bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of aging and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor signaling in expression of base excision repair genes in the human brain
Authors: Lautrup Sofie , Myrup Holst Camilla , Yde Anne , Asmussen Stine , Thinggaard Vibeke , Larsen Knud , Laursen Lisbeth Schmidt , Richner Mette , Vægter Christian B. , Prieto G. Aleph , Berchtold Nicole , Cotman Carl W. , Stevnsner Tinna
Published: June 2023

DNA damage is a central contributor to the aging process. In the brain, a major threat to the DNA is the considerable amount of reactive oxygen species produced, which can inflict oxidative DNA damage. This type of damage is removed by the base excision repair (BER) pathway, an essential DNA repair mechanism, which contributes to genome stability in the brain. Despite the crucial role of the BER pathway, insights into how this pathway is affected by aging in the human brain and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are very limited. By microarray analysis of four cortical brain regions from humans aged 20–99 years (n = 57), we show that the expression of core BER genes is largely downregulated during aging across brain regions. Moreover, we find that expression of many BER genes correlates positively with the expression of the neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the human brain. In line with this, we identify binding sites for the BDNF‐activated transcription factor, cyclic‐AMP response element‐binding protein (CREB), in the promoter of most BER genes and confirm the ability of BDNF to regulate several BER genes by BDNF treatment of mouse primary hippocampal neurons. Together, these findings uncover the transcriptional landscape of BER genes during aging of the brain and suggest BDNF as an important regulator of BER in the human brain.
Postoperative buprenorphine continuation in stabilized buprenorphine patients: A population cohort study
Authors: Hauck Tanya S. , Ladha Karim S. , Le Foll Bernard , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Kurdyak Paul
Published: June 2023

Background and Aims

Sudden discontinuation of buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorder can increase the risk of subsequent relapse and overdose. Little is known about buprenorphine use in the perioperative period. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of buprenorphine continuation after hospital discharge following surgery and factors associated with continuation.

Design

A population‐based retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative data from Ontario, Canada, between 2012 and 2018. The cohort included individuals on continuous buprenorphine prior to surgery. Logistic regression modeling was used to estimate the association of buprenorphine continuation with demographic, opioid agonist treatment, surgical and health service use factors.

Setting

Administrative databases from Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) were used, which capture the Ontario, Canada, population. The data sets describe physician billing, monitoring of controlled substances and hospital discharges.

Participants

Adults (≥ 18 years, n = 2176) had received a buprenorphine/naloxone product continuously for at least 60 days for the treatment of opioid use disorder and subsequently underwent a surgical procedure.

Measurements

Continuation (versus discontinuation) of buprenorphine prescriptions in the 14 days after surgical discharge was recommended. Exposures included demographic, comorbidity, opioid agonist treatment, surgical and health service use characteristics.

Findings

About 176 (8.1%) of the 2176 patients discontinued buprenorphine after surgery. Inpatient surgery (versus ambulatory) was associated with reduced odds of continuation, with an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.17 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.12–0.25] and an adjusted OR of 0.16 (95% CI = 0.11–0.23) after accounting for age, sex, rural residence, neighborhood income quintile, Charlson comorbidity index, psychiatric hospitalizations in the past 5 years and recent dispensed supply of buprenorphine (number needed to harm of 6.6).

Conclusions

In Ontario, Canada, from 2012 to 2018, most patients receiving continuous preoperative buprenorphine therapy continued buprenorphine use after surgery. Inpatient surgery was a strong predictor of discontinuation compared with ambulatory procedures.
A European‐Japanese study on peach allergy: IgE to Pru p 7 associates with severity
Authors: Kallen E. J. J. , Revers A. , Fernández‐Rivas M. , Asero R. , Ballmer‐Weber B. , Barreales L. , Belohlavkova S. , de Blay F. , Clausen M. , Dubakiene R. , Ebisawa M. , Fernández‐Perez C. , Fritsche P. , Fukutomi Y. , Gislason D. , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber K. , Jedrzejczak‐Czechowicz M. , Knulst A. C. , Kowalski M. L. , Kralimarkova T. , Lidholm J. , Metzler C. , Mills E. N. C. , Papadopoulos N. G. , Popov T. A. , Purohit A. , Reig I. , Seneviratne S. L. , Sinaniotis A. , Takei M. , Versteeg S. A. , Vassilopoulou A. E. , Vieths S. , Welsing P. M. J. , Zwinderman A. H. , Le T. M. , Van Ree R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Pru p 3 and Pru p 7 have been implicated as risk factors for severe peach allergy. This study aimed to establish sensitization patterns to five peach components across Europe and in Japan, to explore their relation to pollen and foods and to predict symptom severity.

Methods

In twelve European (EuroPrevall project) and one Japanese outpatient clinic, a standardized clinical evaluation was conducted in 1231 patients who reported symptoms to peach and/or were sensitized to peach. Specific IgE against Pru p 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 and against Cup s 7 was measured in 474 of them. Univariable and multivariable Lasso regression was applied to identify combinations of parameters predicting severity.

Results

Sensitization to Pru p 3 dominated in Southern Europe but was also quite common in Northern and Central Europe. Sensitization to Pru p 7 was low and variable in the European centers but very dominant in Japan. Severity could be predicted by a model combining age of onset of peach allergy, probable mugwort, Parietaria pollen and latex allergy, and sensitization to Japanese cedar pollen, Pru p 4 and Pru p 7 which resulted in an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI 0.73–0.74). Pru p 3 tended to be a risk factor in South Europe only.

Conclusions

Pru p 7 was confirmed as a significant risk factor for severe peach allergy in Europe and Japan. Combining outcomes from clinical and demographic background with serology resulted in a model that could better predict severity than CRD alone.
Reconstructing complex peripatellar defects using the descending genicular artery perforator flap
Authors: Hsieh Yun‐Huan , Kalmin Doran , Motoroko Maitumelo Imeldah , Morsi Mohammed , Morsi Adel
Published: June 2023

Background

Complex peripatellar defects are commonly reconstructed with free flaps or pedicled muscle flaps, whereas pedicled fasciocutaneous perforator flaps are commonly overlooked. The descending genicular artery perforator (DGAP) flap is a versatile flap that offers thin and pliable tissue that provides ideal ‘like with like’ peripatellar soft tissue defect reconstruction. This paper aims to demonstrate the safe use of a pedicled fasciocutaneous DGAP flap for extensive traumatic peripatellar defect reconstructions and to exhibit the surgical pearls via a case series.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive complex peripatellar reconstructions with DGAP flaps was conducted from January 2011 to December 2018. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, aetiology/size/and location of the defects were reviewed. Flap, donor site, and overall surgical outcomes were clinically assessed and documented. Descriptive statistics were conducted and analysed by IBM SPSS Statistics 23.

Results

Five consecutive cases with complex peripatellar defects (5 × 8 to 8 × 10 cm) were recruited. Two were males, and three were females, with a mean age of 38.4 years. Four were trauma, and one was an oncological case. Descending genicular artery (DGA) perforators and DGA terminal branches were consistent. One patient needed a split‐thickness skin graft to reconstruct the secondary defects. All the flaps survived with an average follow‐up of 24 months.

Conclusion

The DGAP flap provides a reliable alternative to free flap for the large, complex peripatellar defect. With the inclusion of the proximal long saphenous vein and judicious selection of DGA perforators and its terminal branches, the DGAP flap can be harvested and used safely in the high‐velocity impacted knee.
Parents who spent more hours in intensive care units with their low birthweight newborn infant did not achieve autonomous care faster
Authors: Piris‐Borregas Salvador , Bellón‐Vaquerizo Beatriz , Muñoz‐López Olga , Cuadrado‐Obregón Natalia , Melchor‐Muñoz Patricia , Niño‐Díaz Lidia , González‐Mora Francisco Javier , Barroso‐Santiago María , Martín‐Arriscado Cristina , Pallás‐Alonso Carmen Rosa
Published: June 2023

Aim

We examined the correlation between how long it took the parents of very low birthweight infants, born weighing up to 1500 g, to provide different kinds of autonomous care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

This prospective observational was conducted in the NICU of a Spanish hospital from 10 January 2020 to 3 May 2022. The unit had 11 beds single‐family rooms and provided eight beds in an open bay room. The study examined breastfeeding, patient safety, participation in rounds, pain prevention and cleanliness.

Results

We studied 96 patients and their parents and there was no correlation between any type of care and the time it took parents to provide it autonomously. Parents in the single‐family room cohort spent a median of 9.5 h per day between them in the NICU, while the parents in the open bay room spent 7.0 h with their infants (p = 0.03). However, parents in the single‐family room group were able to recognise pain faster (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Parents in single‐family rooms spent more time in the NICU and recognised pain faster but did not achieve autonomous care faster than parents in the open bay group.
Long‐term clinical outcomes of aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease: Real‐world data from an adult asthma cohort
Authors: Lee Youngsoo , Kim Chungsoo , Lee Eunyoung , Lee Hyun Young , Woo Seong‐Dae , You Seng Chan , Park Rae Woong , Park Hae‐Sim
Published: June 2023

Background

Aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a phenotype of severe asthma, but its disease course has not been well documented compared with that of aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA).

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the long‐term clinical outcomes between AERD and ATA.

Methods

AERD patients were identified by the diagnostic code and positive bronchoprovocation test in a real‐world database. Longitudinal changes in lung function, blood eosinophil/neutrophil counts, and annual numbers of severe asthma exacerbations (AEx) were compared between the AERD and the ATA groups. Within a year after baseline, two or more severe AEx events indicated severe AERD, whereas less than two AEx events indicated nonsevere AERD.

Results

Among asthmatics, 353 had AERD in which 166 and 187 patients had severe and nonsevere AERD, respectively, and 717 had ATA. AERD patients had significantly lower FEV1%, higher blood neutrophil counts, and higher sputum eosinophils (%) (all p < .05) as well as higher levels of urinary LTE4 and serum periostin, and lower levels of serum myeloperoxidase and surfactant protein D (all p < .01) than those with ATA. In a 10‐year follow‐up, the severe AERD group maintained lower FEV1% with more severe AEs than the nonsevere AERD group.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

We demonstrated that AERD patients presented poorer long‐term clinical outcomes than ATA patients in real‐world data analyses.
The Tree(s) of Hope and Ambition: An arts‐based social science informed, participatory research method to explore children's future hopes, ambitions and support in relation to COVID‐19
Authors: Williams Sara , McEwen Lindsey Jo , Gorell Barnes Luci , Deave Toity , Webber Amanda , Jones Verity , Fogg‐Rogers Laura , Gopinath Deepak , Hobbs Laura
Published: June 2023

This paper offers a new child‐centred methodology that explores children's visions of their futures, encourages self‐reflection and depth and shares children's voices with peers and researchers, as unbrokered as possible. This final stage of a longitudinal, arts‐based, social science‐informed project was delivered by partnering with schools in socially disadvantaged areas of Bristol, a UK city. Our two‐phase activity used a Tree metaphor to explore children's hopes, ambitions and support, looking forward to recovery from the COVID‐19 pandemic. The analysis combined multi‐disciplinary thematic and visual‐narrative analysis, and revealed diversity, intersection and individuality in themes that scaled out from the child and their family over different timescales. Themes included emotion (concerns; empathy), experiences (happenings, resources skills; aspirations) and relationships, linked to their recent experiences of COVID‐19 mitigation. The paper reflects critically on children's and researchers' positionality, and the complexities involved in developing research methods that encourage children's autonomy, agency and authenticity.
Accounting for the role of investment frictions in recessions
Authors: del Río Fernando , Lores Francisco‐Xavier
Published: June 2023

Our business cycle accounting exercise reveals that both capital and investment efficiency declines played a prominent role in accounting for the output downturn during the US Great Recession. The evidence indicates that an increase in firms' investment costs may have played a substantial role during the US Great Recession, consistent with business cycle models in which firms face financial frictions. The negligible role played by the total factor productivity decline in accounting for the output downturn during the US Great Recession found by previous works can be explained by the movement in opposite directions of both labour and capital efficiency. However, we find that labour efficiency falling was the main force driving output downturn in the 1982 recession and the euro area Great Recession.
Conceptualizing a Practical Discourse Survey Instrument for Assessing Communicative Agency and Rational Trust in Educational Policymaking
Authors: Kelly Darron
Published: June 2023

How might a theory of communicative rationality be applied to policymaking to secure the morally justifiable administration of public education? In answer, Darron Kelly uses conceptual resources found in Habermasian practical discourse to outline development of a survey instrument. The survey is designed to measure constituent satisfaction with actual conditions of educational policymaking. To do this, the survey operationalizes and quantifies the epistemic conditions of inclusion, participation, truthfulness, and noncoercion. Once captured, analysis of these conditions in actual cases of policymaking further provides for assessment of the degree of communicative agency and rational trust experienced by educational constituents. The instrument, as such, offers a standard gauge of the higher‐level intersubjectivity of institutional communication in education — a necessary measure for constructing morally justifiable policies.
Basal ganglia ischaemic infarction after thrombectomy: cognitive impairment at acute stage
Authors: Guglielmi Valeria , Quaranta Davide , Masone Iacobucci Giovanna , Citro Salvatore , Scala Irene , Genovese Danilo , Brunetti Valerio , Marra Camillo , Calabresi Paolo , Della Marca Giacomo
Published: June 2023

Background and purpose

After successful mechanical thrombectomy for middle cerebral artery occlusion, basal ganglia infarction is commonly detectable. Whilst the functional outcome of these patients is often good, less knowledge is available about the cognitive outcome. The aim of our study was to assess the presence of cognitive impairment within 1 week after thrombectomy.

Methods

In all, 43 subjects underwent a general cognitive assessment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and an extensive battery of tests. Patients were classified as cognitively impaired (CImp) or not (noCImp) according to a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score below 18.

Results

Cognitively impaired and noCImp subjects did not differ either in their National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at admittance, or in their Fazekas score and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score. At discharge, CImp subjects showed higher scores than noCImp subjects on NIHSS (p = 0.002) and mRS (p < 0.001). The percentage of pathological performances on each neuropsychological test in the whole sample and in CImp and noCImp patients shows a similar cognitive profile between the groups.

Conclusions

Some patients who underwent thrombectomy experienced a detectable cognitive impairment that probably led to worse NIHSS and mRS. The neuropsychological profile of such cognitive impairment at the acute stage consists of wide deficits in numerous cognitive domains, suggesting that basal ganglia damage may lead to complex functional impairments.
A CRISPR/Cas9‐based multicopy integration system for protein production in Aspergillus niger
Authors: Arentshorst Mark , Kooloth Valappil Prajeesh , Mózsik László , Regensburg‐Tuïnk Tonny J. G. , Seekles Sjoerd J. , Tjallinks Gwen , Fraaije Marco W. , Visser Jaap , Ram Arthur F. J.
Published: June 2023

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger is well known for its high protein secretion capacity and a preferred host for homologous and heterologous protein production. To improve the protein production capacity of A. niger even further, a set of dedicated protein production strains was made containing up to 10 glucoamylase landing sites (GLSs) at predetermined sites in the genome. These GLSs replace genes encoding enzymes abundantly present or encoding unwanted functions. Each GLS contains the promotor and terminator region of the glucoamylase gene (glaA), one of the highest expressed genes in A. niger. Integrating multiple gene copies, often realized by random integration, is known to boost protein production yields. In our approach the GLSs allow for rapid targeted gene replacement using CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing. By introducing the same or different unique DNA sequences (dubbed KORE sequences) in each GLS and designing Cas9‐compatible single guide RNAs, one is able to select at which GLS integration of a target gene occurs. In this way a set of identical strains with different copy numbers of the gene of interest can be easily and rapidly made to compare protein production levels. As an illustration of its potential, we successfully used the expression platform to generate multicopy A. niger strains producing the Penicillium expansum PatE::6xHis protein catalysing the final step in patulin biosynthesis. The A. niger strain expressing 10 copies of the patE::6xHis expression cassette produced about 70 μg·mL−1 PatE protein in the culture medium with a purity just under 90%.
Permafrost thaw induces short‐term increase in vegetation productivity in northwestern Canada
Authors: Ogden Emily L. , Cumming Steven G. , Smith Sharon L. , Turetsky Merritt R. , Baltzer Jennifer L.
Published: June 2023

Over the past several decades, various trends in vegetation productivity, from increases to decreases, have been observed throughout Arctic–Boreal ecosystems. While some of this variation can be explained by recent climate warming and increased disturbance, very little is known about the impacts of permafrost thaw on productivity across diverse vegetation communities. Active layer thickness data from 135 permafrost monitoring sites along a 10° latitudinal transect of the Northwest Territories, Canada, paired with a Landsat time series of normalized difference vegetation index from 1984 to 2019, were used to quantify the impacts of changing permafrost conditions on vegetation productivity. We found that active layer thickness contributed to the observed variation in vegetation productivity in recent decades in the northwestern Arctic–Boreal, with the highest rates of greening occurring at sites where the near‐surface permafrost recently had thawed. However, the greening associated with permafrost thaw was not sustained after prolonged periods of thaw and appeared to diminish after the thaw front extended outside the plants' rooting zone. Highest rates of greening were found at the mid‐transect sites, between 62.4° N and 65.2° N, suggesting that more southernly sites may have already surpassed the period of beneficial permafrost thaw, while more northern sites may have yet to reach a level of thaw that supports enhanced vegetation productivity. These results indicate that the response of vegetation productivity to permafrost thaw is highly dependent on the extent of active layer thickening and that increases in productivity may not continue in the coming decades.
Increasing riverine export of dissolved organic carbon from China
Authors: Yan Yanzi , Lauerwald Ronny , Wang Xuhui , Regnier Pierre , Ciais Philippe , Ran Lishan , Gao Yuanyi , Huang Ling , Zhang Yao , Duan Zheng , Papa Fabrice , Yu Bing , Piao Shilong
Published: June 2023

River transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to the ocean is a crucial but poorly quantified regional carbon cycle component. Large uncertainties remaining on the riverine DOC export from China, as well as its trend and drivers of change, have challenged the reconciliation between atmosphere‐based and land‐based estimates of China's land carbon sink. Here, we harmonized a large database of riverine in‐situ measurements and applied a random forest model, to quantify riverine DOC fluxes (FDOC) and DOC concentrations (CDOC) in rivers across China. This study proposes the first DOC modeling effort capable of reproducing well the magnitude of riverine CDOC and FDOC, as well as its trends, on a monthly scale and with a much wider spatial distribution over China compared to previous studies that mainly focused on annual‐scale estimates and large rivers. Results show that over the period 2001–2015, the average CDOC was 2.25 ± 0.45 mg/L and average FDOC was 4.04 ± 1.02 Tg/year. Simultaneously, we found a significant increase in FDOC (+0.044 Tg/year2, p = .01), but little change in CDOC (−0.001 mg/L/year, p > .10). Although the trend in CDOC is not significant at the country scale, it is significantly increasing in the Yangtze River Basin and Huaihe River Basin (0.005 and 0.013 mg/L/year, p < .05) while significantly decreasing in the Yellow River Basin and Southwest Rivers Basin (−0.043 and −0.014 mg/L/year, p = .01). Changes in hydrology, play a stronger role than direct impacts of anthropogenic activities in determining the spatio‐temporal variability of FDOC and CDOC across China. However, and in contrast with other basins, the significant increase in CDOC in the Yangtze River Basin and Huaihe River Basin is attributable to direct anthropogenic activities. Given the dominance of hydrology in driving FDOC, the increase in FDOC is likely to continue under the projected increase in river discharge over China resulting from a future wetter climate.
Haemophilia joint health score (HJHS) usage, patterns and outcome data in patients with haemophilia A and haemophilia B in Australia: A descriptive study using the Australian Bleeding Disorders Registry (ABDR)
Authors: George Carly , Parikh Sumit , Carter Tina , Morris Alison , Cramey Cameron , Mcelroy Kymberley , Tran Huyen
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Assessment of joint health is an essential component of haemophilia management. A variety of clinical tools have been developed to standardise this assessment process. One such tool, the Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS), is embedded for use within the Australian Bleeding Disorders Registry (ABDR). This provides a unique opportunity to analyse patterns of tool usage as well as associations between scores, demographics and clinical outcome factors.

Aims

To characterise clinician practices regarding use of HJHS in routine clinical assessment of persons with haemophilia (PWH), to examine relationships between HJHS, and age, inhibitor status and body mass index (BMI), and to identify potential barriers to HJHS tool usage.

Methods

A national, retrospective study was conducted using data extracted from the ABDR between 2014 and 2020, complemented by a qualitative questionnaire exploring haemophilia treatment centre (HTC) structure, resourcing and clinician perspectives about HJHS.

Results

28.1% (622/2220) of PWH had at least one HJHS recorded in the ABDR during the defined study period (546 haemophilia A, 76 haemophilia B). HJHS were recorded more in children than adults and performed more in severe than non‐severe haemophilia. Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant association of age, severity and inhibitor status with HJHS. No association was identified between BMI and HJHS. Qualitative surveys revealed significant variation in physiotherapy funding, availability and methods of tool use between HTCs.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into joint health assessment in Australia. It improved our understanding of factors influencing long‐term joint outcomes. Practical limitations of HJHS tool were also discussed.
The experiences of psychiatric patients, their caregivers and companions in upholding patient dignity during hospitalization: A qualitative study
Authors: Shojaei Amirahmad , Raziani Yosra , Bernstein Colleen , Asgari Ali , Alazmani‐Noodeh Farshid , Arab Mohammadreza , Ranjbar Hadi
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The quality of care and patient satisfaction is closely linked with dignity, which is a crucial component of therapy and care. However, there is very little study on dignity in the context of mental health care. Planning for ongoing patient care might benefit from an understanding of the notion of dignity by exploring the experiences of patients, caregivers and companions of patients who have a history of hospitalization in mental health institutions. To retain patients' dignity while they were being treated in mental wards, this study sought to understand the experiences of patients, caregivers and companions of patients.

Materials and Methods

This investigation was qualitative. Semistructured interviews and focus groups were utilized to collect the data. The purposeful sampling method was employed for participant recruitment, which continued until data saturation. Two focus group discussions and 27 interviews were conducted. Participants included 8 patients, 2 patients' family members (companions), 3 psychologists, 4 nurses and 11 psychiatrists. Two focus group discussions were held with seven family members or companions of patients. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.

Results

The primary theme that emerged was the infringement of patients' dignity, through negative guardianship, dehumanization and violations of their rights. Subthemes included dehumanization, worthlessness and namelessness, patient rights violations and stripping patients of authority.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that, regardless of the severity of the illness, the nature of psychiatric illness significantly compromises patients' dignity. Mental health practitioners, due to their sense of guardianship, may unintentionally treat patients with mental health disorders, thus compromising the patient's dignity.

Patient or Public Contribution

The research team's experiences as a psychiatrist, doctor and nurse informed the study's objectives. Nurses and psychiatrists who work in the healthcare industry designed and conducted the study. The primary authors, who are healthcare providers, collected and analysed the required data. Furthermore, the entire study team contributed to the writing of the manuscript. Study participants were involved in the data collection and analysis.
ON FUTURES AND ENDINGS: NARRATOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON CONTEMPORARY FORMS OF CRISES*
Authors: FUCHS ANNE
Published: June 2023

The article examines the changing relationship of the present to the future from a narratological perspective. It argues that three dominant narrative schemas structure the contemporary experiences of temporality in the Western social imaginary: the modern crisis narrative, the apocalyptic narrative, and the chronic crisis narrative. In its first part, the article shows how the modern sense of crisis, which emerged in the late eighteenth century, sedimented into a powerful narrative template by knitting together the past, the present, and the future into a unified plot. The second part focuses on the resurgence of apocalyptic stories in the Western social imaginary and humanities discourse. The final part highlights the special contribution of aesthetics of precariousness to the Western imaginary of time and temporality. It argues that the “chronic crisis narrative” deflates the teleological narrative arc of the modern crisis paradigm while also shunning the end‐time discourse of the apocalyptic narrative.
Asymmetric responses by bees and aculeate wasps to dune stabilisation across the southern Canadian prairies
Authors: Onuferko Thomas M. , Buck Matthias , Gibbs Jason , Sokoloff Paul C.
Published: June 2023

Inland sand dunes in the Great Plains of North America provide refuge for a variety of psammophilous (i.e., sand‐loving) organisms but are threatened by vegetative stabilisation. In a cross‐sectional study, we analysed the effects of dune stabilisation on wild bees and stinging wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata)—which comprise some of the most diverse assemblages of dune‐dwelling arthropods—at 13 sites across the southern Canadian prairies.

We did not detect changes in overall taxonomic richness with increased stabilisation, with comparable numbers of bee and aculeate wasp species/morphospecies observed among dunes at different stages of stabilisation. However, abundances of species of wasps identified as dune specialists decreased with increased stabilisation.

Bees and aculeate wasps responded nonlinearly to the percent of plant cover on dunes dominated by grasses (Poales: Poaceae), whereas abundance and richness were generally high on dunes where the dominant plant was dune scurfpea (Fabales: Fabaceae). Thus, the extent to which these plants cover a particular dune can be indicative of the numbers of individuals and types of aculeate species it can sustain.

Overall, differences in aculeate community composition between dune sites were better explained by proximity of sites to one another than stabilisation level, reflecting the large spatial scale at which the dunes were surveyed (i.e., within a 50,350 km2 area).

Bees and aculeate wasps, especially open sand specialist species, serve as a promising tool for monitoring the effects of dune stabilisation. This study provides a crucial reference point and methodology for future assessments of dune‐inhabiting aculeates in these unique inland dune systems.
A multidimensional study on population size, deadwood relationship and allometric variation of Lucanus cervus through citizen science
Authors: Giannetti Daniele , Schifani Enrico , Leonardi Stefano , Fior Emanuele , Sangiorgi Silvia , Castracani Cristina , Bardiani Marco , Campanaro Alessandro , Grasso Donato A.
Published: June 2023

The European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, is the largest saproxylic beetle and a flagship species whose populations should be monitored according to the EU Habitats Directive. Different studies have addressed its abundance and phenology, its relationship with deadwood, or the allometry of males related to different reproductive strategies. While monitoring efforts are complicated by the limited phenological window of adults (active at dusk during a few weeks), different innovative strategies have been tested in the last few years, with a promising role of citizen science.

We tested the possibility of characterising key dimensions of a L. cervus population of an Italian Natural Park by involving a network of citizen scientists in a two‐week sampling campaign along standardised sampling transects, using a capture‐mark‐recapture (CMR) approach. We investigated its relationship with deadwood at different sites, estimated population size with a Bayesian analysis and characterised the allometric variation by assembling a dataset of morphological traits.

With the participation of 41 volunteers, we collected and measured 651 individuals along four sampling transects. Our analyses uncovered a large L. cervus population (estimated to consist of almost 3400 individuals), characterising its relationship with deadwood availability in different areas, and the absence of the expected male allometry.

Our results suggest that even a woodland composed by relatively young trees can host a large L. cervus populations if cut deadwood of suitable size is available. The engagement of volunteers, to which the results were presented, proved crucial to cost‐efficiently study different key ecological aspects of an insect species with a short phenology.
Preparation of PET‐EG‐β‐CD mat for the preservation of chilled pork
Authors: Huang Huan , Fan Liyan , Wu Lingling , Du Juan , Sun Wenxiu
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to prolong the shelf life of chilled pork by simply preparing antimicrobial packaging. β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) cross‐linked polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with citric acid, and then embedded eugenol (EG) into β‐CD to make the antimicrobial mat. Release tests showed that the EG in the mat can be slowly released in a 50% ethanol solution. Continuous release of EG could significantly inhibit the growth of S. aureus and E. coli. Compared to the control group, the pH, TBARS, TVB‐N and TVC decreased significantly in the treatment group with increasing storage time, especially from 5 to 7 days (P < 0.05). The sensory evaluation results also showed that PET‐EG‐β‐CD mat increased overall acceptance of chilled pork. PET‐EG‐β‐CD mat prolonged the shelf life of chilled pork for 2–4 days. These results suggested that PET‐EG‐β‐CD mat effectively protected the quality of chilled pork, and had certain application value as an active packaging.
Identification and characterisation of antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus spp. isolated from pork and poultry meat
Authors: Martinez‐Laorden Alba , Arraiz‐Fernandez Celia , Gonzalez‐Fandos Elena
Published: June 2023

There is a great concern on the presence of antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria in meat, since they can cause adverse effects in the consumers' health. The purpose of this work was to identify and characterise the antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus spp. isolated from meat. A total of 209 meat samples (forty pork, fifty chicken, fifty‐one turkey, thirty‐one duck, and thirty‐seven quail) were collected at retail level. E. faecalis was the dominant enterococci isolated from all the types of meat evaluated, followed by E. faecium, E. gallinarum, and E. hirae, among others which were also isolated. Of the 317 strains evaluated for antimicrobial resistance 48 (15.14%) were multi‐resistant. Most of the multi‐resistant strains were E. faecium and E. faecalis, and in lesser extent E. gallinarum and E. hirae. Multi‐resistant strains were isolated from all the types of meat studied, mainly from turkey (sixteen strains), chicken (fifteen strains), and quail (fourteen strains). Two multi‐resistant strains showed resistance to vancomycin (E. faecium isolated from turkey meat, and E. faecalis isolated from quail meat). Resistance to tigecycline, teicoplanin, linezolid and quinolones was found among enterococci isolates. Special measures should be taken to avoid faecal contamination of carcasses in order to reduce enterococci prevalence in meat.
Catalytic properties of lipoxygenase extracted from nine different Italian olive varieties (Olea europaea L.)
Authors: Liburdi Katia , Fabrizi Chiara , Esti Marco
Published: June 2023

Lipoxygenases (linoleate oxygen oxidoreductase, LOX, EC 1.13.11.12) are a class of dioxygenases found abundantly in the plant kingdom, which catalyse the oxygenation reaction of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Considering the capacity of LOX to define the distinctive and refined “green” fruity aroma of virgin olive oil (VOO), the biochemical study was conducted to characterise lipoxygenase in pulp and stone of nine Italian varieties of Olea europaea [Canino, Carboncella, Frantoio, Itrana, Leccino, Maurino, Moraiolo, Rosciola and Sirole]. The crude extracts were analysed to determine the kinetic parameters (Vmax, KM and Vmax/KM) and their optimum pH and temperature. The measurement of the catalytic activity of the LOX extracted from pulp and stones revealed the highly efficient catalytic activity of all the pulp samples from most of the analysed cultivars. Moreover, the kinetic analyses conducted on all olive samples revealed that the Frantoio pulp provided the best performance in terms of LOX activity. All crude extracts showed the highest oxidase activity at pH 6, while the values relating to the optimal temperature were obtained at 50 °C. The results provide valuable insight into optimising the VOO extraction process, particularly the kinetic parameters that could be useful tools to modulate the malaxation process.
Immunophenotype distinctions of CEBPA mutation subtypes in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Liu Qiaoxue , Qi Ling , Yang Miao , Zhang Xue , Li Fei , Wei Hui , Wang Jianxiang
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with CEBPA double mutation (CEBPAdm) were associated with distinct immunophenotypes and prognosis. Recently, both International Consensus Classification (ICC) and World Health Organization (WHO) classifications incorporated BZIP single mutations (CEBPAsmBZIP) into the favorable risk group. However, the immunophenotypes of CEBPAsmBZIP mutations have not been characterized, especially when compared with the immunophenotypes of CEBPAdm.

Methods

Retrospectively, we investigated and compared the immunophenotypes of AML with CEBPA mutations. Randomforest model and XGBoost algorithm were used to set up a scoring system based on the immunophenotypes of those patients.

Results

In a total of 967 AML patients: 218 were CEBPAdm (198 consisted of mutations in the BZIP region [CEBPAdmBZIP], 20 were double mutations outside BZIP region [CEBPAdm‐woBZIP]), 117 were CEBPAsm (54 CEBPAsmBZIP and 63 were single mutations outside BZIP region [CEBPAsm‐woBZIP]) and the others were wildtype CEBPA (CEBPAwt). Patients with CEBPAdmBZIP, CEBPAdm‐woBZIP and CEBPAsmBZIP shared the distinct immunophenotype of CD7+ CD34+ MPO+ HLA‐DR+ CD19−, in contrast to patients with CEBPAsm‐woBZIP and CEBPAwt who showed reduced expression of CD7, HLA‐DR, MPO, CD34 and a higher expression of CD19. Based on these immunophenotypes, we developed a scoring system to preemptively identify AML with CEBPAsmBZIP and CEBPAdm and validated it internally and externally.

Conclusions

AML with CEBPAdmBZIP, CEBPAdm‐woBZIP, and CEBPAsmBZIP shared similar immunophenotypic profiles, whereas profoundly differed from the CEBPAsm‐woBZIP and CEBPAwt AML.
Unveiling the impact of GOLM1/GP73 on cytokine production in cancer and infectious disease
Authors: Frans Myrthe T , Kuipers Ella M , Bianchi Frans , van den Bogaart Geert
Published: June 2023

The Golgi membrane protein GOLM1/GP73/GOLPH2 has been found to impact cytokine production in both infectious disease and cancer. In viral infections, GOLM1 levels are increased, and this lowers the production of type I interferons and other inflammatory cytokines. However, elevated GOLM1 expression levels due to mutations are linked to a higher production of interleukin (IL)‐6 during Candida infections, potentially explaining an increased susceptibility to candidemia in individuals carrying these mutations. In cancer, the protease Furin produces a soluble form of GOLM1 that has oncogenic properties by promoting the production of the chemokine CCL2 and suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐12 and interferon gamma. This review will focus on the role of GOLM1 in cytokine production, highlighting how it can both promote and inhibit cytokine production. It is crucial to understand this in order to effectively target GOLM1 for therapeutic purposes in diseases associated with abnormal cytokine production, including cancer and infectious disease.
Densification kinetics and sintering behavior of UO2 and 0.5 wt.%MnO‐doped UO2
Authors: Zhong Yi , Wang Yun , Yang Zhenliang , Li Bingqing , Xu Jingkun , Wang Zhiyi , Xie Liang , Duan Limei , Hu Fengyun , Chu Mingfu , Gao Rui , Zhang Pengcheng , Bai Bin
Published: June 2023

In this work, the sintering kinetics of pure UO2 and 0.5 wt.%MnO‐doped UO2 was studied by a high‐temperature dilatometer heated up to 1500°C. In addition, the sintering behavior of pure UO2 and 0.5 wt.%MnO‐doped UO2 was studied by pressureless sintering technique. The results showed that MnO doping enhanced the grain boundary diffusion of UO2, which can effectively decrease the densification temperature and promote grain growth. The sintering temperature of UO2 was significantly reduced by about 200°C with the addition of 0.5 wt.%MnO. The microscopic morphology studies showed that there were still fine particles agglomerated, forming sintered spheres in the matrix even if no severe agglomeration and bimodal size distribution were observed in raw UO2 powder. The microstructure evolution of the sintered sphere and UO2 matrix during the densification process was studied by isothermal sintering. Finally, the present analyses indicated that the densification of UO2 matrix can be accelerated by adding MnO or increasing the sintering temperature, thus improving the densification inhomogeneity of UO2 matrix.
Prognostic implications of left ventricular hypertrophy defined by the thresholds from the international and Chinese guidelines
Authors: Zhou Dan , Yan Mengqi , Cai Anping , Xie Qiu , Cheng Qi , Tang Songtao , Feng Yingqing
Published: June 2023

To compare the predictive value of mortality between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) defined by Chinese thresholds and defined by international guidelines in hypertension individuals and investigate better indexation methods for LVH in Chinese population. We included 2454 community hypertensive patients with Left ventricular mass (LVM) and relative wall thickness. LVM was indexed to body surface area (BSA), height2 7 and height 1 7. The outcomes were all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the association between LVH and the outcomes. C‐statistics and time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the value of those indicators. During a median follow‐up of 49 months (interquartile range 2–54 months), 174 participants (7.1%) died from any cause (n = 174), with 71 died of cardiovascular disease. LVM/BSA defined by the Chinese thresholds was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.63; 95%CI: 1.00‐2.64). LVM/BSA was significantly associated with all‐cause mortality using Chinese thresholds (HR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.14‐2.14) and using Guideline thresholds (HR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.08‐2.15). LVM/Height1.7 was significantly associated with all‐cause mortality using Chinese thresholds (HR: 1.60; 95%CI: 1.17‐2.20) and using Guideline thresholds (HR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.04‐2.27). LVM/Height2.7 was not significantly associated with all‐cause mortality. C‐statistics indicated that LVM/BSA and LVM/Height1.7 by Chinese thresholds had better predictive ability for mortality. Time‐ROC indicated that only LVM/Height1.7 defined by Chinese threshold had incremental value for predicting mortality. We found that in community hypertensive populations, race‐specific thresholds should be used to classify LV hypertrophy related to mortality risk stratification. LVM/BSA and LVM/Height1.7 are acceptable normalization method in Chinese hypertension.
Effects of selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor robenacoxib on primary cells derived from feline injection‐site sarcoma
Authors: Lu Chen‐Hui , Yu Shu‐Han , Wu Ching‐Ho , Yeh Jason Lih‐Seng , Chang Hui‐Wen , Jeng Chian‐Ren , Chang Yen‐Chen
Published: June 2023

Feline injection‐site sarcomas (FISSs) are highly invasive malignant mesenchymal neoplasms that arise from injection sites in cats. Although the tumorigenesis of FISSs is still uncertain, there is a consensus that FISS is associated with chronic inflammation caused by irritation of injection‐related trauma and foreign chemical substances. Chronic inflammation can provide a proper microenvironment for tumour development, which has been known as one of the risk factors of tumorigenesis in many tumours. To investigate the tumorigenesis of FISS and screen for its potential therapeutic targets, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), an inflammation‐enhancing enzyme, was selected as a target for this study. In vitro experiments using FISS‐ and normal tissue‐derived primary cells and robenacoxib, a highly selective COX‐2 inhibitor, were performed. The results demonstrated that expression of COX‐2 could be detected in formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded FISS tissues and FISS‐derived primary cells. Cell viability, migration and colony formation of FISS‐derived primary cells were inhibited, and cell apoptosis was enhanced by robenacoxib in a dose‐dependent manner. However, susceptibility to robenacoxib varied in different lines of FISS primary cells and was not completely correlated with COX‐2 expression. Our results suggest that COX‐2 inhibitors could be potential adjuvant therapeutics against FISSs.
Clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of a new multi‐peptide anti‐aging topical eye serum
Authors: Li Fengzhu , Chen Haowei , Chen Dongxiao , Zhang Bingjie , Shi Qingying , He Xihong , Zhao Huabing , Wang Fang
Published: June 2023

Background

Skin aging is a complex multifactorial progressive process. With age, intrinsic and extrinsic factors cause the loss of skin elasticity, with the formation of wrinkles, resulting in skin sagging through various pathways. A combination of multiple bioactive peptides could be used as a treatment for skin wrinkles and sagging.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the cosmetic efficacy of a multi‐peptide eye serum as a daily skin‐care product for improving the periocular skin of women within the ages of 20–45 years.

Methods

The stratum corneum skin hydration and skin elasticity were assessed using a Corneometer CM825 and Skin Elastometer MPA580, respectively. The PRIMOS CR technique based on digital strip projection technology was used for skin image and wrinkle analysis around the “crow's feet” area. Self‐assessment questionnaires were filled on Day 14 and 28 of product use.

Results

This study included 32 subjects with an average age of 28.5 years. On Day 28, there was a significant decrease in the number, depth, and volume of wrinkles. Skin hydration, elasticity, and firmness increased continuously during the study period, consistent with typical anti‐aging claims. A majority of the participants (75.00%) expressed overall satisfaction with their skin appearance after using the product. Most participants noted a visible skin improvement, with an increase in skin elasticity and smoothness, and confirmed the extensibility, applicability, and temperance of the product. No adverse reactions related to product use were observed.

Conclusions

The multi‐peptide eye serum uses a multi‐targeted mechanism against skin aging to improve the skin appearance, making it an ideal choice for daily skincare.