bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weed-induced changes in the maize root transcriptome reveal transcription factors and physiological processes impacted early in crop–weed interactions
Authors: Horvath David P , Doherty Colleen J , Desai Jigar , Clark Natalie , Anderson James V , Chao Wun S
Published: April 2023

A new paradigm suggests weeds primarily reduce crop yield by altering crop developmental and physiological processes long before the weeds reduce resources through competition. Multiple studies have implicated stress response pathways are activated when crops such as maize are grown in close proximity with weeds during the first 4–8 weeks of growth—the point at which weeds have their greatest impact on subsequent crop yields. To date, these studies have mostly focused on the response of above-ground plant parts and have not examined the early signal transduction processes associated with maize root response to weeds. To investigate the impact of signals from a below-ground competitor on the maize root transcriptome when most vulnerable to weed pressure, a system was designed to expose maize to only below-ground signals. Gene set enrichment analyses identified over-represented ontologies associated with oxidative stress signalling throughout the time of weed exposure, with additional ontologies associated with nitrogen use and transport and abscisic acid (ABA) signalling, and defence responses being enriched at later time points. Enrichment of promoter motifs indicated over-representation of sequences known to bind FAR-RED IMPAIRED RESPONSE 1 (FAR1), several AP2/ERF transcription factors and others. Likewise, co-expression networks were identified using Weighted-Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Spatiotemporal Clustering and Inference of Omics Networks (SC-ION) algorithms. WGCNA highlighted the potential roles of several transcription factors including a MYB 3r-4, TB1, WRKY65, CONSTANS-like5, ABF3, HOMEOBOX 12, among others. These studies also highlighted the role of several specific proteins involved in ABA signalling as being important for the initiation of the early response of maize to weeds. SC-ION highlighted potential roles for NAC28, LOB37, NAC58 and GATA2 transcription factors, among many others.
Production of functional plasmacytoid dendritic cells – targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells from patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
Authors: Caël Blandine , Bôle-Richard Elodie , Galaine Jeanne  , Adotevi Olivier , Garnache-Ottou Francine  , Aubin François
Published: April 2023

Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of CAR123 production from the T cells of patients with autoimmune diseases and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and their in vitro cytotoxicity towards circulating autologous plasmacytoid dendritic cells.
Global Norm-Maker as China’s New Brand? An Analysis of the Responsible Cobalt Initiative
Authors: Park Hyeyoon
Published: April 2023

China’s influence in extractive industry sectors worldwide has expanded in tandem with the rising global demand for the natural resources integral to producing such low carbon products as electric vehicles. Many Chinese-operated mining projects overseas have hence generated broad concern on the ground about their negative environmental and social impacts. Chinese actors, meanwhile, have begun to engage with transnational extractive governance initiatives entailing a transparency norm that requires disclosure of environmental and social risks. China, however, appears to be reshaping this transparency norm through its establishment of the Responsible Cobalt Initiative (RCI)—a China-led “transnational” governance initiative facilitating a Chinese version of that norm, known as “thin” transparency. Based on process-tracing and semi-structured interviews, in applying Acharya’s (2018) norm-circulation model, this paper examines what type of Chinese domestic actors act as norm-makers and under what conditions. The study thus refines certain core analytical concepts of the model. The RCI case stands alone in highlighting China’s growingly normative role in contesting the transparency norm through transnational interactions among Chinese and international actors in global extractives governance. The result shows China’s norm-making as a strategic choice of a local idea-shifter to cope with China’s internal and external legitimacy crises and to strengthen its emerging identity as a responsible great power. This study rejects the notion of China as a monolithic actor, rather suggesting a multi-agency and multilevel approach to understanding the complex realities of China’s normative leadership in global governance.
An Efficient Pending Interest Table Content Search In NDN through Stable Bloom Filter
Authors: Kaur Ravneet , Singh Amrinderpreet , Singh Aekamjot , Goyal Amit , Singh Amritpal , Batra Shalini
Published: April 2023

Named Data Networking (NDN) has gained importance in today’s era due to a paradigm shift in the Internet usage pattern which revolves around the content rather than the respective host addresses. Three important data structures in NDN are Content Store (CS), Pending Interest Table (PIT) and Forwarding Information Base (FIB). The search time of PIT is quite high since its size grows with the addition of new content names, and the Interest packets which are not served by CS are searched in millions of existing entries in the PIT. Hence, lookup time can be improved if, instead of checking all the available entries, initial scanning is done to determine whether the required content name exists in the PIT or not. In this paper, we propose a Stable Bloom Filter (SBF) based PIT called S-PIT, to minimize the PIT search time by identifying the existence of query content through SBF. The various experiments performed show that S-PIT outperforms existing data structures in terms of memory consumption, content insertion time, average search time and false positive rate.
Misracialization of Indigenous people in population health and mortality studies: a scoping review to establish promising practices
Authors: Gartner Danielle R , Maples Ceco , Nash Madeline , Howard-Bobiwash Heather
Published: April 2023

Indigenous people are often misracialized as other racial or ethnic identities in population health research. This misclassification leads to underestimation of Indigenous-specific mortality and health metrics, and subsequently, inadequate resource allocation. In recognition of this problem, investigators around the world have devised analytic methods to address racial misclassification of Indigenous people. We carried out a scoping review based on searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and the Native Health Database for empirical studies published after 2000 that include Indigenous-specific estimates of health or mortality and that take analytic steps to rectify racial misclassification of Indigenous people. We then considered the weaknesses and strengths of implemented analytic approaches, with a focus on methods used in the US context. To do this, we extracted information from 97 articles and compared the analytic approaches used. The most common approach to address Indigenous misclassification is to use data linkage; other methods include geographic restriction to areas where misclassification is less common, exclusion of some subgroups, imputation, aggregation, and electronic health record abstraction. We identified 4 primary limitations of these approaches: (1) combining data sources that use inconsistent processes and/or sources of race and ethnicity information; (2) conflating race, ethnicity, and nationality; (3) applying insufficient algorithms to bridge, impute, or link race and ethnicity information; and (4) assuming the hyperlocality of Indigenous people. Although there is no perfect solution to the issue of Indigenous misclassification in population-based studies, a review of this literature provided information on promising practices to consider.
Role of oesophageal cooling in the prevention of oesophageal injury in atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hamed Mohamed , Elseidy Sheref A , Abdelazeem Mohamed , Morcos Ramez , Abdallah Ahmed , Sammour Yasser , Barakat Amr F , Khalife Wissam , Ramu Vijay , Mamas Mamas A , Elbadawi Ayman
Published: April 2023

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy of oesophageal cooling in the prevention of oesophageal injury in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation.

Methods and results

Comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases through April 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the role of oesophageal cooling compared with control in the prevention of oesophageal injury during AF catheter ablation. The study primary outcome was the incidence of any oesophageal injury. The meta-analysis included 4 RCTs with a total of 294 patients. There was no difference in the incidence of any oesophageal injury between oesophageal cooling and control [15% vs. 19%; relative risk (RR) 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–2.41]. Compared with control, oesophageal cooling showed lower risk of severe oesophageal injury (1.5% vs. 9%; RR 0.21; 95% CI 0.05–0.80). There were no significant differences among the two groups in mild to moderate oesophageal injury (13.6% vs. 12.1%; RR 1.09; 95% CI 0.28–4.23), procedure duration [standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.03; 95% CI −0.36–0.30], posterior wall radiofrequency (RF) time (SMD 0.27; 95% CI −0.04–0.58), total RF time (SMD −0.50; 95% CI −1.15–0.16), acute reconnection incidence (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.02–36.34), and ablation index (SMD 0.16; 95% CI −0.33–0.66).

Conclusion

Among patients undergoing AF catheter ablation, oesophageal cooling did not reduce the overall risk of any oesophageal injury compared with control. Oesophageal cooling might shift the severity of oesophageal injuries to less severe injuries. Further studies should evaluate the long-term effects after oesophageal cooling during AF catheter ablation.
Safety and efficacy of intracardiac echocardiography–guided zero-fluoroscopic cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ahn Jinhee , Shin Dong Geum , Han Sang-Jin , Lim Hong Euy
Published: April 2023

Aims

The development of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has enabled fluoroless atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems. However, fluoroless cryoballoon ablation (CBA) remains challenging, mainly because of the lack of a visual mapping system. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of fluoroless CBA for AF under ICE guidance.

Methods and results

Patients (n = 100) who underwent CBA for paroxysmal AF were randomly assigned to zero-fluoroscopic (Zero-X) and conventional groups. Intracardiac echocardiography was used to guide the transseptal puncture and catheter and balloon manipulation in all enrolled patients. The patients were prospectively followed for 12 months after CBA. The mean age was 60.4 years, and the left atrial (LA) size was 39.4 mm. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was achieved in all patients. In the Zero-X group, fluoroscopy was used in only one patient because of unstable phrenic nerve capture during right-sided PVI. The procedure time and LA indwelling time in the Zero-X group were not statistically different compared with that in the conventional group. Fluoroscopic time (9.0 vs. 0.008 min) and radiation exposure (29.4 vs. 0.02 mGy) were significantly shorter in the Zero-X group than in the conventional group (P < 0.001). The complication rate did not differ between the two groups. During a mean follow-up of 663.3 ± 172.3 days, the recurrence rate was similar (16.0 vs. 18.0%; P = 0.841) between the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that LA size was the only independent predictor of clinical recurrence.

Conclusion

Intracardiac echocardiography–guided fluoroless CBA for AF was a feasible strategy without compromising acute and long-term success or complication rates.
Impact of interpopulation distance on dominance variance and average heterosis in hybrid populations within species
Authors: Legarra Andrés , Gonzalez-Dieguez David Omar , Charcosset Alain , Vitezica Zulma G
Published: April 2023

Interpopulation improvement for crosses of close populations in crops and livestock depends on the amount of heterosis and the amount of variance of dominance deviations in the hybrids. It has been intuited that the further the distance between populations, the lower the amount of dominance variation and the higher the heterosis. Although experience in speciation and interspecific crosses shows, however, that this is not the case when populations are so distant—here we confine ourselves to the case of not-too-distant populations typical in crops and livestock. We present equations that relate the distance between 2 populations, expressed as Nei's genetic distance or as correlation of allele frequencies, quadratically to the amount of dominance deviations across all possible crosses and linearly to the expected heterosis averaging all possible crosses. The amount of variation of dominance deviations decreases with genetic distance until the point where allele frequencies are uncorrelated, and then increases for negatively correlated frequencies. Heterosis always increases with Nei's genetic distance. These expressions match well and complete previous theoretical and empirical findings. In practice, and for close enough populations, they mean that unless frequencies are negatively correlated, selection for hybrids will be more efficient when populations are distant.
Impact of Monkeypox Virus Infection on Immune Parameters in a Woman With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Receiving Clinically Effective Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Rai M Ali , Shi Victoria , Kennedy Brooke D , Justement Jesse S , Manning Maegan R , Praiss Lauren , Kang Esther J , Gittens Kathleen , Kardava Lela , Blazkova Jana , Moir Susan , Chun Tae-Wook
Published: April 2023

We describe the immunologic and virologic impact of monkeypox (mpox) infection in a woman with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) whose plasma HIV viremia was suppressed by clinically effective antiretroviral therapy. Extensive phenotypic analyses of B and T cells in peripheral blood and biomarkers in plasma showed significant immunologic perturbations despite the presence of mild mpox disease. Dramatic shifts were noted in the frequencies of total B cells, plasmablasts, and plasmablast immunoglobulin isotypes. Flow cytometric analyses showed a dramatic increase in the frequency of CD38+HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells after mpox infection. Our data offer guidance for future studies involving mpox infection in affected populations.
Field-based recombinase polymerase amplification and lab-based qPCR assays for detection of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Rich Mitchell , Noh Enoch , Wang Hehe , Greene Jeremy , Gilligan Todd , Reay-Jones Francis P F , Turnbull Matt , Zink Frida
Published: April 2023

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a major crop pest native to Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa which has recently invaded South America and has caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses. Because of challenges in differentiating between H. armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), a closely related species native to North and South America, genetic tests have previously been developed to detect H. armigera DNA in pooled samples of moth legs. In this study, a field-based recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay using a lateral flow strip and a qPCR melt curve assay were developed for specific detection of H. armigera DNA in pooled moth samples. In addition, a crude DNA extraction protocol for whole moths was developed to allow rapid preparation of DNA samples. The RPA field test was able to detect ≥ 10 pg of purified H. armigera DNA and the crude DNA of one H. armigera sample in a background of 999 H. zea equivalents. The qPCR assay was able to detect ≥ 100 fg of purified H. armigera DNA and the crude DNA of one H. armigera sample in a background of up to 99,999 H. zea equivalents. Both RPA and qPCR assays detected H. armigera in the crude DNA extracted in the field from a pool of one H. armigera moth and 999 H. zea moths. These newly developed molecular assays to detect H. armigera will contribute to large-scale surveillance programs of H. armigera.
Modeling of multi-mineral-component digital core based on Res-Unet
Authors: Sun Pengxiao , Ge Lizhen , Liu Yingxian , Li Bingke , Nie Xin
Published: April 2023

As the exploration of oil and gas moves further into less conventional reservoirs, effective methods are required for the fine evaluation of complex formations, particularly digital core models with multiple mineral components. The current technology cannot directly produce digital core images with multiple minerals. Therefore, image segmentation has been widely used to create digital multi-mineral core images from computed tomography (CT) images. The commonly used image segmentation methods do not provide satisfactory CT images of complex rock formations. Consequently, deep learning algorithms have been successfully applied for image segmentation. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to develop an accurate digital core model with multiple mineral components based on the Res-Unet neural network. CT images of glutenite and the corresponding results of quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy are used as a training dataset for the automatic segmentation of CT core images. The used quantitative metrics show that compared with the multi-threshold and U-Net segmentation methods, the Res-Unet network leads to better results of mineral morphology and distribution recognition. Finally, it is demonstrated that the proposed Res-Unet-based segmentation model is an effective tool for creating three-dimensional digital core models with multiple mineral components.
A case of perforated Meckel’s diverticulitis tethered to the umbilicus associated with a urachal remnant
Authors: Woods Christopher , Whitehead-Clarke Thomas , Stevenson Benita , Patel Nirav , Kulendran Myutan
Published: April 2023

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) occurs in 2% of the population and is often asymptomatic. It is an embryological remnant of the oomphalomesenteric duct and can be associated with another embryonic structure—the urachus. A 23-year-old male presented with generalized abdominal pain and fever on a background of chronic abdominal pain and recurrent urinary infections. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed an inflamed MD. Next day, the patient deteriorated and was taken to theatre. The MD was found to be both perforated and tethered to the umbilicus, which itself was directly related to an abnormal extra-peritoneal structure—shown to be a urachal remnant. Such cases pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Young males with chronic abdominal pain and recurrent urinary infections should be thoroughly investigated for such pathology. Laparoscopic approach to such cases should be undertaken with caution due to possible umbilical tethering.
Constraining νΛCDM with density-split clustering
Authors: Paillas Enrique , Cuesta-Lazaro Carolina , Zarrouk Pauline , Cai Yan-Chuan , Percival Will J , Nadathur Seshadri , Pinon Mathilde , de Mattia Arnaud , Beutler Florian
Published: April 2023

The dependence of galaxy clustering on local density provides an effective method for extracting non-Gaussian information from galaxy surveys. The two-point correlation function (2PCF) provides a complete statistical description of a Gaussian density field. However, the late-time density field becomes non-Gaussian due to non-linear gravitational evolution and higher-order summary statistics are required to capture all of its cosmological information. Using a Fisher formalism based on halo catalogues from the Quijote simulations, we explore the possibility of retrieving this information using the density-split clustering (DS) method, which combines clustering statistics from regions of different environmental density. We show that DS provides more precise constraints on the parameters of the νΛCDM model compared to the 2PCF, and we provide suggestions for where the extra information may come from. DS improves the constraints on the sum of neutrino masses by a factor of 7 and by factors of 4, 3, 3, 6, and 5 for Ωm, Ωb, h, ns, and σ8, respectively. We compare DS statistics when the local density environment is estimated from the real or redshift-space positions of haloes. The inclusion of DS autocorrelation functions, in addition to the cross-correlation functions between DS environments and haloes, recovers most of the information that is lost when using the redshift-space halo positions to estimate the environment. We discuss the possibility of constructing simulation-based methods to model DS clustering statistics in different scenarios.
Local stellar formation history from the 40 pc white dwarf sample
Authors: Cukanovaite E , Tremblay P-E , Toonen S , Temmink K D , Manser Christopher J , O’Brien M W , McCleery J
Published: April 2023

We derive the local stellar formation history from the Gaia-defined 40 pc white dwarf sample. This is currently the largest volume-complete sample of white dwarfs for which spectroscopy is available, allowing for classification of the chemical abundances at the photosphere, and subsequently accurate determination of the atmospheric parameters. We create a population synthesis model and show that a uniform stellar formation history for the last ≈10.5 Gyr provides a satisfactory fit to the observed distribution of absolute Gaia G magnitudes. To test the robustness of our derivation, we vary various assumptions in the population synthesis model, including the initial mass function, initial-to-final mass relation, kinematic evolution, binary fraction, and white dwarf cooling time-scales. From these tests, we conclude that the assumptions in our model have an insignificant effect on the derived relative stellar formation rate as a function of look-back time. However, the onset of stellar formation (age of Galactic disc) is sensitive to a variety of input parameters including the white dwarf cooling models. Our derived stellar formation history gives a much better fit to the absolute Gaia G magnitudes than most previous studies.
A journey from the hard to the soft state: How do QPOs evolve in the 2021 outburst of GX 339–4?
Authors: Stiele H , Kong A K H
Published: April 2023

We investigated the snapshots of five NICER observations of the black hole transient GX 339–4 when the source transited from the hard state into the soft state during its outburst in 2021. In this paper, we focused our study on the evolution of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) and noise components using power-density spectra. In addition, we derived hardness ratios by comparing count rates above and below 2 keV. The evolution from the hard to the soft state was a somewhat erratic process, showing several transitions between states that are dominated by top-flat noise and can show type-C QPOs; those that are dominated by red noise and can show type-B QPOs. From the parameters that we studied, we only found a strong correlation between the hardness ratio and the type of QPO observed. This implies that the appearance of type-B QPOs is related to a change in the accretion geometry of the system that also reflects in altered spectral properties. We also observed that the type-B QPO forms from or disintegrates into a broad peaked feature when the source comes out of or goes to the hard intermediate state, respectively. This implies some strong decoherence in the process that creates this feature.
Spatial distributions and kinematics of shocked and ionized gas in M17
Authors: Zhu Feng-Yao , Wang Junzhi , Yan Yaoting , Zhu Qing-Feng , Li Juan
Published: April 2023

Massive stars are formed in molecular clouds, and produce H ii regions when they evolve onto the main sequence. The expansion of H ii region can both suppress and promote star formation in the vicinity. M17 H ii region is a giant cometary H ii region near many massive clumps containing starless and protostellar sources. It is an appropriate target to study the effect of feedback from previously formed massive stars on the nearby star-forming environments. Observations of SiO 2-1, HCO+ 1-0, H13CO+ 1-0, HC3N 10-9, and H41 α lines are performed toward M17 H ii region with ambient candidates of massive clumps. In the observations, the widespread shocked gas surrounding M17 H ii region is detected: it probably originates from the collision between the expanding ionized gas and the ambient neutral medium. Some massive clumps are found in the overlap region of the shock and dense-gas tracing lines while the central velocities of shocked and high-density gases are similar. This suggests that part of massive clumps are located in the shell of H ii region, and may be formed from the accumulated neutral materials in the shell. In addition, by comparing the observations towards M17 H ii region with the simulation of cometary H ii region, we infer the presence of one or more massive stars travelling at supersonic velocity with respect to the natal molecular cloud in the H ii region.
2317. Persistent Bacterial Carriage and Hospital Transmission Detected by Whole Genome Sequence Surveillance
Authors: Sundermann Alexander , Griffith Marissa , Waggle Kady , Snyder Graham , Van Tyne Daria , Marsh Jane , Harrison Lee
Published: April 2023

Background

Healthcare-associated infections can be acquired via transmission of pathogens within the healthcare setting. Often, patients are assumed to have short duration (< 90 days) of transmissibility with bacterial pathogens after developing a clinical infection. This assumption may wrongly exclude patients as sources of transmission when they have persistent bacterial carriage. We studied patients with persistent carriage and associated transmission using whole genome sequencing surveillance.

Methods

Patient culture positive isolates for select bacterial pathogens between 11/2016 and 11/2019 were collected if the patient was housed in the hospital for ≥3 days or had a recent healthcare exposure in the prior 30 days. Isolates were considered genetically related with ≤15 SNPs for all organisms except C. difficile (≤2 SNPs). Patients with serial isolates separated by >100 days were examined for other patients with related isolates and epidemiological commonalities between the first and last culture dates.

Results

There were 779 related isolates from 369 unique patients (range 2-11 isolates/patient). The mean time from first to last culture date was 81.9 days (median 33 days, range 1-899 days) (Figure 1). 77 patients had isolates that were related to another patient of which 18 (23%) patients had >100 days between their first and last isolate (median 216, range 103-899). Of these, 9 (50%) patients had epidemiological links with another patient between their first and last isolate culture dates. The median time from exposure to positive culture date of the exposed patient was 14 days (mean 34, range 2-115). An example of potential transmission is shown in Figure 2.

Days between the first and last related isolates within the same patient

Example of patient with persistent carriage of K. pneumoniae and evidence of transmission to another patient

Conclusion

Some patients had persistent carriage with the same strain for over two years and appear to be a potential source of ongoing transmission to other patients. WGS surveillance, in addition to detecting outbreaks, can identify patients with persistent colonization as potential a transmission source. Healthcare outbreak investigations should include patients with persistent carriage as potential sources based upon temporal restrictions.

Disclosures

Graham Snyder, MD, SM, Infectious Diseases Connect: Advisor/Consultant Daria Van Tyne, PhD, Century Therapeutics, Inc: Advisor/Consultant
Licensing Investigations: Suggestions from Social Workers Who Received Sanctions
Authors: Barsky Allan Edward , Spadola Christine Elizabeth
Published: April 2023

When clients have concerns about licensed social workers, they may file complaints with their state licensing boards. Although prior research has explored the types of complaints made against social workers, there has been little research on the experiences of social workers who are being investigated. This phenomenological study is based on in-depth interviews designed to gain a better understanding of the lived experiences of 13 licensed social workers who participated in licensing investigations and received sanctions by a state licensing board for violating state laws, rules, or ethical standards. The researchers used an interpretive approach to analyze the interviews and identify common themes surrounding participant suggestions for improvement for licensing boards when investigating complaints and issuing sanctions. Research participants suggested that being investigated for licensing violations can cause significant levels of anxiety, stress, and embarrassment. Although some participants felt that the investigation process was fair, others expressed deep concerns about how they were treated. The participants’ suggestions for improving the investigation process centered around five primary themes: ensuring the process is fair, treating licensees with kindness and respect, using a collaborative approach, using a corrective approach, and hiring professional social workers as investigators.
Radon Exposure Concentrations in Finnish Workplaces
Authors: Kojo Katja , Turtiainen Tuukka , Holmgren Olli , Kurttio Päivi
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to obtain information on the radon concentrations to which Finnish workers are exposed. Radon measurements were conducted as integrated measurements in 700 workplaces, supplemented by continuous radon measurements in 334 workplaces. The occupational radon concentration was calculated by multiplying the result of the integrated measurements by the seasonal correction factor and the ventilation correction factor (ratio between the working time and the full-time radon concentration obtained from continuous measurement). The annual radon concentration to which workers are exposed was weighted by the actual number of workers in each province. In addition, workers were divided into three main occupational categories (working mainly outdoors, underground, or indoors above ground). Probability distribution of the parameters affecting radon concentration levels were generated to calculate a probabilistic estimate of the number of workers exposed to excessive radon levels. With deterministic methods, the geometric and arithmetic mean radon concentrations in conventional, above-ground workplaces were 41 and 91 Bq m−3, respectively. The estimated geometric and arithmetic mean annual radon concentrations that Finnish workers are exposed to were assessed as 19 and 33 Bq m−3, respectively. The generic ventilation correction factor for workplaces was calculated as 0.87. Assessed with probabilistic methods, there are approximately 34,000 workers in Finland whose exposure to radon exceeds the reference level of 300 Bq m−3. Although radon concentrations are generally low in Finnish workplaces, many workers are exposed to high levels of radon. Radon exposure in the workplace is the most common source of occupational radiation exposure in Finland.
Clinical Implications Surrounding the Challenges of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for Novel Gram-Negative Agents
Authors: Kim Juliette , Lee Yuman , Bradley Nicole
Published: April 2023

The rise in gram-negative antimicrobial resistance worldwide has led to the approval of novel gram-negative antimicrobial agents active against various multidrug-resistant pathogens. Despite this, clinical use of these agents is often limited by the lack of access to timely antimicrobial susceptibility results. Much of this has largely been due to challenges in performing and adopting antimicrobial susceptibility testing by clinical laboratories in accordance with strict regulatory requirements. The absence of antimicrobial susceptibility results can interfere with antimicrobial stewardship efforts in facilitating early, appropriate antimicrobial use to treat multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections, therefore compromising the outcomes of treatment. We advocate for a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to address realistic challenges involving access to antimicrobial susceptibility testing for these newly approved agents to ensure this data is available to guide clinical treatment decisions.
Outcome of topiramate in migraine prophylaxis
Authors: Ibrahim Etedal Ahmed A. , Abdalla Balla Elhardallo Wadia , Hussien Mohamed Ahmed Khabab Abbasher , Abdalla Omer Mohammed E. , Mahmmoud Fadelallah Eljack Mohammed
Published: April 2023

Background:

Topiramate is an antiepileptic medication originally and one of the first-line drugs for migraine prophylaxis. Herein, we aimed to assess the outcome of topiramate in migraine prophylaxis by evaluating the reduction in frequency and/or severity of attacks and addressing the most common adverse effects associated with it.

Methods:

A descriptive, prospective hospital-based study was conducted at Ibrahim Malik Hospital, National Center of Neurological Disease and Sciences from October 2018 to May 2019. A comprehensive, structural, close-ended questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, clinical, risk factors, treatment, side effects, and outcome.

Results:

This study covered 32 study participants; the mean age was 33±10 years, with a female predominance of 27 (84%). Nearly, half of them 15 (47%) migraine triggered by weather changes, and 13 (41%) had menstruation. About 17 (53%) was suffering from headache more than 24 months and most of them 26 (81%) used over-the-counter medications for acute pain headache. The mean frequency of attacks per month was reduced from 6.1 baselines to 3.2, in the severity means was 6.9 turns to 5. Reduction in frequency of attacks there was significant in both number and severity (P<0.001) with no significant difference in 50 and 100 mg doses. Concerning adverse effects, 5 (15.6%) did not complain of any, more than a third 12 (38%) experienced weight loss, 7 (22%) both abdominal/gastrointestinal symptoms and dizziness, 5 (16%) mood changes, 4 (13%) both paresthesia and decreased memory, 3 (9%) both anorexia and sleepiness.

Conclusion:

Topiramate is effective in reducing headache frequency and reasonably well tolerated in adult Sudanese patients with episodic migraine. This may provide good evidence to support its use in routine clinical management.
A confirmed COVID-19 in a patient with newly diagnosed hypertension and preexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus: a case report
Authors: Bereda Gudisa
Published: April 2023

Background and importance:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) aggravates preexisting diabetes mellitus and contributes to newly discovered hypertension by increasing blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in the rennin–angiotensin system. Diabetes patients may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to chronic comorbidities such as obesity and cardiovascular disease such as hypertension.

Case presentation:

On 23 March 2022, a retired black African woman in her 60s was taken into the emergency room with the chief complaints of frequent midnight urine, hazy vision, headache, fever, and tingling in her hands and feet. A throat swab PCR test that revealed positive results after 28 h was used to confirm COVID-19. Her electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia with a heart rate of 105 beats per minute. Fluid resuscitation (0.9% normal saline) of 1000 ml and drip insulin administration commenced as soon as she was brought to an ICU.

Clinical discussion:

In this case report, the patient had been previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. COVID-19 affects the beta cells, forcing them to release insulin and increasing insulin insufficiency, which leads to her blood glucose raising. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is therefore the most frequent comorbidity of COVID-19 in this case report.

Conclusion:

Poor blood glucose management in the case of COVID-19 may increase the pathogen’s susceptibility, the likelihood that patients will be admitted to the hospital, and the likelihood that mortality will be enhanced.
Retroperitoneal endoscopic median arcuate ligament incision with interventional radiology: a case report and literature review
Authors: Takayama Shoryu , Takayama Satoru , Kani Hisanori , Tanaka Akimitu , Ishikawa Ken , Yoshimoto Nobuyasu
Published: April 2023

Introduction and Importance:

Compression of the celiac artery (CA) associated with median arcuate ligament compression syndrome can result in aneurysms at the pancreaticoduodenal arcade. If the aneurysm ruptures, treatment with interventional radiology (IVR) is recommended. Subsequently, the median arcuate ligament (MAL) should be incised to prevent the recurrence of the aneurysm. Retroperitoneal endoscopic MAL incision reduces the risk of adhesive bowel obstruction. However, there is few surgical landmark for retroperitoneal MAL incision. We used IVR to detect CA for MAL incision.

Case Presentation:

A 44-year-old man presented to our hospital with complaints of abdominal pain and clouding of consciousness. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed contrast leakage from pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm, and the CA was compressed by MAL, leading to the diagnosis of pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm rupture associated with median arcuate ligament compression syndrome. IVR was performed to block the blood flow to the aneurysm. After 2 months from life-saving IVR, we performed retroperitoneal endoscopic MAL incision with IVR. The patient was discharged 8 days after surgery. Echocardiography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography 2 months after discharge confirmed that the compression and flow of the CA had improved.

Clinical Discussion:

In retroperitoneal endoscopic MAL incision, there has been few landmark to identify MAL and CA. Retroperitoneal procedure with IVR can identify MAL easily. This is a useful technique, and it is important to accumulate more cases to standardize the technique.

Conclusion:

Retroperitoneal endoscopic MAL incision with IVR has not been reported, this procedure can make it easier to detect MAL.
Surgical Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Multicenter Competing-risk Analysis of Tumor-related Death Following Liver Resection and Transplantation Under an Intention-to-treat Perspective
Authors: Di Sandro Stefano , Sposito Carlo , Ravaioli Matteo , Lauterio Andrea , Magistri Paolo , Bongini Marco , Odaldi Federica , De Carlis Riccardo , Botta Francesca , Centonze Leonardo , Maroni Lorenzo , Citterio Davide , Guidetti Cristiano , Bagnardi Vincenzo , De Carlis Luciano , Cescon Matteo , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Di Benedetto Fabrizio ,   HV-HCC-MRT-group
Published: April 2023

Background.

Early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma could benefit from upfront liver resection (LR) or liver transplantation (LT), but the optimal strategy in terms of tumor-related outcomes is still debated. We compared the oncological outcomes of LR and LT for hepatocellular carcinoma, stratifying the study population into a low-, intermediate-, and high-risk class according to the risk of death at 5-y predicted by a previously developed prognostic model. The impact of tumor pathology on oncological outcomes of low- and intermediate-risk patients undergoing LR was investigated as a secondary outcome.

Methods.

We performed a retrospective multicentric cohort study involving 2640 patients consecutively treated by LR or LT from 4 tertiary hepatobiliary and transplant centers between 2005 and 2015, focusing on patients amenable to both treatments upfront. Tumor-related survival and overall survival were compared under an intention-to-treat perspective.

Results.

We identified 468 LR and 579 LT candidates: 512 LT candidates underwent LT, whereas 68 (11.7%) dropped-out for tumor progression. Ninety-nine high-risk patients were selected from each treatment cohort after propensity score matching. Three and 5-y cumulative incidence of tumor-related death were 29.7% and 39.5% versus 17.2% and 18.3% for LR and LT group (P = 0.039), respectively. Low-risk and intermediate-risk patients treated by LR and presenting satellite nodules and microvascular invasion had a significantly higher 5-y incidence of tumor-related death (29.2% versus 12.5%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions.

High-risk patients showed significantly better intention-to-treat tumor-related survival after upfront LT rather than LR. Cancer-specific survival of low- and intermediate-risk LR patients was significantly impaired by unfavorable pathology, suggesting the application of ab-initio salvage LT in such scenarios.
Sphingobium nicotianae sp. nov., isolated from tobacco soil
Authors: Fan Rongrong , Luo Xiong , Hong Mengjuan , Yang Ruijia , Dong Xinyi , Shi Heli , Li Mingshun
Published: April 2023

Bacterial strain H33T was isolated from tobacco plant soil and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Strain H33T was a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and strictly aerobic bacterium. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of the up-to-date bacterial core gene set (92 protein clusters) indicated that H33T belongs to the genus

Sphingobium

. Strain H33T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Sphingobium xanthum

NL9T (97.2%) and showed 72.3–80.6 % average nucleotide identity and 19.7–29.2 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other species of the genus

Sphingobium

. Strain H33T grew optimally at 30°C, pH 7 and could tolerate 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The isoprenoid quinones were ubiquinone-9 (64.1%) and ubiquinone-10 (35.9%). Spermidine was the major polyamine. The major fatty acids of H33T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c). The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, two unidentified lipids, two unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified aminoglycolipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of H33T was 64.9 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, H33T was considered a representative of a novel species in the genus

Sphingobium

. We propose the name Sphingobium nicotianae sp. nov., with H33T (=CCTCC AB 2022073T=LMG 32569T) as the type strain.
A practical method to improve the efficiency of pollination in maize breeding and genetics research
Authors: Schoemaker Dylan L. , McFarland Frank , Martinell Brian , Michel Kathryn J. , Mathews Lucas , O’Brien Dan , Leon Natalia de , Kaeppler Heidi F. , Kaeppler Shawn M.
Published: April 2023

Seed increase through manual pollination is a critical part of maize breeding and genetics research to advance generations in breeding programs, to create desired research crosses, and produce hybrid seed for trials. Pollination in the field and in controlled environments relies on the availability of high-quality pollen at the time that recipient silks are receptive. Generally, pollinations are made by capturing pollen from the tassel in a paper pollinating bag placed on the tassels one day prior to pollination and newly released pollen is then transferred to silks on the target plant. In the field, maize pollen is only viable for one to four hours following dehiscence and the rate of desiccation is influenced by environmental conditions. We have developed a method which increases the lifespan of pollen and allows pollen from a single tassel to be used to pollinate many ears by mixing fresh pollen with a dilutant that can be stored for multiple days. We identified characteristics of the size of suitable substrates and selected a PEEK based substrate for regular utilization. We evaluated pollen viability and empirically demonstrated the capability to store pollen up to nine days when pollen is mixed with a PEEK substrate and stored at 6°C. The pollen storage method was used to make successful pollinations across 24 maize inbred lines tested and was generally equivalent to the standard manual pollination process. This method has the potential to increase the efficiency of breeding operations and may be useful in an array of genetic studies.

Core Ideas

• Manual pollinations in breeding and genetics research requires pollen available when recipient silks are viable.

• The method collects and stores maize pollen for at least five days and facilitates efficient pollination.

• Pollen is mixed with polyetheretherketone and uses field-collected pollen and simple storage conditions.

• The method can increase the number of pollinations per tassel and generates a reasonable number of viable seeds.
Methotrimeprazine exerts antiviral and neuroprotective effects in Japanese encephalitis virus infection through activation of adaptive ER stress and autophagy
Authors: Prajapat Surendra Kumar , Mishra Laxmi , Khera Sakshi , Owusu Shadrack D , Ahuja Kriti , Sharma Puja , Singh Rajan , Mahajan Dinesh , Banerjee Arup , Motiani Rajender K , Vrati Sudhanshu , Kalia Manjula
Published: April 2023

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the leading global cause of virus-induced encephalitis. Its pathogenesis is driven by a combination of neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation. We hypothesized that pharmacological upregulation of autophagy could exert a neuroprotective antiviral effect, and tested a panel of forty-two FDA-approved drugs that were shown to induce autophagy. Four drugs were tested in the JE mouse model based on in vitro protective effects on neuronal cell death, inhibition of viral replication, and anti-inflammatory effects in microglial cells. The antipsychotic phenothiazines Methotrimeprazine (MTP) and Trifluoperazine (TFP) showed a significant survival benefit with reduced virus titers in the brain, prevention of blood-brain barrier (BBB) breach, and inhibition of neuroinflammation. Both drugs were potent mTOR-independent autophagy flux inducers. Mechanistically MTP inhibited SERCA channel functioning, thereby resulting in rise in cytosolic calcium levels, and induction of a unique adaptive ER stress response. In virus infected drug treated cells, there was a strong transcriptional downregulation of type I interferon and interferon-stimulated genes and upregulation of cholesterol metabolic pathway genes. The drugs exerted an autophagy-dependent antiviral effect at the level of JEV protein translation/replication complex formation in diverse cell types. Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine/chemokine release from mouse microglial cells was partly autophagy-dependent. Our study suggests that MTP exerts a combined antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect in JEV infection, and has therapeutic potential to be repurposed for JE treatment.