bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women’s Rights
Authors: Oweidat Nadia
Published: April 2024

Women’s liberation has become in many ways a symbol of the struggle between modernity and tradition. Abu Zayd considered women’s rights to be one of the most important issues in contemporary Arab societies, dedicating a book to the topic. This also marked the sole issue on which Abu Zayd acknowledged the contributions of the nahda reformists, for it was these scholars that broke with the past by introducing co-education for boys and girls and ushering girls and women into the public sphere in unprecedented ways since the birth of Islam. Like the scholars he admired, Abu Zayd blamed patriarchal scholars as well as authoritarian regimes for the plight of women in society. Although his views seemed to contradict Islamic sources and historical precedent, for Abu Zayd, women’s liberation is mandated not only by modernity, but by Islam itself.
Direct Subscarpal Lipectomy Combined With Liposuction in Abdominoplasty: An Analysis of Safety and Efficacy in 200 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Moradian Simon , Termanini Kareem M , Jackson Brandon T , Bricker Jonathan T , Boctor Michael , Ferenz Sarah , Kim John Y
Published: April 2024

Background

Abdominoplasty procedures continue to evolve because combining techniques such as suction-assisted lipectomy or direct subscarpal lipectomy have proven to be powerful adjuncts to achieve optimal aesthetic results. However, concern has been expressed about combining techniques simultaneously given the potential to damage the vascularity of the abdominoplasty flap.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of simultaneous direct subscarpal lipectomy combined with liposuction in abdominoplasty patients.

Methods

A 4-year retrospective review of consecutive abdominoplasties (n = 200) performed by a single surgeon was conducted. Liposuction of the abdominal flap and flanks was performed in all patients. After raising the abdominoplasty flap, undermining was performed to just beyond the xyphoid, the lower rib margins superiorly, and the anterior axillary line laterally. Fat deep to Scarpa's fascia was then removed by direct tangential excision in all zones of the abdominal flap.

Results

The patients had a mean age of 42.19 years and BMI of 28.10 kg/m2; the mean follow-up time was 7 months. Seroma occurred in 13 patients (6.5%), superficial wound dehiscence treated with local wound care in 16 patients (8%), hypertrophic scarring in 16 patients (8%), partial umbilical necrosis in 1 patient (0.5%), and partial umbilical epidermolysis in 6 patients (3%). No patients experienced major or minor full-thickness tissue loss. No patients needed reoperation.

Conclusions

Simultaneous direct excision of subscarpal fat with liposuction of the abdomen and flanks does not appear to subject any zone of the abdominoplasty flap to increased risks of vascular compromise. No flap necroses were observed. The technique described is safe and may provide superior abdominoplasty results.

Level of Evidence: 3
CoT: a transformer-based method for inferring tumor clonal copy number substructure from scDNA-seq data
Authors: Liu Furui , Shi Fangyuan , Du Fang , Cao Xiangmei , Yu Zhenhua
Published: April 2024

Single-cell DNA sequencing (scDNA-seq) has been an effective means to unscramble intra-tumor heterogeneity, while joint inference of tumor clones and their respective copy number profiles remains a challenging task due to the noisy nature of scDNA-seq data. We introduce a new bioinformatics method called CoT for deciphering clonal copy number substructure. The backbone of CoT is a Copy number Transformer autoencoder that leverages multi-head attention mechanism to explore correlations between different genomic regions, and thus capture global features to create latent embeddings for the cells. CoT makes it convenient to first infer cell subpopulations based on the learned embeddings, and then estimate single-cell copy numbers through joint analysis of read counts data for the cells belonging to the same cluster. This exploitation of clonal substructure information in copy number analysis helps to alleviate the effect of read counts non-uniformity, and yield robust estimations of the tumor copy numbers. Performance evaluation on synthetic and real datasets showcases that CoT outperforms the state of the arts, and is highly useful for deciphering clonal copy number substructure.
Bayesian joint modeling of multivariate longitudinal and survival outcomes using Gaussian copulas
Authors: Cho Seoyoon , Psioda Matthew A , Ibrahim Joseph G
Published: April 2024

There is an increasing interest in the use of joint models for the analysis of longitudinal and survival data. While random effects models have been extensively studied, these models can be hard to implement and the fixed effect regression parameters must be interpreted conditional on the random effects. Copulas provide a useful alternative framework for joint modeling. One advantage of using copulas is that practitioners can directly specify marginal models for the outcomes of interest. We develop a joint model using a Gaussian copula to characterize the association between multivariate longitudinal and survival outcomes. Rather than using an unstructured correlation matrix in the copula model to characterize dependence structure as is common, we propose a novel decomposition that allows practitioners to impose structure (e.g., auto-regressive) which provides efficiency gains in small to moderate sample sizes and reduces computational complexity. We develop a Markov chain Monte Carlo model fitting procedure for estimation. We illustrate the method’s value using a simulation study and present a real data analysis of longitudinal quality of life and disease-free survival data from an International Breast Cancer Study Group trial.
Reduced cardiac 123I-MIBG uptake is a robust biomarker of Lewy body disease in isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder
Authors: Miyamoto Tomoyuki , Miyamoto Masayuki
Published: April 2024

Cardiac 123I-MIBG scintigraphy is used to assess the function of postganglionic presynaptic cardiac sympathetic nerve endings. 123I-MIBG cardiac uptake is markedly reduced in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, similar to Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. As a result, it can be used as an early biomarker of isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder. Most patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder develop synucleinopathies: Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies or multiple system atrophy. We aimed to investigate whether cardiac postganglionic denervation is present in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, as well as its possible usefulness as a marker for Lewy body disease status. This retrospective cohort study examined 306 patients (236 men and 70 women; mean age: 68.2 years; age range: 43–87 years) with polysomnography-confirmed isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder who were followed for 1–3 months and underwent 123I-MIBG scintigraphy. We retrospectively analysed data from 306 patients with polysomnography-confirmed isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, and their longitudinal outcomes were documented at two centres. Among isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder patients, reduced 123I-MIBG uptake was observed in the early and delayed images in 84.4 and 93.4% of patients, respectively, whereas 88.6% of the patients had a high washout rate. This large Japanese two-cohort study (n = 306) found that 91 patients (29.7%) developed an overt synucleinopathy (51 Parkinson’s disease, 35 dementia with Lewy bodies, 4 multiple system atrophy, and 1 cerebellar ataxia) during a mean follow-up duration of 4.72 ± 3.94 years, with a conversion risk of 14.5% at 3 years, 25.4% at 5 years, 41.4% at 8 years and 52.5% at 10 years. On the other hand, among patients with heart-to-mediastinum ratio < 2.2 in the delayed images (n = 286), 85 (29.7%) developed Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies during a mean follow-up duration of 4.71 ± 3.94 years, with a conversion risk of 14.5% at 3 years, 25.6% at 5 years, 42.0% at 8 years and 51.0% at 10 years. Among the 33 patients who underwent repeat 123I-MIBG scintigraphy, there was a progressive decline in uptake over the next 4.2 years, with patients exhibiting reduced uptake progressing to Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies. In contrast, patients without decreased 123I-MIBG uptake progressed to multiple system atrophy. Reduced cardiac 123I-MIBG uptake was detected in over 90% of isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder patients, with progression to Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies, rather than multiple system atrophy, over time. Reduced 123I-MIBG uptake is a robust maker for Lewy body disease among isolated rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder patients.
Magnetoencephalography-derived oscillatory microstate patterns across lifespan: the Cambridge centre for ageing and neuroscience cohort
Authors: Huang Yujing , Cao Chenglong , Dai Shenyi , Deng Hu , Su Li , Zheng Ju-Sheng
Published: April 2024

The aging brain represents the primary risk factor for many neurodegenerative disorders. Whole-brain oscillations may contribute novel early biomarkers of aging. Here, we investigated the dynamic oscillatory neural activities across lifespan (from 18 to 88 years) using resting Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a large cohort of 624 individuals. Our aim was to examine the patterns of oscillation microstates during the aging process. By using a machine-learning algorithm, we identify four typical clusters of microstate patterns across different age groups and different frequency bands: left-to-right topographic MS1, right-to-left topographic MS2, anterior-posterior MS3 and fronto-central MS4. We observed a decreased alpha duration and an increased alpha occurrence for sensory-related microstate patterns (MS1 & MS2). Accordingly, theta and beta changes from MS1 & MS2 may be related to motor decline that increased with age. Furthermore, voluntary ‘top-down’ saliency/attention networks may be reflected by the increased MS3 & MS4 alpha occurrence and complementary beta activities. The findings of this study advance our knowledge of how the aging brain shows dysfunctions in neural state transitions. By leveraging the identified microstate patterns, this study provides new insights into predicting healthy aging and the potential neuropsychiatric cognitive decline.
The finance and growth nexus revisited: a truly Schumpeterian perspective
Authors: Bofinger Peter , Geißendörfer Lisa , Haas Thomas , Mayer Fabian
Published: April 2024

The nexus between the financial system and economic development is an issue that is as important for economic theory as it is for economic policy. This article provides a theoretical and empirical analysis of the standard literature that uses Joseph A. Schumpeter as an academic patron. The starting point of our study is the theoretical finding that Schumpeter is misinterpreted in the finance and growth literature. We show that this leads to puzzling empirical results and difficulties in explaining even fundamental relationships. After a critical analysis of the literature, we provide our own empirical analysis using a panel of 43 countries to explore the relationships between finance and growth variables based on a truly Schumpeterian and thus monetary growth model. Our empirical analysis shows that (i) dynamic credit variables are better at describing the finance and growth nexus than static credit variables, (ii) as saving is not a prerequisite for credit, we do not find a statistically significant relationship between household saving and gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and (iii) in line with the empirical literature, we find a bi-directional relationship between credit and GDP growth.
Pregnancy in patients with the Fontan operation
Authors: Montanaro Claudia , Boyle Siobhan , Wander Gurleen , Johnson Mark R , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W , Patel Roshni , Rafiq Isma , Silversides Candice K , Gatzoulis Michael A
Published: April 2024

Improved survival rates for patients with a Fontan circulation has allowed more women with this complex cardiac physiology to contemplate pregnancy. However, pregnancy in women with a Fontan circulation is associated with a high risk of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, high rates of miscarriage, and preterm delivery. Factors associated with a successful pregnancy outcome are younger age, normal body weight, absence of significant functional limitation, no Fontan-related complications, and well-functioning single ventricle physiology. Appropriate care with timely preconception counselling and regular, frequent clinical reviews by a multidisciplinary team based at a tertiary centre improves the chance of a successful pregnancy. Empowerment of patients with education on their specific congenital cardiac condition and its projected trajectory helps them make informed choices regarding their health, reproductive choices, and assists them to achieve their life goals.
Effect of prolonged cooking at low temperatures on the eating quality of Tibetan pork: meat quality, water distribution, and microstructure
Authors: Liu Junmei , Li Xiefei , Jing Rong , Huang Xun , Geng Fang , Luo Zhang , Shang Peng , Liu Zhendong , Huang Qun
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Tibetan pork inhabit plateau regions and engage in extensive exercise. Their meat is firm and less palatable, but appropriate cooking conditions can improve the flavor of the meat. This study aimed to explore the impact of cooking temperature and time on the cooking loss rate, moisture content, tenderness, and color of Tibetan pork to elucidate their effects on the eating quality of this meat.

Materials and Methods

Physicochemical properties such as cooking losses and tenderness were evaluated, and protein structure was analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Results

The results indicated a negative correlation between temperature and moisture content, which decreased from 72% to 65% as the temperature increased. Meanwhile, the oxidation of myofibrillar proteins substantially increased with cooking temperature and time, resulting in a gradual augmentation of the cooking loss and shear force of the pork. The migration of bound water and the release of free water from the pork were faster after treatment at 80 °C compared with 50 °C. The results of infrared spectroscopy suggested that prolonged cooking led to the conversion of the α-helix into the β-sheet in the secondary structure of myofibrillar proteins. The microstructures observed through scanning electron microscopy exhibited a gradual degradation of connective tissues in the muscles at high temperatures, and the fiber structure of the muscles became more condensed and granular, blurring the textural appearance of the muscles.

Conclusion

These results indicated that prolonged cooking time at a low temperature (steaming for 6 h at 50 °C) was conducive to the optimal tenderness of Tibetan pork. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the meat quality of Tibetan pork products and developing more rational processing methods.
Advancements in pharmacological treatment of NAFLD/MASLD: a focus on metabolic and liver-targeted interventions
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Muraca Emanuele , Vergani Michela , Invernizzi Pietro , Perseghin Gianluca
Published: April 2024

In the present narrative review, we have summarized evidence on the pharmacological treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We start by reviewing the epidemiology of the condition and its close association with obesity and type 2 diabetes. We then discuss how randomized–controlled trials are performed following guidance from regulatory agencies, including differences and similarities between requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency. Difficulties and hurdles related to limitations of liver biopsy, a large number of screening failures in recruiting patients, as well as unpredictable response rates in the placebo group are evaluated. Finally, we recapitulate the strategies employed for potential drug treatments of this orphan condition. The first is to repurpose drugs that originally targeted T2DM and/or obesity, such as pioglitazone, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (liraglutide and semaglutide), multi-agonists (tirzepatide and retatrutide), and sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors. The second is to develop drugs specifically targeting NAFLD/MASLD. Among those, we focused on resmetirom, fibroblast growth factor 21 analogs, and lanifibranor, as they are currently in Phase 3 of their clinical trial development. While many failures have characterized the field of pharmacological treatment of NAFLD/MASLD in the past, it is likely that approval of the first treatments is near. As occurs in many chronic conditions, combination therapy might lead to better outcomes. In the case of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, we speculate that drugs treating underlying metabolic co-morbidities might play a bigger role in the earlier stages of disease, while liver-targeting molecules will become vital in patients with more advanced disease in terms of inflammation and fibrosis.
Examining the Social Networks Types and Their Effects on Caregiving Experience of Family Caregivers for Individuals With Dementia: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Weichu , Li Xuelian , Ma Yingzhuo , Zhao Qinghua , Lü Yang , Xiao Mingzhao
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives

Social networks are crucial to personal health, particularly among caregivers of individuals with dementia; however, different types of social networks among caregivers of those with dementia and how these differences are associated with caregiver burden and positive appraisal, remain underexamined. This study aims to depict dementia caregivers’ social network types, related factors, and impact on caregiving experiences.

Research Design and Methods

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with a total of 237 family caregivers of individuals with dementia nested additional semistructured interviews conducted with 14 caregivers in Chongqing, China. A quantitative study was designed to collect data on personal and situational information, social networks, caregiver burden, and positive aspects of caregiving. Qualitative data were collected via semistructured interviews. Latent class analysis and multivariate regression analyses were applied to quantitative data, and inductive content analysis to qualitative data.

Results

The 3 social network types—family-limited (n = 39, 16.46%), family-dominant (n = 99, 41.77%), and diverse network (n = 99, 41.77%)—differed in age and sex of caregivers and individuals with dementia, stage of dementia, and caregiving intensity. Caregivers in family-dominant networks had a lower caregiver burden (β= −0.299, p = .003) and greater positive aspects of caregiving (β= 0.228, p = .021) than those in family-limited networks. Three themes—accessibility, reciprocity, and reliance—emerged as facilitators and barriers when asking for support. Caregivers frequently cited the perception of economic, practical, and emotional support, yet reported a lack of adequate formal support from healthcare providers.

Discussion and Implication

Family caregivers of individuals with dementia have different social network types that vary considerably among sociocultural contexts and perceive various types of support from social networks. Solid family networks and diverse social networks are contributors to long-term dementia care.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Time for Living and Caring: An Online Intervention to Support Dementia Caregivers’ Use of Respite
Authors: Iacob Eli , Caserta Michael , Donaldson Gary , Sparks Catharine , Terrill Alexandra , Thompson Amber , Wong Bob , Utz Rebecca L
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives

Respite, defined as time away from caregiving, is the most requested type of caregiver support. Time for Living and Caring (TLC) is a virtual coaching “app” that helps caregivers schedule and plan their respite time-use. The objectives of this analysis are: (1) to assess the efficacy of the TLC intervention on respite time-use and on caregiver well-being and (2) to identify the key features of the intervention that serve as the likely mechanism of action.

Research Design and Methods

A sample of dementia caregivers (n = 163, 79% female, 84% White, 6% Hispanic, average age 62) were randomized into one of two intervention delivery methods. Intervention efficacy was evaluated using pre/post-comparisons of respite time-use and an additive “dosing” model that estimated unique parameters associated with the exposure to each specific intervention component.

Results

Both immediate and delayed-attention groups reported increased respite time. They also improved in their ability to plan and perceive benefit from their respite time-use over the 16-week intervention period. At 8 weeks, the immediate group did not change in anxiety, whereas the delayed group worsened (p < .001). At 16 weeks, the groups were similar in their anxiety levels. By the 20-week follow-up period, when neither group had access to TLC, both experienced an increase in anxiety.

Discussion and Implications

TLC is a promising intervention that may support caregivers’ well-being, by helping them schedule and plan their respite to maximize its benefit. The provision of weekly coaching seems to be the intervention component (mechanism) associated with caregiver outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT03689179
Barriers to smoking interventions in community healthcare settings: a scoping review
Authors: Coleman Cheryn , Ferguson Stuart G , Nash Rosie
Published: April 2024

Smoking is one of the major causes of preventable death and is considered the greatest threat to global public health. While the prevalence of smoking has decreased, population growth has led to an increase in the absolute number of smokers. There are many proven smoking cessation interventions available to support smokers in their quit attempts. Most people who smoke, however, underutilize the treatments available to them. This scoping review aimed to identify the current barriers experienced by all stakeholders (smokers, service providers and policymakers) to existing evidence-based smoking cessation interventions in community healthcare settings. Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched for relevant literature. A total of 40 eligible articles from different countries published between 2015 and 2022 were included in the review and content analysis carried out to identify the key barriers to smoking cessation interventions. Seven key themes were found to be common to all stakeholders: (i) literacy, (ii) competing demands and priorities, (iii) time, (iv) access to product, (v) access to service, (vi) workforce and (vii) motivation/readiness. These themes were mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model. This study presents the effect the barriers within these themes have on current smoking cessation services and highlights priorities for future interventions.
Cytotoxic stress caused by azalamellarin D (AzaD) interferes with cellular protein translation by targeting the nutrient-sensing kinase mTOR
Authors: Meerod Tirawit , Sangsuwan Rapeepat , Klumthong Kanawut , Chantrathonkul Bunkuea , Phutubtim Nadgrita , Govitrapong Piyarat , Ruchirawat Somsak , Ploypradith Poonsakdi , Sopha Pattarawut
Published: April 2024

Analogs of pyrrole alkaloid lamellarins exhibit anticancer activity by modulating multiple cellular events. Lethal doses of several lamellarins were found to enhance autophagy flux in HeLa cells, suggesting that lamellarins may modulate protein homeostasis through the interference of proteins or kinases controlling energy and nutrient metabolism. To further delineate molecular mechanisms and their targets, our results herein show that azalamellarin D (AzaD) cytotoxicity could cause translational attenuation, as indicated by a change in eIF2α phosphorylation. Intriguingly, acute AzaD treatment promoted the phosphorylation of GCN2, a kinase that transduces the integrated stress response (ISR), and prolonged exposure to AzaD could increase the levels of the phosphorylated forms of eIF2α and the other ISR kinase protein kinase R (PKR). However, the effects of AzaD on ISR signalling were marginally abrogated in cells with genetic deletion of GCN2 and PKR, and evaluation of protein target engagement by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) revealed no significant interaction between AzaD and ISR kinases. Further investigation revealed that acute AzaD treatment negatively affected mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation and signalling. The analyses by CETSA and computational modelling indicated that mTOR may be a possible protein target for AzaD. These findings indicate the potential for developing lamellarins as novel agents for cancer treatment.
Indication for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and development of hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Parvizian Michael K , Edwards Mitchell V , Bhoey Prem , Zhang Melanie C , Hookey Lawrence C , Rodrigues David M
Published: April 2024

Background

Hemorrhage is a common complication associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), usually following sphincterotomy. Studies investigating risk factors for hemorrhage including ERCP indication have been conflicting. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the association between the ERCP indication and hemorrhage.

Methods

Database searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were conducted to identify articles up to December 12, 2022. Randomized trials or observational studies of adult patients undergoing ERCP were included. Quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 and Newcastle-Ottawa Scales for randomized trials and observational studies respectively was conducted. A random effects meta-analysis generating pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals was conducted.

Results

A total of 1323 articles were identified of which 26 were included with up to 25 121 subjects in each meta-analysis. Rates of sphincterotomy (median 96.1%; IQR 60.5–100), biliary stent placement (median 17.2%; IQR 10.6–34.4), antiplatelet use (median 6.0%; IQR 0–10.1), and anticoagulant use (median 1.9%; IQR 0%–3.2%) varied among included studies. No specific indication was associated with hemorrhage in the meta-analyses including cholangitis (OR 1.50; 95% CI 0.97–2.32), choledocholithiasis/biliary stone (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.95–1.73), malignancy (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.66–1.42), sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (OR 1.32; 95% CI 0.72–2.40), and acute pancreatitis (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.44–1.49).

Conclusions

Overall, no indication was significantly associated with increased hemorrhage following ERCP. However, given limitations in the included studies (ie, significant heterogeneity between studies), additional research to better characterize these associations is needed.

Protocol Registration Number

PROSPERO (CRD42021283978).
The development of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on 8 major crops in Japan and its oviposition preference for maize and soybean
Authors: Tanaka Sayumi , Mizutani Nobuo , Murata Mika
Published: April 2024

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a polyphagous pest native to the Americas. It first invaded Japan in July 2019, and the most damaged crop in this region to date has been maize. To determine pest control strategies, the range of crops potentially damaged by S. frugiperda in Japan should be identified. In this study, the effects of 8 major crops in Japan—forage maize Zea mays subsp. mays, sugarcane Saccharum officinarum, forage and edible rice Oryza sativa subsp. japonica, soybean Glycine max, eggplant Solanum melongena, green bell pepper Capsicum annuum var. grossum, sweet potato Ipomoea batatas, and taro Colocasia esculenta—on the development of S. frugiperda were analyzed by feeding leaves of domestic cultivars during larval stage. Spodoptera frugiperda developed from hatching to adulthood and laid eggs in all 7 treatments, except for taro. However, among them, only soybean showed comparable developmental suitability to maize. Therefore, its oviposition preference for maize and soybean was examined using further nonchoice and choice tests. In the nonchoice test, the number of egg masses oviposited for 3 days on soybean plants was significantly less than that on test containers, while that on maize was comparable to that on containers. These findings can explain partly why major damage has been limited to maize in Japan.
Monitoring the crack lengths in composite lap joints under cyclic loading
Authors: Lai Cheng-Che , Chuang Po-Chun , Tsai Jia-Lin
Published: April 2024

Monitoring crack lengths in composites lap joints is crucial for the evaluation of safety and integrity in composite structures. The crack lengths in adhesively bonded single-lap and double-strap joints were characterized by using epoxy adhesive containing aligned graphene. The epoxy adhesive was prepared by adding graphene to epoxy resin and then aligning the graphene through an electrical field. The incorporation of 0.15 wt% aligned graphene can have the epoxy adhesive being electrically conductive. The single-lap and double-strap joints containing the graphene epoxy adhesive were tested under cyclic loading. During the cyclic tests, the crack extension and electrical resistance were measured concurrently. In addition, the electrical resistance model expressed in terms of the crack lengths for the lap joints was proposed in the examination. The results illustrated that the crack length and the electrical resistance increased as the cyclic number increased. Moreover, the experimental resistance variation associated with the increased crack length can be described using the electrical resistance model. Thus, the functionalized epoxy adhesive containing aligned graphene can be employed for effectively detecting the length of cracks in composite lap joints under cyclic loading.
Species asynchrony maintains community stability under different warming conditions
Authors: Jiang Qianxin , Zhu Juntao , Shi Peili , He Yunlong , Zhang Yangjian , Yan Jun , Xie Wendong , Zong Ning , Hou Ge , Shen Ruonan , Zheng Jiahe
Published: April 2024

Asymmetric seasonal warming, characterized by more pronounced temperature increases in winter than in summer, has become a critical feature of global warming, especially in cold and high-altitude regions. Previous studies have primarily focused on year-round warming, while comparatively less attention was paid to winter warming. However, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding the impacts of winter warming on ecosystem functions. To address this, we conducted an 8-year manipulated warming experiment in an alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau, employing three treatments: no warming, year-round warming and winter warming. We found that neither year-round warming nor winter warming significantly alters species richness at the community level. Notably, community biomass stability was maintained via species asynchrony. However, warming exerted significant effects on the plant abundance groups (dominant, common and rare species). Specifically, winter warming enhanced the stability of dominant species by increasing species asynchrony of dominant species, as the compensatory dynamics occurred between the grass and forbs. In contrast, year-round warming reduced the stability of common species, correlated with an increase in species richness and a decline in asynchrony among common species. Thus, our study underscores the capacity of alpine grassland to maintain community biomass stability via asynchrony dynamics of species under different warming conditions, although the stability of different abundance groups would be changed. Importantly, our results provide valuable insights for understanding the alpine grassland ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau.
Bariatric surgery discovering unexpected silent gastric cancer: a case report
Authors: Taher Mustafa Mohammed , Abdalqader Mohammed A , Jahanath Subhashini , Nasharuddin Nisa Nabila , Al-Hamdan Yousif Nazar Yousif
Published: April 2024

This research paper discusses a case in which stomach cancer was incidentally discovered during a bariatric surgery procedure. Bariatric surgery is well-known for its significant effects on weight loss and overall health enhancement, and its prevalence has been rising globally. While its primary aim is weight reduction, it also offers the chance for surgeons to detect and manage other medical conditions. In this specific case, a patient scheduled for bariatric surgery was incidentally discovered with stomach cancer, underscoring the significance of comprehensive operative assessments and vigilant monitoring during surgery.
Incidental finding of Cowper’s syringocele in traumatic blunt injury: a case report
Authors: Braden Lindsey A , Quibell Katherine , Jones Amber L
Published: April 2024

Cowper’s syringocele is a cystic dilation of the bulbourethral duct or gland. This rare pathology has historically been diagnosed in the pediatric population, with recent literature reporting an increased incidence in adults. Attempts have been made to classify Cowper’s syringoceles by their appearance on imaging and endoscopy, however a simpler classification of unobstructed versus obstructed may be of more utility in directing management. Herein, we present a novel case of a Cowper’s syringocele developed in adulthood that supports the suspicion for underdiagnosis, as well as one proposed mechanism of acquired etiology of Cowper’s syringoceles involving incomplete or intermittent obstruction secondary to the application of external force of the leading to asymptomatic cystic dilation.
Frequent Survey Requests and Declining Response Rates: Evidence from the 2020 Census and Household Surveys
Authors: Eggleston Jonathan
Published: April 2024

One hypothesis to explain declining survey response rates over time has been that individuals are receiving more and more survey requests. However, there has been little prior investigation of this hypothesis, largely due to difficulty in knowing whether nonrespondents were recently sampled for a different survey. This article investigates the frequent survey request hypothesis by analyzing self-response in the 2020 Census for the United States. Specifically, do households that were sampled in the American Community Survey (ACS) or the Current Population Survey (CPS) from 2015 to 2019 have a lower self-response rate to the 2020 Census? By leveraging two large, nationally representative surveys with monthly data collections, these analyses have statistical power that smaller surveys may not provide. This allows for precise estimates of how the frequent survey effect varies by the time between two data collections, and how the effect varies depending on the similarities between the two data collections. Households recently sampled for the ACS had lower self-response rates to the 2020 Census, with the decrease varying from 1.65 percentage points for households sampled in January 2019 to 15.23 percentage points for households sampled in December 2019. Smaller effect sizes are found for the CPS, which has more dissimilarities to the decennial census than the ACS. In summary, these results provide additional evidence that the proliferation of surveys may lead to lower response rates.
Nitrate transporter protein NPF5.12 and major latex-like protein MLP6 are important defense factors against Verticillium longisporum
Authors: Dölfors Fredrik , Ilbäck Jonas , Bejai Sarosh , Fogelqvist Johan , Dixelius Christina
Published: April 2024

Plant defense responses to the soil-borne fungus Verticillium longisporum causing stem stripe disease on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) are poorly understood. In this study, a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) using the Arabidopsis accessions Sei-0 and Can-0 was established. Composite interval mapping, transcriptome data, and T-DNA mutant screening identified the NITRATE/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER FAMILY 5.12 (AtNPF5.12) gene as being associated with disease susceptibility in Can-0. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed interaction between AtNPF5.12 and the MAJOR LATEX PROTEIN family member AtMLP6, and fluorescence microscopy confirmed this interaction in the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was applied to mutate the NPF5.12 and MLP6 genes in B. napus. Elevated fungal growth in the npf5.12 mlp6 double mutant of both oilseed rape and Arabidopsis demonstrated the importance of these genes in defense against V. longisporum. Colonization of this fungus depends also on available nitrates in the host root. Accordingly, the negative effect of nitrate depletion on fungal growth was less pronounced in Atnpf5.12 plants with impaired nitrate transport. In addition, suberin staining revealed involvement of the NPF5.12 and MLP6 genes in suberin barrier formation. Together, these results demonstrate a dependency on multiple plant factors that leads to successful V. longisporum root infection.
Navigating the legal liminalities of a de facto state: Migrant precarity and placeholder identity papers in Northern Cyprus
Authors: Achiri Emmanuel , Klem Bart
Published: April 2024

This article studies the contested legal–political dynamics around forced migration flows to and through an unrecognized state: the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). We adopt an analytical perspective drawn from the literature on performative politics and the legal anthropology of documents to explore how migration dynamics interact with the contested legal status of the TRNC. Our two main questions are: What practical shape do the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers take in an interstitial legal space, where the foundation of law is itself subject to ambiguity, suspension, and contestation? And what implications—opportunities and hazards—does this constellation have for refugees and asylum-seekers? Drawing on interviews, lived experience and fieldwork observations, we make two arguments. First, we contend that the interstitial status of the TRNC represents both an opportunity for refugees and a threat. Secondly, we argue that a purely legal or technical understanding of legal identity and concurrent rights is inadequate; we must subject these phenomena to a politically informed analysis of the everyday practices through which legal norms and spaces are continuously shaped and reshaped.
The impact of different magnetic braking prescriptions on the evolution of LMXBs
Authors: Echeveste M , Novarino M L , Benvenuto O G , De Vito M A
Published: April 2024

We revisit the evolution of low-mass close binary systems under different magnetic braking (MB) prescriptions. We study binaries with a neutron star accretor. During mass transfer episodes, these systems emit X-rays and are known as Low-mass X-ray Binaries (LMXBs). When mass transfer stops, they can be observed as binary pulsars. Additionally, some of these systems can experience mass transfer while having orbital periods of less than 1 h, thus evolving into ultracompact X-ray binaries (UCXBs). The evolution of LMXBs depends on their capability to lose angular momentum and maintain stable mass transfer. Among the angular momentum loss mechanisms, MB is one important and still uncertain phenomenon. The standard MB prescription faces some problems when calculating LMXB evolution, leading to e.g., a fine-tuning problem in the formation of UCXBs. Recent studies proposed new MB prescriptions, yielding diverse outcomes. Here, we investigate the effects of three novel MB prescriptions on the evolution of LMXBs using our stellar code. We found that all MB prescriptions considered allow the formation of binaries with orbital periods spanning from less than 1 h to more than 10 of days. Remarkably, our results enable the occurrence of wide systems even for the MB law that causes the strongest angular momentum losses and very high mass transfer rates. We found that models computed with the strongest MB prescription reach the UCXB state starting from a wider initial orbital period interval. Finally, we discuss and compare our results with observations and previous studies performed on this topic.
Sea Anemone Membrane Attack Complex/Perforin Superfamily Demonstrates an Evolutionary Transitional State between Venomous and Developmental Functions
Authors: Surm Joachim M , Landau Morani , Columbus-Shenkar Yaara Y , Moran Yehu
Published: April 2024

Gene duplication is a major force driving evolutionary innovation. A classic example is generating new animal toxins via duplication of physiological protein-encoding genes and recruitment into venom. While this process drives the innovation of many animal venoms, reverse recruitment of toxins into nonvenomous cells remains unresolved. Using comparative genomics, we find members of the Membrane Attack Complex and Perforin Family (MAC) have been recruited into venom-injecting cells (cnidocytes), in soft and stony corals and sea anemones, suggesting that the ancestral MAC was a cnidocyte expressed toxin. Further investigation into the model sea anemone Nematostella vectensis reveals that three members have undergone Nematostella-specific duplications leading to their reverse recruitment into endomesodermal cells. Furthermore, simultaneous knockdown of all three endomesodermally expressed MACs leads to mis-development, supporting that these paralogs have nonvenomous function. By resolving the evolutionary history and function of MACs in Nematostella, we provide the first proof for reverse recruitment from venom to organismal development.
Healthcare spending versus mortality in central nervous system cancer: Has anything changed?
Authors: Guo Eddie , Gupta Mehul , Rossong Heather , Boone Lyndon , Manoranjan Branavan , Ahmed Shubidito , Stukalin Igor , Lama Sanju , Sutherland Garnette R
Published: April 2024

Background

The financial implications of central nervous system (CNS) cancers are substantial, not only for the healthcare service and payers, but also for the patients who bear the brunt of direct, indirect, and intangible costs. This study sought to investigate the impact of healthcare spending on CNS cancer survival using recent US data.

Methods

This study used public data from the Disease Expenditure Project 2016 and the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The primary outcome was the annual healthcare spending trend from 1996 and 2016 on CNS tumors adjusted for disease prevalence, alongside morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes included drivers of change in healthcare expenditures for CNS cancers. Subgroup analysis was performed stratified by age group, expenditure type, and care type provided.

Results

There was a significant increase in total healthcare spending on CNS cancers from $2.72 billion (95% CI: $2.47B to $2.97B) in 1996 to $6.85 billion (95% CI: $5.98B to $7.57B) in 2016. Despite the spending increase, the mortality rate per 100 000 people increased, with 5.30 ± 0.47 in 1996 and 7.02 ± 0.47 in 2016, with an average of 5.78 ± 0.47 deaths per 100 000 over the period. The subgroups with the highest expenditure included patients aged 45 to 64, those with private insurance, and those receiving inpatient care.

Conclusions

This study highlights a significant rise in healthcare costs for CNS cancers without corresponding improvements in mortality rate, indicating a mismatch of healthcare spending, contemporary advances, and patient outcomes as it relates to mortality.
Isavuconazole for the Treatment of Fungal Infections: A Real-life Experience From the Fungal Infection Network of Switzerland (FUNGINOS)
Authors: Couchepin Jade , Reinhold Ilana , Kronig Ilona , Guidi Monia , Buclin Thierry , Schreiber Peter W , Neofytos Dionysios , Lamoth Frederic ,   for the Fungal Infection Network of Switzerland (FUNGINOS), Albrich Werner , Berezowska Sabina , Berger Christoph , Bergeron Anne , Bochud Pierre-Yves , Boggian Katia , Conen Anna , Emonet Stéphane , Erard Véronique , Garzoni Christian , Goldenberger Daniel , Hinic Vladimira , Hirzel Cedric , Khanna Nina , Kohns Malte , Kronenberg Andreas , Lamoth Frederic , Landis Basile , Marchetti Oscar , Mühlethaler Konrad , Müller Linda , Neofytos Dionysios , Osthoff Michael , Pagani Jean-Luc , Quiblier Chantal , Reinhold Ilana , Riat Arnaud , Rupp Niels , Sanglard Dominique , Schreiber Peter Werner , Siegemund Martin , Walti Laura
Published: April 2024

This analysis of 116 isavuconazole therapy courses shows that hepatic test disturbances (HTDs) were relatively frequent (29% of cases) but rarely led to treatment interruption (5%). Importantly, patients with baseline HTDs, including those attributed to a first-line triazole, did not exhibit a higher risk of subsequent HTD under isavuconazole therapy.
One-Year Frailty Transitions Among Persons With HIV Aged 70 Years or Older on Antiretroviral Treatment
Authors: Achour Jannett , Abulizi Diane , Makinson Alain , Arvieux Cédric , Bonnet Fabrice , Goujard Cécile , Lambert Oriane , Slama Laurence , Blain Hubert , Meyer Laurence , Allavena Clotilde ,   for the SEPTAVIH Study Group, Goujard C , Abgrall S , Weiss L , Katlama C , Molina J-M , Cabié A , Bonnet F , Neau D , Makinson A , Allavena C , Rio V , Arvieux C , Rey D , Delobel P , Leclercq P , Slama L
Published: April 2024

Background

People with HIV (PWH) are aging. Frailty is an age-related condition predictive of hospitalization and mortality. Here, we assessed the frequency and factors associated with frailty transitions at 1-year follow-up in elderly PWH.

Methods

Five hundred eight PWH aged 70 years or older who were on antiretroviral treatment were included in the French multicenter SEPTAVIH study in 2019–2020. Participants were classified as robust, prefrail, or frail according to Fried frailty phenotype at baseline and at 1 year. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate socioeconomic and medical factors associated with transition between frailty states. Models were adjusted for gender, age at baseline, education, and period of HIV diagnosis (before vs after 1996).

Results

Seventeen PWH died during the 1-year follow-up. Of the remaining 491 PWH (median age, 73 years), frailty status worsened for 18% of participants and improved for 14% at 1 year. Advanced age, baseline CD4+ T-cell count <350 cells/mm3, and type 2 diabetes were associated with transition from prefrailty to frailty (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.10 per 1-year positive difference; 95% CI, 1.01–1.20; aOR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.14–8.18; and aOR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.05–6.57; respectively). Being female was associated with more frequent improvement from prefrailty to robustness (aOR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.09–5.55).

Conclusions

Preventing frailty in elderly PWH is a long-term problem, beginning with the early diagnosis of HIV infection and the management of comorbidities.