychotherapy while respecting individual autonomy. The growing Western interest in Asian philosophies also underscores a shared pursuit of wisdom, spirituality, and meaning. This paper examines the development, key features, and leading proponents of philosophical practice, its relationship with academic philosophy, and the tensions between their differing aims and methods. The outlook for philosophical counseling is promising, offering an alternative to medical approaches for existential issues and expanding its scope to personal guidance, conflict resolution, and life‐skill development. Its future trajectory hinges on societal trends toward secularization, the de‐medicalization of mental health, and the increasing recognition of philosophy's intrinsic practical value.
Carer Perspectives About the Acceptability and Usability of the TRANSITION Tool to Support Preparation for Older Adult Care Transitions: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Allen Jacqueline , Lobchuk Michelle , Livingston Patricia M. , Roberts Gail , Hutchinson Alison M.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Transitional care of older adults can be highly stressful for informal carers (carers) particularly when they are not involved in preparation and planning with health practitioners. This study aimed to ascertain carer perspectives about the potential acceptability and usability of a tool entitled the TRANSITION tool to support preparation and planning for the transition of an older adult from hospital to home.

Design

Exploratory qualitative.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken between March 2020 and October 2021. A focus group was conducted in July 2022 to seek additional information and support data saturation. A total of 23 participants took part. Data were thematically analysed.

Findings

Participants explained their perspectives about the tool in four themes: (1) the TRANSITION tool has value, but health practitioners ask the questions; (2) the TRANSITION tool would be useful and acceptable, but not for all carers; (3) interacting with health practitioners is a barrier to using the tool and to communication; and (4) recognising us as part of the care team.

Conclusions

While the tool was found to have potential value and utility, it would only be expected to support carers when they are valued and respected by health practitioners. Leadership is required in healthcare organisations to support genuine care for older adults and their carers, and to enable health practitioners to have time for transitional care communication.

Implications for Practice

The findings from the study suggest that the TRANSITION tool could support carers by prompting them about important areas of care to include in communication with health practitioners during discharge preparation.
How to extend pilot innovation in public services: A case of children's social care innovation
Authors: Currie Graeme , Lynch Amy , Swan Jacky , Alderson Hayley , Friel Seana , Harrop Carrie , Johnson Rebecca , Kerridge Gary , Smart Deborah , McGovern Ruth , Munro Emily
Published: August 2024

There is considerable investment by government policymakers in supporting pilot innovation in public services, following which pilots prove difficult to sustain. Our 4‐year longitudinal study of three pilot innovations in England, which seek to support the transition of care leavers into adulthood, provides insight into how such pilots can be sustained. Conceiving innovation as a journey, our study first identifies the dynamics of innovation around five key ingredients: the role of senior managers in cultivating a receptive context for innovation, distributed leadership, user co‐production, measurement of outcomes, and innovation adaption. Second, our study highlights some ingredients are more important as implementation of innovation is initiated and may fade in importance as the innovation journey proceeds. Third, our study shows innovation ingredients are shaped by organizational contingencies of performance and financial pressures. Finally, we suggest a need for a contextualized implementation science framework to examine innovation in social care.
Gossypium arboreumPPD2 facilitates root architecture development to increase plant resilience to salt stress
Authors: Xu Xiao , Wen Tianyang , Ren Aiping , Li Dongliang , Dawood Muhammad , Wu Jiahe , Zhao Ge
Published: August 2024

The jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway plays an important role in plant responses to abiotic stresses. The PEAPOD (PPD) and jasmonate ZIM‐domain (JAZ) protein in the JA signaling pathway belong to the same family, but their functions in regulating plant defense against salt stress remain to be elucidated. Here, Gossypium arboreum PPD2 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and systematically silenced in cotton for exploring its function in regulating plant defense to salt stress. The GaPPD2‐overexpressed Arabidopsis thaliana plants significantly increased the tolerance to salt stress compared to the wild type in both medium and soil, while the GaPPD2‐silenced cotton plants showed higher sensitivity to salt stress than the control in pots. The antioxidant activities experiment showed that GaPPD2 may mitigate the accumulation of reactive oxygen species by promoting superoxide dismutase accumulation, consequently improving plant resilience to salt stress. Through the exogenous application of MeJA (methy jasmonate) and the protein degradation inhibitor MG132, it was found that GaPPD2 functions in plant defense against salt stress and is involved in the JA signaling pathway. The RNA‐seq analysis of GaPPD2‐overexpressed A. thaliana plants and receptor materials showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in antioxidant activity, peroxidase activity, and plant hormone signaling pathways. qRT‐PCR results demonstrated that GaPPD2 might positively regulate plant defense by inhibiting GH3.2/3.10/3.12 expression and activating JAZ7/8 expression. The findings highlight the potential of GaPPD2 as a JA signaling component gene for improving the cotton plant resistance to salt stress and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying plant responses to environmental stresses.
Effects of home‐based telerehabilitation‐assisted inspiratory muscle training in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Aktan Rıdvan , Tertemiz Kemal Can , Yiğit Salih , Özalevli Sevgi , Ozgen Alpaydin Aylin , Uçan Eyüp Sabri
Published: August 2024

Background and Objective

There are few studies that have used inspiratory muscle training (IMT) as an intervention for patients with isolated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to investigate and interpret the effects of home‐based telerehabilitation‐assisted IMT in patients with IPF.

Methods

Twenty‐eight participants with IPF took part in the study. Lung function tests, functional exercise capacity by 6‐min walk distance (6MWD), dyspnoea perception by modified medical research council dyspnoea scale (mMRC), and inspiratory muscle strength by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) were assessed. IMT was performed twice a day, 7 days/week, for 8 weeks. The intervention group (n = 14) performed IMT at 50% of their baseline MIP while the control group (n = 14) performed IMT without applied resistance. Loading intensity was progressed by keeping the load at 4–6 on a modified Borg scale for the highest tolerable perceived respiratory effort for each patient.

Results

Dyspnoea based on mMRC score (p < 0.001, η2 effect size = 0.48) significantly decreased within the intervention group compared with the control group. There were significant increases in the intervention group compared to the control group based on 6MWD (p < 0.001, η2 effect size = 0.43), MIP (p = 0.006, η2 effect size = 0.25) and MIP % predicted (p = 0.008, η2 effect size = 0.25).

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that an 8‐week home‐based telerehabilitation‐assisted IMT intervention produced improvements in inspiratory muscle strength, leading to improvements in functional exercise capacity and dyspnoea.
Gender and corruption in firms: The importance of regional context
Authors: Bastos João Pedro , Bologna Pavlik Jamie
Published: August 2024

The idea that there are gendered differences in corruption in the political arena is common. Two explanations for these differences include risk aversion and network effects. However, business leaders include a self‐selected group of individuals that are comparatively risk‐tolerant and well‐connected. Using firm‐level data for 144 countries from 2006 to 2019, we test whether female‐run businesses engage in corruption differently than men. In the aggregate, we find a potentially puzzling result: female‐managed firms are engaged in less corruption and report it being less of an obstacle compared to their male counterparts; female‐owned firms are just the opposite. Once we disaggregate the data into region specific estimates, a clearer pattern emerges. Corruption is more harmful for female‐run firms in the areas of the world that have more gender inequality overall.
“He is changing, but I'm changing too”: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of spouse caregivers' identity in the context of dementia
Authors: Westrelin Nicolas , Denève Catherine , Gérain Pierre , Zech Emmanuelle
Published: August 2024

Objective

This study explores the process through which informal caregivers, particularly spouses, construct their identity within the context of caregiving for individuals with dementia. Despite extensive research in psychology aimed at defining caregiving (e.g. tasks, consequences), few informal caregivers identify themselves as such. For instance, the affective bond shared between caregivers and care‐recipients often imbues caregiving responsibilities with a sense of “naturalness,” especially if the care‐recipient is a spouse.

Methods

To investigate the nature of caregiver identity construction, eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted with spouse caregivers of dementia patients. The collected data underwent interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Results

Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Perceiving changes in my partner, which involves recognising alterations in the care‐receiver's characteristics due to dementia; (2) Processing changes, encompassing the experience of grieving losses and reminiscing about the past; and (3) Perceiving changes in myself, referring to the acknowledgement of personal changes due to caregiving.

Conclusion

The study emphasises the dynamic and ongoing nature of caregiver identity construction, which begins with the early recognition of changes in the care‐receiver. Interestingly, spouse caregivers oscillate between their identity as a spouse and caregiver, influenced by how they process changes undergone by their partner. Contrasting with previous theories on caregivers' identity, our results focus of caregivers' perceptions rather than their relationship with the care‐recipient or caregiving tasks.
Calcium‐dependent HLA‐DQ epitope revealed by EDTA mediated inhibition of antibody reactions in the Luminex single antigen bead assay
Authors: de Marco Renato , Noronha Isaú H. , Bottino Luiza Zainotti Miguel Fahur , dos Silva Alan Andrew Santos , Liwski Robert , Gerbase‐DeLima Maria
Published: August 2024

Complement mediated interference with the detection of antibodies targeting HLA is a known limitation of the single antigen bead (SAB) Luminex assay. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is currently the serum treatment of choice in most histocompatibility laboratories to block complement activation by chelating calcium. The purpose of this study was to investigate a serum with an antibody reactivity to HLA‐DQ6, 7, 8 and 9 molecules, in the Luminex SAB assay, that was inhibited by treatment with EDTA. Serum was from a 55‐year‐old highly sensitised female renal transplant candidate that contained, among others, antibodies to an epitope containing the 74EL eplet, shared by HLA‐DQ6, DQ7, DQ8 and DQ9 molecules. Serum samples were treated with EDTA, dithiothreitol (DTT), or heat prior to testing by SAB assay. EDTA‐treated serum was also tested after the addition of calcium chloride (CaCl2). HLA‐DQ‐specific antibodies were isolated by adsorption/elution method using three informative donor cells and were tested in the absence or presence of EDTA. The antibody reactivity against HLA‐DQ6, DQ7, DQ8 and DQ9 in the SAB assay was significantly inhibited by treating serum and eluates with EDTA and was restored by addition of CaCl2. The study represents the first description of a calcium‐dependent epitope in HLA molecules. The relevance of this finding is that the treatment of sera with EDTA could lead to false‐negative reactions in the SAB assay, which may compromise virtual crossmatching.
MICB*002:06, a novel exonic variant of MICB (MHC class I chain‐related gene B)
Authors: Quan Zhan‐Rou , Zou Hong‐Yan , Liu Jie , Yang Bing‐Na , Song Jia‐Min
Published: August 2024

MICB*002:06 differs from MICB*002:01:01 by one nucleotide change at nucleotide 33 in exon 1 from C to T.
Anaerobic bacteria in chronic wounds: Roles in disease, infection and treatment failure
Authors: Coluccio Alison , Lopez Palomera Francia , Spero Melanie A.
Published: August 2024

Infection is among the most common factors that impede wound healing, yet standard treatments routinely fail to resolve chronic wound infections. The chronic wound environment is largely hypoxic/anoxic, and wounds are predominantly colonised by facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria. Oxygen (O2) limitation is an underappreciated driver of microbiota composition and behaviour in chronic wounds. In this perspective article, we examine how anaerobic bacteria and their distinct physiologies support persistent, antibiotic‐recalcitrant infections. We describe the anaerobic energy metabolisms bacteria rely on for long‐term survival in the wound environment, and why many antibiotics become less effective under hypoxic conditions. We also discuss obligate anaerobes, which are among the most prevalent taxa to colonise chronic wounds, yet their potential roles in influencing the microbial community and wound healing have been overlooked. All of the most common obligate anaerobes found in chronic wounds are opportunistic pathogens. We consider how these organisms persist in the wound environment and interface with host physiology to hinder wound healing processes or promote chronic inflammation. Finally, we apply our understanding of anaerobic physiologies to evaluate current treatment practices and to propose new strategies for treating chronic wound infections.
Impact of interference on vocal and instrument recognition
Authors: Bürgel Michel , Siedenburg Kai
Published: August 2024

Voices arguably occupy a superior role in auditory processing. Specifically, studies have reported that singing voices are processed faster and more accurately and possess greater salience in musical scenes compared to instrumental sounds. However, the underlying acoustic features of this superiority and the generality of these effects remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of frequency micro-modulations (FMM) and the influence of interfering sounds on sound recognition. Thirty young participants, half with musical training, engage in three sound recognition experiments featuring short vocal and instrumental sounds in a go/no-go task. Accuracy and reaction times are measured for sounds from recorded samples and excerpts of popular music. Each sound is presented in separate versions with and without FMM, in isolation or accompanied by a piano. Recognition varies across sound categories, but no general vocal superiority emerges and no effects of FMM. When presented together with interfering sounds, all sounds exhibit degradation in recognition. However, whereas /a/ sounds stand out by showing a distinct robustness to interference (i.e., less degradation of recognition), /u/ sounds lack this robustness. Acoustical analysis implies that recognition differences can be explained by spectral similarities. Together, these results challenge the notion of general vocal superiority in auditory perception.
Asymmetric triangular body-cover model of the vocal folds with bilateral intrinsic muscle activation
Authors: Parra Jesús A. , Calvache Carlos , Alzamendi Gabriel A. , Ibarra Emiro J. , Soláque Leonardo , Peterson Sean D. , Zañartu Matías
Published: August 2024

Many voice disorders are linked to imbalanced muscle activity and known to exhibit asymmetric vocal fold vibration. However, the relation between imbalanced muscle activation and asymmetric vocal fold vibration is not well understood. This study introduces an asymmetric triangular body-cover model of the vocal folds, controlled by the activation of bilateral intrinsic laryngeal muscles, to investigate the effects of muscle imbalance on vocal fold oscillation. Various scenarios were considered, encompassing imbalance in individual muscles and muscle pairs, as well as accounting for asymmetry in lumped element parameters. Measurements of amplitude and phase asymmetries were employed to match the oscillatory behavior of two pathological cases: unilateral paralysis and muscle tension dysphonia. The resulting simulations exhibit muscle imbalance consistent with expectations in the composition of these voice disorders, yielding asymmetries exceeding 30% for paralysis and below 5% for dysphonia. This underscores the relevance of muscle imbalance in representing phonatory scenarios and its potential for characterizing asymmetry in vocal fold vibration.
ARGONAUT-III and -V: susceptibility of carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to the bicyclic boronate β-lactamase inhibitor taniborbactam combined with cefepime
Authors: Jacobs Michael R. , Abdelhamed Ayman M. , Good Caryn E. , Mack Andrew R. , Bethel Christopher R. , Marshall Steven , Hujer Andrea M. , Hujer Kristine M. , Patel Robin , van Duin David , Fowler Vance G. , Rhoads Daniel D. , Six David A. , Moeck Greg , Uehara Tsuyoshi , Papp-Wallace Krisztina M. , Bonomo Robert A.
Published: August 2024

Taniborbactam, a bicyclic boronate β-lactamase inhibitor with activity against
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC), Verona integron–encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), OXA-48, and AmpC β-lactamases, is under clinical development in combination with cefepime. Susceptibility of 200 previously characterized carbapenem-resistant
K. pneumoniae
and 197 multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
to cefepime-taniborbactam and comparators was determined by broth microdilution. For
K. pneumoniae
(192 KPC; 7 OXA-48-related), MIC
90
values of β-lactam components for cefepime-taniborbactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, and meropenem-vaborbactam were 2, 2, and 1 mg/L, respectively. For cefepime-taniborbactam, 100% and 99.5% of isolates of
K. pneumoniae
were inhibited at ≤16 mg/L and ≤8 mg/L, respectively, while 98.0% and 95.5% of isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam and meropenem-vaborbactam, respectively. For
P. aeruginosa
, MIC
90
values of β-lactam components of cefepime-taniborbactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, and meropenem-vaborbactam were 16, >8, >8, and >4 mg/L, respectively. Of 89 carbapenem-susceptible isolates, 100% were susceptible to ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, and cefepime-taniborbactam at ≤8 mg/L. Of 73 carbapenem-intermediate/resistant
P. aeruginosa
isolates without carbapenemases, 87.7% were susceptible to ceftolozane-tazobactam, 79.5% to ceftazidime-avibactam, and 95.9% and 83.6% to cefepime-taniborbactam at ≤16 mg/L and ≤8 mg/L, respectively. Cefepime-taniborbactam at ≤16 mg/L and ≤8 mg/L, respectively, was active against 73.3% and 46.7% of 15 VIM- and 60.0% and 35.0% of 20 KPC-producing
P. aeruginosa
isolates. Of all 108 carbapenem-intermediate/resistant
P. aeruginosa
isolates, cefepime-taniborbactam was active against 86.1% and 69.4% at ≤16 mg/L and ≤8 mg/L, respectively, compared to 59.3% for ceftolozane-tazobactam and 63.0% for ceftazidime-avibactam. Cefepime-taniborbactam had
in vitro
activity comparable to ceftazidime-avibactam and greater than meropenem-vaborbactam against carbapenem-resistant
K. pneumoniae
and carbapenem-intermediate/resistant MDR
P. aeruginosa
.
Plasmid-mediated acquisition and chromosomal integration of
bla
CTX-M-14
in a subclade of
Escherichia coli
ST131-
H
30 clade C1
Authors: Komori Kohji , Aoki Kotaro , Harada Sohei , Ishii Yoshikazu , Tateda Kazuhiro
Published: August 2024

Escherichia coli
ST131 is a multidrug-resistant lineage associated with the global spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing organisms. Particularly, ST131 clade C1 is the most predominant clade in Japan, harboring
bla
CTX-M-14
at a high frequency. However, the process of resistance gene acquisition and spread remains unclear. Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 19
E. coli
strains belonging to 12 STs and 12
fimH
types collected between 1997 and 2016. Additionally, we analyzed the full-length genome sequences of 96 ST131-
H
30 clade C0 and C1 strains, including those obtained from this study and those registered in public databases, to understand how ST131 clade C1 acquired and spread
bla
CTX-M-14
. We detected conjugative IncFII plasmids and IncB/O/K/Z plasmids carrying
bla
CTX-M-14
in diverse genetic lineages of
E. coli
strains from the 1990s to the 2010s, suggesting that these plasmids played an important role in the spread of
bla
CTX-M-14
. Molecular phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses of the 96 ST131-
H
30 clade C0 and C1 strains identified 8 subclades. Strains harboring
bla
CTX-M-14
were clustered in subclades 4 and 5, and it was inferred that clade C1 acquired
bla
CTX-M-14
around 1993. All 34 strains belonging to subclade 5 possessed
bla
CTX-M-14
with IS
Ecp1
upstream at the same chromosomal position, indicating their common ancestor acquired
bla
CTX-M-14
in a single IS
Ecp1
-mediated transposition event during the early formation of the subclade around 1999. Therefore, both the horizontal transfer of plasmids carrying
bla
CTX-M-14
to diverse genetic lineages and chromosomal integration in the predominant genetic lineage have contributed to the spread of
bla
CTX-M-14
.