bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ongoing Measles in the Developed and Developing World
Authors: Cherry James D
Published: February 2024

Measles is a vaccine-preventable illness. Nevertheless, in recent years, measles is still endemic and epidemic in both the developed world and the developing world. The public perception of measles in the past was that it was not a big deal. However, measles is associated with a number of complications which can be places in three categories which are: acute(diarrhea, otitis media, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, and death) and delayed-subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and post-measles immune amnesia. Contrary to the beliefs of the anti-vaccine lobby, measles is bad. In acute measles, the death rate is 1–3 per 1000 and the risk of encephalitis is 1 per 1000. Relatively recent investigations indicate that SSPE is considerably more common than previously believed. The worldwide contribution of post-measles immune amnesia to morbidity and mortality is likely to be huge. In exposure situations, two doses of measles vaccine will prevent 99% of cases. Presently in the United States, the first dose is given at 12 through 15 months of age. The second dose is most often administered at 4 through 6 years of age. In my opinion, the second dose of measles vaccine should be given 4–6 weeks after the first dose rather than at 4–6 years of age. Children who don’t have antibody to measles should not travel to risk areas.
Schisandrin B ameliorates adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats via modulation of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and HIF-1α/VEGF pathway
Authors: Chen Xueqiang , Liu Chunhong , Deng Jiaxin , Xia Taibao , Zhang Xiaohai , Xue Shuangtao , Song Meng-Ke , Olatunji Opeyemi Joshua
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Schisandrin B (Sch B) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, however, its antirheumatoid arthritis properties and potential mechanism remain unexplored. This study evaluated the potential of Sch B in adjuvant-induced arthritic (AIA) rats.

Methods

AIA was induced by injecting 0.1 ml of CFA into the paw of rats and the animals were administered with Sch B (50 mg/kg) for 28 days. The effects of Sch B were evaluated using arthritis severity, serum levels of oxido-inflammatory, and metabolic index parameters.

Key findings

Sch B eased arthritic symptoms by significantly reducing paw swelling and arthritic score and increased body weight gain. Moreover, Sch B alleviated the levels of oxido-inflammatory markers including interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, nuclear factor kappa B, transforming growth factor β1, inducible nitric oxide synthase and malonaldehyde, as well as increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and Nrf2. Sch B also remarkably restored the altered levels of triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, lactic acid, pyruvate, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, glucose, hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha, and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, Sch B markedly alleviated p65 expression in the treated AIA rats.

Conclusion

This study suggests that Sch B alleviated AIA by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis.
Chylous drainage through percutaneous cholecystostomy: an extremely rare complication
Authors: Ellison Christina , Igarashi Yuichi , Kevorkian Noubar
Published: February 2024

Chyle leak is a rare but potentially morbid complication of abdominal surgery. There have been seven reported cases of chylous ascites following cholecystectomy, but no such occurrences are reported with percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) insertion. We report the case of a 67-year-old female with stage IVb recurrent uterine papillary serous carcinoma and extensive abdominal surgical history including a paraesophageal hernia repair, and a robotic hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, gastrocolic omentectomy, and hepatoduodenal lymphadenectomy. The patient presented with clinical findings suggestive of acute cholecystitis and decision was made to proceed with PCT placement. The PCT was dislodged and replaced during her course and several days after chylous output was noted from the PCT. The remainder of her hospital course was complicated by persistent distributive shock, adrenal insufficiency, and continued chyle leak. She ultimately was transitioned to inpatient hospice and died shortly after.
Interrelation of cancers of unknown primary, chylous ascites, and cavernous mesenteric lymphangioma in a 57-year-old female patient: a case report
Authors: AlHabil Yazan , Dola Qasem N , Khader Abdelatif
Published: February 2024

Cancers of unknown primary (CUPs) pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because of their aggressive nature and elusive identification through conventional diagnostic means. This case report presents a unique finding in a 57-year-old female patient who, alongside her CUP, developed a cavernous mesenteric lymphangioma—a rare lymphatic malformation that is more commonly observed in pediatric populations. The interrelation between CUPs, chylous ascites, and lymphangiomas is explored, shedding light on this uncommon occurrence. Our patient’s journey began with a CUP diagnosis, marked by metastatic adenocarcinoma. Subsequent symptoms led to the discovery of a mesenteric lymphangioma. The case unfolds the patient’s diagnostic challenges, surgical interventions, and postoperative course. By highlighting the distinctive features of our case, we aim to contribute to the limited understanding of the interplay between lymphatic malformations and metastatic malignancies.
Interpreters of the Real: Poems about Photographs in the Periodical Press, 1840–1860
Authors: Potter Jonathan
Published: February 2024

Short, anonymous poems were a common feature in the popular magazines and literary journals of photography’s first two decades, the 1840s and 1850s. Yet despite its wide readership, periodical poetry has been largely neglected in histories of photography. Through close readings of periodical poems, this essay addresses this gap and adds a fresh perspective to the complex history of photography’s reception. It argues that whereas Victorian journalism often concentrated on photographic realism and focal clarity, periodical poets were more interested in photography’s ability (or inability) to convey the emotional and psychological qualities of visual experience. By drawing on the technical process and language of photography but concentrating instead on affective qualities, the poems discussed here repositioned familiar debates about photography’s status and made their own claims for the values of both arts as interpreters of the real.
A novel workflow for unbiased 3D quantification of autophagosomes in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Authors: Daněk Michal , Kocourková Daniela , Korec Podmanická Tereza , Eliášová Kateřina , Nesvadbová Kristýna , Krupař Pavel , Martinec Jan
Published: February 2024

Macroautophagy is often quantified by live imaging of autophagosomes labeled with fluorescently tagged ATG8 protein (FP–ATG8) in Arabidopsis thaliana. The labeled particles are then counted in single focal planes. This approach may lead to inaccurate results as the actual 3D distribution of autophagosomes is not taken into account and appropriate sampling in the Z-direction is not performed. To overcome this issue, we developed a workflow consisting of immunolabeling of autophagosomes with an anti-ATG8 antibody followed by stereological image analysis using the optical disector and the Cavalieri principle. Our protocol specifically recognized autophagosomes in epidermal cells of Arabidopsis root. Since the anti-ATG8 antibody recognizes multiple AtATG8 isoforms, we were able to detect a higher number of immunolabeled autophagosomes than with the FP–AtATG8e marker, that most probably does not recognize all autophagosomes in a cell. The number of autophagosomes per tissue volume positively correlated with the intensity of autophagy induction. Compared with the quantification of autophagosomes in maximum intensity projections, stereological methods were able to detect the autophagosomes present in a given volume with higher accuracy. Our novel workflow provides a powerful toolkit for unbiased and reproducible quantification of autophagosomes and offers a convenient alternative to the standard of live imaging with FP–ATG8 markers.
A dye elution method for the quantification of insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis and its compatibility with the presence of agro-industrial raw materials and waste products
Authors: Mentel María Isabel , Loto Flavia del Valle , Baigori Mario Domingo , Pera Licia María
Published: February 2024

The insecticidal crystal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis during sporulation are active ingredients against lepidopteran, dipteran, and coleopteran insects. Several methods have been reported for their quantification, such as crystal counting, ELISA, and SDS-PAGE/densitometry. One of the major tasks in industrial processes is the analysis of raw material dependency and costs. Thus, the crystal protein quantification method is expected to be compatible with the presence of complex and inexpensive culture medium components. This work presents a revalidated elution-based method for the quantification of insecticidal crystal proteins produced by the native strain B. thuringiensis RT. To quantify proteins, a calibration curve was generated by varying the amount of BSA loaded into SDS-PAGE gels. First, SDS-PAGE was performed for quality control of the bioinsecticide. Then, the stained protein band was excised from 10% polyacrylamide gel and the protein-associated dye was eluted with an alcoholic solution of SDS (3% SDS in 50% isopropanol) during 45 min at 95°C. This protocol was a sensitive procedure to quantify proteins in the range of 2.0–10.0 µg. As proof of concept, proteins of samples obtained from a complex fermented broth were separated by SDS-PAGE. Then, Cry1 and Cry2 proteins were properly quantified.
The impact of ionization morphology and X-ray heating on the cosmological 21-cm skew spectrum
Authors: Cook J H , Balu S , Greig B , Trott C M , Line J L B , Qin Y , Wyithe J S B
Published: February 2024

The cosmological 21-cm signal offers a potential probe of the early Universe and the first ionizing sources. Current experiments probe the spatially dependent variance (Gaussianity) of the signal through the power spectrum (PS). The signal, however, is expected to be highly non-Gaussian due to the complex topology of reionization and X-ray heating. We investigate the non-Gaussianities of X-ray heating and reionization, by calculating the skew spectrum (SS) of the 21-cm signal using meraxes, which couples a semi-analytic galaxy population with seminumerical reionization simulations. The SS is the cross-spectrum of the quadratic temperature brightness field with itself. We generate a set of seven simulations from z = 30 to 5, varying the halo mass threshold for hosting star formation, the X-ray luminosity per star formation rate, and the minimum X-ray energy escaping host galaxies. We find the SS is predominantly negative as a function of redshift, transitioning to positive towards the start of reionization, and peaking during the mid-point of reionization. We do not see a negative dip in the SS during reionization, likely due to the specifics of modelling ionization sources. We normalize the SS by the PS during reionization isolating the non-Gaussianities. We find a trough ($k\sim \, 0.1\, \textrm {Mpc}^{-1}$) and peak ($k\sim \, 0.4{-}1\, \textrm {Mpc}^{-1}$) in the normalized SS during the mid-to-late periods of reionization. These correlate to the ionization topology, and neutral islands in the IGM. We calculate the cosmic variance of the normalized SS, and find these features are detectable in the absence of foregrounds with the SKA_LOW.
Exploring the non-Gaussianity of the cosmic infrared background and its weak gravitational lensing
Authors: Lee Jaemyoung (Jason) , Bond J Richard , Motloch Pavel , van Engelen Alexander , Stein George
Published: February 2024

Gravitational lensing deflects the paths of photons, altering the statistics of cosmic backgrounds and distorting their information content. We take the cosmic infrared background (CIB), which provides plentiful information about galaxy formation and evolution, as an example to probe the effect of lensing on non-Gaussian statistics. Using the Websky simulations, we first quantify the non-Gaussianity of the CIB, revealing additional detail on top of its well-measured power spectrum. To achieve this, we use needlet-like multipole-band filters to calculate the variance and higher-point correlations. Using our simulations, we show the two-, three- and four-point spectra, and compare our calculated power spectra and bispectra to Planck values. We then lens the CIB, shell-by-shell with corresponding convergence maps, to capture the broad redshift extent of both the CIB and its lensing convergence. The lensing of the CIB changes the three- and four-point functions by a few tens of per cent at large scales, unlike with the power spectrum, which changes by less than two per cent. We expand our analyses to encompass the full intensity probability distribution functions (PDFs) involving all n-point correlations as a function of scale. In particular, we use the relative entropy between lensed and unlensed PDFs to create a spectrum of templates that can allow estimation of lensing. The underlying CIB model is missing the important role of star bursting, which we test by adding a stochastic lognormal term to the intensity distributions. The novel aspects of our filtering and lensing pipeline should prove useful for any radiant background, including line intensity maps.
Rapid spectral parameter prediction for black hole X-ray binaries using physicalized autoencoders
Authors: Tregidga Ethan , Steiner James F , Garraffo Cecilia , Rhea Carter , Aubin Mayeul
Published: February 2024

Black hole X-ray binaries (BHBs) offer insights into extreme gravitational environments and the testing of general relativity. The X-ray spectrum collected by NICER offers valuable information on the properties and behaviour of BHBs through spectral fitting. However, traditional spectral fitting methods are slow and scale poorly with model complexity. This paper presents a new semisupervised autoencoder neural network for parameter prediction and spectral reconstruction of BHBs, showing an improvement of up to a factor of 2700 in speed while maintaining comparable accuracy. The approach maps the spectral features from the numerous outbursts catalogued by NICER and generalizes them to new systems for efficient and accurate spectral fitting. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated in the spectral fitting of BHBs and holds promise for use in other areas of astronomy and physics for categorizing large data sets. The code is available via https://github.com/EthanTreg/Spectrum-Machine-Learning.
Content Analysis of E-mail Marketing Communications Among Online E-cigarette Retailers
Authors: Donaldson Scott I , Beard Trista A , Trinh Jacqueline , Jaladanki Sarayu , Unger Jennifer B , Galimov Artur , Wipfli Heather L , Allem Jon-Patrick
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Online e-cigarette retailers use e-mail communications to promote products directly to consumers, which may facilitate e-cigarette use. Little is known about the content of these e-mails. As such, this study collected e-mails from online e-cigarette retailers in California to conduct a content analysis.

Aims and Methods

This study included 13 online e-cigarette retailers in California using Yelp. To be included in the study, e-cigarette retailers needed a live website, physical retail location (ie, vape shop), and e-cigarettes available for purchase online. The research team entered each website and signed up (if possible) for an e-mail newsletter. Data were collected from the Gmail Application Programming Interface over a 1-year study period (November 1, 2021–November 1, 2022). Members of the research team coded e-mails for the presence of e-cigarettes, other products, flavors, marketing categories, and promotional activities, among other variables.

Results

Seven hundred and forty-nine promotional e-mails (2.1 avg/day) were received over the 1-year study period. Second-generation e-cigarettes (n = 581, 77.6%) were the most observed product in e-mails followed by disposable e-cigarettes (n = 391, 52.2%). The most common flavor profile was fruit or sweet or liquor (n = 424, 56.6%). E-mails included links to social media pages (n = 366, 48.9%). Online coupons were found in 53.1% (n = 398) of the e-mails. Age warnings were displayed in 8.0% (n = 60) of the e-mails.

Conclusions

E-cigarette retailers’ e-mails promoted new products, flavors, and contained promotional discounts. Future research should examine the impact of exposure to such e-mails on e-cigarette-related attitudes and behaviors.

Implications

Findings from this study may help inform prevention programs and interventions focused on increasing tobacco-related digital media literacy (ie, evaluate tobacco advertising messages on digital media) among gender and ethnic minorities. Future research should examine if exposure to e-mail marketing is causally linked with e-cigarette use among gender and ethnic minorities.
Energy expenditure in healthy pregnant women: a systematic review
Authors: Dal Nursel , Tek Nilufer
Published: February 2024

Context

Since pregnancy is a decisive period for women and children in terms of future health, it is very important to determine changes in energy expenditure and requirements. However, there is no reference method to determine the energy expenditure as there are many factors that change maternal energy homeostasis during this period.

Objective

This review aims to evaluate the changes in energy expenditure during pregnancy and the effects of these changes on maternal weight gain, as well as the methods used to determine energy expenditure.

Data Sources

Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Wiley Online Library databases were searched to determine studies on energy expenditure during pregnancy between 2010 and 2022.

Data Extraction

Of the 2095 articles initially identified, 20 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted data from those articles.

Data Analysis

The articles reviewed show that prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, changes in fat mass, and lean body mass influence energy expenditure during pregnancy. Doubly-labeled water and indirect calorimetric methods are considered reference methods for determining energy expenditure in pregnancy. Indirect calorimetric methods, when used together with body weight and physical activity measurements, allow an accurate estimation of resting energy expenditure and energy requirements for pregnant women. Metabolic Holter or accelerometers are valid methods for determining activity energy expenditure in pregnant women and are suitable for use during activity.

Conclusion

Resting energy expenditure and activity energy expenditure should be carefully monitored and measured by valid methods to achieve the correct energy intake targets during pregnancy. The existing equations used in determining energy expenditure should be developed for a more accurate estimation of energy expenditure during pregnancy, or new pregnancy-specific equations should be derived.
Risk of Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treated With Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: A Case-Control Propensity Score–Matched Analysis
Authors: Agudelo Higuita Nelson Iván , Chastain Daniel B , Scott Brian , Sahra Syeda , Vargas Barahona Lilian , Henao Cordero José , Lee Alfred L H , Tuells Jose , Henao-Martínez Andrés F
Published: February 2024

Background

Prior reports have suggested a possible increase in the frequency of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) with use of a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) for treatment of chronic lymphoid malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but precise estimates are lacking. We aim to characterize the prevalence of IFIs among patients with CLL, for whom a BTKi is now the first-line recommended therapy.

Methods

We queried TriNetX, a global research network database, to identify adult patients with CLL using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision code (C91.1) and laboratory results. We performed a case-control propensity score–matched analysis to determine IFIs events by BTKi use. We adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and clinical risk factors associated with an increased risk of IFIs.

Results

Among 5358 matched patients with CLL, we found an incidence of 4.6% of IFIs in patients on a BTKi versus 3.5% among patients not on a BTKi at 5 years. Approximately 1% of patients with CLL developed an IFI while on a BTKi within this period. Our adjusted IFI event analysis found an elevated rate of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) (0.5% vs 0.3%, P = .02) and invasive candidiasis (3.5% vs 2.7%, P = .012) with the use of a BTKi. The number needed to harm for patients taking a BTKi was 120 and 358 for invasive candidiasis and PJP, respectively.

Conclusions

We found an adjusted elevated rate of PJP and invasive candidiasis with BTKi use. The rates are, however, low with a high number needed to harm. Additional studies stratifying other IFIs with specific BTKis are required to identify at-risk patients and preventive, cost-effective interventions.
Homo floresiensis
Authors: Tocheri Matthew , Veatch E. Grace , Jatmiko  , Saptomo E. Wahyu , Sutikna Thomas
Published: February 2024

Homo floresiensis—the holotype of which stood ~106 cm tall, weighed ~27.5 kg, and had a brain ~426 cm3—is the taxonomic name given to hominin remains discovered in Late Pleistocene deposits at Liang Bua, a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Flores. This species, and the skeletal and cultural remains attributed to it, has been the source of considerable scientific and public interest as well as intense debate since its discovery was first announced. A major implication of the discovery of this extinct taxon is that modern humans (Homo sapiens) once shared this planet with Neandertals and Denisovans as well as H. floresiensis, which also walked bipedally and made and used stone tools but had a brain size, body proportions, and other primitive features not seen within the genus Homo for the past ~1.5 million years. Prior to ~50 thousand years ago human biological diversity was significantly greater than it is presently when the only hominins remaining are members of a single species, H. sapiens. This chapter overviews key aspects about what is currently known about this taxon and how this knowledge differs from or extends upon the initial studies of H. floresiensis. It also outlines how new discoveries and further research will continue to improve and reshape our understanding of the biology and culture of this intriguing human species.
Genesis of Andesitic Magma Erupted at Yufu Volcano, Kyushu Island, Southwest Japan Arc: Evidence from the Chemical Compositions of Amphibole Phenocrysts
Authors: Okada Ikuo , Shibata Tomoyuki , Yoshikawa Masako , Ishibashi Hidemi , Sugimoto Takeshi , Hayasaka Yasutaka
Published: February 2024

The major- and trace-element compositions of amphiboles in andesite from Quaternary Yufu Volcano, northeastern Kyushu, Japan were analysed to investigate the generation processes of andesitic magma from Yufu Volcano. The amphiboles in andesite from Yufu volcano can be divided into two groups based on major-element composition: pargasite and magnesio-hornblende. To estimate temperature, pressure, and major- and trace-element compositions of melts in equilibrium with amphiboles, we used the recently proposed methods that can calculate temperature, pressure, major element compositions, and partition coefficients of trace-element between amphibole and melt using only the major-element compositions of amphibole. The estimated temperature, pressure, and major-element composition of melt in equilibrium with the amphibole phenocrysts indicate that each group crystallised under different conditions. These differences suggest that two magma chambers at different depths existed beneath Yufu Volcano and that the andesitic magma of Yufu Volcano was formed by mixing of the two magmas. The trace-element compositions of melts in equilibrium with the pargasite and magnesio-hornblende, estimated by applying the partition coefficients calculated from major-element compositions of amphibole to trace-element compositions of amphiboles, indicate magma derived from slab melt and the partial melting of crustal material, respectively. Because magma is a mixture of minerals and melt, we estimate the chemical compositional ranges of the two end-member magmas on the Y versus SiO2 diagram from the mixing relationship between amphibole and estimated melt, as well as phenocrysts of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and orthopyroxene. The overlap of the estimated compositional range with the trend of whole-rock composition represents the chemical compositions of the end-members of magma mixing, yielding estimates of the mafic (SiO2 ≈ 45 wt %) and felsic (SiO2 ≈ 68 wt %) end-member magmas. Furthermore, we estimate the concentrations of other elements in the end-member magmas by substituting the estimated SiO2 concentrations of the magmas into linear regression equations between the whole-rock contents of other elements and SiO2. The trace-element compositions of the mafic and felsic end-member magmas, as estimated in this study, have similar features to those of gabbroids and Cretaceous granitic rocks, respectively, that are presumed to lie beneath Yufu Volcano. These similarities could be explained by the possibility that the compositions of the end-member magmas were influenced by basement rocks.
A long noncoding RNA functions in pumpkin fruit development through S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase
Authors: Tian Jiaxing , Zhang Fan , Zhang Guoyu , Li Xiaojie , Wen Changlong , Li Haizhen
Published: February 2024

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in various biological processes. However, the regulatory roles of lncRNAs underlying fruit development have not been extensively studied. The pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is a preferred model for understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating fruit development because of its variable shape and size and large inferior ovary. Here, we performed strand-specific transcriptome sequencing on pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima “Rimu”) fruits at 6 developmental stages and identified 5,425 reliably expressed lncRNAs. Among the 332 lncRNAs that were differentially expressed during fruit development, the lncRNA MSTRG.44863.1 was identified as a negative regulator of pumpkin fruit development. MSTRG.44863.1 showed a relatively high expression level and an obvious period-specific expression pattern. Transient overexpression and silencing of MSTRG.44863.1 significantly increased and decreased the content of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (a precursor of ethylene) and ethylene production, respectively. RNA pull-down and microscale thermophoresis assays further revealed that MSTRG.44863.1 can interact with S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase (SAMS), an enzyme in the ethylene synthesis pathway. Considering that ethylene negatively regulates fruit development, these results indicate that MSTRG.44863.1 plays an important role in the regulation of pumpkin fruit development, possibly through interacting with SAMS and affecting ethylene synthesis. Overall, our findings provide a rich resource for further study of fruit-related lncRNAs while offering insights into the regulation of fruit development in plants.
Flowering time: From physiology, through genetics to mechanism
Authors: Maple Robert , Zhu Pan , Hepworth Jo , Wang Jia-Wei , Dean Caroline
Published: February 2024

Plant species have evolved different requirements for environmental/endogenous cues to induce flowering. Originally, these varying requirements were thought to reflect the action of different molecular mechanisms. Thinking changed when genetic and molecular analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that a network of environmental and endogenous signaling input pathways converge to regulate a common set of “floral pathway integrators.” Variation in the predominance of the different input pathways within a network can generate the diversity of requirements observed in different species. Many genes identified by flowering time mutants were found to encode general developmental and gene regulators, with their targets having a specific flowering function. Studies of natural variation in flowering were more successful at identifying genes acting as nodes in the network central to adaptation and domestication. Attention has now turned to mechanistic dissection of flowering time gene function and how that has changed during adaptation. This will inform breeding strategies for climate-proof crops and help define which genes act as critical flowering nodes in many other species.
How the 1963 Equal Pay Act and 1964 Civil Rights Act Shaped the Gender Gap in Pay
Authors: Bailey Martha J , Helgerman Thomas , Stuart Bryan A
Published: February 2024

In the 1960s, two landmark statutes—the Equal Pay and Civil Rights Acts—targeted the long-standing practice of employment discrimination against U.S. women. For the next 15 years, the gender gap in median earnings among full-time, full-year workers changed little, leading many scholars to conclude that the legislation was ineffectual. This article revisits this conclusion using two research designs, which leverage (i) cross-state variation in preexisting state equal pay laws and (ii) variation in the 1960 gender gap across occupation-industry-state-group cells to capture differences in the legislation's incidence. Both designs suggest that federal antidiscrimination legislation led to striking gains in women's relative wages, which were concentrated among below-median wage earners. These wage gains offset preexisting labor market forces, which worked to depress women's relative pay growth, resulting in the apparent stability of the gender gap at the median and mean in the 1960s and 1970s. The data show little evidence of short-term changes in women's employment but suggest that firms reduced their hiring and promotion of women in the medium to long term. The historical record points to the key role of the Equal Pay Act in driving these changes.
The Class Ceiling in the United States: Class-Origin Pay Penalties in Higher Professional and Managerial Occupations
Authors: Laurison Daniel , Friedman Sam
Published: February 2024

Gender and racial pay penalties are well-known: women (of all races) and people of color (of all genders) earn less, on average, even when they gain access to occupations historically reserved for White men. Studies of social mobility show that people from working-class backgrounds in the US have also been excluded from top professional and managerial occupations. But do working-class-origin people who attain top US jobs face a class-origin pay penalty? Despite evidence of class-origin pay gaps in higher professional and managerial occupations elsewhere, we might expect that the central role of race and racism in US stratification processes, along with the relatively low salience of class identities, would render class origins irrelevant to earnings in exclusive occupations, at least within racial groups. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to link childhood class position to adult occupation and earnings, we describe the racial and class-origin composition of different high-status occupations and the earnings of people within them. We show that when people who are from working-class backgrounds are upwardly mobile into high-status occupations, they earn almost $20,000 per year less, on average, than individuals who are themselves from privileged backgrounds. The difference is partly explained by the upwardly mobile being less likely to have college degrees, but it remains substantial (around $11,700) even after accounting for education, race and other important predictors of earnings. The gap is largest among White people; there is a class-origin penalty in top US occupations that is distinct from the racial pay gap.
Colorimetric LAMP Assay for Detection of Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis in Cassava Through Genomics: A New Approach to an Old Problem
Authors: Bispo Carvalho Ian C. , Silva Carvalho Alice Maria , Wendland Adriane , Rossato Maurício
Published: February 2024

Bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis (Xpm) is considered the main bacterial disease that affects cassava, causing significant losses when not properly managed. In the present study, a fast, sensitive, and easy-to-apply method to detect Xpm via colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was developed. To ensure the use of a unique-to-the-target pathovar core region for primer design, 74 complete genomic sequences of Xpm together with different bacterial species and pathovars were used for comparative genomics. A total of 42 unique genes were used to design 27 LAMP primer sets, from which nine primers were synthesized, and only one (Xpm_Lp1 primer set) showed sufficient efficiency in preliminary tests. The sensitivity, assessed by a serial dilution of the type strain (IBSBF 278) DNA, yielded high sensitivity, detecting up to 100 fg. The LAMP primers showed high specificity, did not cross-react with other bacterial species or other pathovars tested, and amplified only the Xpm isolates. Tests confirmed the high efficiency of the protocol using infected or inoculated macerated cassava leaves without the need for additional sample treatment. The LAMP test developed in this study was able to detect Xpm in a fast, simple, and sensitive way, and it can be used to monitor the disease under laboratory and field conditions.
KDM4C promotes mouse hippocampal neural stem cell proliferation through modulating ApoE expression
Authors: Zhu Kun , Zhang Hanyue , Luan Yan , Hu Baoqi , Shen Tu , Ma Bo , Zhang Zhichao , Zheng Xiaoyan
Published: February 2024

KDM4C is implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance in various stem cell types. However, its function in neural stem cells (NSCs) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of KDM4C in NSCs. Primary hippocampal NSCs were isolated from neonatal mice, and both in vivo and in vitro lentivirus‐mediated overexpression of KDM4C were induced in these hippocampal NSCs. Staining results revealed a significant increase in BrdU‐ and Ki‐67‐positive cells, along with an elevated number of cells in S phases due to KDM4C overexpression. Subsequently, RNA‐seq was employed to analyze gene expression changes following KDM4C upregulation. GO enrichment analysis, KEGG analysis, and GSEA highlighted KDM4C‐regulated genes associated with development, cell cycle, and neurogenesis. Protein‐protein interaction analysis uncovered that ApoE protein interacts with several genes (top 10 upregulated and downregulated) regulated by KDM4C. Notably, knocking down ApoE mitigated the proliferative effect induced by KDM4C overexpression in NSCs. Our study demonstrates that KDM4C overexpression significantly upregulates ApoE expression, ultimately promoting proliferation in mouse hippocampal NSCs. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms governing neurodevelopment, with potential implications for therapeutic strategies in neurological disorders.
Temporal Trends in Methamphetamine Use in Patients Admitted to the Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Suto Daniel J. , Xiao Jessica , Bellinghausen Amy L. , Odish Mazen , Sweeney Daniel A. , Wardi Gabriel , Owens Robert L.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Although methamphetamine use is common, the scope of methamphetamine use and outcomes for patients admitted to the hospital is unclear. This study aims to identify the prevalence of methamphetamine use from January 2012 to January 2022, coingestions, hospital course, and readmission rate of admitted patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on patients admitted to our center with the following inclusions: age older than 18 years, positive/“pending confirm” value for methamphetamine on urine drug screen, and/or anInternational Classification of Diseases,Tenth Revision, code related to stimulant use disorder as an active issue. Urine drug screen data are reported as methamphetamine +/− and polysubstance (PS) +/−. Patient demographics, admission diagnosis, and hospital course were extracted. Statistical tests used includedttests and Mann-WhitneyUtests.

Results

A total of 19,159 encounters were included, representing 12,057 unique patients. The median (interquartile range) age was 43 (33–54) years. Of all encounters, 35.3% were methamphetamine + and PS −, and 46.3% were methamphetamine + and PS +. Hospitalizations increased from 883 in 2012 to 2532 in 2021. The median (IQR) hospital stay was 48 (48–120) hours. Of all encounters, 16.8% included an intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and the median ICU stay was 42 (21–87) hours. A total of 2988 patients (24.7%) were readmitted within the study period, and 4988 (71.5%) returned within 1 year of the previous encounter. In context of all emergency department admissions from 2013 to 2022, 13.1% had a urine drug screen + for methamphetamine.

Conclusions

Hospitalizations with recent methamphetamine use doubled at our institution from 2012 to 2022. In addition, 1 in 4 is readmitted (typically within 1 year), and a minority requires ICU care.
Applying Tension to the Transcervical Foley Balloon and Delivery Times in Term Nulliparous Women Undergoing Induction of Labor
Authors: Benson Meagan , Younes Lena , Watson Alisha , Saade George R. , Saad Antonio F.
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of applying tension to a transcervical Foley balloon on delivery time in term nulliparous patients undergoing labor induction.

METHODS:

This cluster randomized clinical trial included 279 term nulliparous women presenting for labor induction with a plan for cervical ripening through transcervical Foley balloon placement. Participants were assigned to either the tension group (n=138) or the no-tension group (n=141) on the basis of randomized, weekly clusters (26 total clusters). The primary outcome measured was the time from initial Foley balloon insertion to delivery. Secondary outcomes included cesarean delivery rates, peripartum infection, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Our prior data suggested that delivery time in the tension group would be about 1,053 minutes. We estimated a sample size of 260 (130 per group, 26 clusters) on the basis of a 25% difference, power of 80%, and two-sided α of 0.05.

RESULTS:

A total of 279 term nulliparous patients were included in the analysis. The median time from Foley placement to delivery was 1,596 minutes (range 430–3,438 minutes) for the tension group and 1,621 minutes (range 488–3,323 minutes) for the no-tension group (P=.8); similar results were noted for time to vaginal delivery. No significant differences were observed in the secondary outcomes, including the rates of cesarean delivery (34.1% vs 29.8%, P=.7), peripartum infection, and NICU admission, between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:

Applying tension to a transcervical Foley balloon in term nulliparous women undergoing labor induction did not significantly reduce delivery time or improve secondary outcomes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05404776.
Atherosclerotic Plaque Erosion: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Potential Therapeutic Strategies—A Review
Authors: Bruoha Sharon , Galli Mattia , Sabouret Pierre , Yosefy Chaim , Taha Louay , Gragnano Felice , Savage Michael P. , Shuvy Mony , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Glikson Michael , Asher Elad
Published: February 2024

Atherosclerosis is an insidious and progressive inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of lipid-laden plaques within the intima of arterial walls with potentially devastating consequences. While rupture of vulnerable plaques has been extensively studied, a distinct mechanism known as plaque erosion (PE) has gained recognition and attention in recent years. PE, characterized by the loss of endothelial cell lining in the presence of intact fibrous cap, contributes to a significant and growing proportion of acute coronary events. However, despite a heterogeneous substrate underlying coronary thrombosis, treatment remains identical. This article provides an overview of atherosclerotic PE characteristics and its underlying mechanisms, highlights its clinical implications, and discusses potential therapeutic strategies.
Chorioretinal Anastomosis and Retinal Detachment with Laser Photocoagulation Treated Incontinentia Pigmenti
Authors: Burt Spencer S. , Campbell J. Peter , Young Benjamin K.
Published: February 2024

Purpose:

To describe a case of incontinentia pigmenti in which chorioretinal anastomosis occurred after laser photocoagulation, which was ultimately complicated by tractional and rhegmatogenous detachment.

Methods:

Observational case report.

Results:

A 2-month-old was referred to ophthalmology for a rash characteristic of incontinentia pigmenti due to concern for ocular involvement and was found to have peripheral avascular retina with early neovascularization. Following several rounds of panretinal photocoagulation, a chorioretinal anastomosis was noted on follow up fluorescein angiography in the left eye. Subsequently, a tractional retinal detachment formed and was treated initially with a lens sparing pars plana vitrectomy, endolaser, and scleral buckle. Despite treatment, it progressed to a combined tractional/rhegmatogenous detachment and was deemed inoperable.

Conclusion:

Chorioretinal anastomosis is a rare complication of laser photocoagulation.
Specific IgA, But Not IgG, in Human Milk From COVID-19-Infected Mothers Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Macchiaverni Patricia , Lloyd Megan , Masters Laura , Divakara Nivedithaa , Panta Kritu , Imrie Allison , Sánchez-García Laura , Pellicer Adelina , Rodriguez Juan M. , Verhasselt Valerie
Published: February 2024

This study highlights the importance of human milk in providing anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immunity to newborns. The highest protective activity of human milk against COVID-19 was found in colostrum from infected mothers. Neutralizing activity was associated with high levels of specific IgA. Depletion of IgA, but not IgG, from milk samples completely abolished the ability of human milk to neutralize severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
ATF4 inhibits TRPV4 function and controls itch perception in rodents and nonhuman primates
Authors: Xie Man-Xiu , Rao Jun-Hua , Tian Xiao-Yu , Liu Jin-Kun , Li Xiao , Chen Zi-Yi , Cao Yan , Chen An-Nan , Shu Hai-Hua , Zhang Xiao-Long
Published: February 2024

Acute and chronic itch are prevalent and incapacitating, yet the neural mechanisms underlying both acute and chronic itch are just starting to be unraveled. Activated transcription factor 4 (ATF4) belongs to the ATF/CREB transcription factor family and primarily participates in the regulation of gene transcription. Our previous study has demonstrated that ATF4 is expressed in sensory neurons. Nevertheless, the role of ATF4 in itch sensation remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that ATF4 plays a significant role in regulating itch sensation. The absence of ATF4 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons enhances the itch sensitivity of mice. Overexpression of ATF4 in sensory neurons significantly alleviates the acute and chronic pruritus in mice. Furthermore, ATF4 interacts with the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) and inhibits its function without altering the expression or membrane trafficking of TRPV4 in sensory neurons. In addition, interference with ATF4 increases the itch sensitivity in nonhuman primates and enhances TRPV4 currents in nonhuman primates DRG neurons; ATF4 and TRPV4 also co-expresses in human sensory neurons. Our data demonstrate that ATF4 controls pruritus by regulating TRPV4 signaling through a nontranscriptional mechanism and identifies a potential new strategy for the treatment of pathological pruritus.
Neurocognitive Functions After 6-Month Buprenorphine (Naloxone)–Based Opioid Agonist Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Ghosh Abhishek , Shaktan Alka , Nehra Ritu , Verma Abhishek , Rana Devender K. , Ahuja Chirag K. , Modi Manish , Singh Paramjit , Basu Debasish
Published: February 2024

Background

Medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) may influence neurocognitive functions. Inadequate power, confounders, and practice effects limit the validity of the existing research. We examined the change in cognitive functions in patients with OUD at 6-month buprenorphine (naloxone) posttreatment and compared the cognitive performance of the buprenorphine-treated group with control subjects.

Methods

We recruited 498 patients with OUD within a week of initiating buprenorphine. Assessments were done twice—at baseline and 6 months. Those abstinent from illicit opioids and adherent to treatment (n = 199) underwent follow-up assessments. Ninety-eight non–substance-using control subjects were recruited from the community. The neurocognitive assessments comprised the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Iowa Gambling Task, Trail-Making Tests A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B), and verbal and visual N-Back Test. We controlled for potential effect modifiers.

Results

Twenty-five of the 32 test parameters significantly improved with 6 months of buprenorphine treatment; 20 parameters withstood corrections for multiple comparisons (P < 0.001). The improved test domains spread across cognitive tests: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (perseverative errors and response, categories completed, conceptual responses), TMTs (time to complete), verbal and visual N-Back Tests (hits, omission, and total errors). After treatment, OUD (vs control subjects) had less perseverative response and error (P < 0.001) and higher conceptual response (P = 0.004) and took lesser time to complete TMT-A (P < 0.001) and TMT-B (P = 0.005). The baseline neurocognitive functions did not differ between those who retained and those who discontinued the treatment.

Conclusion

Cognitive functions improve in patients with OUD on buprenorphine. This improvement is unlikely to be accounted for by the practice effect, selective attrition, and potential confounders.
Clinical Effects of Nitric Oxide Added to the Oxygenator of Children on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Pre-Post Cohort Study
Authors: Pan Kevin C. , Namachivayam Siva P. , Chiletti Roberto , Best Derek , Horton Stephen , Butt Warwick
Published: February 2024

Nitric oxide (NO) can be safely delivered through the sweep gas to the oxygenator of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit. It has theoretical benefits such as preventing platelet adhesion to surfaces, mitigating inflammatory response and protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this uncontrolled before-after study of children on ECMO, the outcomes of those who received NO were compared with those who did not. Among 393 ECMO runs (from 337 patients), 192 of 393 (49%) received NO and 201 of 393 (51%) did not. The use of NO was associated with a 37% reduction in circuit change (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42–0.93). The aRR (95% CI) for risk of neurologic injury was 0.72 (0.47–1.11). We observed potential heterogeneity of treatment effect for the risk of neurologic injury in children who had cardiac surgery: the risk with NO was lower in those who had cardiac surgery (aRR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.26–0.96). There was no difference in survival between the study groups. In children managed with NO delivered through the ECMO circuit, we report a reduction in observed rate of circuit change and lower risk of neurologic injury in children who underwent cardiac surgery. Nitric oxide therapy on ECMO warrants prospective evaluation in children.