bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cannabidiol–drug interaction in cancer patients: A retrospective study in a real‐life setting
Authors: Guedon Marie , Le Bozec Antoine , Brugel Mathias , Clarenne Justine , Carlier Claire , Perrier Marine , Laurent Maëliss , Hettler Dominique , Mongaret Céline , Bouché Olivier , Slimano Florian
Published: February 2023

Cannabidiol (CBD) consumption in cancer patients is growing and there is a need to investigate how to detect cannabidiol–drug interactions (CDIs). However, CDIs and the clinical relevance between CBD, anticancer treatment, supportive care and conventional drugs is poorly studied especially in real‐life settings. In 1 oncology day‐hospital, a cross‐sectional study in 363 cancer patients treated with chemotherapy revealed 20 patients (5.5%) who consumed CBD. In this study we aimed to explore the prevalence and clinical relevance of CDIs among these 20 patients. CDI detection used the Food and Drug Administration Drugs.com database and clinical relevance was assessed accordingly. Ninety CDIs with 34 medicines were detected (4.6 CDI/patient). The main clinical risks were central nervous system depression and hepatoxicity. The main CDIs were assessed as moderate and anticancer treatment do not seem to add to the risk. CBD discontinuation appears to be the most consistent management. Future studies should explore the clinical relevance of drug interactions with CBD in cancer patients.
Perceived parental social support and psychological control predict depressive symptoms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning youth in the United States
Authors: McCurdy Amy L. , Russell Stephen T.
Published: February 2023

Salient practices in the parenting literature—support and control—have seldom been applied to understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth mental health. We examine associations among perceived parental social support, psychological control, and depressive symptoms for LGBTQ youth in the United States (n = 536; Mage = 18.98; 48.1% women; 25.2% Black or African American; 37.1% Hispanic or Latino/a/x). Data were collected in 2011–2012. Results indicated joint effects of social support and psychological control predicting youth depressive symptoms. Multiple group analysis yielded a significant interaction of parenting practices for youth whose parent(s) did not know their LGBTQ identity. Findings support further consideration of parental support and control in relation to LGBTQ youth well‐being.
Functional mobility in children and young adults with Dravet syndrome
Authors: Verheyen Karen , Wyers Lore , Lambrecht Eugénie , Schoonjans An‐Sofie , Ceulemans Berten , van de Walle Patricia , Hallemans Ann
Published: February 2023

Aim

This cohort study aimed to describe functional mobility in Dravet syndrome, a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Method

Functional mobility was assessed in individuals (aged 3–25 years), diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, using the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS), Mobility Questionnaire 28 (MobQues28), and estimated walking distance. Secondary outcome variables were Gait Profile Score (GPS), walking velocity, age at independent walking, intellectual disability, seizure frequency, genetic variant type, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

Forty participants aged 3 years to 24 years 2 months (mean = 12 years 2 months) had a median MobQues28 of 79%, median scores of 5, 5, and 4 for the FMS 5 m, 50 m, and 500 m and a median estimated walking distance of 1 km to 3 km. Most difficulties were seen in walking up and down the stairs, walking over obstacles, kicking a ball, and running. MobQues28 scores showed a significant decrease (−6.6%, p = 0.016) in the age category of young adults (≥18 years). After correcting for age, MobQues28 was correlated to age at independent walking (−0.485, p = 0.002), GPS (−0.460, p = 0.003), and walking velocity (0.334, p = 0.038). Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of intellectual disability and BMI on MobQues28 (p = 0.029, p = 0.049). No effect of seizure frequency or genetic variant was found (p = 0.579, p = 0.337).

Interpretation

Functional mobility limitations were observed mainly in dual tasks and activities requiring stability, with limitations increasing from the age of 18 years. Age at independent walking, gait impairments, intellectual disability, and BMI can impact functional mobility in Dravet syndrome.

What this paper adds

Most limitations were seen in dual task activities and activities that required more stability.

Deterioration in functional mobility occurred in young adults.

The more gait impairments, the more functional mobility limitations.

Age at independent walking, intellectual disability, and body mass index can impact functional mobility.
The fitness value of ecological information in a variable world
Authors: Usinowicz Jacob , O'Connor Mary I.
Published: February 2023

Information processing is increasingly recognized as a fundamental component of life in variable environments, including the evolved use of environmental cues, biomolecular networks, and social learning. Despite this, ecology lacks a quantitative framework for understanding how population, community, and ecosystem dynamics depend on information processing. Here, we review the rationale and evidence for ‘fitness value of information’ (FVOI), and synthesize theoretical work in ecology, information theory, and probability behind this general mathematical framework. The FVOI quantifies how species' per capita population growth rates can depend on the use of information in their environment. FVOI is a breakthrough approach to linking information processing and ecological and evolutionary outcomes in a changing environment, addressing longstanding questions about how information mediates the effects of environmental change and species interactions.
Effect of irinotecan administration on amiloride‐sensitive sodium taste responses in mice
Authors: Obayashi Nami , Sakayori Nobuyuki , Kawaguchi Hiroyuki , Sugita Makoto
Published: February 2023

Taste alteration is a frequently reported side effect in patients receiving the chemotherapeutic agent, irinotecan. However, the way in which irinotecan causes taste disturbance and the type of taste impairment that is affected remain elusive. Here, we used the two‐bottle preference test to characterize behavioral taste responses and employed immunohistochemical analyses to clarify the types and mechanisms of taste alteration induced, in mice, by irinotecan administration. Irinotecan administration resulted in a reduced intake of sodium taste solution but had no effect on sweet taste responses, as determined in the two‐bottle preference test. In the presence of amiloride, which inhibits the function of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the periphery, the intake of sodium taste solution was comparable between the irinotecan‐treated and control groups. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that α‐ENaC immunoreactivity detected in taste bud cells decreased slowly after irinotecan administration, and that administration of irinotecan had little effect on the number of cells expressing the cellular proliferation marker, Ki67, within or around taste buds. Our results imply that irinotecan administration may be responsible for altered behavioral sodium taste responses originating from ENaC function in the periphery, while being accompanied by the reduction of α‐ENaC expression at the apical membrane of taste receptor cells without disturbing taste cell renewal.
Self‐assembly of a dimeric avidin into unique higher‐order oligomers
Authors: Bana Juana , Warwar Jessica , Bayer Edward A. , Livnah Oded
Published: February 2023

The dimeric avidin family has been expanded in recent years to include many new members. All of them lack the intermonomeric Trp that plays a critical role in biotin‐binding. Nevertheless, these new members of the avidins maintain the high affinity towards biotin. Additionally, all of the dimeric avidins share a very unique property: namely, the cylindrical oligomerization in the crystal structure. The newest member described here, agroavidin from the agrobacterium, Rhizobium sp. AAP43, shares their important structural features. However, the affinity of agroavidin towards biotin is lower than all other members of the avidin family, due to the presence of phenylalanine instead of a conserved tyrosine in the biotin‐binding site. Mutating this phenylalanine into tyrosine regenerated the high affinity, which emphasizes the importance of this particular tyrosine residue. Another unique feature that distinguishes agroavidin from the other dimeric avidins is that it does not produce oligomers in its crystal structure. In order to understand the factors that promote oligomerization in dimeric avidins, we exchanged the C‐terminal region of agroavidin with that of hoefavidin that produced octamers. This exchange resulted in a decamer rather than an octamer. This unusual outcome demonstrates the impact of the C‐terminal region on the ability to produce oligomers. The decameric assembly of agroavidin expands the avidin‐biotin toolbox even further and could well pave the path into new biotin‐based technologies. Moreover, uncovering the factors that induce dimeric avidins into oligomeric assemblies may aid in better understanding the general molecular determinants that promote oligomerization.
Mineralogical characterization of biosilicas versus geological analogs
Authors: Farfan Gabriela A. , McKeown David A. , Post Jeffrey E.
Published: February 2023

Non‐crystalline silica mineraloids are essential to life on Earth as they provide architectural structure to dominant primary producers, such as plants and phytoplankton, as well as to protists and sponges. Due to the difficulty in characterizing and quantifying the structure of highly disordered X‐ray amorphous silica, relatively little has been done to understand the mineralogy of biogenic silica and how this may impact the material properties of biogenic silica, such as hardness and strength, or how biosilica might be identified and differentiated from its inorganic geological counterparts. Typically, geologically formed opal‐A and hyalite opal‐AN are regarded as analogs to biogenic silica, however, some spectroscopic and imaging studies suggest that this might not be a reasonable assumption. In this study, we use a variety of techniques (X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy) to compare differences in structural disorder and bonding environments of geologically formed hydrous silicas (Opal‐A, hyalite, geyserite) and silica glass versus biogenic silicas from an array of organisms. Our results indicate differences in the levels of structural disorder and the Raman‐observed bonding environments of the SiO2 network modes (D1 mode) and the Q‐species modes (~1015 cm−1) between varieties of biogenic silicas and geologically formed silicas, which aligns with previous studies that suggest fundamental differences between biogenic and geologically formed silica. Biosilicas also differ structurally from one another by species of organism. Our mineralogical approach to characterizing biosilicas and differentiating them from other silicas may be expanded to future diagenesis studies, and potentially applied to astrobiology studies of Earth and other planets.
PROBE 2023 guidelines for reporting observational studies in endodontics: Explanation and elaboration
Authors: Nagendrababu Venkateshbabu , Duncan Henry F. , Fouad Ashraf F. , Kirkevang Lise‐Lotte , Parashos Peter , Pigg Maria , Væth Michael , Jayaraman Jayakumar , Suresh Nandini , Jakovljevic Aleksandar , Dummer Paul M. H.
Published: February 2023

Observational studies play a critical role in evaluating the prevalence and incidence of conditions or diseases in populations as well as in defining the benefits and potential hazards of health‐related interventions. There are currently no reporting guidelines for observational studies in the field of Endodontics. The Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology (PRIDE) team has developed and published new reporting guidelines for observational‐based studies called the ‘Preferred Reporting items for OBservational studies in Endodontics (PROBE) 2023’ guidelines. The PROBE 2023 guidelines were developed exclusively for the speciality of Endodontics by integrating and adapting the ‘STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE)’ checklist and the ‘Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications (CLIP)’ principles. The recommendations of the Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting Guidelines were adhered to throughout the process of developing the guidelines. The purpose of this document is to serve as a guide for authors by providing an explanation for each of the items in the PROBE 2023 checklist along with relevant examples from the literature. The document also offers advice to authors on how they can address each item in their manuscript before submission to a journal. The PROBE 2023 checklist is freely accessible and downloadable from the PRIDE website (http://pride‐endodonticguidelines.org/probe/).
Physicochemical properties, chemical constituents, and antioxidant activity of Eurya honey
Authors: Liu Mingyan , Yao Xingzi , Zhang Gaowei , Yi Shengxiang , Huang Xueyong , Ning Fangjian , Luo Liping
Published: February 2023

Eurya honey (EH) is produced from the nectar of Eurya. In this paper, the physicochemical properties (moisture, free acidity, pH, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, conductivity, sugar, and colour) of EH were systematically studied for the first time. The total phenols and flavonoids were determined by spectrophotometry, and the contents were 40.29 ± 4.17 mg GAE/100 g and 12.44 ± 0.62 mg RE/100 g, respectively. A total of 232 compounds were identified, and 30 of them were quantified by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q/TOF‐MS). The potential markers of EH were abscisic acid (21.3–103.4 μg/100 g), gallic acid (6.9–220.2 μg/100 g), tricoumaroyl spermidine (284.2–518.1 μg/100 g), and kaempferol (15.0–258.7 μg/100 g). EH showed antioxidant capacities in DPPH free radical‐scavenging activity (IC50: 42.87–131.26 mg mL−1), ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (23.22–112.24 μmol FeSO4·7H2O/100 g), and ABTS radical‐scavenging activity assays (9.51–31.21 μmol Trolox/100 g).
The role of silanol groups on the reaction of SiO2 and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride gas
Authors: Ono Yoshitaka , Nagai Sho , Hayashi Yasuo , Urashima Shu‐hei , Yui Hiroharu
Published: February 2023

It is essential to etch SiO2 for producing silica glass components, semiconductor devices, and so on. Although wet‐etching with hydrogen fluoride (HF) solutions is usually employed for this purpose, it faces a drawback that microstructures stick during the drying of the solution. To overcome this problem, we have developed a dry‐etching technique with gaseous HF at high temperatures. In the present study, an interesting phenomenon was found that silicon thermal oxides were much less etched than vitreous silica by gaseous HF. Such difference had not been found in wet‐ or humid HF gas etching. Because their bulk chemical formulae are the same (SiO2), it was suggested that the surface species affected the reaction rate. In fact, preprocessing with water vapor plasma remarkably increased the etching rate on the thermal oxides layer, and vacuum heating almost completely suppressed the reaction on the vitreous silica and the plasma‐treated thermal oxides. These results indicate that the surface silanol groups enhance the reaction between SiO2 and gaseous HF. Based on the results, a model of chain reaction for SiO2 and gaseous HF was proposed, where the surface silanol groups act as the reaction center.
The European Parliament's Political Leadership: The Case Study of EU Foreign Policy towards Turkey
Authors: Baracani Elena , Santini Lorenzo
Published: February 2023

This article presents an empirical analysis of how the European Parliament's eighth legislature mobilised to shape European Union (EU) foreign policy towards Turkey during the refugee crisis. On a conceptual and methodological level, we propose an analytical framework based on the mechanism of political leadership to trace the EP's role in two specific areas of EU foreign policy towards Turkey: enlargement and cooperation on migration. We argue that EP foreign policy resources allow it to play a political leadership role in this policy domain. Empirically, the analysis feeds into the claim of New Institutional Leadership since it reveals that the informal governance at the time of the refugee crisis favoured the mobilisation of the EP, mainly to protect its institutional prerogatives. The analysis also shows that the EP adopted a contradictory approach to EU foreign policy towards Turkey that affected the Parliament's reputation as the guardian of EU values.
Impact of emerging food processing technologies on structural and functional modification of proteins in plant‐based meat alternatives: An updated review
Authors: Rathnakumar Kaavya , Balakrishnan Gayathri , Ramesh Bharathi , Sujayasree O. J. , Pasupuleti Sudhir Kumar , Pandiselvam Ravi
Published: February 2023

In the past decade, the plant‐based meat alternative industry has grown rapidly due to consumers' demand for environmental‐friendly, nutritious, sustainable and humane choices. Consumers are not only concerned about the positive relationship between food consumption and health, they are also keen on the environmental sustainability. With such increased consumers' demand for meat alternatives, there is an urgent need for identification and modification of protein sources to imitate the functionality, textural, organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of traditional meat products. However, the plant proteins are not readily digestible and require more functionalization and modification are required. Proteins has to be modified to achieve high quality attributes such as solubility, gelling, emulsifying and foaming properties to make them more palatable and digestible. The protein source from the plant source in order to achieve the claims which needs more high protein digestibility and amino acid bioavailability. In order to achieve these newer emerging non‐thermal technologies which can operate under mild temperature conditions can reach a balance between feasibility and reduced environmental impact maintaining the nutritional attributes and functional attributes of the proteins. This review article has discussed the mechanism of protein modification and advancements in the application of non‐thermal technologies such as high pressure processing and pulsed electric field and emerging oxidation technologies (ultrasound, cold plasma, and ozone) on the structural modification of plant‐based meat alternatives to improve, the techno‐functional properties and palatability for successful food product development applications.
Understanding the relationship between orofacial structures and feeding habits of preschoolers: A multivariate analysis
Authors: Scudine Kelly Guedes Oliveira de , de Moraes Kizzy Nascimento , Miyagui Sania Aparecida , Lamy Elsa , Lopes Mariana Fernandes , Mamani Maribel Hilasaca , Castelo Paula Midori
Published: February 2023

The understanding of the relationship between orofacial structures and feeding habits in preschoolers is helpful for health professionals and those dedicated to food science. The hypothesis tested was whether this relationship is already present even at a very young age. This cross‐sectional study included 91 healthy caries‐free children (50 girls/41 boys; 3.4–6.2 years; mean 4.1 years) and a comprehensive evaluation of the stomatognathic system was performed: dietary intake, facial and occlusal morphology, gustatory sensitivity, bite and lip forces, and orofacial myofunctional aspects (mastication, swallowing and breathing functions). Principal component analysis summarized the variables related to the form and function of the orofacial aspects; further, K‐means analysis identified two clusters of participants with similar aspects. Cluster 1 (“Low orofacial myofunctional functioning”; n = 51) was characterized by children who showed the worst performance of mastication, swallowing and breathing functions and whose parents reported the consumption of sweets, cookies, chocolate, but not fresh fruits the day before, in addition to the higher bottle‐feeding and pacifier use duration. This cluster also showed higher sweet taste threshold. Cluster 2 (“High orofacial myofunctional functioning”; n = 40) showed lower bottle‐feeding and pacifier use duration, higher gustatory sensitivity, greater maxillo‐mandibular dimensions, and better orofacial function performance. The variables sex and BMI did not associate to clusters profile. The frequencies of open bite and current sucking habit (pacifier) also differed between clusters. The results showed that an association between form and function of the structures that comprise the stomatognathic system and dietary intake is already present in children with primary dentition.
Fecal microbiome in dogs with lymphoid and nonlymphoid tumors
Authors: Bae Hyeona , Lim Seul Ki , Jo Hee Eun , Oh Yeonsu , Park Jinho , Choi Hak‐Jong , Yu DoHyeon
Published: February 2023

Background

The association of gut microbiota with cancer etiology and prognosis has been demonstrated in humans and rodents but has not been studied in dogs with different types of tumors.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To analyze microbiome composition according to tumor progression based on metastasis, recurrence, and therapeutic response in canine tumors.

Animals

Thirty‐two client‐owned dogs were divided into 3 groups: healthy (n = 9), with lymphoma (n = 12), with nonlymphoid tumors (n = 11).

Methods

Retrospective case series included animals were divided into subgroups according to the nature and severity of their tumors. Feces were screened for the 16S rRNA gene.

Results

Overall, alpha diversity was significantly reduced in dogs with tumors (n = 23; 12 lymphoid and 11 nonlymphoid) compared to healthy dogs (n = 9). Bacteroides had lower abundance in canine tumors at genus level. Staphylococcus showed significantly reduced abundance in dogs with aggressive tumor progression. Higher white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts and lower hematocrit were significant in dogs with aggressive tumor. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis revealed several measurements that showed moderate to strong correlations, including Coprococcus with total WBC count, neutrophil count, and hematocrit in the aggressive tumor group, and Saccharimonas with serum albumin and sodium concentration in all tumor dogs.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The diversity of the gut microbiome was significantly reduced in dogs with tumors compared to healthy dogs. Correlations were found between changes in blood measurements and changes in microbiome composition in relation to paraneoplastic syndrome.
Parallels for cetacean trap feeding and tread‐water feeding in the historical record across two millennia
Authors: McCarthy John , Sebo Erin , Firth Matthew
Published: February 2023

Trap feeding and tread‐water feeding are cetacean hunting strategies first recorded in the 2000s in two whale species at opposite sides of the globe. In both behaviors, whales sit motionless at the surface with their mouths open. Fish are attracted into the whale's mouth and are trapped when the jaw is closed. We identify striking parallels with the behavior of a sea creature named hafgufa in Old Norse sources. The hafgufa tradition can be traced back to the aspidochelone, a type of whale frequently described in medieval bestiaries, first appearing in the Physiologus, a 2nd century CE Alexandrian manuscript.
Using social norm nudges in supermarket shopping trolleys to increase fruit and vegetable purchases
Authors: McGrath Greg M.
Published: February 2023

Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is associated with a reduced risk of developing obesity and chronic diseases: however, only one in twenty Australian adults consume F&Vs at the recommended two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables per day. What and how much people eat is influenced by their social and physical environments. Supermarkets are a key setting influencing food purchases, and as such, they can shape consumption patterns of F&Vs. Implementing effective strategies to increase F&V intake is crucial. The objective of this research was to test if shopper purchasing behaviour can be modified to purchase more F&Vs using social norm nudge messages (prompts) placed in shopping trolleys. Placards giving the message that the majority of shoppers purchased F&Vs at each shop were placed in shopping trolleys. Applying an intervention research design, 30 out of ~100 trolleys were fitted with the placards and shopper purchases were measured by collecting receipts to measure the quantity (kg), total and F&V spending (Australian dollars) for intervention versus control trolleys. We also conducted a short intercept survey that was administered independently from the research study day. Shoppers who selected trolleys with the social norm nudge placards (n = 109) purchased 1.25 kg more F&Vs (Intervention: mean = 5.45 kg, SD = 4.23 kg, 95% CI 4.65 kg, 6.26 kg vs. Control: mean 4.19 kg, SD = 3.75 kg, 95% CI 3.48 kg, 4.90 kg, p = 0.020, Cohen's d = 0.32) and spent an extra $9.10 more on F&Vs compared to shoppers in the control group (n = 109; Intervention: mean = $36.20, SD = $26.30, 95% CI = $31.24, $41.26 vs. Control: mean $27.10, SD = $24.00, 95% CI = $22.50, $31.67, p = 0.008, Cohen's d = 0.36). The social norm nudge placard shows promise in modifying shoppers' purchases to buy more F&Vs. Larger studies are required to elucidate and confirm these findings over the longer term.
Autonomous sensory meridian response is associated with a larger heartbeat‐evoked potential amplitude without differences in interoceptive awareness
Authors: Villena‐Gonzalez Mario , Rojas‐Thomas Felipe , Morales‐Torres Ricardo , López Vladimir
Published: February 2023

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) describes the experience of a pleasant body sensation accompanied by a feeling of well‐being and relaxation in response to specific audiovisual stimuli, such as whispers and personal attention. Previous work suggests a relationship between this experience with the processing of affective and body states; however, no research has explored differences in interoception between people experiencing ASMR and those who do not. We hypothesized that the ASMR experience is based on interoception processing. To test this, we assessed group differences across different dimensions of interoception: Interoceptive sensibility (IS), measured using the multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness (MAIA); Interoceptive accuracy score (IAS), measured by calculating performance in a heartbeat counting task (HCT), and the electrophysiological index of interoception, the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP), which was calculated during the HCT and an ASMR tingle reporting task (ASMR‐TRT). Our results showed that IS and IAS, dimensions requiring conscious awareness, showed no differences between groups. However, HEP amplitude was larger in the ASMR group in both tasks. We concluded that the ASMR experience is based on an unconscious interoceptive mechanism, reflected by HEP, where exteroceptive social‐affective stimuli are integrated to represent a body state of positive affective feelings and relaxation, as has been described for affective touch. The relevance of this finding relies on that interoceptive function, body regulation, and emotional/affective experiences are fundamental for well‐being, and the relationship between ASMR and interoception opens the way to future research exploring the causal relationship between them and their potential clinical applications.
Soil erosion and runoff: The need to rethink mitigation strategies for sustainable agricultural landscapes in western Europe
Authors: Boardman John , Vandaele Karel
Published: February 2023

Agricultural landscapes that are intensively farmed, as in western Europe, face the challenge of a transition to more sustainable systems. Although erosion rates are relatively low in western Europe, the agricultural landscape is confronted by the need to mitigate the off‐site impacts of erosion. An important challenge is that of disrupting connectivity between runoff and sediment sources, often farmers' fields, and freshwater systems or local communities. Mitigation strategies should include monitoring of erosion rates and off‐site impacts and a mix of engineered and alternative measures such as buffer strips and retention ponds. Also needed are supportive government policies and actions including awareness of institutional memory problems and the promotion of farmer education. For the future, the risk of climate change must be appreciated and built into the planning of comprehensive mitigation strategies. Our perspective is that the overall aim should be a ‘sustainable agricultural landscape’ and not simply a reduction of erosion and runoff on farmers' fields.
Estimating Fock-state linear optics evolution using coherent states
Authors: Lund Austin P.
Published: February 2023

This paper presents two methods for simulating the interference of bosonic Fock states through linear interferometers using coherent states. The first method repeats the interferometer, injects coherent states in particular modes, and uses symmetric combinations of the outputs to reconstruct the state amplitudes of the Fock-state interference. The second method constructs a new interferometer that can be probed with coherent states on individual inputs to extract the required state amplitudes. The two approaches here show explicitly where the classical computational difficultly arises. In the first approach, the computational hardness is in the measurement post-processing, and in the second approach, it is within the construction of the required state evolution.
A Case for Unifying Accelerometry-Derived Movement Behaviors and Tests of Exercise Capacity for the Assessment of Relative Physical Activity Intensity
Authors: Orme Mark W. , Lloyd-Evans Phoebe H.I. , Jayamaha Akila R. , Katagira Winceslaus , Kirenga Bruce , Pina Ilaria , Kingsnorth Andrew P. , Maylor Ben , Singh Sally J. , Rowlands Alex V.
Published: February 2023

Albert Einstein taught us that “everything is relative.” People’s experience of physical activity (PA) is no different, with “relativism” particularly pertinent to the perception of intensity. Markers of absolute and relative intensities of PA have different but complimentary utilities, with absolute intensity considered best for PA guideline adherence and relative intensity for personalized exercise prescription. Under the paradigm of exercise and PA as medicine, our Technical Note proposes a method of synchronizing accelerometry with the incremental shuttle walking test to facilitate description of the intensity of the free-living PA profile in absolute and relative terms. Our approach is able to generate and distinguish “can do” or “cannot do” (based on exercise capacity) and “does do” or “does not do” (based on relative intensity PA) classifications in a chronic respiratory disease population, facilitating the selection of potential appropriate individually tailored interventions. By synchronizing direct assessments of exercise capacity and PA, clearer insights into the intensity of PA performed during everyday life can be gleaned. We believe the next steps are as follows: (1) to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of using relative and absolute intensities in combination to personalize the approach, (2) to determine its sensitivity to change following interventions (eg, exercise-based rehabilitation), and (3) to explore the use of this approach in healthier populations and in other long-term conditions.
Data-driven design of orthogonal protein-protein interactions
Authors: Malinverni Duccio , Babu M. Madan
Published: February 2023

Engineering protein-protein interactions to generate new functions presents a challenge with great potential for many applications, ranging from therapeutics to synthetic biology. To avoid unwanted cross-talk with preexisting protein interaction networks in a cell, the specificity and selectivity of newly engineered proteins must be controlled. Here, we developed a computational strategy that mimics gene duplication and the divergence of preexisting interacting protein pairs to design new interactions. We used the bacterial PhoQ-PhoP two-component system as a model system to demonstrate the feasibility of this strategy and validated the approach with known experimental results. The designed protein pairs are predicted to exclusively interact with each other and to be insulated from potential cross-talk with their native partners. Thus, our approach enables exploration of uncharted regions of the protein sequence space and the design of new interacting protein pairs.
IHH, SHH, and primary cilia mediate epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization in mice
Authors: Li Bo , Yan Ya-Ping , He Yu-Ying , Liang Chen , Li Meng-Yuan , Wang Ying , Yang Zeng-Ming
Published: February 2023

The establishment of pregnancy depends on interactions between the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium that drive the decidual reaction that remodels the stroma and enables embryo implantation. Decidualization in mice also depends on ovarian hormones and the presence of a blastocyst. Hedgehog signaling is transduced by primary cilia in many tissues and is involved in epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization. We found that primary cilia on mouse uterine stromal cells increased in number and length during early pregnancy and were required for decidualization. In vitro and in vivo, progesterone promoted stromal ciliogenesis and the production of Indian hedgehog (IHH) in the epithelium and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) in the stroma. Blastocyst-derived TNF-α also induced epithelial IHH, which stimulated the production of SHH in the stroma through a mechanism that may involve the release of arachidonic acid from epithelial cells. In the stroma, SHH activated canonical Hedgehog signaling through primary cilia and promoted decidualization through a mechanism that depended on interleukin-11 (IL-11) and primary cilia. Our findings identify a primary cilia–dependent network that controls endometrial decidualization and suggest primary cilia as a candidate therapeutic target for endometrial diseases.
Therapeutic, Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Exhibits Broad Binding and Protective Efficacy against Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Slarve Matthew , Reyna Zeferino , Burk Elizabeth , Ruiz-Delgado Juan , Li Rachel , Yan Jun , Luna Brian , Spellberg Brad
Published: February 2023

Acinetobacter baumannii
is an extremely drug-resistant pathogen necessitating the development of new therapies. We seek to generate a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that can target the full diversity of
A. baumannii
isolates.
Antibiotic-Induced Neutropenia in Patients Receiving Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lam Philip W. , Leis Jerome A. , Daneman Nick
Published: February 2023

Our research objective was to describe the incidence and management of antibiotic-induced neutropenia in patients receiving outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) at our institution over a 7-year period. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients followed by the OPAT clinic from 1 July 2016 to 30 March 2022 who developed antibiotic-induced neutropenia (defined as an absolute neutrophil count of ≤1.5 × 10
9
/L).
Endogenous Linear Plasmids lp28-4 and lp25 Are Required for Infectivity and Restriction Protection in the Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia mayonii
Authors: Casselli Timothy , Tourand Yvonne , Gura Kaitlyn , Stevenson Brian , Zückert Wolfram R. , Brissette Catherine A.
Published: February 2023

Borrelia mayonii
is a newly recognized causative agent of Lyme disease in the Upper Midwestern United States, with distinct clinical presentations compared to classical Lyme disease caused by other Lyme
Borrelia
species. However, little is known about the
B. mayonii
genetic determinants required for establishing infection or perpetuating disease in mammals.
Activated Platelets Mediate Monocyte Killing of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Gautam Iluja , Huss Chadwick W. , Storad Zachary A. , Krebs Michelle , Bassiouni Omar , Ramesh Rochan , Wuescher Leah M. , Worth Randall G.
Published: February 2023

Platelets are known for essential activities in hemostasis and for their important contribution to protection against infectious pathogens.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
is an opportunistic pathogen widely known to cause nosocomial infections. Recently, hypervirulent strains of
K. pneumoniae
have been emerging, which can cause severe infections in immunocompetent individuals.
Adaptation to Overflow Metabolism by Mutations That Impair tRNA Modification in Experimentally Evolved Bacteria
Authors: Muraski Marc J. , Nilsson Emil M. , Fritz Melissa J. , Richardson Anthony R. , Alexander Rebecca W. , Cooper Vaughn S.
Published: February 2023

There is growing evidence that the fundamental components of protein translation can play multiple roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Enzymes that interact with transfer RNAs not only ensure faithful decoding of the genetic code but also help signal the metabolic state by reacting to imbalances in essential building blocks like free amino acids and cofactors.
Draft Genome Sequences of Three “
Candidatus
Symbiopectobacterium” Isolates Collected from Potato Tubers Grown in New Zealand
Authors: Nunes Leite Luciano , Visnovsky Sandra B. , Wright Peter J. , Pitman Andrew R.
Published: February 2023

The draft genome sequences of three “
Candidatus
Symbiopectobacterium” isolates that were collected from New Zealand-grown potato tubers represent the first report of this proposed taxon in the Southern Hemisphere. Their symbiosis with insects and nematodes and their presence on plants may lead to new strategies for pest control and crop management.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Flavobacterium
sp. Strain GSB-24, Isolated from inside
Dendrobium
Roots
Authors: Nishioka Tomoki , Morinaga Kana , Tamaki Hideyuki
Published: February 2023

Here, we report a complete genome sequence of
Flavobacterium
sp. strain GSB-24, an endophytic bacterium of
Dendrobium
plants. The genome consists of a circular 5,286,830-bp chromosome with a G+C content of 33.8% and a circular 64,374-bp plasmid with a G+C content of 29.3%.
Unique Genomic Epidemiology of COVID-19 in the White Mountain Apache Tribe, April to August 2020, Arizona
Authors: Bowers Jolene R. , Yaglom Hayley D. , Hepp Crystal M. , Pfeiffer Ashlyn , Jasso-Selles Daniel , Bratsch Nicole , Nashio J. T. , Folkerts Megan , Wilbur Sara M. , French Chris , Lemmer Darrin , Fitzpatrick Kathryn , Huynh Trung , Komatsu Kenneth , McAuley James B. , Close Ryan , Engelthaler David M.
Published: February 2023

This article discusses the introduction and spread of two unique viral lineages of SARS-CoV-2 within the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona. Both genomic sequencing and traditional epidemiological strategies (e.g., contract tracing) were used to understand the nature of the spread of both lineages. Beyond providing a robust genomic analysis of the epidemiology of the outbreaks, this work also highlights the successful efforts of the local public health response.
Comparative Analysis of Transcriptomic Response of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 to Nine Representative Classes of Antibiotics
Authors: Bie Luyao , Zhang Mengge , Wang Juan , Fang Meng , Li Ling , Xu Hai , Wang Mingyu
Published: February 2023

Antibiotics are among the most important inventions in the history of humankind. They are the ultimate reason why bacterial infections are no longer the number one threat to people’s lives.
Integrated Metabolic and Inflammatory Signatures Associated with Severity of, Fatality of, and Recovery from COVID-19
Authors: Gardinassi Luiz Gustavo , Servian Carolina do Prado , Lima Gesiane da Silva , dos Anjos Déborah Carolina Carvalho , Gomes Junior Antonio Roberto , Guilarde Adriana Oliveira , Borges Moara Alves Santa Bárbara , dos Santos Gabriel Franco , Moraes Brenda Grazielli Nogueira , Silva João Marcos Maia , Masson Letícia Carrijo , de Souza Flávia Pereira , da Silva Rodolfo Rodrigues , de Araújo Giovanna Lopes , Rodrigues Marcella Ferreira , da Silva Lidya Cardozo , Meira Sueli , Fiaccadori Fabiola Souza , Souza Menira , Romão Pedro Roosevelt Torres , Spadafora Ferreira Mônica , Coelho Verônica , Chaves Andréa Rodrigues , Simas Rosineide Costa , Vaz Boniek Gontijo , Fonseca Simone Gonçalves
Published: February 2023

COVID-19 is characterized by diverse clinical outcomes that include asymptomatic to mild manifestations or severe disease and death. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 activates inflammatory and metabolic responses that drive protection or pathology.
Zinc-Based Nanoparticles Reduce Bacterial Biofilm Formation
Authors: Bianchini Fulindi Rafael , Domingues Rodrigues Juliana , Lemos Barbosa Thulio Wliandon , Goncalves Garcia Ariana D. , de Almeida La Porta Felipe , Pratavieira Sebastião , Chiavacci Leila Aparecida , Pessoa Araújo Junior João , da Costa Paulo Inácio , Martinez Luis R.
Published: February 2023

Zinc (Zn)-based nanoparticles (NPs) can be potentially used in medical and food preservation applications. As proof of principle, we investigated the bactericidal and antibiofilm activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) NPs against medically important bacteria.
Protocolised reduction of non-resuscitation fluids versus usual care in patients with septic shock (REDUSE): a protocol for a multicentre feasibility trial
Authors: Lindén Anja , Fisher Jane , Lilja Gisela , Olsen Markus Harboe , Sjövall Fredrik , Jungner Mårten , Spångfors Martin , Samuelsson Line , Oras Jonatan , Linder Adam , Unden Johan , Kander T , Lipcsey Miklós , Nielsen Niklas , Jakobsen Janus C , Bentzer Peter
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Administration of large volumes of fluids is associated with poor outcome in septic shock. Recent data suggest that non-resuscitation fluids are the major source of fluids in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients suffering from septic shock. The present trial is designed to test the hypothesis that a protocol targeting this source of fluids can reduce fluid administration compared with usual care.

Methods and analysis

The design will be a multicentre, randomised, feasibility trial. Adult patients admitted to ICUs with septic shock will be randomised within 12 hours of admission to receive non-resuscitation fluids either according to a restrictive protocol or to receive usual care. The healthcare providers involved in the care of participants will not be blinded. The participants, outcome assessors at the 6-month follow-up and statisticians will be blinded. Primary outcome will be litres of fluids administered within 3 days of randomisation. Secondary outcomes will be proportion of randomised participants with outcome data on all-cause mortality; days alive and free of mechanical ventilation within 90 days of inclusion; any acute kidney injury and ischaemic events in the ICU (cerebral, cardiac, intestinal or limb ischaemia); proportion of surviving randomised patients who were assessed by European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 5-Level questionnaire and Montreal Cognitive Assessment; proportion of all eligible patients who were randomised and proportion of participants experiencing at least one protocol violation.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been obtained in Sweden. Results of the primary and secondary outcomes will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT05249088.
Development and design of a mobile application for prescription opioid clinical decision-making: a feasibility study in New York City, USA
Authors: Marziali Megan E , Giordano Mirna , Gleit Zachary , Prigoff Jake , Landau Ruth , Martins Silvia S
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Excessive opioid prescribing is a contributing factor to the opioid epidemic in the USA. We aimed to develop, implement and evaluate the usability of a clinical decision-making mobile application (app) for opioid prescription after surgery.

Methods

We developed two clinical decision trees, one for opioid prescription after adult laparoscopic cholecystectomy and one for posterior spinal fusion surgery in adolescents. We developed a mobile app incorporating the two algorithms with embedded clinical decision-making, which was tested by opioid prescribers. A survey collected prescription intention prior to app use and participants’ evaluation. Participants included opioid prescribers for patients undergoing (1) laparoscopic cholecystectomy in adults or (2) posterior spinal fusion in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Results

Eighteen healthcare providers were included in this study (General Surgery: 8, Paediatrics: 10). Intended opioid prescription before app use varied between departments (General Surgery: 0–10 pills (mean=5.9); Paediatrics: 6–30 pills (mean=20.8)). Intention to continue using the app after using the app multiple times varied between departments (General Surgery: N=3/8; Paediatrics: N=7/10). The most reported reason for not using the app is lack of time.

Conclusions

In this project evaluating the development and implementation of an app for opioid prescription after two common surgeries with different prescription patterns, the surgical procedure with higher intended and variable opioid prescription (adolescent posterior spinal fusion surgery) was associated with participants more willing to use the app. Future iterations of this opioid prescribing intervention should target surgical procedures with high variability in both patients’ opioid use and providers’ prescription patterns.
Validating a clinical laboratory parameter-based deisolation algorithm for patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit using viability PCR: the CoLaIC multicentre cohort study protocol
Authors: Schoenmakers Tom , van Bussel Bas C T , Gorissen Stefan H M , van Loo Inge H M , van Rosmalen Frank , Verboeket-van de Venne Wilhelmine P H G , Wolffs Petra F G , van Mook Walter N K A , Leers Mathie P G
Published: February 2023

Introduction

To investigate whether biochemical and haematological changes due to the patient’s host response (CoLab algorithm) in combination with a SARS-CoV-2 viability PCR (v-PCR) can be used to determine when a patient with COVID-19 is no longer infectious.

We hypothesise that the CoLab algorithm in combination with v-PCR can be used to determine whether or not a patient with COVID-19 is infectious to facilitate the safe release of patients with COVID-19 from isolation.

Methods and analysis

This study consists of three parts using three different cohorts of patients. All three cohorts contain clinical, vital and laboratory parameters, as well as logistic data related to isolated patients with COVID-19, with a focus on intensive care unit (ICU) stay. The first cohort will be used to develop an algorithm for the course of the biochemical and haematological changes of the host response of the COVID-19 patient. Simultaneously, a second prospective cohort will be used to investigate the algorithm derived in the first cohort, with daily measured laboratory parameters, next to conventional SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase PCRs, as well as v-PCR, to confirm the presence of intact SARS-CoV-2 particles in the patient. Finally, a third multicentre cohort, consisting of retrospectively collected data from patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, will be used to validate the algorithm.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee from Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (cohort I: 2020-1565/300523) and Zuyderland MC (cohorts II and III: METCZ20200057). All patients will be required to provide informed consent. Results from this study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals and congress/consortium presentations.