bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relative performance of geometric morphometrics and linear‐based methods in the taxonomic resolution of a mammalian species complex
Authors: Viacava Pietro , Blomberg Simone P. , Weisbecker Vera
Published: March 2023

Morphology‐based taxonomic research frequently applies linear morphometrics (LMM) in skulls to quantify species distinctions. The choice of which measurements to collect generally relies on the expertise of the investigators or a set of standard measurements, but this practice may ignore less obvious or common discriminatory characteristics. In addition, taxonomic analyses often ignore the potential for subgroups of an otherwise cohesive population to differ in shape purely due to size differences (or allometry). Geometric morphometrics (GMM) is more complicated as an acquisition technique but can offer a more holistic characterization of shape and provides a rigorous toolkit for accounting for allometry. In this study, we used linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to assess the discriminatory performance of four published LMM protocols and a 3D GMM dataset for three clades of antechinus known to differ subtly in shape. We assessed discrimination of raw data (which are frequently used by taxonomists); data with isometry (i.e., overall size) removed; and data after allometric correction (i.e., with nonuniform effects of size removed). When we visualized the principal component analysis (PCA) plots, we found that group discrimination among raw data was high for LMM. However, LMM datasets may inflate PC variance accounted in the first two PCs, relative to GMM. GMM discriminated groups better after isometry and allometry were removed in both PCA and LDA. Although LMM can be a powerful tool to discriminate taxonomic groups, we show that there is substantial risk that this discrimination comes from variation in size, rather than shape. This suggests that taxonomic measurement protocols might benefit from GMM‐based pilot studies, because this offers the option of differentiating allometric and nonallometric shape differences between species, which can then inform on the development of the easier‐to‐apply LMM protocols.
Increased water temperature and turbidity act independently to alter social behavior in guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Allibhai Imranah , Zanghi Costanza , How Martin J. , Ioannou Christos C.
Published: March 2023

Changes in environmental conditions can shift the costs and benefits of aggregation or interfere with the sensory perception of near neighbors. This affects group cohesion with potential impacts on the benefits of collective behavior such as reduced predation risk. Organisms are rarely exposed to one stressor in isolation, yet there are only a few studies exploring the interactions between multiple stressors and their effects on social behavior. Here, we tested the effects of increased water temperature and turbidity on refuge use and three measures of aggregation in guppies (Poecilia reticulata), increasing temperature and turbidity in isolation or in combination. When stressors were elevated in isolation, the distribution of fish within the arena as measured by the index of dispersion became more aggregated at higher temperatures but less aggregated when turbidity was increased. Another measure of cohesion at the global scale, the mean inter‐individual distance, also indicated that fish were less aggregated in turbid water. This is likely due to turbidity acting as a visual constraint, as there was no evidence of a change in risk perception as refuge use was not affected by turbidity. Fish decreased refuge use and were closer to their nearest neighbor at higher temperatures. However, the nearest neighbor distance was not affected by turbidity, suggesting that local‐scale interactions can be robust to the moderate increase in turbidity used here (5 NTU) compared with other studies that show a decline in shoal cohesion at higher turbidity (>100 NTU). We did not observe any significant interaction terms between the two stressors, indicating no synergistic or antagonistic effects. Our study suggests that the effects of environmental stressors on social behavior may be unpredictable and dependent on the metric used to measure cohesion, highlighting the need for mechanistic studies to link behavior to the physiology and sensory effects of environmental stressors.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding from flowers reveals arthropod pollinators, plant pests, parasites, and potential predator–prey interactions while revealing more arthropod diversity than camera traps
Authors: Johnson Mark D. , Katz Aron D. , Davis Mark A. , Tetzlaff Sasha , Edlund David , Tomczyk Sonia , Molano‐Flores Brenda , Wilder Tim , Sperry Jinelle H.
Published: March 2023

Arthropods can strongly impact ecosystems through pollination, herbivory, predation, and parasitism. As such, characterizing arthropod biodiversity is vital to understanding ecosystem health, functions, and services. Emerging environmental DNA (eDNA) methods targeting trace arthropod eDNA left behind on flowers have the potential to track arthropod biodiversity and interactions. The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which eDNA metabarcoding can identify plant‐arthropod and arthropod‐arthropod interactions and assess eDNA metabarcoding compared to conventional sampling. We deployed camera traps to document arthropod activity on specific flowers, sampled eDNA from those same flowers, then performed a metabarcoding analysis that targets a partial fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) to determine all arthropod eDNA present. We found that our eDNA metabarcoding analysis detected small arthropod pollinators, plant pests, and parasites, and shed light on potential predator–prey interactions while detecting 55 species compared to just 21 species from conventional camera trapping. The camera trapping survey, however, detected larger, more conspicuous nectarivores more successfully. We also explored the ecology of residual arthropod eDNA, finding that rainfall had a significant negative effect on the ability to detect residual arthropod eDNA. Preliminary evidence also indicates flower species may impact the amount of arthropod eDNA that can be detected. We found that eDNA metabarcoding can provide clues to potential predator–prey interactions on flowers and highlights the potential insights that can be gained from future eDNA metabarcoding studies. We show that eDNA metabarcoding is a valuable tool for not only detecting pollinator communities but for revealing potential interactions among plants, pollinators, pests, parasites, and predators. Future research should focus on how to improve the detection of large pollinators/nectivores and studying the ecology of residual arthropod eDNA to further explore this method's utility.
Predictive value of global longitudinal strain by left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Medvedofsky Diego , Arany‐Lao‐Kan Genevieve , McNitt Scott , Lang Roberto M. , Tung Roderick , Solomon Scott D. , Merkely Bela , Goldenberg Ilan , Kutyifa Valentina
Published: March 2023

Background

The predictive value of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) to predict outcomes in different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) cohorts is not well known. We aimed to assess the role of LV GLS predicting outcomes in HF patients by LVEF.

Methods

In the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT‐CRT), we studied 1077 patients (59%) with 2D speckle tracking data available, 437 patients with LVEF > 30% and 640 with LVEF ≤ 30%. Baseline LV GLS was stratified in tertiles in both LVEF subgroups. The primary endpoint was ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) or death; the secondary endpoint was heart failure (HF) or death.

Results

In patients with LVEF ≤ 30%, a higher tertile GLS (T3, less contractility) was associated with a higher rate of VT/VF/death (P < 0.001), with similar association in patients with LVEF > 30% (P = 0.057). In patients with LVEF ≤ 30%, a higher tertile GLS was also associated with a higher rate of HF/death. In multivariable models, LV GLS predicted VT/VF or death in the LVEF ≤ 30% subgroup [T1 vs. T2/3 HR = 1.67 (1.16–2.38), P = 0.005], but not in those with LVEF > 30% [T1 vs. T2.3 HR = 1.32 (0.86–2.04), P = 0.21]. LV GLS predicted HF/death in the LVEF ≤ 30% subgroup [T1 vs T2/3 HR = 2.00 (1.30–3.13), P = 0.002], but not in in those with LVEF > 30%.

Conclusions

In this MADIT‐CRT sub‐study, LV GLS identified patients at higher risk of VT/VF, HF/death risk independently of conventional clinical parameters in patients with LVEF ≤ 30%, but not in patients with LVEF > 30%.
Clinical course of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy away from tertiary referral care
Authors: Garmany Ramin , Bos J. Martijn , Ommen Steve R. , Ackerman Michael J. , Geske Jeffrey B.
Published: March 2023

Aims

Data on the clinical course of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are mainly derived from tertiary HCM centre studies, and knowledge of clinical outcomes of patients leaving specialty care and returning to local physicians is limited due to gaps between clinical encounters or complete loss of follow‐up. This survey aims to describe the clinical course of HCM in patients following their evaluation at a tertiary referral centre.

Methods and results

A comprehensive outcomes survey was developed and sent to 4495 eligible patients with HCM previously evaluated at Mayo Clinic. Questions assessed general well‐being, New York Heart Association class, procedures performed, and probable HCM‐triggered ventricular arrhythmic events (VAEs) since last visit. In total, 2058 patients (mean age 63 ± 15 years; 42% female) responded to the survey covering a total of 10 510 patient‐years with an average of 5.4 ± 6.4 years of follow‐up since their last on‐campus/virtual visit to Mayo Clinic. During their time away from specialty care, 20% of patients reported having cardiac‐related hospitalizations and 25% reported having cardiac‐related procedures. Similar to high‐risk referral cohorts, 5% of patients reported VAEs with an event rate of 0.98 events/100 patient‐years. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation, syncope, pre‐syncope, cardiac‐related hospitalizations, and VAEs during time away from specialty care increased significantly with increasing New York Heart Association class (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Acknowledging ascertainment bias, the clinical course of patients away from tertiary care may be more severe than previously anticipated. Among those with exertional symptoms, HCM‐related morbidity increased substantially. Higher risk HCM patients should remain in contact with HCM specialty care.
Let food be thy medicine. The interaction between ketogenic diet therapy and anti‐seizure medications: A systematic review
Authors: Armeno Marisa L. , Kossoff Eric H.
Published: March 2023

Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) is a nonpharmacological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing seizures in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy. As the majority of patients on KDT are also receiving anti‐seizure medications (ASMs), questions about their combination often arise. KDT is typically implemented as an add‐on, and not a substitute for ASMs. Drug monitoring and specific laboratory studies may be helpful in specific cases of cotherapy. Valproate, topiramate, zonisamide, and lamotrigine may be potentially problematic with KDT, but the evidence for this is not conclusive. ASM reduction is usually attempted after 1 month of KDT if a child is showing seizure reduction (but weaning ASMs does not require seizure freedom). Failure to wean an ASM does not mean KDT has failed and adding a new ASM may be beneficial in those cases after several months of KDT fine‐tuning. The purpose of this review was to discuss the evidence for possible negative (or positive) pharmacodynamic interactions between KDT and ASMs. In addition, practical suggestions for the weaning or adding of ASMs in patients on KDT are provided.
Does Activated Carbon Used for Soil Remediation Impact Eisenia fetida?
Authors: Yates Rebecca E. , Arkles Mia E. , Harwood Amanda D.
Published: March 2023

Because granular activated carbon can sequester organic pollutants, a potential strategy for reducing the bioavailability of organic contaminants in soil is through its application to the soil's surface. It is well understood that activated carbon is effective in the remediation of air, water, sediment, and soil, but less information is available on the potential toxicity of activated carbon to native wildlife following in situ remedial applications. Several studies have evaluated the effects of activated carbon on aquatic species; however, less is known about its toxicity to terrestrial species. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential lethal and sublethal effects of activated carbon on adult and juvenile Eisenia fetida, which are earthworms in the family Lumbricidae. The percentage of mortality, initial weight, and pre- and postdepuration weights of the worms were observed following exposure to a range of activated carbon concentrations, from 0.5% to 10% based on the soil's wet weight. These concentrations exceeded the 2%–4% activated carbon typically applied in the field. Activated carbon had no statistically significant effects on E. fetida survival; however, significant although inconsistent effects were observed on earthworm biomass. Although some statistical significance in biomass was observed, the biological significance of these effects is unclear. Overall, the concentrations of activated carbon applied in the field for soil remediation are unlikely to impact earthworm survival, although further testing, specifically on potential sublethal toxic effects, is required. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1420–1430. © 2023 SETAC
A positivity‐preserving Lagrangian discontinuous Galerkin scheme with exact Riemann solver for gas‐water compressible flows
Authors: Wu Wenbin , Liu Na , Huang Chao , Zhang Pan , Liu Moubin
Published: March 2023

In this study, a new cell‐centered Lagrangian discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme is presented to simulate gas‐water compressible flows. The two‐phase flows are governed by the compressible Euler equation with ideal and stiffened gas equations of state. We integrate the Lagrangian DG scheme with the exact gas‐water Riemann solver for calculating the numerical fluxes so that the inherent stiff features of gas‐water compressible flows are well addressed. Furthermore, in order to guarantee the positivity of the density and internal energy during the high Mach number calculation, the positivity‐preserving limiter and strong stability preserving temporal integral are incorporated to ensure the numerical stability. Six numerical examples are tested to show the accuracy, robustness and positivity‐preserving property of the present scheme. It can be found that the present scheme can handle challenging numerical cases involving large density ratio (up to 1000) and strong shock. The results obtained with the typical HLLC flux are also given for comparison and the present scheme with the exact Riemann solver shows higher accuracy, particularly in the presence of large density ratio at the gas‐water interface.
The effect of background liked music on acute pain perception and its neural correlates
Authors: Lu Xuejing , Hou Xin , Zhang Libo , Li Hong , Tu Yiheng , Shi Huqing , Hu Li
Published: March 2023

Music shows tremendous promise in pain relief, especially when considering its non‐pharmacological nature. However, our understanding of the precise mechanisms behind music‐induced analgesia (MIA) remains poor. The positive emotional state induced by music is one of the key components explaining MIA. To test this possibility and reveal its neural correlates, the present study applied nociceptive laser stimuli to 28 healthy participants when their liked or disliked songs were played as background music, or when they were resting in silence. Differences among conditions were quantified by self‐reports of pain intensity and unpleasantness, as well as brain activations in response to acute laser stimuli. As expected, liked music significantly lowered pain ratings to acute painful stimuli compared to disliked music and no music. Consistent with this observation, brain activations in response to acute painful stimuli were deceased within brain areas encoding sensory components of pain, such as the right precentral and postcentral gyri (PreCG/PoCG), brain areas related to affective components of pain, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and bilateral putamen, and brain areas associated with motor control and avoidance reactions to pain, such as the left cerebellum, when liked music was played in the background in comparison to disliked music. Importantly, the relationship between music listening and differences in pain ratings of two music conditions was mediated by the magnitude of right PreCG/PoCG and left cerebellum activations. These findings deepened our understanding of the analgesic benefits of background liked music, a property relevant to clinical applications.
The effect of statin medication on the incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma among betel‐nut chewers
Authors: Huang Chun‐Chi , Chen Wan‐Ming , Shia Ben‐Chang , Chen Mingchih , Wu Szu‐Yuan
Published: March 2023

Background

This study examines the relationship between statin use and oral cancer squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) risk in a cohort of 47 942 betel nut chewers.

Methods

The study used individual 1:1 matching and propensity score matching to compare statin users and nonusers.

Results

The incidence rate of OCSCC was significantly lower in statin users compared to nonusers (17.12 vs. 26.75 per 10 000 person‐years), yielding an incidence rate ratio of 0.64. After adjusting for confounders, statin use was associated with a reduced risk of OCSCC (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.52–0.71). A dose–response relationship was observed, with a significant reduction in OCSCC incidence when the cumulative defined daily dose of statin use was equal to or greater than Q3. The risk of OCSCC was lower among users of both hydrophilic and lipophilic statins.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that statin use is associated with a reduced risk of OCSCC in betel nut chewers.
The role of stably stratified fluid and anisotropy porous medium in modeling fluid flow through an asymmetrically heated/cooled vertical annulus
Authors: Jha Basant K. , Musa Muhammad K. , Ajibade Abiodun O.
Published: March 2023

In this article, the natural convection of stratified fluid driven by the asymmetric heating and cooling of the surfaces of the concentric cylinders filled with an anisotropic porous matrix is investigated. The stratified fluid is confined between the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the outer cylinder while the onset transient natural convection is induced by the asymmetric heat heating/cooling of the inner surface of the outer cylinder while the outer surface of the inner cylinder is maintained at a constant temperature . The present problem is governed by a pair of coupled second‐order partial differential equations. To obtain the expressions for the temperature and velocity fields, the coupled mathematical equations describing the problem are systematically uncoupled such that their original orders remain unaltered. The research established that if the temperature of the outer surface of the inner cylinder equals the temperature of the inner surface of the outer cylinder, a symmetric flow occurs where two maxima velocities are observed close to the surfaces and of the annulus, respectively. Furthermore, for some constraints on certain values of some physical quantities in the flow solutions, the present work excellently compares with the research conducted by Jha and Oni.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks with Rod Yttrium Secondary Building Units
Authors: Zheng Zhiling , Rong Zichao , Iu‐Fan Chen Oscar , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: March 2023

We report a new hydroxamate‐based yttrium MOF, named MOF‐419 [Y(HCOO)(BDH)], with rod‐SBUs. The compound was synthesized employing chelating construction of benzene‐1,4‐hydroxamate (BDH2−) linkers, and the use of formic acid as the modulator was found to be crucial for the formation of rod‐shaped SBUs. MOF‐419 shows permanent porosity and has a BET surface area of 1130 m2/g. Its hydrophobic pore environment and gas sorption properties were demonstrated through the combination of single crystal X‐ray diffraction and nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water sorption experiments. We envision that these results will aid the study and understanding of rod MOFs with chelating linkages.
Relative corporate social performance and cost of equity capital: International evidence
Authors: Lynch Benjamin , O'Hagan‐Luff Martha
Published: March 2023

This research examines the relationship between firms' corporate social performance (CSP) and the implied cost of equity capital using a sample of 25,938 firm‐year observation from 49 countries during the period from 2002 to 2021. Using estimates of the firms' ex ante cost of equity capital, we examine its relationship with industry‐relative measures of the firms' CSP, its environmental and social pillars and sub‐pillars. We find that increased overall CSP reduces a firm's cost of equity capital up until a point, beyond which the marginal benefits of further CSP investment decrease. We find that the social pillar is the main driver of the reductions in cost of capital, in particular, a firm's performance in relation to its workforce, and that higher performance is increasingly rewarded with a lower cost of capital. Finally, we find that this relationship differs depending on the institutional context, with greater reductions in the cost of capital evident in countries with stronger institutional environments.
Multi-Targeting DKK1 and LRP6 Prevents Bone Loss and Improves Fracture Resistance in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Simic Marija K. , Mohanty Sindhu T. , Xiao Ya , Cheng Tegan L. , Taylor Victoria E. , Charlat Olga , Croucher Peter I. , McDonald Michelle M.
Published: March 2023

An imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation underlies the devastating osteolytic lesions and subsequent fractures seen in more than 90% of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Currently, Wnt-targeted therapeutic agents that prevent soluble antagonists of the Wnt signaling pathway, sclerostin (SOST) and dickkopf-1 (DKK1), have been shown to prevent bone loss and improve bone strength in preclinical models of MM. In this study, we show increasing Wnt signaling via a novel anti–low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) antibody, which potentiates Wnt1-class ligand signaling through binding the Wnt receptor LRP6, prevented the development of myeloma-induced bone loss primarily through preventing bone resorption. When combined with an agent targeting the soluble Wnt antagonist DKK1, we showed more robust improvements in bone structure than anti-LRP6 treatment alone. Micro–computed tomography (μCT) analysis demonstrated substantial increases in trabecular bone volume in naïve mice given the anti-LRP6/DKK1 combination treatment strategy compared to control agents. Mice injected with 5TGM1eGFP murine myeloma cells had significant reductions in trabecular bone volume compared to naïve controls. The anti-LRP6/DKK1 combination strategy significantly improved bone volume in 5TGM1-bearing mice by 111%, which was also superior to anti-LRP6 single treatment; with similar bone structural changes observed within L4 lumbar vertebrae. Consequently, this combination strategy significantly improved resistance to fracture in lumbar vertebrae in 5TGM1-bearing mice compared to their controls, providing greater protection against fracture compared to anti-LRP6 antibody alone. Interestingly, these improvements in bone volume were primarily due to reduced bone resorption, with significant reductions in osteoclast numbers and osteoclast surface per bone surface demonstrated in 5TGM1-bearing mice treated with the anti-LRP6/DKK1 combination strategy. Importantly, Wnt stimulation with either single or combined Wnt-targeted agents did not exacerbate tumor activity. This work provides a novel approach of targeting both membrane-bound and soluble Wnt pathway components to provide superior skeletal outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma and other bone destructive cancers. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Quercetin handles cellular oxidant/antioxidant systems and mitigates immunosenescence hallmarks in human PBMCs: An in vitro study
Authors: Bouamama Samia , Bouamama Amina
Published: March 2023

Immunosenescence, oxidative stress, and low vaccine efficacy are important symptoms of aging. The goal of our study was to test if quercetin had antiaging and stimulating effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) immune cells in vitro in the presence of concanavalin a, PBMCs were isolated from healthy elderly and young people and cultured in a complete Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 medium supplemented with quercetin. Cell proliferation was assessed using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay after a 48‐h incubation period. Spectrophotometric assays were used to assess oxidative biomarkers (proteins carbonyl [PC], malondialdehydes [MDA], and reduced glutathione [GSH]). The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method was used to determine the amount of interleukin (IL)‐2 released. A Griess reagent was used to investigate inducible nitrite oxide synthase (iNOS) activity. When compared to young control cells, aged PBMCs had lower proliferation potency, lower IL‐2 and NO release, and higher MDA and PC levels. Importantly, quercetin‐treated aged PBMCs have a high proliferative response comparable to young cells, restored iNOS activity, and increased levels of GSH antioxidant defences. In comparison to untreated aged PBMCs, treated PBMCs have lower lipo‐oxidative damage but higher PC levels. Quercetin may be used as a promising dietary vaccinal adjuvant in the elderly, it has significant effects in reducing immunosenescence hallmarks, as well as mitigating the lipo‐oxidative stress in PBMCs cells.
Sulforaphene targets NLRP3 inflammasome to suppress M1 polarization of macrophages and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ye Qiao , Yan Tingting , Shen Jie , Shi Xianghui , Luo Fang , Ren Yanxia
Published: March 2023

This work aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and target of sulforaphene (LF) in mice with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IFN‐γ were added to induce the M1 polarization of SMG cells, and later cells were pretreated with 5 μM and 15 μM LF. M1 cell proportion was detected by flow cytometry (FCM), inflammatory factors were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and protein levels were analyzed by western blotting (WB) assay. Besides, small molecule‐protein docking and pull‐down assays were carried out to detect the binding of LF to NLRP3. After the knockdown of NLRP3 in SMG cells, the effect of LF was further detected. The RA mouse model was induced with collagen antibody and LPS, after LF intervention, H&E staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in mouse synovial membrane, whereas safranin O‐fast green staining was performed to detect cartilage injury, NLRP3 inflammasome and inflammatory factor levels in tissues. LF suppressed M1 polarization of macrophages, reduced M1 cell proportion and inflammatory factor levels, and suppressed the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. After NLRP3 knockdown, LF did not further suppress the M1 polarization of macrophages. Pull‐down assay suggested that LF bound to NLRP3. As revealed by mouse experimental results, LF inhibited bone injury in mice, decreased M1 cell infiltration and inflammatory response in tissues, and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome expression in tissues. LF targets NLRP3 to suppress the M1 polarization of macrophages and decrease tissue inflammation in RA.
Prospective of pretreatment and anaerobic digestion of dairy cow manure in Fiji
Authors: Nadan Malvin K , Baroutian Saeid
Published: March 2023

The continuing increase in dairy cattle farming poses a significant threat to the environment due to the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) from uncontrolled manure generation. Waste valorisation of dairy cow manure (DCM) through anaerobic digestion (AD) provides an avenue for simultaneously managing DCM and mitigating climate change through renewable energy. This review provides an overview of DCM production and the potential use of the AD processes for waste management and renewable energy generation in Fiji. Fiji dairy farms are geographically unevenly distributed and have considerably small herd sizes. With pretreatment techniques, biogas production from DCM at these farms has the potential to be optimised, economically feasible, and viable. Biogas production from DCM can be enhanced by approximately 125% with pretreatment techniques. Hence, this study reviews various pretreatment methods, their economic and environmental benefits, and AD's general challenges and limitations. This research reveals a need for further investigation into the optimisation of biogas and bio‐methane potential of DCM, specifically with the economic viability and the environmental considerations of implementing these techniques at Fijian dairy farms. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Secondary data analysis of social care records to examine the provision of mental health support for young people in care
Authors: Phillips Alice R. , Halligan Sarah L. , Denne Megan , Hamilton‐Giachritsis Catherine , MacLeod John A. A. , Wilkins David , Hiller Rachel M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Young people in care are much more likely to experience mental health difficulties than the general population, yet little is known about the provision of mental health support for this group in the United Kingdom.

Methods

Using routinely collected social care data, we explored the provision of mental health support for 112 young people in care in the UK. We identified young people experiencing elevated internalising or externalising difficulties in their first year in care (based on strengths and difficulties questionnaire scores) and extracted data on mental health referrals and provision. We generated descriptive statistics relating to provision of mental health support and used regressions to examine predictors of mental health provision, and associations between support and mental health outcomes one and 2 years later.

Results

Eighty‐one percent of the children (n = 79) were referred to mental health services in their first year of being in care. Referrals were usually for emotional or conduct problems. Those with higher externalising symptoms were more likely to be referred than those with higher internalising symptoms (OR = 1.2, (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.38)). Females were more likely to access support than males (OR = 3.82 (95% CI: 1.2, 13.3)). Sixty‐eight percent of children (n = 66) accessed mental health services in their first year of being in care. Of those who accessed services, support ended prematurely for 29 (44%) of them, often due to placement instability or disengagement. Accessing support in the first year of care was not associated with changes in mental health 1 year (OR: 2.14 (95% CI: 0.62,7.29)), or 2 years after entering care (OR: 0.72–8.57, (95% CI: 0.72, 8.57)), although methodological limitations are noted.

Conclusions

Mental health difficulties for children in care are recognised quickly, but mental health support may be difficult to access, with issues evident in retention and engagement.
Alterations in Resting‐State MR Functional Connectivity of the Central Autonomic Network in Multiple System Atrophy and Relationship with Disease Severity
Authors: Lyu Haiying , Zhu Xue , He Naying , Li Qing , Yin Qianyi , Huang Yufei , Yan Fuhua , Liu Jun , Lu Yong
Published: March 2023

Background

The central autonomic network (CAN) plays a critical role in the body's sympathetic and parasympathetic control. However, functional connectivity (FC) changes of the CAN in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) remain unknown.

Purpose

To investigate FC alterations of CAN in MSA patients.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Eighty‐two subjects (47 patients with MSA [44.7% female, 60.5 ± 6.9 years], 35 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls [HC] [57.1% female, 62.5 ± 6.6 years]).

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐T, resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) using gradient echo‐planar imaging (EPI), T1‐weighted three‐dimensional magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient echo (3D MPRAGE) structural MRI.

Assessment

FC alterations were explored by using core modulatory regions of CAN as seeds, including midcingulate cortex, insula, amygdala, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Bartlett factor score (BFS) derived from a factor analysis of clinical assessments on disease severity was used as a grouping factor for moderate MSA (mMSA: BFS < 0) and severe MSA (sMSA: BFS > 0).

Statistical Tests

For FC analysis, the one‐way ANCOVA with cluster‐level family‐wise error correction (statistical significance level of P < 0.025), and post hoc t‐testing with Bonferroni correction or Tamhane's T2 correction (statistical significance level of adjusted‐P < 0.05) were adopted. Correlation was assessed using Pearson correlation or Spearman correlation (statistical significance level of P < 0.05).

Results

Compared with HC, patients with MSA exhibited significant FC aberrances between the CAN and brain areas of sensorimotor control, limbic network, putamen, and cerebellum. For MSA patients, most FC alterations of CAN, especially concerning FC between the right anterior insula and right primary sensorimotor cortices, were found to be significantly correlated with disease severity. FC changes were found to be more significant in sMSA group than in mMSA group when compared with HCs.

Data Conclusion

MSA shows widespread FC changes of CAN, suggesting that abnormal functional integration of CAN may be involved in disease pathogenesis of MSA.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Identification of three medically important mosquito species using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Omucheni Dickson L. , Kaduki Kenneth A. , Mukabana Wolfgang R.
Published: March 2023

Accurate identification of disease vectors is crucial when collecting epidemiological data. In mosquitoes, which transmit diseases like malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, and dengue fever, identification mainly relies on the observation of external morphological features at different life cycle stages. This process is tedious and labor‐intensive. In this paper, the utility of Raman spectroscopy to discriminate and classify three mosquito species, namely,Aedes aegypti,Anopheles gambiae,andCulex quinquefasciatus,is presented. The three species were chosen to represent two subfamilies of medically important mosquitoes, that is, the Anophelinae and the Culicinae. The study is primarily a proof of concept on the potential of Raman spectroscopy in mosquito taxonomy. A dispersive Raman microscope was used to record spectra from the legs (femur and tibia) of fresh anesthetized laboratory‐bred mosquitoes. Broad peaks centered around 1400, 1590, and 2060 cm−1dominated the spectra. These peaks, attributed to cuticular melanin, were important in mosquito discrimination. Variance threshold (VT) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for feature selection and feature extraction, respectively. The extracted features were then used to train and test linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) classifiers. VT/PCA/QDA achieved an overall accuracy of 94%, a sensitivity of 87%, and a specificity of 96%, whereas VT/PCA/LDA attained an accuracy of 85%, a sensitivity of 69%, and a specificity of 90%. The success of these relatively simple classification models on Raman spectroscopy data lays the ground for future development of machine learning models that may include discrimination of cryptic species.
Proanthocyanidins composition in new varieties descended from Monastrell
Authors: Moreno‐Olivares Juan Daniel , Paladines‐Quezada Diego Fernando , Giménez‐Bañón María José , Bleda‐Sánchez Juan Antonio , Cebrián‐Pérez Ana , Gómez‐Martínez José Cayetano , Gil‐Muñoz Rocío
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

The wine sector is constantly evolving, in order to adapt to consumer tastes. The organoleptic characteristics in wines are the main factors to obtain quality wines. Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are responsible in an important way for positive aspects in quality wines, such as body and color stability in red wines, but they are also responsible for sensory characteristics that can be negative for their quality when found in excessive concentrations. One strategy to improve grapevines and wines is to obtain new varieties, so our research institute has been selecting some of them from direct crosses between Monastrell and other considered premium varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

RESULTS

A quantitative analysis in grapes, seeds and wines was carried out during three consecutive seasons (2018, 2019 and 2020) in order to characterize PAs composition and concentration in the following new varieties: MC80 (Monastrell × Cabernet Sauvignon), MC98, MC4, MC18 and MS10 (Monastrell × Syrah). Other aspect to study was the extraction capacity of the different new varieties of PAs during maceration process into must/wine.

CONCLUSION

In general, the results showed higher concentrations in PAs in most crosses for the three seasons studied compared to Monastrell variety. It was remarkable that a higher concentration of epigallocatechin was found in most of the wines elaborated with the crosses, being a positive aspect from an organoleptic point of view, since this compound provides softness to the wines. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Identity‐based bullying and mental health among Black and Latino youth: The moderating role of emotional suppression
Authors: Alvis Lauren , Douglas Robyn D. , Oosterhoff Benjamin , Gaylord‐Harden Noni K. , Kaplow Julie B.
Published: March 2023

The current study examined the prevalence of identity‐based bullying, the unique links between identity‐based bullying and mental health (i.e., depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS]), and emotional suppression as a potential moderator of these links. Participants were 899 clinic‐referred Black and Latino youth aged 7–18 years (M= 13.37 years,SD= 2.75, 60.8% female). Regression analyses indicated youth who experienced identity‐based bullying victimization reported worse depressive symptoms and PTSS, controlling for co‐occurring trauma exposure and demographic characteristics. We did not find evidence that emotional suppression moderated these associations. The findings highlight the potentially traumatic nature of identity‐based bullying victimization in treatment‐seeking Black and Latino youth and speak to the need for identity‐based bullying risk screening.
Kinetic modeling and isotherm approach for biosorptive removal of hexavalent chromium using heat inactivated fungal biomass
Authors: Das Sasmita , Behera Bikash Chandra , Mohapatra Ranjan Kumar , Pradhan Biswaranjan , Sudarshan Mathummal , Chakraborty Anindita , Thatoi Hrudayanath
Published: March 2023

Two highly Cr (VI) resistant fungal strains, CSF‐1 and CSF‐2, were isolated and identified as Cladosporium sp. and Penicillium sp., respectively, using 18S rRNA gene sequencing. At optimized growth conditions, the dead biomass of Cladosporium sp. and Penicillium sp. has removed more than 99% of the supplemented Cr(VI). The kinetic study outcomes evidenced that the present fungal Cr(VI) biosorption is best fitting with the pseudo‐first‐order model with higher R2 values (i.e., 0.70–0.95) than that of the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model (R2 = 0.02–0.73). After analyzing the R2 values, it was observed that the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models best fit the Cr(VI) biosorption employing fungal biomass.
Genome‐wide association study of tuberculosis in the western Chinese Han and Tibetan population
Authors: Bai Hao , Song Mengyuan , Lei Shikun , Jiao Lin , Hu Xuejiao , Wu Tao , Song Jiajia , Liu Tangyuheng , Peng Wu , Zhao Zhenzhen , Meng Zirui , Ying Binwu
Published: March 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious global public health threat. Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that human susceptibility to TB has a strong genetic basis. And different susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have been reported in different studies. To gain greater insight into the host susceptibility to TB, we perform a two‐stage genome‐wide association study to identify the susceptible loci of TB. In the discovery stage, 3116 (1532 TB patients and 1584 healthy controls) and 439 (211 TB patients and 228 healthy controls) individuals were genome‐wide genotyped from a western Chinese Han and Tibetan population, respectively. Based on the additive genetic model, we discovered 14 and three independent loci that had potential associations with TB susceptibility in the Chinese Han and Tibetan populations, respectively (p < 1 × 10−5). Furthermore, we conducted an imputation‐based meta‐analysis on another two East Asia cohorts to replicate our findings. We identified one independent locus harbored by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes that was genome‐wide significantly associated with TB (lead SNP rs111875628 with a p‐value of 2.20 × 10−9). Our findings suggest a novel mechanism of the interaction with the HLA class II genes and reinforce the importance of the HLA class II alleles in response to TB.
Germline mutations in homologous recombination repair genes among Chinese pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients detected using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Jiang Huiqin , Huang Fei , Chen Xinning , Zhang Li , Shen Minna , Pan Baishen , Wang Beili , Guo Wei
Published: March 2023

Background

Genetic testing for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients is in constant development. However, the status of homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes in unselected Chinese PDAC has not been fully explored. This study aims to characterize the profile of germline mutations in HRR genes in Chinese PDAC patients.

Methods

A cohort of 256 PDAC patients were enrolled at Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University between 2019 and 2021. Germline DNA was analyzed by next‐generation sequencing using a multigene panel of the 21 HRR genes.

Results

The germline pathogenic (P)/likely pathogenic (LP) variant rates were 7.0% (18/256) in unselected patients with pancreatic cancer. Among them, 1.6% (4/256) were identified as harboring BRCA2 variants, and 5.5% (14/256) patients carried non‐BRCA variants. Variants were detected in eight non‐BRCA genes, including ATM (4, 1.6%), PALB2 (4, 1.6%), ATR (1, 0.4%), BRIP1 (1, 0.4%), CHEK2 (1, 0.4%), MRE11 (1, 0.4%), PTEN (1, 0.4%), and STK11 (1, 0.4%). ATM, BRCA2, and PALB2 were the most prevalent variant genes. If only BRCA1/2 was tested, 5.5% of P/LP variants would have been lost. Further, we found that the landscape of P/LP HRR variants in various population cohorts was quite different. However, no significant difference was found in clinical characteristics between germline HRR P/LP carriers and non‐carriers. In our study, one case carrying a germline PALB2 variant showed a long‐time response to platinum‐based chemotherapy and PARP inhibitor.

Conclusion

This study comprehensively depicts the prevalence and characteristics of germline HRR mutations in unselected Chinese PDAC patients. Our findings show the clinical utility of a multigene panel may increase the detection of P/LP HRR carriers.
Dietary Dityrosine Induces Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial‐Lipid Imbalance in Mouse Liver via MiR‐144‐3p‐Mediated Downregulation of Nrf2
Authors: Tang Xue , Zeng Fanhang , Wang Jun , Lyu Yipin , Yu Renqiang , Lu Naiyan , Zhou Zhou , Chen Ailing
Published: March 2023

Scope

Dityrosine (DT) is a protein oxidation marker present in many high‐protein foods, such as dairy and meat products. Chronic dietary intake of DT induces oxidative stress damage in the liver and impairs energy metabolism. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of DT on disrupted hepatic energy metabolism.

Methods and results

The study investigates hepatic lipid accumulation, redox status imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and energy metabolism disorders in 4‐week‐old C57BL/6J mice after 35 days of DT (420 µg kg−1body weight) treatment. Transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real‐time PCR in HepG2 cells show that DT mainly acted via miR‐144‐3p. miR‐144‐3p targets immune responsive gene 1 (IRG1) and decreases the fumaric acid level in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, thereby decreasing nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and antioxidant activity.

Conclusion

Administration of lycopene, a strong antioxidant, alleviates DT‐induced damage in mice, confirming the involvement of theNrf2pathway in DT‐induced abnormal hepatic lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis.
Encapsulation of Origanum onites essential oil with different wall material using spray drying
Authors: Balci‐Torun Ferhan
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Origanum onites has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties due to its essential oil. The fact that these oils are sensitive to environmental conditions causes the need for advanced processing technologies.

Objective

This study was aimed to encapsulate essential oil of O. onites by spray drying to extend its shelf life.

Methods

Spray drying was used to encapsulate the essential oil of O. onites, which was then mixed with maltodextrin, arabic gum, and β‐cyclodextrin using response surface methodology. After 60 days of storage, aroma analysis was performed on the essential oil of O. onites and the essential oil powder that was produced under ideal conditions.

Results

O. onites essential oil powder was subjected to GC‐MS analysis to identify 72 aroma components. Carvacrol and linalool concentrations varied from 22.66 to 30.11 mg/g and from 32.25 to 53.57 mg/g, respectively. The spray‐dried microcapsules' D4.3 values ranged from 40.75 to 48.95 μm. For every trial, the drying yield and solubility values were higher than 60% and 90%, respectively. The results of the surface optimization showed that the ideal inlet air temperature was 190°C and the ideal concentration of β‐cyclodextrin in the wall material was 1%.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that O. onites essential oil was successfully encapsulated via spray drying. The preservation of critical aroma compounds in the resulting capsules is high.
Three‐dimensional magnetic resonance elastography in chronic liver disease
Authors: Li Chunli , Zhu He , Wang Yan , Gu Ye , Shi Yu
Published: March 2023

Chronic liver disease (CLD) has become a major health problem worldwide owing to its increased morbidity and mortality. Evaluation of the degree of liver injury is crucial for the clinical management and treatment of CLD patients. In the current clinical practice, liver biopsy with histological analysis is the clinical standard for assessing the degree of CLD injury. However, liver biopsy is an invasive procedure that is limited by sampling errors and interobserver variability and is insufficient for screening and monitoring. Advanced three‐dimensional magnetic resonance elastography (3D MRE) is a simple, fast, safe, and noninvasive technology. This offers comprehensive insight into increased liver stiffness beyond stage‐specific fibrosis. This technology exhibits considerable potential for comprehensively and simultaneously assessing early necroinflammation, discriminating necroinflammation from fibrosis, detecting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis severity, predicting cirrhosis complications, and identifying tumor recurrence. Nevertheless, the clinical application and promotion of this technology are currently required in China. 3D MRE should evolve towards better clinical convenience and satisfaction to provide an imaging basis to improve treatment selection in CLD patients and facilitate its widespread use.