bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perioperative complications of using freezing nitrogen ethanol composite to treat bone tumors: Clinical experience from a single center
Authors: Chen Yi-Chou , Chen Chao-Ming , Chen Kuan-Lin , Wang Pai-Han , Chen Cheng-Fong , Wu Po-Kuei , Chen Wei-Ming
Published: November 2023

Background:

The cryoablation efficacy of semisolid freezing nitrogen ethanol composite (FNEC) has been demonstrated. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of adjuvant FNEC–assisted cryoablation in different bone cavity types by assessing the perioperative complication rates.

Methods:

The medical charts of patients who received intraoperative adjuvant cryoablation using semisolid FNEC for bone tumors from December 2013 to January 2018 were reviewed. The bone cavities were categorized into three types according to liquid spill potential (type 1, able to hold liquid without limb manipulation; type 2, required extensive limb manipulation to retain liquid; type 3, unable to retain liquid). The overall complication rate and the complication rates stratified by bone cavity type were determined.

Results:

Among the 76 patients, 30.3%, 57.9%, and 11.8% had type 1, 2, and 3 bone cavities, respectively. The mean follow-up time for perioperative complications was 43.5 ± 24.1 days. Five patients experienced complications, including two cases of skin damage, two cases of skin infection, and one case of fracture, yielding an overall perioperative complication rate of 6.4%. All cases of skin damage and skin infection were superficial and manageable by oral antibiotics. The patient with a pathologic fracture recovered well after being treated with open reduction and plate fixation. No neuropraxia was noted within the first few days postsurgery in any patient. The complication rates in type 1, 2, and 3 bone cavities were 13%, 4.6%, and 0%, respectively.

Conclusion:

All bone cavity types had a low incidence of perioperative complications after treatment with adjuvant FNEC–assisted cryoablation. Semisolid FNEC–assisted cryoablation is a feasible alternative to overcome the liquid spill potential in bone cavities resulting from tumor resection and intralesional curettage.
Mass spectrometry–based proteomics technology in pancreatic cancer research
Authors: Sun Xue , Wang Siyuan , Wong Catherine C.L.
Published: November 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has become a significant health concern with increasing incidence and mortality rates over the past few decades. Researchers have turned their attention to cutting-edge mass spectrometry (MS) technology due to its high-throughput and accurate detection capacity, which plays a vital role in understanding the mechanisms and discovering biomarkers for pancreatic diseases. In this review, we comprehensively investigate various methodologies of quantitative and qualitative proteomics MS technologies, alongside bioinformatical platforms employed in pancreatic cancer research. The integration of these optimized approaches provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and disease progression, ultimately facilitating the discovery of potential diagnostic, prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. The robust MS-based strategy shows promise in paving the way for early diagnosis and personalized medicine for pancreatic cancer patients.
“You Have to Rob Peter to Pay Paul So Your Kid Can Breathe”
Authors: Galbraith Alison A. , Faugno Elena , Cripps Lauren A. , Przywara Kathryn M. , Wright Davene R. , Gilkey Melissa B.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Economic analyses often focus narrowly on individual patients’ health care use, while overlooking the growing economic burden of out-of-pocket costs for health care on other family medical and household needs.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore intrafamilial trade-offs families make when paying for asthma care.

Research Design:

In 2018, we conducted telephone interviews with 59 commercially insured adults who had asthma and/or had a child with asthma. We analyzed data qualitatively via thematic content analysis.

Participants:

Our purposive sample included participants with high-deductible and no/low-deductible health plans. We recruited participants through a national asthma advocacy organization and a large nonprofit regional health plan.

Measures:

Our semistructured interview guide explored domains related to asthma adherence and cost burden, cost management strategies, and trade-offs.

Results:

Participants reported that they tried to prioritize paying for asthma care, even at the expense of their family’s overall financial well-being. When facing conflicting demands, participants described making trade-offs between asthma care and other health and nonmedical needs based on several criteria: (1) short-term needs versus longer term financial health; (2) needs of children over adults; (3) acuity of the condition; (4) effectiveness of treatment; and (5) availability of lower cost alternatives.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that cost-sharing for asthma care often has negative financial consequences for families that traditional, individually focused economic analyses are unlikely to capture. This work highlights the need for patient-centered research to evaluate the impact of health care costs at the family level, holistically measuring short-term and long-term family financial outcomes that extend beyond health care use alone.
Differences in Health Care Utilization of High-Need and High-Cost Patients of Federally Funded Health Centers Versus Other Primary Care Providers
Authors: Pourat Nadereh , Chen Xiao , Lu Connie , Zhou Weihao , Yu-Lefler Helen , Benjamin Troyana , Hoang Hank , Sripipatana Alek
Published: November 2023

Background:

Primary care providers (PCP) differ in their ability to address the needs and reduce use of costly services among complex Medicaid beneficiaries. Among PCPs, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded health centers (HCs) are shown to provide high-value care.

Objective:

We compared health care utilization of complex Medicaid managed care beneficiaries whose PCPs were HCs versus 3 other groups.

Research Design:

Cross-sectional study using propensity score matching comparing health care use by provider type, controlling for demographics, health status, and other covariates.

Subjects:

California Medicaid administrative data for complex adult managed care beneficiaries with at least 1 primary care visit in 2018.

Measures:

Primary and specialty care evaluation & management visits and services; emergency department (ED) visits; and hospitalizations. PCPs included HCs, clinics not funded by HRSA, solo, and group practice providers.

Results:

HRSA-funded HCs had lower predicted rates of specialty evaluation & management and other services than all others; lower predicted probability of any ED visits than clinics not funded by HRSA [54% (95% CI: 53%–55%) vs. 56% (95% CI: 55%–57%)] and group practice providers [51% (95% CI: 51%–52%) vs. 52% (95% CI: 52%–53%)]; and lower PP of any hospitalizations than solo [20% (95% CI: 19%–20%) vs. 23% (95% CI: 22%–24%)] and group practice providers [21% (95% CI: 20%–21%) vs. 24% (95% CI: 23%–24%)].

Conclusions:

Differences in HC care delivery and practices were associated with lower use of specialty, ED, and hospitalization visits compared with other PCPs for complex Medicaid managed care beneficiaries. Understanding the underlying reasons for these utilization differences may promote better outcomes among these patients.
Let's stop talking about ‘citrate toxicity’
Authors: Israni Avantika , Goldfarb David S.
Published: November 2023

Purpose of review

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a vital medical intervention used in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). One of the key components of adequate clearance with CRRT is the use of anticoagulants to prevent clotting of the extracorporeal circuit. Regional citrate anticoagulation is the most often recommended modality. The term ‘citrate toxicity’ is used to describe potential adverse effects of accumulation of citrate and subsequent hypocalcemia. However, citrate is itself not inherently toxic. The term and diagnosis of citrate toxicity are questioned in this review.

Recent findings

Citrate is being increasingly used for regional anticoagulation of the CRRT circuit. Citrate accumulation is infrequent and can cause hypocalcemia and metabolic alkalosis, which are potential adverse effects. Citrate itself, however, is not a toxic molecule. The term ‘citrate toxicity’ has been used to denote hypocalcemia and metabolic acidosis. However, citrate administration is well known to cause systemic and urinary alkalinization and under certain circumstances, metabolic alkalosis, but is not associated itself with any ‘toxic’ effects.

We review the existing literature and debunk the perceived toxicity of citrate. We delve into the metabolism and clearance of citrate and question current data suggesting metabolic acidosis occurs as the result of citrate accumulation.

In conclusion, this article calls into question prevailing concerns about ‘citrate toxicity’. We emphasize the need for a more nuanced understanding of its safety profile. We recommend discarding the term ‘citrate toxicity’ in favor of another frequently used, but more meaningful term: ‘citrate accumulation’.
Bazedoxifene Suppresses the Growth of Osteosarcoma Cells by Inhibiting IL-6 and IL-11/GP130 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wu Xiaojuan , Cao Yang , Xiao Hui , Feng Jiexiong , Lin Jiayuh
Published: November 2023

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor. Using the multiple ligands simultaneous docking method, we found that bazedoxifene could bind to the GP130 D1 domain. We then demonstrated that bazedoxifene can decrease cell viability and cell migration of osteosarcoma cells by inhibiting interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-11/GP130 signaling. Consistently, treatment with IL-6 or IL-11 antibody or knockdown of GP130 by siRNA silenced the activation of STAT3, ERK, and AKT. Similarly, recombinant IL-6 and IL-11 proteins antagonized the inhibitory effect of bazedoxifene on osteosarcoma cells. Finally, the combinational treatment of temsirolimus and bazedoxifene synergistically suppressed osteosarcoma development in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that bazedoxifene directly prompts the deactivation of GP130 and inhibits the osteosarcoma progression in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, bazedoxifene could be effectively applied as a therapeutic drug for human osteosarcoma in the future.
Tibiofemoral Dislocation Management in a Rural High School Football Scenario
Authors: Miller Drew , Richards Jarod , Nyland John
Published: November 2023

Objective

This study evaluated the knowledge and preparedness of athletic trainers (ATs) for diagnosing and managing an anterior tibiofemoral knee dislocation in a rural or limited-resource high school football setting scenario. The study hypothesis was that more experienced ATs would display greater preparedness than less experienced ATs. A secondary objective was to develop evidence-based guidelines to help the AT provide better emergency triage care.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study distributed a rural high school football game scenario survey electronically to a random sample of 2000 certified ATs to determine their perceptions of readiness to diagnose and manage an anterior tibiofemoral knee dislocation with signs or symptoms of possible popliteal artery injury.

Results

A total of 249 surveys (12.5%) were completed. Years of athletic training experience were ≤5 years (n = 82, group 1) and ≥6 years (n = 167, group 2). Both groups perceived that they could not “rule out” an arterial injury and had similar “red flag” sign and symptom rankings. Group 2 perceived a more serious situation than group 1 (77.5 ± 15 vs 70.8 ± 14,P< 0.0001) and were more likely to activate the emergency action plan (74.5 ± 25 vs 64.4 ± 26,P= 0.005). Both groups were “neutral” about their ability to diagnose the condition or manage the case, had poor ankle-brachial index test familiarity, and agreed that evidence-based guidance was needed.

Conclusions

More experienced ATs perceived a more serious situation than less experienced ATs and were more likely to activate the emergency action plan. Both groups were neutral about their ability to diagnose the condition or manage the case, had poor ankle-brachial index test familiarity, and agreed that they would benefit from evidence-based guidance. Proposed guidelines provide the AT with a more measured, evidence-based index of suspicion for potential popliteal artery injury in anterior tibiofemoral dislocation cases. This will complement existing hospital emergency department–based management algorithms, decreasing the likelihood of this condition progressing to limb loss or death.
Lymphatic Leakage in Pediatric Heart Transplantation: Early Recognition and Timely Management with Interventional Radiologic and Endoscopic Therapy
Authors: Trocchia Carolena , Mauer Tian , Mitchell Sally , Collard Michael , Asante-Korang Alfred , Wilsey Michael
Published: November 2023

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a severe complication of the Fontan procedure that leads to systemic complications owing to enteric protein loss. Hepatoduodenal lymphatic leakage resulting from increased lymphatic pressure is one such complication. We present the case of a pediatric heart transplant patient who experienced refractory PLE symptoms requiring serial albumin infusions and exhibited lymphatic leakage into the duodenum. Using diagnostic lymphangiography and endoscopy, we identified the affected area and treated it successfully with endoscopic sclerotherapy using ethanolamine injection. This treatment allowed for the cessation of lymphatic fluid and may serve as a potential intervention for PLE-associated hepatoduodenal lymphatic leakage. The present case highlights the importance of early recognition and timely intervention with radiology and endoscopic therapy to manage PLE and its associated complications.
Application of an Interactive, Hands-On Nutritional Curriculum for Pediatric Residents
Authors: Jones Cory Wyatt , Singer Andrew A.M.
Published: November 2023

Currently, there exists a scarcity of suitable nutrition training resources for the primary care physician (PCP) and a paucity of educational materials for pediatric residency programs. Barriers to nutritional education include: a lack of well-defined competencies, a dearth of centralized resources for nutritional education, and a reliance on didactic teaching methodology. Because PCPs often cite a lack of confidence as a primary reason for not providing nutritional counseling, we created an interactive 3-pronged nutritional curriculum for pediatric residents with the aim of increasing their confidence to provide nutritional counseling to patients. This curriculum included an in-person visit to a local supermarket, an online, interactive case during the resident’s continuity clinic, and an interactive lecture. There was a statistically significant change in pediatric residents’ confidence to manage issues of outpatient nutrition management. We find this particularly relevant as increasing physician confidence is key to increasing nutritional counseling in a clinical setting.
Novel Mutation in the SLC5A1 Gene Causing Glucose-Galactose Malabsorption: First Confirmed Case From Central America
Authors: Katz Daphna T. , Curia Suzzette , Fifi Amanda C. , Febo-Rodriguez Liz , Llanos-Chea Alejandro
Published: November 2023

Congenital glucose-galactose malabsorption is a rare cause of life-threatening diet-induced diarrhea in infants. Mutations in the SLC5A1 gene, which encodes for the sodium-dependent glucose transporter, result in large-volume diarrhea due to aberrant glucose and galactose transport across the intestinal brush border. The diagnosis can be made clinically based on the presence of diarrhea soon after birth, evidence of carbohydrate malabsorption in the stool, and resolution of diarrhea with dietary elimination of glucose and galactose. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis. Here we report the first confirmed case of glucose-galactose malabsorption in an infant from Central America due to a novel mutation in the SLC5A1 gene. The patient began growing and thriving after being diagnosed and with the correct dietary interventions.
Disparities in Gynecologic Cancers
Authors: Lee Nita K. , Tiro Jasmin A. , Odunsi Kunle
Published: November 2023

Gynecologic cancer disparities have different trends by cancer type and by sociodemographic/economic factors. We highlight disparities in the United States arising due to poor delivery of cancer care across the continuum from primary prevention, detection, and diagnosis through treatment and identify opportunities to eliminate/reduce disparities to achieve cancer health equity. Our review documents the persistent racial and ethnic disparities in cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer outcomes, with Black patients experiencing the worst outcomes, and notes literature investigating social determinants of health, particularly access to care. Although timely delivery of screening and diagnostic evaluation is of paramount importance for cervical cancer, efforts for ovarian and uterine cancer need to focus on timely recognition of symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, and delivery of guideline-concordant cancer treatment, including tumor biomarker and somatic/germline genetic testing.
Oncology Physician Workforce Diversity
Authors: Deville Curtiland , Charles-Obi Kenechukwu , Santos Patricia Mae G. , Mattes Malcolm D. , Hussaini Syed M. Qasim
Published: November 2023

This chapter will discuss (1) the rationale for physician workforce diversity and inclusion in oncology; (2) current and historical physician workforce demographic trends in oncology, including workforce data at various training and career levels, such as graduate medical education and as academic faculty or practicing physicians; (3) reported barriers and challenges to diversity and inclusion in oncology, such as exposure, access, preparation, mentorship, socioeconomic burdens, and interpersonal, structural, systemic bias; and (4) potential interventions and evidence-based solutions to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion and mitigate bias in the oncology physician workforce.
Longitudinal Assessment of Bone Mineral Density in Women Living With and Without HIV Across Reproductive Phases
Authors: Swann Shayda A. , King Elizabeth M. , Prior Jerilynn C. , Berger Claudie , Mayer Ulrike , Pick Neora , Campbell Amber R. , Côté Hélène C. F. , Murray Melanie C. M. ,   the CIHR Team on Cellular Aging and HIV Comorbidities in Women and Children (CARMA, CTN 277)
Published: November 2023

Background:

Women living with HIV commonly experience low areal bone mineral density (BMD), but whether this is affected by low ovarian hormonal states (prolonged amenorrhea or menopause) is unknown. We compared rates of BMD loss between women living with HIV and HIV-negative control women and investigated its association with low ovarian hormonal states.

Setting:

Women living with HIV were enrolled from Vancouver Canada and controls from 9 Canadian sites.

Methods:

This longitudinal analysis included age-matched women living with HIV in the Children and Women: AntiRetrovirals and Markers of Aging cohort and controls in the population-based Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study. Rate of change/year in BMD at the total hip and lumbar spine (L1–L4) between 3 and 5 years was compared between groups, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Results:

Ninety-two women living with HIV (median [interquartile range] age: 49.5 [41.6–54.1] years and body mass index: 24.1 [20.7–30.8] kg/m2) and 278 controls (age: 49.0 [43.0–55.0] years and body mass index: 25.8 [22.9–30.6] kg/m2) were included. Total hip BMD loss was associated with HIV (β: −0.003 [95% CI: −0.006 to −0.0001] g/cm2/yr), menopause (β: −0.007 [−0.01 to −0.005] g/cm2/yr), and smoking (β: −0.003 [−0.006 to −0.0002] g/cm2/yr); BMD gain was linked with higher body mass index (β: 0.0002 [0.0007–0.0004] g/cm2/yr). Menopause was associated with losing L1–L4 BMD (β: −0.01 [−0.01 to −0.006] g/cm2/yr). Amenorrhea was not associated with BMD loss.

Conclusions:

HIV and menopause negatively influenced total hip BMD. These data suggest women living with HIV require hip BMD monitoring as they age.
Reevaluating Thrombocytosis as a Risk Factor in Free Flap Surgery
Authors: Fisher Alec Hayes , Jones India , Malta Kiana , Arnold Alexander , Nelson Zach J. , Bonawitz Steven
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Thrombocytosis, defined as a platelet count >400,000, has been implicated as a risk factor in free flap failure. Despite proposed mechanisms of pedicle thrombosis, recent studies have suggested that thrombocytosis has no effect on free tissue transfer viability. Risk factors that may compromise successful free tissue transfer should be understood and elucidated, with particular attention to thrombocytosis and its conflicting evidence in the literature. We hypothesize that thrombocytosis has no bearing on free flap success or the rates of pedicle thrombosis.

Methods

Our institution performed a retrospective chart review on all patients who underwent free flap reconstruction over the past 6 years. Patient demographics, medical history, type and location of free tissue transfer, preoperative platelets, postoperative platelets, and flap outcomes and complications (wound dehiscence, infection, hematoma, seroma, and need for blood transfusion) were recorded. Independent t test, Mann-Whitney U tests, χ
2 test, and Fisher exact tests were used to determine P values to compare flap outcomes in patients with thrombocytosis (platelet count >400,000) and those with platelet counts less than 400,000.

Results

In our 502-patient cohort, 71 were found to have a platelet count >400,000 (35 preoperatively and 36 postoperatively) and 431 patients had platelet counts <400,000. There were 42 reconstructive failures (flap success rate of 91.6%) and 111 returns to the operating room (OR). For patients with postoperative thrombocytosis, 24 flaps returned to the OR (44.4%), whereas in patients without thrombocytosis, 87 flaps returned to the OR (19.4%; P < 0.001). In patients with postoperative thrombocytosis, 10 OR returns were due to pedicle venous thrombosis (18.5%), in comparison to 10 returns for venous thrombosis in those with normal platelets (2.2%; P < 0.001). There was a small difference in free flap success rates between those with postoperative thrombocytosis and normal platelets, 88.7% versus 92.11%; however, this was not statistically significant (P = 0.71). The thrombocytosis group had a higher incidence of overall postoperative complications (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Thrombocytosis has historically been cited as a risk factor for free flap reconstruction failure with recent conflicting evidence in the literature. In patients with postoperative thrombocytosis, we found an increased risk of venous thrombosis; however, this did not result in increased flap failure. There was an increase in postoperative complications, which corresponds with National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data reported in the literature. We suspect that thrombocytosis is not a harbinger of free flap failure but rather a marker for overall inflammation, which may confer a higher rate of venous thrombosis requiring reoperation and postoperative complications.
The risk of hemorrhagic complications after anticoagulation therapy in trauma patients: A multicenter evaluation
Authors: Ghafil Cameron , Park Caroline , Yu Jeremy , Drake Andrew , Sundaram Shivani , Thiele Lisa , Graham Caleb , Inaba Kenji , Matsushima Kazuhide
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

The use of anticoagulation therapy (ACT) in trauma patients during the postinjury period presents a challenge given the increased risk of hemorrhage. Guidelines regarding whether and when to initiate ACT are lacking, and as a result, practice patterns vary widely. The purpose of this study is to describe the incidence of hemorrhagic complications in patients who received ACT during their hospitalization, identify risk factors, and characterize the required interventions.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, all trauma admissions at two Level I trauma centers between January 2015 and December 2020 were reviewed. Patients with preexisting ACT use or those who developed a new indication for ACT were included for analysis. Demographic and outcome data were collected for those who received ACT during their admission. Comparisons were then made between the complications and no complications groups. A subgroup analysis was performed for all patients started on ACT within 14 days of injury.

RESULTS

A total of 812 patients were identified as having an indication for ACT, and 442 patients received ACT during the postinjury period. The overall incidence of hemorrhagic complications was 12.7%. Of those who sustained hemorrhagic complications, 18 required procedural intervention. On regression analysis, male sex, severe injuries, and the need for hemorrhage control surgery on arrival were all found to be associated with hemorrhagic complications after the initiation of ACT. Waiting 7 days to 14 days from the time of injury to initiate ACT reduced the odds of complications by 46% and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The use of ACT in trauma during the postinjury period is not without risk. Waiting 7 days to 14 days postinjury might greatly reduce the risk of hemorrhagic complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management Study; Level IV.
A Feasibility Study in Virtual Assessment Procedures of a Sentence-Writing Probe for Use With Intermediate-Grade Students
Authors: Marble-Flint Karissa J. , Koutsoftas Anthony D.
Published: November 2023

This article reports on the development and initial feasibility of virtual assessment procedures for a sentence-writing probe for remote instructional purposes with intermediate-grade students. The study included a sample of 15 intermediate-grade children. The sentence-writing probe was administered through video conferencing software, an innovation of the times, across three sessions separated by 2 weeks. Scores derived from sentence probes included total number of words, a sentence accuracy score, and a word accuracy score, which were compared across time points. Results indicated no statistically significant differences across time points for the entire sample for all measures except the total number of words at Time 2. Measures obtained from the sentence-writing probe were significantly correlated with standardized measures of oral language. Findings from this study support the proof of concept that virtual assessment procedures can be used to assess sentence-level writing in intermediate-grade students. Future directions are provided regarding the utility of remote instruction for assessment purposes, the types of scores derived from measures, and future plans to scale up the assessment for use in research studies and as a curriculum-based evaluation tool.
Neopusillimonas aromaticivorans sp. nov. isolated from poultry manure
Authors: Lin Shih-Yao , Lin Tzu-Yu , Hameed Asif , Tang Yu-Shan , Young Chiu-Chung
Published: November 2023

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a novel bacterium, designated strain CC-YST667T, isolated from poultry manure sampled in Taiwan. The cells were observed to be aerobic, motile and non-spore-forming rods, displaying positive reactions for oxidase. Optimal growth of CC-YST667T was observed at 25 °C, pH 8.0 and with 1 % (w/v) NaCl. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and multiple unidentified polar lipids. The major polyamine was spermidine. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) included C16 : 0, C17 : 0cyclo, C19 : 0cyclo ω8c and C14 : 0 3OH/iso-C16 : 1 I. On the basis of the results of analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, this isolate showed the closest phylogenetic relationship with ‘Neopusillimonas minor’ (with 98.2 % similarity) and

Paralcaligenes ureilyticus

(with 97.3 % similarity) of the family

Alcaligenaceae

. The draft genome, (3.3 Mb) with a DNA G+C content of 57.2 mol%, harboured various genes involved in the biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons. CC-YST667T shared highest orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) with the type strains of species of of the genera Neopusillimonas (72.4‒77.9 %, n=2),

Pusillimonas

(72.8‒73.0 %, n=2) and Pollutimonas (71.7‒73.0 %, n=5). On the basis of its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with the results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing, OrthoANI, digital DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) and the phylogenomic placement, strain CC-YST667T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Neopusillimonas, for which the name Neopusillimonas aromaticivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YST667T (=BCRC 81321T =JCM 34761T).
Extending Subcortical EEG Responses to Continuous Speech to the Sound-Field
Authors: Bachmann Florine L. , Kulasingham Joshua P. , Eskleund Kasper , Enqvist Martin , Alickovic Emina , Innes-Brown Hamish
Published: November 2023

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a valuable clinical tool for objective hearing assessment, which is conventionally detected by averaging neural responses to thousands of short stimuli. Progressing beyond these unnatural stimuli, brainstem responses to continuous speech presented via earphones have been recently detected using linear temporal response functions (TRFs). Here, we extend earlier studies by measuring subcortical responses to continuous speech presented in the sound-field, and assess the amount of data needed to estimate brainstem TRFs. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from 24 normal hearing participants while they listened to clicks and stories presented via earphones and loudspeakers. Subcortical TRFs were computed after accounting for non-linear processing in the auditory periphery by either stimulus rectification or an auditory nerve model. Our results demonstrated that subcortical responses to continuous speech could be reliably measured in the sound-field. TRFs estimated using auditory nerve models outperformed simple rectification, and 16 minutes of data was sufficient for the TRFs of all participants to show clear wave V peaks for both earphones and sound-field stimuli. Subcortical TRFs to continuous speech were highly consistent in both earphone and sound-field conditions, and with click ABRs. However, sound-field TRFs required slightly more data (16 minutes) to achieve clear wave V peaks compared to earphone TRFs (12 minutes), possibly due to effects of room acoustics. By investigating subcortical responses to sound-field speech stimuli, this study lays the groundwork for bringing objective hearing assessment closer to real-life conditions, which may lead to improved hearing evaluations and smart hearing technologies.
Insights on the effect of mega-carcass abundance on the population dynamics of a facultative scavenger predator and its prey
Authors: Sidous Mellina , Cubaynes Sarah , Gimenez Olivier , Drouet-Hoguet Nolwenn , Dray Stéphane , Bollache Loïc , Madhlamoto Daphine , Ngwenya Nobesuthu Adelaide , Fritz Hervé , Valeix Marion
Published: November 2023

The interplay between facultative scavenging and predation has gained interest in the last decade. The prevalence of scavenging induced by the availability of large carcasses may modify predator density or behaviour, potentially affecting prey. In contrast to behavioural mechanisms through which scavenging affects predation, the demographic effects of facultative scavenging on predator and prey populations remain poorly studied. We used the semi-natural experimental opportunity in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, where contrasted management measures (culling and artificial supply of water) have led to fluctuations in elephant carrion abundance, to identify the consequences of facultative scavenging on the population dynamics of a large mammalian carnivore, the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), and its prey. Using a 50-year dataset and Multivariate Autoregressive State Space models, we estimated hyaena and prey densities over four periods contrasted in elephant carrion availability due to management practices. Models that allow hyaena and their prey populations’ growth rate to vary depending on these four periods contributed significantly to explain variations in their density, which is consistent with an effect of management measures on the population dynamics of hyaena and its prey. Although our results support a predominant role of bottom-up mechanisms, whereby hyaena density is driven by herbivore density, itself driven by resources availability, some subtle patterns of densities could be interpreted as consequences of changes in predation pressure following changes in scavenging opportunities. We discuss why signals of prey and predator population dynamics decoupling are less likely to be observed in systems with a high diversity of prey, such as African savannas, and why inputs of mega-carcasses as pulsed resources hardly impacted top-down relationships in the long run. This study represents a first investigation of the long-term effects of carrion pulses, whose frequency may increase with climate changes, on the classical predator-prey coupling for large mammals.
The Arp2/3 complex promotes periodic removal of Pak1-mediated negative feedback to facilitate anticorrelated Cdc42 oscillations
Authors: Harrell Marcus , Liu Ziyi , Campbell Bethany F , Chinsen Olivia , Hong Tian , Das Maitreyi
Published: November 2023

The conserved GTPase Cdc42 is a major regulator of polarized growth in most eukaryotes. Cdc42 periodically cycles between active and inactive states at sites of polarized growth. These periodic cycles are caused by positive feedback and time-delayed negative feedback loops. In the bipolar yeastS. pombe, both growing ends must regulate Cdc42 activity. At each cell end, Cdc42 activity recruits the Pak1 kinase which prevents further Cdc42 activation thus establishing negative feedback. It is unclear how Cdc42 activation returns to the end after Pak1-dependent negative feedback. Using genetic and chemical perturbations, we find that disrupting branched actin-mediated endocytosis disables Cdc42 reactivation at the cell ends. With our experimental data and mathematical models, we show that endocytosis-dependent Pak1 removal from the cell ends allows the Cdc42 activator Scd1 to return to that end to enable reactivation of Cdc42. Moreover, we show that Pak1 elicits its own removal via activation of endocytosis. In agreement with these observations, our model and experimental data show that in each oscillatory cycle, Cdc42 activation increases followed by an increase in Pak1 recruitment at that end. These findings provide a deeper insight into the self-organization of Cdc42 regulation and reveal previously unknown feedback with endocytosis in the establishment of cell polarity.
Competition for food affects the strength of reproductive interference and its consequences for species coexistence
Authors: Cruz Miguel A. , Godoy Oscar , Fragata Inês , Sousa Vitor C. , Magalhães Sara , Zélé Flore
Published: November 2023

Competition for food and reproductive interference (negative interspecific sexual interactions) have been identified as major drivers of species exclusion. Still, how these biotic interactions jointly determine competitive dominance remains largely unknown. We tackle this by coupling population models and laboratory experiments with two spider mite sibling species. Using experiments specifically designed to measure the single and combined effects of food competition and reproductive interference, we first show that the strength and symmetry of reproductive interference between species changes in presence of food competition. Next, we show that population models incorporating each type of interaction alone or their effects when combined lead to markedly different predictions, from exclusion by one species or the other, to exclusion of the less abundant species. Moreover, accounting for the observed reduction in the strength of reproductive interference in the presence of food competition changes the threshold frequency determining the dominant competitor, favouring the superior competitor for food. Finally, model predictions for short-term population dynamics were corroborated with an independent population cage experiment. Altogether, our results suggest that trophic interactions can modulate sexual interactions, significantly impacting population dynamics and competitive outcomes. Hence, the joint consideration of food competition and reproductive interference is critical to accurately predict and understand species coexistence.
Obesogenic diet in mice leads to inflammation and oxidative stress in the mother in association with sex-specific changes in fetal development, inflammatory markers and placental transcriptome
Authors: Candia Alejandro A. , Lean Samantha C. , Zhang Cindy X. W. , McKeating Daniel R , Cochrane Anna , Gulacsi Edina , Herrera Emilio A. , Krause Bernardo J. , Sferruzzi-Perri Amanda N.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Obesity during pregnancy is related to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Factors involved in these outcomes may include increased maternal insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress and nutrient mishandling. The placenta is the primary determinant of fetal outcomes, and its function can be impacted by maternal obesity. The aim of this study in mice was to determine the effect of obesity on maternal lipid handling, inflammatory and redox state, and placental oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and gene expression relative to female and male fetal growth.

Methods

Female mice were fed control or obesogenic high-fat/high-sugar diet (HFHS) from 9 weeks prior to and during pregnancy. On day 18.5 of pregnancy, maternal plasma, and liver, placenta, and fetal serum were collected to examine the immune and redox state. The placental labyrinth zone (Lz) was dissected for RNA-sequencing analysis of gene expression changes.

Results

HFHS diet induced, in the dams, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress (reduced catalase, elevated protein oxidation) and activation of pro-inflammatory pathways (p38-MAPK) along with imbalanced circulating cytokine concentrations (increased IL-6 and decreased IL-5 and IL-17A). HFHS fetuses were asymmetrically growth-restricted, showing sex-specific changes in circulating cytokines (GM-CSF, TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ). Morphology of the placenta Lz was modified by a HFHS diet, in association with sex-specific alterations in the expression of genes and proteins implicated in oxidative stress, inflammation, and stress signaling. Placental gene expression changes were comparable to that seen in models of intrauterine inflammation and were related to a transcriptional network involving transcription factors, LYL1 and PLAG1.

Discussion

This study shows that fetal growth restriction with maternal obesity is related to elevated oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, and sex-specific placental changes. Our data are important given the marked consequences and the rising rates of obesity worldwide.
ThaparUni at #SMM4H 2023: Synergistic Ensemble of RoBERTa, XLNet, and ERNIE 2.0 for Enhanced Textual Analysis1
Authors: Singh Sharandeep , Bedi Jatin
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the system developed by Team ThaparUni for the Social Media Mining for Health Applications (SMM4H) 2023 Shared Task 4. The task involved binary classification of English Reddit posts, focusing on self-reporting social anxiety disorder (SAD) diagnoses. The final system employed a combination of three models: RoBERTa, ERNIE, and XLNet, and results obtained from all three models were integrated. The results, specifically in the context of mental health-related content analysis on social media platforms, show the possibility and viability of using multiple models in binary classification tasks.
Microglia Depletion Reduces Human Neuronal APOE4-Driven Pathologies in a Chimeric Alzheimer’s Disease Model
Authors: Rao Antara , Chen Nuo , Kim Min Joo , Blumenfeld Jessica , Yip Oscar , Hao Yanxia , Liang Zherui , Nelson Maxine R. , Koutsodendris Nicole , Grone Brian , Ding Leo , Yoon Seo Yeon , Arriola Patrick , Huang Yadong
Published: November 2023

Despite strong evidence supporting the involvement of both apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) and microglia in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathogenesis, the effects of microglia on neuronal APOE4-driven AD pathogenesis remain elusive. Here, we examined such effects utilizing microglial depletion in a chimeric model with human neurons in mouse hippocampus. Specifically, we transplanted homozygous APOE4, isogenic APOE3, and APOE-knockout (APOE-KO) induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human neurons into the hippocampus of human APOE3 or APOE4 knock-in mice, and depleted microglia in half the chimeric mice. We found that both neuronal APOE and microglial presence were important for the formation of Aβ and tau pathologies in an APOE isoform-dependent manner (APOE4 > APOE3). Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis identified two pro-inflammatory microglial subtypes with high MHC-II gene expression that are enriched in chimeric mice with human APOE4 neuron transplants. These findings highlight the concerted roles of neuronal APOE, especially APOE4, and microglia in AD pathogenesis.

HIGHLIGHTS

Transplanted human APOE4 neurons generate Aβ and p-tau aggregates in APOE4-KI mouse hippocampus.

Human neuronal APOE4 promotes the formation of dense-core Aβ plaques and p-tau aggregates.

Microglia is required for human neuronal APOE4-driven formation of p-tau aggregates.

scRNA-seq reveals enrichment of MHC-II microglia in mice with human APOE4 neuron transplants.
Being confident in confidence scores: calibration in deep learning models for camera trap image sequences
Authors: Dussert Gaspard , Chamaillé-Jammes Simon , Dray Stéphane , Miele Vincent
Published: November 2023

In ecological studies, machine learning models are increasingly being used for the automatic processing of camera trap images. Although this automation facilitates and accelerates the identification step, the results of these models may lack interpretability and their immediate applicability to ecological downstream tasks (e.g occupancy estimation) remain questionable. In particular, little is known about their calibration, a property that guarantees that confidence scores can be reliably interpreted as probabilities that a model’s predictions are true. Using a large and diverse European camera trap dataset, we investigate whether deep learning models for species classification in camera trap images are well calibrated, or in contrast over/under-confident. Additionally, as camera traps are often configured to take multiple photos of the same event, we also explore the calibration of predictions at the sequence level. Finally, we study the effect and the practicality of a post-hoc calibration method, i.e. temperature scaling, for predictions made at image and sequence levels. Based on five established models and three independent test sets, our findings show that, using the right methodology, it is possible to enhance the interpretability of the confidence scores, with clear implication for, for instance, the calculation of error rates or the selection of confidence score thresholds in ecological studies making use of artificial intelligence models.
Anterior cingulate cortex neurons in macaques encode social image identities
Authors: Simon Joseph , Rich Erin L.
Published: November 2023

The anterior cingulate cortex gyrus (ACCg) has been implicated in prosocial behaviors involving complex reasoning about social cues. While this indicates that the ACCg is involved in social behavior, it remains unclear whether ACCg neurons also encode social information during goal-directed actions without social consequences. To address this, we assessed how social information is processed by ACCg neurons in a reward localization task. Two rhesus monkeys performed the task using either social or nonsocial visual guides to locate rewarding targets. We found that monkeys can use both sets of guides, and many neurons in the ACCg distinguished social from nonsocial trials. Yet, this encoding was no more common in ACCg than in the prearcuate cortex (PAC), which has not been strongly linked to social behavior. However, unlike PAC, ACCg neurons were more likely to encode the unique identity of social visual guides compared to nonsocial, even though identity was irrelevant to the reward localization task. This suggests that ACCg neurons are uniquely sensitive to social information that differentiates individuals, which may underlie its role in complex social reasoning.
Resource allocation strategies and mechanical constraints drive the diversification of stick and leaf insect eggs
Authors: Boisseau Romain P. , Woods H. Arthur
Published: November 2023

The diversity of insect eggs is astounding but still largely unexplained. Here, we apply phylogenetic analyses to over 210 species of stick and leaf insects (order Phasmatodea), coupled with physiological measurements of metabolic rate and water loss, to evaluate several major classes of factors that may drive egg morphological diversification: life history constraints, material costs and mechanical constraints, and ecological circumstances. We show support for all three classes, but egg size is primarily influenced by female body size and strongly trades off with egg number. Consequently, females that lay relatively fewer but larger eggs, which develop more slowly because of disproportionately low metabolic rates, tend to bury or glue them in specific locations, instead of simply dropping them from the foliage (ancestral state). This form of parental care then directly favors relatively elongated eggs, which may facilitate their specific placement and allow easier passage through the oviducts in slender species. In addition, flightless females display a higher reproductive output and consequently lay relatively more and larger eggs compared to flight-capable females. Surprisingly, local climatic conditions had only weak effects on egg traits. Overall, our results suggest that morphological diversification of stick insect eggs is driven by a complex web of causal relationships among traits, with dominant effects of resource allocation strategies and mechanical constraints.
A missense mutation (C667F) in β-dystroglycan results in reduced dystroglycan protein levels leading to myopathy and destabilization of the blood-brain and blood-retinal barrier protein network
Authors: Tan Rui Lois , Sciandra Francesca , Hübner Wolfgang , Bozzi Manuela , Reimann Jens , Schoch Susanne , Brancaccio Andrea , Blaess Sandra
Published: November 2023

Dystroglycan (DG) is a glycoprotein and extracellular matrix receptor consisting of an α-DG and a β-DG subunit encoded by the geneDAG1. A homozygous missense mutation (c.2006G>T), resulting in an amino acid substitution (p.Cys669Phe) in the extracellular domain of β-DG, causes severe Muscle-Eye-Brain disease with multicystic leukodystrophy. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the severe human pathology, we generated a mouse model of this primary dystroglycanopathy. We find that homozygous mutant mice show no obvious abnormalities during development and reach mature adulthood. However, α- and β-DG protein levels are significantly downregulated in muscle and brain of homozygous mutant mice. The mutant mice show a form of myopathy with late-onset and not fully penetrant histopathological changes in skeletal muscle and are impaired in their performance on an activity wheel. The brain and eyes of the homozygous mutant mice appear to be structurally normal, but the localization of mutant β-DG is altered in the glial perivascular endfeet (PVE) at the blood-brain- and blood-retina barrier resulting in a perturbed protein composition in the PVE. In conclusion, the mouse model of the C669F β-DG mutation does not seem to recapitulate the severe developmental phenotypes observed in human patients but represents a novel and highly valuable tool to study the impact of β-DG functional changes at the molecular level and to gain insight into the pathogenesis of primary dystroglycanopathies.