bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of leukopenia and cytomegalovirus disease in kidney transplants treated with mycophenolate mofetil combined with low cyclosporine and steroid doses
Authors: Moreso Francesc , Serón Daniel , Morales José M , Cruzado Josep M , Gil‐Vernet Salvador , Pérez José L , Fulladosa Xavier , Andrés Amado , Grinyó Josep M
Published: October 2024

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with conventional cyclosporine and steroids doses efficiently prevents acute rejection in kidney transplants. However, this regimen has been associated with an increased incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and leukopenia, specially in patients receiving MMF at 3 g/d, suggesting that the combination of two powerful immunosuppressants carries the risk of overimmunosuppression. For this reason, we treated a group of patients with MMF 3 g/d combined with low cyclosporine and steroids doses. Eighty‐two kidney transplants performed at two centers and enrolled in the European Mycophenolate Mofetil Cooperative Study were randomized to receive: A) placebo (n = 27); B) MMF 2 g/d (n = 27); and C) MMF 3 g/d (n = 28). In this double blind study all patients received. cyclosporine and steroids at conventional doses. Fifteen kidney transplants enrolled in an MMF open pharmacokinetic study were treated with MMF 3 g/day combined with low cyclosporine and steroid doses. (group D). Efficacy was evaluated as the incidence of biopsy proven acute rejection, and safety focused on CMV disease and leukopenia. Patients receiving MMF showed a low incidence of biopsy proven rejection (B) 18.5%; C) 10.7%; and D) 13.3%). Patients of group C had a high incidence of CMV disease (35.7%) when compared with the other groups (lower than 8%). Incidence of leukopenia was higher in patients treated with MMF (B) 25.9%; C) 39.3%; and D) 40%) than in placebo treated patients (7.4%). Patients in group (C) displayed leukopenia mainly in the context of CMV disease, while patients of group (D) had leukopenia not related to CMV infection. All patients of group (D) who presented leukopenia recovered after MMF reduction dose, while in group (C) there were 5 out of 28 patients who required MMF withdrawal. We propose that a reasonable approach to take advantage of a powerful non‐nephrotoxic immunosuppressant such as MMF, could be the administration of this drug at 3 g/d from the time of transplantation combined with low CSA and steroid doses.
Procalcitonin in the early phase after renal transplantation – will it add to diagnostic accuracy?
Authors: Eberhard Oliver K , Langefeld Iris , Kuse Ernst R , Brunkhorst Frank M , Kliem Volker , Schlitt Hans J , Pichlmayr Rudolf , Koch Karl M , Brunkhorst Reinhard
Published: October 2024

The determination of serum procalcitonin (PCT) was tested for its utility in detecting invasive bacterial infection and acute rejection during the first 6 wk after kidney transplantation.

Fifty‐seven kidney graft recipients were prospectively included in the study. In 13/57 patients, 16 episodes of acute biopsy‐proven rejection occurred and were treated with high‐dose steroids (n = 14) or with OKT3 (n = 2). Seventeen out of 57 patients experienced 19 invasive bacterial infections; 2/57 had partial graft necrosis due to malperfusion. Twenty‐five out of 57 graft recipients experienced an uncomplicated postoperative course. A total of 116 samples were analyzed and the following data obtained: PCT, C‐reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, corresponding body temperature and serum creatinine.

Procalcitonin values for patients with rejection did not differ significantly from those of the healthy transplant recipients (p = 0.47). In contrast, PCT was clearly elevated with invasive bacterial infection or partial graft necrosis (p < 0.01). OKT3 treatment of rejection led to at more than 10‐fold increase in PCT. C‐reactive protein, unlike PCT, was elevated to a variable extent in patients with graft rejection, though CRP values were significantly more elevated in patients with infection than in those with rejection (p <0.01). The specifity for detection of invasive bacterial infection was 0.7 for PCT and 0.43 for CRP, whereas sensitivity was 0.87 for PCT and 1.0 for CRP. There was no correlation between PCT and serum creatinine (r = 0.06). Haemodialysis did not lower PCT serum concentrations. Procalcitonin values rose postoperatively to peak levels on the first and second days and mostly declined to normals within 1 wk.

In conclusion PCT, not being influenced by acute kidney graft rejection but serving as a specific indicator of systemic bacterial infection, could help to discriminate between both types of inflammation.
Apoptosis and hepatic allograft reperfusion injury
Authors: Kuo Paul C , Drachenberg Cinthia I , de la Torre Andrew , Bartlett Stephen T , Lim James W , Plotkin Jeffrey S , Johnsona Lynt B
Published: October 2024

Necrosis and apoptosis are distinct, but nonexclusive mechanisms of cell death. Until recently, investigators have focused upon necrosis as the sine qua non of lethal cell injury. Specifically, within the realm of liver transplantation, preservation strategies dealing with ischemia/reperfusion injury have concentrated upon minimizing the biochemical and histologic correlates associated with necrosis. Little is known of the role of apoptosis in reperfusion injury in human liver transplantation. Post‐reperfusion liver biopsies from 35 patients were retrospectively analyzed for histologic evidence of necrosis. Apoptosis was identified histologically and using a chromogenic technique of in situ labeling of fragmented DNA. The number of apoptotic cells increased in parallel with the necrosis reperfusion score in a significant fashion (p=0.003 by ANOVA). There was not a Zone 1, 2 or 3 predominance to the histologic distribution of apoptotic cells. The recipient peak serum transaminase values were also noted to increase with the reperfusion score (p = 0.001 by ANOVA). These results suggest that: 1) apoptosis occurs in the setting of reperfusion injury during human orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT); and 2) the extent of apoptosis increases in parallel with pathologic and biochemical parameters of reperfusion injury. Given the distinct nature of apoptosis and the highly regulated and conserved pathway for its initiation, inhibition of apoptosis with specific molecular targets, may serve to decrease allograft reperfusion injury.
Interactions between Promazine and Antidepressants at the Level of Cellular Distribution
Authors: Daniel Władyslawa Anna , Wöjcikowski Jacek
Published: October 2024

The pharmacokinetic interactions in clinical combinations of a phenolhiazine neuroleptic and antidepressants at the level of cellular distribution were investigated. Uptake experiments were performed on slices of various rat tissues as a system with intact lysosomes. Promazine and antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline, sertraline, fluoxetine) were incubated separately or jointly with tissue slices for 1 hr. Initial concentration of each drug was 5 uM. The interaction studies were carried out in the absence and presence of ammonium chloride (20 mM), a lysosomotropic compound which increases the internal pH value of lysosomes. All the tissues known for their abundance of lysosomes (the lungs, liver, kidneys) were the site of an interaction between promazine and antidepressants. The neuroleptic and antidepressants mutually inhibited their tissue uptake. The potency of interference of each antidepressant with the lysosomal uptake of promazine was similar. The interactions did not occur in the presence of ammonium chloride, which indicates involvement of the lysosomal trapping. Carbamazepins a lipophilic but non‐lysosomotropic drug, did not interfere with the promazine uptake, and the adipose tissue containing very few lysosomes was never the site of interaction in our experiment. Distribution interactions were also observed in the brain and in some cases in muscles (the tissues less abundant of lysosomes), the effect of the inhibitory drug being usually more potent than that of ammonium chloride. Most of the interactions occurring in these two tissues were also observed in the presence of ammonium chloride, which suggests involvement, at least partially, of a non‐lysosomal trapping mechanism. The consequences of the observed distributive interactions at the level of lysosomal trapping in vitro are diminished intralysosomal concentration of the basic lipophilic psychotropic and its increase in cell membranes and fluids. In vivo, a shift from the organs or tissues rich in lysosomes to those less abundant in these organella, and an increase in the free drug concentration in body fluids may be expected. In conclusion, the obtained results show that, regardless of the previously known metabolic interactions between psychotropics, interactions at the levels of cellular and body distribution are also feasible.
The enhancing effects of selenomethionine on harmine in attenuating pathological cardiac hypertrophy via glycolysis metabolism
Authors: Chen Qi , Wang Wen‐Yan , Xu Qing‐Yang , Dai Yan‐Fa , Zhu Xing‐Yu , Chen Zhao‐Yang , Sun Ning , Leung Chung‐Hang , Gao Fei , Wu Ke‐Jia
Published: October 2024

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy, a common feature in various cardiovascular diseases, can be more effectively managed through combination therapies using natural compounds. Harmine, a β‐carboline alkaloid found in plants, possesses numerous pharmacological functions, including alleviating cardiac hypertrophy. Similarly, Selenomethionine (SE), a primary organic selenium source, has been shown to mitigate cardiac autophagy and alleviate injury. To explores the therapeutic potential of combining Harmine with SE to treat cardiac hypertrophy. The synergistic effects of SE and harmine against cardiac hypertrophy were assessed in vitro with angiotensin II (AngII)‐induced hypertrophy and in vivo using a Myh6R404Q mouse model. Co‐administration of SE and harmine significantly reduced hypertrophy‐related markers, outperforming monotherapies. Transcriptomic and metabolic profiling revealed substantial alterations in key metabolic and signalling pathways, particularly those involved in energy metabolism. Notably, the combination therapy led to a marked reduction in the activity of key glycolytic enzymes. Importantly, the addition of the glycolysis inhibitor 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (2‐DG) did not further potentiate these effects, suggesting that the antihypertrophic action is predominantly mediated through glycolytic inhibition. These findings highlight the potential of SE and harmine as a promising combination therapy for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.
Involuntary childlessness in the U.S. and Israel: Pronatalism, gender, and sexual identity
Authors: Tate Doyle P. , Shenkman Geva
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study examined experiences of involuntary childlessness as a function of sexual identity and gender in the United States (U.S.) and Israel.

Background

Sexual minority individuals may experience more involuntary childlessness than heterosexual people, and, to our knowledge, no studies have compared involuntary childlessness between the U.S., which is socially, but not politically pronatal, and Israel, which is both socially and politically pronatal.

Method

Two online surveys were distributed, one per country. The combined dataset was 1739 people (470 heterosexual men, 521 heterosexual women, 421 sexual minority men, and 327 sexual minority women). Differences in pronatalism, experiences of involuntary childlessness, and stress related to involuntary childlessness were assessed as a function of gender, sexual identity, and country.

Results

Participants in the U.S. reported higher levels of pronatalism, more frequent involuntary childlessness, and greater stress from these experiences than did Israeli participants. In Israel, 68% of sexual minority people reported having experienced involuntary childlessness compared to 32% of heterosexual people. In the U.S., around 50% of people reported involuntary childlessness regardless of group. However, sexual minority individuals reported more frequent experiences of and stress from these experiences than did heterosexual people in both countries.

Conclusion

A concerning proportion of people in the U.S. and sexual minority adults in Israel experience involuntary childlessness. Overall, there are implications for the potential protective factor of effective fertility policies, such as in Israel, for those facing involuntary childlessness.
Rethinking Supply Chain Management in a Post‐Growth Era
Authors: Luzzini Davide , Pagell Mark , Devenin Veronica , Miemczyk Joe , Longoni Annachiara , Banerjee Bobby
Published: October 2024

Supply chain management is grounded on the assumption that endless economic growth is compatible with environmental and social sustainability. Yet scholars from ecological economics question this assumption due to ever increasing evidence showing how hard it is to decouple growth from negative environmental and social externalities. In response, pressure from social movements is mounting, and the agendas of several countries already consider alternatives to growth. Therefore, this article presents a critical thought experiment for the supply chain management discipline: What are the implications of moving from the current endless growth paradigm to a post‐growth paradigm for businesses and their supply chains? Using the umbrella term “post‐growth,” this article identifies three key post‐growth principles—(i) socio‐ecological wellbeing, (ii) selective downscaling, and (iii) systems thinking—and then examines their implications for supply chain management research and practice.
The polyphasic approach reveals ten novel and one known Ascomycota taxa from terrestrial agarwood‐producing trees
Authors: Du Tian‐Ye , Tibpromma Saowaluck , Hyde Kevin D. , Mapook Ausana , Dai Dong‐Qin , Zhang Gui‐Qing , Stephenson Steven L. , Suwannarach Nakarin , Kumla Jaturong , Elgorban Abdallah M. , Rajeshkumar Kunhiraman C. , Maharachchikumbura Sajeewa S. N. , Li Qiang , Karunarathna Samantha C.
Published: October 2024

Aquilaria (Thymelaeaceae), a tropical and subtropical plant, is one of the main genera that can produce agarwood. Aquilaria sinensis and Aquilaria yunnanensis are native Chinese tree species, and A. sinensis is China's main agarwood source. Agarwood is a nontimber forest product with high economic and medicinal value. First‐grade agarwood is sold as much as $100 000 per kilogram. There has been little research on the saprobic fungi associated with Aquilaria, with only 11 records having been reported. In the present study, 10 terrestrial saprobic fungi associated with A. sinensis and A. yunnanensis were collected in China. Based on morphological and phylogenetic studies, these 10 collections are introduced herein as one new genus (Aquilariomyces), nine new species – Aquilariomyces aquilariae, Corynespora aquilariae, Melomastia maomingensis, Nigrograna aquilariae, Parathyridariella aquilariae, Peroneutypa maomingensis, Phaeoseptum aquilariae, Pseudothyridariella aquilariae, and Triangularia aquilariae, and one known species (Camarographium clematidis). Descriptions, illustrations of morphological characteristics, photo plates, phylogenetic trees, and the results of a pairwise homoplasy index test (PHI) test results are provided.
Traits estimated when grown alone may underestimate the competitive advantage and invasiveness of exotic species
Authors: Zhu Biao , Wei Chunqiang , Zhou Hao , Chen Wei , Siemann Evan , Lu Xinmin
Published: October 2024

Functional differences between native and exotic species, estimated when species are grown alone or in mixtures, are often used to predict the invasion risk of exotic species. However, it remains elusive whether the functional differences estimated by the two methods and their ability to predict species invasiveness (e.g. high abundance) are consistent.

We compiled data from two common garden experiments, in which specific leaf area, height, and aboveground biomass of 64 common native and exotic invasive species in China were estimated when grown individually (pot) or in mixtures (field).

Exotic species accumulated higher aboveground biomass than natives, but only when grown in field mixtures. Moreover, aboveground biomass and functional distinctiveness estimated in mixtures were more predictive of species persistence and relative abundance in the field mixtures in the second year than those estimated when grown alone.

These findings suggest that assessing species traits while grown alone may underestimate the competitive advantage for some exotic species, highlighting the importance of trait‐by‐environment interactions in shaping species invasion. Therefore, we propose that integrating multi‐site or multi‐year field surveys and manipulative experiments is required to best identify the key trait(s) and environment(s) that interactively shape species invasion and community dynamics.
The BpPP2C‐BpMADS11‐BpERF61 signaling confers drought tolerance in Betula platyphylla
Authors: Zhao Huimin , Jia Yaqi , Niu Yani , Wang Yucheng
Published: October 2024

Plant MADS‐box proteins are vital for abiotic stress tolerance, yet their mechanisms for responding to drought remain poorly understood.

Here, we investigated the drought tolerance mechanism of a MADS‐box protein (BpMADS11) from birch (Betula platyphylla) using immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, yeast two‐hybrid, yeast one‐hybrid, ChIP, RNA‐seq, and dual‐luciferase assays to explore post‐translational modifications, protein interactions, and gene regulation.

Birch plants overexpressing BpMADS11 exhibited enhanced drought tolerance, while knockout lines displayed reduced tolerance. Under drought conditions, BpMADS11 interacts with protein phosphatase 2C22 (BpPP2C22), which dephosphorylates BpMADS11. Birch plants that overexpress BpMADS11 and lack BpPP2C22 show significantly reduced drought tolerance compared with those that only overexpress BpMADS11. BpMADS11 regulates the expression of BpERF61 by binding to CArG‐box in its promoter. The dephosphorylated BpMADS11 exhibits increased DNA binding ability and increased expression of BpERF61. Like BpMADS11, birch plants overexpressing BpERF61 show improved drought tolerance, while those with BpERF61 knockout exhibit decreased tolerance. BpERF61 binds to specific DNA motifs including ‘CACGTG’ (G‐box), ‘GGGCCCC’, and ‘TTGGAT’ to regulate the genes related to drought stress.

Collectively, BpMADS11 undergoes dephosphorylation through its interaction with BpPP2C22, prompting the expression of BpERF61. Subsequently, BpERF61 regulates downstream genes by binding to specific DNA motifs, thereby enhancing drought tolerance.
New mechanism of strigolactone‐regulated cold tolerance in tomato
Authors: Li Qianqian , Wang Bing , Yu Hong
Published: October 2024

This article is a Commentary on Chi et al. (2025), 245: 1106–1123.
The association between public managers' type of education and prioritizing core service provision and communication
Authors: Netra Søren , Pihl‐Thingvad Signe , Winter Vera
Published: October 2024

An important question in public management is whether public organizations should prefer or avoid specialist managers (i.e., managers whose professional backgrounds match the work they oversee). Research has shown that specialist managers are associated with better field‐specific performance in public organizations, and theory suggests that they lead differently than nonspecialist managers. However, there is no empirical evidence to support this latter claim. To remedy this, we investigate whether specialist managers prioritize core service provision more and communicate better than nonspecialist managers. Through multilevel regressions of employee reports of leaders' behaviors in the contexts of schools, eldercare, daycare, and employment, we find that specialist managers prioritize core service provision more in all contexts but schools and communicate better in eldercare and employment but not elsewhere. These findings are consistent with the theoretical expectations and thus emphasize the importance of educational background in shaping managerial behavior.
On Population and the International Order
Authors: McNicoll Geoffrey
Published: October 2024

This essay expores demographic effects on the international order over the postwar decades and potentially through the next half‐century. Such effects derive from the relative sizes of populations and labor forces among states, contrasts in age distributions (resulting from the regionally staggered timing of fertility decline), and high levels of international migration, fueled by economic disparities and civil conflict. In coming decades, differential population growth and aging—in some states, entrenchment of population decline—will shift the global distribution of labor away from East Asia and Europe and toward South and West Asia and especially Africa. Short‐range migration may be pressed by environmental change; longer‐range migration toward rich countries, much of it illicit and already an intractable public policy issue in many of them, will face increased societal resistance and stronger efforts to police entry. The future international order will see a states system with the Global North further demographically marginalized; India as an emerging economic‐demographic superpower, joining a fast‐aging China and plausibly a less internationally engaged United States; and a demographically dominant Africa with as yet a wholly unclear place in the global political economy. Although not part of standard demographic projections, there are extreme global warming scenarios and other disaster eventualities that could be radically transformative of this order.
Cadmium Minimization in Crops: A Trade‐Off With Mineral Nutrients in Safe Breeding
Authors: Yan Huili , Peng Zhimei , Zhang Hezifan , Wang Binghan , Xu Wenxiu , He Zhenyan
Published: October 2024

Cadmium (Cd) contamination poses a threat to global crop safety. To address this issue, researchers mainly focused on the Cd, explored mechanism of accumulation to low‐Cd breeding technologies and created several low‐Cd varieties over the past decades. However, new challenges have emerged, particularly the yield reduction due to disturbances in mineral nutrient balance. The goals of breeding have been transferred from a primary focus on ‘low‐Cd crops’ to ‘low‐Cd/nutrient‐balanced’ crops, which means limiting Cd content while maintaining other nutrient elements like iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) at a proper content, thus to meet the future agricultural demands. Here, on a multielement perspective, we reviewed the mechanisms of Cd and mineral nutrient transport system in crops and summarized the research advances in Cd minimization through artificial mutations, natural variations and genetic engineering. Furthermore, the challenge of disruption of mineral nutrients in low‐Cd crops was discussed and two potential approaches designing Cd‐mineral nutrient‐optimized artificial transporters and pyramiding Cd‐mineral nutrient‐optimized variations were proposed. Aiming at addressing these challenges, these approaches represent promising advancements in the field and offer potential pathways for future research and development in the creation of safe and high‐quality crops.
Perspectives on childhood coronavirus disease vaccination in Japan and influencing factors
Authors: Lelliott Madoka , Sakata Masatsugu , Kohno Ayako , Toyomoto Rie , Matsumoto Ayuko , Furukawa Toshi A.
Published: October 2024

Background

To support parental decision‐making it is important to understand parents' perspectives on vaccination for their children and the factors that contribute to their vaccine hesitancy. There have been relatively few studies in this area in Japan, particularly with longitudinal and mixed methodologies.

Methods

We used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to describe longitudinal changes in vaccine acceptance and to explore factors associated with parental coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine hesitancy. We recruited parents who had children aged 6 months to 11 years old from five facilities in Japan. Two cross‐sectional online surveys and semi‐structured online interviews were conducted. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors associated with parents' vaccine hesitancy for their children, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data.

Results

In total, 134 parents responded to both online surveys and, of those, 10 participated in interviews. Acceptance rates of COVID‐19 vaccination for their children were 19.4% (26/134) at the first survey and 11.2% (15/134) at the second survey. Integration of the data identified that the main factors for vaccine hesitancy included vaccine safety, vaccine effectiveness, government policy, and recommendations from people close to parents.

Conclusions

Readily available and more balanced information, and community‐wide support from people close to parents and familiar health‐care providers are likely to provide better support for parents' decision‐making. Further investigation is required on how to provide information in an easily understood manner.
Save the five: Meeting Taurek's challenge
Authors: Barnett Zach
Published: October 2024

Six people are in trouble. We can save five of them or just the sixth. What should we do? John Taurek defends a radical view: We are not required to save the greater number. Taurek has persuaded some. But even the unpersuaded agree that Taurek poses a deep and important challenge: From where does the priority of the many derive? It seems difficult, or even impossible, to convince someone who denies the importance of the numbers… to care about the numbers. That's what this paper aims to do. It will argue that the priority of the many follows, with minimal other assumptions, from something all should accept: the modest premise that if we can improve one person's chance of survival—without affecting anyone else—we should.
Cyclodextrin‐Cholesterol Alone or in Combination With Cyclodextrin‐Vitamin E Improves Bull Sperm Cryopreservation in a Soybean Lecithin Extender
Authors: Boukhalfa Djemouai , Benhenia Karim , Sayah Asmaa , Kourat Ahcene , Safsaf Boubakeur
Published: October 2024

Combining cholesterol‐loaded methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (CD‐CHL) with vitamin E‐loaded methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (CD‐Vit E) to combat cold shock and oxidative stress during sperm cryopreservation in soybean lecithin extenders remains unexplored. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of treating bull sperm with CD‐CHL and CD‐Vit E prior to cryopreservation in a soybean lecithin extender. Sperm collected from eight fertile bulls were pooled and split into six aliquots. Five aliquots were treated, in a Tris‐based extender, with CD‐CHL (2 mg/120 × 106 cells/mL) and either 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2 mg CD‐Vit E/120 × 106 cells/mL. The control aliquot was diluted in a Tris‐based extender without further supplementation. After incubation at 22°C for 15 min and addition of a soybean lecithin extender, all aliquots were equilibrated for 2 h at 4°C and then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used to explore the different sperm motility parameters, hypo‐osmotic swelling test to determine membrane functionality and fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated Aeachis hypogaea (peanut) agglutinin (FITC‐PNA) to quantify acrosome integrity. The effect of oxidative stress on the sperm membrane was assessed through lipid peroxidation measurement. Compared to control, CD‐CHL alone improved significantly (p < 0.05) all CASA motility parameters, membrane functionality and acrosome integrity of thawed sperm. The membrane functionality was more significantly (p < 0.05) improved when 0.5 mg CD‐Vit E was combined with CD‐CHL. Concerning lipid peroxidation, no significant differences (p > 0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were registered between groups. In conclusion, the combination of CD‐CHL and CD‐Vit E demonstrated a significant positive effect on the cryopreservation of bull sperm in a soybean lecithin extender.
What is known about suicide prevention gatekeeper training and directions for future research
Authors: Spafford Sarah G. , Silverman Morton M. , Gutierrez Peter M.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Suicide prevention training that teaches skills to support a person experiencing thoughts of suicide and create community support networks, often termed, “gatekeeper” training (GKT), has been a longstanding pillar of international, national, and local suicide prevention efforts. GKT aims to improve knowledge, attitudes, and self‐efficacy in identifying individuals at risk for suicide, hopefully enhancing one’s willingness and ability to intervene with a person experiencing a crisis. However, little is known about GKT’s effectiveness in creating the essential behavior change (e.g., increase in intervening behaviors) it sets out to accomplish.

Methods

This paper explores the history and theoretical background of GKT, reviews the current state of research on GKT, and provides framing and recommendations for next steps to advance research and practice around GKT.

Results & Conclusion

Through positioning GKT appropriately within the field of suicide prevention, we argue that the field of suicide prevention needs more rigorous research around GKT that includes long‐term follow‐up data on usage of skills learned during training, data on outcomes of those who have received an intervention from a trained gatekeeper, and the integration of implementation science to further our understanding of which trainings are appropriate for which helpers.
Comparative Study on Continuous and Discontinuous Dorling Maps
Authors: Yang Nai , Pang Xujing , Lv Junpeng , Wei Zhiwei
Published: October 2024

The Dorling map, a special type of thematic map, is a widely employed tool for visualizing geospatial statistical data. It transforms regions into circles with areas proportionate to statistical values while endeavoring to maintain regional spatial relationships. Notably, two types of Dorling maps emerge, distinguished by their consideration of regional continuity: continuous and discontinuous Dorling maps. However, as of yet, the discrepancies between these two types remain inconclusive. In this paper, we employ an eye‐tracking method to investigate the efficacy of Dorling maps in two common application scenarios, namely unpurposed browsing tasks and purposeful reading tasks. To this end, we administer tasks involving region search, attribute comparison/recognition/memory, conditional selection, relationship judgment, summary, and subjective evaluation. Subsequently, we perform a statistical analysis of the eye movement data of participants when they complete the above tasks in the continuous and discontinuous Dorling maps. The results indicate that the discontinuous Dorling maps are significantly better than the continuous ones in interpretation time for forward and reverse region search, selecting conditions, and judging adjacent relationships. Continuous Dorling maps significantly outperform discontinuous maps in terms of search efficiency during attribute comparison. Moreover, continuous maps significantly outperformed discontinuous maps in terms of cognitive supplementation or reprocessing of previous regions during conditional selection. This study can help users choose the right form of Dorling map visualization according to their needs.
Food and inhaled allergens may play a more prominent role in allergic transfusion reactions than previously recognized
Authors: Yasui Kazuta , Takihara Yoshihiro , Hirayama Fumiya
Published: October 2024

Correlations between allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) and allergic predisposition to food and inhaled allergens have been consistently reported.

Food or pollen allergens circulating in the blood can be indirectly identified using the basophil activation test.

In some cases, food or pollen allergens have been identified in transfused blood products that cause ATRs.
Reconstruction of deep and perforating corneal defects in dogs—A review (Part III/III): The use of corneal sutures and reporting of ocular discomfort
Authors: Sanchez R. F.
Published: October 2024

The surgical reconstruction of severe corneal disease is a common and crucial component of the clinical practice of veterinary ophthalmology. The first part of the present review described procedures that utilize autogenous ocular tissues, homologous donor tissues, and heterologous donor tissues in dogs, while the second part reviewed the use of biomaterials and keratoprosthetics in this species. This third part is dedicated to the review of the use of corneal sutures including suture type and suture pattern in corneal reconstruction of small animals including dogs and cats. The review also focused on the way studies report postoperative ocular discomfort/pain and how this is treated. Lastly, the author briefly presents the simple but effective techniques available to bury corneal knots for corneal reconstructive surgery in small animal patients, such as the “tugging” and “deep‐superficial‐superficial‐deep” methods for simple interrupted sutures, and the adaptation of the latter for simple continuous sutures.
Optimizing Flow and Heat Transfer With Guiding Pin Fins in a Wedge-Shaped Cooling Channel for Gas Turbine Blade Trailing Edge
Authors: Chen Jianian , Rao Yu , Wang Qi , Liang Ce , Yang Li
Published: October 2024

In this study, an innovative guiding pin-fin array optimization has been developed through three-dimensional numerical simulations to enhance the cooling efficiency of gas turbine blade trailing edge. The guiding pin-fin array is optimized using the Kriging surrogate model and Genetic Algorithm (GA), aiming to significantly improve the heat transfer rates and uniformity within the wedge-shaped channel. The design parameter chosen for optimization is the deflection angle of each guiding pin fin, and the optimization process is conducted in two rounds. The first-round optimization yields a first-optimized guiding pin-fin array, which exhibits superior overall heat transfer performance and reasonable pressure loss compared to conventional circular, oblong, and parallel pin-fin arrays. For the first-optimized guiding pin-fin (1st-OGP) channel at the Reynolds number of Re = 50,000, the total Nusselt number and pressure loss are 44.1% higher and 9.9% lower than those of the baseline circular pin-fin array (CP), respectively. An experimental validation using the transient liquid crystal (TLC) thermography method is carried out and proves the effectiveness of the optimization process. However, it is noted that the first-optimized guiding pin-fin exhibits even lower heat transfer at a low Reynolds number of Re = 10,000, particularly in the channel middle region, which is mainly due to the incapable turning flow control in the root region of the wedged channel. To address this issue and further improve the heat transfer performance at low Reynolds numbers, a second-round optimization is performed by specifically adjusting the deflection angle of the selected guiding pin fins near the root region of the wedged channel. This secondary optimization demonstrates significant heat transfer improvements over the whole studied Reynolds number range with a reasonably reduced consumption of computational resources. The total Nusselt number and pressure loss are 69.3% higher and 11.9% lower than those of the baseline circular pin-fin array, respectively, at Re = 50,000. The optimization process proposed in this paper produces a high-performance cooling structure design with elaborate guiding pin-fin arrangements in the wedge-shaped channel, which indicates high heat transfer enhancement and relatively lower pressure loss in the wedged channel for the turbine blade trailing edge.
The Effect of U-Bend Zone, Rotation, and Corrugation on Two-Pass Channel Flow
Authors: Abdulrasool Ali A. , Kurji Hayder J. , Kadhim Thualfaqir J.
Published: October 2024

Further consideration on the two-pass channel flow is still necessary due to the complexity of 180-deg turn, rotation, and wall ribs. Numerical investigations have repeatedly revealed differences from experiments, with the primary focus of the smooth walls. Thus, this work deals with newly added ribs and three-equation variant of the shear stress transport (SST) k–ω model to the current fluid flow and heat transfer depending on an existing experiment as a reference. The adapted turbulence model thought to be more susceptible to U-bend zone, rotation, and wall corrugation is applied using comsolmultiphysics program. A two-pass profile with leafy characteristics, derived from a prior work by the first author, is implemented for the first time and contrasted against alternative corrugation designs. The findings demonstrated that applying the suggested model reduces the percentage error between the computational and experimental data to less than 20%. The Nusselt numbers computed at different leafy-corrugated channel divisions are augmented to 30% with 70% surface temperature reduction; however, the friction penalty rises too.
Finite Element Method Modeling for Extended Depth of Focus Acoustic Transducer
Authors: Shukla Kaushik , Habib Anowarul , Melandsø Frank , Ahmad Azeem
Published: October 2024

Extended depth of focus (DOF) with high lateral resolution is the primary requirement of the transducer in scanning acoustic microscopy to generate high-resolution images of the three-dimensional sample over a large depth. Traditionally, focused ultrasonic spherical transducers are used to tightly focus the acoustic waves generated from a piezoelectric material for a wide range of applications in industrial, medical, and other fields. Such transducers have a problem of narrow DOF which restricts the imaging range in depth. In the present work, we propose three different transducer designs such as single axicon, central flat axicon, and double axicon, which enable the possibilities of high transverse resolution imaging over greater depths due to the significant increase in DOF. Finite element modeling (FEM) in comsol of a spherical, single axicon, central flat axicon, and double axicon transducer is systematically performed and compared in terms of transverse resolution, DOF, and acoustic pressure in the central lobe. In addition, the single axicon and double axicon transducer modeling is done for different apex angles. It is observed that the central flat axicon transducer allows customizable DOF and the double axicon transducer provides high lateral resolution and reduced pressure in the side lobes compared to a single axicon lens.
Research of Productivity and Interlayer Interference Mechanism of Multilayer Co-Production in Reservoirs With Multipressure Systems
Authors: Cui Chunxue , Liu Yuewu , Zhang Guoqing , Ren Yangqi , Chai Xiaolong
Published: October 2024

Due to the differences in physical and fluid properties in vertical oil layers, the interlayer contradictions are prominent and affect the reservoir utilization degree seriously. Therefore, the coordination between reasonable bottom-hole flow pressure and optimal production, as well as the reduction of interlayer interference are the primary concerns during the co-production of multilayer oil reservoirs. Based on the reservoir engineering and fluid mechanics in porous media theory, this work adopts the comprehensive pressure system and considers the interlayer interference to establish a multibranch horizontal well productivity model and interlayer interference mathematical model. By analyzing the main controlling factors and interference mechanisms, this article demonstrates a pattern of interlayer interference and improves the quantitative characterization interlayer interference theory in multilayer combined mining. The study has shown that (1) the interlayer interference is beneficial for balancing the production of different layers and improving development efficiency, and it is greatly affected by interlayer heterogeneity; (2) when the number of layers exceeds two layers, the interference coefficient increases; with the increase of the layer thickness, the thicker oil layers have higher productivity, and the thickness of the layer has a significant effect on the production of low-pressure layer; as the viscosity difference increases, the interlayer interference coefficient becomes larger, and the contribution rate of high viscosity oil layer decreases continuously. When the production pressure difference increases, the interlayer interference can be reduced; (3) the interlayer interference mathematical model constructed in this article has high prediction accuracy and strong practicality, which has theoretical guidance significance for the division of strata in the comprehensive adjustment of reservoirs.
Beam-space spatial spectrum reconstruction under unknown stationary near-field interference: Algorithm design and experimental verification
Authors: Chu Jichen , Cheng Lei , Xu Wen
Published: October 2024

In acoustic array signal processing, spatial spectrum estimation and the corresponding direction-of-arrival estimation are sometimes affected by stationary near-field interferences, presenting a considerable challenge for the target detection. To address the challenge, this paper proposes a beam-space spatial spectrum reconstruction algorithm. The proposed algorithm overcomes the limitations of common spatial spectrum estimation algorithms designed for near-field interference scenarios, which require knowledge of the near-field interference array manifold. The robustness and efficacy of the proposed algorithm under strong stationary near-field interference are confirmed through the analysis of simulated and real-life experimental data.
Intrapulmonary pharmacokinetics of SPR719 following oral administration of SPR720 to healthy volunteers
Authors: Rodvold Keith A. , Gotfried Mark H. , Ussery Xilla T. , Wong Shekman L. , Hamed Kamal A.
Published: October 2024

SPR720 is a phosphate ester prodrug that is converted rapidly
in vivo
to SPR719, the active moiety, which exhibits potent
in vitro
activity against clinically relevant mycobacterial species including
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC) and
Mycobacterium abscessus
. SPR720 is in clinical development for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) due to MAC. This study evaluated the safety and the intrapulmonary pharmacokinetics of SPR719 in healthy volunteers. A total of 30 subjects received oral SPR720 1,000 mg once daily for 7 days followed by bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage, with blood samples collected for plasma pharmacokinetic assessments. Mean SPR719 area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to 24 hours (AUC
0–24
) and maximum concentration (
C
max
) for plasma, epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and alveolar macrophages (AM) were 52,418 ng·h/mL and 4,315 ng/mL, 59,880 ng·h/mL and 5,429 ng/mL, and 128,105 ng·h/mL and 13,033 ng/mL, respectively. The ratios of ELF to total plasma concentrations of SPR719 based on AUC
0–24
and
C
max
were 1.14 and 1.26, and the ratios of AM to total plasma concentrations of SPR719 based on AUC
0–24
and
C
max
were 2.44 and 3.02, respectively. When corrected for protein binding, the ratios of ELF to unbound plasma concentrations of SPR719 for AUC
0–24
and
C
max
were 19.87 and 21.88, and the ratios of AM to unbound plasma concentrations of SPR719 for AUC
0–24
and
C
max
were 42.50 and 52.53, respectively. No unexpected safety findings were observed. Results from this study of the intrapulmonary disposition of SPR719 support further investigation of SPR720 as a potential oral agent for the treatment of patients with NTM-PD.

This study is registered with
Clinicaltrials.gov
as
NCT05955586
.
The onset of Paleo-Pacific subduction: Key evidence from the Kaishantun Accretionary Complex, northeastern Eurasia
Authors: Wang Hong-Yan , Zhou Jian-Bo , Wilde Simon A. , Li Gong-Yu
Published: October 2024

Subduction of the Paleo-Pacific oceanic lithosphere has dominated the tectonic evolution of northeastern Eurasia since the Mesozoic. We document the time of subduction initiation based on the age, character, and paleogeographic record of the Jilin-Yanji Suture that separates the Jiamusi-Khanka Block (of Northeast China) from the northeastern North China Craton. The suture contains a series of accretionary complexes that provide abundant information for elucidating the evolution of the oceanic plates. Zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope, as well as zircon trace element data, from nine sedimentary rock samples from the Kaishantun Accretionary Complex in the easternmost segment of the Jilin-Yanji Suture document a volcanic arc setting in the end-Permian to Middle Triassic (255–244 Ma) involving the addition of juvenile crust. Based on our new data and previous studies, we propose that southwestern-directed subduction of the Jilin-Heilongjiang Ocean dominated the evolution of regional tectonics between 260 Ma and 230 Ma, which resulted in the formation of arc-related volcano-sedimentary rocks and the generation of accretionary complexes within the Jilin-Yanji Suture. The Paleo-Pacific Ocean started to subduct beneath northeastern Eurasia at ca. 235 Ma, which accelerated the closure of the Jilin-Heilongjiang Ocean and provided the major driving force for the final amalgamation of the northeastern North China Craton and the Jiamusi-Khanka Block.
Lipochoristoma: a rare cause of unilateral hearing loss
Authors: Brahmbhatt Krupali , Harieaswar Sreemathi , Das Sudip
Published: October 2024

We present our single-centre experience of two cases of lipochoristoma, a rare lesion causing unilateral hearing loss. Differential diagnoses include the more common vestibular schwannoma, haemangioma and meningioma. Diagnosis was confirmed with fat suppression sequences on MRI. Management of both patients was with serial imaging, under the guidance of neuro-otology multidisciplinary team, due to the slow and typically non-aggressive progression of this lesion.
Rare complications of complete hydatidiform molar pregnancy: the ‘hook effect’ and thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Shearer Amy , Saso Srdjan , Stalder Catriona , Jones Benjamin
Published: October 2024

A multiparous woman in her 40s presented with a positive pregnancy test, vaginal bleeding, abdominal distention and shortness of breath, 8 weeks after her last menstrual period. A serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was reported 900 mIU/ml, and a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) diagnosed a pregnancy of unknown location. The patient deteriorated re-presenting 6 days later with features of thyrotoxicosis. TVUS demonstrated a 198×110×165-mm intrauterine mass with features of a complete hydatidiform mole (CHM), and a serum hCG was reported as 440 mIU/ml. Due to the discrepancy between hCG level and suspicion of CHM, the hCG was thought to be falsely low secondary to the ‘hook effect’. Following appropriate dilution, the hCG was reported as 4 573 344 mIU/mL. She underwent an uncomplicated surgical evacuation of molar pregnancy and was discharged 3 days postoperatively with resolution of her symptoms and follow-up in a regional gestational trophoblastic disease centre.
Development of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy following spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia
Authors: Zhu Qiuyu Martin , Chen Julie M
Published: October 2024

New-onset Takotsubo cardiomyopathy following spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is rare. We report a middle-aged woman without significant cardiovascular risk factors, who initially presented with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with angiography showing sudden ‘pruning’ of the coronary artery consistent with SCAD. One week later, the patient returned with recurrent NSTEMI. Repeat coronary angiogram showed no change in SCAD, but ventriculogram revealed new-onset apical ballooning beyond the SCAD-affected territory, consistent with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Further head-to-pelvis angiogram revealed an irregular beaded appearance of the left vertebral artery consistent with fibromuscular dysplasia. The patient was managed conservatively with aspirin, carvedilol and escitalopram with complete resolution of cardiac and mood symptoms. Our case supports an association between SCAD and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a potentially mutually aggravating process. Clinical vigilance is therefore required to rule out the other condition when one of the two entities is diagnosed.