bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergies between diabetes and hyperhomocysteinaemia: New insights to predict and prevent adverse cardiovascular effects
Authors: Fan Xue , Liu Yuhe , Chen Xueyu , Xu Yuehao , Wu Wenqian , Li Fengchang , Liu Gang , Chen Xiaoli , Zhang Caiping , Zhou Yong
Published: October 2024

Aim

To explore the association of hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) and diabetes synergies with cardiovascular events in the adult population of northern China.

Methods

Data were collected from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnomalities Community study for 2010 to 2019. Serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The participants were categorized into four groups based on their Hcy levels and diabetes status: non‐diabetes/non‐HHcy, non‐diabetes/HHcy, diabetes/non‐HHcy and diabetes/HHcy. The composite endpoint consisted of the occurrence of first‐ever stroke, myocardial infraction (MI) or all‐cause mortality. Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of diabetes and HHcy with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.

Results

In total, 5278 participants were eligible (average age 55.1 years, 60% male). Over a follow‐up of 9.1 years, 618 events were identified, 202 stroke, 52 MI and 406 all‐cause deaths. Compared with the non‐diabetes/non‐HHcy group, hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals in the diabetes/HHcy group for stroke, MI, major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), all‐cause death and composite endpoint were 1.85 (1.12‐3.04), 1.33 (0.42‐4.23), 1.78 (1.13‐2.80), 2.24 (1.56‐3.23) and 1.97 (1.47‐2.65), respectively. Significant interactions between HHcy and diabetes status were found for stroke, MI and MACE (P for interaction = .002, .027 and .044, respectively). In addition, the association of diabetes/HHcy with stroke was modified by age (< 60 and ≥ 60 years; P for interaction = .016).

Conclusions

The findings highlight the synergistic impact of diabetes and HHcy on CVD. Joint assessments of diabetes and Hcy levels should be emphasized for risk stratification and primary prevention of CVD.
Differential temporal decline of cerebral oxytocin and μ‐opioid receptor density during the aging process in mice
Authors: Effah Felix , Nidadavolu Prakash , de Gusmão Taveiros Silva Nívea Karla , Wojtowicz Milosz , Camarini Rosana , Zimmer Andreas , Bailey Alexis
Published: October 2024

Aging is often associated with changes in social, sexual, emotional and pain functioning, as well as with the increased prevalence of certain psychopathologies. However, the neurodevelopmental basis underpinning these age‐related changes remains to be determined. Considering the key roles of oxytocin (OTR) and μ‐opioid (MOPr) receptor systems in regulating social, sexual, pain, reward and emotional processing, it seems plausible that they are also implicated in age‐related behavioural alterations. Although the ontogeny of both receptors has been well characterized in rodent brains from early development till adulthood, little is known concerning the neuroadaptations occurring from middle age to old age. Therefore, we mapped the neuroadaptations in OTR and MOPr in the brains of mice at those developmental endpoints. Quantitative OTR and MOPr autoradiographic binding was carried out in the brains of male mice at 2, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months of age. A significant whole brain decline in OTR density was detected between 2 and 6 months of age, with no additional decline thereafter. Interestingly, for MOPrs, the decline in density was not detected until 9 months of age. Region‐specific age‐related decline in OTR density was concentrated in the lateral anterior olfactory nuclei (AOL) and, for MOPr, in the AOL and the nucleus accumbens. Identifying the tipping point of these age‐related variations in both receptors may assist with our understanding of the neurobiology underlining age‐related changes in social, pain and emotional functioning/processing. It may also help us target interventions to specific developmental windows to abrogate certain age‐related psychopathologies.
Intensive care due to myasthenia gravis: Risk factors and prognosis
Authors: Myllynen Chris , Tuulasvaara Anni , Atula Sari , Laakso Sini M.
Published: October 2024

Background and purpose

Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis (MG) with respiratory failure requires intensive care. We aimed to study the risk factors for intensive care unit admission for MG exacerbation and myasthenic crisis (MC) and the prognosis of people with MG (pwMG) thereafter.

Methods

This retrospective study investigated patients in the Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district during the years 2008–2021. PwMG (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision code G70.0) were identified through a data repository search, followed by a chart review of patient records. Risk factors for intensive care due to MG exacerbation were evaluated as compared with the patients only treated in the outpatient clinic and those treated in the neurological ward for MG exacerbation. The outcomes of patients in intensive care for any reason were also compared with those of patients in intensive care for exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

Results

Of 577 pwMG, 35 (6.1%) needed intensive care for MG within a median of 5.3 months from diagnosis. The mean (±SD) age at MG diagnosis was higher in the intensive care group (60.5 [±16.1] years) compared to the outpatient (48.3 [±20.9] years; p < 0.001) and neurological ward groups (53.4 [±20.8] years; p = 0.044). Thymoma (odds ratio [OR] 4.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–19.43; p = 0.028) and female sex (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.02–4.48; p = 0.045) were independent risk factors for intensive care. In‐hospital mortality was 4% for MC patients. Six‐month mortality after intensive care for MG exacerbation (14.3%) was twice that for asthma exacerbation (7.7%).

Conclusion

Our study shows an increased risk of intensive care treatment for patients with late‐onset MG, female sex or thymoma, occurring usually within 6 months from diagnosis, which emphasises the importance of early treatment choices.
Pair‐Coordinated Calling: Eurasian Magpies Respond Differently to Simulated Intruder Pairs That Overlap or Alternate Their Calls
Authors: Kuspiel Miriam , Kingma Sjouke A. , Vermeulen Heleen , Naguib Marc
Published: October 2024

Animal vocalisations are widely used to signal strength or motivation of a caller in competitive interactions, such as in territorial defence. Substantial understanding of signalling functions in territorial conflicts is based on singing by male songbirds. Yet, in many species, both pair members call during territorial conflicts, as well as in predator‐induced situations, leading to complex signalling interactions in which calls overlap or alternate. This raises the question as to whether or not variation in how individuals in pairs time their calls is perceived as meaningful by receivers. Here, we tested with playback experiments whether Eurasian magpies (Pica pica), a species producing alarm calls (so‐called chatter calls) in territorial defence, respond stronger to simulated pair‐intruders who overlap their calls with each other than to those who alternate them. Magpies emitted a significantly longer first chatter calls in response to playback with overlapping calls but chattered significantly sooner and approached the loudspeakers significantly more closely in response to playbacks of alternating (and therefore longer) call sequences. These findings exemplify that the timing of calls by pair members matters, but in more complex ways than we predicted. The overlapping playback appeared to trigger a longer yet later initial chatter response and a weaker approach response, suggesting that the different ways in which magpies respond reflect different levels of arousal or defence strategies. The results may also reflect uncertainty by receivers due to a potential mismatch between signalled and perceived information: While overlapping calls may signal high arousal by both callers, a longer alternating sequence could be perceived as a more aroused longer signal. These findings expand on classical experiments on call function, suggesting that pairs can vary the message by coordinating their alarm calls in different ways, similar to how duetting pairs time their song contributions in advertisement signalling.
TBK1 is involved in M‐CSF‐induced macrophage polarization through mediating the IRF5/IRF4 axis
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Ji Le , Liu Chang , Li Juanjuan , Wen Di , Li Zhongyao , Yu Lishuang , Guo Moran , Zhang Shaoran , Duan Weisong , Yi Le , Bi Yue , Bu Hui , Li Chunyan , Liu Yakun
Published: October 2024

TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is an important kinase that is involved in innate immunity and tumor development. Macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) regulates the differentiation and function of macrophages towards the immunosuppressive M2 phenotype in the glioblastoma multiforme microenvironment. The role of TBK1 in macrophages, especially in regulating macrophage polarization in response to M‐CSF stimulation, remains unclear. Here, we found high TBK1 expression in human glioma‐infiltrating myeloid cells and that phosphorylated TBK1 was highly expressed in M‐CSF‐stimulated macrophages but not in granulocyte‐macrophage CSF‐induced macrophages (granulocyte‐macrophage‐CSF is involved in the polarization of M1 macrophages). Conditional deletion of TBK1 in myeloid cells induced M‐CSF‐stimulated bone marrow‐derived macrophages to exhibit a proinflammatory M1‐like phenotype with increased protein expression of CD86, interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α, as well as decreased expression of arginase 1. Mechanistically, TBK1 deletion or inhibition by amlexanox or GSK8612 reduced the expression of the transcription factor interferon‐regulatory factor (IRF)4 and increased the level of IRF5 activation in macrophages stimulated with M‐CSF, leading to an M1‐like profile with highly proinflammatory factors. IRF5 deletion reversed the effect of TBK1 inhibition on M‐CSF‐mediated macrophage polarization. Our findings suggest that TBK1 contributes to the regulation of macrophage polarization in response to M‐CSF stimulation partly through the IRF5/IRF4 axis.
The deficiency of ALKBH5 contributes to hepatic lipid deposition by impairing VPS11‐dependent autophagic flux
Authors: Li Linghuan , Sun Yuanhai , Li Lingqin , Zheng Wanfang , Zha Weiwei , Zhao Tengjiao , Zhu Guangyao , Li Hanbing
Published: October 2024

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Hepatic lipid deposition is a key factor in the development of NAFLD. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification, the most prevalent mRNA modification in eukaryotic cells, plays an important role in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism. However, its potential role in hepatic lipid deposition remains poorly understood. Histological and immunohistochemistry studies were used to investigate lipid deposition in free fatty acids (FFAs)‐incubated LO2 cells, high‐fat diet‐fed mice models and clinical samples. Stable overexpression and knockdown of AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) was manipulated to investigate the effects of ALKBH5 on m6A methylation and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. RNA‐sequencing transcriptome analysis and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation‐quantitative‐PCR analysis were used to reveal the potential downstream molecular targets of ALKBH5. ALKBH5 was down‐regulated in fatty liver compared to normal liver in both humans and mice. Overexpression of ALKBH5 significantly improved FFA‐induced lipid accumulation and promoted autophagosome‐lysosome fusion in hepatocytes. Meanwhile, knockdown of ALKBH5 significantly increased the expression of microtubule‐associated protein 1A/1B‐light chain 3B and Sequestosome 1, leading to impaired autophagic flux and further lipid deposition in hepatocytes under FFA incubation. Overexpression of vacuolar protein sorting 11 (VPS11) reversed FFA‐induced lipid accumulation in ALKBH5‐silenced hepatocytes. Mechanistically, ALKBH5 alleviated hepatic lipid deposition and impaired autophagic flux by removing the m6A modification on VPS11 mRNA to promote its translation. Collectively, our findings revealed an epigenetic mechanism by which ALKBH5 alleviates hepatic lipid deposition by restoring VPS11‐dependent autophagic flux, providing a potential target to counteract NAFLD.
Study on Low‐Cycle Fatigue Behavior and Life Prediction of Cr–Ni–Mo–V Gun Steel at Room Temperature and 600 °C
Authors: Zhao Chao , Jia Xiaobin , Zhao Caiyan , Bai Shaobin , Huang Yanli , Zhang Qing , Zhang Jian , Hu Yongping , Huang Jinfeng
Published: October 2024

In this paper, the low‐cycle fatigue fracture behavior and life prediction of Cr–Ni–Mo–V gun steel at room temperature and 600 °C are studied. The results indicated that at room temperature and 600 °C, the Cr–Ni–Mo–V gun steel exhibited obvious monotonic softening and cyclic softening. This behavior could be attributed to the formation of dislocation networks, dislocation walls, dynamic recovery, and dynamic recrystallization. As the temperature increased, the failure mode gradually shifted from mixed transgranular and intergranular fractures to intergranular fractures possibly owing to the reduced grain boundary strength and easy oxidation of the grain boundary at high temperatures. In addition, the fatigue life prediction model considering the influence of temperature is established by using the energy dissipation quadratic function, offering a practical method to improve the fatigue performance evaluation of Cr–Ni–Mo–V gun steel at various temperature.
Cyanobacteria can benefit from freshwater salinization following the collapse of dominant phytoplankton competitors and zooplankton herbivores
Authors: Urrutia‐Cordero Pablo , Langvall Ola , Weyhenmeyer Gesa A. , Hylander Samuel , Lundgren Maria , Papadopoulou Sofia , Striebel Maren , Lind Lovisa , Langenheder Silke
Published: October 2024

Freshwater salinization is an increasing threat to lakes worldwide, but despite being a widespread issue, little is known about its impact on biological communities at the base of the food chain.

Here we used a mesocosm set‐up coupled with modern high‐frequency sensor technology to identify short‐ and longer‐term responses of phytoplankton to salinization in an oligotrophic lake. We tested the effects of salinization over a gradient of increasing salt concentrations that can be found in natural lakes exposed to road salt contamination (added salt range: from 0 to 1500 mg Cl− L−1).

The high‐frequency chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) fluorescence measurements showed an increasing divergence of chl‐a concentrations along the salinization gradient over time, with substantially lower concentrations at higher salt levels. At the sub‐daily scale, we found a profound suppression of day–night signal cycles with increasing salinity, which could be related to physiological stress due to the impairment of photosynthesis via effects on the photosystem II or potential changes in the active migration of phytoplankton. Community analyses revealed a similar decline pattern for the total phytoplankton biomass and a collapse of the total zooplankton biomass. Interestingly, we found a loss of phytoplankton diversity coupled with a compositional re‐organization involving the loss of dominant green algae but increased biomass of salt‐tolerant cyanobacteria.

Altogether, these results suggest that specific cyanobacterial taxa can benefit from freshwater salinization following the collapse of dominant phytoplankton competitors and zooplankton herbivores. The results also highlight the value of autonomous sensor technology to capture novel, small‐scale ecological responses to freshwater salinization, and thereby to track fast changes in primary producer communities.
Inorganic Carbon Pools and Their Drivers in Grassland and Desert Soils
Authors: Dong Longwei , Ran Jinzhi , Luo Jiali , Bai Lin , Sun Ying , Aqeel Muhammad , Zhang Yahui , Wang Xiaoting , Du Qiajun , Xiong Junlan , Gong Haiyang , Hou Qingqing , Deng Yan , Xia Rui , Wang Liang , Li Fan , Dong Chuancong , Hu Weigang , Peng Jie , Filimonenko Ekaterina , Alharbi Sulaiman Almwarai , Zhu Jianxiao , Li Xiaogang , Li Chunjie , He Jin‐Sheng , Niklas Karl J. , Kuzyakov Yakov , Deng Jianming
Published: October 2024

Inorganic carbon is an important component of soil carbon stocks, exerting a profound influence on climate change and ecosystem functioning. Drylands account for approximately 80% of the global soil inorganic carbon (SIC) pool within the top 200 cm. Despite its paramount importance, the components of SIC and their contributions to CO2 fluxes have been largely overlooked, resulting in notable gaps in understanding its distribution, composition, and responses to environmental factors across ecosystems, especially in deserts and temperate grasslands. Utilizing a dataset of 6011 samples from 173 sites across 224 million hectares, the data revealed that deserts and grasslands in northwestern China contain 20 ± 2.5 and 5 ± 1.3 petagrams of SIC in the top 100 cm, representing 5.5 and 0.76 times the corresponding soil organic carbon stock, respectively. Pedogenic carbonates (PIC), formed by the dissolution and re‐precipitation of carbonates, dominated in grasslands, accounting for 60% of SIC with an area‐weighted density of 3.4 ± 0.4 kg C m−2 at 0–100 cm depth, while lithogenic carbonates (LIC), inherited from soil parent materials, prevailed in deserts, constituting 55% of SIC with an area‐weighted density of 7.1 ± 1.0 kg C m−2. Soil parent materials and elevation determined the SIC stocks by regulating the formation and loss of LIC in deserts, whereas natural acidification, mainly induced by rhizosphere processes including cation uptake and H+ release as well as precipitation, reduced SIC (mainly by PIC) in grasslands. Overall, the massive SIC pool underscores its irreplaceable role in maintaining the total carbon pool in drylands. This study sheds light on LIC and PIC and highlights the critical impact of natural acidification on SIC loss in grasslands.
Homelessness and Sofa‐Surfing: Everyday Belonging, Mobilities, Identities and Morals in Hidden Spaces of Welfare
Authors: Green Kieran , Holton Mark , Yarwood Richard
Published: October 2024

This paper advances existing work on the geographies of homelessness by considering the phenomenon of sofa‐surfing—defined as the practice of living in a host's home, without a right to reside, in the absence of more permanent accommodation—as a distinctive, and until recently somewhat hidden, form of homelessness. Examining sofa‐surfing is important as it recognises the varied and intersecting spatial, temporal and mobility characteristics of vulnerable populations, often thought to be living at the margins of homelessness. Across the globe, the significant increase in sofa‐surfing since the 2010s, coupled with the unique, and frequently hidden, movements between ‘host’ homes, and the interrelationships that exist between sofa‐surfers and hosts, makes sofa‐surfing an essential lens through which to interpret the diverse geographies of 21st Century homelessness. To achieve this, we draw together work from a range of global contexts that examine the roots of stigmatised homeless identities and punitive public policies, alongside studies of homeless mobilities and performative homeless identities, to help understand the complex precarities associated with feelings of dislocation and (not) belonging. Investigating patterns of sofa‐surfing mobilities alongside sofa‐surfers’ fluid performative identities matters, and this paper provides new ways of understanding how such unique interactions impact sofa‐surfers’ felt capacities to belong within and between sofa‐surfing spaces.
Optimizing use of an electronic medical record system for quality improvement initiatives in hemodialysis: Review of a single center experience
Authors: Laurier Noémie , Robert Jorane‐Tiana , Tom Alexander , McKinnon Jerrica , Filteau Nancy , Horowitz Laura , Vasilevsky Murray , Weber Catherine , Podymow Tiina , Cybulsky Andrey V. , Suri Rita S. , Trinh Emilie
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The complexity of managing patients with end‐stage kidney disease on hemodialysis underscores the importance of implementing quality improvement (QI) initiatives to enhance patient safety and prioritize patient‐centered care. To address this, we established a QI committee at our tertiary academic center focusing on evidence‐based practices, patient‐centered approaches, and cost efficiency. To facilitate the seamless implementation of QI initiatives, we leveraged the capabilities of our electronic medical record (EMR) system.

Methods

This review details effective strategies for optimizing use of an EMR system to successfully implement QI efforts. Drawing from our experience, we provide detailed descriptions and practical insights that can be applied to other EMRs.

Findings

The creation of a secure and accessible dashboard, offering real‐time data on quality metrics, stands out as the most notable feature. This dashboard operates through an algorithm that merges data from both our dialysis and hospital EMR systems. Its primary objectives are to streamline the identification of high‐priority patients, enhance team communication, and facilitate tracking of quality indicators. Additionally, we integrated clinical pathways, checklists, and standardized protocols into the renal EMR to ensure smooth implementation of QI interventions. Notable examples of these interventions include an incremental hemodialysis protocol, a new hemodialysis start checklist, vaccination care plans, and personalized kidney transplant workups. Programmed electronic automatic reminders have proven invaluable in ensuring timely follow‐ups of assigned tasks. The EMR has also contributed to medication optimization and deprescribing by generating patient lists based on specific medication classes. Finally, the EMR's capability to swiftly generate lists of patients with specific features has significantly facilitated targeted QI interventions.

Conclusions

Leveraging the capabilities of an EMR system can be crucial for enhancing care of hemodialysis patients and implementing effective QI initiatives.
Operational efficiency effect on nursing workload of tertiary hospital wards in China: A prospective observational study
Authors: Ren Hong‐Fei , Liu Chang‐Qing , Jiang Yan , Chen Feng‐Jiao , Lv Juan , Zhang Rui‐Xue , Wen Li‐Min , Li You‐Ping , Gu Bo
Published: October 2024

Aims

To investigate the effect of ward operational efficiency on nursing workload and identify the factors that influence nursing workload.

Background

It remains unclear how and to what extent ward operational efficiency can influence nursing workload.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, in one tertiary general hospital in China. Purposive and convenience sampling was used, and 266 470 patients from 66 wards and 52 nurses from 13 wards were recruited. The relationships between operational efficiency and nursing workload and the predictors of nursing workload were analyzed. The STROBE guidelines were followed.

Results

The operational characteristics vary by the type of wards. Nursing workloads were positively correlated with case mix index (CMI), rate of level 4 surgery, the number of patients transferred in and out, the number of deaths, total bed days, and the number of emergency admissions and critical illnesses (γs: 0.35–0.56, p < 0.05). And the CMI, rate of level 4 surgery, average bed occupancy rate, number of critically ill patients, and total bed days were the predictors of nursing workload (R2 = 57.3%, p < 0.05).

Discussion

This study is the first to discuss the relationship between operational efficiency and nursing workload on the ward level and offers valuable insights into the nursing workload.

Conclusion

The operational efficiency of wards affects the nursing workload and needs to be considered both in the measurement of nursing activities and in the sizing of the nursing staff.

Implications for nursing and nursing policy

The study findings provide a full understanding of the relationship between ward operation and nurse staffing, which is helpful for nursing managers to formulate scientific nurse staffing policies.
Elucidating gastric cancer mechanisms and therapeutic potential of Adociaquinone A targeting EGFR: A genomic analysis and Computer Aided Drug Design (CADD) approach
Authors: Alkhateeb Mariam Abdulaziz , Aljarba Nada H. , Yousafi Qudsia , Anwar Fatima , Biswas Partha
Published: October 2024

Gastric cancer predominantly adenocarcinoma, accounts for over 85% of gastric cancer diagnoses. Current therapeutic options are limited, necessitating the discovery of novel drug targets and effective treatments. The Affymetrix gene expression microarray dataset (GSE64951) was retrieved from NCBI‐GEO data normalization and DEGs identification was done by using R‐Bioconductor package. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of DEGs was performed using DAVID. The protein–protein interaction network was constructed by STRING database plugin in Cytoscape. Subclusters/modules of important interacting genes in main network were extracted by using MCODE. The hub genes from in the network were identified by using Cytohubba. The miRNet tool built a hub gene/mRNA‐miRNA network and Kaplan–Meier‐Plotter conducted survival analysis. AutoDock Vina and GROMACS MD simulations were used for docking and stability analysis of marine compounds against the 5CNN protein. Total 734 DEGs (507 up‐regulated and 228 down‐regulated) were identified. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in processes like cell–cell adhesion and ATP binding. Eight hub genes (EGFR, HSPA90AA1, MAPK1, HSPA4, PPP2CA, CDKN2A, CDC20, and ATM) were selected for further analysis. A total of 23 miRNAs associated with hub genes were identified, with 12 of them targeting PPP2CA. EGFR displayed the highest expression and hazard rate in survival analyses. The kinase domain of EGFR (PDBID: 5CNN) was chosen as the drug target. Adociaquinone A from Petrosia alfiani, docked with 5CNN, showed the lowest binding energy with stable interactions across a 50 ns MD simulation, highlighting its potential as a lead molecule against EGFR. This study has identified crucial DEGs and hub genes in gastric cancer, proposing novel therapeutic targets. Specifically, Adociaquinone A demonstrates promising potential as a bioactive drug against EGFR in gastric cancer, warranting further investigation. The predicted miRNA against the hub gene/proteins can also be used as potential therapeutic targets.
Using Keystroke Behavior Patterns to Detect Nonauthentic Texts in Writing Assessments: Evaluating the Fairness of Predictive Models
Authors: Jiang Yang , Zhang Mo , Hao Jiangang , Deane Paul , Li Chen
Published: October 2024

The emergence of sophisticated AI tools such as ChatGPT, coupled with the transition to remote delivery of educational assessments in the COVID‐19 era, has led to increasing concerns about academic integrity and test security. Using AI tools, test takers can produce high‐quality texts effortlessly and use them to game assessments. It is thus critical to detect these nonauthentic texts to ensure test integrity. In this study, we leveraged keystroke logs—recordings of every keypress—to build machine learning (ML) detectors of nonauthentic texts in a large‐scale writing assessment. We focused on investigating the fairness of the detectors across demographic subgroups to ensure that nongenuine writing can be predicted equally well across subgroups. Results indicated that keystroke dynamics were effective in identifying nonauthentic texts. While the ML models were slightly more likely to misclassify the original responses submitted by male test takers as consisting of nonauthentic texts than those submitted by females, the effect sizes were negligible. Furthermore, balancing demographic distributions and class labels did not consistently mitigate detector bias across predictive models. Findings of this study not only provide implications for using behavioral data to address test security issues, but also highlight the importance of evaluating the fairness of predictive models in educational contexts.
Clinical supervision effectiveness in NHS nursing, medical and allied health professionals: Exploring interaction with workplace factors, supervision factors and burnout
Authors: Sellers Emma , Craven‐Staines Sarah , Vaughan Claire
Published: October 2024

Objectives

The study aimed to (1) determine if a variety of workplace and supervision factors predict clinical supervision effectiveness; and (2) establish if clinical supervision effectiveness predicts burnout, amongst a variety of mental health staff (medical, allied health, and nursing staff).

Design

The study adopted a multicentre cross‐sectional online survey design.

Methods

Participants included 204 mental health staff (89 allied health staff, 81 nursing staff, and 34 medical staff). The Manchester Clinical Supervision Scale (MCSS‐26) was used to measure clinical supervision effectiveness, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI‐HSS) was used to measure burnout. Linear regression analyses and multiple regression analyses were conducted.

Results

The main findings suggested that supervision frequency, supervision duration, choice of supervisor, workplace setting, and supervisee profession, were all significant predictors of clinical supervision effectiveness. Additionally, clinical supervision effectiveness was a significant negative predictor of burnout.

Conclusions

Workplace and supervision factors should be considered in supervision practice across professional groups. Policies need to promote effective clinical supervision practice.
Fish resilience as an ethical issue
Authors: Meijboom Franck L. B. , Bovenkerk Bernice
Published: October 2024

Fish resilience can be understood as the capacity of fish to successfully respond to a challenge so that they are able to function and flourish in much the same way as they did prior to the occurrence of the challenge. Resilience is a function not only of individual fish, but also of a whole fish population. Enhancing the resilience of fish requires both adapting the robustness of the animals and adapting the (production) environment to the specific needs of the fish. Rather than a mere biological capacity of fish, resilience also comes with ethical questions. These questions occur at four levels. First, in practice resilience often comes with a “rhetoric” of optimalization. The view that aquaculture that strives for resilient fish is good for both fish welfare and production is inherently normative. It assumes a ‘win–win situation’, but thereby makes certain normative assumptions. Second, especially when the win–win situation is not achievable, resilience means making trade‐offs between preferred responses to challenges from the perspective of individual animals and groups or between individual housing and larger aquaculture systems. Third, the discussions on resilience and fish demonstrate the need to move beyond an animal welfare framework when discussing the treatment of fish in aquaculture. Recently, animal ethics has seen a turn towards centering animals' own agency. This means that we should not only focus on improving animal welfare, but also on asking what the animals themselves want and how they can be given more control over their situation. This may also impact the definition of resilience and how it is made operational. Finally, the use of the concept of resilience may reveal a certain moral outlook with regard to fish. On the one hand, resilience is portrayed as a positive characteristic of animals that enables improvement of the quality of life of fish. At the same time, it raises the question of how far we should stretch the “manufacturability” of fish. When we physically adapt animals so that they can cope with difficult circumstances we may be stretching moral boundaries. For example, this raises the objection that we are instrumentalizing animals. In this article, we reflect on these types of ethical issues and aim to show that the ethical dimensions of resilience need to be taken into account by professionals in aquaculture in order to make resilience operational and to contribute to a responsible interaction with fish in aquaculture.
Diagnosis of type III von Willebrand disease in a standard dachshund
Authors: Wait J. , Clarke K.
Published: October 2024

Type III von Willebrand disease is a rare coagulopathy, with published reports only existing for four canine breeds – Dutch Kooiker Hounds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Scottish Terriers. A 2‐year and 9‐month‐old male neutered standard dachshund was presented for hypovolaemic shock and a ventral neck mass. One previous bleeding episode following routine castration was reported. The patient's packed cell volume fell from 27% to 15% during hospitalisation, and computed tomography identified changes to the ventral neck consistent with fluid accumulation, assumed to represent haemorrhage. A further, similar lesion was identified within the cranial mediastinum. The patient was managed with a combination of isotonic crystalloids (Hartmann's solution), synthetic colloid (Geloplasma), alongside administration of blood products (packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma). A Von Willebrand factor antigen assay confirmed Type III von Willebrand disease. The patient made a full recovery. This report is the first to describe Type III von Willebrand disease in a standard dachshund.
Differential climatic niche diversification processes in South American rodents (Octodontoidea) across tropical and extratropical regions
Authors: da Silva Darlan , Verzi Diego , Martinez Pablo Ariel
Published: October 2024

Studying niche evolution becomes central to understanding the processes driving species diversification along latitudinal gradients. Octodontoidea rodents serve as a model group for understanding how the colonisation of extratropical regions has shaped the climatic niche evolution of species.

We analyse the time and mode of climatic niche evolution among different Octodontoidea lineages to understand how niche evolutionary processes operate across the spatial gradient of the Neotropical region.

We constructed ecological niche models for living Octodontoidea species to assess the timing and mode of climatic niche evolution across tropical and extratropical lineages. We estimated niche similarity and correlated it with species divergence times, and estimated the rate of climatic niche diversification across lineages.

Our results show a trend of greater niche overlap in more recent lineages and lower niche overlap in older lineages. However, extratropical lineages exhibit lower climatic niche overlaps. From diversification analysis, we detected that the Ctenomyidae group shows higher rates of niche diversification, whereas the tropical Echimyidae group exhibits the lowest rates of climatic niche diversification.

Our results support the idea that the lineages restricted to tropical regions tend towards niche conservatism. However, some tropical lineages have successfully colonised extratropical regions, and this colonisation has been accompanied by strong selective pressures, leading to higher rates of niche diversification and lower climatic niche overlap among species.
Silent shadows in the rebirth of Czech nation: Unveiling the role of rape and sexual violence in the ethnic cleansing of post‐WWII Czech lands
Authors: Mrňka Jaromír
Published: October 2024

The article explores the harrowing use of sexual violence as a tool in the ethnic cleansing of Germans in post‐World War II Czechoslovakia. By examining the grim realities of internment camps, prisons, and border regions, it reveals a disturbing pattern of abuse aimed primarily at German women by Czech men. This violence was not isolated but integral to the broader project of national cleansing, laying bare the patriarchal foundations of Czechoslovak society. State policies, including the differential treatment of mixed marriages, reinforced a male‐dominated ethos. By stripping Germans of their citizenship and legal protections, Czech authorities fostered a climate of impunity, allowing a wave of sexual violence to persist through the ‘German transfers’. The article sheds light on this dark chapter, exposing how rape was used to reaffirm Czech men's dominance in the nation's postwar rebirth.
A new dimension of leaf economic spectrum: temporal instability of relationships among genotypes
Authors: Pahadi Pratima , Wason Jay , Annis Seanna , McGill Brian , Zhang Yong‐Jiang
Published: October 2024

Leaf economic spectrum (LES) relationships have been studied across many different plant lineages and at different organizational scales. However, the temporal stability of the LES relationships is largely unknown. We used the wild blueberry system with high genotypic diversity to test whether trait–trait relationships across genotypes demonstrate the same LES relationships found in the global database (GLOPNET) and whether they are stable across years.

We studied leaf structure, photosynthesis, and leaf nutrients for 16 genotypes of two wild blueberry species semi‐naturally grown in a common farm in Maine, USA, across 4 yr.

We found substantial variation in leaf structure, physiology, and nutrient traits within and among genotypes, as well as across years in wild blueberries. The LES trait–trait relationships (covariance structure) across genotypes were not always found in all years. The trait syndrome of wild blueberries was shifted by changing environmental conditions over the years. Additionally, traits in 1 yr cannot be used to predict those of another year.

Our findings show that LES generally holds among genotypes but is temporally unstable, stressing the significant influence of trait plasticity in response to fluctuating environmental conditions across years, and the importance of temporal dimensions in shaping functional traits and species coexistence.
Light‐induced cryptochrome 2 liquid–liquid phase separation and mRNA methylation
Authors: Jiang Bochen
Published: October 2024

Light is essential not only for photosynthesis but also for the regulation of various physiological and developmental processes in plants. While the mechanisms by which light regulates transcription and protein stability are well established, the effects of light on RNA methylation and their subsequent impact on plant growth and development are less understood. Upon exposure to blue light, the photoreceptor cryptochromes form nuclear speckles or nuclear bodies, termed CRY photobodies. The CRY2 photobodies undergo light‐induced homo‐oligomerization and liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), which are crucial for their physiological activity. Recent studies have proposed that blue light‐induced CRY2 LLPS increases the local concentration or directly enhances the biochemical activities of RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferases, thus, to regulate circadian clock and maintain Chl homeostasis through processes of RNA decay or translation. This review aimed to elucidate the functions of CRY2 and LLPS in RNA methylation, focusing on the light‐controlled reversible phase transitions regulon and the outstanding questions that remain in RNA methylation.
Verification of the Fusarium‐Increasing Properties of the Dominant Dwarfing Gene Ddw1 in triticale (×Triticosecale)
Authors: Miedaner Thomas , Gruner Paul , Maurer Hans Peter
Published: October 2024

Dwarfing genes that are considerably reducing plant height are used in many cereals. In triticale, the rye‐derived dominant dwarfing gene Ddw1 was introgressed in commercial varieties. It has already been shown that this gene increases Fusarium head blight (FHB) susceptibility in one segregating population. We aimed for verifying this effect in the genetically unrelated doubled haploid (DH) population Cando (Ddw1) × Tritikon (ddw1), with 182 progenies in an experiment with artificial inoculation across six location–year combinations (environments). Linkage mapping was performed with DArTseq markers. The progenies significantly (p < 0.001) varied for FHB severity, plant height and heading stage with high entry‐mean heritabilities (0.85–0.98). The population showed a bimodal distribution for plant height. A significant QTL on chromosome 5RL was found for all three traits explaining 38%, 62% and 43% of the genotypic variation for FHB severity, plant height and heading stage, respectively, and most likely representing Ddw1. This gene increased FHB severity by 5.6 percentage points, delayed heading by 2.7 EC stages and reduced plant height by 29.6 cm on average. To use this gene in practical triticale breeding, the genetic background must be enriched with FHB resistance QTL to counterbalance the negative effect of Ddw1 either by introgression of major FHB QTL from exotic sources or by genomic selection within the adapted gene pool.
Enhancement of the angiogenic differentiation in the periodontal ligament stem cells using fibroblast growth factor 2 and photobiomodulation: An in vitro investigation
Authors: Atarbashi‐Moghadam Fazele , Mahmoudian Amirhosein , Taghipour Niloofar , Hakimiha Neda , Azadi Ali , Nokhbatolfoghahaei Hanieh
Published: October 2024

This study aims to evaluate and compare the effect of fibroblastic growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) and photobiomodulation, solely or in combination, in angiogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). The study comprises the following groups: control group (hPDLSCs only), FGF‐2 (50 ng/mL) group, two photobiomodulation groups with a 4 J/cm2 energy density of 808 nm diode laser (1‐Session or 2‐Session), and two groups with the combination of each 1‐Session or 2‐Session photobiomodulation with FGF‐2 (50 ng/mL). The 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) assay were undertaken on days 2, 4, and 6. Quantitative Real‐time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐qPCR) analysis on days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 11 was conducted to investigate VEGF‐A and ANG‐I genes. Coherently, the results of the DAPI and MTT showed the Laser (2‐Session) group had higher cell viability than others on day 6. All groups demonstrated a growth pattern in the expression of VEGF‐A and ANG‐I from day 2 to 8 and, afterward, a significant downgrowth to day 11 (p < 0.05). The most amounts of expression of VEGF‐A and ANG‐I on day 8 were seen in the Laser (2‐Session) group. Two‐time application of photobiomodulation using a diode laser with 808 nm wavelength after 2 and 4 days of cell seeding can be associated with higher cell viability and angiogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs compared to the one‐time application of photobiomodulation and administration of FGF‐2.
Fast Competitive Swimmers Demonstrate a Diminished Diving Reflex
Authors: Fujii Naoto , Ishii Yuji , Moriyama Shodai , Matsutake Ryoko , Sengoku Yasuo , Nishiyasu Takeshi
Published: October 2024

Competitive swimmers complete 50‐m front crawl swimming without breathing or with a limited number of breaths. Breath holding during exercise can trigger diving reflex including bradycardia and diminished active muscle blood flow, whereas oxygen supply to vital organ such as brain is maintained. We hypothesized that swimmers achieving faster time in 50‐m front crawl with limited number of breaths demonstrate a blunted diving reflex of cardiac and active muscle blood flow responses with elevated cerebral perfusion to counteract peripheral and central fatigues. Twenty‐eight competitive swimmers (12 females) underwent a 50‐m front crawl swimming time trial with minimum respiratory interruptions, following which they were categorized into two groups: Fast (n = 13) and Slow (n = 15). Additionally, they performed knee extension exercises with maximal voluntary breath‐ holding, wherein leg blood flow (Doppler ultrasound), cardiac output (Modelflow), heart rate (electrocardiogram), and middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity (transcranial Doppler ultrasound) were evaluated. The pattern of leg blood flow response differed between the two groups (p = 0.031) with the Fast group experiencing a delayed onset of reductions in leg blood flow (p = 0.035). The onset of bradycardia was also delayed in the Fast group (p = 0.014), with this group demonstrating a higher value of the lowest heart rate (between‐trial difference in average: 15.9 [3.73, 28.2] beats/min) and cardiac output (between‐trial difference in median: 2.84 L/min) (both, p ≤ 0.013). Middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity was similar between the groups (all p ≥ 0.112). We show that swimmers with superior performance in 50‐m front crawl swim with limited breaths display a diminished diving reflex.
Do young American children essentialize ethnicity? Examining inductive inferences about Hispanic/Latinx individuals in an ethnically diverse sample
Authors: Pronovost Megan A. , Scott Rose M.
Published: October 2024

Hispanic and Latinx individuals represent one of the largest and fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States. Yet research has not investigated whether young children hold essentialist beliefs about this prevalent social category. The present study addressed this issue by examining whether children used this ethnic category to make inductive inferences about novel individuals, one dimension of essentialism. A total of 108 children, 5 to 7 years of age (54 female; 56 Hispanic, 46 non‐Hispanic), completed a forced‐choice inference task. Children did not expect members of the same ethnic group to share properties, and this did not vary with their own ethnic group membership. This suggests that in the US, the belief that ethnicity is causally informative undergoes a protracted developmental trajectory, as has been observed for essentialist beliefs about race.
A new strategy for systematically classifying HLA alleles into serological specificities: Update and refinement
Authors: Osoegawa Kazutoyo , Yim Kenneth , Jeracki Megan , Nguyen Tuan‐Nghia , Wang Lin , Cho Andrew , David Rhidina , Son Jellina , Mankey Arianne , Marsh Steven G. E. , Gendzekhadze Ketevan , Murphey Cathi , Fernández Viňa Marcelo A.
Published: October 2024

HLA antigens were historically defined according to the unique reactivity pattern of cells expressing HLA molecules with distinctive clusters of allo‐antisera and/or monoclonal antibodies. Subsequently, amino acid residues determining epitopes (DEP) in the HLA molecule were correlated with reactivity patterns. In current clinical practice, the presence of allo‐antibodies is assessed using Luminex‐based solid phase single antigen bead (SAB) assays for transplantation. Recently, novel antigens were proposed for HLA molecules with DEP patterns that do not match any serologically defined antigens recognised by the WHO Nomenclature Committee. To validate the antigens, mean fluorescence intensity values of SABs tested on >13,000 patients' sera were extracted from clinical databases and analysed by scatter plots using a linear regression model. We found that when two proteins were considered as the same antigen in the original study, for example, HLA‐A*02:01 and ‐A*02:06, their correlation ranked among the highest values at each locus. In contrast, discrete asymmetric outliers were observed when there were different antigens, for example, HLA‐A*30:01 and ‐A*30:02, allowing validation and confirmation of 20 novel antigens for HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐DR. The outliers were confirmed to be true or false by flow cytometric crossmatches. In addition to the previously defined residues for antigen assignments, findings suggest that further distinction should be made for common antigens by including the substitutions at residue 67 of HLA‐B, 67 and 74 of ‐DR. These serologic analyses can be applied systematically to identify and confirm novel antigens. These developments will lead to designing optimal SAB panels and further improving virtual donor‐specific antibodies assessment.
Identification of the Novel HLA‐A*33:03:68 Allele in a Chinese Platelet Donor
Authors: Yang Fan , Gao Su‐Qing , Xia Wen‐Xia , Xu Yun‐Ping
Published: October 2024

The novel HLA‐A*33:03:68 allele differs from HLA‐A*33:03:01:01 by 1 variation in exon 3.
Identification of the Novel HLA‐DQB1*03:01:01:69 Allele in a Candidate Bone Marrow Donor by Next Generation Sequencing
Authors: Kouniaki Diamanto , Tsirogianni Alexandra
Published: October 2024

The HLA‐DQB1*03:01:01:69 allele differs from HLA‐DQB1*03:01:01:03 by a single nucleotide substitution in intron 2.