bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the dominant contribution of intermediate volatility compounds in secondary organic aerosol formation from biomass-burning emissions
Authors: Li Kun , Zhang Jun , Bell David M , Wang Tiantian , Lamkaddam Houssni , Cui Tianqu , Qi Lu , Surdu Mihnea , Wang Dongyu , Du Lin , El Haddad Imad , Slowik Jay G , Prevot Andre S H
Published: January 2024

Organic vapors from biomass burning are a major source of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Previous smog chamber studies found that the SOA contributors in biomass-burning emissions are mainly volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While intermediate volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) are efficient SOA precursors and contribute a considerable fraction of biomass-burning emissions, their contribution to SOA formation has not been directly observed. Here, by deploying a newly-developed oxidation flow reactor to study SOA formation from wood burning, we find that IVOCs can contribute ∼70% of the formed SOA, i.e. >2 times more than VOCs. This previously missing SOA fraction is interpreted to be due to the high wall losses of semi-volatile oxidation products of IVOCs in smog chambers. The finding in this study reveals that SOA production from biomass burning is much higher than previously thought, and highlights the urgent need for more research on the IVOCs from biomass burning and potentially other emission sources.
Smoking Cessation Support in Social and Community Service Organizations: Potential Activities, Barriers, and Facilitators
Authors: Visser Judith E M , Rozema Andrea D , Kunst Anton E , Kuipers Mirte A G
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Social and Community Service Organizations (SCSOs) are a potential setting to reach and support people with a low socioeconomic position who smoke, yet smoking cessation is not widely supported by SCSO professionals.

Aims and Methods

This study aims to identify SCSO professionals’ (1) potential activities to support smoking cessation and (2) barriers and facilitators in undertaking these activities. Between July and November 2022, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 professionals recruited through SCSOs in Amsterdam North, including participation workers, welfare workers, parent and child counselors, budget coach, debt counselor, welfare work, community sports, and community center coordinators. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach.

Results

Eight activities were identified that could support the client either directly (ie, recognizing smoking clients, discussing smoking and smoking cessation, referring clients, providing smoking cessation counseling, offering help around services) or indirectly (ie, collaboration with relevant network partners, implementing smoke-free environments, enhancing professional skills). Various barriers and facilitators were identified related to the (1) client and their environment (ie, clients’ readiness and social environment), (2) interaction between professional and client (ie, topic sensitivity), (3) professional (ie, professional is non-smoker, knowledge, and self-efficacy), (4) professionals’ work environment (ie, necessity, responsibility, priority, and time), and (5) smoking cessation services (ie, availability of appropriate services and referral process).

Conclusions

There is potential for SCSO professionals to support smoking cessation, but several barriers hinder their efforts. To address these barriers, it is essential to take into account the factors that SCSO professionals believe facilitate the provision of smoking cessation support.

Implications

This study provides insight into how the potential of SCSOs in Amsterdam North to support smoking cessation efforts among people with a low socioeconomic position can be harnessed. Barriers were found at multiple levels (client, professional, client-professional interaction, and organizational) and these findings imply that stakeholders across these levels will need to prioritize smoking cessation to facilitate and stimulate SCSO professionals in supporting smoking cessation. A concrete action would be to offer SCSO professionals additional training in conversational skills to discuss smoking. As a prerequisite, easily accessible and suitable smoking cessation services should be available in the neighborhood.
Tuberculosis-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Diagnostic Challenges and Determinants of Outcome
Authors: Kurver Lisa , Seers Timothy , van Dorp Suzanne , van Crevel Reinout , Pollara Gabriele , van Laarhoven Arjan
Published: January 2024

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) can induce secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a severe inflammatory syndrome with high mortality. We integrated all published reports of adult HIV-negative TB-associated HLH (TB-HLH) to define clinical characteristics, diagnostic strategies, and therapeutic approaches associated with improved survival.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Global Index Medicus were searched for eligible records. TB-HLH cases were categorized into (1) patients with a confirmed TB diagnosis receiving antituberculosis treatment while developing HLH and (2) patients presenting with HLH of unknown cause later diagnosed with TB. We used a logistic regression model to define clinical and diagnostic parameters associated with survival.

Results

We identified 115 individual cases, 45 (39.1%) from countries with low TB incidence (<10/100 000 per year). When compared with patients with HLH and known TB (n = 21), patients with HLH of unknown cause (n = 94) more often had extrapulmonary TB (66.7% vs 88.3%), while the opposite was true for pulmonary disease (91.5% vs 59.6%). Overall, Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the bone marrow in 78.4% of patients for whom examination was reported (n = 74). Only 10.5% (4/38) of patients tested had a positive result upon a tuberculin skin test or interferon-γ release assay. In-hospital mortality was 28.1% (27/96) in those treated for TB and 100% (18/18) in those who did not receive antituberculosis treatment (P < .001).

Conclusions

Tuberculosis should be considered a cause of unexplained HLH. TB-HLH is likely underreported, and the diagnostic workup of patients with HLH should include bone marrow investigations for evidence of Mycobacerium tuberculosis. Prompt initiation of antituberculosis treatment likely improves survival in TB-HLH.
Cassava phosphatase PP2C1 modulates thermotolerance via fine-tuning dephosphorylation of antioxidant enzymes
Authors: Bai Yujing , Dong Yabin , Zheng Liyan , Zeng Hongqiu , Wei Yunxie , Shi Haitao
Published: January 2024

Global warming is an adverse environmental factor that threatens crop yields and food security. 2C-type protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), as core protein phosphatase components, play important roles in plant hormone signaling to cope with various environmental stresses. However, the function and underlying mechanism of PP2Cs in the heat stress response remain elusive in tropical crops. Here, we report that MePP2C1 negatively regulated thermotolerance in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), accompanied by the modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and the underlying antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Further investigation found that MePP2C1 directly interacted with and dephosphorylated MeCAT1 and MeAPX2 at serine (S) 112 and S160 residues, respectively. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo assays showed that protein phosphorylation of MeCAT1S112 and MeAPX2S160 was essential for their enzyme activities, and MePP2C1 negatively regulated thermotolerance and redox homeostasis by dephosphorylating MeCAT1S112 and MeAPX2S160. Taken together, this study illustrates the direct relationship between MePP2C1-mediated protein dephosphorylation of MeCAT1 and MeAPX2 and ROS accumulation in thermotolerance to provide insights for adapting to global warming via fine-tuning thermotolerance of the tropical crop cassava.
The value of information gathering in phage–bacteria warfare
Authors: Dahan Yuval , Wingreen Ned S , Meir Yigal
Published: January 2024

Phages—viruses that infect bacteria—have evolved over billions of years to overcome bacterial defenses. Temperate phage, upon infection, can “choose” between two pathways: lysis—in which the phage create multiple new phage particles, which are then liberated by cell lysis, and lysogeny—where the phage’s genetic material is added to the bacterial DNA and transmitted to the bacterial progeny. It was recently discovered that some phages can read information from the environment related to the density of bacteria or the number of nearby infection attempts. Such information may help phage make the right choice between the two pathways. Here, we develop a theoretical model that allows an infecting phage to change its strategy (i.e. the ratio of lysis to lysogeny) depending on an outside signal, and we find the optimal strategy that maximizes phage proliferation. While phages that exploit extra information naturally win in competition against phages with a fixed strategy, there may be costs to information, e.g. as the necessary extra genes may affect the growth rate of a lysogen or the burst size of new phage for the lysis pathway. Surprisingly, even when phages pay a large price for information, they can still maintain an advantage over phages that lack this information, indicating the high benefit of intelligence gathering in phage–bacteria warfare.
Identification of circulating autoantibodies to non-modified proteins associated with ACPA status in early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lourido Lucía , Joshua Vijay , Hansson Monika , Sjöberg Ronald , Pin Elisa , Ruiz-Romero Cristina , Nilsson Peter , Alfredsson Lars , Klareskog Lars , Blanco Francisco J
Published: January 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to discover autoantibodies to non-modified proteins associated with the presence/absence of ACPAs in RA.

Methods

The autoantibody repertoire of 80 ACPA-negative and 80 ACPA-positive RA subjects from the Swedish population-based Epidemiological Investigation of RA (EIRA) cohort was screened using a suspension bead array built on protein fragments earlier described as autoimmunity targets. Four autoantibodies positive in the initial screening were validated in another set of EIRA samples containing 317 ACPA-positive, 302 ACPA-negative and 372 age- and sex-matched controls. The relationship between the four autoantibodies and lung abnormalities on high-resolution CT (HRCT) was examined in 93 early-RA patients from the LURA cohort. Association between the autoantibodies, smoking and MHC class II alleles was assessed by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Anti-ANOS1 and anti-MURC IgG levels were associated with ACPA-positive status [odds ratio (OR) = 3.02; 95% CI 1.87–4.89; and OR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.16–2.97, respectively] and increased in ACPA-positive patients compared with controls. Anti-ANOS1 IgG was associated with smoking habit (OR = 2.11; 95% CI 1.22–3.69) and anti-MURC IgG with the presence of the MHC class II ‘shared-epitope’ genes (OR = 1.95; 95% CI 1.11–3.46). Anti-TSPYL4 IgG was associated with being ACPA negative (OR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.19–0.89). Anti-TSPYL4 IgG and anti-MAP2K6 IgG levels were increased in the ACPA-negative patients compared with controls. Presence of anti-MAP2K6 IgG and anti-TSPYL4 IgG correlated negatively with HRCT-defined lung abnormalities.

Conclusion

These four autoantibodies may be useful in diagnostics and in predicting clinical phenotypes of RA.
The Committee for Quality Evaluation of the Law Making Process in Greece: Another One Law Drafting Committee or Something More?
Authors: Vlachopoulos Spyridon
Published: January 2024

This article provides information regarding the assessment of bills, before the parliamentary procedure, in Greece, throughout the years. It focuses on the differences between the former ‘Central Legislative Committee’ and the current ‘Committee for Quality Evaluation of the Law Making Process’ and presents the responsibilities of the latter, as well as the improvements that have been achieved since its operation. Then an analysis of the quality of the legislation, in general, takes place and the relevant problems are highlighted.
Integrated proteome and physiological traits reveal interactive mechanisms of new leaf growth and storage protein degradation with mature leaves of evergreen citrus trees
Authors: Xiong Huaye , Luo Yayin , Zhao Huanyu , Wang Jie , Hu Bin , Yan Chengquan , Yao Tingshan , Zhang Yueqiang , Shi Xiaojun , Rennenberg Heinz
Published: January 2024

The growth of fruit trees depends on the nitrogen (N) remobilization in mature tissues and N acquisition from the soil. However, in evergreen mature citrus (Citrus reticulata Blanco) leaves, proteins with N storage functions and hub molecules involved in driving N remobilization remain largely unknown. Here, we combined proteome and physiological analyses to characterize the spatiotemporal mechanisms of growth of new leaves and storage protein degradation in mature leaves of citrus trees exposed to low-N and high-N fertilization in the field. Results show that the growth of new leaves is driven by remobilization of stored reserves, rather than N uptake by the roots. In this context, proline and arginine in mature leaves acted as N sources supporting the growth of new leaves in spring. Time-series analyses with gel electrophoresis and proteome analysis indicated that the mature autumn shoot leaves are probably the sites of storage protein synthesis, while the aspartic endopeptidase protein is related to the degradation of storage proteins in mature citrus leaves. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis based on protein–protein interactions indicated that glutamate synthetase and ATP-citrate synthetase are hub proteins in N remobilization from mature citrus leaves. These results provide strong physiological data for seasonal optimization of N fertilizer application in citrus orchards.
The Causal Effect of Early Marriage on Women's Bargaining Power: Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Tauseef Salauddin , Sufian Farha Deba
Published: January 2024

Early marriage restrains women's agency and bargaining strength in postmarital households, impairing their ability to make meaningful contributions to household decision making. This paper employs a comprehensive measure of women's empowerment in the domestic and productive spheres, and isolates the causal effect of age at marriage, instrumented by age at menarche, on their bargaining strength, using nationally representative data from Bangladesh. Results suggest that delayed marriages result in significantly higher empowerment scores and probability of being empowered for women, because of higher likelihood in achieving adequacy in their autonomy in agricultural production, control over income, ownership of assets and rights in those assets, and ability to speak in public. Favorable impacts of delayed marriage are also found on women's freedom of mobility, fertility choices, and their ability to decide on household expenses and investments, with the impacts likely coming via improvements in education and labor market outcomes when women married later.
Extracellular vesicles released by hypoxia‐induced tumor‐associated fibroblasts impart chemoresistance to breast cancer cells via long noncoding RNA H19 delivery
Authors: Tao Shuang , Wang Jian , Li Fang , Shi Bixia , Ren Quanhai , Zhuang Yuhong , Qian Xiaoping
Published: January 2024

Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been emphasized in regulating the hypoxic tumor microenvironment of breast cancer (BC), where tumor‐associated fibroblasts (TAFs) play a significant role. In this study, we describe possible molecular mechanisms behind the pro‐tumoral effects of EVs, secreted by hypoxia (HP)‐induced TAFs, on BC cell growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance. These mechanisms are based on long noncoding RNA H19 (H19) identified by microarray analysis. We employed an in silico approach to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs that were associated with BC. Subsequently, we explored possible downstream regulatory mechanisms. We isolated EVs from TAFs that were exposed to HP, and these EVs were denoted as HP‐TAF‐EVs henceforth. MTT, transwell, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays were performed to assess the malignant phenotypes of BC cells. A paclitaxel (TAX)‐resistant BC cell line was constructed, and xenograft tumor and lung metastasis models were established in nude mice for in vivo verification. Our observation revealed that lncRNA H19 was significantly overexpressed, whereas miR‐497 was notably downregulated in BC. HP induced activation of TAFs and stimulated the secretion of EVs. Coculture of HP‐TAF‐EVs and BC cells led to an increase in TAX resistance of the latter. HP‐TAF‐EVs upregulated methylation of miR‐497 by delivering lncRNA H19, which recruited DNMT1, thus lowering the expression of miR‐497. In addition, lncRNA H19‐containing HP‐TAF‐EVs hindered miR‐497 expression, enhancing tumorigenesis and TAX resistance of BC cells in vivo. Our study presents evidence for the contribution of lncRNA H19‐containing HP‐TAF‐EVs in the reduction of miR‐497 expression through the recruitment of DNMT1, which in turn promotes the growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance of BC cells.
Regulation of androgen receptor stability by the β1Pix/STUB1 complex
Authors: Chahdi Ahmed , Jorgez Carolina , Seth Abhishek
Published: January 2024

The androgen receptor (AR) is essential in the development and differentiation of testes and male genitalia. AR expression is tightly regulated at the translational and posttranslational levels. AR posttranscriptional regulation is a major determinant of AR availability since AR is a direct target of E3 ubiquitin ligase STUB1. Our work indicated that the Rac/Cdc42 guanosine triphosphatase guanine nucleotide exchange factor, β1Pix, enhanced AR levels after AR stimulation in HEK293 and HeLa cells. AR stimulation decreased AR ubiquitination which is accompanied by increased β1Pix binding to AR. Ectopic expression of β1Pix decreased AR ubiquitination in Tm4 and HEK293 cells. We demonstrated that the formation of a multimolecular complex comprised of AR/β1Pix/STUB1 responded in a time‐dependent manner to AR stimulation. β1Pix binding dissociated STUB1 from AR and thus prevented STUB1 from catalyzing receptor ubiquitination. β1Pix enhanced AR transcriptional activity and increased AR target gene expression. Irrespective of treatment, immunofluorescence analysis showed a strong nuclear colocalization of endogenous AR and endogenous βPix in Tm4 cells. However, using Tm4 cell fractionation, AR stimulation decreased βPix/AR association in the cytosolic fraction and increased binding of AR to βPix in the nuclear fraction. To support the role of β1Pix in androgen regulation, we found that individuals lacking this gene have a significant increase in genitourinary malformations associated with androgen dysfunction. Our data indicate that β1Pix is an important modulator of AR stability and ligand‐dependent AR transcriptional activity. We propose that β1Pix could serve as a promising therapeutic target to modulate AR signaling.
Acute endoplasmic reticulum stress‐induced mitochondria respiratory chain damage: The role of activated calpains
Authors: Chen Qun , Li Ling , Samidurai Arun , Thompson Jeremy , Hu Ying , Willard Belinda , Lesnefsky Edward J.
Published: January 2024

The induction of acute endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress damages the electron transport chain (ETC) in cardiac mitochondria. Activation of mitochondria‐localized calpain 1 (CPN1) and calpain 2 (CPN2) impairs the ETC in pathological conditions, including aging and ischemia–reperfusion in settings where ER stress is increased. We asked if the activation of calpains causes the damage to the ETC during ER stress. Control littermate and CPNS1 (calpain small regulatory subunit 1) deletion mice were used in the current study. CPNS1 is an essential subunit required to maintain CPN1 and CPN2 activities, and deletion of CPNS1 prevents their activation. Tunicamycin (TUNI, 0.4 mg/kg) was used to induce ER stress in C57BL/6 mice. Cardiac mitochondria were isolated after 72 h of TUNI treatment. ER stress was increased in both control littermate and CPNS1 deletion mice with TUNI treatment. The TUNI treatment activated both cytosolic and mitochondrial CPN1 and 2 (CPN1/2) in control but not in CPNS1 deletion mice. TUNI treatment led to decreased oxidative phosphorylation and complex I activity in control but not in CPNS1 deletion mice compared to vehicle. The contents of complex I subunits, including NDUFV2 and ND5, were decreased in control but not in CPNS1 deletion mice. TUNI treatment also led to decreased oxidation through cytochrome oxidase (COX) only in control mice. Proteomic study showed that subunit 2 of COX was decreased in control but not in CPNS1 deletion mice. Our results provide a direct link between activation of CPN1/2 and complex I and COX damage during acute ER stress.
Lactobacillus reuteri inhibits Staphylococcus aureus‐induced mastitis by regulating oxytocin releasing and gut microbiota in mice
Authors: He Zhaoqi , Li Wenjia , Yuan Weijie , He Yuhong , Xu Jiawen , Yuan Chongshan , Zhao Caijun , Zhang Naisheng , Fu Yunhe , Hu Xiaoyu
Published: January 2024

Mastitis is the most frequent disease of cows and has well‐recognized detrimental effects on animal wellbeing and dairy farm profitability. With the advent of the postantibiotic era, alternative antibiotic agents, especially probiotics, have received increasing attention in the treatment of mastitis. Based on research showing that Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) has anti‐inflammatory effects, this study explored the protective effects and mechanisms of L. reuteri against mastitis induced by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in mice. First, mice with S. aureus‐induced mastitis were orally administered L. reuteri, and the inflammatory response in the mammary gland was observed. The results showed that L. reuteri significantly inhibited S. aureus‐induced mastitis. Moreover, the concentration of oxytocin (OT) and protein expression of oxytocin receptor (OTR) were measured, and inhibition of OTR or vagotomy reversed the protective effect of L. reuteri or its culture supernatant (LCS) on S. aureus‐induced mastitis. In addition, in mouse mammary epithelial cells (MMECs), OT inhibited the inflammation induced by S. aureus by inhibiting the protein expression of OTR. It was suggested that L. reuteri protected against S. aureus‐induced mastitis by releasing OT. Furthermore, microbiological analysis showed that the composition of the microbiota was altered, and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly increased in gut and mammary gland after treatment with L. reuteri or LCS. In conclusion, our study found the L. reuteri inhibited the mastitis‐induced by S. aureus via promoting the release of OT, and treatment with L. reuteri increased the abundance of Lactobacillus in both gut and mammary gland.
Nursing Students’ Perception of Just Culture and Development of Self-Confidence With Clinical Judgment
Authors: Pugsley Lisa McCarty
Published: January 2024

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine what is currently known about just culture’s impact on nursing students’ development of self-confidence with clinical judgment.

BACKGROUND

Graduates of nursing programs must execute sound nursing judgment to provide safe client care.

METHOD

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guided the scoping review. The review elicited 1,411 sources and included 18 data sources.

RESULTS

Just culture was found to provide elements of trust, fairness, and psychological safety needed by nursing students to be self-confident in learning and executing clinical judgments that promote client safety.

CONCLUSION

Just culture promotes client safety in nursing education. Limited information exists on just culture’s influence on student self-confidence with clinical judgment; more research is therefore required.
Nuchal-type Fibroma Induced by Repetitive Trauma from Weightlifting: Case Report and Comprehensive Review of Literature
Authors: Sachs Jared P. , Dardano Anthony N.
Published: January 2024

A nuchal-type fibroma (NTF) is a rare, benign, subcutaneous nodule that most frequently occurs in the posterior neck along the midline. It is characterized histologically by bundles of thick collagen fibers confined to the dermis and subcutaneous tissue of the posterior neck. Few trauma-related NTF cases have been published. We present a biopsy-proven case of NTF that is likely to have developed as a result of weightlifting activity in the gym, including repetitive trauma to the area of the lesion during the exercise known as the “barbell back squat.” During this exercise, a heavy barbell was repeatedly rested on the patient’s vertebral prominence at the level of C7/T1, the location where the NTF developed. Our 25-year old patient reported that he had been doing this exercise on a weekly basis for about 10 years. We believe that repetitive trauma at this location from specific weightlifting exercises may attribute to the incidence of NTF. A description of key magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and the surgical pathology of this case are provided, along with a review of current literature on trauma-related NTFs.
The Role of Virtual Surgical Planning in Surgery for Complex Craniosynostosis
Authors: Imahiyerobo Thomas A. , Valenti Alyssa B. , Guadix Sergio , LaValley Myles , Asadourian Paul A. , Buontempo Michelle , Souweidane Mark , Hoffman Caitlin
Published: January 2024

Background:

Virtual surgical planning (VSP) decreases reliance on intraoperative subjective assessment of aesthetic and functional outcomes in craniofacial surgery. Here, we describe our experience of using VSP for complex craniosynostosis surgery to inform preoperative decision making and optimize postoperative outcomes.

Methods:

Chart review was performed for children treated with craniosynostosis at our institution from 2015 to 2021. Eight VSP maneuvers were defined and assigned to each patient when applicable: (1) complex cranioplasty: combined autologous and synthetic; (2) autologous cranioplasty; (3) synthetic cranioplasty; (4) vector analysis and distractor placement; (5) complex osteotomies; (6) multilayered intraoperative plans; (7) volume analysis; and (8) communication with parents. Outcomes between VSP and non-VSP cohorts were compared.

Results:

Of 166 total cases, 32 were considered complex, defined by multisutural craniosynostosis, syndromic craniosynostosis, or revision status. Of these complex cases, 20 underwent VSP and 12 did not. There was no difference in mean operative time between the VSP and non-VSP groups (541 versus 532 min, P = 0.82) or in unexpected return to operating room (10.5% versus 8.3%, P = 0.84). VSP was most often used to communicate the surgical plan with parents (90%) and plan complex osteotomies (85%).

Conclusions:

In this cohort, VSP was most often used to communicate the surgical plan with families and plan complex osteotomies. Our results indicate that VSP may improve intraoperative efficiency and safety for complex craniosynostosis surgery. This tool can be considered a useful adjunct to plan and guide intraoperative decisions in complex cases, reducing variability and guiding parental expectations.
Screening and Decolonization Programs for Staphylococcus aureus Carriers in the Slamming-Practice Community: A New Strategy for Harm Reduction?
Authors: Lobo Antuña Victoria , Lobo Antuña Marta , Fernández Soro Alejandro , Climent Benjamín
Published: January 2024

Slamming is a widespread sexual practice that has been occurring in our society for more than a decade now. It has emerged as a public health issue because it associates many harm and risks, mainly derived from unsafe sexual practice and intravenous drug abuse. In the recent years, an additional concern has emerged regarding the rising occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria within the community, particularly strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In this report, we present the case of a human immunodeficiency virus patient addicted to parenteral-synthetic-cathinone use in the context of slamming, which developed necrotizing fasciitis by this resistant strain. As prevention measures, assuming the inevitability of slamming practices, harm reduction programs have been developed. Implemented for years, they aim to reduce the risks of addictive behaviors. This clinical case raises the question of whether methicillin-resistant S. aureus carrier screening and consequent decolonization among people who inject drugs, and more specifically among those engaged in slamming, should be included in the daily practice as another tool of these harm reduction programs.
Do Concerns About Police Reporting Vary by Assault Characteristics? Understanding the Nonreporting Decisions of Sexual Assault Victims Who Utilize Alternative Reporting Options
Authors: Goodman-Williams Rachael , Volz Jessica , Smith Samantha
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Forensic nurses routinely provide services to sexual assault victims who are uncertain about reporting their assault to police. The purpose of this study was to determine whether assault characteristics are related to the concerns about police reporting expressed by sexual assault victims who have forensic evidence collected but do not report their assault to police at that time.

Methods

We analyzed medical records of patients who received services at a hospital-based forensic nursing program between 2010 and 2021. Records were included if a sexual assault evidence kit was collected, the patient declined to report the assault to police, and the patient completed a nonreport sexual assault evidence kit supplement form that included a question asking why they chose not to report the assault (N = 296). We qualitatively analyzed patients' reasons for not reporting the assault and then used two-variable case-ordered matrices and chi-square analyses to explore relationships between reasons for not reporting and assault characteristics.

Results

Identified reasons for not reporting included lacking information about the assault, fear of harm/retaliation, and self-blame/minimization. Physical force, drug/alcohol consumption, and victim–offender relationship were related to patients referencing lacking information and fearing harm/retaliation as reasons for not reporting, but not related to the frequency of patients referencing self-blame/minimization.

Implications

Results indicate that assault characteristics are related to reasons for not reporting at the time of the medical forensic examination. Being aware of these relationships may help forensic nurses provide patient-centered services and anticipatory guidance.
Nurse practitioner faculty attitudes about interprofessional education
Authors: Posey Kimberly , Prol Lori
Published: January 2024

Background:

Nurse practitioner (NP) faculty attitudes toward interprofessional education (IPE) can be barriers to the shift in culture and successful implementation of IPE into nursing curricula. A paucity of studies exist comparing faculty attitudes of IPE with different educational modalities.

Purpose:

The purpose of this research is to compare NP faculty attitudes toward IPE between IPE experiences and educational modalities in NP academic programs.

Methodology:

A quantitative cross-sectional comparative design was used. An electronic survey was advertised to approximately 3,000 members of the National Organization of NP Faculties by email blasts to assess their attitudes toward IPE in the academic setting.

Results:

Participating NP faculty (n = 208) completed the survey, with a response rate of 6.9%. The results showed that NP faculty reported positive attitudes toward IPE (M = 4.33). Nurse practitioner faculty attitudes toward IPE and participation in IPE experiences were not statistically significant (p = .126). Nurse practitioner faculty attitudes toward IPE did not differ with the educational modality. The main effect of the NP degree program educational modality was not statistically significant, F(2, 172) = 0.74, p = .479.

Conclusions:

Nurse practitioner faculty are optimistic about IPE in multiple educational modalities but still have some reservations about how to implement IPE activities successfully.

Implications:

The NP faculty attitudes and barriers to IPE curricular development in all educational modalities must be addressed to prepare NP students to be competent collaborative practice-ready providers on graduation.
Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of Gualou Guizhi decoction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Authors: Duan Zhihao , Jin Can , Ma Shuai , Liu Jinlang , Li Shigang , Zhou You
Published: January 2024

Background:

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in China for a long time and is gradually gaining more and more recognition worldwide. Gualou Guizhi Decoction (GGD) has long been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but its bioactive components and therapeutic mechanisms are still unclear.

Methods:

An integrated approach using network pharmacology and molecular docking and using methotrexate as a positive control drug.

Results:

We obtained 157 active ingredients of GGD, 7542 RA disease targets and 49 intersecting targets. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that their functions were mainly related to cytokine active metal ion binding, enzyme binding and DNA binding, and enriched in TNF signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, RA pathway and other signaling pathways that are closely related to RA. The molecular docking results show that the effector components of GGD bind better to the core targets of RA, and some are even better than methotrexate.

Conclusion:

The therapeutic effect of GGD for RA is achieved by affecting the core targets such as VEGFA, IL-1β, IL6, CXCL8, CCL2, and JUN, which together interfere with the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway and RA pathway to treat RA. The above study provides new ideas for further exploration of this classic formula in the future.
A case-control retrospective study for the effect of Shoutai Wan on IVF-ET pregnancy outcome
Authors: Liu Qing , Miao Chenyun , Lin Fangxuan , Zhang Han , Zhang Qin
Published: January 2024

It has a long history of preventing and treating disease using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In recent years, it has been widely used in adjuvant therapies of in vitro fertilization - embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in China. To observe the effect and safety of Shoutai Wan on pregnancy outcomes after IVF-ET. A total of 352 patients who underwent IVF-ET from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The participants who only received routine luteal support during clinical pregnancy of FET were defined as the control group, and others who received TCM decoction Shoutai Wan for prevention of miscarriage and routine luteal support were defined as the Chinese medicine protection Shoutai Wan group (St group). This project has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Approval NO: 2023-0305). The results of this retrospective cohort study revealed that Shoutaiwan combined with luteal support treatment can significantly decreased the miscarriage rate in pregnancy undergoing IVF-FET compared to the group accepted only luteal support treatment (P = .001). Meanwhile, St during pregnancy did not affect fetal birth weight (P = .354), and there was no adverse event in the St group reported, which confirmed the safety of TCM for fetus protection during pregnancy. This study not only provides evidences for the clinical administration of Shoutai Wan in IVF-ET, but also provides a novel direction for basic research into the subsequent innovative application of TCM.
Brucella spondylodiscitis that affected both cervical and lumbar spines: a rare case report from Syria
Authors: Alhusseini Ayham , Hamsho Suaad , Sleiay Mouhammed , Alsmoudi Hasan , Frzat Ayham , Alabdullah Hadi , Tawashi Yamama
Published: January 2024

Introduction and importance:

Brucellosis, the most common microbial zoonotic disease in the world, is endemic in both industrialized and underdeveloped countries. Between 2 and 53% of patients with brucellosis, patients develop spondylitis, and people between the ages of 50 and 60 are the most commonly affected. It mostly affects the lumbar vertebrae (L4 and L5 in particular) and the thoracic vertebrae.

Case presentation:

A 52-year-old patient was brought to the neurological clinic after complaining of lower back discomfort, reduced mobility, and lower extremity weakness for 6 weeks. Both the cervical and lumbar columns were the sites of the specific discomfort. MRI showed cervical and lumbar discitis.

Clinical discussion:

A high titre of anti-brucella antibodies was found by serology testing. He was treated with oral doxycycline (100 mg, two times daily), rifampicin (900 mg) orally once daily, and gentamicin (400 mg) once daily. The patient had massive improvement after 3 months of treatment.

Conclusions:

This case should serve as a reminder to healthcare providers to keep a high index of suspicion for uncommon infections, including Brucella species, in patients exhibiting discitis symptoms, especially when traditional microbiological gram stain and culture are negative.
A Palaeogene stem crotaphytid (
Aciprion formosum
) and the phylogenetic affinities of early fossil pleurodontan iguanians
Authors: Scarpetta Simon G.
Published: January 2024

Pleurodonta is an ancient, diverse clade of iguanian lizard distributed primarily in the Western Hemisphere. Although the clade is a frequent subject of systematic research, phylogenetic resolution among the major pleurodontan clades is elusive. That uncertainty has complicated the interpretations of many fossil pleurodontans. I describe a fossil skull of a pleurodontan lizard from the Palaeogene of Wyoming that was previously allocated to the puzzling taxon
Aciprion formosum
, and provide an updated morphological matrix for iguanian lizards. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference demonstrate that the fossil skull is the oldest and first definitive stem member of Crotaphytidae (collared and leopard lizards), establishing the presence of that clade in North America during the Palaeogene. I also discuss new or revised hypotheses for the relationships of several early pleurodontans. In particular, I examine potential evidence for crown-Pleurodonta in the Cretaceous of Mongolia (
Polrussia
), stem Pleurodonta in the Cretaceous of North America (
Magnuviator
) and a stem anole in the Eocene of North America (
Afairiguana
). I suggest that the placement of the fossil crotaphytid is stable to the uncertain phylogeny of Pleurodonta, but recognize the dynamic nature of fossil diagnosis and the potential for updated systematic hypotheses for the other fossils analysed here.
A multi-criteria framework for disease surveillance site selection: case study for
Plasmodium knowlesi
malaria in Indonesia
Authors: Harrison Lucinda E. , Flegg Jennifer A. , Tobin Ruarai , Lubis Inke N. D. , Noviyanti Rintis , Grigg Matthew J. , Shearer Freya M. , Price David J.
Published: January 2024

Disease surveillance aims to collect data at different times or locations, to assist public health authorities to respond appropriately. Surveillance of the simian malaria parasite,
Plasmodium knowlesi
, is sparse in some endemic areas and the spatial extent of transmission is uncertain. Zoonotic transmission of
Plasmodium knowlesi
has been demonstrated throughout Southeast Asia and represents a major hurdle to regional malaria elimination efforts. Given an arbitrary spatial prediction of relative disease risk, we develop a flexible framework for surveillance site selection, drawing on principles from multi-criteria decision-making. To demonstrate the utility of our framework, we apply it to the case study of
Plasmodium knowlesi
malaria surveillance site selection in western Indonesia. We demonstrate how statistical predictions of relative disease risk can be quantitatively incorporated into public health decision-making, with specific application to active human surveillance of zoonotic malaria. This approach can be used in other contexts to extend the utility of modelling outputs.
Two male-killing
Wolbachia
from
Drosophila birauraia
that are closely related but distinct in genome structure
Authors: Arai Hiroshi , Watada Masayoshi , Kageyama Daisuke
Published: January 2024

Insects harbour diverse maternally inherited bacteria and viruses, some of which have evolved to kill the male progeny of their hosts (male killing: MK). The fly species
Drosophila biauraria
carries a maternally transmitted MK-inducing partiti-like virus, but it was unknown if it carries other MK-inducing endosymbionts. Here, we identified two male-killing
Wolbachia
strains (
w
Biau1 and
w
Biau2) from
D. biauraria
and compared their genomes to elucidate their evolutionary processes. The two strains were genetically closely related but had exceptionally different genome structures with considerable rearrangements compared with combinations of other
Wolbachia
strains. Despite substantial changes in the genome structure, the two
Wolbachia
strains did not experience gene losses that would disrupt the male-killing expression or persistence in the host population. The two
Wolbachia
-infected matrilines carried distinct mitochondrial haplotypes, suggesting that
w
Biau1 and
w
Biau2 have invaded
D. biauraria
independently and undergone considerable genome changes owing to unknown selective pressures in evolutionary history. This study demonstrated the presence of three male-killers from two distinct origins in one fly species and highlighted the diverse and rapid genome evolution of MK
Wolbachia
in the host.
Unravelling the origins of boldness behaviour: a common garden experiment with cavefish (
Barbatula barbatula
)
Authors: Jolles Jolle W. , Böhm Alexander , Brinker Alexander , Behrmann-Godel Jasminca
Published: January 2024

Many animals show an aversion to bright, open spaces, with significant variability seen across species, populations and individuals within populations. Although there is much interest in the underlying causes of this behaviour, few studies have been able to systematically isolate the role of heritable and environmental effects. Here, we addressed this gap using a common garden experiment with cavefish. Specifically, we bred and cross-bred cave loaches (
Barbatula barbatula
), Europe's only known cavefish, in the laboratory, raised the offspring in complete darkness or normal light conditions, and studied their light avoidance behaviour. Cavefish spent much more time in a light area and ventured further out, while surface fish spent considerable time in risk-assessment behaviour between the light and dark areas. Hybrids behaved most similarly to cavefish. Light treatment and eye quality and lens size only had a modest effect. Our results suggest light avoidance behaviour of cavefish has a heritable basis and is fundamentally linked to increased boldness rather than reduced vision, which is likely adaptive given the complete lack of macropredators in the cave environment. Our study provides novel experimental insights into the behavioural divergence of cavefish and contributes to our broader understanding of the evolution of boldness and behavioural adaptation.
Shift in virus composition in honeybees (
Apis mellifera
) following worldwide invasion by the parasitic mite and virus vector
Varroa destructor
Authors: Doublet Vincent , Oddie Melissa A. Y. , Mondet Fanny , Forsgren Eva , Dahle Bjørn , Furuseth-Hansen Elisabeth , Williams Geoffrey R. , De Smet Lina , Natsopoulou Myrsini E. , Murray Tomás E. , Semberg Emilia , Yañez Orlando , de Graaf Dirk C. , Le Conte Yves , Neumann Peter , Rimstad Espen , Paxton Robert J. , de Miranda Joachim R.
Published: January 2024

Invasive vectors can induce dramatic changes in disease epidemiology. While viral emergence following geographical range expansion of a vector is well known, the influence a vector can have at the level of the host's pathobiome is less well understood. Taking advantage of the formerly heterogeneous spatial distribution of the ectoparasitic mite
Varroa destructor
that acts as potent virus vector among honeybees
Apis mellifera
, we investigated the impact of its recent global spread on the viral community of honeybees in a retrospective study of historical samples. We hypothesized that the vector has had an effect on the epidemiology of several bee viruses, potentially altering their transmissibility and/or virulence, and consequently their prevalence, abundance, or both. To test this, we quantified the prevalence and loads of 14 viruses from honeybee samples collected in mite-free and mite-infested populations in four independent geographical regions. The presence of the mite dramatically increased the prevalence and load of deformed wing virus, a cause of unsustainably high colony losses. In addition, several other viruses became more prevalent or were found at higher load in mite-infested areas, including viruses not known to be actively varroa-transmitted, but which may increase opportunistically in varroa-parasitized bees.
Vocal complexity in a socially complex corvid: gradation, diversity and lack of common call repertoire in male rooks
Authors: Martin Killian , Cornero Francesca M. , Clayton Nicola S. , Adam Olivier , Obin Nicolas , Dufour Valérie
Published: January 2024

Vocal communication is widespread in animals, with vocal repertoires of varying complexity. The social complexity hypothesis predicts that species may need high vocal complexity to deal with complex social organization (e.g. have a variety of different interindividual relations). We quantified the vocal complexity of two geographically distant captive colonies of rooks, a corvid species with complex social organization and cognitive performances, but understudied vocal abilities. We quantified the diversity and gradation of their repertoire, as well as the inter-individual similarity at the vocal unit level. We found that males produced call units with lower diversity and gradation than females, while song units did not differ between sexes. Surprisingly, while females produced highly similar call repertoires, even between colonies, each individual male produced almost completely different call repertoires from any other individual. These findings question the way male rooks communicate with their social partners. We suggest that each male may actively seek to remain vocally distinct, which could be an asset in their frequently changing social environment. We conclude that inter-individual similarity, an understudied aspect of vocal repertoires, should also be considered as a measure of vocal complexity.
Localized pattern formation: semi-strong interaction asymptotic analysis for three components model
Authors: Al Saadi Fahad , Gai Chunyi , Nelson Mark
Published: January 2024

We investigate a three-component system involving the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction in water-in-oil microemulsions. Our goal is to investigate the connection between homoclinic snaking and semi-strength interaction in a three-variable reaction–diffusion system. A two-parameter bifurcation diagram of homogeneous, periodic and localized patterns is obtained numerically, and a natural asymptotic scaling for semi-strong interaction theory is found where an activator source term

a
=
O
(

δ
1

)

and

b
=
O
(

δ
1

)

, with

δ
1

≪
1

being the diffusion ratio. Under this regime, singular perturbation techniques are used to construct localized steady-state patterns, and new types of non-local eigenvalue problems (NLEP) are derived to determine the stability of these patterns to

O
(
1
)

time-scale instabilities. We extend the scope of the NLEP by considering a general scenario where both time-scaling parameters are non-zero. All analytical results are found to agree with numerics. Further numerical results are presented on the location of various types of breathing Hopf instability for localized patterns.