bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Interstitial Lung Diseases by Pulmonary Endothelial Cells via PLVAP
Authors: Zhang Xin , Jia Liping , Hou Ruijie , Zhao Yue-an , Zhang Liangliang , Tong Xia , Mo Yan , Zhang Lanlan
Published: March 2024

The lack of standardized treatments for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and non-IPF progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (non-IPF-PF) highlights the need for identifying common therapeutic targets. We utilize single-cell RNA sequencing data from six disease groups, including IPF and non-IPF-PF such as Sarcoidosis, Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonitis (NSIP), myositis, and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (cHP), we conducted subpopulation analysis to identify cells exhibiting a trend of upregulated expression. Pulmonary venous endothelial cells (PVECs) were identified as a significant subpopulation, and targets regulating PVECs upregulation were discerned. In addition, molecular targets are validated through the utilization of in vivo and in vitro methodologies. PVECs showed upregulation in IPF and non-IPF-PF, linked to poorer lung function. PLVAP was consistently elevated across both conditions. In vivo PLVAP knockdown in endothelial cells mitigated pulmonary fibrosis in a bleomycin mouse model, also reducing mesenchymal macrophage interactions. Our findings reveal common therapeutic targets in IPF and non-IPF-PF, offering new directions for treatment strategies.
Decay of long-lived oscillations after quantum quenches in gapped interacting quantum systems
Authors: Robertson Jacob H. , Senese Riccardo , Essler Fabian H. L.
Published: March 2024

The presence of long-lived oscillations in the expectation values of local observables after quantum quenches has recently attracted considerable attention in relation to weak ergodicity breaking. Here, we focus on an alternative mechanism that gives rise to such oscillations in a class of systems that support kinematically protected gapped excitations at zero temperature. An open question in this context is whether such oscillations will ultimately decay. We provide strong support for the decay hypothesis by considering spin models that can be mapped to systems of weakly interacting fermions, which in turn are amenable to an analysis by standard methods based on the Bogoliubov–Born–Green–Kirkwood–Yvon (BBGKY) hierarchy. We find that there is a time scale beyond which the oscillations start to decay that grows as the strength of the quench is made small.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Probing charged Higgs bosons in the two-Higgs-doublet model type II with vectorlike quarks
Authors: Benbrik R. , Boukidi M. , Moretti S.
Published: March 2024

We study the phenomenology of charged Higgs bosons (H±) and vectorlike quarks (VLQs), denoted as T, the latter possessing a charge identical to the top quark one, within the framework of the two-Higgs-doublet model type II (2HDM-II). Upon examining two scenarios, one featuring a singlet (T) [2HDM−II+(T)] and another a doublet (TB) [2HDM−II+(TB)], we discover that the presence of VLQs has a significant effect on the (pseudo)scalar sector of the 2HDM-II. In particular, this leads to a reduction in the strict constraint on the mass of the charged Higgs boson, which is imposed by B-physics observables, specifically B→Xsγ. The observed reduction stems from modifications in the charged Higgs couplings to the Standard Model top and bottom quarks. Notably, the degree of this reduction varies distinctly between the singlet 2HDM+(T) and doublet 2HDM+(TB) scenarios. Additionally, our investigation extends to constraints imposed by the oblique parameters S and T on the VLQ mixing angles. Furthermore, to facilitate efficient exploration of the “2HDM−II+VLQ” parameter space, we present results on pair production of VLQs T (pp→TT¯), followed by T→H±b and H±→tb decays, yielding a distinctive 2t4b final state. This investigation thus provides valuable insights guiding the search for extended Higgs and quark sectors at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Circumventing superexponential runtimes for hard instances of quantum adiabatic optimization
Authors: Schiffer Benjamin F. , Wild Dominik S. , Maskara Nishad , Cain Madelyn , Lukin Mikhail D. , Samajdar Rhine
Published: March 2024

Classical optimization problems can be solved by adiabatically preparing the ground state of a quantum Hamiltonian that encodes the problem. The performance of this approach is determined by the smallest gap encountered during the evolution. Here, we consider the maximum independent set problem, which can be efficiently encoded in the Hamiltonian describing a Rydberg atom array. We present a general construction of instances of the problem for which the minimum gap decays superexponentially with system size, implying a superexponentially large time to solution via adiabatic evolution. The small gap arises from locally independent choices which cause the system to initially evolve and localize into a configuration far from the solution in terms of Hamming distance. We investigate remedies to this problem. Specifically, we show that quantum quenches in these models can exhibit signatures of quantum many-body scars, which in turn, can circumvent the superexponential gaps. By quenching from a suboptimal configuration, states with a larger ground-state overlap can be prepared, illustrating the utility of quantum quenches as an algorithmic tool.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Turkey, the second home for Iranians: push and pull motivations in Turkish housing market
Authors: Ghaedrahmati Safar , Rezaei Ebrahim
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper examines the main drives of encouraging Iranian investors in the Turkish real estate market, focusing on the interface between push factors and pull factors that drive them abroad.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the main drives of encouraging Iranian investors in the Turkish real estate market, focusing on the interface between push factors and pull factors that drive them abroad. For this purpose, the trend of housing price growth in Iran and Turkey was compared. The review of the 11-year trend of rates shows that housing prices in both countries have been continuously rising, and these prices have undoubtedly experienced increasing shocks in Iran. For further analysis, 13 main variables leading to the repulsion of investment in Iran's housing market and 15 variables shaping the attractiveness of investment in Turkey were identified in this sector. Thirty experts subsequently ranked the significant variables based on a closed-end questionnaire using quantitative strategic planning matrix. Examining housing investment elasticity in Turkey also shows that “Turkey's economic stability compared to neighboring countries” and “acquiring Turkish citizenship through real estate investment” are among the most important variables. On the other hand, the pressure variables of housing investment in Iran were “decrease in the value of the Iranian currency in recent years,” “currency price fluctuations” and “severe fluctuations and instability in the Iranian housing market.”

Findings

Examining housing investment elasticity in Turkey also shows that “Turkey's economic stability compared to neighboring countries” and “acquiring Turkish citizenship through real estate investment” are among the most important variables. On the other hand, the pressure variables of housing investment in Iran were “decrease in the value of the Iranian currency in recent years,” “currency price fluctuations” and “severe fluctuations and instability in the Iranian housing market.”

Originality/value

From a theoretical standpoint, foreign investment is in support of Turkey and harmful to Iran because the Turkish government is bolstering investment attractiveness to bring increased capital inflows into this country. Practically speaking, Turkey has aimed to create a rational framework for investors by strengthening and changing its economic system, as well as amending existing constitutions in this domain. Nevertheless, Iran resists any changes in its economic system and legislation. Therefore, a wide range of attractiveness and repulsion variables has led to the migration of Iranian investors to Turkey. In the present study, such variables are illuminated.
Study on physical and mechanical properties of cement asphalt emulsified mortar under track slab
Authors: Wang Tao , Wu Shaoliang , Jia Hengqiong , Peng Shanqing , Li Haiyan , Shao Piyan , Wei Zhao , Shi Yi
Published: March 2024

Purpose

During the construction process of the China Railway Track System (CRTS) I type filling layer, the nonwoven fabric bags have been used as grouting templates for cement asphalt (CA) emulsified mortar. The porous structure of nonwoven fabrics endowed the templates with breathability and water permeability. The standard requires that the volume expansion rate of CA mortar must be controlled within 1%–3%, which can generate expansion pressure to ensure that the cavities under track slabs are filled fully. However, the expansion pressure caused some of the water to seep out from the periphery of the filling bag, and it would affect the actual mix proportion of CA mortar. The differences in physical and mechanical properties between the CA mortar under track slabs and the CA mortar formed in the laboratory were studied in this paper. The relevant results could provide important methods for the research of filling layer materials for CRTS I type and other types of ballastless tracks in China.

Design/methodology/approach

During the inspection of filling layer, the samples of CA mortar from different working conditions and raw materials were taken by uncovering the track slabs and drilling cores. The physical and mechanical properties of CA mortar under the filling layer of the slab were systematically analyzed by testing the electrical flux, compressive strength and density of mortar in different parts of the filling layer.

Findings

In this paper, the electric flux, the physical properties and mechanical properties of different parts of CA mortar under the track slab were investigated. The results showed that the density, electric flux and compressive strength of CA mortar were affected by the composition of raw materials for dry powders and different parts of the filling layer. In addition, the electrical flux of CA mortar gradually decreased within 90 days’ age. The electrical flux of samples with the thickness of 54 mm was lower than 500 C. Therefore, the impermeability and durability of CA mortar could be improved by increasing the thickness of filling layer. Besides, the results showed that the compressive strength of CA mortar increased, while the density and electric flux decreased gradually, with the prolongation of hardening time.

Originality/value

During 90 days' age, the electrical flux of the CA mortar gradually decreased with the increase of specimen thickness and the electrical flux of the specimens with the thickness of 54 mm was lower than 500 C. The impermeability and durability of the CA mortar could be improved by increasing the thickness of filling layer. The proposed method can provide reference for the further development and improvement of CRTS I and CRTS II type ballastless track in China.
To(o) Queer the Analyst: Lesbiana, Junguiana and Sudamericana. Towards Woven Onto‐Epistemologies1
Authors: Kierbel Valeria
Published: March 2024

This is a two‐part paper: in the first one, a personal story serves as a conceptual prism through which I address the issue of how a queer analyst can be a problem for analytical psychology; in the second, I present some readings and images—mostly from decolonial feminisms—that have been of interest to me lately in my path to queer Jungian psychology, that is, to de‐essentialize and de‐individualize its theory and practice. By borrowing (and altering) the title from Gloria Anzaldúa's (1991/2009a) essay “To(o) queer the writer”, this paper explores some themes she has elaborated there on solidarity, theorization and ways of writing and reading from othered points of view. In dialogue with Donna Haraway's (2016) Staying with the Trouble and Ursula K. Le Guin's (1989/2000) The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction, together with the imagery of bags, weaving and string figures game, this paper aims to explore the potential of what I have called “woven onto‐epistemologies”. By imagining and developing this new condition of knowledge, other stories and theories in analytical psychology may have an opportunity to be told.
Immunological regulation and the role of autophagy in preeclampsia
Authors: Nakashima Akitoshi , Furuta Atsushi , Yoshida‐Kawaguchi Mihoko , Yamada Kiyotaka , Nunomura Haruka , Morita Keiko , Yasuda Ippei , Yoneda Satoshi , Yamaki‐Ushijima Akemi , Shima Tomoko , Tsuda Sayaka
Published: March 2024

Autophagy is a bulk degradation system that maintains cellular homeostasis by producing energy and/or recycling excess proteins. During early placentation, extravillous trophoblasts invade the decidua and uterine myometrium, facing maternal immune cells, which participate in the immune suppression of paternal and fetal antigens. Regulatory T cells will likely increase in response to a specific antigen before and during early pregnancy. Insufficient expansion of antigen‐specific Treg cells, which possess the same T cell receptor, is associated with the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, suggesting sterile systemic inflammation. Autophagy is involved in reducing inflammation through the degradation of inflammasomes and in the differentiation and function of regulatory T cells. Autophagy dysregulation induces protein aggregation in trophoblasts, resulting in placental dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the role of regulatory T cells in normal pregnancies. In addition, we discuss the association between autophagy and regulatory T cells in the development of preeclampsia based on reports on the role of autophagy in autoimmune diseases.
Exploring the significance of microbiota metabolites in rheumatoid arthritis: uncovering their contribution from disease development to biomarker potential
Authors: Lu Zi‐feng , Hsu Chou‐Yi , Younis Nada Khairi , Mustafa Mohammed Ahmed , Matveeva Elena A. , Al‐Juboory Yassien Hussain Owaied , Adil Mohaned , Athab Zainab H. , Abdulraheem Mustafa Nasrat
Published: March 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and joint destruction. Recent research has elucidated the intricate interplay between gut microbiota and RA pathogenesis, underscoring the role of microbiota‐derived metabolites as pivotal contributors to disease development and progression. The human gut microbiota, comprising a vast array of microorganisms and their metabolic byproducts, plays a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis. Dysbiosis of this microbial community has been linked to numerous autoimmune disorders, including RA. Microbiota‐derived metabolites, such as short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), tryptophan derivatives, Trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO), bile acids, peptidoglycan, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), exhibit immunomodulatory properties that can either exacerbate or ameliorate inflammation in RA. Mechanistically, these metabolites influence immune cell differentiation, cytokine production, and gut barrier integrity, collectively shaping the autoimmune milieu. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the intricate crosstalk between microbiota metabolites and RA pathogenesis and also discusses the potential of specific metabolites to trigger or suppress autoimmunity, shedding light on their molecular interactions with immune cells and signaling pathways. Additionally, this review explores the translational aspects of microbiota metabolites as diagnostic and prognostic tools in RA. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects of translating these findings into clinical practice are critically examined.
Meeting the challenges of continuing education online courses: Can we promote self‐regulated learning strategies with adaptive support?
Authors: Teich Katharina , Loock Vanessa Stefanie , Rummel Nikol
Published: March 2024

Online courses are particularly attractive in continuing education because they offer a high degree of autonomy and flexibility, although this requires learners to take greater responsibility for self‐regulating their learning. That can be challenging for adult learners as they need to handle other obligations in addition to learning. Thus, self‐regulated learning (SRL) support might be needed. In the present study, we aimed to investigate how the specific SRL challenges that adult learners face in online courses can be supported adaptively. Main challenges for adult learners consist in managing learning resources (e.g., time, attention, learning environment). To address these challenges, we developed an adaptive support intervention comprising several features. To assess the effects of the adaptive support on the self‐reported SRL strategy application of adult learners, we analysed data from five iterations of a continuing education online course comparing iterations with adaptive support (with a total of N = 36 participants) to iterations without (with a total of N = 35 participants). Results indicate that the adaptive support significantly improved environmental structuring but did not significantly affect other SRL strategies. Further analyses revealed that learners who did not use the support deteriorated in managing their learning time and in setting specific learning goals during the course.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Adult learners are likely to face various challenges in self‐regulated online learning, including managing conflicting responsibilities and maintaining focus.

Adult learners' successful application of SRL strategies can be challenging, underlining the need for support.

Adaptive support interventions have demonstrated positive effects in various educational contexts, indicating potential effectiveness for adult online learners as well.

What this paper adds

The study provides insights into the positive effects and potential pitfalls of designing an adaptive support intervention to improve adult learners' self‐reported use of the SRL strategies of effort, attention, time management, environmental structuring, and goal setting.

Implications for practice and/or policy

The findings suggest that providing adaptive support, namely a structured course overview and adaptive recommendations of learning time and relevant content, can positively influence adult learners' environmental structuring.

Our findings also highlight the challenge of achieving optimal support design, as evidenced by low support use. This finding highlights the need to explore additional methods to motivate adult learners to use the support provided while carefully respecting their autonomy.
Use of once‐daily oral semaglutide and associated clinical outcomes among adults with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice in Canada: A multicentre, prospective real‐world study (PIONEER REAL Canada)
Authors: Jain Akshay B. , Reichert Sonja M. , Amadid Hanan , Braae Uffe C. , Bradley Ryan M. , Kim James W. , Soo Victoria , Yale Jean‐François
Published: March 2024

Aim

PIONEER REAL Canada examined real‐world clinical outcomes associated with the use of once‐daily oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This was a 34‐ to 44‐week, multicentre, prospective, open‐label, non‐interventional study in adults who were treatment‐naive to injectable glucose‐lowering medication and initiated oral semaglutide in routine clinical practice. The primary endpoint was the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to the end of the study (EoS). Secondary endpoints assessed at EoS were change from baseline in body weight (BW); the proportion of participants reaching HbA1c levels <7% and the composite endpoints, HbA1c reduction ≥1% point with BW reduction ≥3% and ≥5%; and treatment satisfaction measured using Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaires (DTSQ) status and change. Primary analyses were based on the in‐study observation period.

Results

In total, 182 participants initiated oral semaglutide (mean age, 58.6 years; HbA1c, 8.0%; BW, 93.7 kg). The estimated changes (95% confidence interval) from baseline to EoS in HbA1c and BW were −1.09% points (−1.24, −0.94; p < .0001) and −7.17% (−8.24, −6.11; p < .0001), respectively. At EoS, 53.7% of participants had HbA1c levels <7%; 39.3% and 31.6% reached HbA1c reduction ≥1% point plus BW reduction ≥3% and ≥5%, respectively. Treatment satisfaction significantly increased (DTSQ status, +4.47 points; DTSQ change, 11.83 points; both p < .0001). At EoS, 75.3% of participants remained on oral semaglutide (55.5% received oral semaglutide 14 mg). No new safety signals were identified for oral semaglutide.

Conclusions

In PIONEER REAL Canada, participants treated with oral semaglutide in routine clinical practice experienced clinically relevant reductions in HbA1c and BW and increased treatment satisfaction.
MyD88‐mediated signaling is critical for the generation of seizure responses and cognitive impairment in a model of anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis
Authors: Taraschenko Olga , Fox Howard S. , Eldridge Ember , Heliso Priscilla , Al‐Saleem Fetweh , Dessain Scott , Casale George , Willcockson Gregory , Anderson Kayley , Wang Wenyi , Dingledine Raymond
Published: March 2024

Objective

We previously demonstrated that interleukin‐1 receptor‐mediated immune activation contributes to seizure severity and memory loss in anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. In the present study, we assessed the role of the myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), an adaptor protein in Toll‐like receptor signaling, in the key phenotypic characteristics of anti‐NMDAR encephalitis.

Methods

Monoclonal anti‐NMDAR antibodies or control antibodies were infused into the lateral ventricle of MyD88 knockout mice (MyD88−/−) and control C56BL/6J mice (wild type [WT]) via osmotic minipumps for 2 weeks. Seizure responses were measured by electroencephalography. Upon completion of the infusion, the motor, anxiety, and memory functions of the mice were assessed. Astrocytic (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]) and microglial (ionized calcium‐binding adaptor molecule 1 [Iba‐1]) activation and transcriptional activation for the principal inflammatory mediators involved in seizures were determined using immunohistochemistry and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results

As shown before, 80% of WT mice infused with anti‐NMDAR antibodies (n = 10) developed seizures (median = 11, interquartile range [IQR] = 3–25 in 2 weeks). In contrast, only three of 14 MyD88−/− mice (21.4%) had seizures (0, IQR = 0–.25, p = .01). The WT mice treated with antibodies also developed memory loss in the novel object recognition test, whereas such memory deficits were not apparent in MyD88−/− mice treated with anti‐NMDAR antibodies (p = .03) or control antibodies (p = .04). Furthermore, in contrast to the WT mice exposed to anti‐NMDAR antibodies, the MyD88−/− mice had a significantly lower induction of chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in the hippocampus (p = .0001, Sidak tests). There were no significant changes in the expression of GFAP and Iba‐1 in the MyD88−/− mice treated with anti‐NMDAR or control antibodies.

Significance

These findings suggest that MyD88‐mediated signaling contributes to the seizure and memory phenotype in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis and that CCL2 activation may participate in the expression of these features. The removal of MyD88 inflammation may be protective and therapeutically relevant.
CLASS AND CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS ACCORDING TO E. P. THOMPSON
Authors: Cunningham Daniel
Published: March 2024

In this article, I extract a theory of class from E. P. Thompson's historical works of the 1960s and 1970s, focusing especially on his 1963 magnum opus The Making of the English Working Class, the articles later collected in the 1991 volume Customs in Common: Studies in Traditional Popular Culture, and the essays “The Peculiarities of the English” and “Eighteenth‐Century English Society: Class Struggle without Class?” In the first section, I argue, following Ellen Meiksins Wood, that Thompson developed a genuinely historical materialist theory of class formation as a “structured process” that moves from class struggle to class consciousness, a theory that complicates the frequent description of Thompson as a “voluntarist.” In the second section, I take a more critical position toward Thompson's understanding of class, discussing a tension between this notion of class as structured process and his numerous invocations of class as a form of “lived experience” whose diversity and unpredictability exceed theorization. This tension aside, Thompson claims that, in the case of the nineteenth‐century English working class, to which he dedicated so much research, lived experience coincided with the more general structured process he posits. In the third section, therefore, I more fully elaborate on this specific process of class formation as Thompson portrays it, identifying and discussing three intertwined threads: (1) a movement from a past‐oriented defense of traditional institutions to a future‐oriented demand for reforms, (2) the development of oppositional, class‐specific pedagogical institutions and practices, and (3) the creation of a distinct class culture (which Thompson closely aligns with the achievement of class consciousness) that is aware both of itself and of its antagonism with other classes.
UNCERTAINTY, LONG‐RUN, AND MONETARY POLICY RISKS IN A TWO‐COUNTRY MACRO MODEL
Authors: Berg Kimberly A. , Mark Nelson C.
Published: March 2024

We study the currency risk premium and the forward premium bias in a two‐country New Keynesian model with production, no physical capital, and recursive utility. Monetary policy follows an interest rate feedback rule and exogenous total factor productivity (TFP) growth follows a long‐run risk process with stochastic volatility, which we estimate from data. With cross‐country heterogeneity in TFP and monetary policy, reasonable currency risk premia emerge under complete and incomplete markets but the forward premium bias is trivial. We diagnose the challenge faced by this fairly standard production model to explain the forward premium bias.
Effect of the hydrotalcite formation on the fracture behavior and corrosion resistance of HA‐bonded alumina‐spinel castables
Authors: Xu Suchen , Liu Wenjing , Liao Ning , Nath Mithun , Li Yawei
Published: March 2024

Hydratable alumina‐bonded castable is a promising non‐cement bonded refractory for ladle lining. An in situ formation of layered double hydroxides (Mg–Al hydrotalcite, M–A–H) using reactive MgO powders is proposed as a means of enhancing the castables during curing, drying, and after the high‐temperature treatment. The formation of hydrotalcite, spinel transformation, pore structure, mechanical properties, fracture behavior, and slag corrosion resistance have been systematically investigated. The results indicate that the hydrotalcite formation is governed by the hydration reactivity of MgO, which promotes the formation of Mg(OH)2 as an intermediate hydrate, and the ultimate growth of hydrotalcite. The residual MgO and newly formed hydrotalcite are eventually transformed into micron size and submicron size spinel, respectively. This structural evolution contributes to an optimized pore structure and microstructure, enhancing the castables. The ultimate pore structure and enhanced interfaces between aggregate and matrix facilitate the improvement of toughness and slag corrosion/penetration resistance.
A device‐related fistula between coronary artery and left atrial appendage following left atrial appendage closure: Case presentation
Authors: Liu Xiaohua , Xu Yizhou
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) is considered a viable alternative to anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, we report a case with a less common shunt resulting from a device‐related coronary artery‐appendage fistula (CAAF) following LAAC.

Methods and Results

A 67‐year‐old male with a history of LAAC was referred to our emergency room with recurrent chest pain and palpitations and was diagnosed with ischemic angina pectoris. Subsequent coronary angiography (CAG) revealed 70% in‐stent restenosis and an abnormal shunt of contrast originating from the left circumflex artery (LCA) to the LAA tip which did not exist before. The restenosis was successfully dilated using a drug‐coated balloon, the procedure was safely completed without pericardial effusion. The patient had been implanted with a LAmbre occluder (Lifetech Scientific Corp.) in the previous LAAC procedure. This occluder had a lobe‐disk design, and the distal umbrella was not fully opened after release, particularly in the lower portion. This could make the hooks embedded on the umbrella contact the LAA wall more tightly, possibly resulting in microperforation and coincidental impingement of the LCA. The epicardial adipose and hyperplastic tissue then chronically wrapped the perforated site, prevented blood outflow into the epicardium, and ultimately formed a CAAF.

Conclusion

CAAF is a rare complication after LAAC but may be underestimated, especially for lobe‐disk designed occluders. Therefore, CAG is perhaps necessary to detect this complication.
Effect of non‐surgical periodontal therapy on salivary histone deacetylases expression: A prospective clinical study
Authors: Liaw Andrew , Liu Chun , Bartold Mark , Ivanovski Sašo , Han Pingping
Published: March 2024

Aim

To evaluate the effect of non‐surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on salivary histone deacetylases (HDACs) gene expression in patients with Stage III–IV periodontitis at baseline and at 3 and 6 months post NSPT treatment.

Materials and Methods

Twenty patients completed the study. Periodontitis (as well as the corresponding staging and grading) was diagnosed according to the 2017 World Workshop Classification. Clinical measures were recorded and whole unstimulated saliva was collected at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after NSPT. The expression of 11 HDACs was determined using reverse‐transcription PCR, and the respective changes over time were evaluated.

Results

Six months after NSPT, significant improvements in all clinical periodontal parameters were observed, concomitant with significant up‐regulation of HDAC2, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11 expressions. Subgroup analyses of non‐responders and responders revealed no significant differences in HDACs mRNA expression between groups at any time point.

Conclusions

This prospective clinical study identified longitudinal changes in salivary HDACs expression in response to NSPT, which provides new insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the pathobiology of periodontitis and creates avenues for the discovery of novel biomarkers.
Docudrama and the Agential Child: Treading a Path Between Melodrama and National Geographic
Authors: Wells Karen
Published: March 2024

This paper describes the making of a documentary film about children's learning cultures in West Africa to show that it is possible to escape the melodramatic gaze through deploying specific shooting, editorial and screening choices that represent children as active, knowledgeable subjects situated in a specific cultural milieu. It also discusses the legacy of ethnographic film, especially in relation to Africa, which in its aim at cultural translation presumes a non‐local spectator and deploys what has been called an entomological gaze; glossed here as ‘national geographic’ and proposes that key to disavowing that legacy is making film for African audiences.
Reference values and reliability of occlusal force distribution and occlusal time measured by the T‐Scan system in adults with healthy dentition
Authors: Rubió‐Ferrer Gemma , Rovira‐Lastra Bernat , Khoury‐Ribas Laura , Flores‐Orozco Elan Ignacio , Ayuso‐Montero Raul , Martinez‐Gomis Jordi
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Reference values of occlusal characteristics are needed to interpret the data obtained using the T‐Scan System. This study aimed to establish reference values for and to assess the reliability of, occlusal force distribution in the maximal intercuspal position and the occlusion time in young adults with healthy dentition.

Materials and Methods

In total 178 adults with natural dentition participated in this retrospective cross‐sectional study, of whom 76 performed a retest session. Several occlusal recordings were obtained from each participant using the T‐Scan system while asking them to bite two or three consecutive times (multi‐bite) or only once (single‐bite) at the maximal intercuspal position. The lateral and anteroposterior occlusal force distribution were determined as percentages in the right and posterior teeth . Occlusion time was measured in seconds. After the occlusal force distribution and occlusion time percentiles were calculated, reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The 5th–95th percentiles for occlusal force distribution were 34%–67% on the right teeth and 55%–94% on the posterior teeth. The 90th percentile for multi‐bite occlusion time was 0.17 s and for single‐bite occlusion time was 0.27 s. The intraclass correlation coefficients for lateral occlusal force distribution, anteroposterior occlusal force distribution, multi‐bite occlusion time, and single‐bite occlusion time were 0.70, 0.68, 0.58, and 0.67, respectively.

Conclusions

This study generated reference values for key occlusal characteristics (occlusal force distribution and occlusion time) when using the T‐Scan system. These values showed moderate reliability.
Dynamic panel analysis of the EU's fiscal reaction function with threshold effects
Authors: Mamatzakis Emmanuel
Published: March 2024

This study contributes to the ongoing reform of the EU's economic governance, particularly about fiscal performance. We opt for a fiscal reaction function of the cyclically adjusted primary balance. Given concerns over underlying endogeneity and heterogeneity across countries we employ a threshold dynamic analysis. The findings confirm that the fiscal policy in the EU has been procyclical overall. However, we identify two regimes of output gap. Fiscal policy has been countercyclical for EU member states in the higher output gap regime while EU member states follow a procyclical fiscal policy in the lower regime. We reveal also that the endogenous debt‐to‐GDP ratio threshold is at 75.6% for the EU and 78.7% for the Euro area, which notably exceeds the EU Treaty's reference value of 60%. Fiscal rules and fiscal councils mitigate procyclical fiscal policies, being more effective for low debt countries. In terms of policy implications, the identified fiscal thresholds and variability across countries warrant a higher degree of fiscal coordination in the EU, particularly in the Euro area.
Factors affecting the compliance of hepatocellular carcinoma screening among high‐risk populations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Feng Ge‐hui , Yue Qian‐qian , Zhao Ke‐hao , Peng Tong , Tang Tian , Sun Ying‐xue , Meng Xin‐ru , Huang Li‐li , Zeng Xi , Zeng Ying
Published: March 2024

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer mortality. HCC has high morbidity, high mortality, and low survival rates. Screening is one of the most significant methods of lowering incidence and death while also increasing survival.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the facilitators and barriers to participation in HCC screening among high‐risk populations.

Methods

A comprehensive and systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBACE, EBSCOhost and the Cochrane Library. A combination of synonyms of the keywords including HCC, screening, factors and adherence were used for searching. Studies addressing the facilitators and barriers to HCC screening compliance in at‐risk individuals were included. Data were synthesized using Review Manager version 5.4. A random/fixed effects model meta‐analysis was performed to estimate the pooled data and expressed with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Qualitative (n = 1) and quantitative (n = 6) studies using various types of surgery were conducted. The most commonly mentioned barriers were insufficient knowledge and awareness of HCC screening, unawareness of the necessity for early detection of HCC and lack of physician recommendation. A meta‐analysis of seven studies showed that individuals with a family history of HCC increased screening uptake by nearly three times (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.93, 3.75). Other most frequently reported facilitators include age, education level, and perceived risk et al.

Conclusions

Many barriers to HCC screening were found. Meanwhile, this review points out that improving the awareness of high‐risk populations toward HCC screening is expected to enhance compliance, thereby promoting early diagnosis of liver cancer, reducing mortality, and alleviating the burden of HCC.
Endophytic Fungi‐Mediated Defense Signaling in Maize: Unraveling the Role of WRKY36 in Regulating Immunity against Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Batool Raufa , Xuelian Gou , Hui Dong , Xiuzhen Long , Umer Muhammad Jawad , Rwomushana Ivan , Ali Abid , Attia Kotb A. , Jingfei Guo , Zhenying Wang
Published: March 2024

Seed priming with beneficial endophytic fungi is an emerging sustainable strategy for enhancing plant resistance against insect pests. This study examined the effects of Beauvaria bassiana Bb20091317 and Metarhizium rileyi MrCDTLJ1 fungal colonization on maize growth, defence signalling, benzoxazinoid levels and gene expression. The colonization did not adversely affect plant growth but reduced larval weights of Spodoptera frugiperda. Maize leaves treated with M. rileyi exhibited higher levels of jasmonic acid, jasmonoyl‐Isoleucine, salicylic acid, and indole acetic acid compared to control. B. bassiana and M. rileyi accelerated phytohormone increase upon S. frugiperda herbivory. Gene expression analysis revealed modulation of benzoxazinoid biosynthesis genes. We further elucidated the immune regulatory role of the transcription factor zmWRKY36 using virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) in maize. zmWRKY36 positively regulates maize immunity against S. frugiperda, likely by interacting with defense‐related proteins. Transient overexpression of zmWRKY36 in tobacco‐induced cell death, while silencing in maize reduced chitin‐triggered reactive oxygen species burst, confirming its immune function. Overall, B. bassiana and M. rileyi successfully colonized maize, impacting larval growth, defense signalling, and zmWRKY36‐mediated resistance. This sheds light on maize‐endophyte‐insect interactions for sustainable plant protection.
Children's help‐seeking expectations during preschool years: The effects of situational stress levels and help‐seekers’ competence
Authors: Jia Chenglong , Xia Xuan , Shen Yuan , Wang Jingmei , Qin Jinliang
Published: March 2024

Help‐seeking is a common strategy for children to cope with daily stress. However, little is known as to how children make help‐seeking expectations during early development. The current study examined the effects of situational stress levels and help‐seekers’ competence on children's expectations of help‐seeking behavior and willingness from age 4 to 6. We manipulated situational stress levels and help‐seekers’ competence in a social expectation task. Children were tested to determine their expectations of help‐seeking behavior and willingness. Two hundred and twenty‐one Han Chinese children aged 4–6 from a city in East China participated in this study. We found that 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds expected the incompetent help‐seekers to seek support more than the competent help‐seekers regardless of situational stress levels. However, 4‐ to 5‐year‐olds made expectations as such only in the low‐stress condition. These results suggest that both situational stress levels and help‐seekers’ competence influence 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children's help‐seeking expectations, and the influence varies across ages.
The novel HLA‐C*06:372 allele, identified in a stem cell donor of an old order mennonite ethnicity
Authors: Beaune David , Sharma Arpit , Cohoe Elsa , Al Agbar Sabina , Sidahmed Abubaker M. E.
Published: March 2024

HLA‐C*06:372 differs from HLA‐C*06:02:01:01 by a single substitution in exon 4.
Characteristics, predictors and consequences of tuberculosis treatment interruption: A multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Oh Ai Ling , Makmor‐Bakry Mohd , Islahudin Farida , Ting Chuo Yew , Chan Swee Kim , Tie Siew Teck
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Treatment interruption is associated with poor tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes and increased drug resistance. To address the issue, we aimed to investigate the characteristics, predictors and consequences of treatment interruption.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study by retrieving 4 years (2018–2021) of TB patients' records at 10 public health clinics in Sarawak, Malaysia. Adult patients (≥18 years) with drug‐susceptible TB were selected. Treatment interruption was defined as ≥2 weeks of cumulative interruption during treatment. The Chi‐square test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyse the data, with p < 0.05 being considered statistically significant.

Results

Out of 2953 eligible patients, 475 (16.1%) experienced TB treatment interruption. Interruptions were most frequent during the intensive phase (46.9%, n = 223), with the greatest risk within the first 4 weeks of treatment. The median time to interruption was 2 weeks in the intensive phase and the cumulative interruption probability at the end of the intensive phase was 12.9%. Notably, treatment interruption occurred during both intensive and continuation phases for 144 patients (30.3%), while the remaining 108 (22.7%) experienced interruptions only during the continuation phase with a median time to interruption of 16 weeks. Three predictors were identified to increase the risk of treatment interruption: adverse drug reaction (aHR = 8.53, 95% Cl: 6.73–10.82), smoking (aHR = 2.67, 95% Cl: 2.03–3.53) and illicit drug use (aHR = 1.88, 95% Cl: 1.03–3.45). Conversely, underlying diabetes was associated with a reduced likelihood of treatment interruption (aHR = 0.72, 95% Cl: 0.58–0.90). Treatment interruption led to significant differences in treatment restarts (62.3% vs. 0.7%), changes in medications (47.8% vs. 4.9%), prolonged treatment duration (247 days [IQR = 105] vs. 194 days [IQR = 44.3]) and lower successful outcomes (86.5% vs. 99.9%).

Conclusion

Understanding the temporal characteristics, predictors and negative consequences of treatment interruption can guide the development of time‐relevant approaches to mitigate the problem.
Liouville theorems and optimal regularity in elliptic equations
Authors: Tortone Giorgio
Published: March 2024

The objective of this paper is to establish a connection between the problem of optimal regularity among solutions to elliptic partial differential equations with measurable coefficients and the Liouville property at infinity. Initially, we address the two‐dimensional case by proving an Alt–Caffarelli–Friedman‐type monotonicity formula, enabling the proof of optimal regularity and the Liouville property for multiphase problems. In higher dimensions, we delve into the role of monotonicity formulas in characterizing optimal regularity. By employing a hole‐filling technique, we present a distinct “almost‐monotonicity” formula that implies Hölder regularity of solutions. Finally, we explore the interplay between the least growth at infinity and the exponent of regularity by combining blow‐up and ‐convergence arguments.
FGF2 gene's antisense protein, NUDT6, plays a depressogenic role by promoting inflammation and suppressing neurogenesis without altering FGF2 signalling
Authors: Uzay Burak , Bahadır‐Varol Aslıhan , Hökelekli Fatma Özlem , Yılmaz Murat , Esen Emre Cem , Başar Koray , Ayhan Yavuz , Dalkara Turgay , Eren‐Koçak Emine
Published: March 2024

Fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) is involved in the regulation of affective behaviour and shows antidepressant effects through the Akt and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 pathways. Nudix hydrolase 6 (NUDT6) protein is encoded from FGF2 gene's antisense strand and its role in the regulation of affective behaviour is unknown. Here, we overexpressed NUDT6 in the hippocampus and investigated its behavioural effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms affecting the behaviour. We showed that increasing hippocampal NUDT6 results in depression‐like behaviour in rats without changing FGF2 levels or activating its downstream effectors, Akt and ERK1/2. Instead, NUDT6 acted by inducing inflammatory signalling, specifically by increasing S100 calcium binding protein A9 (S100A9) levels, activating nuclear factor‐kappa B‐p65 (NF‐κB‐p65), and elevating microglia numbers along with a reduction in neurogenesis. Our results suggest that NUDT6 could play a role in major depression by inducing a proinflammatory state. This is the first report of an antisense protein acting through a different mechanism of action than regulation of its sense protein. The opposite effects of NUDT6 and FGF2 on depression‐like behaviour may serve as a mechanism to fine‐tune affective behaviour. Our findings open up new venues for studying the differential regulation and functional interactions of sense and antisense proteins in neural function and behaviour, as well as in neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Key points

Hippocampal overexpression of nudix hydrolase 6 (NUDT6), the antisense protein of fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2), increases depression‐like behaviour in rats.

Hippocampal NUDT6 overexpression triggers a neuroinflammatory cascade by increasing S100 calcium binding proteinA9 (S100A9) expression and nuclear NF‐κB‐p65 translocation in neurons, in addition to microglial recruitment and activation.

Hippocampal NUDT6 overexpression suppresses neurogenesis.

NUDT6 exerts its actions without altering the levels or downstream signalling pathways of FGF2.
The Impact of the Fluid–Solid Coupling Behavior of Macro and Microstructures in the Spiral Cochlea on Hearing
Authors: Zhao Zhengshan , Liang Junyi , Yao Wenjuan
Published: March 2024

The cilia of the outer hair cells (OHCs) are the key microstructures involved in cochlear acoustic function, and their interactions with lymph in the cochlea involve complex, highly nonlinear, coupled motion and energy conversions, including macroscopic fluid–solid coupling. Recent optical measurements have shown that the frequency selectivity of the cochlea at high sound levels is entirely mechanical and is determined by the interactions of the hair bundles with the surrounding fluid. In this paper, an analytical mathematical model of the spiral cochlea containing macro- and micromeasurements was developed to investigate how the phonosensitive function of OHCs' motions is influenced by the macrostructural and microstructural fluid–solid coupling in the spiral cochlea. The results showed that the macrostructural and microstructural fluid–solid coupling exerted the radial forces of OHCs through the flow field, deflecting the cilia and generating frequency-selective properties of the microstructures. This finding showed that microstructural frequency selectivity arises from the radial motions of stereocilia hair bundles and enhances the hearing of sound signals at specific frequencies. It also implied that the macrostructural and microstructural fluid–solid couplings influence the OHCs' radial forces and that this is a key factor in the excitation of ion channels that enables their activity in helping the brain to detect sound.