bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the quality of coffee yield forecasting in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam, through the utilization of remote sensing data
Authors: Van Viet Luong , Thuy Tran Thi Thu
Published: September 2023

This research aimed to identify sensitive areas for Robusta coffee trees in Dak Lak province, Vietnam, where frequent droughts caused fluctuations in productivity. To improve yield forecasting, a mask was developed to extract potential predictive variables from satellite-derived vegetation indices (VIs). Correlation coefficients between VIs and coffee yield were analyzed to determine sensitive areas, and grid cells with high multiple correlation coefficients and a variable over time were used to build the mask for extracting VIs as predictor variables. The study found that sensitive areas had more challenging farming conditions than long-term crops, and the Vegetation Health Index was the most appropriate index for predicting coffee yield. The forecast quality for 6-8 months in advance was relatively high, with a ‘Willmott’s index of agreement’ ranging from 0.85 to 0.97 and the Mean Absolute Percentage Error ranging from 4.9% to 7.5%. Compared to previous research, the forecast quality has significantly improved. This study provides valuable insights for predicting coffee yield in Dak Lak and highlights the importance of considering sensitive areas and VIs for accurate forecasting.
Foliations on Shimura varieties in positive characteristic
Authors: Goren Eyal , de Shalit Ehud
Published: September 2023

This paper is a continuation of a paper by de Shalit and Goren from 2018. We study foliations of two types on Shimura varieties

S
S

in characteristic

p
p

. The first, which we call tautological foliations, are defined on Hilbert modular varieties, and lift to characteristic

0
0

. The second, the

V
V

-foliations, are defined on unitary Shimura varieties in characteristic

p
p

only, and generalize the foliations studied by us before, when the CM field in question was quadratic imaginary. We determine when these foliations are

p
p

-closed, and the locus where they are smooth. Where not smooth, we construct a successive blowup of our Shimura variety to which they extend as smooth foliations. We discuss some integral varieties of the foliations. We relate the quotient of

S
S

by the foliation to a purely inseparable map from a certain component of another Shimura variety of the same type, with parahoric level structure at

p
p

, to

S
.

S.
Measuring quality of life in care homes when self-report is challenging: the construct validity, structural characteristics and internal consistency of the mixed-methods adult social care outcomes toolkit
Authors: Towers Ann-Marie , Rand Stacey , Collins Grace , Smith Nick , Palmer Sinead , Cassell Jackie
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The adult social care outcomes toolkit (ASCOT) measures social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) using self-completion questionnaires and interviews. Many care home residents find such methods inaccessible, leading to a reliance on proxy-reporting. This study aimed to establish the psychometric properties of the mixed-methods toolkit [ASCOT-Care Homes, 4 outcome (CH4)] for measuring SCRQoL when residents cannot self-report.

Methods

Two cross-sectional, mixed-methods studies were undertaken in care homes for older people in England between 2015 and 2020. We used the ASCOT-CH4 (observation, and interviews with residents and proxies) to collect information about SCRQoL and collected additional data on residents’ needs and characteristics, and variables hypothesised to be related to SCRQoL.

Hypothesis testing was applied to establish construct validity, Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency and exploratory factor analysis for structural validity.

Results

The combined dataset included 475 residents from 54 care homes (34 nursing, 20 residential). Half had a diagnosis of dementia. Less than a third of residents were able to complete an ASCOT interview. Observations and proxy interviews informed researcher ratings, meaning there were no missing ASCOT-CH4 scores. ASCOT-CH4 was found to be a weak unidimensional scale, consistent with other ASCOT measures, with acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.77, 8 items). Construct validity was supported by the findings.

Conclusions

The ASCOT-CH4 is an alternative to conventional proxy-questionnaires for measuring the SCRQoL of care home residents, with good psychometric properties. A limitation is that users need a range of data collection skills. Future research should explore whether findings are replicable when data are collected by other researchers.
Estimating exposures from spray products using robotic simulations
Authors: Shin Mi K , Qian Hua , Lee Jee-Eun , Sentis Luis , Maberti Silvia I
Published: September 2023

There is an increasing need for exposure data to enable more precise information for risk estimates and improved public health protection. While personal monitoring data are preferred, it is often difficult to collect due to the resources needed to complete a human research study. In this study, we successfully programmed a robotic arm to mimic human use (spraying) of a fabric crafts protector (FCP) and human cleaning (spraying and wiping) of a glass pane with glass cleaner (GC). The robot was then used in place of human subjects to assess inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the use of the FCP and GC. Air sampling data were collected while the robot used the products to estimate personal exposures to VOCs. Average VOC concentrations were 1.57 ppm for FCP spraying and 0.17 ppm for GC spraying and wiping. During FCP spraying, average acetone concentrations were 0.88 ppm and average isopropyl alcohol concentrations were 0.26 ppm. During GC spraying and wiping, average 2-butoxyethanol concentrations were 0.15 ppm. Air sampling data were found to be within the range of data reported in the literature during human use of similar glass cleaning products. No data was found in the literature during use of fabric protector spray products. This study contributes exposure measurement data with detailed contextual information to help characterize inhalation exposures during the use of 2 spray products. In addition, the study offers a systematic, efficient method for generating exposure data which can be used to improve health and safety risk assessments used for public health protection.
Occupational exposure science
Authors: Cherrie John W
Published: September 2023

This commentary describes developments in occupational exposure science over the last 30 yr, highlighting theoretical descriptions of inhalation, dermal, inadvertent ingestion, and ocular exposure in the workplace and how they are intertwined. In particular, the way that we define “exposure” in the theory determines what is and is not measured in workplace investigations, and what contextual information about the work and the environment is recorded alongside the exposure measurements. Central to all the theoretical models described is the unifying concept of uptake, or the mass of hazardous substance entering the body by different routes over a workday. Measurement of uptake is currently practicable for inhalation exposure, although further methodological developments are needed to allow uptake measurement for the other relevant exposure routes. Little attempt has been made to date to try to integrate worker behaviour into exposure assessment, despite this clearly being an important determinant of exposure. It is argued that adopting a new exposure paradigm, centred on uptake, would bring many advantages and provide new insights into workplace exposures.
Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Impact of Body Mass Index on Postoperative Complications and Aesthetic Results: A 5-Year, Single-Center Study
Authors: Vaccari Stefano , Klinger Francesco , Sciretta Antonio P , Di Giuli Riccardo , Bandi Valeria , Veronesi Alessandra , Catania Barbara , Klinger Marco , Vinci Valeriano
Published: September 2023

Background

Increasing adoption of implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) has raised expectations regarding postoperative outcomes and aesthetic results. BMI has been extensively explored as a predictor of complications. This study is the first to examine complication rates in underweight subjects, and compares these rates among underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese patients.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of BMI on postoperative complications and aesthetic results in IBR following mastectomy.

Methods

Retrospective analysis encompassed patients undergoing mastectomy with subsequent IBR, performed by a collaborative team of breast and plastic surgeons. Demographics, treatment specifics, and outcomes were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression models. Significance was determined at P < .05.

Results

In total, 1046 IBRs were performed in 921 patients, of whom 63 had a BMI <18.5 kg/m2, 572 were normal weight, 215 were overweight, and 71 were obese. Significantly higher complication rates were observed in both obese and overweight patients compared with normal-weight patients (P < .001). Each unit increase in BMI correlated to 7% increased odds of overall complications and 13% increased odds of reconstructive failure. Underweight individuals had higher capsular contracture rates than normal-weight patients, 14.3% vs 3.65%, respectively (P = .001). In addition, aesthetic complications rates in underweight patients were higher than in normal-weight patients, 36.4% vs 25.7%, respectively (P < .05).

Conclusions

This study confirmed BMI to be a strong predictor of postoperative complications and aesthetic outcomes, and demonstrates that low BMI has a significant impact on the incidence of capsular contracture and aesthetic complications.

Level of Evidence: 3
SEM3De: image restoration for FIB-SEM
Authors: Serir Rayane Hamdane , Deliot Aurelie , Kizilyaprak Caroline , Daraspe Jean , Walczak Christine , Canini Françoise , Leleu Amandine , Marco Sergio , Ronzon Frederic , Messaoudi Cedric
Published: September 2023

Motivation

FIB-SEM (Focused Ion Beam—Scanning Electron Microscopy) is a technique to generate 3D images of samples up to several microns in depth. The principle is based on the alternate use of SEM to image the surface of the sample (a few nanometers thickness) and of FIB to mill the surface of the sample a few nanometers at the time. In this way, huge stacks of images can thus be acquired.

Although this technique has proven useful in imaging biological systems, the presence of some visual artifacts (stripes due to sample milling, detector saturation, charge effects, focus or sample drift, etc.) still raises some challenges for image interpretation and analyses.

Results

With the aim of meeting these challenges, we developed a freeware (SEM3De) that either corrects artifacts with state-of-the-art approaches or, when artifacts are impossible to correct, enables the replacement of artifactual slices by an in-painted image created from adjacent non-artifactual slices. Thus, SEM3De improves the overall usability of FIB-SEM acquisitions.

Availability and implementation

SEM3De can be downloaded from https://sourceforge.net/projects/sem3de/ as a plugin for ImageJ.
On Some Geopolitical and Societal Tendencies Threatening Peace and Stability
Authors: Müllerson Rein
Published: September 2023

Today’s world is less stable than the Cold War international system. Why the high expectations for a peaceful world that existed thirty years ago didn’t materialize? This article singles out two interrelated trends that stem from mistakes made when it seemed that the humanity, having learned from history, was stepping into a period of the “end of history”. However, this end of history mindset forms the very basis on which today’s negative tendencies are flourishing. The triumphant West tried not only to unify the whole world under a single leadership but to make it also uniform. Yet, the world is simply too big, complex and diverse to have its rich tapestry flattened into a carpet where only one pattern, be it a Judeo-Christian, Anglo-Saxon, Confucian, Muslim or secular liberal-democratic, dominates. Therefore, after a short unipolar moment, those States that couldn’t or didn’t want to follow Washington, began to claim their own place under the Sun and the right to go their own way. As long as it is not recognized that there is an intrinsic value not only in bio-diversity or in the acceptance of diverse ways of life within a society, but also in the existence of diverse political systems, economic models and societal arrangements, there will not be even a relative peace in the world. Equally, recognition and acceptance of balance of power in international relations is even more important than the adherence to the principle of separation of powers within States. The second trend is expressed in conflicts between elites and masses, whose grievances are exploited by populists. Moreover, the idea that globalisation would lead, if not to the disappearance of the State, then at least to a considerable shrinking of its role, turned out to be wrong.
Kidney function estimators for drug dose adjustment of direct oral anticoagulants in older adults with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Villain Cédric , Ebert Natalie , Bothe Tim , Barghouth Muhammad , Pöhlmann Anna , Fietz Anne-Katrin , Douros Antonios , Mielke Nina , Schaeffner Elke
Published: September 2023

Background

The Cockcroft–Gault equation (CrClC-G) is recommended for dose adjustment of direct oral anticoagulant drugs (DOACs) to kidney function. We aimed to assess whether defining DOAC dose appropriateness according to various kidney function estimators changed the associations between dose appropriateness and adverse events in older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Participants of the Berlin Initiative Study with AF and treated with DOACs were included. We investigated CrClC-G and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration and European Kidney Function Consortium equations based on creatinine and/or cystatin C. Marginal structural Cox models yielded confounder-adjusted hazard ratios for the risk of mortality, thromboembolism and bleeding associated with dose status.

Results

A total of 224 patients were included in the analysis (median age 87 years). Using CrClC-G, 154 (69%) had an appropriate dose of DOACs, 52 (23%) were underdosed and 18 (8%) were overdosed. During a 39-month median follow-up period, 109 (14.9/100 person-years) participants died, 25 (3.6/100 person-years) experienced thromboembolism and 60 (9.8/100 person-years) experienced bleeding. Dose status was not associated with mortality and thromboembolism, independent of the equation. Underdose status was associated with a lower risk of bleeding with all the equations compared with the appropriate dose group. In participants with discrepancies in dose status using CrClC-G and eGFR equations, the occurrence of endpoints did not differ between participants having an appropriate dose using CrClC-G or eGFR.

Conclusion

In older adults with AF, the association of DOAC dose status with adverse events did not differ when using CrClC-G or eGFR. Our results suggest that eGFR equations are not inferior to CrClC-G within this context.
Electrocardiographic temporo-spatial assessment of depolarization and repolarization changes after epicardial arrhythmogenic substrate ablation in Brugada syndrome
Authors: Locati Emanuela T , Van Dam Peter M , Ciconte Giuseppe , Heilbron Francesca , Boonstra Machteld , Vicedomini Gabriele , Micaglio Emanuele , Ćalović Žarko , Anastasia Luigi , Santinelli Vincenzo , Pappone Carlo
Published: September 2023

Aims

In Brugada syndrome (BrS), with spontaneous or ajmaline-induced coved ST elevation, epicardial electro-anatomic potential duration maps (epi-PDMs) were detected on a right ventricle (RV) outflow tract (RVOT), an arrhythmogenic substrate area (AS area), abolished by epicardial-radiofrequency ablation (EPI-AS-RFA). Novel CineECG, projecting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms on a 3D heart model, previously localized depolarization forces in RV/RVOT in BrS patients. We evaluate 12-lead ECG and CineECG depolarization/repolarization changes in spontaneous type-1 BrS patients before/after EPI-AS-RFA, compared with normal controls.

Methods and results

In 30 high-risk BrS patients (93% males, age 37 + 9 years), 12-lead ECGs and epi-PDMs were obtained at baseline, early after EPI-AS-RFA, and late follow-up (FU) (2.7–16.1 months). CineECG estimates temporo-spatial localization during depolarization (Early-QRS and Terminal-QRS) and repolarization (ST-Tpeak, Tpeak-Tend). Differences within BrS patients (baseline vs. early after EPI-AS-RFA vs. late FU) were analysed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while differences between BrS patients and 60 age–sex-matched normal controls were analysed by the Mann–Whitney test. In BrS patients, baseline QRS and QTc durations were longer and normalized after EPI-AS-ATC (151 ± 15 vs. 102 ± 13 ms, P < 0.001; 454 ± 40 vs. 421 ± 27 ms, P < 0.000). Baseline QRS amplitude was lower and increased at late FU (0.63 ± 0.26 vs. 0.84 ± 13 ms, P < 0.000), while Terminal-QRS amplitude decreased (0.24 ± 0.07 vs. 0.08 ± 0.03 ms, P < 0.000). At baseline, CineECG depolarization/repolarization wavefront prevalently localized in RV/RVOT (Terminal-QRS, 57%; ST-Tpeak, 100%; and Tpeak-Tend, 61%), congruent with the AS area on epi-PDM. Early after EPI-AS-RFA, RV/RVOT localization during depolarization disappeared, as Terminal-QRS prevalently localized in the left ventricle (LV, 76%), while repolarization still localized on RV/RVOT [ST-Tpeak (44%) and Tpeak-Tend (98%)]. At late FU, depolarization/repolarization forces prevalently localized in the LV (Terminal-QRS, 94%; ST-Tpeak, 63%; Tpeak-Tend, 86%), like normal controls.

Conclusion

CineECG and 12-lead ECG showed a complex temporo-spatial perturbation of both depolarization and repolarization in BrS patients, prevalently localized in RV/RVOT, progressively normalizing after epicardial ablation.
High parasite virulence necessary for the maintenance of host outcrossing via parasite-mediated selection
Authors: Slowinski Samuel P , Cho JaeHoon , Penley McKenna J , Alexander Laura W , Greenberg Arielle B , Namburar Sathvik R , Morran Levi T
Published: September 2023

Biparental sex is widespread in nature, yet costly relative to uniparental reproduction. It is generally unclear why self-fertilizing or asexual lineages do not readily invade outcrossing populations. The Red Queen hypothesis predicts that coevolving parasites can prevent self-fertilizing or asexual lineages from invading outcrossing host populations. However, only highly virulent parasites are predicted to maintain outcrossing, which may limit the general applicability of the Red Queen hypothesis. Here, we tested whether the ability of coevolving parasites to prevent invasion of self-fertilization within outcrossing host populations was dependent on parasite virulence. We introduced wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites, capable of both self-fertilization and outcrossing, into C. elegans populations fixed for a mutant allele conferring obligate outcrossing. Replicate C. elegans populations were exposed for 24 host generations to one of four strains of Serratia marcescens parasites that varied in virulence, under three treatments: a heat-killed (control, noninfectious) parasite treatment, a fixed-genotype (nonevolving) parasite treatment, and a copassaged (potentially coevolving) parasite treatment. As predicted, self-fertilization invaded C. elegans host populations in the control and fixed-parasite treatments, regardless of parasite virulence. In the copassaged treatment, selfing invaded host populations coevolving with low- to mid-virulence strains, but remained rare in hosts coevolving with highly virulent bacterial strains. Therefore, we found that only highly virulent coevolving parasites can impede the invasion of selfing.
Immunogenicity evaluation of a novel virus-like particle vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 in BALB/c
Authors: Bahramali Golnaz , Mashhadi Abolghasem Shirazi Maryam , Hannan Mina , Aghasadeghi Mohammad Reza , Khosravy Mohammad Sadeq , Arjmand Sina , Sadat Seyed Mehdi
Published: September 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed deployment of an effective vaccine as a worldwide health priority. The new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have also brought serious concerns due to virus eradiation hesitancy. In this study, we evaluated the protective immune system activity of a recombinant viral vector-based vaccine candidate encoding a fusion spike, membrane and nucleocapsid proteins, Spike (528–1273aa)-M-N, in BALB/c via two different routes of delivery, intranasal and subcutaneous. The immune responses were then assessed through specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, interleukin and granzyme B secretion. The outcomes showed that the IgG titer and IgA secretion was higher in intranasal route in comparison with the subcutaneous, and what is more, a higher titer of IL-4 was detected through the intranasal route, whereas IFN-γ was highly induced via the subcutaneous route. The cytotoxic cell activities were mostly achieved via subcutaneous route immunization. Vaccination with the target antigen is immunogenic and led to induction of specific antibodies. Both humoral and cellular immunity arms were well activated in immunized mice, especially through intranasal route with detectable IgA and IgG. Therefore, implication of the platform as a potential vaccine candidate has potential as a future prophylactic vaccine that guarantees further investigations for the assessment of its immunogenicity in humans.
Report of the Assay Guidance Workshop on 3-Dimensional Tissue Models for Antiviral Drug Development
Authors: Jordan Robert , Ford-Scheimer Stephanie L , Alarcon Rodolfo M , Atala Anthony , Borenstein Jeffrey T , Brimacombe Kyle R , Cherry Sara , Clevers Hans , Davis Mindy I , Funnell Simon G P , Gehrke Lee , Griffith Linda G , Grossman Abigail C , Hartung Thomas , Ingber Donald E , Kleinstreuer Nicole C , Kuo Calvin J , Lee Emily M , Mummery Christine L , Pickett Thames E , Ramani Sasirekha , Rosado-Olivieri Edwin A , Struble Evi B , Wan Zhengpeng , Williams Mark S , Hall Matthew D , Ferrer Marc , Markossian Sarine
Published: September 2023

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Assay Guidance Manual (AGM) Workshop on 3D Tissue Models for Antiviral Drug Development, held virtually on 7–8 June 2022, provided comprehensive coverage of critical concepts intended to help scientists establish robust, reproducible, and scalable 3D tissue models to study viruses with pandemic potential. This workshop was organized by NCATS, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. During the workshop, scientific experts from academia, industry, and government provided an overview of 3D tissue models’ utility and limitations, use of existing 3D tissue models for antiviral drug development, practical advice, best practices, and case studies about the application of available 3D tissue models to infectious disease modeling. This report includes a summary of each workshop session as well as a discussion of perspectives and challenges related to the use of 3D tissues in antiviral drug discovery.
Homodimeric Granzyme A Opsonizes Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Inhibits Its Intracellular Growth in Human Monocytes via Toll-Like Receptor 4 and CD14
Authors: Rasi Valerio , Phelps Kathleen R , Paulson Keegan R , Eickhoff Christopher S , Chinnaraj Mathivanan , Pozzi Nicola , Di Gioia Marco , Zanoni Ivan , Shakya Shubha , Carlson Haley L , Ford David A , Kolar Grant R , Hoft Daniel F
Published: September 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific γ9δ2 T cells secrete granzyme A (GzmA) protective against intracellular Mtb growth. However, GzmA-enzymatic activity is unnecessary for pathogen inhibition, and the mechanisms of GzmA-mediated protection remain unknown. We show that GzmA homodimerization is essential for opsonization of mycobacteria, altered uptake into human monocytes, and subsequent pathogen clearance within the phagolysosome. Although monomeric and homodimeric GzmA bind mycobacteria, only homodimers also bind cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Without access to surface-expressed CD14 and TLR4, GzmA fails to inhibit intracellular Mtb. Upregulation of Rab11FIP1 was associated with inhibitory activity. Furthermore, GzmA colocalized with and was regulated by protein disulfide isomerase AI (PDIA1), which cleaves GzmA homodimers into monomers and prevents Mtb inhibitory activity. These studies identify a previously unrecognized role for homodimeric GzmA structure in opsonization, phagocytosis, and elimination of Mtb in human monocytes, and they highlight PDIA1 as a potential host-directed therapy for prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, a major human disease.
Synergy between amikacin andProtium heptaphyllumessential oil against polymyxin resistanceKlebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: de Melo Andressa L F , Rossato Luana , Veloso Tácia C , Cardoso Cláudia A L , Velasques Jannaína , Simionatto Simone
Published: September 2023

Aims

We investigated the chemical composition and the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial effects of Protium heptaphyllum essential oil (PHEO) alone and in combination with antibiotics against polymyxin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Methods and results

Hydrodistillation was used to obtain PHEO, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry revealed α-pinene, δ-3-carene, and β-pinene as major components present in PHEO. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the broth microdilution technique and ranged from 256 to 512 µg ml−1. The checkerboard method showed synergy with the combination of PHEO and amikacin (AMK) against the polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates. In 8 of the 10 isolates tested, the fractional inhibitory concentration indexes (FICIs) ranged from 0.06 to 0.5, while in the remaining two isolates, the combination exerted an additive effect (FICI of 0.6 and 1.0), resulting in AMK dose reduce of range 2- to 16-fold, in the presence of PHEO. Analysis using zero interaction potency revealed high synergy score (63.9). In the in vivo assay, the survival of Caenorhabditis elegans was significantly improved in the presence of PHEO (1 µg ml−1) + AMK (µg ml−1) combination as compared to 32 µg ml−1 AMK alone. Furthermore, PHEO concentrations of 256 and 512 µg ml−1 were found to be non-toxic on the experimental model.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of such type of synergism demonstrating an antimicrobial effect against polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates.
Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) agro-industrial by-products promote the growth and metabolism of probiotic strains
Authors: Alves-Santos Aline M , Silva Monik Mariele A , Lima Marcos S , Souza Evandro L , Naves Maria Margareth V
Published: September 2023

Aims

To evaluate the phytochemical composition and effects of the baru peel and pulp (BPP) and the partially defatted baru nut (DBN) on the growth and metabolism of probiotics.

Methods and results

The proximate composition, including dietary fibers, and polyphenol profile were determined in the BPP and DBN, and the prebiotic activity was evaluated on the growth and metabolism of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. BPP and DBN have a high content of insoluble fibers and phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids. Moreover, DBN stands out for its high content of proteins and lipids. BPP and DBN stimulated the growth and metabolism of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-05, and Lacticaseibacillus casei L-26.

Conclusions

Baru by-products have potential prebiotic properties to be confirmed in preclinical and clinical studies, and to be explored as an ingredient in new health-promoting foods.

Impact Statement

Agro-industrial baru wastes, the peel plus pulp and the partially defatted nut, are sources of health-promoting compounds and stimulate the growth and metabolism of probiotics, indicating prebiotic properties.
Effect of the essential amino acid-nitrogen to total nitrogen ratio on lysine requirement for nitrogen retention in growing pigs
Authors: Camiré Carley M , Wellington Michael O , Panisson Josiane C , Rodrigues Lucas A , Shoveller Anna K , Columbus Daniel A
Published: September 2023

Low protein diets supplemented with essential amino acids (EAA) fed to pigs reduce the excess supply of EAA and nitrogen (N). However, low protein diets may become limiting in non-essential amino acids (NEAA) and N, thus affecting the utilization of EAA for N retention. It has been suggested that the EAA-N:total N (E:T) ratio can give an indication of dietary N sufficiency. An N-balance study was conducted to determine the effect of E:T ratio on the Lys requirement for maximum N retention. A total of 80 growing barrows (19.3 ± 0.21 kg initial body weight) were randomly assigned to 1 of 10 diets (n = 8) in 8 blocks in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement. Diets consisted of a low ratio (LR; E:T of 0.33) or a high ratio (HR; E:T of 0.36) with graded Lys content (0.82%, 0.92%, 1.02%, 1.12%, and 1.22% standardized ileal digestible [SID]). After a 7-d adaptation, a 4-d N-balance collection was conducted. Blood samples were obtained on d 2 of the collection period 2 h after the morning meal for plasma urea N (PUN) analysis. Data were analyzed using the MIXED model procedure with fixed effects of ratio (n = 2), Lys (n = 5), and their interactions. The experimental block (room) was included as a random effect (n = 8). The SID Lys requirement was estimated using PROC NLIN linear broken-line breakpoint model. There was a significant interaction between E:T ratio and Lys (P < 0.01), where LR diets had a higher N retention than HR diets, while increasing Lys linearly increased N retention (P = 0.01) in both HR and LR diets. The marginal efficiency of utilizing SID Lys (P < 0.01) reduced with increasing Lys content, while the efficiency of utilizing N (P < 0.05) increased as Lys increased. The SID Lys required to maximize N retention of pigs fed HR diets was estimated at 1.08% (R2 = 0.61) and LR diets at 1.21% (R2 = 0.80). The current results indicate that N may be limiting in diets with a high E:T ratio, limiting N retention. Supplying additional dietary N, as intact protein, can increase N retention, resulting in a greater Lys requirement.
Mitragynine in the Orange County DUID population
Authors: Kedzierski Nancy , Mata Dani
Published: September 2023

In recent years, mitragynine has been consistently detected in driving under the influence of drug (DUID) cases. In this paper, we evaluate 3 years (2017–2019) worth of DUID data from arrested drivers in Orange County, CA, USA. From the 25,398 DUID cases received in those 3 years, there were 60 (0.24%) cases with detectable concentrations, >10 ng/mL, of mitragynine. The majority of drivers were male (90%) and were stopped during the week (81%), considered Monday 0000 to Friday 1159. The concentration range for all mitragynine cases was 10.5–960 ng/mL, with a mean of 109 ng/mL and a median of 58 ng/mL. Forty four of the 60 cases were also screened for 7-hydroxymitragynine, and 27 (63%) were positive. The police reports and drug recognition expert evaluations were collected and evaluated. No case contained solely mitragynine, and the most common drugs detected in combination were central nervous system depressants (ethanol, followed by benzodiazepines), stimulants (methamphetamine and cocaine) and opioids (fentanyl and indication of heroin). Two cases containing only one other psychoactive substance are discussed more thoroughly to attempt to identify the contributions of mitragynine to driving impairment. Collected demographic, toxicological and field observations are presented for all cases.
The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Indirect (Individual and Societal) and Direct Out-of-Pocket Costs
Authors: Kuenzig M Ellen , Im James H B , Coward Stephanie , Windsor Joseph W , Kaplan Gilaad G , Murthy Sanjay K , Benchimol Eric I , Bernstein Charles N , Bitton Alain , Jones Jennifer L , Lee Kate , Peña-Sánchez Juan-Nicolás , Rohatinsky Noelle , Ghandeharian Sara , Jones May Tyrel , Tabatabavakili Sahar , Jogendran Rohit , Weinstein Jake , Khan Rabia , Hazan Elias , Browne Mira , Davis Tal , Goddard Quinn , Gorospe Julia , Latos Kate , Mason Kate , Kerr Jack , Balche Naji , Sklar Anna , Targownik Laura E
Published: September 2023

People living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their caregivers are faced with indirect and out-of-pocket costs that they would not otherwise experience. These costs impact one’s ability to contribute to the economy to their fullest potential. The indirect costs of IBD in Canada are estimated to be at least $1.51 billion in 2023 and include costs associated with lost productivity resulting from a combination of missed work (absenteeism), decreased workplace productivity (presenteeism), unemployment, premature mortality, and caregiving costs. Unemployment is the largest contributor to indirect costs ($1.14 billion), followed by costs of absenteeism and presenteeism ($285 million). Caregiving costs for children with IBD are estimated to be nearly $58 million. Canadians with IBD also pay $536 million every year for care that is not covered by universal or supplemental private health insurance; this includes allied healthcare (e.g., care provided by psychologists), medication, and other supportive therapy. Combined, the indirect and out-of-pocket costs of IBD in Canada are estimated at more than $2 billion CAD in 2023. This is substantially higher than the estimate of $1.29 billion in Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s 2018 Impact of IBD report with differences attributable to a combination of rising prevalence, inflation, and the addition of presenteeism and caregiving costs to the total indirect costs.
The 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Special Populations—IBD in Seniors
Authors: Shaffer Seth R , Kuenzig M Ellen , Windsor Joseph W , Bitton Alain , Jones Jennifer L , Lee Kate , Murthy Sanjay K , Targownik Laura E , Peña-Sánchez Juan-Nicolás , Rohatinsky Noelle , Ghandeharian Sara , Tandon Parul , St-Pierre Joëlle , Natt Navneet , Davis Tal , Weinstein Jake , Im James H B , Benchimol Eric I , Kaplan Gilaad G , Goddard Quinn , Gorospe Julia , Bergevin Maxime , Silver Ken , Bowles Dawna , Stewart Margaret , Pearlstein Marsha , Dawson Elizabeth H , Bernstein Charles N
Published: September 2023

Approximately one out of every 88 seniors has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and this is expected to increase in the future. They are more likely to have left-sided disease in ulcerative colitis, and isolated colonic disease in Crohn’s disease; perianal disease is less common. Other common diagnoses in the elderly must also be considered when they initially present to a healthcare provider. Treatment of the elderly is similar to younger persons with IBD, though considerations of the increased risk of infections and malignancy must be considered when using immune modulating drugs. Whether anti-TNF therapies increase the risk of infections is not definitive, though newer biologics, including vedolizumab and ustekinumab, are thought to be safer with lower risk of adverse events. Polypharmacy and frailty are other considerations in the elderly when choosing a treatment, as frailty is associated with worse outcomes. Costs for IBD-related hospitalizations are higher in the elderly compared with younger persons. When elderly persons with IBD are cared for by a gastroenterologist, their outcomes tend to be better. However, as elderly persons with IBD continue to age, they may not have access to the same care as younger people with IBD due to deficiencies in their ability to use or access technology.
Guarding success of the rarest sex in the amphipodHyalella aztecaSaussure, 1858 (Amphipoda: Hyalellidae)
Authors: Beristain-Castillo Evelyn , Salazar-Bautista José L , Moyaho Alejandro
Published: September 2023

Traditional methods to study precopulatory mate guarding in Hyalella azteca (Saussure, 1858) have some limitations because precopulatory pairs are usually observed in isolation. This condition precludes researchers from testing the role of the social environment in the duration of precopulatory mate guarding. We present the use of a sampling method to investigate the influence of sex ratios on guarding success (the proportion of precopulatory pairs per trial) in mixed-sex groups of H. azteca. The presence/absence of precopulatory pairs over eight consecutive days, morning and afternoon samplings, was analysed as a series of successes (runs) to estimate the mean precopula duration. The non-random nature of the observed duration of the precopula was tested against a probabilistic distribution based on the set of all ways every possible duration may occur. While skewed sex ratios increased guarding success of the rarest sex, even sex ratios decreased it. The mean duration of observed precopulas (2.32 and 2.08 d for the morning and afternoon periods, respectively) is consistent with theoretical and empirical results, which confirms the accuracy and usefulness of the sampling method we used. The use of this method and the associated probabilistic analysis of the relevant data can enhance the study of the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on precopulatory mate guarding. It can also be used to test predictions derived from hypothesis concerned with mate guarding among crustaceans.
Tracing the opposing assimilate and nutrient flows in live conifer needles
Authors: Gao Chen , Marker Sean J V , Gundlach Carsten , Poulsen Henning F , Bohr Tomas , Schulz Alexander
Published: September 2023

The vasculature along conifer needles is fundamentally different from that in angiosperm leaves as it contains a unique transfusion tissue inside the bundle sheath. In this study, we used specific tracers to identify the pathway of photoassimilates from mesophyll to phloem, and the opposing pathway of nutrients from xylem to mesophyll. For symplasmic transport we applied esculin to the tip of attached pine needles and followed its movement down the phloem. For apoplasmic transport we let detached needles take up a membrane-impermeable contrast agent and used micro-X-ray computed tomography to map critical water exchange interfaces and domain borders. Microscopy and segmentation of the X-ray data enabled us to render and quantify the functional 3D structure of the water-filled apoplasm and the complementary symplasmic domain. The transfusion tracheid system formed a sponge-like apoplasmic domain that was blocked at the bundle sheath. Transfusion parenchyma cell chains bridged this domain as tortuous symplasmic pathways with strong local anisotropy which, as evidenced by the accumulation of esculin, pointed to the phloem flanks as the preferred phloem-loading path. Simple estimates supported a pivotal role of the bundle sheath, showing that a bidirectional movement of nutrient ions and assimilates is feasible and emphasizing the role of the bundle sheath in nutrient and assimilate exchange.
Study of the diagnostic efficiency of anti-ZnT8 autoantibodies for type 1 diabetes in pediatric patients
Authors: Fuentes-Cantero Sandra , González-Rodríguez Concepción , Rodríguez-Chacón Carmen , Galvan-Toribio Raquel , Hermosín-Escudero Joaquín , Pérez-Pérez Antonio , León-Justel Antonio
Published: September 2023

Objective

Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZNt8A) are 1 of the 4 main autoantibodies used for the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), with glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA), islet antigen-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A), and insulin autoantibodies (IAA). The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of these autoantibodies for the diagnosis of T1D in pediatric patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients under 16 years of age with suspected T1D was made between June 2020 and January 2021. A total of 80 patients were included in the study, with 1 sample per patient. Subjects were classified according to diagnosis.

Results

Of the subjects included in the study, 50 developed T1D. The diagnostic efficacy was IA-2A (cutoff ≥ 28 U/L) sensitivity 0.26 (95% CI: 0.14-0.38) and specificity 0.97 (95% CI: 0.79-1.0); GADA (cutoff ≥ 17 U/mL) sensitivity 0.40 (95% CI: 0.26-0.54) and specificity 0.87 (95% CI: 0.75-0.99); ZnT8A (cut off ≥ 15 U/L) sensitivity 0.62 (95% CI: 0.49-0.75) and specificity 0.97 (95% CI: 0.90-1.0). ZnT8A obtained the most significantly global diagnostic accuracy (0.75), and GADA with ZnT8A showed the highest correlation.

Conclusion

The results obtained indicate a higher efficiency of anti-ZnT8 autoantibodies for the diagnosis of T1D in pediatric patients. Clinical efficiency of diabetic autoantibodies is method and assay dependent and influences combined diagnostic strategies.
Petrus Biverus’s Sacrum Oratorium and Sacrum Sanctuarium (Antwerp, 1634): Balthasar Moretus’s Preference for Pearls over Glass
Authors: Imhof Dirk
Published: September 2023

In the first half of the seventeenth century the Plantin-Moretus Press of Antwerp was widely known for the high quality of its editions. One such case are two editions composed by the Spanish Jesuit Petrus Biverus published in 1634, namely: the Sacrum Oratorium piarum imaginum immaculatae Mariae and the Sacrum sanctuarium crucis. Both publications are well known for their numerous illustrations and as noteworthy emblem books. Nevertheless, correspondence between Moretus and Biverus reveals that Biverus was displeased with the high selling price of his books, while Moretus’s responses to Biverus’s remarks provide a rare view of how he envisioned his work as a publisher. In this article, I discuss this tension between the production costs and the author’s expectations. Like many other Jesuit authors, Biverus forgot that a publisher’s aim was to make a profit; Moretus forgot that authors want to have their books read and known by as many readers as possible.
The B-type Binaries Characterisation Programme – II. VFTS 291: a stripped star from a recent mass transfer phase
Authors: Villaseñor J I , Lennon D J , Picco A , Shenar T , Marchant P , Langer N , Dufton P L , Nardini F , Evans C J , Bodensteiner J , de Mink S E , Götberg Y , Soszyński I , Taylor W D , Sana H
Published: September 2023

Recent studies of massive binaries with putative black hole companions have uncovered a phase of binary evolution that has not been observed before, featuring a bloated stripped star that very recently ceased transferring mass to a main-sequence companion. In this study, we focus on the candidate system VFTS 291, a binary with an orbital period of 108 d and a high semi-amplitude velocity (K1 = 93.7 ± 0.2 km s−1). Through our analysis of the disentangled spectra of the two components, together with dynamical and evolutionary arguments, we identify a narrow-lined star of ∼1.5–2.5 $\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ dominating the spectrum, and an early B-type main-sequence companion of 13.2 ± 1.5 $\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$. The low mass of the narrow-lined star, and the high mass ratio, suggest that VFTS 291 is a post-mass-transfer system, with the narrow-lined star being bloated and stripped of its hydrogen-rich envelope, sharing many similarities with other recently discovered stripped stars. Our finding is supported by our detailed binary evolution models, which indicate that the system can be well explained by an initial configuration consisting of an 8.1 $\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ primary with an 8 $\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ companion in a 7 d orbital period. While some open questions remain, particularly concerning the surface helium enrichment of the stripped star and the rotational velocity of the companion, we expect that high-resolution spectroscopy may help reconcile our estimates with theory. Our study highlights the importance of multi-epoch spectroscopic surveys to identify and characterize binary interaction products, and provides important insights into the evolution of massive binary stars.
AT2018dyk revisited: a tidal disruption event candidate with prominent infrared echo and delayed X-ray emission in a LINER galaxy
Authors: Huang Shifeng , Jiang Ning , Lin Zheyu , Zhu Jiazheng , Wang Tinggui
Published: September 2023

The multiwavelength data of nuclear transient AT2018dyk, initially discovered as a changing-look low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER) galaxy, has been revisited by us and found being in agreement with a tidal disruption event (TDE) scenario. The optical light curve of AT2018dyk declines as a power-law form approximately with index –5/3 yet its X-ray emission lags behind the optical peak by ∼140 d, both of which are typical characteristics for TDEs. The X-ray spectra are softer than normal active galactic nuclei (AGNs) although they show a slight trend of hardening. Interestingly, its rising time-scale belongs to the longest among TDEs while it is nicely consistent with the theoretical prediction from its relatively large supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass (∼107.38M⊙). Moreover, a prominent infrared echo with peak luminosity ∼7.4 × 1042 erg s−1 has been also detected in AT2018dyk, implying an unusually dusty subparsec nuclear environment in contrast with other TDEs. In our sample, LINERs share similar covering factors with AGNs, which indicates the existence of the dusty torus in these objects. Our work suggests that the nature of nuclear transients in LINERs needs to be carefully identified and their infrared echoes offer us a unique opportunity for exploring the environment of SMBHs at low accretion rate, which has been so far poorly explored but is crucial for understanding the SMBH activity.
Can a binary star host three giant circumbinary planets?
Authors: Chen Cheng , Martin Rebecca G , Nixon C J
Published: September 2023

We investigate the orbital stability of a tilted circumbinary planetary system with three giant planets. The planets are spaced by a constant number (Δ) of mutual Hill radii in the range Δ = 3.4–12.0 such that the period ratio of the inner pair is the same as that of the outer pair. A tilted circumbinary planetary system can be unstable even if the same system around a coplanar binary is stable. For an equal-mass binary, we find that the stability of a three-planet system is qualitatively similar to that of a two-planet system, but the three-planet system is more unstable in mean motion resonance regions. For an unequal-mass binary, there is significantly more instability in the three-planet system as the inner planets can undergo von Zeipel–Kozai–Lidov oscillations. Generally in unstable systems, the inner planets are more likely to be ejected than the outer planets. The most likely unstable outcome for closely spaced systems, with Δ ≲ 8, is a single remaining stable planet. For more widely separated systems, Δ ≳ 8, the most likely unstable outcome is two stable planets, only one being ejected. An observed circumbinary planet with significant eccentricity may suggest that it was formed from an unstable system. Consequently, a binary can host three tilted giant planets if the binary stars are close to equal mass and provided that the planets are well spaced and not close to a mean motion resonance.