bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outbreak of shoot blight and dieback of Eucalyptus spp., caused by Pseudoplagiostoma eucalypti in Brazil
Authors: Zauza Edival Ângelo Valverde , da Silva Guimarães Lúcio Mauro , Sales Nilza de Lima Pereira , dos Santos Samuel Alves , Alfenas Rafael Ferreira , Alfenas Acelino Couto
Published: March 2023

An outbreak of a new and severe disease was observed in Eucalyptus plantations of Bahia state, Brazil. An Ascomycota fungus has been frequently associated with the main symptoms of the disease namely leaf spot, branch cankers, shoot blight, defoliation, and dieback. Based on morphological characteristics, phylogenetic analysis (ITS and TEF‐1α genes), and pathogenicity test on Eucalyptus plants, Pseudoplagiostoma eucalypti was identified as the causal agent of the disease. Although P. eucalytpi has been known from in Brazil since 1998, this is the first report of it causing severe disease and die‐back on Eucalyptus spp. and we also record new symptoms associated with the pathogen.
Alpha‐tACS alters attentional control but not cognitive functions as video games do: A psychophysical investigation based on the theory of visual attention
Authors: Hilla Yannik , Link Fabian , Sauseng Paul
Published: March 2023

Video game players' faster speed of information processing has been shown to coincide with altered posterior alpha power modulation, that is, brain oscillatory activity around 10 Hz. Thus, it was proposed that improved cognitive processing in video game players may be related to differential alpha activity. However, a causal relationship thereof has not yet been established. We addressed this by conducting a non‐invasive brain stimulation study to demonstrate that modulating alpha power using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) may impact on speed of information processing. Furthermore, we aimed to show that this effect correlated with altered attentional control, for example, visuospatial attention and/or top‐down control processing, given that this has been suggested to contribute to video gaming effects. Therefore, we recruited 19 non‐video game players to undergo one of five brain stimulation conditions while performing a visual short‐term memory task at five different days, respectively. Thus, we applied tACS either at 10 Hz (alpha frequency) or at 16.18 Hz (control frequency) either over their left or right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) or a sham stimulation. Individuals' speed of information processing, visuospatial attention and top‐down control processing were operationalised using a computational modelling approach based on the theory of visual attention. We found that alpha‐tACS applied over individuals' left PPC altered their visuospatial attention orientation but not their speed of information processing. Thus, we were not able to establish a causal relationship between speed of information processing and altered visuospatial attention processing through alpha power modulation using non‐invasive brain stimulation.
The impact of supply chain integration from the Service‐Dominant Logic perspective: Operant resources and value generation
Authors: Rodríguez‐López Nuria , Coronado Mondragon Adrian E.
Published: March 2023

This paper analyzes from the perspective of Service‐Dominant Logic how value is generated through supply chain integration. The inclusion of the Service‐Dominant Logic together with the Transaction Costs Economy and the Resource Based View allows exploring ways of explaining the generation of value that have been seldom studied. In particular, the role of specific resources, governance form, and information sharing are analyzed in the Spanish mining and manufacture of nonmetallic mineral products industry. The hypotheses generated are tested with structural equation modeling. The sample size was 276 cases. The findings support the importance of governance form and relation‐specific resources as operant resources, as well as the importance of the latter in amplifying the governance form's effect. Five operant resources are identified: information sharing, governance form, relation‐specific resources, trust, and relational commitment. These resources outline three ways of value generation.
Heart rate variability modification as a predictive factor of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: How far are we? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Evangelista Giacomo , Dono Fedele , Consoli Stefano , Lanzone Jacopo , Corniello Clarissa , Russo Mirella , Anzellotti Francesca , Onofrj Marco , Vollono Catello , Sensi Stefano L.
Published: March 2023

Background

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a sudden, unexpected death in people with epilepsy, with or without evidence of an epileptic seizure. The pathophysiological mechanism underlying SUDEP appears to be partly associated with an autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is a reliable, non‐invasive method for detecting fluctuations in the ANS. In this systematic review we analyzed the data available in the literature on changes in HRV parameters in patients with SUDEP.

Methods

We carried out a systematic search of the literature to identify the quantitative variations of HRV in epileptic patients with SUDEP. The following databases were used: Pubmed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and CrossRef. A pooled analysis was carried out, and the results obtained were compared using mean difference (MD). The review was registered on the PROSPERO platform (CRD42021291586).

Results

Seven articles were included, with a total of 72 SUDEP cases associated with altered HRV parameters. Generally, a reduction of SDNN (standard deviation of the RR intervals) and RMSSD (root mean square differences of successive RR intervals) was reported in most SUDEP patients. According to MD, the SUDEP patients showed no differences in time and frequency domain parameters compared to controls. However, a trend toward increased low frequency and high frequency ratio (LF/HF) was observed in the SUDEP patients.

Conclusions

HRV analysis is a valuable method for assessing cardiovascular risk and cardioautonomic impairment. Although a possible association between HRV variation and SUDEP has been reported, further studies are needed to assess the potential role of HRV modifications as a SUDEP biomarker.
A comparison of statistical versus clinical classifiers of seizure clustering in women with catamenial and noncatamenial epilepsy
Authors: Herzog Andrew G. , Carrazana Enrique , Rabinowicz Adrian L.
Published: March 2023

Objective

We assessed whether (1) women with statistical clustering of daily seizure counts (DSCs) or seizure intervals (SIs) also showed clinical clustering, defined separately by ≥2 (≥2‐SC) and ≥3 (≥3‐SC) seizures on any single day; and (2) how these classifiers might apply to catamenial epilepsy.

Methods

This is a retrospective case–control analysis of data from 50 women with epilepsy (WWE). We assessed the relationships of the four classifiers to each other and to catamenial versus noncatamenial epilepsy using chi‐squared, correlation, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses.

Results

≥3‐SC, not ≥2‐SC, was more frequent in WWE who had statistical DSC clustering versus those who did not (21/25 [84.0%] vs. 11/25 [44.0%], p = .007). Logistic regression (p = .006) and ROC (p = .015) identified ≥3‐SC, not ≥2‐SC, as a predictor of statistical DSC clustering, but ≥4‐SC was more accurate. ≥3‐SC correlated with the average daily seizure frequencies (ADSFs) of the subjects (p = .01). ROC optimal sensitivity–specificity cut‐point for ADSF prediction of ≥3‐SC (.372) was 64.6% higher than for ≥2‐SC (.226). SI clustering was more common in WWE who had catamenial versus noncatamenial epilepsy (p = .013). Logistic regression identified statistical SI clustering as the only significant classifier (p = .043). ROC analysis offered only marginal support (p = .056), because specificity was low (42.1%).

Significance

The findings lend statistical support for (1) the utility of clinical ≥3‐SC as a predictor of convulsive status epilepticus, (2) consideration of ADSFs in defining clustering, and (3) ≥4‐SC as a more accurate clinical predictor of statistical DSC clustering. Statistical SI clustering occurred more frequently in women with catamenial than noncatamenial epilepsy (90.3% vs. 57.9%, p = .013). Although sensitivity was high (90.3%, 28/31), specificity was only 42.1% (8/19). Algorithms that test patterns and periodicities of clusters are more applicable.
Male mate preference against tail‐elongated females in the barn swallow
Authors: Hasegawa Masaru , Arai Emi
Published: March 2023

The function of female ornamentation in (inter)sexual selection is attracting increasing attention, but empirical field studies are mostly based on indirect measures such as mating patterns; direct evidence of male mate preference on female ornamentation while controlling for confounding factors is needed. Here, we performed model presentation experiments to study male mate preference in the barn swallowHirundo rustica,a model species of sexual selection. Although female tails are shorter than male tails in the barn swallow, they are still long and indicate female quality, possibly due to the differential costs of ornamentation. Although many correlational and experimental studies of live females have focused on long tails in female barn swallows over the last three decades, direct behavioral tests of male mate preference are lacking. In our sequential model presentation experiment, in which we repeated the trials with the same males, we found that males significantly reduced the number of pairing displays when presented with tail‐elongated female models compared to controls. The interaction between treatment and male tail length was far from significant. The observed pattern is inconsistent with the prevailing view that female ornamentation is maintained via male preference for more ornamented females; rather, it is consistent with the sexual mimicry hypothesis, in which females can avoid sexual and social harassment by mimicking males.
Mixed mode stress intensity factors of single edge cracked/notched plates under different boundary conditions using strain energy approach
Authors: Shi Liang , Oyadiji S. Olutunde
Published: March 2023

This paper presents the mixed mode I/II stress intensity factors (SIFs) of slanted cracks/notches under tension loading. A two‐dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) was employed using the ABAQUS program. Based on the literature survey, there is a lack of solutions for SIFs of slanted cracks in plane stress plates. The strain energy approach (SEA) was adopted to analyze the notched cases. Mode I and II SIFs are derived via the SEA method from the strain energy computed using the FEA technique. The results show excellent agreement with other researchers' work. The key contribution of the present paper is the presentation of the effect of the crack/notch length to plate width ratio on the mode I and II SIFs of a slant‐edge‐cracked/notched plate under different boundary conditions. Sets of new data of mode I and II SIFs are provided herein in tabular and graphical formats.
Sedimentary DNA and pigments show increasing abundance and toxicity of cyanoHABs during the Anthropocene
Authors: Heathcote Adam J. , Taranu Zofia E. , Tromas Nicolas , MacIntyre‐Newell Meaghan , Leavitt Peter R. , Pick Frances R.
Published: March 2023

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) are assumed to be increasing in abundance and toxicity, but comprehensive analysis of change through time is limited, in part, because some key taxa (e.g., Microcystis) leave ambiguous evidence of historical abundance and toxicity. Sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) can allow the reconstruction of the cyanobacteria community as well as the frequency of genes specific to cyanotoxin production, enabling us to determine which taxa are present and their potential for toxin‐production.

Using a combination of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and high‐throughput sequencing (HTS), we quantified the abundance of cyanobacterial genes of known function and changes in cyanobacteria taxa from sedDNA over the last century in nine lakes along a gradient of lake size, depth and trophic state in Minnesota, U.S.A. Using ddPCR, we quantified genes associated with microcystin toxin‐producing potential (mcyE), total cyanobacteria (CYA, 16S rRNA) and the genus Microcystis (MICR, 16S rRNA). Using HTS on a subset of lakes, we investigated how the abundance of this toxin‐producing gene covaried with the cyanobacteria community composition. We also compared ddPCR and HTS data to fossil pigments, a well‐established palaeolimnological method used to track changes in primary producers over time.

Our results showed a significant correlation between MICR and the quantity of mcyE gene and cyanobacterial taxa with known toxin‐production potential. The abundance of both genes likewise increased concomitantly through time.

Community analyses of HTS data showed significant change in cyanobacterial communities commencing c. 1950 when major land‐use change in this region led to increased lake productivity, and c. 1990 when Dolichospermum and Microcystis genera increased in abundance, and the subtropical exotic cyanobacteria Raphidiopsis raciborskii and Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides became abundant. Cyanobacteria pigment data reflected these changes only in deeper lakes, suggesting issues related to benthic production or biomarker preservation in shallower systems.

This study provides evidence for historical development of increasingly toxic cyanoHABs across a diverse set of lakes and illustrates how sedDNA may help link changes in the cyanobacteria community to the expression of potentially toxic genes.
A new strategy for cellulases application in high temperature industrial scenarios with syringic acid assisting
Authors: Ran Qiuping , Huang Mengtian , Li Huanan , Chen Bixin , He Lili , Cui Xinxin , Liu Jiashu , Jiang Zhengbing
Published: March 2023

In the process of bioethanol production, more stable and active cellulase in high temperature condition is required. In this study, syringic acid was applied in cellulase hydrolysis system. At 70°C, TvEG3 activity increased 201.36%, CtBglA activity decreased 72.79% by syringic acid. With syringic acid assisting, TvEG3 thermostability was improved, CtBglA thermostability was reduced. Syringic acid scarcely affected CtCBH. In hydrolysis system with the cellulases containing TvEG3, CtCBH, and CtBglA, the reducing sugar yield improved by 28.37% with syringic acid assisting. With the molecular dynamic simulation in syringic acid system, the backbone root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) and the residue root‐mean‐square fluctuation (RMSF) of TvEG3, CtCBH reduced, while the RMSD and RMSF of CtBglA increased. The reduction in the number of secondary structures, especially α‐helix, caused the structure of CtBglA in the presence of syringic acid to collapse at high temperature. More secondary structures in TvEG3 and more α‐helix in CtCBH in the presence of syringic acid make them more stable at high temperatures. These means syringic acid can stabilize TvEG3 and CtCBH structure, destabilize CtBglA structure at high temperature. In summary, this study not only provides insight into cellulase hydrolysis at high temperature with syringic acid assisting but also demonstrates the promoting mechanism of syringic acid.
Evaluation of vascular risk in patients with migraine with and without aura treated with erenumab: Post hoc analysis of pooled long‐term clinical trial data
Authors: Kudrow David , Dafer Rima , Dodick David W. , Starling Amaal , Ailani Jessica , Dougherty Carrie , Kalidas Kavita , Zhang Feng , Jeswani Rohini , Patel Nishil , Khodavirdi Ani C.
Published: March 2023

Objective

To assess cardiovascular (CV) safety of erenumab in clinical trial patients associated with degree of CV risk.

Background

Hypertension has been considered a theoretical risk associated with the inhibition of the calcitonin gene‐related peptide pathway in migraine management, particularly in a patient population with pre‐existing CV risk factors.

Methods

Data pooled from four double‐blind, randomized trials were used to assess blood pressure (BP) changes and CV safety in patients grouped based on 10‐year risk of cardiac, cerebrovascular, and peripheral artery disease as no‐risk‐factors, low‐risk (>0% to ≤10%), moderate‐risk (>10% to ≤20%), and high‐risk (>20%) categories. CV safety was assessed as ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (ICCAE).

Results

There was no apparent difference between placebo‐ (N = 1032) and erenumab‐treatment groups (70 mg, N = 885; 140 mg, N = 504) in clinical worsening of BP category from baseline to Months 1–3 (14% [143/1032] placebo vs. 13% [114/885] and 14% [71/504] for erenumab 70 and 140 mg, respectively) regardless of baseline BP category. The adverse event (AE) profile of erenumab was similar across CV risk categories throughout the long‐term analysis. Erenumab‐treated patients with high and moderate 10‐year CV risk (N = 107) did not experience any ICCAEs during the double‐blind treatment period; there was a single ICCAE (a cerebral dural venous sinus thrombosis) observed in the low‐risk erenumab group (N = 273). There were no increases in AEs during the long‐term extensions of up to 5 years (N = 2499; 3482 patient‐years of exposure to erenumab) with exposure‐adjusted incidence rates of cardio/cerebrovascular disorder AEs of 0.4, 0.5, 0.0, and 1.1 (per 100 patient‐years) for no risk factor (N = 1805), low (N = 492), moderate (N = 121), and high (N = 81) 10‐year CV risk groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Ischemic CV and cerebrovascular AEs were uncommon and the incidence rates were similar across the 10‐year CV risk categories. This analysis helps provide more detail on the CV safety of erenumab.
Effect of landscape structure depends on habitat type in shaping spider communities of a natural mosaic of Eurasian forest‐steppe
Authors: Hamřík Tomáš , Gallé‐Szpisjak Nikolett , Batáry Péter , Gallé Róbert
Published: March 2023

Despite the important ecological role of forest‐steppes in nature conservation, information on the contribution of individual components to arthropod conservation is scarce. Furthermore, the effect of landscape structure on the arthropod composition of a natural mosaic of habitats has been largely understudied.

We investigated the effects of habitat type and landscape heterogeneity on spider diversity in forest‐steppes of Kiskunság National Park, Hungary. We sampled ground‐dwelling spiders using pitfall traps in the grasslands, forest edges and forest interiors along a gradient of landscape composition (forest amount) and configuration (edge length) within 18 landscapes.

We collected a total of 22,550 adult specimens belonging to 153 species. The three habitats of forest‐steppes showed a distinct community composition with a characteristic set of species traits. Xerothermic species of web‐building spiders were primarily found in grasslands, whereas spiders with a preference for moisture habitats were in the forest interior. The forest edges had higher species richness than forest interiors. The trait diversity, measured as RaoQ, was the highest in grasslands, while the lowest in the forests. We found that the increasing amount of forests in the landscape positively affected species richness in grasslands but negatively in forest edges and interiors. Edge length did not have any effect on spider communities.

Increased species richness in grasslands with the increasing amount of forests highlights that grasslands are more affected by spillover from the neighbouring forests than vice versa. Habitat type plays a more important role in shaping spider diversity of natural forest‐steppe patches than landscape structure. However, landscape structure could modify the effect of habitat type. It emphasises the importance of habitat complementarity and therefore the high value of all components of the forest‐steppe landscape.
Trait‐based effects of plant invasion on floral resources, hoverflies and bees
Authors: Szigeti Viktor , Fenesi Annamária , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán , Kuhlmann Michael , Potts Simon G. , Roberts Stuart , Soltész Zoltán , Török Edina , Kovács‐Hostyánszki Anikó
Published: March 2023

Plant invasions can lead to homogeneous communities with decreased functional diversity. However, invasive plants, with various morphological and phenological traits, may drive pollinator communities in a less predictable, more complex way. They can promote pollinators compatible with their floral traits, while leaving others without foraging resources. Our observational study on 10 invasive herbaceous species applied a trait‐based approach to investigate plant invasion‐driven changes in floral resources, hoverfly and bee communities. We sampled invaded and non‐invaded (control) sites before and during the flowering of the invasive plants. We analysed the differences in floral traits between invasive and native plants, functional diversity and trait distributions of flower and pollinator communities between the invaded and control sites. Five invasive plant species differed from natives in floral traits. Plant invasion caused species‐specific changes in functional diversity and trait distributions of communities. For instance, invaded sites had a decreased functional diversity of hoverflies before flowering of invasive species, and larger hoverflies during flowering of invasive species compared with control sites. Smaller bees were associated with invasive plants with shallow flowers, while larger and long‐tongued bees were associated with two invasive species with restricted floral access. Similar to previous studies, pollinator traits showed mixed or neutral responses to plant invasion. This is probably due to the high integration capability of invasive plants into plant‐pollinator systems, or limitations in sampling, trait resolution, and unrevealed environmental factors. We provide recommendations for future studies to better understand the trait‐based community composition of flowering plants and pollinators.
Pluriempleo informal en plataformas de transporte urbano durante la pandemia en África. ¿Perspectivas de futuro?
Authors: ANWAR Mohammad Amir , ONG'IRO ODEO Jack , OTIENO Elly
Published: March 2023

El presente estudio tiene por objeto el impacto de la pandemia de COVID‐19 en los trabajadores de plataformas de transporte urbano en vehículos de turismo con conductor (VTC) en África. Debido a su naturaleza mercantilizada e informalizada, el sector ofrece oportunidades de empleo en condiciones de mala calidad, que se agravaron durante la pandemia. Mediante un enfoque metodológico ecléctico que comprende entrevistas en profundidad con conductores de VTC en Nairobi y análisis de etnografía digital, se observan estrategias de resiliencia, adaptación y resistencia de los trabajadores que recurren al pluriempleo informal en plataformas. El estudio subraya la necesidad de establecer marcos reguladores y redes locales de solidaridad que garanticen unas condiciones de trabajo decentes y contrarresten la precariedad en la economía de plataformas.
The paradox of obesity in pressure ulcers of critically ill patients
Authors: Chen Fujin , Wang Xiaobo , Pan Yujie , Ni Bukao , Wu Jianhua
Published: March 2023

The relationship between body mass index and pressure ulcers in critically ill patients is controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between body mass index and pressure ulcers by analysing data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (version 2.0) database. Eligible data (21 835 cases) were extracted from the database (2008‐2019). The association between body mass index and pressure ulcers in critically ill patients was investigated by adjusting multivariate trend analysis, restricted cubic spline analysis, and segmented linear models. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were used to ensure the stability of the results. Trend analysis and restricted cubic spline analysis showed an approximate U‐shaped correlation between body mass index and the occurrence of pressure ulcers in critically ill patients, with the risk of pressure ulcers decreasing rapidly with increasing body mass index (8.6% decrease per unit) after adjusting for relevant factors; the trend reached its minimum at a body mass index of 27.5 kg/m2, followed by a slow increase in the risk of pressure ulcers with increasing body mass index (1.4% increase per unit). Among the subgroups, the highest overall risk of pressure ulcers and the risk of severe pressure ulcers were significantly higher in the underweight group than in the other subgroups, and the risk associated with the overweight group was the lowest. There is a U‐shaped association between body mass index and pressure ulcers in critically ill patients, and being underweight and obese both increase the risk of pressure ulcers. The risk is highest among underweight patients and lowest among overweight patients (but not patients of normal weight), necessitating targeted prevention strategies for critically ill patients with different body mass indexes.
Addressing hypertension among Haitian adults with insufficient access to quality healthcare: A discursive review
Authors: Marseille Beatrice Remy , Kolawole Joshua , Thorpe‐Williams Jean , Francis Lucine , Delva Sabianca , Foronda Cynthia L. , Bivins Balkys , Owusu Brenda , Josiah Nia , Baptiste Diana‐Lyn
Published: March 2023

Aim

The purpose of this article is to summarize research targeting hypertension and healthcare access among adults living in rural Haiti.

Background

Hypertension is a significant public health problem that impacts one in five persons globally. It is the leading cause of cardiovascular‐related conditions such as stroke and myocardial infarction and accounts for most global non‐communicable disease‐related deaths. Limited healthcare access and social determinants of health are known contributors to poor health outcomes among persons with hypertension. Among Haitians, there are stark health disparities between those who live in urban versus rural areas.

Design

A discursive review.

Results

Several issues are identified as barriers to proper hypertension prevention and management. However, after examining the effective interventions, we found that social determinants of health such as transportation costs, lack of field care facilities close to patients, roadway conditions, political disturbance, and ineffective leadership and policies are major barriers to controlling hypertension in Haiti. Although Haiti has received help from international organizations, strengthening its internal infrastructure is paramount in improving healthcare access.

Discussion

The review concludes that Haitians living in rural parts of Haiti are less likely to receive healthcare to manage non‐communicable diseases such as hypertension. Similar to other developing countries, a heightened awareness is needed to address the lack of healthcare access for those living in rural communities.

Impact to Nursing Practice

Nurses and other healthcare professionals working with populations in Haiti should become aware of the barriers and facilitators that promote sufficient healthcare access. To achieve this goal, nurses must understand the social determinants and other factors that serve as barriers for achieving access to quality care for this vulnerable population.

No Patient or Public Contribution

There was no patient or public involvement in the design or drafting of this discursive paper.
The clinical use of computer aided designed/computer aided manufactured titanium nitride coated implant abutments: Surgical and prosthetic considerations—A case series
Authors: del Castillo Rafael , Ata‐Ali Javier
Published: March 2023

Objective

To describe the clinical use of nitride‐coated titanium CAD/CAM implant abutments in the maxillary esthetic zone in two patients with high esthetic and functional demands and, to highlight the advantages of nitride‐coated milled titanium abutments when compared to stock/custom titanium, one‐piece monolithic zirconia, and hybrid metal‐zirconia implant abutments.

Clinical Considerations

Due to the inherent mechanical and esthetic clinical challenges, single implant‐supported reconstructions in the maxillary esthetic zone are a complex restorative treatment. While CAD/CAM technology has been suggested to enhance and ease implant abutment design and manufacturing, implant abutment material selection remains as a critical decision affecting restoration's long‐term clinical outcomes. To date, considering the esthetic disadvantages of conventional titanium implant abutments, the mechanical limitations of one‐piece zirconia abutments and the manufacturing time and costs associated with hybrid metal‐zirconia abutments, no abutment material can be considered “ideal” for all clinical scenarios.

Due to their biocompatibility, biomechanical characteristics (hardness and wear resistance), optical properties (yellow color), and peri‐implant soft tissue esthetic integration, the use of CAD/CAM titanium nitride‐coated implant abutments has been suggested as a predictable implant abutment material in mechanically challenging but esthetically demanding clinical situations, as the maxillary esthetic zone.

Conclusions

Two patients requiring a combined tooth‐implant restorative treatment in the maxillary esthetic zone were treated using CAD/CAM nitride coated titanium implant abutments. The principal advantages of TiN coated abutments include comparable clinical outcomes to stock abutments, optimal biocompatibility, adequate fracture, wear, and corrosion resistance, reduced bacterial adhesion, and excellent esthetic integration with adjacent soft tissues.

Clinical Significance

Clinical reports and short term mechanical, biological and esthetic clinical outcomes indicate that CAD/CAM nitride coated titanium implant abutments can represent a predictable restorative alternative to stock/custom and metal/zirconia implant abutments and be considered a clinical relevant option in mechanically challenging but esthetically demanding situations, as often found in the maxillary esthetic zone.
Immune profiling of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to Lactococcus garvieae: Evidence in asymptomatic versus symptomatic or vaccinated fish
Authors: Khalil Sarker Mohammed Ibrahim , Bulfon Chiara , Galeotti Marco , Acutis Pier Luigi , Altinok Ilhan , Kotzamanidis Charalampos , Vela Ana Isabel , Fariano Lucio , Prearo Marino , Colussi Silvia , Volpatti Donatella
Published: March 2023

Lactococcosis, caused by the Gram‐positive bacterium Lactococcus garvieae, is a major concern in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms, which are regularly affected by outbreaks especially during the summer/fall months. In these farms, unvaccinated healthy and symptomatic fish can coexist with vaccinated fish. In the present study, innate (leukogram, serum lysozyme activity, peroxidase activity, antiprotease activity, bactericidal activity, total IgM and total proteins), and specific immune parameters (serum antibodies to L. garvieae) were assessed in unvaccinated adult rainbow trout naturally exposed to the pathogen, with or without evidence of clinical signs, or subjected to vaccination. Blood was drawn from all three groups, and blood smears were prepared. Bacteria were found in the blood smears of 70% of the symptomatic fish but not in any of the asymptomatic fish. Symptomatic fish showed lower blood lymphocytes and higher thrombocytes than asymptomatic fish (p ≤ .05). Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity did not vary substantially among groups; however, serum antiprotease and peroxidase activity were significantly lower in the unvaccinated symptomatic group than in the unvaccinated and vaccinated asymptomatic groups (p ≤ .05). Serum total proteins and total immunoglobulin (IgM) levels in vaccinated asymptomatic rainbow trout were significantly higher than in unvaccinated asymptomatic and symptomatic groups (p ≤ .05). Similarly, vaccinated asymptomatic fish produced more specific IgM against L. garvieae than unvaccinated asymptomatic and symptomatic fish (p ≤ .05). This preliminary study provides basic knowledge on the immunological relationship occurring between the rainbow trout and L. garvieae, potentially predicting health outcomes. The approach we proposed could facilitate infield diagnostics, and several non‐specific immunological markers could serve as reliable indicators of the trout's innate ability to fight infection.
Does the Exchange Rate Respond to Monetary Policy in Mexico? Solving an Exchange Rate Puzzle in Emerging Markets
Authors: SOLÍS PAVEL
Published: March 2023

This paper argues that the null or weak response of emerging market currencies to domestic monetary policy documented in the literature is the result of wide event windows. An event study with intraday data for Mexico shows that an unanticipated tightening appreciates the currency and flattens the yield curve, consistent with the evidence for advanced economies. With daily event windows, however, only the yield curve responds to monetary policy. Noise in daily exchange rate returns explains the lack of response of the currency. Such noise gives rise to a bias that declines after controlling for potential omitted variables.
Secured Loans and Risky Assets in a Monetary Economy
Authors: CHU YUCHI , LI YITING
Published: March 2023

We study the implication of secured credit with a default option for monetary equilibrium. The intermediary structure has the feature of costly state verification, with the monitoring cost interpreted as the cost of foreclosing assets once a default occurs. Without monitoring costs, uncertainty in asset payoffs does not matter for allocation. The asset price can exhibit a liquidity premium because more assets as collateral raises the borrower's credit limit. When there are monitoring costs, the asset's liquidity premium is strictly positive because pledging more assets reduces the default probability and thus the chance to incur monitoring costs. Under some circumstances, increased risk to dividends of the pledged asset may decrease the marginal borrowing cost to such an extent that bank lending rises, and higher default rates are accompanied by larger aggregate liquidity.
State‐wide prevalence of pressure injury in intensive care versus acute general patients: A five‐year analysis
Authors: Fulbrook Paul , Lovegrove Josephine , Hay Karen , Coyer Fiona
Published: March 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to analyse prevalence of pressure injury in intensive care versus non‐intensive care patients.

Background

Hospital‐acquired pressure injury is an enduring problem. Intensive care patients are more susceptible due to multiple risk factors. Several studies have indicated that intensive care patients are more likely than general patients to develop pressure injuries.

Design

Secondary data analysis.

Methods

Eighteen general hospitals with intensive care units were included. The sample included all consenting patients. Logistic regression modelling was used to derive prevalence and effect estimates. STROBE reporting guidelines were followed.

Results

The sample comprised 15,678 patients; 611 were in intensive care. The crude prevalence estimate of hospital‐acquired pressure injury was 9.6% in intensive care and 2.1% in non‐intensive care patients. The ≥Stage II hospital‐acquired prevalence estimate in was 8.6% intensive care and 1.2% in non‐intensive care patients. Intensive care patients were at markedly increased risk of hospital‐acquired pressure injury compared with non‐intensive care patients, with risk persisting after adjusting for pressure injury risk score. Risk of ≥ Stage II hospital‐acquired pressure injury was further elevated. Intensive care patients had a higher pressure injury risk level and developed a greater proportion of severe hospital‐acquired pressure injuries than non‐intensive care patients. In intensive care, most hospital‐acquired pressure injuries were found on the sacrum/coccyx and heels.

Conclusions

There were significant differences between the hospital‐acquired pressure injury prevalence of intensive care versus non‐intensive care patients, which is consistent with previous studies. Overall, the prevalence of hospital‐acquired pressure injury in intensive care is relatively high, indicating that their prevention should remain a high priority within the intensive care setting.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

These results may be used for benchmarking and provide a focus for future education and practice improvement efforts.

Patient or Public Contribution

Neither patients nor the public were directly involved in the project.
On the history and growth of the stigma concept: A reflection on the positioning of social relationships in stigma research
Authors: Link Bruce G.
Published: March 2023

The stigma concept has been tremendously successful one. Before Goffman's influential book only a handful of papers used the term in the abstract or title of a paper—in 2020 there were 3464. While the reason for stigma's dramatic growth is likely over determined two possibilities are suggested. The first is the usefulness that the concept carries for understanding the shame, social awkwardness, rejection, misunderstanding, and exclusion that people frequently experience across so many stigmatizing circumstances. The second is that the complexity of the stigma experience provides an enormous number of research puzzles in need of investigation as there are so many different stigmatizing circumstances that are affected at multiple levels across multiple outcomes. The current special issue addresses this complexity by focusing on the particularly important domain of social relationships but at the same allows complexity in the types of stigmatizing circumstances considered and the levels at which they are investigated. In what might be a model for the stigma field as it faces its tremendous growth, Doyle and Barreto (2023) use the multiple contributions to the special issue to develop thematic questions that will guide future research into stigma and social relationships.
Nutrient density and oral processing properties of common commercial complementary porridge samples used in southern Africa: Effect on energy and protein intakes among children aged 6–24 months
Authors: Makame James , De Kock Henriette , Emmambux M. Naushad
Published: March 2023

Child malnutrition is an endemic public health problem in Africa. Infants are supposed to receive complementary foods from about 6 months onwards, as breastmilk alone no longer provide adequate nutrients. Commercially available complementary foods (CACFs) form an important part of baby foods in developing countries. However, systematic evidence on whether they really meet optimal quality specifications for infant feeding is limited. Some CACFs commonly used in Southern Africa and other parts of the world were investigated to establish if they meet optimal quality standards for protein and energy content, viscosity, and oral texture. For the energy content, most CACFs for 6–24‐month‐old children both in the dry and ready‐to‐eat forms (range: 372.0–1816.0 kJ/100 g), were below Codex Alimentarius guidelines. The protein density of all CACFs (0.48–1.3 g/100 kJ) conformed with Codex Alimentarius requirements, but some (33%) were below the minimum World Health Organization (World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe (2019a). Commercial foods for infants and young children in the WHO European region) target of 0.7 g/100 kJ. Most CACFs had high viscosity values even at high shear rate of 50 s−1, and were too thick or thick, sticky, grainy, and slimy, which may limit nutrient intake in infants, potentially causing child malnutrition. There is a need to improve the oral viscosity and sensory texture of CACFs for better nutrient intake by infants.
Evolution of the rice blast pathogen on spatially structured rice landraces maintains multiple generalist fungal lineages
Authors: Ali Sajid , Gladieux Pierre , Ravel Sebastien , Adreit Henri , Meusnier Isabelle , Milazzo Joelle , Cros‐Arteil Sandrine , Bonnot François , Jin Baihui , Dumartinet Thomas , Charriat Florian , Lassagne Alexandre , He Xiahong , Tharreau Didier , Huang Huichuan , Morel Jean‐Benoît , Fournier Elisabeth
Published: March 2023

Traditional agrosystems, where humans, crops and microbes have coevolved over long periods, can serve as models to understand the ecoevolutionary determinants of disease dynamics and help the engineering of durably resistant agrosystems. Here, we investigated the genetic and phenotypic relationship between rice (Oryza sativa) landraces and their rice blast pathogen (Pyricularia oryzae) in the traditional Yuanyang terraces of flooded rice paddies in China, where rice landraces have been grown and bred over centuries without significant disease outbreaks. Analyses of genetic subdivision revealed that indica rice plants clustered according to landrace names. Three new diverse lineages of rice blast specific to the Yuanyang terraces coexisted with lineages previously detected at the worldwide scale. Population subdivision in the pathogen population did not mirror pattern of population subdivision in the host. Measuring the pathogenicity of rice blast isolates on landraces revealed generalist life history traits. Our results suggest that the implementation of disease control strategies based on the emergence or maintenance of a generalist lifestyle in pathogens may sustainably reduce the burden of disease in crops.
The function of plant PR1 and other members of the CAP protein superfamily in plant–pathogen interactions
Authors: Han Zhu , Xiong Dianguang , Schneiter Roger , Tian Chengming
Published: March 2023

The pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins of plants have originally been identified as proteins that are strongly induced upon biotic and abiotic stress. These proteins fall into 17 distinct classes (PR1–PR17). The mode of action of most of these PR proteins has been well characterized, except for PR1, which belongs to a widespread superfamily of proteins that share a common CAP domain. Proteins of this family are not only expressed in plants but also in humans and in many different pathogens, including phytopathogenic nematodes and fungi. These proteins are associated with a diverse range of physiological functions. However, their precise mode of action has remained elusive. The importance of these proteins in immune defence is illustrated by the fact that PR1 overexpression in plants results in increased resistance against pathogens. However, PR1‐like CAP proteins are also produced by pathogens and deletion of these genes results in reduced virulence, suggesting that CAP proteins can exert both defensive and offensive functions. Recent progress has revealed that plant PR1 is proteolytically cleaved to release a C‐terminal CAPE1 peptide, which is sufficient to activate an immune response. The release of this signalling peptide is blocked by pathogenic effectors to evade immune defence. Moreover, plant PR1 forms complexes with other PR family members, including PR5, also known as thaumatin, and PR14, a lipid transfer protein, to enhance the host's immune response. Here, we discuss possible functions of PR1 proteins and their interactors, particularly in light of the fact that these proteins can bind lipids, which have important immune signalling functions.
Exosomes, microvesicles, and other extracellular vesicles—a Keystone Symposia report
Authors: Cable Jennifer , Witwer Kenneth W. , Coffey Robert J. , Milosavljevic Aleksandar , von Lersner Ariana K. , Jimenez Lizandra , Pucci Ferdinando , Barr Maureen M. , Dekker Niek , Barman Bahnisikha , Humphrys Daniel , Williams Justin , de Palma Michele , Guo Wei , Bastos Nuno , Hill Andrew F. , Levy Efrat , Hantak Michael P. , Crewe Clair , Aikawa Elena , Adamczyk Alan M. , Zanotto Tamires M. , Ostrowski Matias , Arab Tanina , Rabe Daniel C. , Sheikh Aadil , da Silva Danilo Rodrigues , Jones Jennifer C. , Okeoma Chioma , Gaborski Thomas , Zhang Qin , Gololobova Olesia
Published: March 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, lipid‐bilayer‐bound particles released by cells that can contain important bioactive molecules, including lipids, RNAs, and proteins. Once released in the extracellular environment, EVs can act as messengers locally as well as to distant tissues to coordinate tissue homeostasis and systemic responses. There is a growing interest in not only understanding the physiology of EVs as signaling particles but also leveraging them as minimally invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers (e.g., they can be found in biofluids) and drug‐delivery vehicles. On October 30–November 2, 2022, researchers in the EV field convened for the Keystone symposium “Exosomes, Microvesicles, and Other Extracellular Vesicles” to discuss developing standardized language and methodology, new data on the basic biology of EVs and potential clinical utility, as well as novel technologies to isolate and characterize EVs.
Mechanisms of mechanical force aggravating periodontitis: A review
Authors: Liu Xinran , Li Jiaxin , Yue Yuan , Li Jinle , Wang Min , Hao Liang
Published: March 2023

Periodontitis is a widespread oral disease accompanied by uncontrolled inflammation‐related tissue destruction. Periodontitis is related to various factors. Among them, occlusal trauma can aggravate the severity of periodontitis and has been attracting a great deal of attention. We systematically searched PubMed and Web of Science databases for related articles. Keywords for the search were “mechanical force”, “mechanical stress”, “occlusal trauma” and “periodontitis”. This review focuses on the effect of mechanical forces on periodontitis and discusses the possible pivotal targets participating in this process. We elucidated and summarized 21 articles that reported on our topic. Several biological processes and pathways that participate in enhancing the inflammatory response to mechanical stress have been studied, including the regulation of osteogenesis and osteoclastic resorption balance, Yes‐associated protein signaling, induction of collagen destruction, and regulation of programmed cell death. Mechanical force enhances the process of periodontitis in multiple ways. However, currently, no studies have further examined its underlying mechanism. Understanding the specific roles of mechanical forces may assist in the treatment of periodontitis with traumatic occlusal trauma.
Breeding of Persian melon: Purpose to increase volatile compounds in melon (Cucumis melo) intergroup F1 cross population
Authors: Soltani Forouzandeh , Nouri Mojtaba , Shokrpour Majid , Alabboud Michael , Erban Alexander , Fehrle Ines , Kopka Joachim
Published: March 2023

Understanding the volatile profile of melon is an ever increasingly important task for breeders for enhancing their flavour component. For this purpose, F1 progeny and parental lines were analysed using headspace‐solid phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry‐based analysis. Diallel analysis showed that most of the investigated compounds were controlled via non‐additive genetic effects with general combining ability to specific combining ability ratios of less than 0.4. High heterosis results were observed in alcohols such as ethanol and octanol in both rind and mesocarp samples and benzylalcohol in the rind. It was also noted that the ester‐based compounds with high heterosis values in mesocarp samples differed from those with heterosis in rind samples. These observations further emphasize the non‐additive control of these compounds. It can be concluded that non‐additive genetic control is strongly governing the genetic profile within the studied progeny. This finding indicated that dudaim lines as a valuable genetic material enhanced the volatile profile of odourless commercial types of ameri and inodorus melon.
Linear juvenile dermatomyositis: A segmental manifestation
Authors: Alamon‐Reig Francesc , Sánchez‐Puigdollers Anna , Juan‐Carpena Gloria , Sanhueza Tamara , Bosquez David , Prat Carolina , Vicente‐Villa Asunción , Baselga Eulalia
Published: March 2023

A 7‐year‐old girl presented with proximal muscle weakness and skin lesions. Physical examination revealed violaceous papules on the right forearm in a blaschkoid distribution. Her symptoms and test results were consistent with juvenile dermatomyositis. An unusual superimposed segmental manifestation of this disease is discussed.