bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmological particle creation using an equal-time Wigner formalism
Authors: Semrén Philip
Published: October 2024

It is well known that the expansion of the universe can create particles. However, due to ambiguities when defining particles during the expansion, there are still debates about how to choose vacuum and particle states. To clarify how particles are produced in an expanding universe, we study the creation of real scalar particles in flat Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker spacetimes by using a recently developed equal-time Wigner formalism. By comparing this quantum kinetic formalism with the standard Bogoliubov approach, we make a natural definition of a particle number in terms of kinetic phase-space functions, which we then compare with common adiabatic particle numbers. With inspiration from flat spacetime QED, we perform numerical calculations and discuss the interpretation of the particle numbers in terms of a hypothetical switch-off in the expansion rate. Finally, we consider how this interpretation is affected by regularization.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Asymptotic decoupling of population growth rate and cell size distribution
Authors: Hein Yaïr , Jafarpour Farshid
Published: October 2024

The rate at which individual bacterial cells grow depends on the concentrations of cellular components such as ribosomes and proteins. These concentrations continuously fluctuate over time and are inherited from mother to daughter cells, leading to correlations between the growth rates of cells across generations. Division sizes of cells are also stochastic and correlated across generations due to a phenomenon known as cell size regulation. Fluctuations and correlations from both growth and division processes affect the population dynamics of an exponentially growing culture. Here, we provide analytic solutions for the population dynamics of cells with continuously fluctuating growth rates coupled with a generic model of cell-size regulation. We show that in balanced growth, the effects of growth and division processes decouple; the population growth rate only depends on the single-cell growth rate process, and the population cell size distribution only depends on the model of division and cell size regulation. The population growth rate is always higher than the average single-cell growth rate and the difference increases with growth rate variability and its correlation time. This difference also sets the timescale for the population to reach its steady state. We provide analytical solutions for oscillations in population growth rate and traveling waves in size distribution during this approach to the steady state.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Odour information enables patch choice by mammalian herbivores from afar, leading to predictable plant associational effects
Authors: Finnerty Patrick B. , Shrader Adrian M. , Banks Peter B. , Schmitt Melissa H. , McArthur Clare
Published: October 2024

Neighbouring plants can alter the susceptibility of high‐quality focal plants to herbivores by affecting herbivore patch choice. Herbivores can use plant odour to make patch‐scale foraging decisions from afar, but the actual information they rely on within complex plant odours is rarely defined. Revealing the information enabling patch choice by herbivores will provide the mechanistic link underpinning associational effects of plant neighbours arising from these foraging decisions.

Here, our first aim was to test whether odour cues alone enable a mammalian herbivore to make patch choice decisions leading to predictable associational effects of neighbours on high‐quality focal plants. Our second aim was then to test whether artificial odour, designed to mimic the informative odour component within the whole odour profile of low‐quality neighbours, is as effective as real plants in influencing patch choice and associational refuge.

We tested patch choice by African elephants, Loxodonta africana using a giant Y‐maze and real or artificial plant odours as the only cues for the neighbours of a high‐quality focal plant. We quantified the probability of various odour treatments being chosen in comparison with the odour of a focal plant alone.

Compared with focal plants alone, we found that elephants were more likely to choose patches with the focal plant plus high‐quality neighbours of the same or different species, but less likely to choose patches with the focal plant plus low‐quality neighbours. We also demonstrated that an artificial subset of odours, designed to be informative, were as effective as real low‐quality neighbours in influencing patch choice and hence associational refuge to the focal plant.

Our results demonstrate a key role of plant odour—and specifically informative components within complex odour profiles—in patch choice decisions by a mammalian herbivore, leading to plant associational effects on high‐quality focal plants. Understanding what olfactory information herbivores use when deciding which patches to visit or avoid, and how it affects focal plant susceptibility is important ecologically. Non‐random patch choice will not only affect individual fitness of herbivores, but also shape plant community dynamics through impacting plant survival and recruitment. Furthermore, artificially re‐creating odour information could offer a new tool to influence herbivore foraging decisions, with implications for wildlife management and conservation, including plant protection.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Heterogeneous strategy and performance decomposition of regional industries in China: From the perspective of resource misallocation
Authors: Cheng Yu , Su Bin , Lv Kangjuan , Zhu Siwei
Published: October 2024

The rapid expansion of China's industrial sector has been accompanied by energy consumption and environmental pollution. Accurately identifying the sources of inefficiency of industrial sector is crucial for achieving sustainable development. To address this issue, this study develops a novel decomposition approach that combines the concepts of natural and managerial disposability with an aggregate directional distance function approach to measure the performance of regional industries in China from 2006 to 2019. In the proposed approach, the overall inefficiency is decomposed into technical inefficiency and structural inefficiency. The latter component, which captures inefficiency associated with resource misallocation within a country, is further divided into mix and scale elements. The results show that there remains much room for potential improvement in both the operational and environmental performance of China's industrial system, particularly in the central area. Furthermore, structural inefficiency is the primary contributor to the overall inefficiency of Chinese industry under natural disposability, whereas technical inefficiency appears as the main source of the inefficiency under managerial disposability. The results also reveal great disparities in terms of the overall inefficiency and the sources of inefficiency of Chinese industrial sector among regions between different mitigation strategies. Given the substantial structural effect on the performance of Chinese industries across regions, it is necessary to accelerate the establishment of market mechanisms to promote efficient allocation of resources.
Effect of case identification changes on pre‐hospital intubation performance indicators in an Australian helicopter emergency medical service
Authors: Garner Alan A , Scognamiglio Andrew , Kamarova Sviatlana
Published: October 2024

Objective

A 45‐min interval from injury to intubation has been proposed as a performance indicator for severe trauma patient management. In the Sydney pre‐hospital system a previous change in case identification systems was associated with activation delay. We aimed to determine if this also decreased the proportion of patients intubated within this benchmark.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients intubated by a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) over two time periods. Period 1 dispatch was via HEMS crew directly screening the computerised dispatch system, and period 2 was via paramedics in a central control room. Times from emergency call to intubation were compared.

Results

In the HEMS crew screening period 46/58 (79.31%) intubations met the target, compared with 137/314 (43.6%) in the central control period (P < 0.001). The median (interquartile range) time to intubation in the direct crew screening period was 33 (25–41) min, versus the central control period at 47 (38–60) min (P < 0.001).

On multivariate modelling, distance to the scene was related to time to intubation (P < 0.001; Incident Rate Ratio = 1.018, 95% confidence interval 1.015–1.020) as was dispatch system, entrapment/access difficulty and indication for intubation (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Time from emergency call to intubation was significantly shorter in the HEMS screening period where all non‐trapped cases less than 50 km distant were intubated within the 45‐min benchmark. There was no distance where intubation within 45 min could be assured for non‐trapped patients in the central control period due to dispatch delays.
Feasibility study on discrimination of Polygonatum kingianum origins by NIR and MIR spectra data
Authors: Wang Yue , Wang Yuanzhong
Published: October 2024

Most existing studies have focused on identifying the origin of species with protected geographical indications while neglecting to determine the proximate geographical origin of different species. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using near‐ and mid‐infrared spectroscopy to identify the origin of 156 Polygonatum kingianum samples from six regions in Yunnan, China. In this work, spectral images of different modes reveal more information about the P. kingianum. Comparing the performance of traditional machine learning models according to single spectrum and data fusion, the middle‐level data fusion‐principal component model has the best performance, and its sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy are all 1, and the model has the least number of variables. The residual convolutional neural network (ResNet) model constructed in the 1050–850 cm−1 band confirms that fewer variables are beneficial in improving the accuracy of the model. In conclusion, this study verifies the feasibility of the proposed strategy and establishes a practical model to determine the source of P. kingianum.
Interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and six opportunistic pathogens cover a broad spectrum from mutualism to antagonism
Authors: Laffont Clémentine , Wechsler Tobias , Kümmerli Rolf
Published: October 2024

Bacterial infections often involve more than one pathogen. While it is well established that polymicrobial infections can impact disease outcomes, we know little about how pathogens interact and affect each other's behaviour and fitness. Here, we used a microscopy approach to explore interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and six human opportunistic pathogens that often co‐occur in polymicrobial infections: Acinetobacter baumannii, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. When following growing microcolonies on agarose pads over time, we observed a broad spectrum of species‐specific ecological interactions, ranging from mutualism to antagonism. For example, P. aeruginosa engaged in a mutually beneficial interaction with E. faecium but suffered from antagonism by E. coli. While we found little evidence for active directional growth towards or away from cohabitants, we observed that some pathogens increased growth in double layers in response to competition and that physical forces due to fast colony expansion had a major impact on fitness. Overall, our work provides an atlas of pathogen interactions, highlighting the diversity of potential species dynamics that may occur in polymicrobial infections. We discuss possible mechanisms driving pathogen interactions and offer predictions of how the different ecological interactions could affect virulence.
EZB‐type diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma cell lines have superior migration capabilities compared to MCD‐type
Authors: Sherif Marwa , Schäfer Hendrik , Scharf Sonja , van Oostendorp Vivienne , Sadeghi Shoreh Deli Aresu , Loth Andreas G. , Piel Matthieu , Hansmann Martin‐Leo , Oellerich Thomas , Fend Falko , Quintanilla‐Martinez Leticia , Hartmann Sylvia
Published: October 2024

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents the most prevalent aggressive B‐cell lymphoma. The group is heterogeneous and the outcome is variable. A variety of approaches have been employed with the objective of improving the stratification of DLBCL patients according to their prognosis, based on the cell of origin. Recently, distinct genetic subtypes of DLBCL have been identified. Given the importance of cell migration in immune cells, the objective of this study was to ascertain whether different genetic subtypes of DLBCL exhibit disparate migration abilities. MCD‐ and EZB‐type DLBCL cell lines were subjected to testing to ascertain their basal velocity in straight microchannels and their ability to overcome tight constrictions of 2 μm. The EZB‐type cell lines showed superior basal migration velocity and constriction passage time, and a similar trend was observed in live cell imaging of native human DLBCL tissue. In addition, MCD‐type DLBCL exhibited significantly elevated levels of nuclear lamin A/C, which is responsible for the stiffness of the nuclear envelope and could thus explain the disparate migration behaviours observed among these subtypes. Our study suggests that different genetic subtypes of DLBCL may not only influence the outcome after therapy but also the motility of the tumour cells.
Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of disulphidptosis in cancer
Authors: Li Yanhu , Zhang Haijun , Yang Fengguang , Zhu Daxue , Chen Shijie , Wang Zhaoheng , Wei Ziyan , Yang Zhili , Jia Jingwen , Zhang Yizhi , Wang Dongxin , Ma Mingdong , Kang Xuewen
Published: October 2024

SLC7A11 plays a pivotal role in tumour development by facilitating cystine import to enhance glutathione synthesis and counteract oxidative stress. Disulphidptosis, an emerging form of cell death observed in cells with high expression of SLC7A11 under glucose deprivation, is regulated through reduction–oxidation reactions and disulphide bond formation. This process leads to contraction and collapse of the F‐actin cytoskeleton from the plasma membrane, ultimately resulting in cellular demise. Compared to other forms of cell death, disulphidptosis exhibits distinctive characteristics and regulatory mechanisms. This mechanism provides novel insights and innovative strategies for cancer treatment while also inspiring potential therapeutic approaches for other diseases. Our review focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying disulphidptosis and its connection with the actin cytoskeleton, identifying alternative metabolic forms of cell death, as well as offering insights into disulphidptosis‐based cancer therapy. A comprehensive understanding of disulphidptosis will contribute to our knowledge about fundamental cellular homeostasis and facilitate the development of groundbreaking therapies for disease treatment.
Key biomarkers in type 2 diabetes patients: A systematic review
Authors: Le Thien Ngoc , Bright Richard , Truong Vi‐Khanh , Li Jordan , Juneja Rajiv , Vasilev Krasimir
Published: October 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not just a local health issue but a significant global health burden, affecting patient outcomes and clinical management worldwide. Despite the wealth of studies reporting T2DM biomarkers, there is an urgent need for a comparative review. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis based on the reported T2DM biomarkers and how these are linked with other conditions, such as inflammation and wound healing. A comparative review was conducted on 24 001 study participants, including 10 024 T2DM patients and 13 977 controls (CTL; age 30–90 years). Four main profiles were extracted and analysed from the clinical reports over the past 11 years: haematological (1084 cases vs. 1458 CTL), protein (6753 cases vs. 9613 CTL), cytokine (975 cases vs. 1350 CTL) and lipid (1212 cases vs. 1556 CTL). This review provides a detailed analysis of the haematological profile in T2DM patients, highlighting fundamental changes such as increased white blood cells and platelet counts, accompanied by decreases in red blood cell counts and iron absorption. In the serum protein profile, a reduction in albumin and anti‐inflammatory cytokines was noted along with an increase in globulin levels and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, changes in lipid profiles were discussed, specifically the decreases in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and the increases in low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides. Understanding the changes in these four biomarker profiles is essential for developing innovative strategies to create diagnostic and prognostic tools for diabetes management.
Exploring cortical morphology biomarkers of amnesic mild cognitive impairment using novel fractal dimension‐based structural MRI analysis
Authors: Jao Chi‐Wen , Wu Yu‐Te , Yeh Jiann‐Horng , Tsai Yuh‐Feng , Hsiao Chen‐Yu , Lau Chi Ieong
Published: October 2024

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is considered as an intermediate stage of Alzheimer's disease, but no MRI biomarkers currently distinguish aMCI from healthy individuals effectively. Fractal dimension, a quantitative parameter, provides superior morphological information compared to conventional cortical thickness methods. Few studies have used cortical fractal dimension values to differentiate aMCI from healthy controls. In this study, we aim to build an automated discriminator for accurately distinguishing aMCI using fractal dimension measures of the cerebral cortex. Thirty aMCI patients and 30 health controls underwent structural MRI of the brain. First, the atrophy of participants' cortical sub‐regions of Desikan–Killiany cortical atlas was assessed using fractal dimension and cortical thickness. The fractal dimension is more sensitive than cortical thickness in reducing dimensional effects and may accurately reflect morphological changes of the cortex in aMCI. The aMCI group had significantly lower fractal dimension values in the bilateral temporal lobes, right limbic lobe and right parietal lobe, whereas they showed significantly lower cortical thickness values only in the bilateral temporal lobes. Fractal dimension analysis was able to depict most of the significantly different focal regions detected by cortical thickness, but additionally with more regions. Second, applying the measured fractal dimensions (and cortical thickness) of both cerebral hemispheres, an unsupervised discriminator was built for the aMCI and healthy controls. The proposed fractal dimension‐based method achieves 80.54% accuracy in discriminating aMCI from healthy controls. The fractal dimension appears to be a promising biomarker for cortical morphology changes that can discriminate patients with aMCI from healthy controls.
The Threefold Essence of Consciousness: Brentano versus Pfänder
Authors: Erhard Christopher
Published: October 2024

Building on Uriah Kriegel's recent work on the varieties of consciousness, I consider the question of how many irreducible and fundamental kinds of consciousness there are. This is the project of a fundamental classification of consciousness (C‐taxonomy), which will be approached with reference to two figures from the (early) phenomenological tradition, i.e., Franz Brentano and Alexander Pfänder. Both philosophers advocate tripartite taxonomies, thereby opposing the still widely held view that only algedonic and sensory phenomenology exist. After explaining the project of C‐taxonomy, I discuss Brentano's and Pfänder's trialisms. My main aim is to show that Pfänder's view, according to which consciousness is exhausted by “object‐consciousness”, feeling, and striving, when supplemented by Husserlian ideas, is to be preferred to Brentano's classification, according to which the basic mental kinds are mere presentations, judgments, and “phenomena of love and hate”. I criticize Brentano's separation of doxastically neutral presentations from “positing” judgments, as well as his unification of feelings, emotions, desires, strivings, decisions, and volitions into one basic class. Finally, I reflect on the deeper reasons for Brentano's and Pfänder's divergent taxonomies, which are rooted in their different views of the “mark of the mental” and their different approaches to the active/passive distinction within the mental realm.
Native Plant Diversity Generates Microbial Legacies That Either Promote or Suppress Non‐Natives, Depending on Drought History
Authors: Tao Zhibin , Zhang Kaoping , Callaway Ragan M. , Siemann Evan , Liu Yanjie , Huang Wei
Published: October 2024

Diverse native plant communities resist non‐native plants more than species‐poor communities, in part through resource competition. The role of soil biota in diversity–invasibility relationships is poorly understood, although non‐native plants interact with soil biota during invasions. We tested the responses of non‐native plants to soil biota generated by different native plant diversities. We applied well‐watered and drought treatments in both conditioning and response phases to explore the effects of ‘historical’ and ‘contemporary’ environmental stresses. When generated in well‐watered soils, the microbial legacies from higher native diversity inhibited non‐native growth in well‐watered conditions. In contrast, when generated in drought‐treated soils, the microbial legacies from higher native diversity facilitated non‐native growth in well‐watered conditions. Contemporary drought eliminated microbial legacy effects on non‐native growth. We provide a new understanding of mechanisms behind diversity–invasibility relationships and demonstrate that temporal variation in environmental stress shapes relationships among native plant diversity, soil biota and non‐native plants.
Variation in Oceanographic Resistance of the World's Coastlines to Invasion by Species With Planktonic Dispersal
Authors: Byers James E. , Pringle James M.
Published: October 2024

For marine species with planktonic dispersal, invasion of open ocean coastlines is impaired by the physical adversity of ocean currents moving larvae downstream and offshore. The extent species are affected by physical adversity depends on interactions of the currents with larval life history traits such as planktonic duration, depth and seasonality. Ecologists have struggled to understand how these traits expose species to adverse ocean currents and affect their ability to persist when introduced to novel habitat. We use a high‐resolution global ocean model to isolate the role of ocean currents on the persistence of a larval‐producing species introduced to every open coastline of the world. We find physical adversity to invasion varies globally by several orders of magnitude. Larval duration is the most influential life history trait because increased duration prolongs species' exposure to ocean currents. Furthermore, variation of physical adversity with life history elucidates how trade‐offs between dispersal traits vary globally.
Discrepancies in perceptions of PTSD symptoms among veteran couples: Links to poorer relationship and individual functioning
Authors: Grubbs Kathleen M. , Knopp Kayla C. , Khalifian Chandra E. , Wrape Elizabeth R. , Mackintosh Margaret‐Anne , Sohn Min Ji , Macdonald Alexandra , Morland Leslie A.
Published: October 2024

Veteran and intimate partner perceptions of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may differ, and little is known about how agreement or disagreement on symptom severity is related to relationship satisfaction. Veterans and their partners (N = 199 couples) completed a baseline assessment for a clinical trial evaluating two couple‐based PTSD interventions. Veterans completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5). Partners completed the collateral PCL‐5 (PCL‐5‐C), which asked them to rate the severity of the veteran's PTSD symptoms. Both partner and veteran completed the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI‐32). Intraclass correlations (ICC) assessed agreement between PCL‐5 and PCL‐5‐C total and subscale scores, which was low for total PCL and for all subscales (ICC = 0.15–0.46). Actor‐Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs; actor‐only pattern) tested associations between relationship satisfaction and PTSD symptom severity (total PCL and subscales), and the magnitude and direction of difference between PCL‐5 and PCL‐5‐C (total and subscales). For veterans, more severe total PTSD and negative cognition/mood scores were associated with lower relationship satisfaction, and the direction of discrepancy for negative cognition/mood (i.e., higher veteran‐rated PTSD symptoms relative to partner's collateral report) was also associated with lower satisfaction. For partners, more severe collateral‐reported symptoms for total PTSD and all four subscales were associated with lower relationship satisfaction; further, a larger discrepancy between veterans' and partners' reports of total PTSD, negative cognition/mood, and hyperarousal were associated with lower satisfaction. These results suggest that partners may have different perceptions of PTSD symptoms, and support the potential of fostering a shared understanding of PTSD symptom severity in couples.
Experimental Study on Three‐Dimensional Internal Crack Propagation in Brittle Materials With Combined Defects
Authors: Wu Junyu , Zhu Shu , Zhu Zhende , Wang Haijun , Han Bei
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the fracture behavior of brittle solids with combined defects by prefabricating internal cracks in glass materials using three‐dimensional internal laser‐engraved crack (3D‐ILC) technology. The results of physical and numerical experiments indicate that under biaxial compression, cracks first appear on the surface of the cavity, followed by the propagation of the prefabricated cracks. During propagation, these two cracks attract each other, ultimately leading to crack coalescence. As the geometric distribution of the combined defects changes, the propagation direction of the prefabricated cracks deflects to varying degrees as is to be expected. The failure process of the specimens with combined defects was a mixed‐mode I–II–III fracture. This research provides experimental and theoretical references for the study of crack propagation in rock materials containing combined defects.
Temporal changes in streamflow can predict parasitism levels in freshwater prawns better than host traits
Authors: Wunderlich Alison Carlos , Mosna Esli Emanoel Domingues , Pinheiro Marcelo Antonio Amaro
Published: October 2024

Understanding how changes in the hydrological regime drive parasite loads and dynamics remains a challenging issue in ecological parasitology. Temporal changes in streamflow and rainfall are key hydrological factors that could alter interactions between the parasite and host and affect parasitism levels. However, to investigate the effect of streamflow, rainfall and its mechanisms, it is important to control host traits that can also influence parasitism levels in freshwater systems.

Here, we used a cymothoid‐palaemonid prawn model to test the combined effects of streamflow and rainfall accounting for host traits to predict variations in parasite loads in stream ecosystems. We collected the palaemonid prawns monthly for 2 years and measured the variation of rainfall and streamflow (i.e. stream discharge) at the time of prawn sampling.

Our best model showed that streamflow can predict parasitism levels in prawns better than host traits. We found a higher prevalence and abundance of parasites in reduced streamflow compared to increased ones. We also found higher ectoparasite loads in females rather than males and occurring in autumn and winter rather than in spring and summer. Our results also showed that ectoparasite loads also suffer an effect of host body size, sex and moult stage, but not host age.

Our findings show that reduced streamflow can facilitate host finding that favours parasite transmission in dry seasons and increase parasitism levels in stream systems. Temporal variability in streamflow can have a strong influence on parasite loads and dynamics compared to host traits in stream ecosystems.

Identifying how interactions between aquatic invertebrates and parasites respond to variability in the hydrological regime can help to better understand and predict disease outbreaks as habitat reduction and disturbance continue in stream ecosystems.
Regular exercise suppresses steatosis‐associated liver cancer development by degrading E2F1 and c‐Myc via circadian gene upregulation
Authors: Huyen Vu Thuong , Echizen Kanae , Yamagishi Ryota , Kumagai Miho , Nonaka Yoshiki , Kodama Takahiro , Ando Tatsuya , Yano Megumu , Takada Naoki , Takasugi Masaki , Kamachi Fumitaka , Ohtani Naoko
Published: October 2024

Regular exercise is believed to suppress cancer progression. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which exercise prevents cancer development remain unclear. In this study, using a steatosis‐associated liver cancer mouse model, we found that regular exercise at a speed of 18 m/min for 20 min daily suppressed liver cancer development. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we examined the gene expression profiles in the livers of the exercise and non‐exercise groups. The expressions of circadian genes, such as Per1 and Cry2, were upregulated in the exercise group. As circadian rhythm disruption is known to cause various diseases, including cancer, improving circadian rhythm through exercise could contribute to cancer prevention. We further found that the expression of a series of E2F1 and c‐Myc target genes that directly affect the proliferation of cancer cells was downregulated in the exercise group. However, the expression of E2F1 and c‐Myc was transcriptionally unchanged but degraded at the post‐translational level by exercise. Cry2, which is regulated by the Skp1‐Cul1‐FBXL3 (SCFFBXL3) ubiquitin ligase complex by binding to FBXL3, can form a complex with E2F1 and c‐Myc, which we think is the mechanism to degrade them. Our study revealed a previously unknown mechanism by which exercise prevents cancer development.
Application of Gene Expression Microarray for the Classification of Ph‐Like B‐Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Thangrua Nonthaya , Siriboonpiputtana Teerapong , Rerkamnuaychoke Budsaba , Chareonsirisuthigul Takol , Korkiatsakul Veerawat , Pongphitcha Pongpak , Mukda Ekchol , Chutipongtanate Somchai , Pakakasama Samart
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Ph‐like ALL has gene expression profile similar to Ph‐positive ALL but without the BCR::ABL1 fusion. The disease presents higher rates of severe clinical features and is associated with unfavorable outcomes. There is still no standard pipeline for molecular characterization of the disease, and no valid predictor gene panel is available worldwide.

Methods

We performed expression microarray on 25 B‐cell ALL and 6 Ph‐positive B‐cell ALL to cluster and identify the transcriptional signature of Ph‐like ALL. qRT‐PCR was used to confirm the expression of candidate genes.

Results

Four out of 25 samples (16%) shared gene expression signatures related to and clustered with control Ph‐positive samples. Analysis of genes differentially expressed in Ph‐like B‐cell ALL and evidentially functional in normal blood cell development and leukemogenesis, we selected genes as potential biomarkers for Ph‐like B‐cell ALL in our dataset: ADGRE2, CD9, EPHA7, FAM129C, TCL1A, and VPREB1. Those genes were filtered by Ph‐like gene signatures obtained from distinct reliable data, resulting in five genes, CA6, CHN2, JAK1, JCHAIN, and PON2, selected for validation by qRT‐PCR. The Ct values of genes, including CA6 (p = 0.0017), PON2 (p = 0.0210), TCL1A (p = 0.0064), and VPREB1 (p = 0.0338), were significant in Ph‐like ALL. GSEA analysis identified VPREB1 as enrichment in the KRAS signaling pathway, and several genes that interact with VPREB1 were reported as critical molecules involved in the leukemogenesis of B‐cell ALL.

Conclusion

In summary, we demonstrate using a gene expression microarray for classifying Ph‐like B‐cell ALL and highlight VPREB1 as a potential biomarker for this disease.
The effect of self‐care levels on erectile dysfunction in Turkish men with heart disease
Authors: Türker Esra
Published: October 2024

For many years there has been evidence of an association between heart disease and erectile dysfunction (ED). This is a health problem that affects patients both physically and psychologically. Individuals affected by coronary heart disease need a comprehensive care approach to achieve optimal health outcomes. However, there is a gap in nursing research on the sexual life of men with coronary artery disease. This descriptive research will identify the prevalence of self‐care and ED in Turkish men having coronary heart disease and examine potential interactions between them. This descriptive study conducted between March 2022 and March 2023 with 178 men aged 18–70 years who were followed up in the cardiology polyclinic of a hospital with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Data collected via face‐to‐face meetings using a Socio‐Demographic Questionnaire Form, Coronary Heart Disease Self‐Care Inventory and International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained before starting research. The Declaration of Helsinki was complied with during the research period. Of the participating patients, 52.2% were older than 65 years and 37.6% had high school education or higher. A significant proportion of patients (42.1%) had been married for 20–29 years. The majority of the participants (59%) were still working and 88.8% reported that their income was equal to their expenses. The mean scores of the scales were found to be moderate and when the correlation between the scales was examined, a moderate positive correlation was found (p < 0.05). A regression was performed to determine the causal relationship linking self‐care scores and ED. The results yielded significant findings (F = 46.854; p < 0.05). The change in the level of ED was found to be explained by self‐care at a rate of 43.7% (R2 = 0.437). This study showed that ED levels decreased with improving self‐care levels in men with coronary heart disease. While counselling these patients, health professionals should aim to increase their self‐care competencies related to cardiac rehabilitation and decrease their ED levels by considering the characteristics of the patients.
New Engineered‐Chimeric Botulinum Neurotoxin Mutant Acts as an Effective Bivalent Vaccine Against Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A and E
Authors: Wang Jingrong , Lu Jiansheng , Li Bolin , Liu Xiaoyu , Wang Rong , Du Peng , Yu Shuo , Yang Zhixin , Yu Yunzhou
Published: October 2024

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), including serotypes A and E, are potent biotoxins known to cause human poisoning. In addition to the critical protective antigen found in the full BoNT molecule, the receptor binding domain (Hc domain), BoNTs also harbour another essential protective antigen—the light chain‐translocation domain (L‐HN domain). Leveraging these pivotal protective antigens, we genetically engineered a series of inactivated chimeric molecules incorporating L‐HN and Hc domains of BoNT/A and E. The structure of these chimeric molecules, mirror BoNT/A and E, but are devoid of enzyme activity. Experimental findings demonstrated that a lead candidate mEL‐HN‐mAHc harnessing the inactivated protease LCHN/E with the mutated gangliosides binding site Hc/A (mE‐mA) elicited robust immune protection against BoNT/A and E simultaneously in a mouse model, requiring low immune dosages and minimal immunisations. Moreover, mE‐mA exhibited high protective efficacy against BoNT/A and E in guinea pigs and New Zealand white rabbits, resulting in elevated neutralising antibody titres. Furthermore, mE‐mA proved to be a more stable and safer vaccine compared to formaldehyde‐inactivated toxoid. Our data underscore the genetically engineered mE‐mA as a highly effective bivalent vaccine against BoNT/A and E, paving the way for the development of polyvalent vaccines against biotoxins.
Microhabitat selection and niche overlap: Drivers of spider coexistence in a tropical limestone cave
Authors: Silveira Laís da Glória Teixeira , Pellegrini Thais Giovannini , Ferreira Rodrigo Lopes , Silva Marconi Souza
Published: October 2024

Stable temperature, humidity, and oligotrophy may be essential in microhabitat selection, shaping niche overlap and species coexistence within cave ecosystems. To explore this hypothesis, we assessed the distribution and microhabitat preferences of four non‐obligate cave‐dwelling spiders: Loxosceles anomala, Scytodes itapevi, Philoponella vittata, and the exotic Oecobius navus. Using 1‐m2 quadrats, we surveyed spider distribution and abundance in a limestone cave, considering environmental conditions and prey availability during wet and dry periods. Significant differences were observed between moist and dry periods regarding light intensity, wind speed, air temperature and moisture, potential prey, and the abundance of L. anomala. The exotic spider O. navus was more specialist, preferred brighter habitats, and showed lower niche overlap. Conversely, the three native species displayed greater niche overlap and preferred darker and more humid environments. Spatial disparities, rather than temporal variation, in species distribution underscored the influence of cave habitat conditions on species segregation. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the limited ability of the non‐native O. navus to occupy more illuminated cave areas, thereby potentially safeguarding these habitats against biological invasion by this species.
Improving students' processing of history‐related 360° videos through collaboration and emotion regulation
Authors: Nachtigall Valentina , Yek Selina , Rummel Nikol
Published: October 2024

Background

With the increasing availability of immersive technologies such as 360° videos for educational purposes, research needs to shift from media comparison studies to value‐added studies in order to identify conditions for effective learning with such technologies. For the educational use of history‐related virtual reality media, which are characterized by immersion and emotionalization, instructional approaches that promote cognitive and critical rather than emotional processing of the content are required.

Objectives

Drawing on research on self‐regulated learning, emotion regulation, and collaborative learning, the present value‐added study examines whether (1) strategy training in cognitive and emotion regulation strategies and (2) collaboration can enhance students' cognitive processing of history‐related 360° videos.

Methods

In a quasi‐experimental study with school students (N = 157), we compared the effects of training addressing cognitive and emotion regulation strategies with training focusing on cognitive strategies alone. Before and during each of the two types of training, students were asked to either collaboratively or individually analyse a history‐related 360° video.

Results and Conclusions

Training in cognitive strategies alone promotes cognitive processing of 360° videos, while combined training leads to more emotional processing. Collaboration helps students to analyse a history‐related 360° video in a cognitive and reflective way before training and to acquire the cognitive strategies during the training. After training, however, students who had previously collaborated processed the video more emotionally than students who had previously worked alone. This study highlights the importance of tailored instructional approaches to maximize the educational potential of immersive technologies in history education.
Endometrial cancer and endometrial changes in transgender men: Insights from Japanese individuals on testosterone
Authors: Nakahara Mariko , Yoshida Hiroshi , Sakamoto Aiko , Taguchi Takeshi , Uno Masaya , Kato Tomoyasu , Ishikawa Mitsuya
Published: October 2024

Aim

Endometrial changes in Japanese transgender men (TGM) on testosterone use remain elucidated. This study aims to present TGM with endometrial cancer and insights from a literature review of similar cases. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between endometrial cancer and severe obesity in TGM who underwent gender‐affirming surgery.

Methods

Between July 2020 and April 2023, two groups were assessed: 2 TGM with endometrial cancer and 43 TGM without cancer who underwent gender‐affirming surgery. A literature review for TGM with endometrial cancer was conducted. Clinical data were retrospectively collected, and histopathological evaluation of female genital organs was performed.

Results

Two TGM with endometrial cancer and an additional four similar cases were identified through a literature search. These TGM had severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) and long‐term testosterone use, indicating a possible link between endometrial cancer and these factors. Subsequently, we investigated the 43 TGM without cancer. We revealed 30% with obesity (BMI ≥25), only three cases of severe obesity (BMI ≥30), and a significant correlation between testosterone use duration and BMI in TGM without cancer. Histological examination revealed focal proliferative endometrium in 51% of cases and polycystic ovarian changes in 77%.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest a potential link between severe obesity, prolonged testosterone use, and endometrial cancer in transgender men. Histological changes in the female genital tract highlighted frequent focal proliferative endometrium, even under testosterone therapy. Further research should focus on larger, multi‐institutional studies to confirm these findings and establish endometrial cancer screening for Japanese TGM.
Use of multiple micronutrient supplementation integrated into routine antenatal care: A discussion of research priorities
Authors: Firoz Tabassum , Daru Jahnavi , Busch‐Hallen Jennifer , Tunçalp Özge , Rogers Lisa M.
Published: October 2024

Optimal maternal nutrition, including adequate intake and status of essential micronutrients, is important for the health of women and developing infants. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) Antenatal care recommendations for a positive pregnancy experience recommend daily iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation as the standard of care. The use of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) is recommended in the context of rigorous research as more evidence was needed regarding the impact of switching from IFA supplements to MMS, including evaluation of critical clinical maternal and perinatal outcomes, acceptability, feasibility, sustainability, equity and cost‐effectiveness. WHO convened a technical consultation of key stakeholders to discuss research priorities with the objective of providing guidance and clarity to donors, implementers and researchers about this recommendation. The overarching principles of the research agenda include the use of clinical indicators and impact measures that are applicable across studies and settings and the inclusion of outcomes that are important to women. Future studies should consider using standardized protocols based on current best practices to measure critical outcomes such as gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) in studies. As GA and BW are influenced by multiple factors, more research is needed to understand the biological impact pathways, and how initiation and considerations for timing of MMS influence these outcomes. A set of core clinical indicators was agreed upon during the technical consultation. For implementation research, the Evidence‐to‐Decision framework was used as a resource for discussing components of implementation research. The implementation research questions, key indicators and performance measures will depend on country‐specific context and bottlenecks that require further research and improved solutions to enable the successful implementation of iron‐containing supplements.
Warming triggers stomatal opening by enhancement of photosynthesis and ensuing guard cell CO2 sensing, whereas higher temperatures induce a photosynthesis‐uncoupled response
Authors: Pankasem Nattiwong , Hsu Po‐Kai , Lopez Bryn N. K. , Franks Peter J. , Schroeder Julian I.
Published: October 2024

Plants integrate environmental stimuli to optimize photosynthesis vs water loss by controlling stomatal apertures. However, stomatal responses to temperature elevation and the underlying molecular genetic mechanisms remain less studied.

We developed an approach for clamping leaf‐to‐air vapor pressure difference (VPDleaf) to fixed values, and recorded robust reversible warming‐induced stomatal opening in intact plants. We analyzed stomatal temperature responses of mutants impaired in guard cell signaling pathways for blue light, abscisic acid (ABA), CO2, and the temperature‐sensitive proteins, Phytochrome B (phyB) and EARLY‐FLOWERING‐3 (ELF3).

We confirmed that phot1‐5/phot2‐1 leaves lacking blue‐light photoreceptors showed partially reduced warming‐induced stomatal opening. Furthermore, ABA‐biosynthesis, phyB, and ELF3 were not essential for the stomatal warming response. Strikingly, Arabidopsis (dicot) and Brachypodium distachyon (monocot) mutants lacking guard cell CO2 sensors and signaling mechanisms, including ht1, mpk12/mpk4‐gc, and cbc1/cbc2 abolished the stomatal warming response, suggesting a conserved mechanism across diverse plant lineages. Moreover, warming rapidly stimulated photosynthesis, resulting in a reduction in intercellular (CO2). Interestingly, further enhancing heat stress caused stomatal opening uncoupled from photosynthesis.

We provide genetic and physiological evidence that the stomatal warming response is triggered by increased CO2 assimilation and stomatal CO2 sensing. Additionally, increasing heat stress functions via a distinct photosynthesis‐uncoupled stomatal opening pathway.
Impact of psilocybin on cognitive function: A systematic review
Authors: Meshkat Shakila , Tello‐Gerez Triana Juliana , Gholaminezhad Fatemeh , Dunkley Benjamin T. , Reichelt Amy C. , Erritzoe David , Vermetten Eric , Zhang Yanbo , Greenshaw Andrew , Burback Lisa , Winkler Olga , Jetly Rakesh , Mayo Leah M. , Bhat Venkat
Published: October 2024

Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic with demonstrated preliminary clinical efficacy in a range of psychiatric disorders. Evaluating the impact of psilocybin on cognitive function is essential to unravel its potential benefits and risks. In this systematic review, we assessed psilocybin's effect on cognitive function through a comprehensive search of electronic databases from inception to January 2024, identifying 20 articles involving 2,959 participants. While 85% of studies were conducted in healthy volunteers, most of these studies (85%) used macrodoses, ranging from 45 μg/kg to 30 mg/70 kg. Various cognitive aspects were evaluated and yielded mixed results. Global cognitive function, and processing speed remained mostly unchanged in healthy individuals; However, a limited number of studies reported improvements in certain areas such as sustained attention, working memory, and executive function especially in patients with treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). Emotional processing was positively modified, particularly in TRD patients. Psilocybin was observed to enhance emotional empathy without significantly altering cognitive empathy and social cognition. Cognitive flexibility and creative cognition were noted to initially decline but could potentially improve over time. Additionally, with respect to learning and memory skills, psilocybin showed promise in improving specific memory types such as semantic associations and associative learning, while its effects on episodic and verbal memory have been less pronounced compared to other cognitive enhancers. The observed mixed findings underscore the complexity of psilocybin's cognitive influence. Further research is essential to provide a clearer understanding of psilocybin's impact on cognitive domains and to guide the development of safe and effective interventions.