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Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024In plant models such as , phosphatidic acid (PA), a key molecule of lipid signaling, was shown not only to be involved in stress responses, but also in plant development...
In plant models such as , phosphatidic acid (PA), a key molecule of lipid signaling, was shown not only to be involved in stress responses, but also in plant development and nutrition. In this article, we highlight lipid signaling existing in crop species. Based on open access databases, we update the list of sequences encoding phospholipases D, phosphoinositide-dependent phospholipases C, and diacylglycerol-kinases, enzymes that lead to the production of PA. We show that structural features of these enzymes from model plants are conserved in equivalent proteins from selected crop species. We then present an in-depth discussion of the structural characteristics of these proteins before focusing on PA binding proteins. For the purpose of this article, we consider RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOGUEs (RBOHs), the most documented PA target proteins. Finally, we present pioneering experiments that show, by different approaches such as monitoring of gene expression, use of pharmacological agents, ectopic over-expression of genes, and the creation of silenced mutants, that lipid signaling plays major roles in crop species. Finally, we present major open questions that require attention since we have only a perception of the peak of the iceberg when it comes to the exciting field of phospholipid signaling in plants.
PubMed: 38891340
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111532 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jun 2024This work aimed to investigate the change in fingerprint depth and the recovery rule of fingerprint biological recognition function after repairing finger abdominal...
BACKGROUND
This work aimed to investigate the change in fingerprint depth and the recovery rule of fingerprint biological recognition function after repairing finger abdominal defects and rebuilding fingerprint with a free flap.
METHOD
From April 2018 to March 2023, we collected a total of 43 cases of repairing finger pulp defects using the free flap of the fibular side of the great toe with the digital nerve. After surgery, irregular follow-up visits were conducted to observe fingerprint clarity, perform the ninhydrin test or detect visible sweating with the naked eye. We recorded fingerprint clarity, nail shape, two-point discrimination, cold perception, warm perception and fingerprint recognition using smartphones. The reconstruction process of the repaired finger was recorded to understand the changes in various observation indicators and their relationship with the depth of the fingerprint. The correlation between fingerprint depth and neural repair was determined, and the process of fingerprint biological recognition function repair was elucidated.
RESULT
All flaps survived, and we observed various manifestations in different stages of nerve recovery. The reconstructed fingerprint had a clear fuzzy process, and the depth changes of the fingerprint were consistent with the changes in the biological recognition function curve.
CONCLUSION
The free flap with the digital nerve is used to repair finger pulp defects. The reconstructed fingerprint has a biological recognition function, and the depth of the fingerprint is correlated with the process of nerve repair. The fingerprint morphology has a dynamic recovery process, and it can reach a stable state after 6-8 months.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Free Tissue Flaps; Middle Aged; Finger Injuries; Soft Tissue Injuries; Young Adult; Recovery of Function; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Toes; Fingers; Treatment Outcome; Fibula; Adolescent; Aged
PubMed: 38890706
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07563-2 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Although 3D reconstruction has been widely used in many fields as a key component of environment perception, existing technologies still have the potential for further...
Although 3D reconstruction has been widely used in many fields as a key component of environment perception, existing technologies still have the potential for further improvement in 3D scene reconstruction. We propose an improved reconstruction algorithm based on the MVSNet network architecture. To glean richer pixel details from images, we suggest deploying a DE module integrated with a residual framework, which supplants the prevailing feature extraction mechanism. The DE module uses ECA-Net and dilated convolution to expand the receptive field range, performing feature splicing and fusion through the residual structure to retain the global information of the original image. Moreover, harnessing attention mechanisms refines the 3D cost volume's regularization process, bolstering the integration of information across multi-scale feature volumes, consequently enhancing depth estimation precision. When assessed our model using the DTU dataset, findings highlight the network's 3D reconstruction scoring a completeness (comp) of 0.411 mm and an overall quality of 0.418 mm. This performance is higher than that of traditional methods and other deep learning-based methods. Additionally, the visual representation of the point cloud model exhibits marked advancements. Trials on the Blended MVS dataset signify that our network exhibits commendable generalization prowess.
PubMed: 38890489
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64805-y -
Geoderma Regional Jun 2024In the Eastern Gangetic Plain (EGP) soil hydrology is a major determinant of land use and also governs the ecosystem services derived from cropping systems, particularly...
In the Eastern Gangetic Plain (EGP) soil hydrology is a major determinant of land use and also governs the ecosystem services derived from cropping systems, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice fields. To characterize patterns of soil hydrology in these, daily field monitoring of water levels was conducted during the monsoon () season in a comparatively wet (2021) and dry (2022) year with flooding depth and drainage tracked with field water tubes across 47 (2021) and 183 (2022) locations. Fields were clustered into hydrologic response types (HRT) which can then be used for land surface modelling, land use recommendations, and to target agronomic interventions that contribute to sustainable development outcomes. Clusters based on two methods of summarizing a single information source were compared. The information source was a time-series of field water-level observations, and the two methods were (1) the original time-series and their first differences and (2) a set of derived hydrologic descriptors that are conceptually related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Clustering was (1) by k-means with an optimization of cluster numbers and (2) by hierarchical clustering with the same number of clusters as identified by k-means. Hydrologic behaviour shifted dramatically between growing seasons, and it was not possible to identify consistent HRT's across years. The clusters had only a weak relation with soil properties, almost no relation with farmer perception of relative landscape position, and no relation with rice establishment method. Clusters based on time-series were moderately well predicted in the dry year 2022 by optimized random forest models, with the most important predictors being the number of irrigations, seasonal precipitation, pre-monsoon groundwater levels, seasonal groundwater level change, and pH, this latter as a surrogate for landscape position and other soil properties. In the wet year 2021 clusters were (poorly) predicted by just seasonal precipitation and pre-monsoon groundwater levels. This shows the complex relation of soil hydrology with landscape position and land management, as well as synoptic climate. By contrast, clusters based on the descriptors were not well-matched with those from the time-series, and could not be well predicted by random forest models. This shows that different clustering criteria may result in different interpretations of the landscape hydrology and thus different heuristics for anticipating the hydrology of a given field under different management choices.
PubMed: 38887654
DOI: 10.1016/j.geodrs.2024.e00784 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2024A shift away from diets high in animal-based foods towards diets high in plant-based foods is desirable considering human health, environmental sustainability, and...
BACKGROUND
A shift away from diets high in animal-based foods towards diets high in plant-based foods is desirable considering human health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. As the food environment plays a crucial role in shaping consumption patterns, understanding of how changes in the food environment can facilitate plant-based consumption is crucial for the so-called protein transition. The current study aims to garner insight into barriers and facilitators for food outlet managers to take action to stimulate plant-based consumption within a local food environment.
METHODS
Using a maximum-variation sample approach, we examined possible barriers and facilitators to promote plant-based consumption across different types of food outlets located within a geographically shared food environment (a city in the Netherlands). We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews among food outlet managers and applied multi-stage thematic analysis to the interview transcripts.
RESULTS
Most managers underscored the urgency of shifting towards more plant-based diets, and perceived a growing demand for plant-based products. However, three barriers hindered most of them from taking decisive action: Managers' perception of low consumer demand for plant-based food options; fear of consumer resistance when stimulating plant-based food options; and limited behavioral agency to offer attractive plant-based food options. The few managers who made changes, or intend to make changes, are individuals with high intrinsic motivation, knowledge and skills.
CONCLUSIONS
The present work suggests the key for change towards a food environment stimulating plant-based consumption lies in addressing three (perceived) barriers shared among diverse outlets. These are partly different from barriers for stimulating healthy consumption in general. Furthermore, current changes appear to be driven incidentally by individuals who are motivated and able to stimulate more plant-based purchases among a small targeted group of consumers.
Topics: Humans; Netherlands; Diet, Vegetarian; Food Supply; Qualitative Research; Interviews as Topic; Health Promotion
PubMed: 38886701
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19121-5 -
International Journal of Telemedicine... 2024Teleradiology allows distant facilities to electronically transmit images for interpretation, thereby bridging the radiology service gap between urban and rural areas....
Barriers and Facilitators Experienced During the Implementation of Web-Based Teleradiology System in Public Hospitals of the Northwest Ethiopia: An Interpretive Description Study.
Teleradiology allows distant facilities to electronically transmit images for interpretation, thereby bridging the radiology service gap between urban and rural areas. The technology improves healthcare quality, treatment options, and diagnostic accuracy. However, in low resource settings like Ethiopia, teleradiology services are limited, posing challenges for implementation. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the factors that facilitated or hindered the implementation of web-based teleradiology in the public hospitals of the South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. In this study, a purposive sampling method was employed to select seventeen participants, including hospital managers, physicians, emergency surgeons, and radiologists, for an in-depth interview (IDI). The interviews were conducted from March to May 2023. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using an abductive coding technique at the semantic/explicit level. Data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted face-to-face and virtually, with audio recordings transcribed, translated, and analyzed using Open Code version 4.02 software. Trustworthiness was ensured through prolonged engagement, reflective journaling, and review by coauthors. The study examined eight main themes, with barriers to sustainable teleradiology implementation falling into five categories: technological, organizational, environmental, individual, and workflow and communication. Conversely, identified facilitators included improved radiology service efficiency, system accessibility, collaboration opportunities, and user trust in the radiology ecosystem. Within each theme, factors with potential impacts on teleradiology system sustainability were identified, such as the lack of system handover mechanisms, absence of a central image consultation center, and inadequate staffing of full-time radiologists and technical personnel. The study highlights the positive user perception of a web-based teleradiology system's user-friendliness and efficiency. Overcoming challenges and leveraging facilitators are crucial for optimizing teleradiology and improving service delivery and patient outcomes. A centralized consultation center with dedicated radiologists and technical personnel is recommended for maximizing efficiency.
PubMed: 38883327
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5578056 -
Nurse Education in Practice Jun 2024This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of nursing students' xenophobic tendencies toward refugees and affecting factors from the perspective of...
The tendency and affecting factors of nursing students' Xenophobia toward refugees from the perspective of ecological systems theory: A convergent parallel mixed method study.
AIM
This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of nursing students' xenophobic tendencies toward refugees and affecting factors from the perspective of Ecological Systems Theory.
BACKGROUND
Nursing students' xenophobia toward refugees may negatively affect their care for patients. To effectively prevent xenophobia, it is essential to identify its underlying factors.
DESIGN
A convergent parallel mixed method.
METHODS
This study was conducted with third and fourth-grade nursing students at a university in Turkey. In the quantitative phase, online surveys were used, employing convenience sampling, with 227 participants. In the qualitative phase, purposive sampling was used and data were collected through in-depth interviews with 17 participants on the Zoom platform. Data were obtained using the Participant Information Form, Xenophobia Scale and Semi-Structured Interview Form.
RESULTS
Nursing students who are male, in their third year, have low economic status, lack immigrant friends, lack immigrants in the family members, receive information about immigrants from social media and live in regions with a high concentration of immigrants have higher levels of xenophobia (p<0.05). In the qualitative phase, our study results showed that negative experiences with refugees, economic and social worries, perception of security threats, cultural conflicts and negative media messages toward refugees can lead to xenophobia. In addition, students stated that lessons about immigrants and caring for them in clinics can improve their ability to empathize with immigrants.
CONCLUSION
Nursing curriculums should cover immigrant care and interaction to combat xenophobia, which can improve empathy skills and raise awareness.
PubMed: 38879910
DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104013 -
The Laryngoscope Jun 2024The bowing index (BI) and normalized glottal gap area (NGGA) are used to quantify vocal fold morphology in ARVA; however, the influence of the distance between the...
INTRODUCTION
The bowing index (BI) and normalized glottal gap area (NGGA) are used to quantify vocal fold morphology in ARVA; however, the influence of the distance between the flexible laryngoscope lens and the target area is not known. The goal is to test whether the endoscopic distance impacts vocal fold morphology measurements in patients with ARVA during flexible video laryngostroboscopy (VLS).
METHOD
Patients with ARVA who underwent VLS were included. Images were classified into near (close to the petiole of the epiglottis) and far (below nasopharynx, with tongue base and entire epiglottis visible) conditions. BI was calculated using a mobile application, and NGGA was measured using ImageJ.
RESULTS
This study included 23 patients; the mean age was 77 ± 7 years. Mean BI measured at the near distance was higher than far distances with a mean difference of 1.94 (95% CI: 0.92-2.96, p = 0.001). NGGA showed difference with changed distance -0.24 (95% CI: -0.48 to 0.01, p < 0.05).When stratifying patients into two groups based on median BI measurement, there was a statistically significant difference between near and far conditions, with increased BI in the near condition for patients above the median (p < 0.05), but no difference between the near and far condition for patients with BI below the median.
CONCLUSION
The BI and NGGA were impacted by the endoscopic distance during flexible VLS. BI was significantly higher in the near condition compared with the far condition. The difference in BI between the near and far conditions was more pronounced when the vocal fold bowing was greater. These findings call for heightened awareness of measurement discrepancies secondary to the endoscopic distance during flexible laryngostroboscopy.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 2 Laryngoscope, 2024.
PubMed: 38877827
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31579 -
BMC Surgery Jun 2024We describe a surgical technique for ACL reconstruction combined with anterolateral structure reinforcement and report early clinical follow-up results.
PURPOSE
We describe a surgical technique for ACL reconstruction combined with anterolateral structure reinforcement and report early clinical follow-up results.
METHODS
The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons are braided into 5 strands and the ACL femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel are created. The graft is passed through the tunnel with the use of a traction suture and the tibial end is fixed with absorbable interference screws at 30° of knee flexion. The ACL graft traction suture is used as an anterolateral reconstruction structure to pass through the proximal exit of the ACL femoral tunnel and then through the depth of the iliotibial bundle to the anterior to Gerdy's tubercle, a bony tunnel is created from the anterior to Gerdy's tubercle to the goose foot, and the traction suture is passed through this bony tunnel to form a Loop structure at 20° of knee flexion. Between March 2021 and May 2022 IKDC score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score were performed preoperatively and 6-12 months postoperatively in 24 consecutive patients who met the indications for this procedure and underwent surgery. The patient's maximum flexion angle, the circumference of the thigh, and the stress X-ray between the operated and healthy knee were measured.
RESULTS
Patients showed significant improvement in IKDC score, Lysholm score and Tegner score at a mean follow-up of 7 months postoperatively compared to preoperatively. No significant increase in anterior tibial displacement was found between the patient's operated side and the healthy side.
CONCLUSION
The Loop technique ACLR combined with ALSA can be used in patients with an ACL tear combined with a high degree of positive pivot shift. The patient's subjective perception was significantly improved from the preoperative period and knee stability was restored.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
IV, therapeutic study.
Topics: Humans; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Adult; Male; Female; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Follow-Up Studies; Suture Techniques; Range of Motion, Articular; Middle Aged; Tendons; Tibia; Adolescent
PubMed: 38877438
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-024-02439-7 -
IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis... Jun 2024Recently, perception task based on Bird's-Eye View (BEV) representation has drawn more and more attention, and BEV representation is promising as the foundation for...
Recently, perception task based on Bird's-Eye View (BEV) representation has drawn more and more attention, and BEV representation is promising as the foundation for next-generation Autonomous Vehicle (AV) perception. However, most existing BEV solutions either require considerable resources to execute on-vehicle inference or suffer from modest performance. This paper proposes a simple yet effective framework, termed Fast-BEV, which is capable of performing faster BEV perception on the on-vehicle chips. Towards this goal, we first empirically find that the BEV representation can be sufficiently powerful without expensive transformer based transformation nor depth representation. Our Fast-BEV consists of five parts, We innovatively propose (1) a lightweight deploymentfriendly view transformation which fast transfers 2D image feature to 3D voxel space, (2) an multi-scale image encoder which leverages multi-scale information for better performance, (3) an efficient BEV encoder which is particularly designed to speed up on-vehicle inference. We further introduce (4) a strong data augmentation strategy for both image and BEV space to avoid over-fitting, (5) a multiframe feature fusion mechanism to leverage the temporal information. Among them, (1) and (3) enable Fast-BEV to be fast inference and deployment friendly on the on-vehicle chips, (2), (4) and (5) ensure that Fast-BEV has competitive performance. All these make Fast-BEV a solution with high performance, fast inference speed, and deployment-friendly on the on-vehicle chips of autonomous driving. Through experiments, on 2080Ti platform, our R50 model can run 52.6 FPS with 47.3% NDS on the nuScenes validation set, exceeding the 41.3 FPS and 47.5% NDS of the BEVDepth-R50 model [1] and 30.2 FPS and 45.7% NDS of the BEVDet4D-R50 model [2]. Our largest model (R101@900x1600) establishes a competitive 53.5% NDS on the nuScenes validation set. We further develop a benchmark with considerable accuracy and efficiency on current popular on-vehicle chips. The code is released at: https://github.com/Sense-GVT/FastBEV.
PubMed: 38875097
DOI: 10.1109/TPAMI.2024.3414835