bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Syntaxin 4 is essential for hearing in human and zebrafish
Authors: Schrauwen Isabelle , Ghaffar Amama , Bharadwaj Thashi , Shah Khadim , Rehman Sakina , Acharya Anushree , Liaqat Khurram , Lin Nicole S , Everard Jenna L , Khan Anwar , Ahmed Zubair M , Ahmad Wasim , Riazuddin Saima , Leal Suzanne M
Published: November 2022

Congenital hearing impairment (HI) is a genetically highly heterogeneous disorder in which prompt recognition and intervention are crucial to optimize outcomes. In this study, we used exome sequencing to investigate a large consanguineous Pakistani family with eight affected individuals showing bilateral severe-to-profound HI. This identified a homozygous splice region variant in STX4 (c.232 + 6T>C), which causes exon skipping and a frameshift, that segregated with HI (two-point logarithm of odds (LOD) score = 5.9). STX4, a member of the syntaxin family, is a component of the SNARE machinery involved in several vesicle transport and recycling pathways. In silico analysis showed that murine orthologue Stx4a is highly and widespread expressed in the developing and adult inner ear. Immunofluorescent imaging revealed localization of STX4A in the cell body, cell membrane and stereocilia of inner and outer hair cells. Furthermore, a morpholino-based knockdown of stx4 in zebrafish showed an abnormal startle response, morphological and developmental defects, and a disrupted mechanotransduction function in neuromast hair cells measured via FM1–43 uptake. Our findings indicate that STX4 dysfunction leads to HI in humans and zebrafish and supports the evolutionary conserved role of STX4 in inner ear development and hair cell functioning.
Preparing pharmacists for the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service: a questionnaire survey
Authors: Seston Elizabeth M , Schafheutle Ellen I , Willis Sarah C , Karolczak-Bayatti Magdalena , Lane Joanne , White Samantha , Shaw Matthew
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The Community Pharmacist Consultation Service launched in England in 2019. Patients requiring urgent care were referred from National Health Service-based telephone/digital triage or general practice to a community pharmacist, who provided a consultation, which could include a physical examination. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning programme to prepare community pharmacists for the service.

Methods

Learning programme participants were invited to complete an online survey shortly after the workshop and another survey 3 months later. The survey collected opinions on aspects of the programme, including Likert-type statements and free text questions. The 3-month follow-up survey explored how the programme had helped pharmacists change their practice. Data were analysed in SPSS (v.25; IBM) with inferential statistics used to compare subgroups. Open comments were analysed qualitatively.

Key findings

The learning programme addressed participants’ learning needs including history-taking, clinically observing the patient, performing physical examinations, structuring a consultation, safety-netting, and documenting consultations. Barriers to using skills acquired included low service uptake and a lack of equipment to perform physical examinations. While many participants recognised the importance of skills to provide person-centred care, some participants did not appear to recognise the shift in policy to a more clinical role.

Conclusions

The learning programme resulted in increased confidence and a recognition of a shift in the policy vision for community pharmacist roles. Although some pharmacists appeared to embrace this, others have yet to fully appreciate the need to adapt to be ready for the opportunities that this service can provide.
Integrating patient safety education into pharmacy curriculum in Nigeria
Authors: Lawal Basira Kankia , Mohammed Shafiu
Published: November 2022

Recognition has been given to patient safety and healthcare quality as central components of a functional health system which has resulted in increased advocacy for elaborate patient safety content in education and training programmes for health professionals. The World Health Organisation’s patient safety curriculum is an evidence-based framework that provides a valuable resource for the training of healthcare professionals in enhancing patient safety. Other international organisations have also advocated for the need to restructure healthcare professionals’ education to include the concept of patient safety. The ideal time to initiate patient safety education is suggested to be during schooling through curricula that inculcate learning from adverse events. This will prepare pharmacy students as future healthcare professionals who will become better prepared for clinical practice leading to improved healthcare quality and safety.
Disparities in mobile phone use among adults with type 2 diabetes participating in clinical trials 2017–2021
Authors: Nelson Lyndsay A , Alfonsi Samuel P , Lestourgeon Lauren M , Mayberry Lindsay S
Published: November 2022

Despite smartphone ownership becoming ubiquitous, it is unclear whether and where disparities persist in experience using health apps. In 2 diverse samples of adults with type 2 diabetes collected 2017–2018 and 2020–2021, we examined adjusted disparities in smartphone ownership and health app use by age, gender, race, education, annual household income, health insurance status, health literacy, and hemoglobin A1c. In the earlier sample (N = 422), 87% owned a smartphone and 49% of those had ever used a health app. Participants with lower income or limited health literacy had ≥50% lower odds of owning a smartphone. Comparatively, in the later sample (N = 330), almost all participants (98%) owned a smartphone and 70% of those had ever used a health app; however, disparities in health app use closely mirrored disparities in smartphone ownership from 2017 to 2018. Our findings suggest device ownership is necessary but insufficient for assuming people will use apps to support their health.
De novo Synthesis of 2-phenylethanol from Glucose by Metabolically Engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Guanglu , Wang Mengyuan , Yang Jinchu , Li Qian , Zhu Nianqing , Liu Lanxi , Hu Xianmei , Yang Xuepeng
Published: November 2022

2-Phenylethanol (2- PE) is an aromatic alcohol with wide applications, but there is still no efficient microbial cell factory for 2-PE based on Escherichia coli. In this study, we constructed a metabolically engineered E. coli capable of de novo synthesis of 2-PE from glucose. Firstly, the heterologous styrene-derived and Ehrlich pathways were individually constructed in an L-Phe producer. The results showed that the Ehrlich pathway was better suited to the host than the styrene-derived pathway, resulting in a higher 2-PE titer of ∼0.76 ± 0.02 g/L after 72 h of shake flask fermentation. Furthermore, the phenylacetic acid synthase encoded by feaB was deleted to decrease the consumption of 2-phenylacetaldehyde, and the 2-PE titer increased to 1.75 ± 0.08 g/L. As phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) is an important precursor for L-Phe synthesis, both the crr and pykF genes were knocked out, leading to ∼35% increase of the 2-PE titer, which reached 2.36 ± 0.06 g/L. Finally, a plasmid-free engineered strain was constructed based on the Ehrlich pathway by integrating multiple ARO10 cassettes (encoding phenylpyruvate decarboxylases) and overexpressing the yjgB gene. The engineered strain produced 2.28 ± 0.20 g/L of 2-PE with a yield of 0.076 g/g glucose and productivity of 0.048 g/L/h. To our best knowledge, this is the highest titer and productivity ever reported for the de novo synthesis of 2-PE in E. coli. In a 5-L fermenter, the 2-PE titer reached 2.15 g/L after 32 h of fermentation, suggesting that the strain has the potential to efficiently produce higher 2-PE titers following further fermentation optimization.
Management of cancer-related fatigue in Taiwan: an evidence-based consensus for screening, assessment and treatment
Authors: Rau Kun-Ming , Shun Shiow-Ching , Hung Shih-Hsin , Chou Hsiu-Ling , Ho Ching-Liang , Chao Ta-Chung , Liu Chun-Yu , Lien Ching-Ting , Hong Ming-Ying , Wu Ching-Jung , Tsai Li-Yun , Jane Sui-Whi , Hsieh Ruey-Kuen
Published: November 2022

Background

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and persistent issues experienced by cancer patients. Cancer-related fatigue is a distinct form of fatigue that is subjective, long-lasting and unalleviated by rest or sleep. Studies have shown that almost all cancer patients experience severe fatigue that disrupts the quality of life and physical function, but cancer-related fatigue remains under-addressed in clinical care, and only about half of all patients receive treatment.

Methods

To increase the awareness of cancer-related fatigue and improve current management, the Taiwan Society of Cancer Palliative Medicine and the Taiwan Oncology Nursing Society convened a consensus committee to develop recommendations for the screening, assessment and treatment of cancer-related fatigue.

Results

Thirteen consensus recommendations were subsequently developed based on the best available evidence and the clinical experience of committee members.

Conclusions

These recommendations are expected to facilitate the standardization of cancer-related fatigue management across Taiwan and may also serve as a reference for other clinicians.
Comparison of Trap Efficiency Using Suction Traps Baited With Either UV or CO2 for the Capture of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Species in the Southern California Desert, United States
Authors: Zhang Xinmi , Li Jun , Gerry Alec C
Published: November 2022

Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges are hematophagous flies that can transmit several disease-causing pathogens to animals. Surveillance of Culicoides is important for understanding pathogen transmission risk. The most commonly used traps for midge surveillance are suction traps baited with UV light or CO2. Culicoides species are understudied in the southern California desert region and trapping methods for these desert midges remain largely unexplored. In this study, capture rates of different Culicoides species were compared using suction traps baited with either UV or CO2 placed at two locations at a southern California desert site where a narrow canyon (Deep Canyon) drains the adjacent peninsular mountain range and leads to an expansive floodplain. Over all trap nights and locations, UV-baited traps outperformed CO2-baited traps for most Culicoides species captured at the study site, except for Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones and C. mohave Wirth. Capture rates varied for each species by trap location, with desert Culicoides species captured in greater numbers at the canyon mouth while C. sonorensis and C. mohave were captured in greater numbers on the floodplain nearer to urban development including a golf course and small zoo. An interaction of trap type with trapping location on the capture rate was noted for some Culicoides species, especially for C. mohave which was captured in greater numbers using UV traps at the canyon mouth but captured in greater numbers using CO2 traps in the floodplain. This trap efficiency study will facilitate future research targeting Culicoides species in the southern California desert.
Identification of Tumor Suppressor Gene LHPP-Based 5-microRNA Signature That Predicts the Early- and Midstage Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Two-Stage Case-Control Study in the Chinese Han Population
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Zhu Xiaocun , Wang Luoshai , Chen Yurao , Chen Ronghuai , Zheng Zemao , Yang Hengjin , Xia Wan , Yao Juan , Zhao Kun
Published: November 2022

Objective

To establish a novel approach for diagnosing early- and midstage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

The tumor suppressor gene phospholysine phosphohistidine inorganic pyrophosphate phosphatase (LHPP)–based miRNA signature was identified using next-generation sequencing and 3 biological online prediction systems. This retrospective study established and validated an ESCC prediction model using a test cohort and a validation cohort.

Results

Immunohistochemical staining and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results showed that LHPP protein levels were significantly lower in tissues with early- and midstage ESCC than in adjacent tissues (P < .01). Further, we confirmed that miR-15b-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-497-5p, miR-363-5p, and miR-195-5p inhibited LHPP. These 5 miRNAs were significantly elevated in the plasma of early- and midstage ESCC (P < .05). An ESCC prediction model combining these 5 miRNAs was established. Finally, in the external validation cohort, the model exhibited high discriminative value (sensitivity/specificity: 84.4%/93.3%).

Conclusions

The prediction model has potential implications for diagnosis of early- and midstage ESCC.
The X-ray angular power spectrum of extended sources in the eROSITA Final Equatorial Depth survey
Authors: Lau Erwin T , Bogdán Ákos , Chadayammuri Urmila , Nagai Daisuke , Kraft Ralph P , Cappelluti Nico
Published: November 2022

The eROSITA Final Equatorial Depth Survey (eFEDS), with a sky area of 140 square degrees with depth equivalent to the equatorial patch of the final eROSITA all-sky survey, represents the largest continuous non-full-sky X-ray fields to-date, making it the premier data set for measuring the angular power spectrum. In this work, we measure the X-ray angular power spectrum of galaxy clusters and groups in the eFEDS field. We show that the measured power spectrum is consistent with past observations, including the ROSAT All Sky Survey, and the Chandra COSMOS and Bootes fields. The predictions of cluster gas halo model that is calibrated from Chandra observations is also consistent with the eFEDS power spectrum. While the eFEDS does not have large enough sky coverage to provide meaningful cosmological constraints, we predict that the X-ray power spectrum from the cycle 4 of the eROSITA all-sky survey (eRASS4) will provide constraints on ΩM and σ8 at the $10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ level.
Mapping the circumnuclear regions of the Circinus galaxy with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer
Authors: Ursini F , Marinucci A , Matt G , Bianchi S , Marin F , Marshall H L , Middei R , Poutanen J , Rogantini D , De Rosa A , Di Gesu L , García J A , Ingram A , Kim D E , Krawczynski H , Puccetti S , Soffitta P , Svoboda J , Tombesi F , Weisskopf M C , Barnouin T , Perri M , Podgorny J , Ratheesh A , Zaino A , Agudo I , Antonelli L A , Bachetti M , Baldini L , Baumgartner W H , Bellazzini R , Bongiorno S D , Bonino R , Brez A , Bucciantini N , Capitanio F , Castellano S , Cavazzuti E , Ciprini S , Costa E , Del Monte E , Di Lalla N , Di Marco A , Donnarumma I , Doroshenko V , Dovciak M , Ehlert S R , Enoto T , Evangelista Y , Fabiani S , Ferrazzoli R , Gunji S , Heyl J , Iwakiri W , Jorstad S G , Karas V , Kitaguchi T , Kolodziejczak J J , La Monaca F , Latronico L , Liodakis I , Maldera S , Manfreda A , Marscher A P , Mitsuishi I , Mizuno T , Muleri F , Ng C Y , O’Dell S L , Omodei N , Oppedisano C , Papitto A , Pavlov G G , Peirson A L , Pesce-Rollins M , Petrucci P-O , Pilia M , Possenti A , Ramsey B D , Rankin J , Romani R W , Sgrò C , Slane P , Spandre G , Tamagawa T , Tavecchio F , Taverna R , Tawara Y , Tennant A F , Thomas N E , Trois A , Tsygankov S S , Turolla R , Vink J , Wu K , Xie F , Zane S
Published: November 2022

We report on the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) observation of the closest and X-ray brightest Compton-thick active galactic nucleus (AGN), the Circinus galaxy. We find the source to be significantly polarized in the 2–6 keV band. From previous studies, the X-ray spectrum is known to be dominated by reflection components, both neutral (torus) and ionized (ionization cones). Our analysis indicates that the polarization degree is 28 ± 7 per cent (at 68 per cent confidence level) for the neutral reflector, with a polarization angle of 18° ± 5°, roughly perpendicular to the radio jet. The polarization of the ionized reflection is unconstrained. A comparison with Monte Carlo simulations of the polarization expected from the torus shows that the neutral reflector is consistent with being an equatorial torus with a half-opening angle of 45°–55°. This is the first X-ray polarization detection in a Seyfert galaxy, demonstrating the power of X-ray polarimetry in probing the geometry of the circumnuclear regions of AGNs, and confirming the basic predictions of standard Unification Models.
Hadronic signatures from magnetically dominated baryon-loaded AGN jets
Authors: Petropoulou Maria , Psarras Filippos , Giannios Dimitrios
Published: November 2022

Blazars are a rare class of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with relativistic jets pointing towards the observer. Jets are thought to be launched as Poynting-flux dominated outflows that accelerate to relativistic speeds at the expense of the available magnetic energy. In this work, we consider electron–proton jets and assume that particles are energized via magnetic reconnection in parts of the jet where the magnetization is still high (σ ≥ 1). The magnetization and bulk Lorentz factor Γ are related to the available jet energy per baryon as μ = Γ(1 + σ). We adopt an observationally motivated relation between Γ and the mass accretion rate into the black hole $\dot{m}$, which also controls the luminosity of external radiation fields. We numerically compute the photon and neutrino jet emission as a function of μ and σ. We find that the blazar SED is produced by synchrotron and inverse Compton radiation of accelerated electrons, while the emission of hadronic-related processes is subdominant except for the highest magnetization considered. We show that low-luminosity blazars (Lγ ≲ 1045 erg s−1) are associated with less powerful, slower jets with higher magnetizations in the jet dissipation region. Their broad-band photon spectra resemble those of BL Lac objects, and the expected neutrino luminosity is $L_{\nu +\bar{\nu }}\sim (0.3-1)\, L_{\gamma }$. High-luminosity blazars (Lγ ≫ 1045 erg s−1) are associated with more powerful, faster jets with lower magnetizations. Their broad-band photon spectra resemble those of flat spectrum radio quasars, and they are expected to be dim neutrino sources with $L_{\nu +\bar{\nu }}\ll L_{\gamma }$.
Scrutiny of a very young, metal-poor star-forming Lyα emitter at z ≈ 3.7
Authors: Iani E , Zanella A , Vernet J , Richard J , Gronke M , Arrigoni-Battaia F , Bolamperti A , Caputi K I , Humphrey A , Rodighiero G , Rinaldi P , Vanzella E
Published: November 2022

The origin of the Lyman α (Lyα) emission in galaxies is a long-standing issue: despite several processes known to originate this line (e.g. active galactic nucleus, star formation, cold accretion, shock heating), it is difficult to discriminate among these phenomena based on observations. Recent studies have suggested that the comparison of the ultraviolet (UV) and optical properties of these sources could solve the riddle. For this reason, we investigate the rest-frame UV and optical properties of Abell 2895b, a strongly lensed Lyα emitter at redshift z ∼ 3.7. From this study, we find that our target is a compact (rn ∼ 1.2 pkpc) star-forming (star formation rate ≃11 M⊙ yr−1) galaxy having a young stellar population. Interestingly, we measure a high ratio of the Hβ and the UV continuum monochromatic luminosities (L(Hβ)/L(UV) ≃ 100). Based on tracks of theoretical stellar models (starburst99 and bpass), we can only partially explain this result by assuming a recent (≲10 Myr), bursty episode of star formation and considering models characterized by binary stars, a top-heavy initial mass function and subsolar metallicities (Z ≲ 0.01 Z⊙). These assumptions also explain the observed low (C/O) abundance of our target (≃0.23(C/O)⊙). By comparing the UV and optical data sets, we find that the Lyα and UV continuum are more extended (×2) than the Balmer lines, and that the peak of the Lyα is offset (≃0.6 pkpc). The multiwavelength results of our analysis suggest that the observed Lyα emission originates from a recent star formation burst, likely taking place in an off-centre clump.
C/2020 S3 (Erasmus): Comet with a presumably transient maximum of linear polarization Pmax
Authors: Chornaya Ekaterina , Zubko Evgenij , Kochergin Anton , Zheltobryukhov Maxim , Videen Gorden , Kornienko Gennady , Kim Sungsoo S
Published: November 2022

We measured the degree of linear polarization of Comet C/2020 S3 (Erasmus) on 2020 November 13, 20, 22, and 23, while the comet was observed at large phase angles, α = 62.6°–66.6°. On the first two epochs, the polarization closely matched what was previously observed in Comet C/1989 X1 (Austin). On the third epoch, the polarization was found to rise slightly, and on the latest epoch, it rose significantly, exceeding that of Comet Austin. On the last observation, the polarization of Comet Erasmus appears to be more consistent with what was previously seen in Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) at a similar phase angle. While such short-term transient behaviour has been seen previously, Comets Austin and Hyakutake belong to two different classes in classifications based on the amplitude of their positive polarization Pmax and, hence, Comet Erasmus revealed a transition from the class of low-Pmax comets to that of high-Pmax comets within only a few days. Polarization images and modelling suggest that the transition occurred due to a decrease in the relative abundance of Mg-rich silicate particles in the inner coma by 1/3, revealing a qualitative change in emanations of dust particles from the Erasmus nucleus.
A Herschel study of G214.5−1.8: a young, cold, and quiescent giant molecular filament on the shell of a H i superbubble
Authors: Clarke S D , Sánchez-Monge Á , Williams G M , Howard A D P , Walch S , Schneider N
Published: November 2022

We present an analysis of the outer Galaxy giant molecular filament (GMF) G214.5−1.8 (G214.5) using Herschel data. We find that G214.5 has a mass of ∼16 000 M⊙, yet hosts only 15 potentially protostellar 70-$\mu$m sources, making it highly quiescent compared to equally massive clouds such as Serpens and Mon R2. We show that G214.5 has a unique morphology, consisting of a narrow ‘Main filament’ running north–south and a perpendicular ‘Head’ structure running east–west. We identify 33 distinct massive clumps from the column density maps, 8 of which are protostellar. However, the star formation activity is not evenly spread across G214.5 but rather predominantly located in the Main filament. Studying the Main filament in a manner similar to previous works, we find that G214.5 is most like a ‘Bone’ candidate GMF, highly elongated and massive, but it is colder and narrower than any such GMF. It also differs significantly due to its low fraction of high column density gas. Studying the radial profile, we discover that G214.5 is highly asymmetric and resembles filaments which are known to be compressed externally. Considering its environment, we find that G214.5 is co-incident, spatially and kinematically, with a H i superbubble. We discuss how a potential interaction between G214.5 and the superbubble may explain G214.5’s morphology, asymmetry and, paucity of dense gas and star formation activity, highlighting the intersection of a bubble-driven interstellar medium paradigm with that of a filament paradigm for star formation.
Protostellar collapse simulations in spherical geometry with dust coagulation and fragmentation
Authors: Lebreuilly Ugo , Vallucci-Goy Valentin , Guillet Vincent , Lombart Maxime , Marchand Pierre
Published: November 2022

We model the coagulation and fragmentation of dust grains during the protostellar collapse with our newly developed shark code. It solves the gas-dust hydrodynamics in a spherical geometry and the coagulation/fragmentation equation. It also computes the ionization state of the cloud and the Ohmic, ambipolar, and Hall resistivities. We find that the dust size distribution evolves significantly during the collapse, large grain formation being controlled by the turbulent differential velocity. When turbulence is included, only ambipolar diffusion remains efficient at removing the small grains from the distribution, brownian motion is only efficient as a standalone process. The macroscopic gas-dust drift is negligible for grain growth and only dynamically significant near the first Larson core. At high density, we find that the coagulated distribution is unaffected by the initial choice of dust distribution. Strong magnetic fields are found to enhance the small grains depletion, causing an important increase of the ambipolar diffusion. This hints that the magnetic field strength could be regulated by the small grain population during the protostellar collapse. Fragmentation could be effective for bare silicates, but its modeling relies on the choice of ill-constrained parameters. It is also found to be negligible for icy grains. When fragmentation occurs, it strongly affects the magnetic resistivities profiles. Dust coagulation is a critical process that needs to be fully taken into account during the protostellar collapse. The onset and feedback of fragmentation remains uncertain and its modeling should be further investigated.
Dynamical mass measurements of two protoplanetary discs
Authors: Lodato G , Rampinelli L , Viscardi E , Longarini C , Izquierdo A , Paneque-Carreño T , Testi L , Facchini S , Miotello A , Veronesi B , Hall C
Published: November 2022

ALMA observations of line emission from planet forming discs have demonstrated to be an excellent tool to probe the internal disc kinematics, often revealing subtle effects related to important dynamical processes occurring in them, such as turbulence, or the presence of planets, that can be inferred from pressure bumps perturbing the gas motion, or from the detection of the planetary wake. In particular, we have recently shown for the case of the massive disc in Elias 2-27 as how one can use such kind of observations to measure deviations from Keplerianity induced by the disc self-gravity, thus constraining the total disc mass with good accuracy and independently on mass conversion factors between the tracer used and the total mass. Here, we refine our methodology and extend it to two additional sources, GM Aur and IM Lup, for which archival line observations are available for both the 12CO and the 13CO line. For IM Lup, we are able to obtain a consistent disc mass of $M_{\rm disc}=0.1 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, implying a disc-star mass ratio of 0.1 (consistent with the observed spiral structure in the continuum emission) and a gas/dust ratio of ∼65 (consistent with standard assumptions), with a systematic uncertainty by a factor of ≃ 2 due to the different methods to extract the rotation curve. For GM Aur, the two lines we use provide slightly inconsistent rotation curves that cannot be attributed only to a difference in the height of the emitting layer, nor to a vertical temperature stratification. Our best-fitting disc mass measurement is $M_{\rm disc}=0.26 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, implying a disc-star mass ratio of ∼0.35 and a gas/dust ratio of ∼130. Given the complex kinematics in the outer disc of GM Aur and its interaction with the infalling cloud, the CO lines might not well trace the rotation curve and our results for this source should then be considered with some caution.
Sensitivity of modelled cometary gas production on the properties of the surface layer of the nucleus
Authors: Skorov Yu , Reshetnyk V , Küppers M , Bentley M S , Besse S , Hartogh P
Published: November 2022

Explanation of the observed gas activity based on the parameters of the comet’s nucleus is not an obvious matter. Solutions based on certain thermal models can be obtained, but the use of arbitrary values for poorly known model parameters is always required. In this work, we carry out a study of the dependence of gas activity on these parameters and assess the importance of each of them. We consider model porous dust layers of diverse structures. Solid state and gas thermal conductivities are examined to estimate the possible range of effective thermal conductivity. The simulation results are embedded in a thermal model, explicitly including a radiative thermal conductivity and a resistance of the dust layer against the gas flow. Sublimation of water ice and supervolatiles (CO2 and CO) is tested at different heliocentric distances. It is shown that when sublimation is the main energy sink, the role of uncertainties in the structure of the layer is small. As the relative contribution of sublimation decreases, the scatter of solutions reaches tens of per cent. The expected large uncertainties in the effective thermal conductivity can also significantly change the gas production. The analysis performed shows that, in spite of the parameter range having been narrowed down by results from the Rosetta mission, the unavoidable uncertainty in the values of some model parameters (e.g. thermal conductivity) blurs the theoretical simulation estimates. Instead of presenting a narrow set of specific solutions, it is desirable to analyse the entire range of possible solutions.
Gaia DR3 and nearby galaxies: where do foregrounds matter?
Authors: Barmby P
Published: November 2022

Nearby galaxies provide populations of stellar and non-stellar sources at a common distance and in quantifiable environments. All are observed through the Milky Way foreground, with varying degrees of contamination that depend on observed Galactic latitude and the distance and size of the target galaxy. This work uses Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) to identify foreground sources via astrometric measurements and thus quantify foreground contamination for a large sample of nearby galaxies. There are approximately half a million Gaia sources in the directions of 1401 galaxies listed in the Local Volume Galaxy catalogue (D < 11 Mpc), excluding the largest Local Group galaxies. About two-thirds of the Gaia sources have astrometric properties consistent with foreground sources; these sources are brighter, redder, and less centrally concentrated than non-foreground sources. Averaged over galaxies, foreground sources make up 50 per cent of Gaia sources at projected radius r50 = 1.06a26, where a26 is the angular diameter at the B = 26.5 isophote. Foreground sources make up 50 per cent of Gaia sources at apparent magnitude mG, 50 = 20.50. This limit corresponds to the tip of the red giant branch absolute magnitude at D = 450 kpc, and to the globular cluster luminosity function peak absolute magnitude at 5 Mpc. Gaia data provide a powerful tool for removing foreground contamination in stellar population studies of nearby galaxies, although Gaia foreground removal will be incomplete beyond distances of 5 Mpc.
Triage of theGaiaDR3 astrometric orbits – I. A sample of binaries with probable compact companions
Authors: Shahaf S , Bashi D , Mazeh T , Faigler S , Arenou F , El-Badry K , Rix H W
Published: November 2022

In preparation for the release of the astrometric orbits of Gaia, Shahaf et al. (2019) proposed a triage technique to identify astrometric binaries with compact companions based on their astrometric semimajor axis, parallax, and primary mass. The technique requires the knowledge of the appropriate mass–luminosity relation to rule out single or close-binary main-sequence companions. The recent publication of the Gaia DR3 astrometric orbits used a schematic version of this approach, identifying 735 astrometric binaries that might have compact companions. In this communication, we return to the triage of the DR3 astrometric binaries with more careful analysis, estimating the probability for its astrometric secondary to be a compact object or a main-sequence close binary. We compile a sample of 177 systems with highly probable non-luminous massive companions, which is smaller but cleaner than the sample reported in Gaia DR3. The new sample includes eight candidates to be black-hole systems with compact-object masses larger than 2.4 M⊙. The orbital–eccentricity–secondary–mass diagram of the other 169 systems suggests a tentative separation between the white-dwarf and the neutron-star binaries. Most white-dwarf binaries are characterized by small eccentricities of about 0.1 and masses of 0.6 M⊙, while the neutron star binaries display typical eccentricities of 0.4 and masses of 1.3 M⊙.
Dynamical history of the Galilean satellites for a fast migration of Callisto
Authors: Lari Giacomo , Saillenfest Melaine , Grassi Clara
Published: November 2022

The dynamics of the innermost Galilean satellites (Io, Europa, and Ganymede) is characterized by a chain of mean motion resonances, called Laplace resonance, and by a strong tidal dissipation that causes wide variations of their semimajor axes over large time-scales. The precise history of energy dissipation in the Jovian system is not known, but several theories have been proposed. Tidal resonance locking states that big outer moons can also migrate fast. If this is the case for Callisto, then it should have crossed the 2:1 mean motion resonance with Ganymede in the past, affecting the motion of all four Galilean satellites. Therefore, we aim to determine whether a fast migration for Callisto is compatible with the current orbital configuration of the system. Due to the chaotic nature of the resonant crossing, different outcomes are possible. A small portion of our simulations shows that Callisto can cross the 2:1 resonance with Ganymede without being captured and preserving the Laplace resonance. However, in most cases, we found that Callisto is captured into resonance, despite its divergent migration. As Callisto continues to migrate fast outwards, the moons depart substantially from the exact 8:4:2:1 commensurability, while still maintaining the resonant chain. Callisto can eventually escape it by crossing a high-order mean motion resonance with Ganymede. Afterwards, the moons’ system is able to relax to its current configuration for suitable dissipation parameters of the satellites. Therefore, it is possible, although challenging, to build a self-consistent picture of the past history of the Galilean satellites for a fast migration of Callisto.
Isochrone fitting of Galactic globular clusters – IV. NGC 6362 and NGC 6723
Authors: Gontcharov George A , Khovritchev Maxim Yu , Mosenkov Aleksandr V , Il’in Vladimir B , Marchuk Alexander A , Poliakov Denis M , Ryutina Olga S , Savchenko Sergey S , Smirnov Anton A , Usachev Pavel A , Lee Jae-Woo , Camacho Conner , Hebdon Noah
Published: November 2022

We present new isochrone fits to the colour–magnitude diagrams of the Galactic globular clusters NGC 6362 and NGC 6723. We utilize 22 and 26 photometric filters for NGC 6362 and NGC 6723, respectively, from the ultraviolet to mid-infrared using data sets from Hubble Space Telescope, Gaia, unWISE, and other photometric sources. We use models and isochrones from the Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database (DSED) and Bag of Stellar Tracks and Isochrones (BaSTI) for α-enhanced [α/Fe] = +0.4 and different helium abundances. The metallicities [Fe/H] = −1.04 ± 0.07 and −1.09 ± 0.06 are derived from the red giant branch slopes in our fitting for NGC 6362 and NGC 6723, respectively. They agree with spectroscopic estimates from the literature. We find a differential reddening up to ΔE(B − V) = 0.13 mag in the NGC 6723 field due to the adjacent Corona Australis cloud complex. We derive the following for NGC 6362 and NGC 6723, respectively: distances 7.75 ± 0.03 ± 0.15 (statistic and systematic error) and 8.15 ± 0.04 ± 0.15 kpc; ages 12.0 ± 0.1 ± 0.8 and 12.4 ± 0.1 ± 0.8 Gyr; extinctions AV = 0.19 ± 0.04 ± 0.06 and 0.24 ± 0.03 ± 0.06 mag; reddenings E(B − V) = 0.056 ± 0.01 ± 0.02 and 0.068 ± 0.01 ± 0.02 mag. DSED provides systematically lower [Fe/H] and higher reddenings than BaSTI. However, the models agree in their relative estimates: NGC 6723 is 0.44 ± 0.04 kpc further, 0.5 ± 0.1 Gyr older, ΔE(B − V) = 0.007 ± 0.002 more reddened, and with 0.05 ± 0.01 dex lower [Fe/H] than NGC 6362. The lower metallicity and greater age of NGC 6723 with respect to NGC 6362 explain their horizontal branch morphology difference. This confirms age as the second parameter for these clusters. We provide lists of the cluster members from the Gaia Data Release 3.
The stationary phase-specific sRNA FimR2 is a multifunctional regulator of bacterial motility, biofilm formation and virulence
Authors: Raad Nicole , Tandon Disha , Hapfelmeier Siegfried , Polacek Norbert
Published: November 2022

Bacterial pathogens employ a plethora of virulence factors for host invasion, and their use is tightly regulated to maximize infection efficiency and manage resources in a nutrient-limited environment. Here we show that during Escherichia coli stationary phase the 3′ UTR-derived small non-coding RNA FimR2 regulates fimbrial and flagellar biosynthesis at the post-transcriptional level, leading to biofilm formation as the dominant mode of survival under conditions of nutrient depletion. FimR2 interacts with the translational regulator CsrA, antagonizing its functions and firmly tightening control over motility and biofilm formation. Generated through RNase E cleavage, FimR2 regulates stationary phase biology by fine-tuning target mRNA levels independently of the chaperones Hfq and ProQ. The Salmonella enterica orthologue of FimR2 induces effector protein secretion by the type III secretion system and stimulates infection, thus linking the sRNA to virulence. This work reveals the importance of bacterial sRNAs in modulating various aspects of bacterial physiology including stationary phase and virulence.
Increased chromatin accessibility facilitates intron retention in specific cell differentiation states
Authors: Petrova Veronika , Song Renhua ,   DEEP Consortium, Nordström Karl J V , Walter Jörn , Wong Justin J L , Armstrong Nicola J , Rasko John E J , Schmitz Ulf
Published: November 2022

Dynamic intron retention (IR) in vertebrate cells is of widespread biological importance. Aberrant IR is associated with numerous human diseases including several cancers. Despite consistent reports demonstrating that intrinsic sequence features can help introns evade splicing, conflicting findings about cell type- or condition-specific IR regulation by trans-regulatory and epigenetic mechanisms demand an unbiased and systematic analysis of IR in a controlled experimental setting. We integrated matched mRNA sequencing (mRNA-Seq), whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), nucleosome occupancy methylome sequencing (NOMe-Seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) data from primary human myeloid and lymphoid cells. Using these multi-omics data and machine learning, we trained two complementary models to determine the role of epigenetic factors in the regulation of IR in cells of the innate immune system. We show that increased chromatin accessibility, as revealed by nucleosome-free regions, contributes substantially to the retention of introns in a cell-specific manner. We also confirm that intrinsic characteristics of introns are key for them to evade splicing. This study suggests an important role for chromatin architecture in IR regulation. With an increasing appreciation that pathogenic alterations are linked to RNA processing, our findings may provide useful insights for the development of novel therapeutic approaches that target aberrant splicing.
Guard Cell Transcriptome Reveals Membrane Transport, Stomatal Development and Cell Wall Modifications as Key Traits Involved in Salinity Tolerance in HalophyticChenopodium quinoa
Authors: Rasouli Fatemeh , Kiani-Pouya Ali , Movahedi Ali , Wang Yuan , Li Leiting , Yu Min , Pourkheirandish Mohammad , Zhou Meixue , Chen Zhonghua , Zhang Heng , Shabala Sergey
Published: November 2022

A comparative investigation was conducted to evaluate transcriptional changes in guard cells (GCs) of closely related halophytic (Chenopodium quinoa) and glycophytic (Spinacia oleracea) species. Plants were exposed to 3 weeks of 250 mM sodium chloride treatment, and GC-enriched epidermal fragments were mechanically prepared. In both species, salt-responsive genes were mainly related to categories of protein metabolism, secondary metabolites, signal transduction and transport systems. Genes related to abscisic acid (ABA) signaling and ABA biosynthesis were strongly induced in quinoa but not in spinach GCs. Also, expression of the genes encoding transporters of amino acids, proline, sugars, sucrose and potassium increased in quinoa GCs under salinity stress. Analysis of cell-wall-related genes suggests that genes involved in lignin synthesis (e.g. lignin biosynthesis LACCASE 4) were highly upregulated by salt in spinach GCs. In contrast, transcripts related to cell wall plasticity Pectin methylesterase3 (PME3) were highly induced in quinoa. Faster stomatal response to light and dark measured by observing kinetics of changes in stomatal conductance in quinoa might be associated with higher plasticity of the cell wall regulated by PME3 Furthermore, genes involved in the inhibition of stomatal development and differentiation were highly expressed by salt in quinoa, but not in spinach. These changes correlated with reduced stomatal density and index in quinoa, thus improving its water use efficiency. The fine modulation of transporters, cell wall modification and controlling stomatal development in GCs of quinoa may have resulted in high K+/Na+ ratio, lower stomatal conductance and higher stomatal speed for better adaptation to salinity stress in quinoa.
Amputation for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Meta-Analysis and Validation of a Histopathology Scoring System
Authors: Howard Emily L , Singleton Michael , Soulakvelidze Irakli
Published: November 2022

Objective

Pathology can provide crucial insights into the etiology of disease. The goal of this review is to evaluate the rigor of histopathology reports of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Methods

A systematic search of multiple databases identified papers that described amputation for CRPS with pathology findings. Control pathology articles were randomly chosen from the same journals. Landmark articles in Surgical Pathology were previously identified. Papers were categorized by the use of histology: Anatomic (microscopic description), Diagnostic (binary result), and Substrate (special studies only). A novel Histopathology Score assigned 1 point for each of 10 History elements and 15 Pathology elements. All articles were scored and analyzed by appropriate statistics.

Results

The search identified 22 CRPS, 50 Control and 50 Landmark articles. Multivariable analysis of the Pathology Score showed a significantly higher score for Anatomic vs Non-Anatomic papers (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 1.54, P < .001) and Landmark vs CRPS articles (IRR 1.39, P value .003). CRPS papers reported some elements infrequently: diagnostic criteria (31.8%), routine stain (50%), any clinic-pathologic correlation (40.9%), and sample size >2 (27.3%).

Conclusions

The Pathology Score is a useful quality assessment tool to evaluate studies. As expected, Anatomic papers scored significantly higher than Non-Anatomic papers. CRPS papers had small sample sizes (median 1) and infrequent reporting of diagnostic criteria, routine stain, any clinical pathologic correlation. These particular elements are crucial for analyzing and reviewing pathologic features. The analysis explains why it is quite difficult to write a meaningful systematic review of CRPS histology at this time.
IMPACT OF THE ENDF/B-VIII.0 LIBRARY ON MCNP6.2-COMPUTED AMBIENT AND PERSONAL DOSE EQUIVALENT CONVERSION COEFFICIENTS
Authors: McHale Stephen R , Millett Marshall , Prince Madeline I
Published: November 2022

The 2018 release of the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF)/B-VIII.0 library initiated several examinations of the impact of the revised nuclear data on Monte Carlo models. This study used version 6.2 of the Monte Carlo N-Particle® code (MCNP6.2) with the ENDF/B-VI and ENDF/B-VIII.0 libraries to compute conversion coefficients for fluence-to-ambient and fluence-to-personal dose equivalent from neutron energy groups described by an International Atomic Energy Agency 53-bin structure and 47 monoenergetic neutron sources listed in International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 74. The MCNP6.2 models with ENDF/B-VI data were validated against results published in 2005 by Veinot and Hertel. Conversion coefficients computed with MCNP6.2 and ENDF/B-VIII.0 slightly underestimated the ICRP 74 values but were within ICRP-specified tolerances and do not justify revising the ICRP coefficients. Conversion coefficients for personal dose equivalent were computed with MCNP6.2 and ENDF/B-VIII.0 at four angles of incidence greater than those available in ICRP 74. These new coefficients are relevant to radiation protection studies of interest to US defence-focused organisations.
Making sense of transdisciplinarity: Interpreting science policy in a biotechnology centre
Authors: Hesjedal Maria Bårdsen , Åm Heidrun
Published: November 2022

Transdisciplinarity is a much-used concept in research policy to emphasize a need for new collaborations beyond scientific disciplines to solve societal challenges. However, how do scientists interpret transdisciplinarity and what do transdisciplinarity policies mean for their work? This paper focuses on researchers’ definitions of transdisciplinarity. It is based on an empirical study of a Norwegian biotechnology centre founded to stimulate a transition in biotechnology research towards transdisciplinarity. Drawing on interpretive methods, we identify three interpretations of transdisciplinarity. In our case, the science policy idea of ‘transdisciplinarity’ faded away in practice in terms of collaboration with non-academic actors, but boosted the establishment of new interdisciplinary teams. By pointing to the multiplicity of ways in which policy recipients can interpret science policy, this study contributes to scholarship analysing the relation between transdisciplinarity in policy and practice.
Lipopolysaccharide induced intestinal epithelial injury: a novel organoids-based model for sepsis in vitro
Authors: Huang Sisi , Zhang Sheng , Chen Limin , Pan Xiaojun , Wen Zhenliang , Chen Yizhu , Zhang Lidi , Liu Jiao , Chen Dechang
Published: November 2022

Background:

Advances in organoid culture technology have provided a greater understanding of disease pathogenesis, which has been rarely studied in sepsis before. We aim to establish a suitable organoids-based intestinal injury model for sepsis.

Methods:

Stable passaged organoids were constructed and pre-treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic sepsis-induced intestinal injury. The LPS-induced sepsis model was used as a reference. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the RNA levels of inflammatory factors and antimicrobial peptides. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the protein levels, hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate the pathology of the small intestine of mice, and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the intestinal epithelial barrier function. Perkin Elmer Operetta™ was used to obtain high-resolution images of three-dimensional organoids.

Results:

An LPS concentration >150 μg/mL after 24 h was identified to cause organoid growth restriction. The fluorescence intensity of zonula occludens-1 and occludins at LPS concentrations >100 μg/mL decreased significantly after 24 h. After LPS stimulation for 8 h, the RNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, tumor necrosis factor alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-6, and regenerating islet-derived protein 3 alpha, beta, and gamma increased. These results resembled those of intestinal epithelial layer alterations in a mouse sepsis model. For IL-10, the RNA expression level increased only when the LPS level >200 μg/mL for 24 h.

Conclusions:

This study provides the primary intestinal in vitro model to study the effects of LPS-induced intestinal injury resembling sepsis. This model provides a platform for immune associated mechanism exploration and effective drug screening.