bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity and selection signatures of four indigenous pig breeds from eastern China
Authors: Chen Zitao , Ye Xiaowei , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Qingbo , Xiang Yun , Xu Ningying , Wang Qishan , Pan Yuchun , Guo Xiaoling , Wang Zhen
Published: May 2022

Chinese indigenous pig breeds have been undergoing selection for thousands of years, and have become invaluable genetic sources over the world. To investigate the population structure and genetic diversity of Jinhua (JH), Longyou Black (LYW), Shengxian Spotted (SXH), and Lanxi Spotted (LXH) breeds, a total of 200 pigs belonging to 10 diverse population were genotyped using SNP chips. The results showed that LYW pigs exhibited higher level of heterozygosity than the other indigenous pigs. In addition, gene introgression from intensively reared commercial pig breeds to LYW pigs was detected. Moreover, selection signature analysis revealed the possibility of differences between Chinese indigenous and intensively reared commercial pig breeds were mainly present for meat and carcass traits. Furthermore, we found that ANXA13, DISP1, and SRSF6 were the nearest genes located around the common selection signatures detected between each indigenous pig breed and Chinese wild boars. Our findings provide new insights into the selection signatures of Chinese indigenous pigs, and may contribute to future pig breeding.
The Electoral Consequences of Household Indebtedness under Austerity
Authors: Wiedemann Andreas
Published: May 2022

What are the political consequences of rising household debt in the context of fiscal austerity? I argue that cuts in welfare benefits privatize social obligations as voters address ensuing financial shortfalls by borrowing money. Debt re‐commodifies individuals and shifts their electoral support from incumbents to opposition and anti‐establishment parties by provoking feelings of political neglect, economic vulnerability, and strong emotional responses. I examine this argument by leveraging spatial and temporal variation in the rollout of Universal Credit (UC), a large‐scale welfare reform in the United Kingdom. Using fine‐grained administrative data on unsecured debt, I demonstrate that fiscal austerity generated an increase in indebtedness, which lowered support for the incumbent Conservatives and strengthened support for Labour and the UK Independence Party (UKIP). I then use individual‐level survey data to explore the mechanisms that link debt and political behavior. The results suggest that rising indebtedness increases the political costs of welfare retrenchment and creates new political cleavages.
Use of telemedicine consultations in head and neck cancer: patient perceptions, acceptability and accessibility
Authors: Dhillon Kaman , Manji Jamil , Tapia Céspedes Mario , Prasad Jessica , Kleid Stephen , Flatman Samuel , Nguyen Kevin , McLean Timothy , Magarey Matthew
Published: May 2022

Backgrounds

Telemedicine has been effective in the management of various medical conditions, however, there is limited knowledge of its use in head and neck oncosurveillance. This is of importance currently while trying to mitigate the risk of transmission during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study aims to evaluate acceptability, satisfaction and perceptions of telemedicine technology among outpatients for head and neck oncologic surveillance.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted for head and neck surgical oncology patients who attended telemedicine consultations between March and October 2020 at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Data on demographic, socioeconomic and acceptability variables was collected, utilizing Likert scale questions. The primary outcome measures were patient satisfaction and perceptions, while the secondary outcome was access to technology.

Results

One hundred and fifteen patients were invited to participate, and 100 were included in the final analysis; 95% of patient's had a positive experience with telemedicine appointments and were willing to have future telemedicine appointments. Regional and rural patients were more accepting of telemedicine consultations, citing savings in travel time and the minimal disruption to normal day‐to‐day activities. All participants had access to telecommunication devices, with 63% having three or more devices. Issues identified include a lack of physical examination by clinician for 65% of participants and the inability to self‐examine for 88% of participants.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates patients' acceptance of telemedicine appointments as a component of outpatient surveillance for head and neck surgical oncology. This has benefits during the COVID‐19 pandemic in addition to increasing accessibility for rural patients.
Temporary mechanical circulatory support for COVID‐19 patients: A systematic review of literature
Authors: Mariani Silvia , De Piero Maria Elena , Ravaux Justine M. , Saelmans Alexander , Kawczynski Michal J. , van Bussel Bas C. T. , Di Mauro Michele , Willers Anne , Swol Justyna , Kowalewski Mariusz , Li Tong , Delnoij Thijs S. R. , van der Horst Iwan C. C. , Maessen Jos , Lorusso Roberto
Published: May 2022

Objective

Myocardial damage occurs in up to 25% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) cases. While veno‐venous extracorporeal life support (V‐V ECLS) is used as respiratory support, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) may be required for severe cardiac dysfunction. This systematic review summarizes the available literature regarding MCS use rates, disease drivers for MCS initiation, and MCS outcomes in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

PubMed/EMBASE were searched until October 14, 2021. Articles including adults receiving ECLS for COVID‐19 were included. The primary outcome was the rate of MCS use. Secondary outcomes included mortality at follow‐up, ECLS conversion rate, intubation‐to‐cannulation time, time on ECLS, cardiac diseases, use of inotropes, and vasopressors.

Results

Twenty‐eight observational studies (comprising both ECLS‐only populations and ECLS patients as part of larger populations) included 4218 COVID‐19 patients (females: 28.8%; median age: 54.3 years, 95%CI: 50.7–57.8) of whom 2774 (65.8%) required ECLS with the majority (92.7%) on V‐V ECLS, 4.7% on veno‐arterial ECLS and/or Impella, and 2.6% on other ECLS. Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest were reported in 7.8%, 9.7%, and 6.6% of patients, respectively. Vasopressors were used in 37.2%. Overall, 3.1% of patients required an ECLS change from V‐V ECLS to MCS for heart failure, myocarditis, or myocardial infarction. The median ECLS duration was 15.9 days (95%CI: 13.9–16.3), with an overall survival of 54.6% and 28.1% in V‐V ECLS and MCS patients. One study reported 61.1% survival with oxy‐right ventricular assist device.

Conclusion

MCS use for cardiocirculatory compromise has been reported in 7.3% of COVID‐19 patients requiring ECLS, which is a lower percentage compared to the incidence of any severe cardiocirculatory complication. Based on the poor survival rates, further investigations are warranted to establish the most appropriated indications and timing for MCS in COVID‐19.
Integration of sustained low‐efficiency dialysis into extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit in critically ill COVID‐19 patients: A feasibility study
Authors: Arnold Frederic , Wobser Rika , Kalbhenn Johannes , Westermann Lukas
Published: May 2022

Background

Severe COVID‐19 can necessitate multiple organ support including veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) and renal replacement therapy. The therapy can be complicated by venous thromboembolism due to COVID‐19‐related hypercoagulability, thus restricting vascular access beyond the vvECMO cannula. Although continuous renal replacement therapy can be performed via a vvECMO circuit, studies addressing sustained low‐efficiency dialysis (SLED) integration into vvECMO circuits are scarce. Here we address the lack of evidence by evaluating feasibility of SLED integration into vvECMO circuits.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study on nine critically ill COVID‐19 patients, treated with integrated ECMO‐SLED on a single intensive care unit at a tertiary healthcare facility between December 2020 and November 2021. The SLED circuits were established between the accessory arterial oxygenator outlets of a double‐oxygenator vvECMO setup. Data on filter survival, quality of dialysis, and volume management were collected and compared with an internal control group receiving single SLED.

Results

This study demonstrates general feasibility of SLED integration into existing vvECMO circuits. Filter lifespans of ECMO‐SLED compared with single SLED are significantly prolonged (median 18.3 h vs. 10.3 h, p < 0.01). ECMO‐SLED treatment is furthermore able to sufficiently normalize creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and serum sodium, and allows for adequate ultrafiltration rates.

Conclusions

We can show that ECMO‐SLED is practical, safe, results in adequate dialysis quality and enables sufficient electrolyte and volume management. Our data indicate that SLED devices can serve as potential alternative to continuous‐veno‐venous‐hemodialysis for integration in vvECMO circuits.
Impaired renal clearance among Swedish adolescents born preterm
Authors: Skogastierna Carin , Elfvin Anders , Hansson Sverker , Magnusson Per , Swolin‐Eide Diana
Published: May 2022

Aim

To determine whether adolescents born before 28 gestational weeks have an increased risk for renal impairment.

Methods

Swedish infants, born before 28 gestational weeks in 2001 and 2002, were identified from a local register. A total of 16 children, 12 females and 4 males, were examined at 16–17 years of age with 51Cr‐EDTA clearance. A comparison group (n = 26) was used.

Results

Most study participants (n = 13) had normal blood pressure; one individual had hypertension stage 1. All study participants had results within the reference interval for ionised calcium, parathyroid hormone, intact fibroblast growth factor‐23 and for urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio. Four out of 16 participants (25%) had a 51Cr‐EDTA clearance less than 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, indicating a reduced kidney function. Measured 51Cr‐EDTA clearance values were significantly lower in the study group than in the comparison group (p = 0.0012). Five study participants (31%) were referred for further investigations.

Conclusion

Swedish children born before 28 gestational weeks have an increased risk of renal impairment later in life, suggesting that the kidney function in these individuals should be assessed, at least once, during adolescence.
Neonatal morbidities and postnatal growth failure in very low birth weight, very preterm infants
Authors: Ofek Shlomai Noa , Reichman Brian , Zaslavsky‐Paltiel Inna , Lerner‐Geva Liat , Eventov‐Friedman Smadar ,   in collaboration with the Israel Neonatal Network*
Published: May 2022

Aim

To assess postnatal growth in infants with and without major neonatal morbidities.

Methods

This study is based on analysis of data collected by the Israel Neonatal Network on VLBW infants (≤1500 g) born in Israel from 2009 to 2018. Postnatal growth was assessed in two 5 years epochs: 2009–2013 (n = 4583) and 2014–2018 (n = 4558). Outcome was considered as severe, mild and no postnatal growth failure (PNGF). Morbidities included respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotising enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus and grades 3–4 intraventricular haemorrhage. Multinomial logistic regression analyses with the generalised estimating equation approach were applied.

Results

The study population composed 9141 infants. Of them, 2089 had at least one major morbidity and 7052 infants had none. In infants with no morbidities, 2.1% had severe PNGF, 23.7% mild PNGF and 74.2% had no PNGF, as compared to 13.6%, 43.9% and 42.5%, respectively, in infants with any major neonatal morbidity (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Despite enormous advances in neonatal care, postnatal growth remains a challenge in VLBW infants, particularly in infants with major neonatal morbidities. Along with efforts to decrease morbidity, a more personalised plan and follow‐up may be required in infants with major morbidities, given their high risk for diminished growth and potentially, adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
A novel alphaherpesvirus and concurrent respiratory cryptococcosis in a captive koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: Bowater RO , Horwood PF , Picard J , Huisman I , Hayes L , Mackie T , Taylor JD
Published: May 2022

A novel alphaherpesvirus was detected in a captive adult, lactating, female koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) admitted to James Cook University Veterinary Emergency Teaching & Clinical Hospital in March 2019, showing signs of anorexia and severe respiratory disease. Postmortem examination revealed gross pathology indicative of pneumonia. Histopathology demonstrated a chronic interstitial pneumonia, multifocal necrotising adrenalitis and hepatitis. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were detected by light microscopy in the respiratory epithelium of the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and hepatocytes, biliary epithelium and adrenal gland associated with foci of necrosis. Cryptococcus gattii was isolated from fresh lung on necropsy, positively identified by PCR, and detected histologically by light microscopy, only in the lung tissue. A universal viral family‐level PCR indicated that the virus was a member of the Herpesviruses. Sequence analysis in comparison to other known and published herpesviruses, indicated the virus was a novel alphaherpesvirus, with 97% nucleotide identity to macropodid alphaherpesvirus 1. We provisionally name the novel virus phascolarctid alphaherpesvirus 3 (PhaHV‐3). Further research is needed to determine the distribution of this novel alphaherpesvirus in koala populations and establish associations with disease in this host species.
Extracellular PKCδ signals to epidermal growth factor receptor for tumor proliferation in liver cancer cells
Authors: Yamada Kohji , Kizawa Ryusuke , Yoshida Ayano , Koizumi Rei , Motohashi Saya , Shimoyama Yuya , Hannya Yoshito , Yoshida Saishu , Oikawa Tsunekazu , Shimoda Masayuki , Yoshida Kiyotsugu
Published: May 2022

Protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) is a multifunctional PKC family member and has been implicated in many types of cancers, including liver cancer. Recently, we have reported that PKCδ is secreted from liver cancer cells, and involved in cell proliferation and tumor growth. However, it remains unclear whether the extracellular PKCδ directly regulates cell surface growth factor receptors. Here, we identify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a novel interacting protein of the cell surface PKCδ in liver cancer cells. Imaging studies showed that secreted PKCδ interacted with EGFR‐expressing cells in both autocrine and paracrine manners. Biochemical analysis revealed that PKCδ bound to the extracellular domain of EGFR. We further found that a part of the amino acid sequence on the C‐terminal region of PKCδ was similar to the putative EGFR binding site of EGF. In this regard, the point mutant of PKCδ in the binding site lacked the ability to bind to the extracellular domain of EGFR. Upon an extracellular PKCδ‐EGFR association, ERK1/2 activation, downstream of EGFR signaling, was apparently induced in liver cancer cells. This study indicates that extracellular PKCδ behaves as a growth factor and provides a molecular basis for extracellular PKCδ‐targeting therapy for liver cancer.
High proportion of inflammatory CD62Llow eosinophils in blood and nasal polyps of severe asthma patients
Authors: Matucci Andrea , Nencini Francesca , Maggiore Giandomenico , Chiccoli Fabio , Accinno Matteo , Vivarelli Emanuele , Bruno Chiara , Locatello Luca Giovanni , Palomba Annarita , Nucci Elena , Mecheri Valentina , Perlato Margherita , Rossi Oliviero , Parronchi Paola , Maggi Enrico , Gallo Oreste , Vultaggio Alessandra
Published: May 2022

Background

In mice models, eosinophils have been divided into different subpopulations with distinct phenotypes and functions, based on CD62L and CD101 patterns of membrane expression. Limited data are available in humans.

Objective

To investigate eosinophils subpopulations in peripheral blood (PB) and nasal polyp tissue (NP) from severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) patients plus concomitant chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Methods

We recruited 23 SEA patients (14 with CRSwNP); as controls, we enrolled 15 non‐severe asthma patients, 15 allergic rhinitis patients without asthma and 15 healthy donors. Eosinophils were isolated from PB and NP and analysed by FACS. Eotaxin‐3 and eotaxin‐1 mRNA expression in NP tissue was also evaluated.

Results

A significantly higher percentage of circulating CD62Llow cells was observed in SEA, as compared with controls, expressing higher levels of CCR3, CD69 and lower levels of CD125 (IL‐5R), CRTH2, CD86 and CD28 in comparison with CD62Lbright cells. In NP, eosinophils showed a high proportion of CD62Llow phenotype, significantly greater than that observed in PB. Surface expression of IL‐3R, IL‐5R, CD69 and CD86 was significantly higher in CD62Llow eosinophils from NP than in those from blood. Moreover, eotaxin‐3 mRNA expression positively correlated with the percentage of CD62Llow cells in NP.

Conclusion

Two different eosinophil subphenotypes can be identified in blood and NP of SEA patients, with a preferential accumulation of CD62Llow inflammatory cells in NP.
Prevalence of wound complications following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS): a cross-sectional study of 1000 patients undergoing MMS and wound repair in a UK teaching hospital
Authors: Rutkowski David , Littlewood Zoe , Touyz Sarah Judith Jean , Collier Nicholas James , Madan Vishal , Ghura Harvinder Singh , Yiu Zenas Zee Ngai , Telfer Nicholas
Published: May 2022

Background

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for nonmelanoma skin cancer is often quoted as having an excellent safety profile.

Aim

To determine the complication rate of patients undergoing MMS in a large UK Mohs unit and subdivide complication rates into mild/intermediate and major, and to identify potential risk factors necessitating a clinical intervention.

Methods

This was a single-centre, cross-sectional study of 1000 consecutive cases of MMS performed with in-house repair. Notes from the postsurgical dressing clinics were reviewed at Visit 1 (Days 7–14) and Visit 2 (approximately Week 6). Based upon the intervention required and effect on cosmetic/functional outcome, complications were classified as minor, intermediate or major. Logistic regression modelling was used to identify risk factors associated with a complication that needed a clinical intervention (i.e. intermediate or major).

Results

In total, 1000 Mohs surgeries were performed on 803 patients, resulting in 1067 excisions. Complication rates in our cohort were low (minor 3.6%, intermediate 3.1% and major 0.8%) Potential risk factors for developing a complication included skin graft (unadjusted OR = 4.89, 95% CI 1.93–12.39; fully adjusted OR = 7.13, 95% CI 2.26–22.45) and patients undergoing surgery on the forehead (unadjusted OR = 3.32, 95% CI 0.95–11.58; fully adjusted OR = 5.34, 95% CI 1.40–20.42). Patients whose wounds were allowed to heal by secondary intention healing (6.8%) exhibited no complications.

Conclusion

We advocate that patients should be informed during the consent procedure that less than 1 in every 100 patients (0.75%) undergoing MMS will have a serious adverse event (major complication) affecting their cosmetic or functional outcome.
Turnbull–Cutait abdominoperineal pull‐through operation: The Cleveland Clinic experience in the 21st century
Authors: Lavryk Olga A. , Bandi Bethany , Shawki Sherief F. , Floruta Crina , Xue Jia , Valente Michael A. , Steele Scott R. , Hull Tracy L.
Published: May 2022

Aim

The Turnbull–Cutait pull‐through procedure (TCO) restores intestinal continuity in the setting of chronic pelvic sepsis, colorectal anastomotic leak, complex pelvic fistulas and technical challenges related to complicated rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the TCO for salvaging complex pelvic conditions and to compare it to hand‐sewn immediate coloanal anastomosis (CAA).

Methods

This is a retrospective single‐institution study where we searched a prospectively maintained database to identify patients who underwent the TCO. Patient demographics, operative indications and outcomes were analysed. TCO success was defined as maintenance of intestinal continuity and being stoma‐free. Kaplan–Meier analysis was employed for stoma‐free survival analysis.

Results

A total of 81 patients with TCO and 129 patients with CAA were included. The TCO success rate was 69% at a median of 1.4 years’ follow‐up with 25 (31%) patients ending up with a permanent stoma compared to 22 (17%) in the CAA group with a median follow‐up of 4 years (P = 0.03). The Kaplan–Meier cumulative incidence of TCO success at 1, 3 and 5 years was 79%, 60% and 51%, respectively, compared to 91%, 81% and 73% after CAA.

Conclusion

The TCO has a high success rate for patients with complex pelvic conditions who may be facing a permanent stoma as their only option.
In vivo real‐time temperature measurement on the surface of intact and gold‐restored teeth during consumption of hot and cold drinks
Authors: Park Soojin , Kim Jae‐Hoon , Lee Min‐Kyung , Ihm Jung‐Joon , Ahn Jin‐Soo , Park Jeong‐Kil , Seo Deog‐Gyu
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to measure real‐time temperature changes in gold‐restored teeth compared with intact teeth during the intake of hot and cold drinks. Sixteen molars, including eight natural intact teeth and eight restored teeth with gold inlays, were selected from the participants. Custom‐made thermocouple sensors were attached to the coronal third of the buccal surface of teeth. Participants consecutively consumed hot and cold drinks according to a standardized regimen. Resting, maximum, and minimum temperatures; time to reach peak temperatures; and heating and cooling velocities were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using independent two‐sample t‐test. Teeth with gold restorations showed a significantly higher maximum temperature (44.7 °C [SD 2.9]) than did natural teeth (40.5 °C [SD 1.2]) during hot water drinking and showed a lower minimum temperature (25.0 °C [SD 4.9]) than did natural teeth (31.5 °C [SD 3.1]) during cold water drinking. The heating and cooling rates for the teeth with gold restorations were two and three times higher than those of the natural teeth. Gold‐restored teeth showed greater temperature change than intact teeth in terms of magnitude and velocity in response to temperature changes induced by hot and cold drinks.
International consensus on diagnosis and management of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Wirrell Elaine C. , Hood Veronica , Knupp Kelly G. , Meskis Mary Anne , Nabbout Rima , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Wilmshurst Jo , Sullivan Joseph
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study was undertaken to gain consensus from experienced physicians and caregivers regarding optimal diagnosis and management of Dravet syndrome (DS), in the context of recently approved, DS‐specific therapies and emerging disease‐modifying treatments.

Methods

A core working group was convened consisting of six physicians with recognized expertise in DS and two representatives of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. This core group summarized the current literature (focused on clinical presentation, comorbidities, maintenance and rescue therapies, and evolving disease‐modifying therapies) and nominated the 31‐member expert panel (ensuring international representation), which participated in two rounds of a Delphi process to gain consensus on diagnosis and management of DS.

Results

There was strong consensus that infants 2–15 months old, presenting with either a first prolonged hemiclonic seizure or first convulsive status epilepticus with fever or following vaccination, in the absence of another cause, should undergo genetic testing for DS. Panelists agreed on evolution of specific comorbidities with time, but less agreement was achieved on optimal management. There was also agreement on appropriate first‐ to third‐line maintenance therapies, which included the newly approved agents. Whereas there was agreement for recommendation of disease‐modifying therapies, if they are proven safe and efficacious for seizures and/or reduction of comorbidities, there was less consensus for when these should be started, with caregivers being more conservative than physicians.

Significance

This International DS Consensus, informed by both experienced global caregiver and physician voices, provides a strong overview of the impact of DS, therapeutic goals and optimal management strategies incorporating the recent therapeutic advances in DS, and evolving disease‐modifying therapies.
Effective hybrid deep learning model forCOVID‐19 patterns identification usingCTimages
Authors: Ibrahim Dheyaa Ahmed , Zebari Dilovan Asaad , Mohammed Hussam J. , Mohammed Mazin Abed
Published: May 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has attracted significant attention of researchers from various disciplines since the end of 2019. Although the global epidemic situation is stabilizing due to vaccination, new COVID‐19 cases are constantly being discovered around the world. As a result, lung computed tomography (CT) examination, an aggregated identification technique, has been used to ameliorate diagnosis. It helps reveal missed diagnoses due to the ambiguity of nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction. Therefore, this study investigated how quickly and accurately hybrid deep learning (DL) methods can identify infected individuals with COVID‐19 on the basis of their lung CT images. In addition, this study proposed a developed system to create a reliable COVID‐19 prediction network using various layers starting with the segmentation of the lung CT scan image and ending with disease prediction. The initial step of the system starts with a proposed technique for lung segmentation that relies on a no‐threshold histogram‐based image segmentation method. Afterward, the GrabCut method was used as a post‐segmentation method to enhance segmentation outcomes and avoid over‐and under‐segmentation problems. Then, three pre‐trained models of standard DL methods, including Visual Geometry Group Network, convolutional deep belief network, and high‐resolution network, were utilized to extract the most affective features from the segmented images that can help to identify COVID‐19. These three described pre‐trained models were combined as a new mechanism to increase the system's overall prediction capabilities. A publicly available dataset, namely, COVID‐19 CT, was used to test the performance of the proposed model, which obtained a 95% accuracy rate. On the basis of comparison, the proposed model outperformed several state‐of‐the‐art studies. Because of its effectiveness in accurately screening COVID‐19 CT images, the developed model will potentially be valuable as an additional diagnostic tool for leading clinical professionals.
Substrate recognition by Arg/Pro‐rich insert domain in calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase kinase for target protein kinases
Authors: Kaneshige Riku , Ohtsuka Satomi , Harada Yuhei , Kawamata Issei , Magari Masaki , Kanayama Naoki , Hatano Naoya , Sakagami Hiroyuki , Tokumitsu Hiroshi
Published: May 2022

Calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase kinases (CaMKKs) activate CaMKI, CaMKIV, protein kinase B/Akt, and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) by phosphorylating Thr residues in activation loops to mediate various Ca2+‐signaling pathways. Mammalian cells expressing CaMKKα and CaMKKβ lacking Arg/Pro‐rich insert domain (RP‐domain) sequences showed impaired phosphorylation of AMPKα, CaMKIα, and CaMKIV, whereas the autophosphorylation activities of CaMKK mutants remained intact and were similar to those of wild‐type CaMKKs. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1, an AMPK kinase) complexed with STRAD and MO25 and was unable to phosphorylate CaMKIα and CaMKIV; however, mutant LKB1 with the RP‐domain sequences of CaMKKα and CaMKKβ inserted between kinase subdomains II and III acquired CaMKIα and CaMKIV phosphorylating activity in vitro and in transfected cultured cells. Furthermore, ionomycin‐induced phosphorylation of hemagglutinin (HA)–CaMKIα at Thr177, HA–CaMKIV at Thr196, and HA–AMPKα at Thr172 in transfected cells was significantly suppressed by cotransfection of kinase‐dead mutants of CaMKK isoforms, but these dominant‐negative effects were abrogated with RP‐deletion mutants, suggesting that sequestration of substrate kinases by loss‐of‐function CaMKK mutants requires the RP‐domain. This was confirmed by pulldown experiments that showed that dominant‐negative mutants of CaMKKα and CaMKKβ interact with target kinases but not RP‐deletion mutants. Taken together, these results clearly indicate that both CaMKK isoforms require the RP‐domain to recognize downstream kinases to interact with and phosphorylate Thr residues in their activation loops. Thus, the RP‐domain may be a promising target for specific CaMKK inhibitors.
Adsorption of anionic polyelectrolyte on an SiC surface and effects on dispersion stability
Authors: Zhang Wenxiao , Zhang Yue , Niu Yifan , Liu Jiaxiang
Published: May 2022

Aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3)3) and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) were used to improve the dispersion of fine silicon carbide (SiC) powders. Effects of modification parameters on the viscosity of modified SiC slurry were studied by orthogonal experiments. Modified SiC slurry with the solid loading of 50 vol% reached the lowest viscosity of 34 MPa s. The adsorption processes of PSS on the as‐received and Al(NO3)3 premodified SiC surface were investigated. The results indicated that the adsorption between PSS and premodified SiC surfaces was a high affinity type and was mainly controlled by active sites on an SiC surface. The Langmuir model and the pseudo‐second‐order model could better fit the adsorption isotherm and kinetics data, respectively. The contact angle decreased from 32.8 to 15.2° and the wettability was improved by modification. The isoelectric point of modified SiC powder shifted to the acidic region and the maximum zeta potential was obtained at pH 11. Sedimentation results also showed that a stable dispersed suspension of modified SiC was achieved at pH 11. Density–pressure curves demonstrated that the flowability and formability of SiC powder were improved by modification. The dispersion effect of PSS on SiC and Al2O3 composite powder was verified by viscosity and sedimentation results.
Synthesis, characterization, and DFT Raman study of pure and Mn‐doped LiTaO3 nanofibers
Authors: Sosa‐Márquez Jesús Enrique , Zamarrón‐Montes Lorena , Olive‐Méndez Sion Federico , Espinosa‐Magaña Francisco
Published: May 2022

Pure and Mn‐doped lithium tantalate nanofibers, with Mn concentrations of 1%, 2.5%, and 5%, were synthesized by the electrospinning method. The morphology, microstructure, and crystal structure of as‐spun and annealed composite nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy has shown to be a powerful tool to detect either local variations or changes of the whole structure. Position and width of one Raman line can be used as markers of a structural change. Some vibrational modes are especially associated with the site of Li or Ta ions and so, they can be affected by the introduction of dopant ions. Any damages or local changes in the microstructure can be detected by a line broadening. With the use of Raman spectroscopy, the sites where Mn ions enter the doped structures were established by recording the shift and broadening of peaks in Mn‐doped structures with respect to pure lithium tantalate. Thus it was proven that Mn ions enter the Li sites for low Mn concentration and, on the other hand, for higher concentrations, the dopant substitutes Li and Ta sites. First‐principles calculations were performed within the density functional theory, including lattice‐dynamic calculations of the phonon modes at the zone center (Γ point), for the pure structure, to find the irreducible representation of the modes.
Microbial communities in crude oil phase and filter-graded aqueous phase from a Daqing oilfield after polymer flooding
Authors: Wei Yan-Feng , Wang Lu , Xia Zi-Yuan , Gou Min , Sun Zhao-Yong , Lv Wei-Feng , Tang Yue-Qin
Published: May 2022

Aims

The aim was to characterize indigenous micro-organisms in oil reservoirs after polymer flooding (RAPF).

Methods

The microbial communities in the crude oil phase (Oil) and in the filter-graded aqueous phases Aqu0.22 (>0.22 μm) and Aqu0.1 (0.1–0.22 μm) were investigated by 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing.

Results

Indigenous micro-organisms related to hydrocarbon degradation prevailed in the three phases of each well. However, obvious differences in bacterial compositions were observed amongst the three phases of the same well and amongst the same phase of different wells. The crude oil and Aqu0.22 shared many dominant bacteria. Aqu0.1 contained a unique bacterial community in each well. Most bacteria in Aqu0.1 were affiliated to culturable genera, suggesting that they may adapt to the oil reservoir environment by reduction of cell size. Contrary to the bacterial genera, archaeal genera were similar in the three phases but varied in relative abundances. The observed microbial differences may be driven by specific environmental factors in each oil well.

Conclusions

The results suggest an application potential of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) technology in RAPF. The crude oil and Aqu0.1 contain many different functional micro-organisms related to hydrocarbon degradation. Both should not be overlooked when investing and exploring the indigenous micro-organisms for MEOR.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This work facilitates the understanding of microbial community structures in RAPF and provides information for microbial control in oil fields.
Maternal nicotine exposure induces congenital heart defects in the offspring of mice
Authors: Greco Elizabeth R. , Engineer Anish , Saiyin Tana , Lu Xiangru , Zhang MengQi , Jones Douglas L. , Feng Qingping
Published: May 2022

Maternal cigarette smoking is a risk factor for congenital heart defects (CHDs). Nicotine replacement therapies are often offered to pregnant women following failed attempts of smoking cessation. However, the impact of nicotine on embryonic heart development is not well understood. In the present study, the effects of maternal nicotine exposure (MNE) during pregnancy on foetal heart morphogenesis were studied. Adult female mice were treated with nicotine using subcutaneous osmotic pumps at 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg/day and subsequently bred with male mice. Our results show that MNE dose‐dependently increased CHDs in foetal mice. CHDs included atrial and ventricular septal defects, double outlet right ventricle, unguarded tricuspid orifice, hypoplastic left ventricle, thickened aortic and pulmonary valves, and ventricular hypertrophy. MNE also significantly reduced coronary artery size and vessel abundance in foetal hearts. Moreover, MNE resulted in higher levels of oxidative stress and altered the expression of key cardiogenic regulators in the developing heart. Nicotine exposure reduced epicardial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in foetal hearts. In conclusion, MNE induces CHDs and coronary artery malformation in mice. These findings provide insight into the adverse outcomes of foetuses by MNE during pregnancy.
Skin lesions in neurofibromatosis type 2: diagnostic and prognostic significance of cutaneous (plexiform) schwannomas
Authors: Plana‐Pla A. , García B. , Munera‐Campos M. , Catasus N. , Serra Arenas E. , Blanco I. , Castellanos Perez E. , Bielsa I. ,   NF2 Multidisciplinary Clinics HUGTiP‐ICO‐IGTP
Published: May 2022

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic disease characterized by the appearance of multiple tumours in the nervous system. Cutaneous lesions are common and may provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information, but they have not been widely studied.

Objectives

To characterize cutaneous lesions in a Spanish cohort of patients with NF2 and investigate associations with clinical and genetic severity.

Methods

We studied the clinical and histologic characteristics of cutaneous lesions in 49 patients with NF2 and analysed correlations with phenotype‐ and genotype‐based severity scores. We collected information on the presence/absence of cutaneous lesions, location, age at onset, type of lesion, and histologic features. We also studied level of systemic involvement and genetic mutations involved.

Results

Forty‐nine patients (31 women [63.3%] and 18 men [36.7%]) were analysed, and 33 (67.3%) had cutaneous lesions presumed to be schwannomas. According to their clinical form, they were distributed as follows: 24 patients (48%) had deep tumours, 21 (42%) had plaque‐like lesions, and 3 (6%) had superficial tumours. Histologic examination from 27 lesions analysed out 23 patients showed classic schwannoma or hybrid schwannoma‐neurofibroma features in the 8 deep tumours biopsied and plexiform schwannoma features in the 17 plaque‐like lesions and the 2 superficial tumours analysed. Early onset (first 2 decades of life) was reported by all patients with plaques and superficial tumours. In our cohort, 100% of the patients with plaque‐like lesions and superficial tumours with microscopic features of plexiform schwannoma were in the 2 groups with the most severe clinical phenotypes, and 82.6% of them were in the 3 most severe genotype‐based classes.

Conclusions and Relevance

Cutaneous lesions, specially plexiform schwannomas, are common in NF2, and they usually appear at an early age providing useful diagnostic and prognostic information. These tumours are part of the spectrum of cutaneous manifestations in this disease. Although its diagnostic and prognostic value has been pointed out, there are few studies focussed on their analysis.
A CRISPR interference screen reveals a role for cell wall teichoic acids in conjugation in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Harden M. Michael , Anderson Mary E. , Grossman Alan D.
Published: May 2022

Conjugative elements are widespread in bacteria and include plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs). They transfer from donor to recipient cells via an element‐encoded type IV secretion system. These elements interact with and utilize host functions for their lifecycles. We sought to identify essential host genes involved in the lifecycle of the integrative and conjugative element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis. We constructed a library of strains for inducible knockdown of essential B. subtilis genes using CRISPR interference. Each strain expressed one guide RNA in ICEBs1. We induced partial interference of essential genes and identified those that caused an acute defect in acquisition of ICEBs1 by recipient cells. This screen revealed that reducing expression of genes needed for synthesis of cell wall teichoic acids caused a decrease in conjugation. Using three different ways to reduce their synthesis, we found that wall teichoic acids were necessary in both donors and recipients for efficient conjugative transfer of ICEBs1. Further, we found that depletion of wall teichoic acids caused cells involved in ICEBs1 conjugation to die, most likely from damage to the cell envelope. Our results indicate that wall teichoic acids help protect against envelope stress caused by active conjugation machines.
Lifting You up or Dragging You Down? The Role of Financial Inclusion in Poverty Transitions Among Italian Households
Authors: Bettin Giulia , Pigini Claudia , Zazzaro Alberto
Published: May 2022

We estimate the effect of financial inclusion on transition probabilities into/out of poverty. By exploiting a longitudinal sample of Italian households between 2002 and 2016, we find that financial inclusion is effective in both reducing the likelihood of entering poverty and helping the poor to climb out of it. According to our estimates, access to deposit accounts reduces the risk of falling below the poverty line by 2.7 percentage points (pp) and increases the chance of exiting poverty by 4.4 pp. Significance and magnitude of such effects are confirmed when considering different poverty thresholds and definitions, alternative proxies for financial inclusion as well as alternative empirical strategies.
The role of siliciclastics in carbonate fabric diversity and preservation: A case study from the Neoproterozoic carbonate − siliciclastic Horse Thief Springs Formation, Death Valley
Authors: Smrzka Daniel , Kuzel Kristian , Chiarella Domenico , Joachimski Michael M. , Vandyk Thomas M. , Kettler Christoph , Le Heron Dan P.
Published: May 2022

The sedimentary record of the Pahrump Group in Death Valley comprises well‐exposed successions of mixed carbonate and siliciclastic deposits. Despite the abundance of studies focussing on the depositional dynamics of mixed carbonate – siliciclastic deposition in the Phanerozoic, the record of similar Proterozoic examples is comparatively sparse. Using high‐resolution stratigraphy and microfacies analyses, this study investigates the Tonian Horse Thief Springs Formation within the Pahrump Group of Death Valley, California, in order to propose first‐order constraints on the interplay between carbonate and siliciclastic deposition in the early Neoproterozoic. The mixed successions are unlike many previously studied examples interpreted as being caused by glacio‐eustatic sea‐level changes, thus arguing for a more relevant tectonic influence on siliciclastic deposition. This interpretation is supported by detailed microfacies analyses of siliciclastic‐rich dolostones, which show abundant soft‐sediment deformation features suggesting sudden pulses of sandstone deposition onto a shallow marine carbonate shelf. The Tonian carbonate factory recovered quickly after being smothered by siliciclastics, particularly due to abundant stromatolite growth. A new relationship between siliciclastic input, carbonate fabric diversity, and carbonate preservation is established based on microfacies analyses, putting forward that siliciclastic deposition had a significant impact on the formation and preservation of later‐stage diagenetic dolomite cements, as well as on stromatolite morphology and carbonate fabric diversity within the microbialites. This study shows how repeated siliciclastic incursions had a significant impact on the Proterozoic carbonate factory of the Horse Thief Springs Formation, as well as on diagenetic modification and preservation of shallow marine carbonates, and establishes previously unexplored relationships between carbonate and siliciclastic strata in the Proterozoic.
Satiric parody through Indian English tweets in Twitter
Authors: Kathpalia Sujata S.
Published: May 2022

This paper examines satiric parody in Hinglish tweets that users created in response to the censorship in India of the James Bond movie Spectre. The analysis reveals the creativity with which users conflated two different cultures (Indian and Western) and languages (Hindi and English) in their tweets for a parodic portrayal of James Bond in an Indianized avatar and a satirical criticism of the underlying conservative ideology behind the censorship of the movie. Rather than taking the form of acrimonious debate on the issue of censorship, the #SanskariJamesBond tweets show how users dealt with the issue through satirical user‐generated Twitter memes. This study demonstrates that parody through code‐mixed tweets is an effective way of highlighting controversies, taking a stand on them, and, simultaneously, countering conflicting views through a collective public response on a social media platform.
Acute liver failure secondary to therapeutic paracetamol dosing in an extremely preterm neonate
Authors: Raghu Krishna , Berry Mary Judith
Published: May 2022

We report the first case of standard therapeutic dose paracetamol for patent ductus arteriosus closure causing acute liver failure in an extremely preterm infant. After 5 days of treatment, he presented with jaundice, acute severe hepatitis and coagulopathy. Treatment with N-acetyl cysteine resulted in full recovery.
ON BOX DIMENSION OF HADAMARD FRACTIONAL INTEGRAL (PARTLY ANSWER FRACTAL CALCULUS CONJECTURE)
Authors: XIAO WEI
Published: May 2022

This paper probes into change of box dimension for an arbitrary fractal continuous function after Hadamard fractional integration. For classic calculus, we know that a function’s differentiability increases one-order after integration, and decreases one-order after differentiation. But for fractional integro-differentiation, this similar fundamental problem is still open [F. B. Tatom, The relationship between fractional calculus and fractals, Fractals 2 (1995) 217–229; M. Zähle and H. Ziezold, Fractional derivatives of Weierstrass-type functions, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 76 (1996) 265–275; Y. S. Liang and W. Y. Su, Riemann–Liouville fractional calculus of 1-dimensional continuous functions, Sci. Sin. Math. 4 (2016) 423–438 (in Chinese); Y. S. Liang, Progress on estimation of fractal dimensions of fractional calculus of continuous functions, Fractals 26 (2019), doi:10.1142/S0218348X19500841] (see conjecture 1.1), although it is believed that the roughness of a fractal function is increased or decreased accounts [Formula: see text] after [Formula: see text]-order fractional differentiation or integration. This paper partly answers this problem. Particularly, the estimation of box dimension of Hadamard fractional integral is of methodology for considering similar fractional integration. In this paper, it is proved that the upper box dimension of the graph of [Formula: see text] does not increase after [Formula: see text]-order Hadamard fractional integral [Formula: see text], i.e. [Formula: see text] Particularly, while [Formula: see text], for example, a function is of unbounded variation and/or infinite length, it holds [Formula: see text] which answers completely this conjecture for one-dimensional fractal function. The published paper could verify Conjecture 1.1 under Riemann–Liouville or Wyel fractional integral, for only constructed functions with one-dimensional fractal [Y. S. Liang and W. Y. Su, Riemann–Liouville fractional calculus of 1-dimensional continuous functions, Sci. Sin. Math. 4 (2016) 423–438 (in Chinese); Y. Li and W. Xiao, Fractal dimensions of Riemann–Liouville fractional integral of certain unbounded variational continuous function, Fractals 25 (2017), doi:10.1142/S0218348X17500475; Y. S. Liang, Fractal dimension of Riemann–Liouville fractional integral of 1-dimensional continuous functions, Fract. Calc. Appl. Anal. 21 (2018) 1651–1658; Q. Zhang, Some remarks on one-dimensional functions and their Riemann–Liouville fractional calculus, Acta Math. Sin. 3 (2014) 517–524; J. Wang and K. Yao, Construction and analysis of a special one-dimensional continuous function, Fractals 25 (2017), doi:10.1142/S0218348X17500207; X. Liu, J. Wang and H. L. Li, The classification of one-dimensional continuous functions and their fractional integral, Fractals 26 (2018), doi:10.1142/S0218348X18500639].
Correction of Chinese Dance Training Movements Based on Digital Feature Recognition Technology
Authors: Zhang LinJuan
Published: May 2022

In order to improve the effect of Chinese dance training, this paper combines digital feature recognition technology to correct and analyze Chinese dance training movements and constructs an intelligent auxiliary training system. In order to solve the travel time problem at the computationally complex interface and ensure its computational accuracy, a local adaptive triangulation technique is used in the fast-advance algorithm. Moreover, this paper designs the function of the system according to the user's needs, transforms the design concept into a figurative visual representation through the interactive prototype according to the function, carries out the visual design of the interface according to the interactive prototype, and uses the interactive technology to realize the development of the system. From the test analysis results, it can be seen that the Chinese dance training action correction system based on the digital feature recognition technology proposed in this paper has a good effect and can effectively promote the improvement of the Chinese dance training effect.