bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of weaning strategy and backgrounding management on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and mRNA expression in the longissimus muscle of beef steers
Authors: Pittaluga Alejandro M , Kieffer Justin , Relling Alejandro E
Published: March 2023

We evaluate the effect of the weaning strategy (WS; early, 130 ± 21 d vs. normal, 187 ± 20 d) and backgrounding management (BGM) on growth, carcass characteristics, and relative mRNA expression in the longissimus muscle (LM) of beef steers. One hundred and twenty Angus × SimAngus-crossbred steers (body weight (BW) = 130 ± 11.2 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design. Steers, blocked by age and BW, were randomly assigned to one treatment (2 × 2 factorial). Treatments consisted of early weaned (EW) or normal weaned (NW) steers subsequently backgrounded (BG) on either a forage-based (FB) or concentrates-based (CB) diet. The EW steers (d 0) were ad libitum-fed a grain-based diet for 49 d until nursing calves were NW. Steers were ad libitum-fed either a FB diet for 214 d or a CB diet for 95 d afterward. Steers were finished on a high-grain diet until harvested at an estimated constant 12th-rib fat thickness (1.5 cm). Expression of mRNA in the LM was measured over time. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. The EW steers were heavier (P ˂ 0.01) at the beginning of the backgrounding and finishing period. When the finishing phase began, steers FB were heavier (P ˂ 0.01) than CB steers. There was a tendency for a WS × BGM interaction (P = 0.08) for final BW, where NW-FB steers were heavier than the steers on the other three treatments, which do not differ between them. In the finishing phase, steers BG on a FB diet had greater dry matter intake and average daily gain, but lower gain-to-feed ratio (P ˂ 0.01). There was a WS × BGM interaction (P = 0.03) for days on feed (DOF) in the finishing diet, where backgrounding steers in a FB diet decreased DOF required to reach the harvesting target among EW steers, but not within NW steers. No interactions or treatment effects (P ≥ 0.17) were detected for marbling score (MS). For ZFP423, EW steers showed a greater mRNA expression on d 112 and a lower expression on d 255 than NW steers (P ˂ 0.01). In d 57, steers BG on a CB diet presented a greater delta-like homolog 1 mRNA expression than steers BG on a FB diet, whereas in d 255, this was inverted (P ˂ 0.01). For CCAAT/enhancer binding protein D (C/EBPD) mRNA expression, a tendency for a WS × BGM interaction was observed (P = 0.06), where a greater expression of C/EBPD was observed in steers BG on a FB diet among EW steers, but not within NW steers. In this study, early grain feeding followed by different BGM does not support MS improvements of beef carcasses.
The 13C-bicarbonate technique as a tool for measurement of energy expenditure in overweight dogs undergoing body weight reduction and the effect of different dietary composition
Authors: Marcussen Caroline , Andersen Astrid , Dietrich Nanna , Blache Dominique , Theil Peter K , Biourge Vincent , Tauson Anne-Helene
Published: March 2023

Changes in body size and composition, i.e., body weight (BW) gain or loss, affect the daily energy expenditure (EE). To ensure an appropriate BW reduction and to find an efficient strategy to reduce and maintain a target BW, regular evaluations and adjustments of energy allowance are important. This study aimed to provide a detailed knowledge about the possible changes in resting EE using the oral 13C-bicarbonate technique (o13CBT) as a research tool in 16 overweight pet dogs undergoing BW reduction. Dietary composition (i.e., in % of dry matter [DM] being a high protein [33.3], low fat [9.6], and high crude fiber [18.0] diet [LFHFibre], and a high protein [37.9], high fat [52.0], carbohydrate-free diet [HFat]) during 16 wk of energy restriction were evaluated regarding effects on resting EE, rate of BW reduction, body composition, and plasma concentrations of metabolic hormones involved in energy metabolism and appetite regulation. The mean BW loss was higher (P < 0.05) for the dogs fed the LFHFibre diet (1.1%/wk) than that for dogs fed the HFat diet (0.8%/wk), but the total BW reduction of 14.6% and 12.0% of initial BW did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Resting EE was lower (P < 0.02) after the BW reduction; 414 kJ (99 kcal)/kg BW0.75/d at the start (week 0) and 326 kJ (78 kcal)/kg BW0.75/d at the end (week 16) of the study. The BW reduction in both groups (P > 0.05) consisted of both fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM). Energy expenditure, calculated in relation to amount of FFM, was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by BW reduction. Dietary composition did not significantly affect (P > 0.05) plasma concentrations of insulin, leptin, and ghrelin, and no effect (P > 0.05) of BW reduction was observed on hormone concentrations. In conclusion, the o13CBT proved to be a useful research method for studying short-term EE in overweight dogs. Even though all dogs lost BW, most dogs were still overweight at the end of the study. Due to a high individual variation among dogs, a longer experimental period with a larger sample size would be desirable.
Vector-valued envelope functions for constructing tool swept surfaces in continuous domains
Authors: Aras Eyyup
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes the vector-valued envelope functions to describe form cutters’ swept profiles at the choice of particular motion instances. The general idea behind such a formulation is to embed the tangency constraint into the tool surface expression and form a single continuous function to describe the segmental curves whose elements lie on the envelopes. This results in skipping unnecessary calculations when no envelope-surface point is associated with the specified input data, reducing the sizeable computational burden due to repetitive constraint implementations, and most importantly, depending on the tool kinematics’ complexity, avoiding the tangency-constraint violations between successive envelope-surface points where the exact fit cannot be obtained. In this study, firstly, the NC tool surface models present in extant literature have been restructured using the four-parameter set of spheres to attain the required one-to-one correspondence between the domain and range sets of these functions, followed by excluding the tangency-constraint evaluations by introducing the systematic parameter-reduction procedures that led to the development of constraint-embedded envelope functions. Next, we introduced the branch-existence test, which allowed us to check whether these functions are continuous over closed domain intervals. Finally, we covered algorithms for implementing the functions.
Dog hair volatiles attract Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae) females
Authors: López-López Noe , Rojas Julio C , Cruz-López Leopoldo , Ulloa-García Armando , Malo Edi A
Published: March 2023

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) (Latreille) feeds on domestic dogs worldwide. This tick species uses dog volatiles during host-seeking behavior. In this study, we identified volatile compounds from dog hairs involved in the host location of R. sanguineus s.l. The R. sanguineus s.l. females, but not males, were attracted to hair samples and Super Q extracts from Schnauzer dogs in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. A total of 54 compounds from dog hair extracts were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, including hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and carboxylic acids. Screening the identified compounds by the single sensillum recording technique showed that isovaleric acid, hexanal, heptanal, and sucaltone (6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one) significantly stimulated the olfactory receptor neurons of the basiconic, chaeticum, and trichodeum sensilla of female ticks. When synthetic compounds were evaluated alone, or in binary, tertiary, or quaternary mixtures, female ticks were only attracted to isovaleric acid and 1 tertiary mixture (hexanal, heptanal, and isovaleric acid). We conclude that isovaleric acid functions as an attractant for R. sanguineus s.l. These findings contribute to the understanding of the chemical ecology of ticks during host location.
Impact of pharmacist-led interventions on heart failure medication adherence: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Nguyen Ho Nhu , Nguyen Cuong Van , Nguyen Dung Thien , Le Thanh Dinh , Bui Quynh Thi Huong
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Clinical pharmacists play an important role in the optimization and individualization of treatment for heart failure patients in the multidisciplinary team. This study aims to demonstrate the impact of pharmacists’ interventions on medication adherence and adverse outcomes among heart failure patients.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study on 95 chronic heart failure patients in a national hospital of Vietnam. Participants in the intervention group received two consultations with a pharmacist on the third day of admission and one week after discharge while patients in the control group received standard care. The Vietnamese version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 was applied to measure the medication adherence at the start of the study, at 2 months and 4 months post-discharge. Adverse outcomes including death and hospital readmissions were also collected during the follow-up period.

Key findings

Baseline adherence was 53.3% for the intervention group and 58.3% for the control group. After 2 months, 97.7% of the patients in the intervention group were adherent compared to 80.4% in the control group (P < 0.01). The adherent rates in these groups were 90.2% and 71.1% after 4 months, respectively. The intervention group had fewer combined adverse outcomes than their control counterpart, although the difference was not significant (24.4% versus 35.4%, P = 0.249).

Conclusions

Pharmacist-led interventions improved self-reported medication adherence and might have a positive impact on outcomes among heart failure patients. Patient education and consultations should be a standard of practice to optimize treatment plans among heart failure patients.
Gap junction is essential for the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine
Authors: Xia Cong-Yuan , Zhang Ning-Ning , Jiang Hong , Lou Yu-Xia , Ren Qian , Zhang Xiao-Ling , Yang Peng-Fei , Shao Qian-Hang , Zhu Hao-Yu , Wan Jiang-Fan , Zhang Ya-Ni , Li Fang-Fang , Yan Xu , Chu Shi-Feng , Zhang Yi , Wang Zhen-Zhen , Chen Nai-Hong
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Fluoxetine has been used as the first line for the therapy of depression. However, lack of therapeutic efficacy and time lag still limit the application of fluoxetine. Gap junction dysfunction is a potentially novel pathogenic mechanism for depression. To clarify the mechanism underlying these limitations, we investigated whether gap junction was related to the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine.

Methods and key findings

After chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), animals showed decreases in gap junction intracellular communication (GJIC). Treatment with fluoxetine 10 mg/kg significantly improved GJIC and anhedonia of rats until six days. These results indicated that fluoxetine improved gap junction indirectly. Furthermore, to test the role of gap junction on antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, we blocked gap junction using carbenoxolone (CBX) infusion in the prefrontal cortex. CBX dampened fluoxetine-induced decrease in immobility time of mice in tail suspension test (TST).

Conclusions

Our study suggested that gap junction dysfunction blocks antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, contributing to understanding the mechanism underlying the time lag of fluoxetine.
Bayesian Pyramids: identifiable multilayer discrete latent structure models for discrete data
Authors: Gu Yuqi , Dunson David B
Published: March 2023

High-dimensional categorical data are routinely collected in biomedical and social sciences. It is of great importance to build interpretable parsimonious models that perform dimension reduction and uncover meaningful latent structures from such discrete data. Identifiability is a fundamental requirement for valid modeling and inference in such scenarios, yet is challenging to address when there are complex latent structures. In this article, we propose a class of identifiable multilayer (potentially deep) discrete latent structure models for discrete data, termed Bayesian Pyramids. We establish the identifiability of Bayesian Pyramids by developing novel transparent conditions on the pyramid-shaped deep latent directed graph. The proposed identifiability conditions can ensure Bayesian posterior consistency under suitable priors. As an illustration, we consider the two-latent-layer model and propose a Bayesian shrinkage estimation approach. Simulation results for this model corroborate the identifiability and estimatability of model parameters. Applications of the methodology to DNA nucleotide sequence data uncover useful discrete latent features that are highly predictive of sequence types. The proposed framework provides a recipe for interpretable unsupervised learning of discrete data and can be a useful alternative to popular machine learning methods.
Women’s sexual activity and experiences following female genital fistula surgery
Authors: El Ayadi Alison M , Nalubwama Hadija , Miller Suellen , Mitchell Ashley , Korn Abner P , Chen Chi Chiung Grace , Byamugisha Josaphat , Painter Caitlyn , Obore Susan , Barageine Justus K
Published: March 2023

Background

Surgical repair has a transformative impact on the lives of women affected by female genital fistula; however, various physical, social, and economic challenges may persist postrepair and prevent complete reengagement in relationships and communities. Nuanced investigation of these experiences is needed to inform programming that aligns with women’s reintegration needs.

Aim

We investigated the sexual activity resumption, experiences, and concerns of women in Uganda during the year following genital fistula repair surgery.

Methods

Women were recruited from Mulago Hospital between December 2014 and June 2015. We collected data at baseline and 4 times postsurgery about sociodemographic characteristics and physical/psychosocial status; we also assessed sexual interest and satisfaction twice. We performed in-depth interviews with a subset of participants. We analyzed quantitative findings via univariate analyses, and qualitative findings were coded and analyzed thematically.

Outcomes

We assessed sexual readiness, fears, and challenges following surgical repair of female genital fistula using quantitative and qualitative measures of sexual activity, pain with sex, sexual interest/disinterest, and sexual satisfaction/dissatisfaction.

Results

Among the 60 participants, 18% were sexually active at baseline, which decreased to 7% postsurgery and increased to 55% at 1 year after repair. Dyspareunia was reported by 27% at baseline and 10% at 1 year; few described leakage during sex or vaginal dryness. Qualitative findings showed wide variance of sexual experiences. Some reported sexual readiness quickly after surgery, and some were not ready after 1 year. For all, fears included fistula recurrence and unwanted pregnancy.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that postrepair sexual experiences vary widely and intersect meaningfully with marital and social roles following fistula and repair. In addition to physical repair, ongoing psychosocial support is needed for comprehensive reintegration and the restoration of desired sexuality.

Highlights
Effective annotation for the automatic vectorization of cadastral maps
Authors: Petitpierre Remi , Guhennec Paul
Published: March 2023

The great potential brought by large-scale data in the humanities is still hindered by the time and technicality required for making documents digitally intelligible. Within urban studies, historical cadasters have been hitherto largely under-explored despite their informative value. Powerful and generic technologies, based on neural networks, to automate the vectorization of historical maps have recently become available. However, the transfer of these technologies is hampered by the scarcity of interdisciplinary exchanges and a lack of practical literature destinated to humanities scholars, especially on the key step of the pipeline: the annotation. In this article, we propose a set of practical recommendations based on empirical findings on document annotation and automatic vectorization, focusing on the example case of historical cadasters. Our recommendations are generic and easily applicable, based on a solid experience on concrete and diverse projects.
Collisional heating of icy planetesimals – I. Catastrophic collisions
Authors: Davidsson Björn J R
Published: March 2023

Planetesimals in the primordial disc may have experienced a collisional cascade. If so, the comet nuclei later placed in the Kuiper belt, scattered disc, and Oort Cloud would primarily be fragments and collisional rubble piles from that cascade. However, the heating associated with the collisions cannot have been strong enough to remove the hypervolatiles that are trapped within more durable ices, because comet nuclei are rich in hypervolatiles. This places constraints on the diameter of the largest bodies allowed to participate in collisional cascades, and limits the primordial disc lifetime or population size. In this paper, the thermophysical code nimbus is used to study the thermal evolution of planetesimals before, during, and after catastrophic collisions. The loss of CO during segregation of CO2:CO mixtures and during crystallization of amorphous H2O is calculated, as well as mobilization and internal relocation of CO2. If an amorphous H2O host existed, and was protected by a CO2:CO heat sink, only diameter $D\lt 20\, \mathrm{km}$ (inner disc) and $D\lt 64\, \mathrm{km}$ (outer disc) bodies could have been involved in a collisional cascade. If CO2 was the only CO host, the critical diameters drop to D < 20–$32\, \mathrm{km}$. Avoiding disruption of larger bodies requires a primordial disc lifetime of <9 Myr at 15 au and <50–70 Myr at 30 au. Alternatively, if a 450 Myr disc lifetime is required to associate the primordial disc disruption with the Late Heavy Bombardment, the disc population size must have been 6–60 times below current estimates.
Semaphorin 4C regulates ovarian steroidogenesis through RHOA/ROCK1-mediated actin cytoskeleton rearrangement
Authors: Chen Dan , Wu Chuqing , Wei Simin , Guo Yican , Wu Meng , Zhou Su , Fu Fangfang , Tang Weicheng , Xue Liru , Zhang Jinjin , Li Yan , Dai Jun , Li Yuanyuan , Ye Shuangmei , Wang Shixuan
Published: March 2023

Semaphorins are a family of evolutionarily conserved morphogenetic molecules that were initially found to be associated with axonal guidance. Semaphorin 4C (Sema4C), a member of the fourth subfamily of semaphorins, has been demonstrated to play multifaceted and important roles in organ development, immune regulation, tumor growth, and metastasis. However, it is completely unknown whether Sema4C is involved in the regulation of ovarian function. We found that Sema4C was widely expressed in the stroma, follicles, and corpus luteum of mouse ovaries, and its expression was decreased at distinct foci in ovaries of mice of mid-to-advanced reproductive age. Inhibition of Sema4C by the ovarian intrabursal administration of recombinant adeno-associated virus-shRNA significantly reduced oestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels in vivo. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed changes in pathways related to ovarian steroidogenesis and the actin cytoskeleton. Similarly, knockdown of Sema4C by siRNA interference in mouse primary ovarian granulosa cells or thecal interstitial cells significantly suppressed ovarian steroidogenesis and led to actin cytoskeleton disorganization. Importantly, the cytoskeleton-related pathway RHOA/ROCK1 was simultaneously inhibited after the downregulation of Sema4C. Furthermore, treatment with a ROCK1 agonist after siRNA interference stabilized the actin cytoskeleton and reversed the inhibitory effect on steroid hormones described above. In conclusion, Sema4C may play an important role in ovarian steroidogenesis through regulation of the actin cytoskeleton via the RHOA/ROCK1 signaling pathway. These findings shed new light on the identification of dominant factors involved in the endocrine physiology of female reproduction.
DICER1-associated central nervous system sarcoma: A comprehensive clinical and genomic characterization of case series of young adult patients
Authors: Cardona Andrés F , Chamorro Ortiz Diego Fernando , Ruíz-Patiño Alejandro , Gomez Diego , Muñoz Álvaro , Ardila Dora V , Garcia-Robledo Juan Esteban , Ordóñez-Reyes Camila , Sussmann Liliana , Mosquera Andrés , Forero Yency , Rojas Leonardo , Hakim Fernando , Jimenez Enrique , Ramón Juan Fernando , Cifuentes Hernando , Pineda Diego , Mejía Juan Armando , Rodríguez July , Archila Pilar , Sotelo Carolina , Moreno-Pérez Darwin A , Arrieta Oscar
Published: March 2023

Background

DICER1 alterations are associated with intracranial tumors in the pediatric population, including pineoblastoma, pituitary blastoma, and the recently described “primary DICER1-associated CNS sarcoma” (DCS). DCS is an extremely aggressive tumor with a distinct methylation signature and a high frequency of co-occurring mutations. However, little is known about its treatment approach and the genomic changes occurring after exposure to chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

We collected clinical, histological, and molecular data from eight young adults with DCS. Genomic analysis was performed by Next-generation Sequencing (NGS). Subsequently, an additional germline variants analysis was completed. In addition, an NGS analysis on post-progression tumor tissue or liquid biopsy was performed when available. Multiple clinicopathological characteristics, treatment variables, and survival outcomes were assessed.

Results

Median age was 20 years. Most lesions were supratentorial. Histology was classified as fusiform cell sarcomas (50%), undifferentiated (unclassified) sarcoma (37.5%), and chondrosarcoma (12.5%). Germline pathogenic DICER1 variants were present in two patients, 75% of cases had more than one somatic alteration in DICER1, and the most frequent commutation was TP53. Seven patients were treated with surgery, Ifosfamide, Cisplatin, and Etoposide (ICE) chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The objective response was 75%, and the median time to progression (TTP) was 14.5 months. At progression, the most common mutations were in KRAS and NF1. Overall survival was 30.8 months.

Conclusions

DCS is an aggressive tumor with limited therapeutic options that requires a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including molecular characterization. Most cases had mutations in TP53, NF1, and PTEN, and most alterations at progression were related to MAPK, RAS and PI3K signaling pathways.
Practical Guidance for the Management of Adverse Events in Patients with KRASG12C-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Adagrasib
Authors: Zhang Jun , Johnson Melissa , Barve Minal , Bazhenova Lyudmila , McCarthy Marybeth , Schwartz Rowena , Horvath-Walsh Elise , Velastegui Karen , Qian Chunlin , Spira Alexander
Published: March 2023

Adagrasib (MRTX849) is a KRASG12C inhibitor with favorable properties, including long half-life (23 h), dose-dependent pharmacokinetics, and central nervous system (CNS) penetration. As of September 1, 2022, a total of 853 patients with KRASG12C-mutated solid tumors, including patients with CNS metastases, had received adagrasib (monotherapy or in combination). Adagrasib-related treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) are generally mild to moderate in severity, start early in treatment, resolve quickly with appropriate intervention, and result in a low rate of treatment discontinuation. Common TRAEs seen in clinical trials included gastrointestinal-related toxicities (diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting); hepatic toxicities (increased alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase) and fatigue, which can be managed through dose modifications, dietary modifications, concomitant medications (such as anti-diarrheals and anti-emetics/anti-nauseants) and the monitoring of liver enzymes and electrolytes. To manage common TRAEs effectively, it is imperative that clinicians are informed, and patients are fully counseled on management recommendations at treatment initiation. In this review, we provide practical guidance on the management of adagrasib TRAEs and discuss some best practices for patient and caregiver counseling to facilitate optimal outcomes for patients. Safety and tolerability data from the phase II cohort of the KRYSTAL-1 study will be reviewed and presented with practical management recommendations based on our experience as clinical investigators.
Genetic modifiers of synucleinopathies—lessons from experimental models
Authors: Lee Rachel Min Qi , Koh Tong-Wey
Published: March 2023

α-Synuclein is a pleiotropic protein underlying a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Together, these are known as synucleinopathies. Like all neurological diseases, understanding of disease mechanisms is hampered by the lack of access to biopsy tissues, precluding a real-time view of disease progression in the human body. This has driven researchers to devise various experimental models ranging from yeast to flies to human brain organoids, aiming to recapitulate aspects of synucleinopathies. Studies of these models have uncovered numerous genetic modifiers of α-synuclein, most of which are evolutionarily conserved. This review discusses what we have learned about disease mechanisms from these modifiers, and ways in which the study of modifiers have supported ongoing efforts to engineer disease-modifying interventions for synucleinopathies.
Pelagic microplastics in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre: A prevalent anthropogenic component of the particulate organic carbon pool
Authors: Zhao Shiye , Mincer Tracy J , Lebreton Laurent , Egger Matthias
Published: March 2023

Due to its ever-increasing ocean inputs, fossil-based microplastics (MP) comprise a considerable constituent in the particulate organic carbon (POC) pool, which is instrumental in ocean biogeochemical cycling. Their distribution within the oceanic water column and the underpinning processes, however, remain unclear. Here we show that MP prevail throughout the water column of the eastern North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, comprising 334 #/m3 (84.5% of plastic particles <100 µm), with exponential relationships between concentrations and water depth in the upper 500-m layer and marked accumulation below this layer. Our results suggest that the biological carbon pump (BCP) strongly contributes to the water column MP redistribution in terms of polymer type, material density and particle size, which in turn could influence the efficiency of organic matter export to the deep sea. We further show that 14C-depleted plastic particles predictably are an emerging nonneglectable perturbation to radiocarbon signatures in the deep ocean through depletion of the 14C/C ratio in the POC pool. Our data provide insight into vertical MP flux and highlight the potential role of MP in alternating the marine particulate pool and interactions with the BCP.
Deep learning enables image-based tree counting, crown segmentation, and height prediction at national scale
Authors: Li Sizhuo , Brandt Martin , Fensholt Rasmus , Kariryaa Ankit , Igel Christian , Gieseke Fabian , Nord-Larsen Thomas , Oehmcke Stefan , Carlsen Ask Holm , Junttila Samuli , Tong Xiaoye , d’Aspremont Alexandre , Ciais Philippe
Published: March 2023

Sustainable tree resource management is the key to mitigating climate warming, fostering a green economy, and protecting valuable habitats. Detailed knowledge about tree resources is a prerequisite for such management but is conventionally based on plot-scale data, which often neglects trees outside forests. Here, we present a deep learning-based framework that provides location, crown area, and height for individual overstory trees from aerial images at country scale. We apply the framework on data covering Denmark and show that large trees (stem diameter >10 cm) can be identified with a low bias (12.5%) and that trees outside forests contribute to 30% of the total tree cover, which is typically unrecognized in national inventories. The bias is high (46.6%) when our results are evaluated against all trees taller than 1.3 m, which involve undetectable small or understory trees. Furthermore, we demonstrate that only marginal effort is needed to transfer our framework to data from Finland, despite markedly dissimilar data sources. Our work lays the foundation for digitalized national databases, where large trees are spatially traceable and manageable.
NeuroVerse: neurosurgery in the era of Metaverse and other technological breakthroughs
Authors: Kundu Mrinmoy , Ng Jyi Cheng , Awuah Wireko Andrew , Huang Helen , Yarlagadda Rohan , Mehta Aashna , Nansubuga Esther Patience , Jiffry Riaz , Abdul-Rahman Toufik , Ou Yong Brian M , Sikora Vladyslav , Isik Arda
Published: March 2023

The tremendous evolution in modern technology has led to a paradigm shift in neurosurgery. The latest advancements such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mobile applications have been incorporated into neurosurgical practice. NeuroVerse, representing the application of the metaverse in neurosurgery, brings enormous potential to neurology and neurosurgery. Implementation of NeuroVerse could potentially elevate neurosurgical and interventional procedures, enhance medical visits and patient care, and reshape neurosurgical training. However, it is also vital to consider the challenges that may be associated with its implementation, such as privacy issues, cybersecurity breaches, ethical concerns, and widening of existing healthcare inequalities. NeuroVerse adds phenomenal dimensions to the neurosurgical environment for patients, doctors, and trainees, and represents an incomparable advancement in the delivery of medicine. Therefore, more research is needed to encourage widespread use of the metaverse in healthcare, particularly focusing on the areas of morality and credibility. Although the metaverse is expected to expand rapidly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains to be seen whether it represents an emerging technology that will revolutionize our society and healthcare or simply an immature condition of the future.
Engineering cellulases for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Chaudhari Yogesh B , Várnai Anikó , Sørlie Morten , Horn Svein J , Eijsink Vincent G H
Published: March 2023

Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable source of energy, chemicals and materials. Many applications of this resource require the depolymerization of one or more of its polymeric constituents. Efficient enzymatic depolymerization of cellulose to glucose by cellulases and accessory enzymes such as lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases is a prerequisite for economically viable exploitation of this biomass. Microbes produce a remarkably diverse range of cellulases, which consist of glycoside hydrolase (GH) catalytic domains and, although not in all cases, substrate-binding carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). As enzymes are a considerable cost factor, there is great interest in finding or engineering improved and robust cellulases, with higher activity and stability, easy expression, and minimal product inhibition. This review addresses relevant engineering targets for cellulases, discusses a few notable cellulase engineering studies of the past decades and provides an overview of recent work in the field.
Returning Home: A Comparative Analysis of the Experiences of Sri Lankan First- and Second-Generation Refugee Returnees from India
Authors: Ekanayake Anoji , Amirthalingam Kopalapillai
Published: March 2023

Since the end of the civil war in 2009, Sri Lankan refugees in India have begun to return home slowly. This article examines the reintegration experiences of first-generation returnees vis-à-vis second-generation returnees who were either born in India or were small children at the time of migration and thus have limited memory of their lives in Sri Lanka before migration. Particular attention is given to challenges encountered, coping mechanisms adapted to overcome these challenges and returnees’ perceptions of their own return decision in hindsight. Using 13 in-depth case studies in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, we found that while the reintegration of first-generation returnees has been relatively uneventful, second-generation returnees, particularly those with Indian higher educational qualifications, faced a cluster of challenges upon their return involving financial, social, and bureaucratic aspects. Their coping mechanisms include accepting jobs beneath their qualifications, remigration to India, and maintaining strong bonds with fellow returnees and friends still in India. While challenges faced upon returning to Sri Lanka have led some returnees, particularly the young, to doubt their decision to return, others are content with their decision as they feel they have better rights in Sri Lanka.
Too “Full of Gender” How Activists Conceptualize the Promises and Pitfalls of Gender-Neutral Identity Documents
Authors: Saguy Abigail C , Williams Juliet A
Published: March 2023

The social movements literature identifies a dilemma that activists face between principles of affirming and deconstructing identity. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 85 activists from diverse political perspectives, this article shows that, in discussing identity documents (IDs), progressive activists took a practical approach that recognized both the advantages and drawbacks of recognition. They expressed support both for initiatives that would provide additional sex/gender marker options—beyond M or F—on IDs and those that would remove sex/gender markers from IDs altogether. This article argues that progressives readily perceived the drawbacks of recognition in the case of IDs because this context—more than others—cues concerns about state regulation and surveillance. Conservatives, who advocate for limiting government power in other contexts, were less likely than progressives to support the idea of removing sex/gender markers from government IDs, appealing to other priorities to justify this stance. Together, these findings underscore the extent to which expediency motivates social activists. They also show how both political orientation and social context shape preferences for emphasizing versus de-emphasizing sex/gender.
A scoping review of ejaculatory dysfunction due to surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia: limitations of available tools for assessment and reporting
Authors: Khooblall Prajit , Bole Raevti , Leelani Navid , Lundy Scott , Bajic Petar
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Clinicians primarily focus on the presence or absence of anterograde ejaculation following surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Failing to assess dysfunctional ejaculation and associated bother in a granular fashion can underestimate the prevalence and significance of ejaculatory dysfunction in this population.

Objectives

This scoping review provides critical appraisal of existing tools assessing ejaculatory function and associated bother, emphasizing the importance of adequate history-taking, preoperative counseling, and supplemental questions that should be used prior to and after treatment.

Methods

A literature review was conducted using pertinent keywords from 1946 to June 2022. Eligibility criteria included men developing ejaculatory dysfunction following BPH surgery. Measured outcomes included the assessment of patient bother related to ejaculatory function, pre- and postoperative scores from the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ). and Danish Prostate Symptom sexual function domain (DAN-PSSsex).

Results

Results of this study included only 10 documented patients’ bother due to ejaculatory dysfunction following treatment. Pre- and postoperative MSHQ were used as the diagnostic tool in 43/49 studies, one study documented “preservation of anterograde ejaculation”, and one used DAN-PSSsex. Q1–4 of the MSHQ were used in 33/43 studies, 3/43 used Q1, 3, 5–7, 1/43 used solely Q4, 1/43 used Q1–3 + Q6 and Q7, and 5/43 used the entire MSHQ. No studies used post-ejaculation urinalysis to diagnose retrograde ejaculation. Only four studies explicitly documented bother and found 25–35% of patients were bothered with a “lack of ejaculate” or “other ejaculation difficulties” during sexual activity after BPH surgery.

Conclusions

There are currently no studies stratifying patient bother by various components of ejaculation (force, volume, consistency, sensation of seminal expulsion, painful ejaculation, etc.) after BPH surgery. Opportunities for improvement exist in reporting ejaculatory dysfunction related to BPH treatment. A comprehensive sexual health history is needed. Further investigation into effects of BPH surgical treatments on specific characteristics of the patient’s experience of ejaculation is required.
Variability in genome-engineering source materials: consider your starting point
Authors: Patange Simona , D. Miller Sierra , D. Maragh Samantha
Published: March 2023

The presence and impact of variability in cells as the source material for genome engineering are important to consider for the design, execution and interpretation of outcomes of a genome-engineering process. Variability may be present at the genotype and phenotype level, yet the impact of these sources of variability on a genome-engineering experiment may not be regularly considered by researchers. In this perspective, we use clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) genome editing of mammalian cells to provide examples of how variation within or across cell samples may mislead a researcher in their expectations about the cells they are engineering. Furthermore, we highlight the need for understanding the baseline cell genotype and phenotype to appropriately understand the starting cell material and interpret and attribute the impact of engineering on cells. We emphasize that heterogeneity within a cell pool and the inherent variability in the cellular materials used for genome engineering are complex, but of high value to characterize and account for where possible, to move toward the potential of generating desired and predictable engineered products. Provided is a framework cause-and-effect diagram for CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing toward identifying and mitigating potential sources of variability. We encourage researchers to consider the variability of source materials and undertake strategies, which may include those described here, for detecting, attributing and minimizing additional sources of variability where possible toward the aim of fostering greater reliability, confidence and reproducibility in genome-engineering studies.

Graphical Abstract
Reproduction alternation in trees: testing the resource depletion hypothesis using experimental fruit removal inQuercus ilex
Authors: Le Roncé Iris , Dardevet Elia , Venner Samuel , Schönbeck Leonie , Gessler Arthur , Chuine Isabelle , Limousin Jean-Marc
Published: March 2023

The keystones of resource budget models to explain mast seeding are that fruit production depletes tree stored resources, which become subsequently limiting to flower production the following year. These two hypotheses have, however, rarely been tested in forest trees. Using a fruit removal experiment, we tested whether preventing fruit development would increase nutrient and carbohydrates storage and modify allocation to reproduction and vegetative growth the following year. We removed all the fruits from nine adult Quercus ilex L. trees shortly after fruit set and compared, with nine control trees, the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), potassium (K) and starch in leaves, twigs and trunk before, during and after the development of female flowers and fruits. The following year, we measured the production of vegetative and reproductive organs as well as their location on the new spring shoots. Fruit removal prevented the depletion of N and Zn in leaves during fruit growth. It also modified the seasonal dynamics in Zn, K and starch in twigs, but had no effect on reserves stored in the trunk. Fruit removal increased the production of female flowers and leaves the following year, and decreased the production of male flowers. Our results show that resource depletion operates differently for male and female flowering, because the timing of organ formation and the positioning of flowers in shoot architecture differ between male and female flowers. Our results suggest that N and Zn availability constrain flower production in Q. ilex, but also that other regulatory pathways might be involved. They strongly encourage further experiments manipulating fruit development over multiple years to describe the causal relationships between variations in resource storage and/or uptake, and male and female flower production in masting species.
Wheat Pore-Forming Toxin-Like Protein Confers Broad-Spectrum Resistance to Fungal Pathogens in Arabidopsis
Authors: Singh Lovepreet , Sinha Arunima , Gupta Megha , Xiao Shunyuan , Hammond Rosemarie , Rawat Nidhi
Published: March 2023

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Fusarium graminearum, is one of the major threats to global wheat productivity. A wheat pore-forming toxin-like (PFT) protein was previously reported to underlie Fhb1, the most widely used quantitative trait locus in FHB breeding programs worldwide. In the present work, wheat PFT was ectopically expressed in the model dicot plant Arabidopsis. Heterologous expression of wheat PFT in Arabidopsis provided a broad-spectrum quantitative resistance to fungal pathogens including F. graminearum, Colletotrichum higginsianum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Botrytis cinerea. However, there was no resistance to bacterial or oomycete pathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Phytophthora capsici, respectively in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants. To explore the reason for the resistance response to, exclusively, the fungal pathogens, purified PFT protein was hybridized to a glycan microarray having 300 different types of carbohydrate monomers and oligomers. It was found that PFT specifically hybridized with chitin monomer, N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc), which is present in fungal cell walls but not in bacteria or oomycete species. This exclusive recognition of chitin may be responsible for the specificity of PFT-mediated resistance to fungal pathogens. Transfer of the atypical quantitative resistance of wheat PFT to a dicot system highlights its potential utility in designing broad-spectrum resistance in diverse host plants.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Deep Isoflurane Anesthesia Is Associated with Alterations in Ion Homeostasis and Specific Na+/K+-ATPase Impairment in the Rat Brain
Authors: Reiffurth Clemens , Berndt Nikolaus , Gonzalez Lopez Adrian , Schoknecht Karl , Kovács Richard , Maechler Mathilde , grote Lambers Mirja , Dreier Jens P. , Friedman Alon , Spies Claudia , Liotta Agustin
Published: March 2023

Background

Maintenance of ion homeostasis is essential for normal brain function. Inhalational anesthetics are known to act on various receptors, but their effects on ion homeostatic systems, such as sodium/potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase), remain largely unexplored. Based on reports demonstrating global network activity and wakefulness modulation by interstitial ions, the hypothesis was that deep isoflurane anesthesia affects ion homeostasis and the key mechanism for clearing extracellular potassium, Na+/K+-ATPase.

Methods

Using ion-selective microelectrodes, this study assessed isoflurane-induced extracellular ion dynamics in cortical slices of male and female Wistar rats in the absence of synaptic activity, in the presence of two-pore-domain potassium channel antagonists, during seizures, and during spreading depolarizations. The specific isoflurane effects on Na+/K+-ATPase function were measured using a coupled enzyme assay and studied the relevance of the findings in vivo and in silico.

Results

Isoflurane concentrations clinically relevant for burst suppression anesthesia increased baseline extracellular potassium (mean ± SD, 3.0 ± 0.0 vs. 3.9 ± 0.5 mM; P < 0.001; n = 39) and lowered extracellular sodium (153.4 ± 0.8 vs. 145.2 ± 6.0 mM; P < 0.001; n = 28). Similar changes in extracellular potassium and extracellular sodium and a substantial drop in extracellular calcium (1.5 ± 0.0 vs. 1.2 ± 0.1 mM; P = 0.001; n = 16) during inhibition of synaptic activity and two-pore-domain potassium suggested a different underlying mechanism. After seizure-like events and spreading depolarization, isoflurane greatly slowed extracellular potassium clearance (63.4 ± 18.2 vs. 196.2 ± 82.4 s; P < 0.001; n = 14). Na+/K+-ATPase activity was markedly reduced after isoflurane exposure (greater than 25%), affecting specifically the α2/3 activity fraction. In vivo, isoflurane-induced burst suppression resulted in impaired extracellular potassium clearance and interstitial potassium accumulation. A computational biophysical model reproduced the observed effects on extracellular potassium and displayed intensified bursting when Na+/K+-ATPase activity was reduced by 35%. Finally, Na+/K+-ATPase inhibition with ouabain induced burst-like activity during light anesthesia in vivo.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate cortical ion homeostasis perturbation and specific Na+/K+-ATPase impairment during deep isoflurane anesthesia. Slowed potassium clearance and extracellular accumulation might modulate cortical excitability during burst suppression generation, while prolonged Na+/K+-ATPase impairment could contribute to neuronal dysfunction after deep anesthesia.

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The impact of COVID-19 nationwide control measures on trauma workload at a regional trauma center
Authors: Fun Joan R. S. , Balasubramaniam Sunder , Teo Li Tserng
Published: March 2023

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the control of movement and diversion of medical resources in many countries. This affects the provision of care to critically injured patients.

Methods

We analyzed data from the trauma registry of a regional trauma center in Singapore, looking at patient volume and the pattern of injuries over a 3-month period. This was compared with the same period in the preceding 2 years.

Results

A total of 93 patients were admitted during this period, compared with 111 in 2019 and 118 in 2018, a drop of 15% to 20%. The proportion of severely injured patients and the mechanism of injury were largely unchanged.

Conclusion

Although there was a minor decrease in the absolute number of patients, the severity and pattern of injuries remained unchanged. Planners should consider this when planning for the diversion of medical and nursing resources.
Acute pulmonary embolism immediately after cesarean section despite dilatation of the left ventricle: a case report and literature review
Authors: Song Bin , Sun Yue , Liu Dandan , Li Guanggang
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Pulmonary embolism is a lethal complication during pregnancy and the puerperium. Compared with vaginal delivery, the risk of pulmonary disease is almost twice as high with cesarean section. However, diagnosing a pulmonary embolism can be challenging.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old nulliparous woman underwent cesarean section. Postoperatively, the patient suddenly developed dyspnea and dull pain in the left back region and cardiopulmonary function deteriorated rapidly. Venous ultrasonography confirmed thrombosis of the left common iliac vein. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a normal right heart and a dilated left ventricle with a patent foramen ovale. An acute pulmonary embolism was confirmed by pulmonary angiography. Catheter-directed thrombus fragmentation and thrombolysis were then performed.

Conclusion

Dilated left ventricular echocardiography does not exclude postpartum acute pulmonary embolism. In extreme emergencies, when acute pulmonary embolism is the most likely diagnosis and life-threatening, catheter-directed angiography may be preferred over other approaches.