bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of social support as a mediator of the relationship between physical and psychological health among hospitalised patients
Authors: Hagan Joseph L. , Sipe Margie Hamilton , Tyer‐Viola Lynda A. , Corless Inge B. , Quinn Lisa , Hall Kathryn E. , Carney Julia , Griffith Catherine A. , Banister Gaurdia E.
Published: September 2023

Aim

To investigate the self‐reported levels of social support from friends and family and from nurses as mediators of the relationship between self‐rated physical and psychological condition in hospitalised patients.

Design

Cross‐sectional study of adult inpatients at a large tertiary‐care hospital in the northeast United States.

Methods

Multiple mediation analysis of survey data.

Results

In surveys received from 324 inpatients, one fourth of the variation in patients' self‐rated psychological condition was explained by self‐rated physical condition. Social support from family and friends mediated a significant proportion (11.0%) of the relationship between self‐rated physical and psychological condition, however social support from nurses did not.

Conclusion

Social support from family and friends can positively influence the psychological health of inpatients, but nurses are not an adequate replacement for the social support provided by family and friends.

Implications for Nursing

Although nurses cannot replace the social support provided by family and friends, the assessment of social isolation and care planning of interventions to support patients is a fundamental nursing role. Technology to connect patients with friends and family should be used to mitigate isolation for hospitalised patients unable to receive in‐person visits from loved ones.

Impact

The influence of social support from family and friends and nurses was addressed. The study found social support from family and friends, but not nurses, to influence the relationship between physical and psychological ratings. This finding has implications for the role of nurses in the hospital setting.

Reporting Method

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were followed.
Shopping for Information: Implications of Consumer Learning for Optimal Pricing and Product Design*
Authors: Pease Marilyn
Published: September 2023

I study a seller's pricing problem where consumers perform costly product research about value before purchase. They buy the product when sufficiently optimistic about value and cease research when sufficiently pessimistic. I find that the seller encourages product research when prior belief about value is high, even though he could sell immediately for a high price. The prior affects both expected value and how additional information changes consumers' beliefs. I show that an increase in research cost affects equilibrium price nonmonotonically. Finally, when the seller chooses price and product value dispersion, the optimal level of dispersion need not be extremal.
Royalty Stacking and Validity Challenges: The Inverse Cournot Effect*
Authors: Llobet Gerard , Padilla Jorge
Published: September 2023

This paper shows that the well‐known royalty‐stacking problem is not robust to considering licensors with patents of heterogeneous strength due to the Inverse Cournot effect. The incentives for a downstream producer to challenge a weak patent in court increase when the total royalty rate is lower. The Inverse Cournot effect generates a moderation force in the royalty rate of strong patent holders forcing weak licensors to reduce their royalties to avoid litigation and causing an increase in output. This effect is mitigated when all firms have weak patents, making royalty stacking a more relevant concern in that case.
Dispositional Associations Between Interoceptive Attention Tendencies and Effortful Control: Cross‐sectional Findings from an Online National Survey of Japanese Working Adults
Authors: Fujikawa Takuya , Kabir Russell Sarwar , Funabashi Atsuhiko , Kawamata Yu , Haramaki Yutaka
Published: September 2023

Interoceptive attention tendencies (IATs) have been theorized to include facets of awareness and evaluative aspects for skillfully attending toward one's bodily sensations in a regulatory manner. However, the relations between IATs and factors for the trait‐like control of behavioral effort are unknown. Here, we tested associations between IATs measured via the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) and control‐related factors from the Effortful Control Scale (ECS) for adults in a nationally representative online survey of 500 Japanese working adults (analytic sample, N = 463; 274 females, Mage = 46.63 years, SD = 11.58 years). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis for the MAIA showed acceptable model fit for the six‐factor model similar to previous studies with Japanese respondents. Adjusting for the influence of age and gender, partial correlations indicated that the evaluative dimensions of the MAIA were positively correlated with the Inhibitory Control, Activation Control, and Attentional Control factors of the ECS (Pearson's partial rs range .14 to .25, ps < .01). Exploratory multiple regression analysis indicated that the Attention Regulation factor of the MAIA was a statistically significant predictor of effortful control modeled as total score. Taken together, the results were theoretically consistent with previous studies investigating relations with trait‐like factors of personality and mental health indicators for full‐time workers in Japan. Relative to the constructs of awareness, our empirical correlations provide specificity for the construct validity of IATs with trait indicators of effortful control and implications for implementation research.
Dehorning impacts white rhinoceros behaviour less than social events: evidence from Botswana
Authors: Pfannerstill V. , Härdtner R. , Maboga O. S. , Balkenhol N. , Bennitt E. , Scheumann M.
Published: September 2023

Dehorning is a conservation measure used to protect rhinoceroses (‘rhinos’) from being poached by removing most of the visible horn and thus reducing the monetary reward for the risk that a poacher takes. Rhinos use their horns in comfort and aggressive social behaviours. The loss of the horn might result in a decrease in aggressive and affiliative behaviours and an increase in avoidance behaviours after dehorning due to a reduced effectiveness and potential discomfort when using the nasal body part. The dehorning procedure, which includes chasing and immobilization, can lead to the separation of groups and might therefore result in fewer social interactions. To estimate whether the stress of the dehorning procedure and the loss of the horn affect the activity budget of the rhino, we compared general activities and horn‐related behaviours before and after dehorning. We observed nine (six females and three males) wild white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum simum) in Botswana for 1 month before and 1 month after dehorning. The proportions of feeding, resting, comfort, aggressive, avoidance and affiliative behaviours did not change significantly within 1 month after dehorning. We observed sex‐specific changes in proportions of locomotion and in vocalization rates, which we linked to the chasing during the procedure and to the social events of two births in the study population. Effects of the dehorning itself seemed to be weak and short‐lived. Our results suggest that dehorning has no major impact on rhino behaviour. However, there is a key need to investigate the effectiveness of dehorning in reducing poaching events.
Flexicurity, education and optimal labour market policies
Authors: Davoine Thomas
Published: September 2023

The paper provides a theoretical rationale for flexicurity policies, consisting of low employment protection, generous unemployment insurance and active labour market programmes. Education efforts give access to high productivity firms, more likely to survive and thus exposing less their workers to unemployment risk. Activation programmes support reallocation from risky and unproductive to safer and more productive firms, reducing unemployment. Low employment protection can provide incentives for self‐insurance against unemployment risk through education, mitigating the moral hazard cost of unemployment insurance and activation programmes. The paper identifies conditions for flexicurity to be optimal and confronts theoretical predictions to the data.
Unlocking the potential of microbiome editing: A review of conjugation‐based delivery
Authors: Dorado‐Morales Pedro , Lambérioux Morgan , Mazel Didier
Published: September 2023

In recent decades, there has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of multidrug‐resistant pathogens, posing a challenge to modern antibiotic‐based medicine. This has highlighted the need for novel treatments that can specifically affect the target microorganism without disturbing other co‐inhabiting species, thus preventing the development of dysbiosis in treated patients. Moreover, there is a pressing demand for tools to effectively manipulate complex microbial populations. One of the approaches suggested to address both issues was to use conjugation as a tool to modify the microbiome by either editing the genome of specific bacterial species and/or the removal of certain taxonomic groups. Conjugation involves the transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another, which opens up the possibility of introducing, modifying or deleting specific genes in the recipient. In response to this proposal, there has been a significant increase in the number of studies using this method for gene delivery in bacterial populations. This MicroReview aims to provide a detailed overview on the use of conjugation for microbiome engineering, and at the same time, to initiate a discussion on the potential, limitations and possible future directions of this approach.
“Muslim Environmentalisms and Environmental Ethics: Theory and Practice for Rights and Justice”
Authors: Gade Anna M.
Published: September 2023

This presentation was the Biennial Willem A. Bijlefeld Lecture at Hartford International University in 2023. Muslim religious responses to environmental change highlight the importance of multispecies perspectives, rights of nature and environmental justice. These areas are also the most central to the development of current environmental engagement and advocacy. Muslim moral teachings and praxis of the past and present in just these areas are communal in focus, blend law and ethics around rights‐based notions, and they also scale horizons meaningfully in the area of justice. Additionally, relative autonomy from post‐Christian philosophical tradition allows such Muslim perspectives to re‐ground to ethics away from investments in neoliberal and colonial heritage. Islamic theory and practice addressing concerns at the forefront of environmental studies thereby shape the future of environmental ethics beyond the Anthropocene.
Extended stage duration and diminished fecundity in deltamethrin‐resistant Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834) of the Argentinean Chaco
Authors: Maza Víctor A. , Nattero Julieta , Gaspe M. Sol , Cardinal M. Victoria
Published: September 2023

Pyrethroid‐resistance is an emergent trait in populations of various insect species. For Triatoma infestans (Klug, 1834) (Heteroptera: Reduviidae), the major vector of Chagas disease in the southern part of South America, hotspot areas of pyrethroid‐resistance have recently been found in the Chaco Province of Argentina. Resistant condition can reduce fitness of individuals in the absence of insecticide exposure, that is, fitness costs. We evaluated the existence of developmental and/or reproductive costs in T. infestans collected from two areas of pyrethroid‐resistance in Chaco Province, Argentina. Three toxicological groups were defined from field‐collected insects: susceptible (survival <20%), moderately resistant (survival between 20% and 80%) and highly resistant (survival >80%). Cohorts of the three toxicological groups were followed‐up to study life cycle and reproductive parameters. Additionally, we parameterized matrix population growth models. First and IV nymphal stages of the resistant groups exhibited a longer stage duration than susceptible ones. The reproductive days and hatching success showed significant lower values revealing reproductive costs for the resistant groups. Matrix analysis showed lower population growth rates for the resistant groups. Our results support developmental and reproductive costs for pyrethroid‐resistant individuals. This trait could be interpreted as lower population recovery ability for pyrethroid‐resistant individuals compared to susceptible insects after alternative vector control actions.
Plant immunity suppressor SKRP encodes a novel RNA‐binding protein that targets exon 3′ end of unspliced RNA
Authors: Chen Ling , Xu Zhihui , Huang Jie , Shu Haidong , Hui Yufan , Zhu Danling , Wu Yufeng , Dong Suomeng , Wu Zhe
Published: September 2023

The regulatory roles of RNA splicing in plant immunity are emerging but still largely obscure. We reported previously that Phytophthora pathogen effector Avr3c targets a soybean protein SKRP (serine/lysine/arginine‐rich protein) to impair soybean basal immunity by regulating host pre‐mRNA alternative splicing, while the biochemical nature of SKRP remains unknown.

Here, by using Arabidopsis as a model, we studied the mechanism of SKRP in regulating pre‐mRNA splicing and plant immunity.

AtSKRP confers impaired plant immunity against Phytophthora capsici and associates with spliceosome component PRP8 and splicing factor SR45, which positively and negatively regulate plant immunity, respectively. Enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation followed by high‐throughput sequencing (eCLIP‐seq) showed AtSKRP is a novel RNA‐binding protein that targets exon 3′ end of unspliced RNA. Such position‐specific binding of SKRP is associated with its activity in suppressing intron retention, including at positive immune regulatory genes UBP25 and RAR1. In addition, we found AtSKRP self‐interact and forms oligomer, and these properties are associated with its function in plant immunity.

Overall, our findings reveal that the immune repressor SKRP is a spliceosome‐associated protein that targets exon 3′ end to regulate pre‐mRNA splicing in Arabidopsis.
Sandblasting promotes shrub encroachment in arid grasslands
Authors: Niu Furong , Pierce Nathan A. , Okin Gregory S. , Archer Steven R. , Fischella Michael R. , Nadoum Shereen
Published: September 2023

Shrub encroachment is a common ecological state transition in global drylands and has myriad adverse effects on grasslands and the services they provide. This physiognomic shift is often ascribed to changes in climate (e.g. precipitation) and disturbance regimes (e.g. grazing and fire), but this remains debated. Aeolian processes are known to impact resource distribution in drylands, but their potential role in grassland‐to‐shrubland state changes has received little attention.

We quantified the effects of ‘sandblasting’ (abrasive damage by wind‐blown soil) on the ecophysiology of dryland grass vs shrub functional types using a portable wind tunnel to test the hypothesis that grasses would be more susceptible to sandblasting than shrubs and, thus, reinforce transitions to shrub dominance in wind‐erodible grasslands when climate‐ or disturbance‐induced reductions in ground cover occur.

Grasses and shrubs responded differently to sandblasting, wherein water‐use efficiency declined substantially in grasses, but only slightly in shrubs, owing to grasses having greater increases in day/nighttime leaf conductance and transpiration.

The differential ecophysiological response to sandblasting exhibited by grass and shrub functional types could consequently alter the vegetation dynamics in dryland grasslands in favour of the xerophytic shrubs. Sandblasting could thus be an overlooked driver of shrub encroachment in wind‐erodible grasslands.
Genome evolution in plants and the origins of innovation
Authors: Clark James W.
Published: September 2023

Plant evolution has been characterised by a series of major novelties in their vegetative and reproductive traits that have led to greater complexity. Underpinning this diversification has been the evolution of the genome. When viewed at the scale of the plant kingdom, plant genome evolution has been punctuated by conspicuous instances of gene and whole‐genome duplication, horizontal gene transfer and extensive gene loss. The periods of dynamic genome evolution often coincide with the evolution of key traits, demonstrating the coevolution of plant genomes and phenotypes at a macroevolutionary scale. Conventionally, plant complexity and diversity have been considered through the lens of gene duplication and the role of gene loss in plant evolution remains comparatively unexplored. However, in light of reductive evolution across multiple plant lineages, the association between gene loss and plant phenotypic diversity warrants greater attention.
Saying (Nothing) and Conversational Implicatures
Authors: Tamburini Victor
Published: September 2023

I defend an alternative theory of conversational implicatures that does without Grice's notion of making‐as‐if‐to‐say. This theory characterises conversationally implicating thatpas a way to mean thatpby saying thatqor by saying nothing. Cases that Grice's theory cannot capture are captured, and cases that Grice's theory misdescribes are correctly described. A distinction between conversational implicatures and pragmatic inferences from what speakers express is required, as well as a non‐implicature treatment of figurative speech.
Efficacy and safety of anti‐interleukin‐1 in children with colchicine‐resistant familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Erkilet Hatice Kubra , Gezgin Yildirim Deniz , Esmeray Pelin , Söylemezoğlu Oğuz
Published: September 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti‐interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) therapies in colchicine‐resistant pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 656 children with FMF and 27 patients who had been treated with anti‐IL‐1 therapies (anakinra/canakinumab) . Clinical and laboratory features, MEFV gene mutations, treatment responses were investigated.

Results

Twenty of the patients were treated with anakinra (the treatment of 6 patients who initially used anakinra was switched to canakinumab in the follow‐up period), and 13 patients were treated with canakinumab. Clinical symptom and severity scores decreased in all patients A decrease in acute phase reactants was also observed in patients. A total of 18 (66%) patients had a M694V homozygous mutation, while 24 (89%) patients had a M694V mutation, at least in one allele.

Conclusions

FMF patients with colchicine resistance may progress to amyloidosis. IL‐1 antagonist treatment could be used safely with a favorable outcome in pediatric patients with FMF resistance to colchicine therapy and/or who have renal amyloidosis.
Comparison of dwell time and complications between peripheral venous catheters and midline catheters in infants weighing ≥ 1500 g at birth
Authors: Tsunozaki Kinuyo , Suenaga Hideyo , Aoki Mikihiro , Hamaguchi Yo
Published: September 2023

Background

Newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often require infusion therapy immediately after admission. In such cases, the catheter must be selected according to the condition of the neonate. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) in terms of dwell time, number of catheter replacements required, and complication rate with that of a midline catheter (MC) in neonates weighing ≥1500 g and requiring care in a NICU.

Methods

The study had a retrospective observational design and included neonates with a birthweight of ≥1500 g who were admitted to a level III NICU between April 2019 and May 2021 and received infusion therapy via a PVC or MC. Patient, maternal, and infusion‐related data were collected from the medical records. The outcomes were compared between the PVC and MC groups according to type of catheter used.

Results

Univariate analyses of the infusion‐related data demonstrated that neonates in the MC group (n = 52) had significantly longer dwell times, required fewer catheter replacements, and had a greater probability of completing therapy with less risk of extravasation than those in the PVC group (n = 54).

Conclusion

These findings confirm that the MC has advantages over the PVC, including a longer dwell time, fewer catheter replacements, and less risk of extravasation in newborns with a birthweight of ≥1500 g.
Comparing the effects of antimicrobial stewardship at primary emergency centers
Authors: Otake Shogo , Kusama Yoshiki , Tsuzuki Shinya , Myojin Shota , Kimura Makoto , Kamiyoshi Naohiro , Takumi Toru , Ishida Akihito , Kasai Masashi
Published: September 2023

Background

Antimicrobial prescription rates tend to be high in outpatient settings and Primary Emergency Medical Centers (PECs) in Japan encounter difficulties in implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). While a nudge‐based ASP publishing monthly newsletters reduces inappropriate prescription of oral third‐generation cephalosporins (3GCs), which requires considerable effort. Therefore, developing more preferable ASP models in PECs is essential.

Methods

We conducted a three‐center, retrospective observational study. Himeji City Emergency Medical Center (Site A) introduced a facility‐specific guideline for antimicrobial stewardship with reference to national guidelines. The Kobe Children's Primary Emergency Medical Center (Site B) provided the results of monitoring antibiotics prescription in a monthly newsletter. The Hanshin‐Kita Children's First‐Aid Center (Site C) did not perform a specific ASP. Prescription rates for 3GCs were categorized into pre‐ and post‐intervention and compared using Poisson regression analysis. The difference‐in‐difference method was used to assess the effect of these interventions.

Results

The numbers of patients pre‐ and post‐ intervention were 177,126 and 91,251, respectively. The 3GCs prescription rate at Site A, Site B, and Site C decreased from 6.7%, 4.2%, and 6.1% in 2016 to 2.3%, 1.0%, and 2.0% in 2019, respectively. Site B had a greater reduction than Site A and Site C (relative risk [RR] 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62–0.82]; p < 0.001, RR 0.71, [95% CI: 0.62–0.81]; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between Site A and Site C (RR 1.00 [95% CI 0.88–1.13]; p = 0.963).

Conclusion

A facility‐specific guideline was less effective than a nudge‐based ASP for decreasing oral 3GC prescriptions in PECs.
Current status of neonatal jaundice management in Japan
Authors: Honbe Kazuya , Hayakawa Masahiro , Morioka Ichiro , Arai Hiroshi , Maruo Yoshihiro , Kusaka Takashi , Kunikata Tetsuya , Iwatani Sota , Okumura Akihisa
Published: September 2023

Background

This nationwide survey aimed to determine the status of jaundice management in Japan.

Methods

A questionnaire about bilirubin level measurements and neonatal jaundice treatment was sent to 330 institutions providing neonatal care. The responses were analyzed according to institution level.

Results

Of 330 institutions, 172 responded (52.1% response rate). Total bilirubin levels were measured in the central laboratory using spectrophotometry at 134 institutions and a blood gas analyzer at 81 institutions. Unbound bilirubin (UB) levels were measured by 79 institutions, while transcutaneous bilirubin measurements were taken at 63 institutions. There was no association between institution level and UB or transcutaneous bilirubin measurement. For phototherapy criteria, the Murata‐Imura criteria were adopted by 67 institutions, Nakamura criteria by 36, and Morioka criteria by 39. Light‐emitting diodes (LED) were used by 160 institutions versus fluorescent lights by 31. When a blue LED was used, 119 institutions used the high mode. There is no standard for increasing light intensity. No association was found between institution level and phototherapy criteria. UB was measured in 14 of 63 institutions using the Murata‐Imura criteria.

Conclusions

There is a large variation in the management and treatment of neonatal jaundice among institutes in Japan.
Adaptive abilities
Authors: Mayr Erasmus , Vetter Barbara
Published: September 2023

Abilities, in contrast to mere dispositions, propensities, or tendencies, abilities seem to be features of agents that put the agent herself in control. But what is the distinguishing feature of abilities vis‐à‐vis other kinds of powers? Our aim in this paper is to point, in answer to this question, to a crucial feature of abilities that existing accounts have tended to neglect: their adaptivity. Adaptivity is a feature of how abilities are exercised. The main reason for its relative neglect has been that most extant accounts have focused solely on whether abilities are exercised successfully in certain possible situations and have mostly understood the exercise of an ability in terms of complete successful performance. We begin by pointing out two aspects of abilities with regard to which current accounts seem (at best) incomplete: control and exercise. We then introduce adaptivity as we understand it, and end by putting it to work in developing a fuller understanding of abilities that does better than current accounts.
Silencing ZmPP2C‐A10 with a foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) derived vector benefits maize growth and development following water limitation
Authors: Nihranz C. T. , Guzchenko I. A. , Casteel C. L.
Published: September 2023

Global climate change is causing more frequent and severe droughts, which can have negative impacts on plant growth and crop productivity. Under drought conditions, plants produce the hormone ABA (abscisic acid), which regulates adaptive responses, such as stomatal closure and root elongation. Plant viruses have been used in the lab to convey new traits to plants and could also be used to increase production of ABA or to enhance downstream plant drought resistance responses.

In this study, foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) was used to silence ZmPP2C‐A10, a negative regulator of ABA signalling, in maize (Zea mays L.). Both silenced and control plants were exposed to an 8‐day drought treatment, followed by a 30‐day period of rewatering, after which indicators of drought resistance were measured.

After drought treatment, we observed a nearly twofold increase in expression of a stress‐mitigation gene, ZmRAB17, reduced chlorophyll fluorescence changes (indicator of stress), and increased plant biomass and development in the ZmPP2C‐A10‐silenced maize compared to controls.

These results demonstrate that the FoMV system can be used to silence endogenous expression of ZmPP2C‐A10 and increase maize tolerance to drought. This could offer a useful tool to improve crop traits and reduce yield loss during the growing season.
Paternal and maternal birthweight and offspring risk of macrosomia at term gestations: A nationwide population study
Authors: Rasmussen Svein , Carlsen Ellen Øen , Linde Lorentz Erland , Morken Nils‐Halvdan , Håberg Siri Eldevik , Ebbing Cathrine
Published: September 2023

Background

There is a paucity of data on whether parents' macrosomia (birthweight ≥4500 g) status influences the risk of macrosomia in the offspring. The role of maternal overweight in the generational effect of macrosomia is not known.

Objective

To estimate the risk of macrosomia by parental birthweight at term and evaluate if this risk varied with maternal body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) early in pregnancy.

Methods

We used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway on all singleton term births (37–42 gestational weeks) during 1967–2017. The primary exposure was parental macrosomia, and the outcome was macrosomia in the second generation. The secondary exposure was maternal BMI. We used binomial regression to calculate relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval. We assessed potential unmeasured confounding and selection bias using a probabilistic bias analysis and performed analyses with and without imputation for variables with missing values.

Results

The data included 647,957 singleton parent‐offspring trios born at term. The prevalence of macrosomia was 3.2% (n = 41,396) in the parental generation and 4.0% (n = 25,673) in the offspring generation. Macrosomia in parents was associated with an increased risk of macrosomia in offspring, with the RR for both parents were born macrosomic being 6.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.31, 8.05), only mother macrosomic 3.37 (95% CI 3.17, 3.57) and only father macrosomic RR 2.22 (95% CI 2.12, 2.33). These risks increased by maternal BMI in early pregnancy: if both parents were born macrosomic, 17% of infants were macrosomic among mothers with normal BMI. If both parents were macrosomic and the mothers were obese, 31% of offspring were macrosomic. Macrosomia‐related adverse outcomes did not differ with parental macrosomia status.

Conclusions

Parents' weight at birth and maternal BMI appear to be strongly associated with macrosomia in the offspring delivered at term gestations.
Osteoinduction and osteoimmunology: Emerging concepts
Authors: Miron Richard J. , Bohner Marc , Zhang Yufeng , Bosshardt Dieter D.
Published: September 2023

The recognition and importance of immune cells during bone regeneration, including around bone biomaterials, has led to the development of an entire field termed “osteoimmunology,” which focuses on the connection and interplay between the skeletal system and immune cells. Most studies have focused on the “osteogenic” capacity of various types of bone biomaterials, and much less focus has been placed on immune cells despite being the first cell type in contact with implantable devices. Thus, the amount of literature generated to date on this topic makes it challenging to extract needed information. This review article serves as a guide highlighting advancements made in the field of osteoimmunology emphasizing the role of the osteoimmunomodulatory properties of biomaterials and their impact on osteoinduction. First, the various immune cell types involved in bone biomaterial integration are discussed, including the prominent role of osteal macrophages (OsteoMacs) during bone regeneration. Thereafter, key biomaterial properties, including topography, wettability, surface charge, and adsorption of cytokines, growth factors, ions, and other bioactive molecules, are discussed in terms of their impact on immune responses. These findings highlight and recognize the importance of the immune system and osteoimmunology, leading to a shift in the traditional models used to understand and evaluate biomaterials for bone regeneration.
Bioinformatics analysis to reveal the potential comorbidity mechanism in psoriasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Xian Ningyi , Bai Ruimin , Guo Jiaqi , Luo Ruiting , Lei Hao , Wang Bingqing , Zheng Yan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

An increasing amount of evidence suggests that psoriasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may occur simultaneously, whereas the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our research aims to explore the potential comorbidity mechanism in psoriasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Materials and Methods

The expression profiles of psoriasis (GSE30999, GSE13355) and NASH (GSE24807, GSE17470) were downloaded from GEO datasets. Next, common differently expressed genes (DEGs) of psoriasis and NASH were investigated. Then, GO and KEGG enrichment, protein interaction network (PPI) construction, and hub gene identification for DEGs were performed. Finally, immune cells expression, target genes predicted by common miRNAs, and transcription factors interaction analysis for hub genes were carried out.

Results

Twenty DEGs were identified in totally. GO analysis revealed response to the virus was the most enriched term, and hepatitis C and coronavirus disease‐COVID‐19 infection‐associated pathways were mainly enriched in KEGG. A total of eight hub genes were collected, including IFIT1, IFIT3, OAS1, HPGDS, IFI27, IFI44, CXCL10, IRF9, and 11 TFs were predicted. Then, neutrophils and monocytes were identified as immune cells that express the most hub genes. Moreover, five common miRNAs for psoriasis and NASH and one common miRNAs (hsa‐miR‐1305)‐mRNAs (CHL1, MBNL2) network were presented.

Conclusion

CHL1 and MBNL2 may participate in the process of psoriasis and NASH via regulating hsa‐miR‐1305, and together with eight hub genes may be potential therapeutic targets for future treatment for the co‐occurrence of these two diseases. This comprehensive bioinformatic analysis provides new insights on molecular pathogenesis and identification of potential therapeutic targets for the co‐occurrence of them.
A tyrosine phospho‐switch within the Longin domain of VAMP721 modulates SNARE functionality
Authors: Ricardi Martiniano Maria , Wallmeroth Niklas , Cermesoni Cecilia , Mehlhorn Dietmar Gerald , Richter Sandra , Zhang Lei , Mittendorf Josephine , Godehardt Ingeborg , Berendzen Kenneth Wayne , von Roepenack‐Lahaye Edda , Stierhof York‐Dieter , Lipka Volker , Jürgens Gerd , Grefen Christopher
Published: September 2023

The final step in secretion is membrane fusion facilitated by SNARE proteins that reside in opposite membranes. The formation of a trans‐SNARE complex between one R and three Q coiled‐coiled SNARE domains drives the final approach of the membranes providing the mechanical energy for fusion. Biological control of this mechanism is exerted by additional domains within some SNAREs. For example, the N‐terminal Longin domain (LD) of R‐SNAREs (also called Vesicle‐associated membrane proteins, VAMPs) can fold back onto the SNARE domain blocking interaction with other cognate SNAREs. The LD may also determine the subcellular localization via interaction with other trafficking‐related proteins. Here, we provide cell‐biological and genetic evidence that phosphorylation of the Tyrosine57 residue regulates the functionality of VAMP721. We found that an aspartate mutation mimics phosphorylation, leading to protein instability and subsequent degradation in lytic vacuoles. The mutant SNARE also fails to rescue the defects of vamp721vamp722 loss‐of‐function lines in spite of its wildtype‐like localization within the secretory pathway and the ability to interact with cognate SNARE partners. Most importantly, it imposes a dominant negative phenotype interfering with root growth, normal secretion and cytokinesis in wildtype plants generating large aggregates that mainly contain secretory vesicles. Non‐phosphorylatable VAMP721Y57F needs higher gene dosage to rescue double mutants in comparison to native VAMP721 underpinning that phosphorylation modulates SNARE function. We propose a model where short‐lived phosphorylation of Y57 serves as a regulatory step to control VAMP721 activity, favoring its open state and interaction with cognate partners to ultimately drive membrane fusion.
Interferon induction by STING requires its translocation to the late endosomes
Authors: Wang Chenyao , Sharma Nikhil , Kessler Patricia M. , Sen Ganes C.
Published: September 2023

To combat microbial infections, mammalian cells use a variety of innate immune response pathways to induce synthesis of anti‐microbial proteins. The cGAS/STING pathway recognizes cytoplasmic viral or cellular DNA to elicit signals that lead to type I interferon and other cytokine synthesis. cGAMP, synthesized by DNA‐activated cGAS, activates the ER‐associated protein, STING, which oligomerizes and translocates to other intracellular membrane compartments to trigger different branches of signaling. We have reported that, in the ER, EGFR‐mediated phosphorylation of Tyr245 of STING is required for its transit to the late endosomes, where it recruits and activates the transcription factor IRF3 required for IFN induction. In the current study, we inquired whether STING Tyr245 phosphorylation per se or STING's location in the late endosomes was critical for its ability to recruit IRF3 and induce IFN. Using pharmacological inhibitors or genetic ablation of proteins that are essential for specific steps of STING trafficking, we demonstrated that the presence of STING in the late endosomal membranes, even without Tyr245 phosphorylation, was sufficient for IRF3‐mediated IFN induction.
Validation of a novel rebound tonometer (Tono‐Vera® Vet) in normal ex vivo rabbit eyes
Authors: Mills Erinn P. , Liu Chin‐Chi , Emelogu Ugochi , Carter Renee T. , Camacho‐Luna Pilar , Lewin Andrew C.
Published: September 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to validate the use of the Reichert Tono‐Vera® Vet tonometer rabbit setting in normal ex vivo rabbit eyes and to compare the rabbit setting to the dog, cat, and horse settings of this tonometer.

Procedure

Six freshly enucleated normal rabbit eyes were cannulated and connected to a fluid reservoir and physiologic monitor. Triplicate measurements were obtained with the four available settings: dog, cat, horse, and rabbit at various intraocular pressures (IOP) ranging from 5 to 80 mmHg. Bland–Altman analysis was utilized to determine bias and 95% limits of agreement for each setting.

Results

Linear regression equations for the dog, horse, cat, and rabbit settings were y = 0.8101x + 2.5058, y = 0.7594x − 3.4673, y = 0.6635x + 0.3021, and y = 0.8935x + 1.3295, respectively. All settings demonstrated strong positive linear trends (dog r2 = 0.9644, horse r2 = 0.9456, cat r2 = 0.9309, and rabbit r2 = 0.9558). Bland–Altman plots revealed that the average bias and 95% limits of agreement (mmHg) were −4.73, −12.65, −12.86 and −2.73 and (−15.31, 5.86), (−29.03, 3.74), (−25.67, −0.05), and (−12.21, 6.76) for the dog, horse, cat, and rabbit settings, respectively.

Conclusion

The Tono‐Vera® Vet rabbit setting provided the most accurate and precise measurements compared with the other settings, but slightly underestimated actual IOP, especially as IOP was increased. This tonometer, using the rabbit setting, is likely to be appropriate for the estimation of IOP in rabbits with the appropriate correction formula applied.
Retrospective evaluation of the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding in dogs receiving ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs
Authors: Van Vertloo Laura R. , Terhaar Hannah M. , Viall Austin K. , Allbaugh Rachel A.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To report the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and associated risk factors in a population of dogs receiving ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Animal Studied

Medical records of dogs prescribed ophthalmic NSAIDs (cases), dogs receiving systemic NSAIDs alone and dogs receiving systemic prednisone alone (controls).

Procedures

Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of 204 dogs prescribed ophthalmic NSAIDs (diclofenac, ketorolac, or flurbiprofen), which were subdivided based on if they received any concurrent systemic NSAIDs or glucocorticoids, 136 dogs receiving a systemic NSAID (carprofen or meloxicam) alone, and 151 dogs receiving a systemic glucocorticoid (prednisone) alone at a referral hospital from 2015 to 2019.

Results

Gastrointestinal bleeds developed in 8/79 (10.1%) of topical NSAID‐only cases, 10/136 (7.4%) of systemic NSAID controls, and 14/151 (9.3%) of systemic glucocorticoid controls, with no significant difference between the three groups (p = .6103). There were no significant differences in GI bleed rates between cases treated with ketorolac, diclofenac, or flurbiprofen (p = .160), although severe GI bleeding was only seen in ketorolac‐treated dogs. Presence of a known concurrent risk factor for GI bleeding was significantly associated with the development of GI bleed in dogs on ophthalmic NSAIDs (p = .032).

Conclusions

Dogs treated with ophthalmic NSAIDs developed GI bleeding at a frequency comparable to dogs receiving systemic NSAIDs or systemic glucocorticoids alone, suggesting that dogs receiving ophthalmic NSAIDs may be at increased risk of GI bleeding.
Pointed Hopf algebras over nonabelian groups with nonsimple standard braidings
Authors: Angiono Iván , Lentner Simon , Sanmarco Guillermo
Published: September 2023

We construct finite‐dimensional Hopf algebras whose coradical is the group algebra of a central extension of an abelian group. They fall into families associated to a semisimple Lie algebra together with a Dynkin diagram automorphism. We show conversely that every finite‐dimensional pointed Hopf algebra over a nonabelian group with nonsimple infinitesimal braiding of rank at least 4 is of this form. We follow the steps of the Lifting Method by Andruskiewitsch–Schneider. Our starting point is the classification of finite‐dimensional Nichols algebras over nonabelian groups by Heckenberger–Vendramin, which consist of low‐rank exceptions and large‐rank families. We prove that the large‐rank families are cocycle twists of Nichols algebras constructed by the second author as foldings of Nichols algebras of Cartan type over abelian groups by outer automorphisms. This enables us to give uniform Lie‐theoretic descriptions of the large‐rank families, prove generation in degree 1, and construct liftings. We also show that every lifting is a cocycle deformation of the corresponding coradically graded Hopf algebra using an explicit presentation by generators and relations of the Nichols algebra. On the level of tensor categories, we construct families of graded extensions of the representation category of a quantum group by a group of diagram automorphism.
Smoothing finite‐order bilipschitz homeomorphisms of 3‐manifolds
Authors: Grillet Lucien
Published: September 2023

We show that, for , any action of a finite cyclic group by ‐bilipschitz homeomorphisms on a closed 3‐manifold is conjugated to a smooth action.
Dietary apple polyphenols enhance mitochondrial turnover and respiratory chain enzymes
Authors: Yoshida Yuki , Tamura Yuki , Kouzaki Karina , Nakazato Koichi
Published: September 2023

Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of apple polyphenol (AP) intake on muscle endurance. Since mitochondria are critical for muscle endurance, we investigated mitochondrial enzyme activity, biogenesis, degradation and protein quality control. Twenty‐four Wistar rats were randomly fed a 5% AP diet (5% AP group, n = 8), a 0.5% AP diet (0.5% AP group, n = 8), or a control diet (control group, n = 8). After a 4‐week feeding period, the expression level of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1α, a mitochondrial biosynthetic factor, did not increase, whereas that of transcription factor EB, another regulator of mitochondrial synthesis, significantly increased. Moreover, the mitochondrial count did not differ significantly between the groups. In contrast, mitophagy‐related protein levels were significantly increased. The enzymatic activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes II, III and IV were significantly higher in the AP intake group than in the control group. We conclude that AP feeding increases the activity of respiratory chain complex enzymes in rat skeletal muscles. Moreover, mitochondrial biosynthesis and degradation may have increased in AP‐treated rats.
Verification Process for Finite Element Modeling Techniques Used in Biological Hard Tissue
Authors: Townsend Molly T. , Mills Matthew , Sarigul-Klijn Nesrin
Published: September 2023

An approach is presented for calculation verification of geometry-based and voxel-based finite element modeling techniques used for biological hard tissue. The purpose of this study is to offer a controlled comparison of geometry- and voxel-based finite element modeling in terms of the convergence (i.e., discretization based on mesh size and/or element order), accuracy, and computational speed in modeling biological hard tissues. All of the geometry-based numerical test models have hp-converged at an acceptable mesh seed length of 0.6 mm, while not all voxel-based models exhibited convergence and no voxel models p-converged. Converged geometry-based meshes were found to offer accurate solutions of the deformed model shape and equivalent vertebral stiffness, while voxel-based models were 6.35% ± 0.84% less stiff (p < 0.0001) and deformed 6.79% ± 0.96% more (p < 0.0001). Based on the controlled verification study results, the voxel-based models must be confirmed with local values and validation of quantities of interest to ensure accurate finite element model predictions.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis and Experimental Results for the Dynamic Performance of Two Long Smooth Surface Annular Seals Operating With a Liquid in Air Mixture
Authors: Yang Jing , Tran Dung L. , San Andrés Luis
Published: September 2023

Compressors in subsea oil and gas production must handle wet gases to reliably operate for extended periods of time. Annular clearance seals contribute to compressor performance and do affect system rotordynamic stability. Prior experimental work with two smooth surfaces, uniform clearance seals supplied with a light oil in air mixture and undergoing similar operating conditions produced direct stiffnesses (K) with distinct trends as the liquid content increased to 8% in volume. Both seals differ in length and diameter albeit having similar radial clearance. Other force coefficients for both seals, namely, cross-coupled stiffness (k) and direct damping (C) increase as the inlet liquid volume fraction (LVF) grows. Rationale for the peculiar differences in centering stiffness (K) is missing. Hence, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model and its predictions, the thrust of this paper, unveil flow field details (pressure, velocity fields, and liquid content evolution) for the oil in air mixture. Besides the CFD model, an enhanced bulk-flow model (BFM) also predicts the seals' leakage and dynamic force coefficients. Both models predict through flows agreeing well with the measured ones, the maximum difference is less than 16%. The BFM direct stiffness (K) does reproduce closely the experimental K whereas the direct damping coefficient (C) is up to ∼41% lower than the test result. The CFD model captures the variation trend of K versus inlet LVF for the first seal, albeit its magnitude is thrice the experimental stiffness. The CFD C agrees well with the test data for both seals, the largest difference is less than 10%. In spite of the complexity of the CFD model, significant differences with the experimental results persist, in particular for K. When considering the seal inlet corner as round, the CFD model produces a significant reduction in K to better approach the test result for a seal supplied with air. Attention to the seal geometry is paramount to produce accurate predictions.