bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement and correction of TEM image distortion using arbitrary samples
Authors: Tamaki Hirokazu , Saitoh Koh
Published: February 2023

We have developed a method to quantitatively measure image distortion, one of the five Seidel aberrations, in transmission electron microscopes without using a standard sample with a known structure. Displacements of small local segments in an image due to image distortion of the intermediate and projection lens system are first measured by comparing images taken before and after a given shift at the first image plane of the objective lens. Then, the sum of the second partial derivatives, or the Laplacian, of the displacement field is measured, and the radial and azimuthal distortion parameters are determined from the measured results. We confirmed using numerically distorted images that the proposed method can measure the image distortion within a relative error ratio of 0.04 for a wide range of distortion amount from 0.1% to 5.0%. The distortion measurement and correction were confirmed to work correctly by using the experimental images, and the iterative measurement and correction procedure could reduce the distortion to a level where the average image displacement was < 0.05 pixels.
Pleading for international law: assessing the influence of party to proceedings on legal change in international courts
Authors: Hamilton Byrne William , Godzimirska Zuzanna
Published: February 2023

Scholars increasingly seek to understand the driving forces behind change in international law. However, these analyses often tend to provide external forms of analysis that presume change can be identified without engaging with the actors or looking at the law. This article takes the role of party pleadings in international dispute settlement as a means through which we can assess the influence of actors on law-making. Taking the development of the ‘control of the crime’ theory at the International Criminal Court as its object, the article scrutinizes legal change by dissecting the multifaceted role of pleadings. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach and conducting quantitative analysis of citation patterns, content analysis of case law, and interviews with practitioners, it offers a novel methodological take and empirical insights into our understanding of what makes up legal change in international law, and how we can identify its meaning through different access points.
Working on connective professionalism: What cross-sector strategists in Swedish public organizations do to develop connectivity in addressing ‘wicked’ policy problems
Authors: Kanon Miranda , Andersson Thomas
Published: February 2023

In light of current debates on ‘protective’ and ‘connective’ professionalism, this article explores a new type of occupational position that is emerging within the Swedish public sector: the cross-sector strategist. The growing presence of this intermediary occupational position is seen as attempts to formalize and institutionalize the imprecise roles and governance of ‘wicked’ policy problems, and the job of these strategists is focused on supporting other jurisdictions to meet and act. By pursuing connective strategies in the form of triggering, selling, bridging, brokering, and forming accountabilities, cross-sector strategists seek to establish embedded workspaces where strategic action and decisions can be produced jointly and across jurisdictional boundaries. The study illustrates how calls for changes in professional action towards connectivity are now part of the formal organizational structure of public sector organizations, confirming the incapability of professional actors to connect in the absence of intermediary support functions. In the concluding discussion, we consider the relevance of ‘connective professionalism’ as a descriptive theoretical device applied to work settings understood as increasingly complex and interdependent, with calls for inter-professional collaboration and intensifying engagement in preventing problems rather than simply treating them.
Molecular and cellular basis of the dose-rate-dependent adverse effects of radiation exposure in animal models. Part I: Mammary gland and digestive tract
Authors: Suzuki Keiji , Imaoka Tatsuhiko , Tomita Masanori , Sasatani Megumi , Doi Kazutaka , Tanaka Satoshi , Kai Michiaki , Yamada Yutaka , Kakinuma Shizuko
Published: February 2023

While epidemiological data are available for the dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) for human populations, animal models have contributed significantly to providing quantitative data with mechanistic insights. The aim of the current review is to compile both the in vitro experiments with reference to the dose-rate effects of DNA damage and repair, and the animal studies, specific to rodents, with reference to the dose-rate effects of cancer development. In particular, the review focuses especially on the results pertaining to underlying biological mechanisms and discusses their possible involvement in the process of radiation-induced carcinogenesis. Because the concept of adverse outcome pathway (AOP) together with the key events has been considered as a clue to estimate radiation risks at low doses and low dose-rates, the review scrutinized the dose-rate dependency of the key events related to carcinogenesis, which enables us to unify the underlying critical mechanisms to establish a connection between animal experimental studies with human epidemiological studies.
Microwave response to kink oscillations of a plasma slab
Authors: Kaltman Tatyana I , Kupriyanova Elena G
Published: February 2023

The modulation of the intensity of microwave emission from a plasma slab caused by a standing linear kink fast magnetoacoustic wave is considered. The slab is stretched along a straight magnetic field, and can represent, for example, a current sheet in a flaring active region in corona of the Sun, or a streamer or pseudostreamer stalk. The plasma density is non-uniform in the perpendicular direction and described by a symmetric Epstein profile. The plasma parameter β is taken to be zero, which is a good approximation for solar coronal active regions. The microwave emission is caused by mildly relativistic electrons which occupy a layer within the oscillating slab and radiate via the gyrosynchrotron (GS) mechanism. Light curves of the microwave emission were simulated in the optically thin part of the GS spectrum, and their typical Fourier spectra were analysed. It is shown that the microwave response to a linear kink magnetohydrodynamic wave is non-linear. It is found that, while the microwave light curves at the node oscillate with the same frequency as the frequency of the perturbing kink mode, the frequency of the microwave oscillations at the antinode is two times higher than the kink oscillation frequency. Gradual transformation the one type of the light curves to another occurs when sliding from the node to the antinode. This result does not depend on the width of the GS-emitting layer inside the oscillating slab. This finding should be considered in the interpretation of microwave quasi-periodic pulsations in solar and stellar flares.
Characterization of inpaint residuals in interferometric measurements of the epoch of reionization
Authors: Pagano Michael , Liu Jing , Liu Adrian , Kern Nicholas S , Ewall-Wice Aaron , Bull Philip , Pascua Robert , Ravanbakhsh Siamak , Abdurashidova Zara , Adams Tyrone , Aguirre James E , Alexander Paul , Ali Zaki S , Baartman Rushelle , Balfour Yanga , Beardsley Adam P , Bernardi Gianni , Billings Tashalee S , Bowman Judd D , Bradley Richard F , Burba Jacob , Carey Steven , Carilli Chris L , Cheng Carina , DeBoer David R , de Lera Acedo Eloy , Dexter Matt , Dillon Joshua S , Eksteen Nico , Ely John , Fagnoni Nicolas , Fritz Randall , Furlanetto Steven R , Gale-Sides Kingsley , Glendenning Brian , Gorthi Deepthi , Greig Bradley , Grobbelaar Jasper , Halday Ziyaad , Hazelton Bryna J , Hewitt Jacqueline N , Hickish Jack , Jacobs Daniel C , Julius Austin , Kariseb MacCalvin , Kerrigan Joshua , Kittiwisit Piyanat , Kohn Saul A , Kolopanis Matthew , Lanman Adam , La Plante Paul , Loots Anita , MacMahon David Harold Edward , Malan Lourence , Malgas Cresshim , Malgas Keith , Marero Bradley , Martinot Zachary E , Mesinger Andrei , Molewa Mathakane , Morales Miguel F , Mosiane Tshegofalang , Neben Abraham R , Nikolic Bojan , Nuwegeld Hans , Parsons Aaron R , Patra Nipanjana , Pieterse Samantha , Razavi-Ghods Nima , Robnett James , Rosie Kathryn , Sims Peter , Smith Craig , Swarts Hilton , Thyagarajan Nithyanandan , van Wyngaarden Pieter , Williams Peter K G , Zheng Haoxuan
Published: February 2023

To mitigate the effects of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) on the data analysis pipelines of 21 cm interferometric instruments, numerous inpaint techniques have been developed. In this paper, we examine the qualitative and quantitative errors introduced into the visibilities and power spectrum due to inpainting. We perform our analysis on simulated data as well as real data from the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) Phase 1 upper limits. We also introduce a convolutional neural network that is capable of inpainting RFI corrupted data. We train our network on simulated data and show that our network is capable of inpainting real data without requiring to be retrained. We find that techniques that incorporate high wavenumbers in delay space in their modelling are best suited for inpainting over narrowband RFI. We show that with our fiducial parameters discrete prolate spheroidal sequences (dpss) and clean provide the best performance for intermittent RFI while Gaussian progress regression (gpr) and least squares spectral analysis (lssa) provide the best performance for larger RFI gaps. However, we caution that these qualitative conclusions are sensitive to the chosen hyperparameters of each inpainting technique. We show that all inpainting techniques reliably reproduce foreground dominated modes in the power spectrum. Since the inpainting techniques should not be capable of reproducing noise realizations, we find that the largest errors occur in the noise dominated delay modes. We show that as the noise level of the data comes down, clean and dpss are most capable of reproducing the fine frequency structure in the visibilities.
Gas clumping and its effect on hydrostatic bias in the MACSIS simulations
Authors: Towler Imogen , Kay Scott T , Altamura Edoardo
Published: February 2023

We use the MACSIS hydrodynamical simulations to estimate the extent of gas clumping in the intracluster medium of massive galaxy clusters and how it affects the hydrostatic mass bias. By comparing the clumping to the azimuthal scatter in the emission measure, an observational proxy, we find that they both increase with radius and are larger in higher mass and dynamically perturbed systems. Similar trends are also seen for the azimuthal temperature scatter and non-thermal pressure fraction, both of which correlate with density fluctuations, with these values also increasing with redshift. However, in agreement with recent work, we find only a weak correlation between the clumping, or its proxies, and the hydrostatic mass bias. To reduce the effect of clumping in the projected profiles, we compute the azimuthal median following recent observational studies, and find this reduces the scatter in the bias. We also attempt to correct the cluster masses by using a non-thermal pressure term and find overcorrected mass estimates (1 − b = 0.86 to 1 − b = 1.15) from 3D gas profiles but improved mass estimates (1 − b = 0.75 to 1 − b = 0.85) from projected gas profiles, with the caveat of systematically increased scatter. We conclude that the cluster-averaged mass bias is minimized from applying a non-thermal pressure correction (1 − b = 0.85) with more modest reductions from selecting clusters that have low clumping (1 − b = 0.79) or are dynamically relaxed (1 − b = 0.80). However, the latter selection is most effective at minimizing the scatter for individual objects. Such results can be tested with next-generation X-ray missions equipped with high-resolution spectrometers such as Athena.
The abundance of z ≳ 10 galaxy candidates in the HUDF using deep JWST NIRCam medium-band imaging
Authors: Donnan C T , McLeod D J , McLure R J , Dunlop J S , Carnall A C , Cullen F , Magee D
Published: February 2023

We utilize JWST NIRCam medium-band imaging to search for extreme redshift (z ≥ 9.5) galaxy candidates in the Hubble ultra deep field (HUDF) and the additional pointing within the GOODS-South field provided by the second NIRCam module. Our search reveals six robust candidates, three of which have recently been spectroscopically confirmed. One of these three is the previously controversial z ≃ 12 galaxy candidate UDF-22980 which is now detected in five JWST NIRCam medium-band filters (F182M, F210M, F430M, F460M, and F480M), efficiently excluding alternative low-redshift solutions and allowing us to now report a secure photometric redshift of zphot = 11.6 ± 0.2. We also detect two galaxies at z ≥ 12.5 including a newly-detected candidate in the imaging provided by the second NIRCam module (south-west of the HUDF) at zphot = 12.6 ± 0.6. We determine the physical properties of the six galaxies by fitting the 14-band photometry with Bagpipes. We find stellar masses of log (M⋆/M⊙) ≃ 7.5−8.7 and star-formation rates of $\log (\rm {SFR}/M_{\odot }^{-1} \rm {yr}^{-1}) \simeq 0.3 - 5.0$. Despite the relatively small cosmological volume covered by the HUDF itself and the second NIRCam module imaging, we find that the existence of these galaxies is fully consistent with the latest measurements of both the ultraviolet luminosity function and cosmic star-formation rate density at z ≃ 11, supporting a gradual steady decline in the cosmic star-formation rate density out to at least z ≃ 15.
Evolution of rotating 25 M⊙ Population III star: physical properties and resulting supernovae
Authors: Aryan Amar , Pandey Shashi Bhushan , Gupta Rahul , Ror Amit Kumar
Published: February 2023

In this letter, we report the outcomes of 1D modelling of a rotating 25 M⊙ zero-age main sequence Population III (Pop III) star up to the stage of the onset of core collapse. Rapidly rotating models display violent and sporadic mass-losses after the main-sequence stage. In comparison to the solar metallicity model, Pop III models show very small pre-supernova radii. Further, with models at the stage of the onset of core collapse, we simulate the hydrodynamic simulations of resulting supernovae. Depending upon the mass-losses due to corresponding rotations and stellar winds, the resulting supernovae span a class from weak Type II to Type Ib/c. We find that the absolute magnitudes of the core-collapse supernovae resulting from Pop III stars are much fainter than that resulting from a solar metallicity star. From our simulation results, we also conclude that within the considered limits of explosion energies and nickel masses, these transient events are very faint, making it difficult for them to be detected at high-redshifts.
HaploBlocks: Efficient Detection of Positive Selection in Large Population Genomic Datasets
Authors: Kirsch-Gerweck Benedikt , Bohnenkämper Leonard , Henrichs Michel T , Alanko Jarno N , Bannai Hideo , Cazaux Bastien , Peterlongo Pierre , Burger Joachim , Stoye Jens , Diekmann Yoan
Published: February 2023

Genomic regions under positive selection harbor variation linked for example to adaptation. Most tools for detecting positively selected variants have computational resource requirements rendering them impractical on population genomic datasets with hundreds of thousands of individuals or more. We have developed and implemented an efficient haplotype-based approach able to scan large datasets and accurately detect positive selection. We achieve this by combining a pattern matching approach based on the positional Burrows–Wheeler transform with model-based inference which only requires the evaluation of closed-form expressions. We evaluate our approach with simulations, and find it to be both sensitive and specific. The computational resource requirements quantified using UK Biobank data indicate that our implementation is scalable to population genomic datasets with millions of individuals. Our approach may serve as an algorithmic blueprint for the era of “big data” genomics: a combinatorial core coupled with statistical inference in closed form.
Chryseochelins—structural characterization of novel citrate-based siderophores produced by plant protecting Chryseobacterium spp.
Authors: Rehm Karoline , Vollenweider Vera , Gu Shaohua , Friman Ville-Petri , Kümmerli Rolf , Wei Zhong , Bigler Laurent
Published: February 2023

Bacteria secrete siderophores whose function is to acquire iron. In recent years, the siderophores of several Chryseobacterium species were shown to promote the health and growth of various plants such as tomato or rice. However, the chemical nature of Chryseobacterium siderophores remained unexplored despite great interest. In this work, we present the purification and structure elucidation by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) of chryseochelin A, a novel citrate-based siderophore secreted by three Chryseobacterium strains involved in plant protection. It contains the unusual building blocks 3-hydroxycadaverine and fumaric acid. Furthermore, the unstable structural isomer chryseochelin B and its stable derivative containing fatty acid chains, named chryseochelin C, were identified by mass spectrometric methods. The latter two incorporate an unusual ester connectivity to the citrate moiety showing similarities to achromobactin from the plant pathogen Dickeya dadantii. Finally, we show that chryseochelin A acts in a concentration-dependent manner against the plant-pathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum strain by reducing its access to iron. Thus, our study provides valuable knowledge about the siderophores of Chryseobacterium strains, which have great potential in various applications.
Recipient UvrD helicase is involved in single- to double-stranded DNA conversion during conjugative plasmid transfer
Authors: Shen Minjia , Goldlust Kelly , Daniel Sandra , Lesterlin Christian , Yamaichi Yoshiharu
Published: February 2023

Dissemination of antibiotic resistance, a current societal challenge, is often driven by horizontal gene transfer through bacterial conjugation. During conjugative plasmid transfer, single-stranded (ss) DNA is transferred from the donor to the recipient cell. Subsequently, a complete double-stranded (ds) plasmid molecule is generated and plasmid-encoded genes are expressed, allowing successful establishment of the transconjugant cell. Such dynamics of transmission can be modulated by host- or plasmid-encoded factors, either in the donor or in the recipient cell. We applied transposon insertion sequencing to identify host-encoded factors that affect conjugative transfer frequency in Escherichia coli. Disruption of the recipient uvrD gene decreased the acquisition frequency of conjugative plasmids belonging to different incompatibility groups. Results from various UvrD mutants suggested that dsDNA binding activity and interaction with RNA polymerase are dispensable, but ATPase activity is required for successful plasmid establishment of transconjugant cells. Live-cell microscopic imaging showed that the newly transferred ssDNA within a uvrD− recipient often failed to be converted to dsDNA. Our work suggested that in addition to its role in maintaining genome integrity, UvrD is also key for the establishment of horizontally acquired plasmid DNA that drives genome diversity and evolution.
Hepatotoxicity from high-dose methotrexate in primary central nervous system lymphoma
Authors: Zhang Joy C , Stotts Matthew J , Horton Bethany , Schiff David
Published: February 2023

Background

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is a mainstay of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) treatment. Transient hepatotoxicity from HDMTX has been characterized in pediatric patients but not in adults. We sought to characterize hepatotoxicity in adult PCNSL patients undergoing HDMTX treatment.

Methods

Retrospective study of 65 PCNSL patients treated at the University of Virginia from 02/01/2002 to 04/01/2020 was performed. Hepatotoxicity was defined using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) for adverse events, fifth version. High-grade hepatotoxicity was defined as a bilirubin or aminotransferase CTC grade of 3 or 4. Relationships between clinical factors and hepatotoxicity were assessed with logistic regression.

Results

Most patients (90.8%) had a rise of at least one aminotransferase CTC grade during HDMTX treatment. 46.2% had high-grade hepatotoxicity based on aminotransferase CTC grade. No patients developed high-grade bilirubin CTC grades during chemotherapy. Liver enzyme test values decreased to low CTC grade or normal in 93.8% of patients after the conclusion of HDMTX treatment without treatment regimen changes. Prior ALT elevation (P = .0120) was a statistically significant predictor of high-grade hepatotoxicity during treatment. Prior history of hypertension was associated with increased risk of toxic serum methotrexate levels during any cycle (P = .0036).

Conclusions

Hepatotoxicity develops in the majority of HDMTX-treated PCNSL patients. Transaminase values decreased to low or normal CTC grades in almost all patients after treatment, without modification of MTX dosage. Prior ALT elevation may predict patients’ increased hepatotoxicity risk, and hypertension history may be a risk factor for delayed MTX excretion.
Wages of UK immigrant men across generations: who catches up?
Authors: Ochmann Nico
Published: February 2023

This article examines UK immigrant-native wage differentials for men across major first- and second-generation immigrant groups with the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) pooling cross-sections over the years 2009–19. I find that first-generation immigrants with UK human capital experience less of a wage disadvantage than their immigrant counterparts with foreign language proficiency, qualifications, and work experience. Conditional on the heterogeneity in these productivity characteristics of first-generation immigrants, I observe no intergenerational economic progress across the two generations relative to UK natives. Using a conditional decomposition shows that UK work experience and not the source country of study for the qualification is a key factor in reducing first-generation, immigrant-native wage differentials in the UK.
First photometric investigation of OGLE-SMC-ECL-2063: A low-metallicity massive contact binary in the SMC
Authors: Wu Chuqi , Qian Shengbang , Li Fuxing , Zejda Miloslav , Mikulásek Zdeněk , Zhu Liying , Liao WenPing , Zhao Ergang
Published: February 2023

Studying massive binaries in different evolution stages or environments may help us to solve the problem of the evolution of massive binaries. The metallicity in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is much lower than that in our Milky Way, and binaries in the SMC are rarely studied. OGLE-SMC-ECL-2063 is a short-period early-type binary with a period of ${0{_{.}^{\circ}}6317643}$ in the SMC. We use the Wilson–Devinney code to analyze its light curves. The result shows that OGLE-SMC-ECL-2063 is an overcontact binary with a high mass ratio of 0.900 and a fill-out factor of $35.9\%$. The O − C curves of the period of OGLE-SMC-ECL-2063 show a long-term increase with a cyclic oscillation of amplitude A = 0.00503 d and period P3 = 14.80 yr. All the evidence above indicates that OGLE-SMC-ECL-2063 is in the Case A mass transfer evolutionary state. The mass transfer rate $\dot{M}_2 = -5.67 \times 10^{-7} M_{\odot }\:$yr−1 is derived and used to explain the continuous period increase. Because both components of OGLE-SMC-ECL-2063 are early-type stars, the existence of a third body may be the reason for the cyclic change in period. The mass of the third body is derived to be no less than 0.70 M⊙ and the orbital separation to be no more than 13.22 au. Combining the result of light-curve analysis, the third body tends to be a low-mass late-type star. Such high-mass-ratio binaries play an important role in the evolution of early-type binaries. Thus, researching OGLE-SMC-ECL-2063 provides the basis for us to study the formation and evolution of early-type contact binaries.
Deposit Insurance Premiums and Bank Risk
Authors: Kim Edward T , Rezende Marcelo
Published: February 2023

Deposit insurance premiums impose costs on banks’ balance sheets, narrowing profit margins and inducing banks to “search for yield.” This paper estimates the effects of deposit insurance premiums on bank portfolio rebalancing using supervisory data and a kink in the insurance premium schedule. We show that deposit insurance premiums weaken banks’ demand for reserves (a liquid asset with no credit risk) and strengthen the supply of short-term interbank loans (a less liquid asset with credit risk). We discuss the implications of these findings for optimal deposit insurance pricing. (JEL G21, G28)
Influence of mid-afternoon nap duration and sleep parameters on memory encoding, mood, processing speed, and vigilance
Authors: Leong Ruth L F , Lau TeYang , Dicom Andrew R , Teo Teck Boon , Ong Ju Lynn , Chee Michael W L
Published: February 2023

Study Objectives

To determine how mid-afternoon naps of differing durations benefit memory encoding, vigilance, speed of processing (SOP), mood, and sleepiness; to evaluate if these benefits extend past 3 hr post-awakening and to examine how sleep macrostructure during naps modulate these benefits.

Methods

Following short habitual sleep, 32 young adults underwent four experimental conditions in randomized order: wake; naps of 10 min, 30 min, and 60 min duration verified with polysomnography. A 10-min test battery was delivered at a pre-nap baseline, and at 5 min, 30 min, 60 min, and 240 min post-nap. Participants encoded pictures 90 min post-nap and were tested for recognition 210 min later.

Results

Naps ranging from 10 to 60 min increased positive mood and alleviated self-reported sleepiness up to 240 min post-nap. Compared to waking, only naps of 30 min improved memory encoding. Improvements in vigilance were moderate, and benefits for SOP were not observed. Sleep inertia was observed for the 30 min to 60 min naps but was resolved within 30 min after waking. We found no significant associations between sleep macrostructure and memory benefits.

Conclusions

With short habitual sleep, naps ranging from 10 to 60 min had clear and lasting benefits for positive mood and self-reported sleepiness/alertness. Cognitive improvements were moderate, with only the 30 min nap showing benefits for memory encoding. While there is no clear “winning” nap duration, a 30 min nap appears to have the best trade-off between practicability and benefit.

Clinical Trial ID

Effects of Varying Duration of Naps on Cognitive Performance and Memory Encoding, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04984824, NCT04984824.
The Problematization of Migrant Maternity: Implications of the “Passport Baby” Narrative in the Canadian Context
Authors: Larios Lindsay
Published: February 2023

Within the liberal democracies of the global north, fears associated with migrant maternity are a long-standing part of immigration politics. This article raises concerns about what narratives political and public debates on migrant maternity are mobilizing, who they are targeting, and how these narratives shape the experiences of a wide range of migrants in Canada as they access prenatal and obstetric care. The article uses policy and media analysis to examine how migrant maternity is problematized in Canada through the “passport baby” narrative alongside interview data, which illustrates how this narrative impacts the lives of mothers with a range of migrant trajectories. This article argues that this problematization relies on overgeneralizations that overlook the complexity of migration, continues to be shaped by racial discrimination and stereotypes, and results in increased vulnerability for pregnant migrants within Canada.
Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation: Connecting Its Origin to Its Future
Authors: Sanchez-Petitto Gabriela , Rezvani Katayoun , Daher May , Rafei Hind , Kebriaei Partow , Shpall Elizabeth J , Olson Amanda
Published: February 2023

Transplantation of umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The unique properties of cord blood and its distinct immune tolerance and engraftment kinetics compared to bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood progenitor cells, permit a wider disparity in human leukocyte antigen levels between a cord blood donor and recipient after an unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT). In addition, it is readily available and has a lowered risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), with similar long-term clinical outcomes, compared to BM transplants. However, the relatively low number of cells administered by UCB units, as well as the associated delayed engraftment and immune reconstitution, pose limitations to the wide application of UCBT. Research into several aspects of UCBT has been evaluated, including the ex vivo expansion of cord blood HSCs and the process of fucosylation to enhance engraftment. Additionally, UCB has also been used in the treatment of several neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders with varying degrees of success. In this article, we will discuss the biology, clinical indications, and benefits of UCBT in pediatric and adult populations. We will also discuss future directions for the use of cord blood.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation affects nitrergic neuronal survival and delays intestinal motility in mice
Authors: Vijay Anitha , Boyle Nina R , Kumar Supriya M , Perdew Gary H , Srinivasan Shanthi , Patterson Andrew D
Published: February 2023

Despite progress describing the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on the central nervous system, the effect of POPs on enteric nervous system (ENS) function remains underexplored. We studied the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a POP, and a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligand, on the ENS and intestinal motility in mice. C57Bl/6J mice treated with TCDD (2.4 µg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks (once per week) exhibited significant delay in intestinal motility as shown by reduced stool frequency, prolonged intestinal transit time, and a persistence of dye in the jejunum compared to control mice with maximal dye retention in the ileum. TCDD significantly increased Cyp1a1 expression, an AHR target gene, and reduced the total number of neurons and affected nitrergic neurons in cells isolated from WT mice, but not Ahr−/− mice. In immortalized fetal enteric neuronal cells, TCDD-induced nuclear translocation of AHR as well as increased Cyp1a1 expression. AHR activation did not affect neuronal proliferation. However, AHR activation resulted in enteric neuronal toxicity, specifically, nitrergic neurons. Our results demonstrate that TCDD adversely affects nitrergic neurons and thereby contributes to delayed intestinal motility. These findings suggest that AHR signaling in the ENS may play a role in modulating TCDD-induced gastrointestinal pathophysiology.
Do mites eat and run? A systematic review of feeding and dispersal strategies
Authors: Laska Alicja , Rector Brian G , Przychodzka Anna , Majer Agnieszka , Zalewska Kamila , Kuczynski Lechosław , Skoracka Anna
Published: February 2023

Dispersal is an important process affecting the survival of organisms and the structure and dynamics of communities and ecosystems in space and time. It is a multiphase phenomenon influenced by many internal and external factors. Dispersal syndromes can be complicated, but they are vital to our knowledge of the biology of any organism. We analysed dispersal ability in mites (Acariformes and Parasitiformes), a highly diverse group of wingless arthropods, taking into consideration various modes of dispersal, feeding strategies, body size and the number of articles published for each species. Based on 174 articles summarized for this study, it appears that mites are opportunistic when it comes to dispersal, regardless of their feeding habits, and are often able to adopt several different strategies as needs arise. Moreover, we find a significant positive relationship between the amount of research effort that was put into studying a given species and the number of modes of dispersal that were described. The most salient conclusion to be drawn from this positive correlation is that additional studies are needed, especially on a broader set of mite taxa, until the aforementioned correlation is no longer demonstrably significant.
Round Window Fistula Caused by Politzerization: An Unreported Complication
Authors: Sataloff Robert T. , Hawkshaw Mary J.
Published: February 2023

Objective

To review Politzerization and describe a complication that has not been reported previously.

Patients

Case report.

Interventions

Clinical details of Politzerization and a complication that has not been reported previously, and a brief review of relevant literature from 1861 to 2022.

Main Outcome Measures

Round window fistula was caused by Politzerization.

Conclusions

Although it is extremely rare, transnasal eustachian tube Politzerization can result in perilymph fistula.
Clinicopathologic Features and Frozen Diagnostic Pitfalls of Bronchiolar Adenoma/Ciliated Muconodular Papillary Tumors (BA/CMPTs)
Authors: Ding Bowen , Shang Zhanxian , Xiang Zhenzhen , Han Yuchen
Published: February 2023

To describe the histologic features of bronchiolar adenoma/ciliated muconodular papillary tumors (BA/CMPTs) and analyze the pitfalls in diagnosis from frozen sections. A total of 208 frozen and permanent sections of BA/CMPTs from Shanghai Chest Hospital from July 2018 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age of BA/CMPT patients was 65 years (15 to 79 y), and women accounted for 61.62% (122/198). The median size of BA/CMPTs was 0.6 cm (range 0.2 to 2 cm), of which 88.94% were small (≤1 cm, 185/208). In terms of location, the right lower lobe accounted for 44.23% (92/208), and the left lower lobe accounted for 33.65% (70/208). In 10 patients with 2 independent BA/CMPTs, 5 lesions were located in the left lower lobe and 4 in the right lower lobe. A total of 86.06% of the CT images of BA/CMPT showed solid/subsolid nodules (179/208). Among 208 tumors, 68.75% were distal type (143/208), and 31.25% were proximal type (65/208). The qualitative error rate of frozen sections was 21.33% (32/150), of which the distal type accounted for 75% (24/32); most of them were misdiagnosed as invasive adenocarcinoma during frozen diagnosis. The frozen diagnosis of BA/CMPTs might result in misdiagnosis as invasive adenocarcinoma. A careful search for characteristics of BA/CMPT, such as bilayer epithelial cells with basal cells and a lack of cellular atypia and invasive growth patterns, may be helpful for frozen diagnosis.
Impact of rilpivirine cross-resistance on long-acting cabotegravir-rilpivirine in low and middle-income countries
Authors: Steegen Kim , Chandiwana Nomathemba , Sokhela Simiso , Venter Willem D.F. , Hans Lucia
Published: February 2023

Baseline rilpivirine drug resistance mutations (DRMs) are a risk factor for virological failure in patients treated with long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB/RPV LA). We investigated rilpivirine cross-resistance in treatment-naive and experienced patients in South Africa. One in 10 treatment-naive patients and 74.5% of patients failing treatment presented with rilpivirine DRMs. Our data suggest targeted genotyping may be required for patients initiating CAB/RPV LA, which significantly complicates the currently used public health approach.
CIRC_0008882 STIMULATES PDE7A TO SUPPRESS SEPTIC ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY PROGRESSION BY SPONGING MIR-155-5P
Authors: You Ting , Kuang Feng
Published: February 2023

Background: The importance of circular RNA (circRNA) in the progression of septic acute kidney injury (AKI) was gradually recognized. It has been confirmed that circ_0008882 expression was decreased in the blood of patients with AKI. However, the role of circ_0008882 in septic AKI progression remains unclear. Methods: Human kidney-2 (HK2) cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish a septic AKI cell model. The RNA and protein expression of circ_0008882, miR-155-5p, phosphodiesterase 7A (PDE7A), PCNA, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Cell viability was investigated by cell counting kit-8 assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Flow cytometry was implemented to evaluate cell cycle and cell apoptosis. The Caspase3 activity was examined using Caspase3 Assay Kit. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were applied to verify the molecular target relations. Results: Septic AKI serum samples and LPS-induced HK2 cells displayed low expression of circ_0008882 and PDE7A, and high expression of miR-155-5p when compared with the controls. Overexpression of circ_0008882 relieved LPS-induced HK2 cell injury. MiR-155-5p was a target of circ_0008882, and miR-155-5p mimic restored circ_0008882 overexpression-mediated effects on LPS-treated HK2 cells. PDE7A was identified as a target gene of miR-155-5p, and PDE7A downregulation almost reverted the improvement impacts induced by the miR-155-5p inhibitor. Conclusions: Overexpression of circ_0008882 impeded LPS-induced HK2 cell injury by modulating miR-155-5p/PDE7A pathway, implying that circ_0008882 might be a possible circRNA-targeted therapy for septic AKI.
EFFECTS OF TRAUMA PLASMA-DERIVED EXOSOMES ON HEMATOPOIETIC PROGENITOR CELLS
Authors: Munley Jennifer A. , Kelly Lauren S. , Gillies Gwendolyn S. , Kannan Kolenkode B. , Pons Erick E. , Bible Letitia E. , Efron Philip A. , Mohr Alicia M.
Published: February 2023

Background: Severe trauma disrupts bone marrow function resulting in persistent anemia and immunosuppression. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles implicated in disease, cellular functions, and immunomodulation. The effects of trauma plasma-derived exosomes on bone marrow hematopoiesis are unstudied; we hypothesized that trauma plasma-derived exosomes suppress bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) growth and contribute to increased inflammatory cytokines and HPC mobilization. Methods: Plasma was collected from a prospective, cohort study of trauma patients (n = 15) with hip and/or femur fractures and an ISS > 15 and elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients (n = 15). Exosomes were isolated from both groups using the Invitrogen Total Exosome Isolation Kit. Healthy bone marrow was cultured with 2% plasma, 50 μg, 100 μg, or 200 μg of exosomal protein and HPC (granulocyte, erythrocyte, monocyte, megakaryocyte colony-forming units [CFU-GEMM], erythroid burst-forming units [BFU-E], and macrophage colony-forming units [CFU-GM]) growth assessed. After culturing healthy bone marrow stroma with 100 μg of exosomal protein, expression of cytokines and factors influencing HPC mobilization were assessed by qPCR. Differences were compared using the ANOVA, with significance defined as P < 0.05. Results: The only demographic difference was age; trauma patients were significantly younger than THA (mean 44 vs. 63 years). In vitro exposure to trauma plasma significantly decreased growth of all HPCs. In vitro exposure to 100 μg or 200 μg of trauma exosomal protein significantly decreased growth of BFU-E and CFU-GM, whereas 50 μg had no effect. Culture of trauma exosomal protein with bone marrow stromal cells resulted in increased expression of IFN-γ, IL-1α, TNF-α, G-CSF, CXCR4, SDF-1, and VCAM-1 in bone marrow stroma. Conclusions: Both plasma and plasma-derived exosomes from trauma patients adversely affect bone marrow function. Plasma-derived exosomes may contribute to altered hematopoiesis after severe trauma; analysis of exosomal content may improve our understanding of altered bone marrow function.
Early Versus Delayed Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury
Authors: Romijn Anne-Sophie C. , Rastogi Vinamr , Proaño-Zamudio Jefferson A. , Argandykov Dias , Marcaccio Christina L. , Giannakopoulos Georgios F. , Kaafarani Haytham M.A. , Jongkind Vincent , Bloemers Frank W. , Verhagen Hence J.M. , Schermerhorn Marc L. , Saillant Noelle N.
Published: February 2023

Objective:

We examined early (≤24 h) versus delayed (>24 h) thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI), taking the aortic injury severity into consideration.

Background:

Current trauma surgery guidelines recommend delayed TEVAR following BTAI. However, this recommendation was based on small studies, and specifics regarding recommendation strategies based on aortic injury grades are lacking.

Methods:

Patients undergoing TEVAR for BTAI in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program between 2016 and 2019 were included and then stratified into 2 groups (early: ≤24 h vs. delayed: >24 h). In-hospital outcomes were compared after creating 1:1 propensity score-matched cohorts, matching for demographics, comorbidities, concomitant injuries, additional procedures, and aortic injury severity based on the acute aortic syndrome (AAS) classification.

Results:

Overall, 1339 patients were included, of whom 1054(79%) underwent early TEVAR. Compared with the delayed group, the early group had significantly less severe head injuries (early vs delayed; 25% vs 32%; P=0.014), fewer early interventions for AAS grade 1 occurred, and AAS grade 3 aortic injuries often were intervened upon within 24 hours (grade 1: 28% vs 47%; grade 3: 49% vs 23%; P<0.001). After matching, the final sample included 548 matched patients. Compared with the delayed group, the early group had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality (8.8% vs 4.4%, relative risk: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.4; P=0.028), alongside a shorter length of hospital stay (5.0 vs 10 days; P=0.028), a shorter intensive care unit length of stay (4.0 vs 11 days; P<0.001) and fewer days on the ventilator (4.0 vs 6.5 days; P=0.036). Furthermore, regardless of the higher risk of acute kidney injury in the delayed group (3.3% vs 7.7%, relative risk: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.92; P=0.029), no other differences in in-hospital complications were observed between the early and delayed group.

Conclusion:

In this propensity score-matched analysis, delayed TEVAR was associated with lower mortality risk, even after adjusting for aortic injury grade.
Increasing reliability of axially compressed cylinders through stiffness tailoring and optimization
Authors: Lincoln R. L. , Weaver P. M. , Pirrera A. , Groh R. M. J.
Published: February 2023

The capabilities of the rapid tow shearing (RTS) process are explored to reduce the well-known imperfection sensitivity of axially compressed cylindrical shells. RTS deposits curvilinear carbon fibre tapes with a fibre-angle-thickness coupling that enables the
in situ
manufacturing of embedded rings and stringers. By blending the material’s elastic modulus and wall thickness smoothly across the cylindrical surface, the load paths can be redistributed favourably with a minimal-design approach that contains part count and weight while ameliorating imperfection sensitivity. A genetic algorithm that incorporates realistic manufacturing imperfections and axial stiffness penalty is used to maximize the 99.9% reliability load of straight fibre (SF) and RTS cylinders. The axial stiffness penalty ensures that reliability does not come at the expense of stiffness. The first-order second-moment method is used to calculate statistical moments that enable an estimate of the 99.9% reliability load. Due to the fibre-angle-thickness coupling of RTS, buckling data are normalized by mass and thickness. Compared to a quasi-isotropic laminate, which corresponds to the optimal eight-layer design for a perfect cylinder, the optimized SF and RTS laminates have a 6% and 8% greater 99.9% normalized reliability load. By relaxing the axial stiffness penalty, the performance benefit can be increased such that SF and RTS cylinders exceed the 99.9% normalized reliability load of an eight-layer quasi-isotropic laminate by 23% and 37%, respectively. Both improvements (with and without penalty functions) stem largely from a reduction in the variance of the buckling-load distribution, thereby demonstrating the potential of fibre-steered cylinders in reducing the imperfection sensitivity of cylindrical shells.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Probing and dynamics of shock sensitive shells’.
Gene function is a driver of signaling pathway evolution following whole genome duplication
Authors: Richman Jasmine A. , Davis Leah R. , Phelps Michael P.
Published: February 2023

The genome of many plant and animal species are heavily influenced by ancestral whole genome duplication (WGD) events. These events transform the regulation and function of gene networks, yet the evolutionary forces at work on duplicated genomes are not fully understood. Genes involved in cell surface signaling pathways are commonly retained following WGD. To understand the mechanisms driving functional evolution of duplicated cell signaling pathways, we performed the activin receptor signaling pathway in rainbow trout (RBT). Rainbow trout are a model salmonid species that exhibit a duplicated genome as a result of an ancestral WGD that occurred in all teleost fish, and a second more recent WGD found in salmonid fishes. This makes RBT a powerful system for studying ohnolog evolution in a single species. We observed that regulation of the duplicated activin receptor signaling pathway is commonly driven by tissue-specific expression of inhibitors and ligands along with the subfunctionalization of ligand ohnologs. Evidence suggests that for inhibitors and R-Smad signaling molecules, there is ongoing pressure to establish a single copy state which may be driven, in part, by regulatory suppression of select ohnologs. The core transmembrane receptors and Co-Smad signaling cascade members are high duplicated yet exhibit contrasting expression dynamics where receptors tend to share expression across tissues while dominance of a single ohnolog is common for the Smad4, Co-Smad gene family. Our findings provide support for a generalized model where gene function and gene dosage have a complementary role in ohnolog evolution following WGD.
Gastric Alimetry®impacts the management pathway of chronic gastroduodenal disorders
Authors: Daker Charlotte , Varghese Chris , Xu William , Cederwall Chris
Published: February 2023

Background

Gastric Alimetry is a new diagnostic tool using non-invasive gastric electrical mapping and symptom logging to identify patient subgroups. This study aimed to propose an initial framework for Gastric Alimetry implementation in the routine management of gastroduodenal disorders, and assess its impact on diagnosis and management.

Methods

Gastric Alimetry using standard tests (30-min fasted, ~480kCal meal, followed by 4-hr postprandial recording with concurrent symptom logging) was applied to patients presenting with gastroduodenal symptoms.

Results

Overall, 50 patients were evaluated with Gastric Alimetry. The test aided management decisions in 78% of patients (39/50) and aided a change in diagnosis in 40% (20/50), predominantly from a motility disorder to disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Changes in invasive nutritional support occurred in 18% (9/50).

Conclusion

Gastric Alimetry impacted care in most patients in this first series. Further work to inform clinical utility is now a priority.