bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Aerobic Exercises on Arterial Stiffness in Older People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ho Lily Yuen Wah , Kwan Rick Yiu Cho , Yuen Ka Man , Leung Wai Chun , Tam Pui Ni , Tsim Nga Man , Ng Shamay Sheung Mei
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives

Aerobic exercise is a cost-effective intervention to improve arterial stiffness, but its effects on older people are unclear; this review aims to determine those effects.

Research Design and Methods

Five databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of aerobic exercises. Backward and forward citations and clinical trial registries were also reviewed. Data were extracted and synthesized. A random-effects model was used in a meta-analysis. The risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence were also assessed. The protocol of this review was registered (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022349494).

Results

Eighteen studies (n = 775) were identified. Aerobic exercises included cycling, walking, swimming, standing core exercise, bench step exercise, aquarobic exercise, jogging, running, upper-limb cycling, and aquatic walking. Postintervention, improvements were seen in the pulse wave velocity (SMD9 = −0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI)–1.57 to –0.22), arterial velocity–pulse index (MD2 = –6.84, 95% CI –9.05 to –4.63), and arterial pressure–volume index (MD2 = –4.97, 95% CI –6.9 to –3.04), but not in the augmentation index, arterial compliance, or beta stiffness index. Exercise lasting >8 weeks but not 4–8 weeks significantly improved pulse wave velocity. Aerobic exercise had a beneficial effect on healthy older people but not on older people with disease. The overall risk of bias was high in 9 of the included studies, with some concerns in the remaining studies. The certainty of the evidence was very low.

Discussion and Implications

Aerobic exercises, particularly those lasting >8 weeks, appear to be effective at improving pulse wave velocity in older people postintervention. Future trials with robust designs are needed.
The haplotype-resolved T2T reference genome highlights structural variation underlying agronomic traits of melon
Authors: Li Guoli , Tang Lingli , He Yuhua , Xu Yongyang , Bendahmane Abdelhafid , Garcia-Mas Jordi , Lin Tao , Zhao Guangwei
Published: September 2023

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an important vegetable crop that has an extensive history of cultivation. However, the genome of wild and semi-wild melon types that can be used for the analysis of agronomic traits is not yet available. Here we report a chromosome-level T2T genome assembly for 821 (C. melo ssp. agrestis var. acidulus), a semi-wild melon with two haplotypes of ~373 Mb and ~364 Mb, respectively. Comparative genome analysis discovered a significant number of structural variants (SVs) between melo (C. melo ssp. melo) and agrestis (C. melo ssp. agrestis) genomes, including a copy number variation located in the ToLCNDV resistance locus on chromosome 11. Genome-wide association studies detected a significant signal associated with climacteric ripening and identified one candidate gene CM_ac12g14720.1 (CmABA2), encoding a cytoplasmic short chain dehydrogenase/reductase, which controls the biosynthesis of abscisic acid. This study provides valuable genetic resources for future research on melon breeding.
Entropy of Local Homeomorphisms With Applications to Infinite Alphabet Shift Spaces
Authors: Gonçalves Daniel , Royer Danilo , Augusto Tasca Felipe
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we introduce topological entropy for dynamical systems generated by a single local homeomorphism (Deaconu–Renault systems). More precisely, we generalize Adler, Konheim, and McAndrew’s definition of entropy via covers and Bowen’s definition of entropy via separated sets. We propose a definition of factor map between Deaconu–Renault systems and show that entropy (via separated sets) always decreases under uniformly continuous factor maps. Since the variational principle does not hold in the full generality of our setting, we show that the proposed entropy via covers is a lower bound to the proposed entropy via separated sets. Finally, we compute entropy for infinite graphs (and ultragraphs) and compare it with the entropy of infinite graphs defined by Gurevich.
Compliance and illiteracy when treating tuberculosis
Authors: Sveinbjornsdottir Gudlaug Maria , Kamowa Dina , Katundu Precious Ngwalero , Gizurarson Sveinbjorn
Published: September 2023

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-fourth of the worlds' population was infected with tuberculosis (TB) in 2017. It is estimated that globally, more than 1 billion woken are infected with TB. The treatment of TB is limited to follow the treatment schedule. A small pause in taking the meds, forgetting the meds for a day or two etc will result in relapse of the disease. Unfortunately, illiteracy is associated with poor compliance and understanding of the importance of following the treatment protocol. In 2015, it was estimated that about 11% of the world’s population over 15 y were illiterate. Where two-thirds were women. This is even worse in sub-Saharan Africa, where 34.7% of all adults above 15 y were illiterate in 2019.
Spotted cucumber beetle/southern corn rootworm: profile of a polyphagous native pest
Authors: Haber Ariela I , Bekelja Kyle , Huseth Anders S , Buntin G David , Musser Fred , Ramirez Bonilla Jasmin P , Taylor Sally V , Wilczek Daniel , Grettenberger Ian M , Weber Donald C
Published: September 2023

Spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a North American native leaf beetle species also known as southern corn rootworm (SCRW), is a polyphagous pest of various crops including cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae), corn (Zea mays), soybeans (Glycine max), snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), and sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). Larvae are below-ground pests of corn, sorghum (Sorghum spp.), peanut, and sweetpotato. Adult damage impacts cucurbits by damage to seedlings and fruit and transmission of bacterial wilt (causal agent Erwinia tracheiphila) by eastern populations. Adult feeding also damages fresh market beans and occasionally leafy and fruiting vegetables. Damage on many other crops such as field soybeans, dry beans, and sorghum, is often cosmetic and/or inconsequential. Adults overwinter in mild climates and spread seasonally northward, with multiple generations and populations increasing into the late summer. Diverse natural enemies attack all stages, but their ecology and impact are poorly known, particularly below ground. A female-produced sex pheromone and floral volatiles are known attractants, and cucurbitacins (bitter phytochemicals) are feeding stimulants, offering potential selective behavioral control. Management practices are directed against pest complexes, including other below- and above-ground pests, depending on the crop. Chemical controls are soil-applied for protection from root-feeding larvae, systemic seed treatments for early-state crop feeding, and broadcast application in fruiting cucurbits and beans. Action thresholds and monitoring are not well developed. Cultural controls include field and cultivar choice, row covers in high-value crops, and available crop resistance. The wide host range, abundance, and mobility of adults make prediction and monitoring challenging.
Civil Liberties in a Lockdown: The Case of COVID-19
Authors: Director Samuel , Freiman Christopher
Published: September 2023

In response to the spread of COVID-19, governments across the world, with very few exceptions, have enacted sweeping restrictive lockdown policies that impede citizens’ freedom to move, work, and assemble. This paper critically responds to the central arguments for restrictive lockdown legislation. We build our critique on the following assumption: public policy that enjoys virtually unanimous support worldwide should be justified by uncontroversial moral principles. We argue that the virtually unanimous support in favor of restrictive lockdowns is not adequately justified by the arguments given in favor of them. Importantly, this is not to say that states ought not impose restrictive lockdown measures, but rather that the extent of the acceptance of these measures is not proportionate to the strength of the arguments for lockdowns.
The Untapped Power of Health and Wellness Coaching
Authors: Howard Kelly , Gantt Cynthia J , Grimsgaard Noyes Sara , Franzos M Alaric
Published: September 2023

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched an organization-wide transformation to a Whole Health System of Care, which relies heavily on Health and Wellness Coaching. A brief history and overview of Health and Wellness Coaching, in general, is provided, along with specific developments within VA, selected evaluation results, and coordination to date with the Department of Defense. As VA’s Whole Health transformation reaches maturity, there is an opportunity to adopt VA’s Health and Wellness Coaching approach into the Department of Defense’s Total Force Fitness efforts with integration at the unit level.
Force Health Protection Education: A Pilot Approach to Applying Military Frameworks to Service Member Health Education
Authors: Dardia Geoffrey P , Stepanenko Bryan A , Logan Christi M , Givens Melissa
Published: September 2023

Ensuring Force Health Protection (FHP) is one of the most critical priorities in the DoD; however, there is no systematic approach for individual service members to address their own FHP. This paper outlines the FHP Education workshop, a model program fielded at 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC, which applies military processes, principles, and frameworks to teaching special operations forces operators and enablers how to address their own FHP by identifying and mitigating threats to health and performance in the military operational environment. The FHP Education workshop has the potential to be a well-received and impactful program that offers a proactive, whole of person, community-based preventive system aligned with the Total Force Fitness framework to enable individual service members to conduct FHP.
Bridging Total Force Fitness and Whole Health in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Authors: Van Arsdale Stephanie , Cooper Vaughn , Bernhardt Jaime S , Barrientos Stephanie , Messina Lauren A , Gandhi Sabina , Ferry Linda Hyder , Shell Donald , Deuster Patricia A
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention project is a VA–DoD initiative, supported by the Joint Incentive Fund. The goal of the project is to create an innovative, 3D virtual space within the VA-Virtual Medical Center (VA-VMC) platform that provides Veterans and Active Duty Service Members with educational resources on the prevention of CVD.

Materials and Methods

The Performance Health and Wellness Center is a new center within the VA-VMC. The space enables users to explore information and actionable resources on various risk factors related to CVD through independent and provider-led instruction, using a personalized 3D avatar.

Results

Partners of DoD and VA envision users engaging with the learning resources securely and with a sense of anonymity, which can foster self-directed learning and healthy behavior change. The DoD is particularly invested in promoting CVD prevention through the early adoption of positive health behaviors and the Total Force Fitness framework. The VA team is also committed to supporting users by providing professionally led classes and support groups on various CVD risk factors like tobacco, diabetes, nutrition, and exercise.

Conclusions

This project is a unique and important collaboration during a time when telehealth and telemedicine services are in greater demand. The VA-VMC advances accessible, relevant, and evidence-based educational services for DoD and VA populations, and the Performance Health and Wellness Center, itself, presents Total Force Fitness concepts and a whole-person care approach while encouraging users to be actively involved in shared decision-making with their health care providers.
Total Force Fitness Education: A Critical Enabler of Human Performance Optimization
Authors: Messina Lauren A , Park Gloria H
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Military health education has historically been focused on conveying the consequences of risky behaviors, informing about external resources, and addressing disease through mitigation and prevention. Total Force Fitness (TFF) and Human Performance Optimization (HPO) provide a broad and holistic framework for preventing health issues and bolstering performance. The Consortium for Health and Military Performance convened a workgroup at the TFF Summit in 2021 to discuss the current state of TFF/HPO in military health education efforts and to identify areas for improvement.

Methods

An education workgroup of 42 attendees gathered to discuss the current state of TFF/HPO-based health education in the military. Four questions were posed to all members for discussion. Notes were taken and consolidated to obtain feedback and promote discussion from the attendees in a larger audience at the TFF Summit.

Results and Discussion

The education workgroup identified several education formats, goals, initiatives, and opportunities for improving the development and dissemination of TFF/HPO-based health education throughout the Services. Workgroup members reached a consensus on health education formats (development, dissemination, and audience) and that the primary goal of education is knowledge dissemination and increasing awareness. They also identified several stellar examples of existing TFF/HPO initiatives and explored how health education can increase impact and be more sustainable. The workgroup outcomes were shared with the TFF Summit audience to generate further discussion and to outline action items. Seven action items were identified to improve the development and dissemination of TFF/HPO resources and ensure productive and effective initiatives and programs throughout the Department of Defense.

Conclusions

The TFF Summit outlined several actionable items that would improve the development and dissemination of TFF/HPO-based health education throughout the Department of Defense’s initiatives and programs. A broader approach to military health education that uses a TFF/HPO framework will directly impact the health and performance of the force. Ultimately, embedding TFF/HPO information into the fabric of military health education would shift the focus toward a holistic, proactive, preventive, and performance-based culture.
Partnerships to Facilitate Total Force Fitness
Authors: Franzos M. Alaric , Stiegmann Regan A
Published: September 2023

Total force fitness (TFF) is a multi-domain framework designed to assess, promote, and sustain human performance optimization across a service member’s career arc. During the September 2021, TFF Summit sponsored by the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), a working group explored partnerships that could facilitate effective implementation and sustainment of TFF principles. Many potential partners were identified, both internal and external to the DoD. This report highlights some positions and organizations that provide the highest yield for successfully inculcating TFF across the services.
Flares from stars crossing active galactic nucleus discs on low-inclination orbits
Authors: Tagawa Hiromichi , Haiman Zoltán
Published: September 2023

The origin of the recently discovered new class of transients, X-ray quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs), remains a puzzle. Due to their periodicity and association with active galactic nuclei (AGNs), it is natural to relate these eruptions to stars or compact objects in tight orbits around supermassive black holes (SMBHs). In this paper, we predict the properties of emission from bow shocks produced by stars crossing AGN discs, and compare them to the observed properties of QPEs. We find that when a star’s orbit is retrograde and has a low inclination (≲40°) with respect to the AGN disc and the star is massive (≳10 M⊙), the breakout emission from the bow shock can explain the observed duration (∼hours) and X-ray luminosity (∼few × 1042 erg s−1) of QPEs. This model can further explain various observed features of QPEs, such as their complex luminosity evolution, the gradual decline of luminosity of the flares over several years, the evolution of the hardness ratio, the modulation of the luminosity during quiescent phases, and the preference of the central SMBHs to have low masses.
A model of failed solar eruption initiated and destructed by magnetic reconnection
Authors: Jiang Chaowei , Duan Aiying , Zou Peng , Zhou Zhenjun , Bian Xinkai , Feng Xueshang , Zuo Pingbing , Wang Yi
Published: September 2023

Solar eruptions are explosive disruption of coronal magnetic fields, and often launch coronal mass ejections into the interplanetary space. Intriguingly, many solar eruptions fail to escape from the Sun, and the prevailing theory for such failed eruption is based on ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities of magnetic flux rope (MFR); that is, an MFR runs into kink instability and erupts but cannot reach the height for torus instability. Here, based on numerical MHD simulation, we present a new model of failed eruption in which magnetic reconnection plays a leading role in the initiation and failure of the eruption. Initially, a core bipolar potential field is embedded in a background bipolar field, and by applying shearing and converging motions to the core field, a current sheet is formed within the core field. Then, tether-cutting reconnection is triggered at the current sheet, first slow for a while and becoming fast, driving an erupting MFR. Eventually, the rise of MFR is halted by the downward magnetic tension force of the overlying field, although the MFR apex has well exceeded the critical height of torus instability. More importantly, during the rise of the MFR, it experiences a significant rotation around the vertical axis (with a direction contrary to that predicted by kink instability), rendering the field direction at the rope apex almost inverse to the overlying field. As a result, a strong current sheet is formed between the MFR and the overlying flux, and reconnection occurring in this current sheet ruins completely the MFR.
Colliding winds in WR21 and WR31 – I. The X-ray view
Authors: Nazé Yaël , Rauw Gregor , Johnson Rachel , Gosset Eric , Hoffman Jennifer L
Published: September 2023

WR21 and WR31 are two WR + O binaries with short periods, quite similar to the case of V444 Cyg. The XMM-Newton observatory has monitored these two objects and clearly revealed phase-locked variations as expected from colliding winds. The changes are maximum in the soft band (0.5–2.0 keV, variations by a factor 3–4) where they are intrinsically linked to absorption effects. The increase in absorption due to the dense WR wind is confirmed by the spectral analysis. The flux maximum is however not detected exactly at conjunction with the O star in front but slightly afterwards, suggesting Coriolis deflection of the collision zone as in V444 Cyg. In the hard band (2–10 keV), the variations (by a factor of 1.5–2.0) are much more limited. Because of the lower orbital inclinations, eclipses as observed for V444 Cyg are not detected in these systems.
An Introduction
Authors: Cohen Kadosh Kathrin
Published: September 2023

This introductory chapter provides an overview of current progress in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience (DCN), a research approach which intersects nature and nurture and considers both health and disease models. DCN focuses on understanding the complexity of human development, necessitating a multi-level and multi-factor research approach to grasp change and plasticity which, by definition is multidisciplinary. By assuming complexity from the outset, the DCN research approach can provide much needed insights into both the initial set-up of brain networks and cognitive mechanisms, but also into adaptability across the developmental trajectory. This book brings together the voices of the leading developmental cognitive neuroscientists in the field that work on understanding human development, and the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and brain maturational factors that shape social and cognitive functioning in development. It also explores new, emerging research areas that show promise for understanding both brain and behavior in development, such as nutrition and the microbiome gut-brain axis and sleep.
Advances in diagnosis and prediction for aggression of pure solid T1 lung cancer
Authors: Mu Junhao , Huang Jing , Ao Min , Li Weiyi , Jiang Li , Yang Li
Published: September 2023

A growing number of early-stage lung cancers presenting as malignant pulmonary nodules have been diagnosed because of the increased adoption of low-dose spiral computed tomography. But pure solid T1 lung cancer with ≤3 cm in the greatest dimension is not always at an early stage, despite its small size. This type of cancer can be highly aggressive and is associated with pathological involvement, metastasis, postoperative relapse, and even death. However, it is easily misdiagnosed or delay diagnosed in clinics and thus poses a serious threat to human health. The percentage of nodal or extrathoracic metastases has been reported to be >20% in T1 lung cancer. As such, understanding and identifying the aggressive characteristics of pure solid T1 lung cancer is crucial for prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies, and beneficial to improving the prognosis. With the widespread of lung cancer screening, these highly invasive pure solid T1 lung cancer will become the main advanced lung cancer in future. However, there is limited information regarding precision medicine on how to identify these “early-stage” aggressive lung cancers. To provide clinicians with new insights into early recognition and intervention of the highly invasive pure solid T1 lung cancer, this review summarizes its clinical characteristics, imaging, pathology, gene alterations, immune microenvironment, multi-omics, and current techniques for diagnosis and prediction.
The value of shear wave elastography in diagnosis and assessment of systemic sclerosis
Authors: Cai Ruyi , Lin Zhuohua , Xu Dan , Sun Yang , Cui Ligang , Mu Rong
Published: September 2023

Objective

The aim was to determine the efficacy of shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessing skin stiffness and aiding in the diagnosis of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

A total of 66 patients with SSc, 100 healthy individuals and 27 patients with SSc-like disorders were included. SWE was performed at 17 modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) measurement sites. The correlation between SWE and clinical profiles was assessed, and the diagnostic value of SSc was explored.

Results

The SWE values at all 17 mRSS sites were significantly higher in SSc than in the healthy group [54.95 (45.95, 66.55) vs 41.10 (39.18, 45.45) m/s, P < 0.001]. For clinically uninvolved sites (mRSS = 0) of patients with SSc, 11 of 17 sites showed significantly higher SWE values compared with healthy controls. SWE was positively correlated with total mRSS (r = 0.783, P < 0.001), the European Scleroderma Study Group disease activity index (r = 0.707, P < 0.001) and histological collagen deposition (r = 0.749, P = 0.013). SWE effectively distinguished patients with SSc from patients with SSc-like disorders (area under the curve, AUC = 0.819). Use of SWE-detected skin sclerosis showed a significantly higher sensitivity compared with 1980 ACR criteria [0.818 (95% CI 0.709, 0.893) vs 0.727 (95% CI 0.610, 0.820), P = 0.031].

Conclusion

SWE correlates well with disease activity and collagen deposition in the skin, provides greater reliability than mRSS and aids in the diagnosis of SSc. SWE could be considered as a convenient and reliable quantitative tool for assessing skin sclerosis and disease progression in SSc.
Discrimination in Hiring: Evidence from Retail Sales
Authors: Benson Alan , Board Simon , Meyer-ter-Vehn Moritz
Published: September 2023

We propose a simple model of racial bias in hiring that encompasses three major theories: taste-based discrimination, screening discrimination, and complementary production. We derive a test that can distinguish these theories based on the mean and variance of workers’ productivity under managers of different pairs of races. We apply this test to study discrimination at a major U.S. retailer using data from 48,755 newly hired commission-based salespeople. White, black, and Hispanic managers within the same store are significantly more likely to hire workers of their own race, consistent with all three theories. For black–Hispanic pairs, productivity variance is lower for same-race pairs than cross-race pairs, implying that screening discrimination dominates. For white–Hispanic pairs, mean productivity is higher for same-race pairs, indicating a combination of screening discrimination and complementary production. For white–black pairs, biased hiring implies the presence of discrimination, but productivity results suggest the effects of the three forms of discrimination offset one another.
Abstract 7 2023 Update: Development of COVID-19 Therapies from Birthing Tissues and Cord Blood
Authors: Verter Frances , Couto Pedro Silva
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The Coronavirus pandemic presents a fleeting opportunity to evaluate the safety and efficacy of advanced cell therapy products, such as Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs), against a virus that attacks multiple organs and causes respiratory distress. With the pandemic winding down, there is a limited amount of clinical data to analyze.

Objectives

We ask whether perinatal sources of cells have played a significant role in clinical applications of cell therapy for COVID-19?

Methods

We are the only research group that is performing worldwide tracking of both clinical trials of advanced cell therapy for COVID-19 as well as the reported outcomes of those trials. Our methods were published in Couto et al. 2023 DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1200180/

Results

We identified 207 advanced cell therapy trials for COVID-19 through the end of 2022, where 41% employed perinatal cells (sometimes multiple types). We also identified publications from those trials through April 2023, finding 43, where 25 employ perinatal MSCs, 10 employ MSCs from other sources, and 8 are cellular immunotherapy (3 of them from perinatal sources). Thus far, 65% of the published trial outcomes rely on cells of perinatal origin. There are also 8 publications reporting on cell therapy of two or more COVID-19 patients treated under compassionate use programs, where 5 employ perinatal MSCs, 2 employ MSCs from other sources, and 1 employed MSCs of unknown origin. Figure 1 displays a timeline of trials and publications by month. Thus far, numbers of trials surged once and peaked in April 2020, whereas published reports have been appearing at a steady average rate of 1.3 publications per month.

Discussion

Couto et al. 2023 was the most complete meta-analysis to date of the efficacy of intravenous MSC as a therapy for COVID-19. Combining 24 studies, they found a relative risk reduction for all-cause COVID-19 mortality of RR=0.63 [95% C.I. 0.46; 0.85]. They also found that for the 18 studies employing perinatal MSCs, RR=0.75 [95% C.I. 0.54; 1.02]. Figure 1 represents the first step towards a sequel study where we will repeat the meta-analysis of MSC benefit for COVID-19 mortality with a bigger data set.

This figure displays a monthly timeline of advanced cell therapy for COVID-19 in three categories: clinical trials registered worldwide, published outcomes of those clinical trials, and published reports from compassionate use programs that covered two or more patients. The trials data runs over the 36 months Jan. 2020 – Dec. 2022, whereas the publications data runs over the 40 months Jan. 2020 – April 2023.
Abstract 8 Cord Blood – Defining Urgency & Delivering Speed
Authors: Regan Donna , O'Gara Erin , Miller David , LaValle Mariah , Narr Ericka
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The ability for cord blood units (CBUs) to meet the needs of transplant patients in urgent circumstances is a key attribute of this unique cell source. CBUs are cryopreserved, fully characterized, readily available for shipment, and avoid obstacles inherent with fresh cell sources. When patient transplant timelines are pressing and cell source availability and delivery speed takes priority, cord blood is both dependable and reliable.

Objectives

U.S. cord blood bank (CBB) shipments over five fiscal years (FY2018 – FY2022) were analyzed. The goal of this analysis was to establish a benchmark for CBU delivery speed, volumes, and patterns to inform transplant centers and patients awaiting transplant.

Methods

Data were categorized by number of days between a CBU order and actual shipment date. Order and shipment categories were: Ultra-urgent (same day), urgent (1-3 days), standard (4-14 days) and routine (15+ days).

Results

2,931 shipments of domestic (U.S.) CBUs took place from FY2018 – FY2022. Most shipment requests were shipped within the standard timeframe (n = 1,544 or 53%). Routine shipments (n = 643) came in at 22%, urgent shipments (n = 667) accounted for 23%, and ultra-urgent orders (n = 77) made up 3% of shipment timeframes.

In the standard category (4-14 days), 65% of CBUs shipped within the first 4 to 7 days. In the urgent category (1-3 days), 46% (n = 306) of shipments were next day, 2-day shipments represented 31% (n = 209), and 3-day shipments consistently comprised 23% (n = 152) of this category year over year. In 2020, after the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 29% of all shipments fell within the ultra-urgent or urgent category.

Discussion

25% of all U.S CBU shipments were distributed in 3 days or less. 59% were shipped in 7 days or less. 80% of all CBUs analyzed shipped within 14 days, with only 20% of shipped CBUs extending beyond the 14-day mark, most at the TC’s request. These data reinforce the rapid availability of cord blood for patients in need.
Abstract 12 Evaluating the Properties of the Donor to Determine the Quality of Cord Blood
Authors: Do Duy , Nguyen Tinh , Chu Thao , Ngo Tien
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Cord blood is a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that offer advantages over other sources, but the volume and the absolute number of stem cells in cord blood are limited.

Objectives

The study aimed to analyze the influence of the factors relating to mothers, babies, and collection on the quality of cord blood units before cryopreservation in Vinmec Tissue Bank, Vietnam. This provides a thorough insight into available predictors that can inform the potential recipients.

Methods

This study, conducted at Vinmec Tissue Bank in Vietnam between January 2019 and December 2021, collected, processed, and analyzed 2,668 cord blood samples. The study evaluated the impact of donor and collection factors, including maternal age, delivery mode, gestational age, infant weight, gender, blood group, geography, season, collection volume, viability, TNC, and CD34+ cell components on cord blood characteristics.

Results

Results showed that maternal age, gestational age, delivery mode, and infant weight significantly affected TNC and CD34+ cells, while infant gender only has a significant impact on TNC. Additionally, the collection features such as cord blood volume, geography, the season of delivery, and waiting time associated with cord blood outcomes.

Discussion

In virtue of its superior matching probability, lower incidence of GVHD, and reduced recurrence rates, cord blood is considered a favorable option for HSC transplantation. However, the limited number of HSCs available from cord blood for bigger patients can be addressed through global cooperation. The possibility of using multiple cord blood units for hematologic cancers has been made feasible through inter-unit HLA matching 29,30. As global cooperation between cord blood banks expands, there is a growing opportunity to find matching samples for recipients. Our large-scale analysis of cord blood throughout Vietnam has highlighted the significance of baby weight and volume in determining cord blood quality. This report represents the first-ever study in Asia to investigate the impact of geography and demography on cord blood. Further evaluation is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of these factors, which would enable more appropriate counseling for patients.

Figure 1. Elements that impact the quality of hematopoietic stem cells in cord blood.
Abstract 30 Cord Blood Derived Macrophages Promote Remyelination
Authors: Xu Li , O'Neil Shane , Kurtzberg Joanne , Filiano Anthony
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system, like multiple sclerosis (MS), result from autoreactive immune cells attacking myelin. Although numerous therapies targeting the immune system are effective for slowing the progression of MS, there are no therapies to promote remyelination. Therefore, we developed DUOC-01, a first-generation macrophage cell-therapy product manufactured from banked cord blood to promote remyelination. Using mouse models of demyelination, we determined that DUOC-01 blocked progression of disease and enhanced remyelination.

Objectives

Although preclinical data using DUOC-01 are promising, shortfalls in manufacturing and an unknown mechanism of action limits their use for MS. Here, we examined the effects of DUOC-01 on oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to develop a second generation product that promotes the maturation of OPCs.

Methods

We first developed an ex vivo system, using organotypic brain slices treated with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), to measure remyelination by imaging the co-localization of myelin basic protein (MBP), a marker for myelin, and neurofilament, a marker for neuronal axons. Next we developed a primary OPC differentiation assay and measured maturation through markers of proliferation and differentiation. Using these assays, we set out to determine the ability of DUOC-01 and a second generation product to promote remyelination.

Results

In culture, our brain slices maintained well-preserved cytoarchitecture and myelinated axons, indicating a health three-dimensional system. Treating the slices with LPC caused massive demyelination of neuron processes three days post exposure. After washing out LPC, we treated cultures with vehicle or DUOC-01 and determined that DUOC-01 promoted remyelination when compared to controls. Using primary OPC cultures, we determined that DUOC-01 skewed OPC cultures to a more mature phenotype, demonstrated by the increased expression of the mature oligodendrocyte marker MBP. When treating OPC cultures with DUOC-01 conditioned media or separating DUOC-01 from OPCs using a transwell, OPC cultures still upregulated expression of MBP, indicating that bioactivity was due to factors released by DUOC-01.

Discussion

Overall, our data demonstrated that DUOC-01 promoted remyelination, and the factors released by DUOC-01 drive the maturation of oligodendrocytes. Thus, these remyelination factors released by DUOC-01 have the potential to work as a cell-free therapeutic for treating MS and other diverse neurological demyelinating diseases.
Abstract 31 Chagas Disease Screening in Pregnancy: Lessons from Screening Maternal Donors from Publicly Banked Umbilical Cord Blood
Authors: Rosen Melissa , Alavian Naseem , Izatt Susan , Rolfe Robert , Martin Lynn , Valverde Ana , Hernandez Jose , Kurtzberg Joanne , Livingston Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Screening for Chagas disease in the perinatal setting has the dual benefit of identifying cases in young adults, for whom treatment can reduce morbidity, and providing the opportunity for early intervention in the case of vertical transmission to infants. North Carolina (NC) has experienced substantial growth in populations from Chagas-endemic regions; however, routine perinatal Trypanosoma cruzi antibody screening is not performed in the state. However, T. cruzi antibody screening is performed on all mothers donating their baby’s cord blood to the Carolina Cord Blood Bank (CCBB), an FDA-licensed public cord blood bank in NC.

Objectives

We aim to identify the prevalence of positive T. cruzi screening serology within a large cohort of maternal cord blood donors in NC.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of positive screening serology for T. cruzi in all maternal donors of their baby’s cord blood to the CCBB in NC from 7/1/2007–05/31/2023. Screening serology was performed using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay for the qualitative detection of antibodies to T. cruzi.

Results

Among 26,698 cord blood donations screened over 16 years, 45 samples (0.17%) had a positive T. cruzi antibody screen. Of the 3,787 donations from patients self-identifying as Hispanic or Latino (14% of the cohort), 15 (0.4%) had a positive screen. The prevalence of a positive T. cruzi screen in donated cord blood was 1.7 per 1,000 cord blood donations.

Discussion

Our data highlight the prevalence of Chagas disease in a non-endemic region and suggest that targeted screening may be a feasible screening strategy for the state. They also demonstrate an additional value to maternal health for donors to public cord blood banks. Further evaluation is needed to determine if these patients had confirmatory testing and whether they were linked to care.
Size Restriction Is Required for Proper Functioning of a Bipartite Begomovirus AC4 Protein
Authors: Zhang Wenwen , Liu Shunmin , Xie Guohui , Li Xiuyu , Zhai Yingying , Lin Wenzhong , Wu Zujian , Du Zhenguo , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2023

Many geminiviruses, including members of the genus Begomovirus, produce a protein known as C4 or AC4. Whereas C4/AC4 typically consists of more than 80 amino acid residues, a few are much shorter. The significance of these shorter C4/AC4 proteins in viral infection and why the virus maintains their abbreviated length is not yet understood. The AC4 of the begomovirus Tomato leaf curl Hsinchu virus contains only 65 amino acids, but it extends to 96 amino acids when the natural termination codon is replaced with a normal codon. We discovered that both interrupting and extending AC4 were harmful to tomato leaf curl Hsinchu virus (ToLCHsV). The extended AC4 (EAC4) also showed a reduced ability to promote the infection of the heterologous virus Potato virus X than the wild-type AC4. When the wild-type AC4 was fused with yellow fluorescent protein (AC4-YFP), it was predominantly found in chloroplasts, whereas EAC4-YFP was mainly localized to the cell periphery. These results suggest that ToLCHsV's AC4 protein is important for viral infection, and the virus may benefit from the abbreviated length, because it may lead to chloroplast localization.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Characterizing the Dynamics of Virulence and Fungicide Resistance of Phytophthora capsici in Michigan Vegetable Fields Reveals Loci Associated with Virulence
Authors: Guo Yufang , Krasnow Charles S. , Hausbeck Mary K.
Published: September 2023

The oomycete Phytophthora capsici is a destructive pathogen infecting more than 50 plant species and is one of the most serious threats to cucurbit production. Phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora capsici can affect all plant growth stages, and fungicides and cultural controls are used to limit losses. Dissecting pathogen virulence and fungicide resistance can provide insights into pathogenic mechanisms and inform effective management practices to control P. capsici. In this study, we assessed virulence, mefenoxam sensitivity, and genetic diversity of nine P. capsici populations collected from Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, and Fabaceae host families in Michigan from 2002 to 2016. We developed 992 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in the P. capsici genome and identified 60 SSRs located within or close to RXLR-class (Arginine-any amino acid-Leucine-Arginine) effectors and 29 SSRs within or close to effector CRN (CRinkling and Necrosis) family protein, which represent 62 RXLR and 34 putative CRNs. Population structure analysis shows that mefenoxam resistance was not associated with the year of collection, host type, or location, but there were significant differences in virulence among the populations. Using the general linear model and mixed linear model-based association analyses with all effector-related SSR markers, we identified four SSR markers significantly associated with at least one of the virulence-related parameters. Of these, one (Pce_SC18) was in a predicted CRN effector and had high identity with the putative PhCRN37 effector in the pathogen Plasmopara halstedii, which can be further verified for virulence identification in P. capsici.
No Difference in Surgical Outcomes Between Stand-Alone Devices and Anterior Plating for 1-2 Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Tao Xu , Matur Abhijith V. , Street Seth , Shukla Geet , Garcia-Vargas Julia , Mehta Jay , Childress Kelly , Duah Henry O. , Gibson Justin , Cass Daryn , Wu Andrew , Motley Benjamin , Cheng Joseph , Adogwa Owoicho
Published: September 2023

Study Design.

Retrospective cohort.

Objective.

To compare rates of all-cause surgical and medical complications between zero-profile (ZP; stand-alone) implants versus any graft type with an anterior plate in patients undergoing 1-2 level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for treatment of degenerative cervical myeloradiculopathy.

Summary of Background Data.

Degenerative cervical myeloradiculopathy is increasingly prevalent in older adults. ACDF is a common surgical procedure for decompression of neural structures and stabilization and has been shown to have excellent outcomes. Although ACDFs performed with graft and plate have been the gold standard, more recently, ZP implants were developed to decrease implant-related complications, such as severe postoperative dysphagia. However, there is a paucity of papers comparing the surgical and medical complications profile of ZP (stand-alone) implants to grafts with plating systems.

Materials and Methods.

Data were extracted from the PearlDiver Mariner Database using Current Procedural Terminology codes to classify patients into 1 level, 2 levels, and a total of 1-2 level ACDFs. Patients undergoing surgery for non-degenerative pathologies such as tumors, trauma, or infection were excluded.

Results.

1:1 exact matching created 2 equal groups of 7284 patients who underwent 1-2 level ACDF with either grafting with a plate or ZP (stand-alone) implant. There were no statistically significant differences in all-cause surgical complications, pseudarthrosis rate, dysphagia, or need for revision surgery between both cohorts (risk ratio: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.80–1.21, P = 0.95). In addition, all-cause medical complications were similar between both cohorts (risk ratio: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.862–1.330, P = 0.573) or any specific surgical or medical complication included in this study.

Conclusion.

After 1:1 exact matching, the results of this study suggest that ZP (stand-alone) implants have similar outcomes compared with grafts with plating systems, with no observed differences in all-cause surgical or medical complications profile.
Automated Workflow for Calculating the Collective and Average Effective Doses of Galactic Cosmic Radiation Received by Pilots in Taiwan from 2006 to 2021
Authors: Huang Yu-Shiang , Yang Zi-Yi , Sheu Rong-Jiun
Published: September 2023

On the basis of statistical data obtained from publicly available annual civil aviation reports, we developed an automated workflow for estimating the overall radiation exposure of aircraft pilots caused by galactic cosmic radiation. The workflow comprises several data-processing scripts that work with the batch analysis capability built in the NTHU Flight Dose Calculator. This method can quickly provide best possible estimates of the annual collective and average effective doses received by pilots of various airlines because all passenger, cargo, and charter flights operated that year were considered rather than some selected flights. The workflow and its implementation as well as analysis of results for the period of 2006-2021 are discussed herein. The results revealed that in 2019, six airlines in Taiwan operated 479 separate flight segments with 226 aircraft. The collective effective dose received by all 2,986 pilots was approximately 5,536 person-mSv; hence, the average individual effective dose was 1.85 mSv. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the doses decreased by more than half. In 2020, the collective effective dose received by all 2,936 pilots decreased sharply to 2,527 person-mSv, corresponding to an average effective dose per pilot of only 0.86 mSv. During 2006-2019, the annual average effective dose per pilot in Taiwan was between 1.65 and 2.71 mSv, and the average effective dose rate per flight hour was 3.15 μSv h.−1
Cumulative thiopurine dosing and keratinocyte skin cancer in inflammatory bowel disease: a case-control study
Authors: Jansen Fenna M. , den Broeder Nathan , Lubeek Satish F.K. , Savelkoul Edo H.J. , Marcus Carlijne M. , Hoentjen Frank , van Dop Willemijn A.
Published: September 2023

Background and aim

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with thiopurines are at increased risk of keratinocyte skin cancer (KSC). Most international guidelines recommend yearly dermatological screening of thiopurine-treated patients. Whether the association between the development of KSC and the use of thiopurines is dose-dependent remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the cumulative thiopurine dose and KSC development in patients with IBD which can be helpful to assist in further skin cancer risk stratification and personalization of screening recommendations in patients with IBD.

Methods

We performed a single-center case-control study, including patients with IBD with and without a history of KSC (cases and controls, respectively). The primary outcome was the association of cumulative azathioprine, mercaptopurine and thioguanine dose with KSC development. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, the latter corrected for age and smoking, known risk factors of KSC.

Results

We included 50 cases and 150 controls, predominantly white population. Age and current azathioprine use were univariably significantly associated with KSC development. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, age at inclusion remained significantly associated. Cumulative doses of thiopurines (separate or combined) or duration of thiopurine use did not impact KSC risk, also after correcting for age and smoking.

Conclusion

Cumulative thiopurine dose and duration did not show an association with KSC development. Future KSC risk stratification, based on all available KSC risk factors, may aid in selecting individuals who can benefit most from dermatologic screening programs.