Introduction: Pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation relies on the intersection of a critical voltage gradient with tissue to cause cell death. Field-based lesion formation with PEF technologies may still depend on catheter-tissue contact (CTC). The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of CTC on PEF lesion formation with an investigational large area focal (LAF) catheter in a preclinical model. Methods: PEF ablation via a 10-spline LAF catheter was used to create discrete RV lesions and atrial lesion sets in 10 swine (8 acute, 2 chronic). Local impedance (LI) was used to assess CTC. Lesions were assigned to 3 cohorts using LI above baseline: No Tissue Contact (NTC: ≤∆10Ω, close proximity to tissue), Low Tissue Contact (LTC: ∆11-29Ω), and High Tissue Contact (HTC: ≥∆30Ω). Acute animals were infused with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and sacrificed ≥2hrs post-treatment. Chronic animals were remapped 30 days post-index procedure and stained with infused TTC. Results: Mean (±SD) RV treatment sizes between LTC (n=14) and HTC (n=17) lesions were not significantly different (depth: 5.65±1.96mm vs 5.68±2.05mm, p=0.999; width: 15.68±5.22mm vs 16.98±4.45mm, p=0.737) while mean treatment size for NTC lesions (n=6) was significantly smaller (1.67±1.16mm depth, 5.97±4.48mm width, p<0.05). For atrial lesion sets, acute and chronic conduction block were achieved with both LTC (N=7) and HTC (N=6), and NTC resulted in gaps. Conclusions: PEF ablation with a specialized LAF catheter in a swine model is dependent on CTC. LI as an indicator of CTC may aid in the creation of consistent transmural lesions in PEF ablation.

Purpose: Predicting Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) to assess the risk-benefit of the therapy is necessary due to the side effects of medications. We developed and validated an instrument for predicting BDP and compared it with an instrument currently used in neonates born in a Brazilian hospital. Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients born between 2016 and 2020, with gestational ages (GA) between 23 and 30 weeks. Predictive equations were elaborated using methods of selection of component variables: stepwise, conditional inference tree, Fisher’s exact test and all the collected variables; 70% of the sample was randomly selected for the construction of risk prediction equations, and the remaining 30% were used for their validation, application and comparison with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) instrument published in 2011, currently used in that institution. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the equations were calculated. Results: The equation that used variables whose p-value was lower than 5% in Fisher’s exact test (clinical chorioamnionitis, GA, birth weight, sex, need for surfactant, patent ductus arteriosus, late-onset sepsis, inspired fraction of oxygen, and respiratory support) presented the best results: specificity of 98% and positive predictive value of 93%. Our instrument allowed applying the prediction to small-for-gestational-age (SGA). The currently used calculator applied to our population had a specificity of 93% and a positive predictive value of 75% and could not be applied to SGA patients. Conclusion: Our tool has a higher specificity and positive predictive value than the foreign instrument and is suited for SGA.

Background Approximately 70 % of individuals allergic to birch pollen (Bet v 1.01 [Bet]) develop a secondary food allergy (e.g. hazelnut: Cor a 1.04 [Cor]), due to allergen cross-reactivity. However, standard immunotherapy for type I allergies often does not improve the food allergy sufficiently. We analyzed the allergen-specific and cross-reactive suppressive capacity of primary human regulatory T cells (Treg) induced by autologous IL-10-modulated dendritic cells (IL-10 DC) in vitro and in vivo. Methods CD4 + T cells of patients with birch pollen and associated hazelnut allergies were differentiated into Bet-specific or non-specific induced Treg (iTreg). After Bet- or Cor- specific restimulation the phenotype, proliferation and suppressive capacity of iTreg subsets were analyzed. iTreg function was further investigated in humanized mouse models of airway and intestinal allergy, generated by engraftment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from allergic donors into immunodeficient animals. Results After IL-10 DC priming and allergen-specific restimulation (Bet or Cor) non-specific control iTreg remained anergic, whereas Bet-specific iTreg proliferated extensively and exhibited a regulatory phenotype (enhanced expression of CTLA-4, PD-1, TNFR2, IL-10). Accordingly, activated Bet-specific iTreg displayed a high capacity to suppress Bet- and Cor-induced responder T H2 cell responses in vitro, indicating induction of both allergen-specific (birch) and cross-reactive tolerance (hazelnut). In vivo, the beneficial effect of Bet-specific iTreg was verified in humanized mouse models of allergic airway and intestinal inflammation, resulting in reduced allergen-induced clinical symptoms and immune responses. Conclusion Human IL-10 DC-induced iTreg facilitate allergen-specific and cross-reactive tolerance. Therefore, they are potential candidates for regulatory cell therapy in allergic and autoimmune diseases.

Over the last few decades, the agricultural industry has witnessed significant advancements in autonomous systems, primarily aimed at improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The critical role of complete coverage path planning cannot be overstated in this context. It involves determining an optimal path for tasks such as harvesting, mowing, and spraying, taking into account various factors like land topography, operational requirements, and robot characteristics. Our previous approach introduced a tree-based exploration method to generate potential solutions, coupled with an optimization process to select the best ones, considering field complexities and robot characteristics. Yet, despite its strengths, it had certain limitations, notably in computational time and number of examined driving directions. In this paper, we present a novel hybrid method that combines the comprehensive coverage benefits of our original approach with the computational efficiency of the Fields2Cover algorithm. Besides combining our previous approach and Fieds2Cover strengths for optimizing coverage area, overlaps, non-working path length and overall travel time, it significantly improves the computation process, enhances the flexibility of trajectory generation. It also takes into account the working trajectory inclinations for more advanced optimization to address soil erosion and energy consumption. In an effort to support this innovative approach, we have also created and made available a public dataset. This dataset includes both 2D and 3D representations of thirty agricultural fields located in France. This resource not only illustrates the effectiveness of our approach but also provides an invaluable data for future research in complete coverage path planning within the context of modern agriculture.

Farmland habitats are witnessing steep declines in biodiversity. One rapidly declining farmland species is the Ortolan Bunting. In Finland, a staggering 99% of the population has been lost during the past 30 years. Changes in the breeding habitats have been proposed as a reason for the decline, although hazards during migration and wintering may also play a role. We gathered a 19-year data set of Finnish Ortolan Buntings and studied which spatial characteristics, habitat features, and climate factors might explain the population growth rate at the singing-group level. As explanatory variables we used region, density of small-scale landscape structures, proportion of agricultural area in the landscape, diversity of crop types, proportion of bare ground, and temperature and precipitation of previous breeding season. The only region with a marginally positive growth rate was North Ostrobothnia, where the species often occupies newly established fields. High crop type diversity mitigated the declines by perhaps providing a wide array of feeding, hiding and nesting places. Bare ground benefited Ortolan Buntings by perhaps providing an easy access to food. The last Ortolan Buntings occurred in landscapes dominated by interconnected agricultural land which, we think, reflects the species’ sociability and avoidance of forested areas. We suggest that agricultural intensification and the following potential reduction in food availability may be a cause of the decline of Ortolan Bunting. As general conservation measures, such as promoting set-aside land or field margins, have been inadequate, either in effect or in extent of application, it is evident that work remains. Northern populations of Ortolan Bunting should be targeted for further studies on feeding and breeding ecology as well as for urgent conservation actions, such as increasing crop type diversity and bare ground. Promoting more multi-functional and agro-ecologically managed agricultural landscapes would benefit a wider range of farmland species as well.

Bitterling fishes evolve an idiosyncratic symbiosis with freshwater mussels, in which they are obligated to spawn in the gills of mussels for reproduction. In recent years, freshwater mussel populations have been drastically diminishing, due to accelerating anthropogenic impacts, which can be large threats to the risk of bitterling’s extinction cascade (i.e. ‘coextinction’). The host mussel size may be an important factor driving the adaptation and evolution of bitterling’s reproductive phenotypes. Here we examined the host size preference and morphological adaptation of female bitterling to the host size from 17 localities at the Han River in Korea. Using our developed molecular-based species identification for bitterling’s eggs/larvae inside the mussels, we further determined the spawning patterns of seven bitterling species. Mean length of spawned mussels (N=453) was significantly larger than that of unspawned mussels (N=1,814), suggesting that bitterling prefers to use larger hosts as a spawning ground. Spawning probability was clearly greater as mussel size increases. Results of our reciprocal transplant experiments do provide some evidence supporting the ‘bitterling’s larger host preference’ hypothesis. Interspecific competition appeared to be intense as two fish species often spawned eggs in the same mussel individuals simultaneously. Longer ovipositor and more elongated egg may evolve in females of Tanakia signifier in response to larger host environments. The observed bitterling’s spawning preference for large-sized mussels may evolve perhaps because of the fitness advantage in relation to the offspring survival. Our findings further inform on the development of effective conservation and management strategy for the endangered bitterling fishes.

Animal societies use nestmate recognition to protect against social cheaters and parasites. In most social insect societies individuals recognize and exclude any non-nestmates and the roles of cuticular hydrocarbons as recognition cues are well documented. Some ambrosia beetles live in cooperatively breeding societies with farmed fungus cultures that are challenging to establish, but of very high value once established. Hence, social cheaters that sneak into a nest without paying the costs of nest foundation may be selected. Therefore, nestmate recognition is also expected to exist in ambrosia beetles, but so far nobody has investigated this behavior and its underlying mechanisms. Here we studied the ability for nestmate recognition in the cooperatively breeding ambrosia beetle Xyleborinus saxesenii, combining behavioural observations and cuticular hydrocarbon analyses. Laboratory nests of X. saxesenii were exposed to foreign adult females from the same population, another population and another species. Survival as well as behaviours of the foreign female were observed. Behaviours of the receiving individuals were also observed. We expected that increasing genetic distance would cause increasing distance in chemical profiles and increasing levels of behavioural exclusion and possibly mortality. Chemical profiles differed between populations and appeared as variable as in other highly social insects. However, we found only very little evidence for behavioural exclusion of foreign individuals. Interpopulation donors left nests at a higher rate than control donors, but neither their behaviours nor the behaviours of receiver individuals within the nest showed any response to the foreign individual in either of the treatments. These results suggest that cuticular hydrocarbon profiles might be used for communication and nestmate recognition, but that behavioural exclusion of non-nestmates is either absent in X. saxesenii or agonistic encounters are so rare or subtle that they could not be detected by our method. Additional studies are needed to investigate this further.

Fusion of a maxillary third molar with a supernumerary fourth molar: a case reportCase ImageA 20-year-old Caucasian male consulted the Department of Dentoalveolar Surgery, School of Dentistry in February 2023 due to intermittent pain in the left side of maxilla and face. Intraoral examination revealed probing pocket depth distally to left maxillary second molar 7mm and bleeding on probing. No health problem arises from medical history. Panoramic radiograph revealed impacted mandibular third molar, mesially angulated, with medium impaction depth, abnormal shape and size in close proximity with maxillary sinus floor (Figure 1).Preoperatively 2gr of Amoxicillin were prescribed. Surgical extraction took place under local anesthesia. Infiltration anesthesia with Lidocaine 2% with 1:80000 epinephrine. A full thickness mucoperiosteal flap was prepared and raised, and then ostectomy was performed using surgical handpiece and sterile saline irrigation. Tooth extraction was performed using straight and Warwick-James elevators. Valsalva maneuver was negative. Extraction socket was flushed with saline and flap was repositioned and sutured. Niflumic acid 250mg was prescribed for 3-5 days. Ex vivo examination of the tooth confirmed “double” tooth diagnosis. In order to obtain as much information as possible regarding dental anatomy, photos of all aspects of the tooth were taken and ex vivo CBCT of the tooth was carried out (Figure 2, Figure 3). Additionally, tooth was submerged in epoxy resin. After setting, three sections of the tooth were cut with a low-speed precision sectioning machine (Isomet 11-1180 Buehler, Lake Bluff, IL, USA) with water cooling. The cut surface of each tooth specimen was ground on a polishing machine (Jean Wirtz TG 250, Dusseldorf, Germany) with 200 rpm under water cooling (50 mL/min) using gradually 600-, 800-, and 1000-grit silicon carbide abrasive papers (Apex S system, Buehler, Lake Bluff, IL, USA) for 20s each. Final tooth sections were <1mm. Tooth specimen was placed between two liner polarization filters. Afterwards flash (Speedlight SB-700, Nikon, Japan) with softbox (Godox, China) was held from one side and DSLR camera (D7200, Nikon, Japan) with macro lens (Micro Nikkor 105mm, Nikon, Japan) from the other side. Filters were crossed in different directions until intended result was obtained (Figure 4, 5, 6). Sutures were removed after one week, healing was unproblematic. Oral examination after six months revealed complete healing of soft tissues.Differential diagnosis between different subcategories of “double” tooth is difficult. The supposition that gemination displays a single root canal and fusion displays several root canals is controversial. Fusion of a normal tooth with supernumeraries will still result in a normal tooth count. Given the presence of features suggestive of both diagnoses, this case, actually, presented a diagnostic dilemma.Fusion of two impacted teeth apparently results in a larger dental structure that makes extraction more invasive and inevitably raises the possibility of complications. Close proximity of maxillary third molar with maxillary sinus floor has to be appreciated. Fracture of maxillary tuberosity may occur in cases with extensive ostectomy.Alterations in tooth size and shape during initial radiographic examination may be a primary sign of dental abnormalities. Utilizing contemporary imaging techniques, including CBCT and dental photography, may showcase such special dental anatomies and complement dentists’ education in this field. Dentists’ awareness will result in a meticulous treatment planning and ensure a successful outcome.Figure legendsFigure 1: Initial panoramic radiograph. White arrow shows impacted third molar with small changes in size and shapeFigure 2: Images of the extracted “double” tooth from different aspectsFigure 3: Images exported from ex vivo CBCT of extracted “double tooth”. Shared pulp canal system is noticed.Figure 4: Image of the first tooth section, using polarization filters, DSLR, macro lens and flashFigure 5: Image of the second tooth section, using polarization filters, DSLR, macro lens and flashFigure 6: Image of the third tooth section, using polarization filters, DSLR, macro lens and flash

Regression of kaposiform lymphangiomatosis and chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation after inhaled budesonide-formoterol treatmentMasaru Imamura1, Chansu Shin1, Akihiko Saitoh1, Michio Ozeki 2, Kentaro Matsuoka3 Chihaya Imai11Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan2Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan3Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center, Tokyo, JapanCorresponding author: Masaru Imamura, Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuou-ku, Niigata City, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.Phone +81-25-227-2222FAX +81-25-227-0778Email: mimamura@med.niigata-u.ac.jpWord Count for Main Text: 701 wordsNumber of Tables: 0Number of Figures: 2Running title: KLA IMPROVED AFTER INHALED STEROIDKeywords: kaposiform lymphangiomatosis, lymphatic malformation, inhaled corticosteroid, rare disease, progressive diseaseAbbreviations:

Many subcomponents of human language can be found within the vocal communication systems of other species, most notably songbirds. One of the most prominent of these subcomponents is syntax. While studies of syntax are abundant, a lack of consensus on the definition of syntax has led to much debate. The goal of this review paper is to solidify the definitions of syntax and to explore the mechanisms that shape syntax formation in songbirds and other species, with a specific focus on neurobiology, genetics, dopamine, and chunking organization.

A 1D multifluid population balance model approach is presented as a compromise between computational effort and accuracy. The approach is used to test process scenarios, perform sensitivity analysis, and provide a reliable scale-up and optimization tool. The study focuses on a mini-plant batch bubble column, where the scale-up behavior in terms of bubble column height, gas flux, and composition of the liquid phase is investigated. Although simplifications were made, the model requires calibration to experimental data using different calibration methods. An optimal calibration procedure is found that minimizes experimental effort while maximizing scalability. The model was tested on various liquid-phase compositions, and it was found to reproduce experimental data accurately. However, the model cannot reproduce flow regime changes and does not perform well outside the calibrated concentration. The study shows that the applied 1D multifluid populations balance approach is a valuable and reliable tool in multiphase reactor scale-up and optimization.

Recent advances in computing power triggered the use of Artificial Intelligence in image analysis in life sciences. To train these algorithms, a large enough set of certified labelled data is required. The trained neural network is then capable of producing accurate instance segmentation results, that will then need to be re-assembled into the original dataset: the entire process requires substantial expertise and time to achieve quantifiable results. To speed-up the process, from cell organelle detection to quantification across modalities, we propose a deep learning based approach for Fast AutoMatic Outline Segmentation (FAMOUS), that involves organelle detection combined with image morphology, and 3D meshing to automatically segment, visualize and quantify cell organelles within volume electron microscopy datasets. From start to finish, FAMOUS provides full segmentation results within a week on previously unseen datasets. FAMOUS was showcased on a dataset acquired using a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIBSEM), and on yeast cells acquired by transmission electron microscopy.

Adeeb Oweidat MD, DESAIC, EDRA

Treatment for childhood solid tumors may lead to an increased risk for gonadal dysfunction/infertility. Discussion of risk should occur at diagnosis, any changes in therapy, and during survivorship. Gonadotoxic therapies were abstracted from 32 Children’s Oncology Group (COG) phase III, frontline solid tumor protocols, in use from 2000-2022. Risk for gonadal dysfunction/infertility was assessed based on gonadotoxic therapies, sex, and pubertal status and assigned as minimal, significant, and high following the Oncofertility Consortium Pediatric Initiative Network (PIN) risk stratification. Most protocols (65.6%, 21/32) contained at least one therapeutic arm with a high level of increased risk. Solid tumor therapies present challenges in risk stratification due to response-adjusted therapy and the need to account for radiation field in the risk assessment. This guide hopes to serve as a tool to assist in standardizing gonadotoxic risk assessments across disciplines and improve referral for fertility services and reproductive health counseling for patients receiving COG based solid tumor therapy.

Mattin’s durational concert Social Dissonance and concept of social dissonance offer compelling devices to understand a central tension within institutions of higher education in settler colonial contexts. As faculty and students increasingly enact and experience forms of decolonial pedagogy in their classrooms, the settler colonial origins and structures of the university remain unchallenged. In the specific case of the ‘Land-Grant’ university system, created through the federal 1862 Morrill Act, the findings of a 2020 ‘Land-Grab Universities’ report describes the extent of their founding on the forced expropriation of Indigenous land and life. This article mixes the settler author’s repeated experiences of Social Dissonance at documenta 14, in both Athens, Greece, and its traditional home of Kassel, Germany, and how its institutional and pedagogical contexts translate to a sequence of teaching experiments in his classrooms at a ‘Land-Grab’ university. These experiences and experiments are framed by two failures, both institutional and individual, that offer the author a concrete insight into the concept of social dissonance to understand how different levels of alienation operate through colonial intrusion into educational contexts by an exclusionary settler worldview. At the same time, the author attempts to harness this settler colonial noise-as-device by attuning to echoes of Social Dissonance in the vital work of living, Indigenous artists, and their alternative pedagogical initiatives.

Low cholesterol levels are good markers for central hypothyroidism in case with dialysis using roxadustatSerina Kita1，Hiroshi Okuyama2，Takaya Kondo1，Mizuki Hayashi1，Shinichiro Nakao1，Toshitaka Sawamura2，Keiji Fujimoto1，Atsushi Nakagawa3，Hitoshi Yokoyama1，Kengo Furuichi1Department of Nephrology, Kanazawa Medical University1，Asanogawa General Hospital2，Department of Diabetology and endocrinology, Kanazawa Medical University3Corresponding author　Kengo FuruichiKanazawa Medical University　Department of Nephrology1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japantel +81-76-286-2211 (ext 33401)fax +81-76-286-2786　 E-mail: furuichi@kanazawa-med.ac.jpKeywords： hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitors, low cholesterol levels, roxadustat, central hypothyroidismPatient consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient to publish this report in accordance with the journal’spatient consent policy.

Type V Gastric Ulcer: An Unusual Etiology of Gastrosplenic Fistula Associated with Upper Gastrointestinal BleedingMuhammad Nadeem Yousaf MD1, Riyasha Dahal MBBS2, Subeena Phull MD3, Vinayak Aryal MD4, Karun Neupane MD5, Hamza Ertugrul MD6, Ebubekir Daglilar MD71Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States2Department of Medicine, Universal College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Nepal3Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States4Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MetroHealth System, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States5Department of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States6Department of Medicine, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury, CT, United States7Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyCharleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV, United StatesKeywords: Gastric Ulcers, Gastrosplenic fistula, Gastrointestinal bleeding, NSAIDs, Embolization, Endoscopy.Consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient to publish this report in accordance with the journal’s patient consent policy.

Biologists increasingly rely on computer code to collect and analyze their data, reinforcing the importance of published code for transparency, reproducibility, training, and a basis for further work. Here we conduct a literature review examining temporal trends in code sharing in ecology and evolution publications since 2010, and test for an influence of code sharing on citation rate. We find that there is wide room for improvement in sharing code, as scientists are overwhelmingly (95%) failing to publish their code and that there has been no significant improvement over time. We also determined that there is a significant incentive to share, as we additionally find that code sharing can considerably improve citations, particularly when combined with open-access publication.