bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationalism(s) Unpacked: Engaging Yaqing Qin’s Theory of World Politics
Authors: Guzzini Stefano
Published: May 2024

In a spirit of dialogue, this article engages Yaqing Qin’s relational theory of world politics in a conversation by trying to relate it to Western theoretical partners outside of his (mainly Anglo-American) individualist and rationalist focus. The central piece of the analysis is Qin’s relationalism, which provides the link between different levels of theorizing: as an ontology, it allows us to approach a different Weltanschauung or cosmology; as a theory, it purports to understand and explain how politicians act; as a hermeneutic bridge, it allows outsiders to understand the meaning of Chinese foreign policy actions; and as a strategy, it develops Confucian-inspired practical maxims and provides means to assess whether actors live up to them. This article will unpack his relationalism at these levels. It argues that by trying to closely match a single theory at all levels—in itself a highly respectable endeavor from which many scholars regrettably recoil—Qin underutilizes his ontological insights. By trying to provide the underlying inspirations that should help outside observers to correctly interpret Chinese conduct in world affairs, practice is read back into theory so that his relationalism becomes unnecessarily agency-centric and ends up underestimating relations of impersonal and non-conflictual power or domination. The move also forestalls other theoretical solutions arguably more faithful to his ontology, such as social theories of recognition with which it could be in dialogue. Finally, on the level of foreign policy strategy, the article invites exploration of the similarities between the open diplomatic process envisaged by Qin and the Helsinki process, as well as trust or confidence building measures in a system of diffuse reciprocity, as envisaged by (true) multilateralism.
Is patient participation in hypertension care based on patients’ preferences? A cross-sectional study in primary healthcare
Authors: Vestala Hanna , Bendtsen Marcus , Midlöv Patrik , Kjellgren Karin , Eldh Ann Catrine
Published: May 2024

Aims

The purpose of this study was to address the need to improve opportunities for patient participation in their health and health services. This paper reports if and how patients’ preferences matched their experiences of participation in treatment for hypertension in primary healthcare and what factors were linked with having had opportunities for participation that matched one’s preferences.

Methods and results

A total of 949 adult patients treated for hypertension completed the Patient Preferences for Patient Participation (4Ps) tool, with which they ranked their preferences for and experiences of patient participation. Descriptive and comparative analyses of 4Ps data were performed to identify patient characteristics associated with preference-based participation. Approximately half of the participants experienced patient participation to the extent that they preferred. Women were more likely to have had less patient participation than their preference compared with men. Women were also more likely to prefer being more engaged in hypertension care than men. There were also marked associations between age and educational level with the extent of participation preferred and experienced, leaving patients younger than or with lower education than the mean in this study with more insufficient opportunities for patient participation.

Conclusion

There is a lack of concurrence between patients’ preferences for, and experiences of, patient participation, especially for women. Further efforts to facilitate person-centred engagement are required, along with research on what strategies can overcome human and organizational barriers.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03554382
The genome of Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii)
Authors: Flack Nicole , Hughes Lauren , Cassens Jacob , Enriquez Maya , Gebeyehu Samrawit , Alshagawi Mohammed , Hatfield Jason , Kauffman Anna , Brown Baylor , Klaeui Caitlin , Mabrouk Islam F , Walls Carrie , Yeater Taylor , Rivas Anne , Faulk Christopher
Published: May 2024

The Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) is an endangered equid native to the steppes of central Asia. After becoming extinct in the wild multiple conservation efforts convened to preserve the species, including captive breeding programs, reintroduction and monitoring systems, protected lands, and cloning. Availability of a highly contiguous reference genome is essential to support these continued efforts. We used Oxford Nanopore sequencing to produce a scaffold-level 2.5 Gb nuclear assembly and 16,002 bp mitogenome from a captive Przewalski’s mare. All assembly drafts were generated from 111 Gb of sequence from a single PromethION R10.4.1 flow cell. The mitogenome contained 37 genes in the standard mammalian configuration and was 99.63% identical to the domestic horse (Equus caballus). The nuclear assembly, EquPr2, contained 2,146 scaffolds with an N50 of 85.1 Mb, 43X mean depth, and BUSCO quality score of 98.92%. EquPr2 successfully improves upon the existing Przewalski’s horse reference genome (Burgud), with 25-fold fewer scaffolds, a 166-fold larger N50, and phased pseudohaplotypes. Modified basecalls revealed 79.5% DNA methylation and 2.1% hydroxymethylation globally. Allele-specific methylation analysis between pseudohaplotypes revealed 226 differentially methylated regions in known imprinted genes and loci not previously reported as imprinted. The heterozygosity rate of 0.165% matches previous estimates for the species and compares favorably to other endangered animals. This improved Przewalski’s horse assembly will serve as a valuable resource for conservation efforts and comparative genomics investigations.
Clarifying Mendelian vs non-Mendelian inheritance
Authors: Strome Susan , Bhalla Needhi , Kamakaka Rohinton , Sharma Upasna , Sullivan William
Published: May 2024

Gregor Mendel developed the principles of segregation and independent assortment in the mid-1800s based on his detailed analysis of several traits in pea plants. Those principles, now called Mendel's laws, in fact, explain the behavior of genes and alleles during meiosis and are now understood to underlie “Mendelian inheritance” of a wide range of traits and diseases across organisms. When asked to give examples of inheritance that do NOT follow Mendel's laws, in other words, examples of non-Mendelian inheritance, students sometimes list incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, sex-linked traits, and multigene traits and cite as their sources the Khan Academy, Wikipedia, and other online sites. Against this background, the goals of this Perspective are to (1) explain to students, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders why the examples above, in fact, display Mendelian inheritance, as they obey Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment, even though they do not produce classic Mendelian phenotypic ratios and (2) urge individuals with an intimate knowledge of genetic principles to monitor the accuracy of learning resources and work with us and those resources to correct information that is misleading.
New insights into the evolution and local adaptation of the genus Castanea in east Asia
Authors: Nie Xinghua , Zhang Yu , Chu Shihui , Yu Wenjie , Liu Yang , Yan Boqian , Zhao Shuqing , Gao Wenli , Li Chaoxin , Shi Xueteng , Zheng Ruijie , Fang Kefeng , Qin Ling , Xing Yu
Published: May 2024

Chestnut plants (Castanea) are important nut fruit trees worldwide. However, little is known regarding the genetic relationship and evolutionary history of different species within the genus. How modern chestnut plants have developed local adaptation to various climates remains a mystery. The genomic data showed that Castanea henryi first diverged in the Oligocene ~31.56 million years ago, followed by Castanea mollissima, and the divergence between Castanea seguinii and Castanea crenata occurred in the mid-Miocene. Over the last 5 million years, the population of chestnut plants has continued to decline. A combination of selective sweep and environmental association studies was applied to investigate the genomic basis of chestnut adaptation to different climates. Twenty-two candidate genes were associated with temperature and precipitation. We also revealed the molecular mechanism by which CmTOE1 interacts with CmZFP8 and CmGIS3 to promote the formation of non-glandular trichomes for adaptation to low temperature and high altitudes. We found a significant expansion of CER1 genes in Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) and verified the CmERF48 regulation of CmCER1.6 adaptation to drought environments. These results shed light on the East Asian chestnut plants as a monophyletic group that had completed interspecific differentiation in the Miocene, and provided candidate genes for future studies on adaptation to climate change in nut trees.
Core elements of excellent hospital leadership: lessons from the five top-performing hospitals in China
Authors: Zhao Jinhong , Wang Bing-Long , Qin Xiaoping , Liu Yuanli , Liu Tingfang
Published: May 2024

Substantial evidence indicates that leadership plays a critical role in an organization’s success. Our study aims to conduct case studies on leadership attributes among China’s five top-performing hospitals, examining their common practices. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 8 leaders, 39 managers, 19 doctors, and 16 nurses from the five sample hospitals in China. We collected information from these hospitals on the role of senior leadership, organizational governance, and social responsibility, aligning with the leadership assessment guidelines in the Baldrige Excellence Framework. Qualitative data underwent interpretation through content analysis, thematic analysis, and comparative analysis. This study adhered to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines for reporting qualitative research. Our study revealed that the leaders of the five top-performing hospitals in China consistently established “Patient Needs First” as the core element of the hospital culture. Striving to build world-renowned hospitals with Chinese characteristics, the interviewees all believed strongly in scientific vigor, professionalism, and cooperative culture. The leaders adhered to a staff-centered approach, placing special emphasis on talent recruitment and development, creating a compensation system, and fostering a supportive environment conducive to enhancing medical knowledge, skills, and professional ethics. In terms of organizational governance, they continuously enhanced the communication between various departments and levels of staff, improved the quality and safety of medical care, and focused on innovative medical and scientific research, thereby establishing evidence-based, standardized hospital management with a feedback loop. Meanwhile, regarding social responsibility, they prioritized improvements in the quality of healthcare by providing international and domestic medical assistance, community outreach, and other programs. To a large extent, the excellent leadership of China’s top-performing hospitals can be attributed to their commitment to a “Two-Pillared Hospital Culture,” which prioritizes putting patient needs first and adopting a staff-centered approach. Furthermore, the leaders of these hospitals emphasize hospital performance, operations management, and social responsibility.
Acute myocardial infarction prognosis prediction with reliable and interpretable artificial intelligence system
Authors: Kim Minwook , Kang Donggil , Kim Min Sun , Choe Jeong Cheon , Lee Sun-Hack , Ahn Jin Hee , Oh Jun-Hyok , Choi Jung Hyun , Lee Han Cheol , Cha Kwang Soo , Jang Kyungtae , Bong WooR I , Song Giltae , Lee Hyewon
Published: May 2024

Objective

Predicting mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is crucial for timely prescription and treatment of AMI patients, but there are no appropriate AI systems for clinicians. Our primary goal is to develop a reliable and interpretable AI system and provide some valuable insights regarding short, and long-term mortality.

Materials and methods

We propose the RIAS framework, an end-to-end framework that is designed with reliability and interpretability at its core and automatically optimizes the given model. Using RIAS, clinicians get accurate and reliable predictions which can be used as likelihood, with global and local explanations, and “what if” scenarios to achieve desired outcomes as well.

Results

We apply RIAS to AMI prognosis prediction data which comes from the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry. We compared FT-Transformer with XGBoost and MLP and found that FT-Transformer has superiority in sensitivity and comparable performance in AUROC and F1 score to XGBoost. Furthermore, RIAS reveals the significance of statin-based medications, beta-blockers, and age on mortality regardless of time period. Lastly, we showcase reliable and interpretable results of RIAS with local explanations and counterfactual examples for several realistic scenarios.

Discussion

RIAS addresses the “black-box” issue in AI by providing both global and local explanations based on SHAP values and reliable predictions, interpretable as actual likelihoods. The system’s “what if” counterfactual explanations enable clinicians to simulate patient-specific scenarios under various conditions, enhancing its practical utility.

Conclusion

The proposed framework provides reliable and interpretable predictions along with counterfactual examples.
Evaluation of the ARK Diagnostics immunoassay for qualitative detection of xylazine in urine
Authors: Kyle Patrick B , Mattiello Christopher J , Hua Albert , Toohey Joanne M , Korn Warren R , Saldana-Reed Alana , Stickle Douglas F
Published: May 2024

Xylazine exposure is common in some US cities, but a commercial assay for routine laboratory testing for xylazine is not currently available. We evaluated a pre-release version of the ARK Diagnostics immunoassay for qualitative detection of xylazine/4-hydroxyxylazine in urine. Studies were conducted using either the semi-quantitative assay application (A. Roche Cobas 503 analyzer) or the qualitative assay application (B. Beckman Coulter AU480 analyzer). Study specimens consisted of deidentified patient urine samples submitted for routine drugs-of-abuse testing. Measurements of xylazine (X) were performed by LC–MS–MS to obtain X-NEGATIVE (X <10 ng/mL) and X-POSITIVE (X ≥10 ng/mL). The semi-quantitative ARK assay was calibrated with a 10 ng/mL cutoff for ARK-POSITVE. For (A): among 74 X-POSITIVE samples, there was 1 ARK-NEGATIVE result (false-negative rate = 1.4%); among 78 X-NEGATIVE samples by LC–MS–MS, there were 0% ARK-POSITIVE results (false-positive rate = 0%). For (B), among 74 X-POSITIVE samples, there were 0 ARK-NEGATIVE results (false-negative rate = 0%); among 78 X-NEGATIVE samples there was 1 ARK-POSITIVE sample (false-positive rate = 1.3%). Common sources of interferences were investigated without evidence of interference. The ARK xylazine/4-OH-xylazine immunoassay was found to be suitable for routine use in screening patient urine samples for presence of xylazine >10 ng/mL.
Cross-modal digit span and vocabulary proficiency in deaf or hard-of-hearing children
Authors: Lo Ming , Lin Yi-Xiu , Hue Chih-Wei , Chen Shiou-Yuan , Wang Tzu-Ya , Chen Pei-Hua
Published: May 2024

This study aims to examine the relationship between vocabulary proficiency and short-term memory capacity in deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children. We test the hypothesis that the relationship between vocabulary skills and digit span performance could be strengthened when the digit span task encompasses cross-modal integration processes. A group of DHH children performed two types of auditory digit span tasks. Furthermore, they participated in a standardized vocabulary proficiency test, comprising two subtests: Receptive Vocabulary and Expressive Vocabulary. The verbal digit span served as a significant predictor of Expressive Vocabulary among the DHH children. Simultaneously, the auditory-pointing digit span accounted for a substantial portion of performance variation in both Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary. After considering the impact of the duration of auditory-verbal intervention through regression models, likelihood ratio tests demonstrated that the auditory-pointing digit span persisted as a significant determinant of both receptive and expressive vocabulary skills. A positive influence of the intervention was also confirmed by the present results. This study provides evidence that memory span and the ability to integrate cross-modal information could serve as significant cognitive correlates of vocabulary proficiency in DHH children.
Out of Breath: Toward a New Origin Story of Public Health
Authors: Downs Jim
Published: May 2024

Problems caused by overcrowding and the simple need to breathe represent one of the major consequences of medical racism. With few exceptions, histories of epidemics, disease prevention, and sanitation often focus on municipal reform efforts to clean up gritty urban centers from London to Paris to New York. This article traces how concerns about ventilation emerged during the transatlantic slave trade and continued to be a problem for Black people throughout the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The article emphasizes that Black people were not just the victims of medical racism but initiated many crusades in the United States to promote better ventilation throughout the twentieth century. This article highlights the work of Black reformers, doctors, and thinkers who fought to create healthy living conditions for Black people.
Honey bee colony behavior and ontogeny are adversely affected when exposed to a pesticide-contaminated environment
Authors: Tokach Rogan , Smart Autumn , Fassbinder-Orth Carol , Fong Chandler , Wald Kate , Wu-Smart Judy
Published: May 2024

Honey bees exhibit age polyethism and thus have a predictable sequence of behaviors they express through developmental time. Numerous laboratory studies show exposure to pesticides may impair critical honey bee behaviors (brood care, foraging, egg-laying, etc.) that adversely affect colony productivity and survival. There are fewer studies that examine the impacts of pesticides in natural field settings, especially given the challenges of implementing treatment groups and controlling variables. This study helps address the need for impact studies on pollinators under field conditions to assess the consequences of chemical overuse and dependency in agricultural and urban landscapes. To assess the impact of systemic pesticides in a natural field setting on worker bee behavioral development, observation hives were established to monitor changes in behaviors of similarly aged workers and sister queens within 2 experimental groups: (i) colonies located near point-source systemic pesticide pollution (pesticide contaminated treatment), and (ii) colonies embedded within a typical Midwestern US agricultural environment (control). In this study, worker bees in the contaminated environment exhibited important and biologically significant behavioral differences and accelerated onset of hive tasks (i.e., precocious behavioral development) compared to similarly aged bees at the control site. Queen locomotion was largely unaffected; however, the egg-laying rate was reduced in queens at the contaminated (treated) site. These results show that environmental pesticide exposure can disrupt colony function and adversely affect worker bee behavioral maturation, leading to reduced worker longevity and decreased colony efficiency.
Effects of summer treatments against Varroa destructor on viral load and colony performance of Apis mellifera colonies in Eastern Canada
Authors: Plamondon Laurence , Paillard Marilène , Julien Carl , Dubreuil Pascal , Giovenazzo Pierre
Published: May 2024

Despite the use of various integrated pest management strategies to control the honey bee mite, Varroa destructor, varroosis remains the most important threat to honey bee colony health in many countries. In Canada, ineffective varroa control is linked to high winter colony losses and new treatment options, such as a summer treatment, are greatly needed. In this study, a total of 135 colonies located in 6 apiaries were submitted to one of these 3 varroa treatment strategies: (i) an Apivar® fall treatment followed by an oxalic acid (OA) treatment by dripping method; (ii) same as in (i) with a summer treatment consisting of formic acid (Formic Pro™); and (iii) same as in (i) with a summer treatment consisting of slow-release OA/glycerin pads (total of 27 g of OA/colony). Treatment efficacy and their effects on colony performance, mortality, varroa population, and the abundance of 6 viruses (acute bee paralysis virus [ABPV], black queen cell virus [BQCV], deformed wing virus variant A [DWV-A], deformed wing virus variant B [DWV-B], Israeli acute paralysis virus [IAPV], and Kashmir bee virus [KBV]) were assessed. We show that a strategy with a Formic Pro summer treatment tended to reduce the varroa infestation rate to below the economic fall threshold of 15 daily varroa drop, which reduced colony mortality significantly but did not reduce the prevalence or viral load of the 6 tested viruses at the colony level. A strategy with glycerin/OA pads reduced hive weight gain and the varroa infestation rate, but not below the fall threshold. A high prevalence of DWV-B was measured in all groups, which could be related to colony mortality.
Heightened sensitivity in high-grooming honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Micholson Derek , Currie Robert W
Published: May 2024

Honey bees use grooming to defend against the devastating parasite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman. We observed the grooming responses of individual bees from colonies previously chosen for high- and low-grooming behavior using a combination of mite mortality and mite damage. Our aim was to gain insight into specific aspects of grooming behavior to compare if high-grooming bees could discriminate between a standardized stimulus (chalk dust) and a stimulus of live Varroa mites and if bees from high-grooming colonies had greater sensitivity across different body regions than bees from low-grooming colonies. We hypothesized that individuals from high-grooming colonies would be more sensitive to both stimuli than bees from low-grooming colonies across different body regions and that bees would have a greater response to Varroa than a standardized irritant (chalk dust). Individuals from high-grooming colonies responded with longer bouts of intense grooming when either stimulus was applied to the head or thorax, compared to sham-stimulated controls, while bees from low-grooming colonies showed no differences between stimulated and sham-stimulated bees. Further, high-grooming bees from colonies with high mite damage exhibited greater grooming to Varroa than high-grooming colonies with only moderate mite damage rates. This study provides new insights into Varroa-specific aspects of grooming, showing that although a standardized stimulus (chalk dust) may be used to assess general grooming ability in individual bee grooming assays, it does not capture the same range of responses as a stimulus of Varroa. Thus, continuing to use Varroa mites in grooming assays should help select colonies with more precise sensitivity to Varroa.
Work-related musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists: a cross-sectional study in Kyoto and Shiga prefectures, Japan
Authors: Tsuji Shuji , Kitahara Teruyo , Tsujimura Hiroji , Shirahoshi Shin-ichi , Iwakura Hiroshi , Tomitagawa Satoshi , Taoda Kazushi
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the actual working conditions and prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists in Japan, and the risk factors associated with low back pain (LBP) and upper limb pain (ULP).

Methods

A cross-sectional study of physical therapists in the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey contents included questions regarding personal, work-related, and musculoskeletal pain factors. Logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with LBP and ULP.

Results

Responses from 1479 participants were included in the analyses. The prevalence of LBP at the time of the survey and in the past year was 40.1% and 74.3% in females, and 37.8% and 69.9% in males, respectively. The prevalence of ULP was 34.8% and 64.2% in females, and 27.2% and 53.3% in males. The numbers of patients who performed manual therapy per day, worked using a fixed-height bed, performed manual therapy, had job dissatisfaction and stress, were over 40 years old, and slept less than 6 hours were associated with LBP and ULP. Assistance task was a risk factor only for LBP, and female sex a risk factor only for ULP.

Conclusions

The prevalence of LBP and ULP among physical therapists in Japan was as high as that in nurses and care workers. Work-related factors associated with LBP and ULP were identified among physical therapists. Thus, to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders, measures to reduce the physical burden from the perspective of occupational health are required.
Second-order water wave properties over Roseau’s three-parameter bottom topography
Authors: Ehrenmark Ulf
Published: May 2024

In his book Asymptotic Wave Theory (North-Holland 1976), Roseau develops the only known exact solution for linear wave propagation over a shoal. Remarkably, almost half a century later, the only properties of that solution which appear to have been used to validate more wide-ranging models are the limiting values of wave height in the far field. The primary aim of this work is to remedy this situation by providing a robust computational setting where the solution may be fully evaluated randomly both on the surface and the interior, speedily and to a high degree of accuracy. Such ‘benchmark’ solutions will facilitate a much more rigorous approach to validation of more general alternative approximation models. One such has some of its numerical results here examined and subsequently largely vindicated by the present calculations. Computation of the absolutely convergent solution integrals is supported by cubic spline approximation of an integrand component which satisfies a certain difference equation and the work is extended to cover bottom profiles with overhang including the extreme case where the overhang degenerates to a semi-infinite flat plate. The further development of solutions at second-order reveals details of mean Eulerian current and the attendant Stokes drift enabling mass transport computations; all illustrated through the entire depth with a range of contouring and arrows plots. The force field that drives a second harmonic component is calculated and shows excellent agreement with its equivalent in the more general modal expansion model applied to a non-identical but somewhat similar profile. This further validates the modelling approach and application described in that work.
Monopoly of Taxation Without a Monopoly of Violence: The Weak State’s Trade-Offs From Taxation
Authors: Henn Soeren J , Mugaruka Christian Mastaki , Ortiz Miguel , Sánchez de la Sierra Raúl , Wu David Qihang
Published: May 2024

This study presents a new economic perspective on state-building based on a case study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s hinterland. We explore the implications for the state of considering rebels as stationary bandits. When the state, through a military operation, made it impossible for rebels to levy taxes, it inadvertently encouraged them to plunder the assets of the very citizens they previously preferred to tax. When it negotiated with rebels instead, this effect was absent, but negotiating compromised the state’s legitimacy and prompted the emergence of new rebels. The findings suggest that attempting to increase taxation by a weak state in the hinterland could come at the expense of safety in the medium term and of the integrity of the state in the long term.
The Micacocidin Production-Related RSc1806 Deletion Alters the Quorum Sensing-Dependent Gene Regulation of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum Strain OE1-1
Authors: Terazawa Yuki , Tsuzuki Masayuki , Nakajima Hiroto , Inoue Kanako , Tateda Sora , Kiba Akinori , Ohnishi Kouhei , Kai Kenji , Hikichi Yasufumi
Published: May 2024

The soil-borne phytopathogenic gram-negative bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) produces staphyloferrin B and micacocidin as siderophores that scavenge for trivalent iron (Fe3+) in the environment, depending on the intracellular divalent iron (Fe2+) concentration. The staphyloferrin B-deficient mutant reportedly retains its virulence, but the relationship between micacocidin and virulence remains unconfirmed. To elucidate the effect of micacocidin on RSSC virulence, we generated the micacocidin productivity-deficient mutant (Δ RSc1806) that lacks RSc1806, which encodes a putative polyketide synthase/non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, using the RSSC phylotype I Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum strain OE1-1. When incubated in the condition without Fe2+, Δ RSc1806 showed significantly lower Fe3+-scavenging activity, compared with OE1-1. Until 8 days after inoculation on tomato plants, Δ RSc1806 was not virulent, similar to the mutant (Δ phcA) missing phcA, which encodes the LysR-type transcriptional regulator PhcA that regulates the expression of the genes responsible for quorum sensing (QS)-dependent phenotypes including virulence. The transcriptome analysis revealed that RSc1806 deletion significantly altered the expression of more than 80% of the PhcA-regulated genes in the mutant grown in medium with or without Fe2+. Among the PhcA-regulated genes, the transcript levels of the genes whose expression was affected by the deletion of RSc1806 were strongly and positively correlated between the Δ RSc1806 and the phcA-deletion mutant. Furthermore, the deletion of RSc1806 significantly modified QS-dependent phenotypes, similar to the effects of the deletion of phcA. Collectively, our findings suggest that the deletion of micacocidin production-related RSc1806 alters the regulation of PhcA-regulated genes responsible for QS-dependent phenotypes including virulence as well as Fe3+-scavenging activity.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Essential Oils for Managing Anthracnose in Mango (Mangifera indica): Laboratory Results Do Not Translate into Field Efficacy
Authors: Gañán-Betancur Lederson , Crane Jonathan H. , Schaffer Bruce , Vargas Ana I. , Sarkhosh Ali , Gazis Romina
Published: May 2024

Essential oil–based products with broad plant disease control claims are commercially available and may be a practical alternative to copper fungicides for crop protection in organic mango orchards. We evaluated the disease control efficacy and crop safety of thyme oil, savory oil, and tree tea oil through replicated in vitro, in vivo (detached leaf and potted trees), and field assays. Three Colletotrichum species associated with mango anthracnose were tested in vitro, whereas only C. siamense was used for in vivo assays. Within the range of concentrations tested in vitro (62.5 to 2,000 μl active ingredient [a.i.]/liter), thyme and savory oil displayed fungicidal activity, whereas no fungistatic or fungicidal activity was observed with tea tree oil. In the in vivo assays, none of the treatments based on a preventive application rate of thyme (1,150 μl a.i./liter), savory (2,000 μl a.i./liter), or tea tree oil (342 μl a.i./liter) were effective in preventing the development of anthracnose on wounded and artificially inoculated leaves. Although field applications of thyme or tea tree oil did not result in phytotoxicity or negative impacts on fruit yield, they were ineffective in reducing the incidence and severity of naturally occurring anthracnose. Applications of copper hydroxide approved for organic agriculture were effective in controlling anthracnose in the field, and no added benefits were found by premixing this compound with thyme oil. Results indicate that essential oil products based on thyme or tea tree oil are inefficient at controlling anthracnose in mangoes.
Three Novel er1 Alleles and Their Functional Markers for Breeding Resistance to Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe pisi) in Pea
Authors: Zhan Junliang , Wang Danhua , Wu Wenqi , Deng Dong , Duan Canxing , Sun Suli , Zhu Zhendong
Published: May 2024

Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi DC is a global notorious disease on peas. Deploying resistance pea cultivars is the most efficient and environmentally friendly method for disease control. This study focuses on revealing the resistance genes in three pea germplasms and developing their functional markers for resistance breeding. The identification of resistance genes involved genetic mapping and the sequencing of the pea mildew resistance locus O homolog PsMLO1 gene. To confirm the heredity of three resistant germplasms, they were crossed with susceptible cultivars to generate F1, F2, and F2:3 populations. The F1 generation exhibited susceptibility to E. pisi, whereas the segregation patterns in subsequent generations adhered to the 3:1 (susceptible: resistant) and 1:2:1 (susceptible homozygotes: heterozygotes: resistant homozygotes) ratios, indicating that powdery mildew resistance was governed by a single recessive gene in each germplasm. Analysis of er1-linked markers and genetic mapping suggested that the resistance genes could be er1 alleles in these germplasms. The multiple clone sequencing results of the three homologous PsMLO1 genes showed they were novel er1 alleles, named er1-15, er1-16, and er1-17. The er1-15 and er1-16 were caused by 1-bp deletion at position 335 (A) and 429 (T) in exon 3, respectively, whereas er1-17 was caused by a 1-bp insertion at position 248 in exon 3, causing a frame-shift mutation and premature termination of PsMLO1 protein translation. Their respective functional markers, kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP)-er1-15, KASP-er1-16, and KASP-er1-17, were successfully developed and validated in respective mapping populations and pea germplasms. These results provide valuable tools for pea breeding resistance to E. pisi.
Expert consensus report on lipid mediators: Role in resolution of inflammation and muscle preservation
Authors: Serhan Charles N. , Bäck Magnus , Chiurchiù Valerio , Hersberger Martin , Mittendorfer Bettina , Calder Philip C. , Waitzberg Dan L. , Stoppe Christian , Klek Stanislaw , Martindale Robert G. ,   the International Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition Summit 2022 Experts
Published: May 2024

This meeting report presents a consensus on the biological aspects of lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition, emphasizing the unanimous support for the integration of lipid emulsions, particularly those containing fish oil, owing to their many potential benefits beyond caloric provision. Lipid emulsions have evolved from simple energy sources to complex formulations designed to improve safety profiles and offer therapeutic benefits. The consensus highlights the critical role of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), notably eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in fish oil and other marine oils, for their anti‐inflammatory properties, muscle mass preservation, and as precursors to the specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs). SPMs play a significant role in immune modulation, tissue repair, and the active resolution of inflammation without impairing host defense mechanisms. The panel's agreement underscores the importance of incorporating fish oil within clinical practices to facilitate recovery in conditions like surgery, critical illness, or immobility, while cautioning against therapies that might disrupt natural inflammation resolution processes. This consensus not only reaffirms the role of specific lipid components in enhancing patient outcomes, but also suggests a shift towards nutrition‐based therapeutic strategies in clinical settings, advocating for the proactive evidence‐based use of lipid emulsions enriched with omega‐3 PUFAs. Furthermore, we should seek to apply our knowledge concerning DHA, EPA, and their SPM derivatives, to produce more informative randomized controlled trial protocols, thus allowing more authoritative clinical recommendations.
Sex-dependent interaction of PTGS2 with miR-146a as risk factor for melanoma and the impact of sex hormones in gene expression in skin cells
Authors: Orlandi Elisa , Ceccuzzi Laura , Belpinati Francesca , Rodolfo Monica , Malerba Giovanni , Trabetti Elisabetta , Gomez-Lira Macarena , Romanelli Maria Grazia
Published: May 2024

Gender disparity in melanoma is a complex issue where sex hormones could be engaged. Differences in genetic variations are important in understanding the mechanisms of sex disparity in melanoma. Post-transcriptional regulation of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS2) mRNA occurs through a complex interplay of specific trans-acting RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs. MiR-146a is a key player in melanoma, modulating immune responses and tumor microenvironment (TME). Polymorphisms in PTGS2 gene rs20415GC have been associated with an increased risk of melanoma. Epistasis between polymorphisms rs20415GC was investigated by genotyping 453 melanoma patients and 382 control individuals. The effects of testosterone and 17β-estradiol were analyzed in keratinocytes and two melanoma cell lines. The rs2910164GG showed a higher risk in the presence of the genotype rs20417CC in the male population. Testosterone and 17β-estradiol act differently on PTGS2 and miR-146a expression, depending on the cell type. Testosterone augments PTGS2 gene expression in keratinocytes and miR-146a in melanoma cells. While 17β-estradiol only increases miR-146a expression in HaCaT cells. The present study indicates a sex-specific relation between miR-146a and PTGS2 polymorphisms with melanoma cancer risk. Testosterone and 17β-estradiol act differently on the expression of PTGS2 and miR-146a depending on the skin cell type.
Mild therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest – effect on survival with good neurological outcome outside of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Knapp Jürgen , Steffen Richard , Huber Markus , Heilman Sandra , Rauch Stefan , Bernhard Michael , Fischer Matthias
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

For nearly 20 years, in international guidelines, mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) was an important component of postresuscitation care. However, recent randomised controlled trials have questioned its benefits. At present, international guidelines only recommend actively preventing fever, but there are ongoing discussions about whether the majority of cardiac arrest patients could benefit from MTH treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of adult patients treated with and without MTH after cardiac arrest.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study.

SETTING

German Resuscitation Registry covering more than 31 million inhabitants of Germany and Austria.

PATIENTS

All adult patients between 2006 and 2022 with out-of-hospital or in-hospital cardiac arrest and comatose on admission.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary endpoint: hospital discharge with good neurological outcome [cerebral performance categories (CPC) 1 or 2]. Secondary endpoint: hospital discharge. We used a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis to identify the effects on outcome of all known influencing variables.

RESULTS

We analysed 33 933 patients (10 034 treated with MTH, 23 899 without MTH). The multivariate regression model revealed that MTH was an independent predictor of CPC 1/2 survival and of hospital discharge with odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of 1.60 (1.49 to 1.72),P < 0.001 and 1.89 (1.76 to 2.02),P < 0.001, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate the existence of a positive association between MTH and a favourable neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. It therefore seems premature to refrain from giving MTH treatment for the entire spectrum of patients after cardiac arrest. Further prospective studies are needed.
Influences of Leadership, Organizational Culture, and Hierarchy on Raising Concerns About Patient Deterioration: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Vehvilainen Essi , Charles Ashleigh , Sainsbury Jessica , Stacey Gemma , Field-Richards Sarah Elizabeth , Westwood Greta
Published: May 2024

Background

Raising concerns is essential for the early detection and appropriate response to patient deterioration. However, factors such as hierarchy, leadership, and organizational culture can impact negatively on the willingness to raise concerns.

Objectives

This study aims to delve into how leadership, organizational cultures, and professional hierarchies in healthcare settings influence healthcare workers, patients, and caregivers in raising concerns about patient deterioration and their willingness to do so.

Methods

The study used a qualitative approach, conducting focus group discussions (N = 27), utilizing authentic audio-visual vignettes to prompt discussions about raising concerns. Deductive thematic analysis was employed to explore themes related to hierarchy, leadership, and organizational culture.

Results

Positive leadership that challenged traditional professional hierarchies by embracing multidisciplinary teamwork, valuing the input of all stakeholders, and championing person-centered practice fostered a positive working culture. This culture has the potential to empower clinical staff, patients, caregivers, and family members to confidently raise concerns. Staff development, clinical supervision, and access to feedback, all underpinned by psychological safety, were viewed as facilitating the escalation of concerns and, subsequently, have the potential to improve patient safety.

Conclusions

This study offers crucial insights into the intricate dynamics of leadership, hierarchy, and organizational culture, and their profound impact on the willingness of staff and patients to voice concerns in healthcare settings. Prioritizing the recommendations of this study can contribute to reducing avoidable deaths and elevating the quality of care in healthcare settings.
Epidemiology of Maxillofacial Fracture Injury in a Hospital in Xi’an: A 2-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Mu Si-Qi , Chen Jie , Liu Heng-Xin , Jin Chang-Xin , Wang Jia-Yang , Cang Zheng-Qiang , Wang Wei-Qi , Zhang Xi
Published: May 2024

Despite their limitations, epidemiological studies provide information useful for formulating effective and efficient injury prevention strategies. The aim is to carry out an epidemiology study of maxillofacial fracture in Xijing Hospital.

Level of Evidence: Level II—therapeutic study.
Proteomic comparison of the organic matrices from parietal and base plates of the acorn barnacle
Amphibalanus amphitrite
Authors: Schultzhaus Janna , Hervey Judson , Fears Kenan , Spillmann Christopher
Published: May 2024

Acorn barnacles are efficient colonizers on a wide variety of marine surfaces. As they proliferate on critical infrastructure, their settlement and growth have deleterious effects on performance. To address acorn barnacle biofouling, research has focused on the settlement and adhesion processes with the goal of informing the development of novel coatings. This effort has resulted in the discovery and characterization of several proteins found at the adhesive substrate interface, i.e. cement proteins, and a deepened understanding of the function and composition of the biomaterials within this region. While the adhesive properties at the interface are affected by the interaction between the proteins, substrate and mechanics of the calcified base plate, little attention has been given to the interaction between the proteins and the cuticular material present at the substrate interface. Here, the proteome of the organic matrix isolated from the base plate of the acorn barnacle
Amphibalanus amphitrite
is compared with the chitinous and proteinaceous matrix embedded within
A. amphitrite
parietal plates. The objective was to gain an understanding of how the basal organic matrix may be specialized for adhesion via an in-depth comparative proteome analysis. In general, the majority of proteins identified in the parietal matrix were also found in the basal organic matrix, including nearly all those grouped in classes of cement proteins, enzymes and pheromones. However, the parietal organic matrix was enriched with cuticle-associated proteins, of which
ca
30% of those identified were unique to the parietal region. In contrast,
ca
30–40% of the protease inhibitors, enzymes and pheromones identified in the basal organic matrix were unique to this region. Not unexpectedly, nearly 50% of the cement proteins identified in the basal region were significantly distinct from those found in the parietal region. The wider variety of identified proteins in the basal organic matrix indicates a greater diversity of biological function in the vicinity of the substrate interface where several processes related to adhesion, cuticle formation and expansion of the base synchronize to play a key role in organism survival.
The cuticular wax composition and crystal coverage of leaves and petals differ in a consistent manner between plant species
Authors: Tunstad Sverre Aarseth , Bull Ian D. , Rands Sean A. , Whitney Heather M.
Published: May 2024

Both leaves and petals are covered in a cuticle, which itself contains and is covered by cuticular waxes. The waxes perform various roles in plants’ lives, and the cuticular composition of leaves has received much attention. To date, the cuticular composition of petals has been largely ignored. Being the outermost boundary between the plant and the environment, the cuticle is the first point of contact between a flower and a pollinator, yet we know little about how plant–pollinator interactions shape its chemical composition. Here, we investigate the general structure and composition of floral cuticular waxes by analysing the cuticular composition of leaves and petals of 49 plant species, representing 19 orders and 27 families. We show that the flowers of plants from across the phylogenetic range are nearly devoid of wax crystals and that the total wax load of leaves in 90% of the species is higher than that of petals. The proportion of alkanes is higher, and the chain lengths of the aliphatic compounds are shorter in petals than in leaves. We argue these differences are a result of adaptation to the different roles leaves and petals play in plant biology.
A unified framework for cell-type-specific eQTLs prioritization by integrating bulk and scRNA-seq data
Authors: Yu Xinyi , Hu Xianghong , Wan Xiaomeng , Zhang Zhiyong , Wan Xiang , Cai Mingxuan , Yu Tianwei , Xiao Jiashun
Published: May 2024

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified numerous genetic variants associated with complex traits, yet the biological interpretation remains challenging, especially for variants in non-coding regions. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) studies have linked these variations to gene expression, aiding in identifying genes involved in disease mechanisms. Traditional eQTL analyses using bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) provide tissue-level insights but suffer from signal loss and distortion due to unaddressed cellular heterogeneity. Recently, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has provided higher resolution enabling cell-type-specific eQTL (ct-eQTL) analyses. However, these studies are limited by their smaller sample sizes and technical constraints. In this paper, we present a novel statistical framework, IBSEP, which integrates bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data for enhanced ct-eQTLs prioritization. Our method employs a Bayesian hierarchical model to combine summary statistics from both data types, overcoming the limitations while leveraging the advantages associated with each technique. Through extensive simulations and real-data analyses, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells and brain cortex datasets, IBSEP demonstrated superior performance in identifying ct-eQTLs compared to existing methods. Our approach unveils new transcriptional regulatory mechanisms specific to cell types, offering deeper insights into the genetic basis of complex diseases at a cellular resolution.