bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pattern of growth and respiratory activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) cells growing entrapped in an insolubilized gelatin gel
Authors: Parascandola P. , de Alteriis E.
Published: October 2023

Yeast cells immobilized by entrapment in an insolubilized gelatin gel have been investigated with regard to their pattern of growth and respiratory activity. Mass‐transfer resistance offered by the matrix and growth of the entrapped cells determine a gradient of nutrients throughout the gel which is responsible for both a lower specific growth rate of immobilized cells with respect to that of free ones, and a heterogeneous biomass distribution, with progressively increased cellular density from the inside to the outside of the matrix. The spatial organization of the growing cells leads to the formation of a biofilm perfectly adherent to the surface of the matrix. Measurements of the oxygen‐uptake rate of the immobilized cells, after having been released from the matrix by trypsin digestion, and confocal microscopy of cells stained with Rhodamine 123 demonstrate the occurrence of a gradient of respiratory activity throughout the immobilized culture.
Purification and characterization of NADH oxidase from the archaea Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Masullo M. , Raimo G. , Dello Russo A. , Bocchini V. , JV Bannister
Published: October 2023

The enzyme NADH oxidase (EC 1.6.99.3) has been isolated from the two thermoacidophilic archaea Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and Sulfolobus solfataricus and characterized. In both organisms the enzyme oxidizes specifically beta‐NADH in the presence of molecular oxygen and requires the presence of a flavin cofactor, showing a high specificity for FAD. A stoicheiometric amount of hydrogen peroxide to NADH is formed as the end product of the reaction, indicating that both enzymes are two‐electron donors. The purified enzymes exhibit quite different molecular properties. S. acidocaldarius NADH oxidase is a monomeric protein with an estimated molecular mass of about 27 kDa, whereas S. solfataricus NADH oxidase is a dimeric protein with a molecular mass of 35 kDa per subunit; S. solfataricus NADH oxidase is purified as an FAD‐containing protein, whereas S. acidocaldarius NADH oxidase does not contain a flavin molecule. Furthermore, a comparison of the N‐terminal amino acid sequence shows no similarities either between the two proteins or to any other NADH oxidases. Both enzymes are essentially thermophilic. In the temperature range 20‐80 degrees C, the energy of activation is almost the same for both activities, suggesting that similar energetic parameters are required. Also both oxidases display a great stability to heat. The half‐life of heat inactivation is about 180 min at 90 degrees C for S. acidocaldarius NADH oxidase and 77 min at 98 degrees C for the S. solfataricus enzyme. The activity of the two enzymes is inhibited by urea and guanidine and are regulated very differently by several organic solvents.
Epidemiology of Suicidal Behavior
Authors: Mościcki Eve K.
Published: October 2023

This paper presents the epidemiology of suicide and discusses the known risk factors for suicide within a framework designed to encourage a systematic approach to theory testing and prevention. Mental and addictive disorders are the most powerful of the multiple risk factors for suicide in all age groups. Since risk factors for suicide rarely occur in isolation, prevention efforts are more likely to succeed if multiple risk factors are targeted.
Suicide Prevention from a Public Health Perspective
Authors: Potter Lloyd B. , Powell Kenneth E. , Kachur S. Patrick
Published: October 2023

The public health approach to health problems provides a strong framework and rationale for developing and implementing suicide prevention programs. This approach consists of health‐event surveillance to describe the problem, epidemiologic analysis to identify risk factors, the design and evaluation of interventions, and the implementation of prevention programs. The application of each of these components to suicide prevention is reviewed. Suggestions for improving surveillance include encouraging the use of appropriate coding, reviewing suicide statistics at the local level, collecting more etiologically useful information, and placing greater emphasis on analysis of morbidity data. For epidemiologic analysis, greater use could be made of observational studies, and uniform definitions and measures should be developed and adopted. Efforts to develop interventions must include evaluating both the process and the outcome. Finally, community suicide prevention programs should include more than one strategy and, where appropriate, should be strongly linked with the community's mental health resources. With adequate planning, coordination, and resources, and the public health approach can help reduce the emotional and economic costs imposed on society by suicide and suicidal behavior.
Suicide Prevention Programs: Issues of Design, Implementation, Feasibility, and Developmental Appropriateness
Authors: Silverman Morton M. , Felner Robert D.
Published: October 2023

Emerging models of prevention focus on population‐level risk reduction through enumerating antecedent conditions that are linked to subsequent expressions of disorder and dysfunction. The authors discuss the essential ingredients for successful prevention programs‐comprehensiveness, fidelity, and intensity. The authors describe how to mount prevention programs to increase feasibility, access, and effectiveness. Suicide is an epidemic of low frequency in the general population and therefore does not receive appropriate attention in public health prevention campaigns. They argue for nesting suicide prevention programs within existing public health preventive intervention programs and provide some examples of how to reduce vulnerabilities and risk conditions for subsequent suicidal behaviors.
Empirically Based Criteria for Rational Suicide: A Survey of Psychotherapists
Authors: Werth James L. , Cobia Debra C.
Published: October 2023

This qualitative study was designed to develop a set of empirically based criteria for rational suicide by asking psychotherapists to define “rational suicide.” Data analysis revealed three components of a rational suicide: (1) the presence of an unremittingly hopeless condition (eight examples provided), (2) a suicidal decision made as a free choice, and (3) the presence of an informed decision‐making process (five elements listed). It is suggested that the criteria may possibly be used in assessing the rationality of suicidal clients.
Parental Loss and Family Violence as Correlates of Suicide and Violence Risk
Authors: Botsis Alexander J. , Plutchik Robert , Kotler Moshe , van Praag Herman M.
Published: October 2023

Seventy‐nine psychiatric inpatients were administered a battery of psychometric instruments that obtained information about early parental loss, exposure to family violence, and behavioral problems in themselves and in their first‐degree relatives. These variables were correlated with suicide and violence risk measures. Suicide risk significantly correlated with all family variables whereas violence risk correlated with behavioral problems both in oneself and in one's first‐degree relatives. Moreover, suicidal and/or violent patients had experienced maternal loss significantly more frequently than the nonsuicidal/nonviolent patients. In the suicidal/violent group, age of patient at death of parents was significantly lower than in the nonsuicidal/nonviolent group. Finally, family violence was significantly correlated with behavioral problems in self and in first‐degree relatives. Findings are interpreted according to the authors' theoretical model of aggression regulation.
A Method for Reporting Self‐Harm According to Level of Injury and Location on the Body
Authors: Rosen Paul M. , Heard Kenneth V.
Published: October 2023

Self‐mutilation occurs on a continuum from superficial to severe, yet previous studies have not differentiated these acts. This study, conducted over 4 years with emotionally disturbed adolescents, presents a method for reporting four levels of severity of self‐mutilation. A group of 32 subjects inflicted 128 self‐mutilations. Each wound was rated for level of injury and was mapped according to the location of the wound on the body. This method for reporting self‐mutilation was seen as an efficient and reliable procedure for describing the full continuum of self‐inflicted injuries. The term self‐harm was seen as a more accurate and useful description of these behaviors.
Psychological Intervention, Spontaneous Remission, Hopelessness, and Psychiatric Disturbance in Adolescent Parasuicides
Authors: Pillay Anthony L. , Wassenaar Douglas R.
Published: October 2023

A study of 40 Indian adolescent parasuicides in South Africa showed that these subjects have significantly higher levels of hopelessness and psychiatric disturbance than nonsuicidal controls. Approximately half the parasuicides received psychological intervention. Posttesting at 6 months revealed that the treated subjects improved significantly on measures of hopelessness and psychiatric disturbance. The untreated subjects showed no significant reduction in hopelessness although they improved significantly on ratings of psychiatric disturbance. The results are discussed with possible explanations and recommendations.
Mandatory monthly outpatient visits could improve therapeutic inertia in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tsai Ying‐Ying , Kuo Ting‐Yu , Lin Meng‐Hung , Shen Feng‐Chih , Lin Yung‐Hsiang
Published: October 2023

Aims/Introduction

Delayed intensification of treatment, or therapeutic inertia, increases the risk of diabetic complications and death. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mandatory monthly outpatient visits on therapeutic inertia in patients with suboptimal control of type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study used data from the Chang Gung Research Database and defined two study periods: the baseline period and the intervention period. The intervention period began when the Kaohsiung branch initiated a mandatory monthly outpatient visits program. Type 2 diabetes patients with baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7% and a follow‐up HbA1c measurement were enrolled in each period, and divided into a Kaohsiung branch (intervention) group and the other branches (control) group. Therapy intensification was evaluated by comparing prescriptions after the follow‐up HbA1c measurement with the prescriptions after the baseline HbA1c measurement.

Results

A total of 5,045 patients at the Kaohsiung branch and 13,400 participants at other branches were enrolled in the baseline period; and 5,573 and 15,603 patients, respectively, were enrolled in the intervention period. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for therapy intensification in patients with baseline HbA1c ≥9% was not significantly higher at 1.21 (95% CI, 1.00–1.47) in the intervention period at the Kaohsiung branch, but was significantly higher (AOR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.02–2.30) in the subgroup with worsened HbA1c.

Conclusions

Mandatory monthly outpatient visits could improve therapeutic inertia in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, especially in those with worsened control. The trajectory of HbA1c could significantly influence the assessment of the prevalence of therapeutic inertia.
Firm reaction to geopolitical crises: Evidence from the Russia‐Ukraine conflict
Authors: ALAM MD ASIF UL , Devos Erik , Feng Zifeng
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates corporate announcements related to the Russia‐Ukraine conflict of S&P 500 firms. We observe that firms withdrawing from Russia or suspending operations possess higher cash levels. Additionally, firms with more cash seem to announce withdrawals or suspensions more promptly. These findings suggest that cash levels are pivotal in how firms respond to geopolitical events. While cash does not seem influential when firms announce donations due to the conflict, it does affect the speed of such announcements. Social media also appears to play a significant role. Examining investor reactions to donation or withdrawal/suspension announcements, we report negative returns surrounding these announcements. Our paper underscores the critical role of cash reserves (i.e., financial flexibility) in shaping firm reactions to geopolitical events.
Precision endoscopy in the era of climate change and sustainability
Authors: Ueda Tomoya , Li James Weiquan , Ho Shiaw‐Hooi , Singh Rajvinder , Uedo Noriya
Published: October 2023

Global warming caused by increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has a direct impact on human health. Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy contributes significantly to GHG emissions due to energy consumption, reprocessing of endoscopes and accessories, production of equipment, safe disposal of biohazardous waste, and travel by patients. Moreover, GHGs are also generated in histopathology through tissue processing and the production of biopsy specimen bottles. The reduction in unnecessary surveillance endoscopies and biopsies is a practical approach to decrease GHG emissions without affecting disease outcomes. This narrative review explores the role of precision medicine in GI endoscopy, such as image‐enhanced endoscopy and artificial intelligence, with a focus on decreasing unnecessary endoscopic procedures and biopsies in the surveillance and diagnosis of premalignant lesions in the esophagus, stomach, and colon. This review offers strategies to minimize unnecessary endoscopic procedures and biopsies, decrease GHG emissions, and maintain high‐quality patient care, thereby contributing to sustainable healthcare practices.
Global research trends in sexual health care: A bibliometric and visualized study
Authors: Fu Yao , Zhao Junbo , Zhang Wenjin , Du Hailiang , Cao Zhiqin , Chen Xingfeng
Published: October 2023

No Patient or Public Contribution, because the relevant data of this article comes from the literature database.

Purpose

The present study aimed to investigate the trends and research status of sexual healthcare.

Methods

We searched the Web of Science database for relevant articles concerning sexual healthcare, published between 2009 and 31 December 2022. Data collected include: the number of publications, authors, journals, countries, institutions, keywords. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to conduct the bibliometric study and visualise the analysis.

Results

A total of 1450 publications were included. The number of publications on sexual healthcare shows a fluctuating upward trend, and a stable core group of authors has been formed. The Journal of Clinical Nursing published the most articles on sexual healthcare (140 publications). The United States of America published the most articles (723, 49.86%). The research institution with the highest number of publications is the University of São Paulo. According to the keyword, timeline view and prominence mapping analysis, we believe that ‘Female sexual health’, ‘HIV’, ‘LGBT’ and ‘Sexual Healthcare Services’ may be new research hotspots in the field of sexual healthcare.

Conclusion

This study describes the research status of sexual healthcare research over the past 14 years. The findings of this study can provide helpful reference and guidance for the development trend and research direction of sexual healthcare.
Toward making a high‐quality silage from common reed (Phragmites australis)
Authors: Kazemi Mohsen , Mokhtarpour Amir , Saleh Hassan
Published: October 2023

The effects of the addition of molasses (5 and 10% of dry matter: DM basis; M5 and M10 respectively) with or without urea (2%; U2, U2 + M5 and U2 + M10) on chemical and mineral composition, silage quality, microbial populations, buffering capacity and fermentation/digestion characteristics of common reed (Phragmites australis) ensiled under anaerobic conditions were investigated. The additives changed the silage quality of common reed compared with the control. Crude protein content was significantly (p< 0.0001) increased in urea‐containing silages, whereas ash‐free neutral detergent fibre concentration decreased in M10 compared with the control (p = 0.05). Treatment with 2% urea (U2) resulted in the reduction of most measured minerals with a severe decrease in iron concentration. The amount of gas produced after 96 h of incubation was, respectively, higher for U2, M10, U2M10, U2M5 and M5 compared with the control (p < 0.0001). Although the greatest in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility (96 h) were observed in U2 (p < 0.0001), no significant differences were found between U2 and M10. Supplementation with 10% molasses (M10) significantly increased lactic acid concentration, aerobic stability and total bacteria compared with other treatments (p < 0.0001). Moreover, DM loss (p = 0.0004), total yeast and mould (p < 0.0001) were significantly decreased as a result of 10% molasses treatment. Overall, it can be suggested that treating silage with 10% molasses (M10) has the potential to efficiently improve the nutritive value of common reed.
Role of HBsAg levels in guiding hepatitis B virus prophylaxis in pregnancy: Insights from a multi‐ethnic cohort
Authors: Mak Lung‐Yi , Koffas Apostolos , Dolman Grace E. , Saleh Hossam , Kemos Polychronis , Riddell Anna , Gill Upkar , Kennedy Patrick T.F.
Published: October 2023

Pregnant mothers with chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) need peri‐partum antiviral prophylaxis (PAP) to reduce the risk of mother‐to‐child‐transmission. Currently, PAP is recommended in those with high viral load (VL) that is, HBV DNA >200,000 IU/mL. Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) >10,000 IU/mL, a cut‐off derived primarily from hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) positive antenatal cohorts in Chinese populations, is advocated as a surrogate marker of VL for guiding PAP. We investigated the utility of qHBsAg to predict high‐VL in a multi‐ethnic urban cohort with CHB. A consecutive cohort of women with CHB was identified from Barts Health NHS Trust databases in the United Kingdom. We included women with paired HBV DNA and qHBsAg during pregnancy. Women already on antiviral at conception were excluded. A total of 769 pregnancies in 678 CHB pregnant mothers (median age 31 years‐old, 8.6% HBeAg+) were included. At median gestational age of 15.3 weeks, HBV DNA was 336 (IQR 44–2998) IU/mL, with 65 (8.5%) being high‐VL. Serum qHBsAg was most useful in Black/Black‐British/Caribbean/African (AUROC 0.946) with 100% sensitivity and 80.6% specificity to predict high‐VL; but it performed less well for other ethnicities: Asian (AUROC 0.877), White (AUROC 0.797) and mixed ethnicities (AUROC 0.742). In conclusion, for settings where healthcare resources are not limited, HBV DNA remains the optimal marker to identify highly viraemic pregnancies for guiding PAP. For resource‐limited settings where the prevailing cost is treatment, serum qHBsAg can be used in Black/Black British/Caribbean/African sub‐cohorts, but not for other ethnicities.
Effects of phenylbutazone, firocoxib, and dipyrone on the diuretic response to furosemide in horses
Authors: White Julianne M. , Colbath Aimee C. , Schott Harold C.
Published: October 2023

Background

Treatment with phenylbutazone (nonselective COX inhibitor) decreases the diuretic and natriuretic effects of furosemide by nearly 30% but the effects of COX‐2 specific inhibitors (firocoxib) and atypical NSAIDs (dipyrone) are unknown.

Hypothesis

Furosemide‐induced diuresis after pretreatment with firocoxib or dipyrone is diminished to a lesser extent than after pretreatment with phenylbutazone.

Animals

Eight healthy mares.

Methods

Each mare received 4 treatments in a prospective experimental crossover study using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design: furosemide alone (FU), furosemide and phenylbutazone (PB), furosemide and firocoxib (FX), and furosemide and dipyrone (DP). After 24 hours of NSAID treatment at recommended dosages, ureteral catheters were placed for continual urine collection. After a 30‐minute baseline collection period, furosemide (1.0 mg/kg, IV) was administered, and urine and blood samples were collected for 4 hours. Data were assessed by repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Four‐hour urine volume was (mean ± SD) ~25% less (P < .001) after pretreatment with all NSAIDs (PB 19.1 ± 2.1 mL/kg, FX 17.7 ± 3.5 mL/kg, DP 19.1 ± 3.9 mL/kg), as compared to FU (23.4 ± 5.1 mL/kg) (P < .001), but there were no differences between PB, FX, or DP. Interindividual variability in furosemide diuresis after pretreatment with different NSAIDs was observed.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Though COX‐2 selective NSAIDs and dipyrone might have less severe or fever gastrointestinal adverse effects in horses, our data suggest minimal differences in effects on furosemide‐induced diuresis, and possibly, risk of nephrotoxicosis.
Experiences of intensive care nurses providing care to the victims of Kahramanmaraş earthquakes
Authors: Çetinkaya Özdemir Serap , Semerci Çakmak Vahide , Ziyai Nasibe Yağmur , Çakir Emine
Published: October 2023

Background

Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 occurred in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaraş in 2023. The earthquakes resulted in serious losses of life and property in 11 provinces, and the injured were transferred to other provinces for treatment and care. To date, no studies on the experiences of intensive care nurses providing care to earthquake victims after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence have been identified.

Aim

The aim of the present study is to explore the experiences of intensive care nurses providing care to earthquake victims who were transferred to other provinces.

Study Design

A qualitative descriptive research design with conventional content analysis was used. Snowball sampling was used in the selection of intensive care nurses. Data saturation was achieved with 20 nurses. In‐depth interviews were conducted with the participants through phone between March 8 and March 15, 2023. MAXQDA 20 software was used for data analysis. The COREQ checklist was used to guide the reporting of the study.

Results

Twenty nurses were recruited. Four themes emerged from the data: challenges in caregiving processes; psychological challenges; ethical situations; urgent need for training and support.

Conclusions

After the Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence, described by some as the disaster of the century, nurses encountered patients with unique needs that they had never encountered before and tried to cope with the constantly changing health conditions. For this reason, they were affected psychologically and experienced challenges in caregiving processes.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Conducting comprehensive training for diseases common among earthquake victims, developing new protocols for providing care to earthquake victims, developing more action plans for nurses, and psychologically supporting intensive care nurses would facilitate the caregiving processes.
Nonstructural carbohydrate dynamics' relationship to leaf development under varying environments
Authors: Blumstein Meghan , Oseguera Miranda , Caso‐McHugh Theresa , Des Marais David L.
Published: October 2023

Leaf‐out in temperate forests is a critical transition point each spring and advancing with global change. The mechanism linking phenological variation to external cues is poorly understood. Nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) availability may be key.

Here, we use branch cuttings from northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and measure NSCs throughout bud development in branch tissue. Given genes and environment influence phenology, we placed branches in an arrayed factorial experiment (three temperatures × two photoperiods, eight genotypes) to examine their impact on variation in leaf‐out timing and corresponding NSCs.

Despite significant differences in leaf‐out timing between treatments, NSC patterns were much more consistent, with all treatments and genotypes displaying similar NSC concentrations across phenophases. Notably, the moderate and hot temperature treatments reached the same NSC concentrations and phenophases at the same growing degree days (GDD), but 20 calendar days apart, while the cold treatment achieved only half the GDD of the other two.

Our results suggest that NSCs are coordinated with leaf‐out and could act as a molecular clock, signaling to cells the passage of time and triggering leaf development to begin. This link between NSCs and budburst is critical for improving predictions of phenological timing.
Functional comparison of phototropin from the liverworts Apopellia endiviifolia and Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Yong Lee‐Kien , Keino Issei , Kanna Yui , Noguchi Minoru , Fujisawa Mami , Kodama Yutaka
Published: October 2023

Phototropin (phot) is a blue light (BL) receptor and thermosensor that mediates chloroplast movements in plants. Liverworts, as early‐diverging plant species, have a single copy of PHOT gene, and the phot protein in each liverwort activates the signaling pathway adapted to its specific growing environment. In this study, we functionally compared phot from two different liverworts species: Apopellia endiviifolia (Aephot) and Marchantia polymorpha (Mpphot). The BL‐dependent photochemical activity of Aephot was similar to that of Mpphot, whereas the thermochemical activity of Aephot was lower than that of Mpphot. Therefore, the phot‐mediated signaling pathways of the two plant species may differ more in response to temperature than to BL. Furthermore, we analyzed the functional compatibility of Aephot and Mpphot in chloroplast movements by transiently expressing AePHOT or MpPHOT. The transient expression of AePHOT did not mediate chloroplast movement in M. polymorpha, showing the incompatibility of Aephot with the signaling pathway of M. polymorpha. By contrast, the transient expression of MpPHOT mediated chloroplast movement in A. endiviifolia, indicating the compatibility of Mpphot with the signaling pathway of A. endiviifolia. Our findings reveal both functional similarities and differences between Aephot and Mpphot proteins from the closely related liverworts.
The natural history of periodontal disease—Part 2: In populations with access to dental care: The Studies of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)
Authors: Kocher Thomas , Meisel Peter , Biffar Reiner , Völzke Henry , Holtfreter Birte
Published: October 2023

In this descriptive analysis of the 21‐year follow‐up data from the SHIP‐START cohort and the 7‐year follow‐up data from the SHIP‐TREND cohort, we report the progression of clinical attachment levels (CAL), age effects on CAL change, and a detailed description of CAL progression and remission. At baseline, 4307 and 4420 persons participated in SHIP‐START and SHIP‐TREND, respectively. At the final follow‐up, 1181 and 2507 subjects were available for evaluation, respectively. In SHIP‐START and SHIP‐TREND participants, the mean CAL progressed by 0.04 and 0.02 mm/year, respectively. The older the participants were, the lower the average annual change in mean CAL (from 0.043 to 0.031 mm/year); annual tooth loss was 0.11–0.14 teeth/year. When participants were ranked according to their annual change in mean CAL, remission was more frequently observed in older subjects. To correctly understand the data, it is important to realize that selection bias due to dropouts during follow‐up favored younger and more health‐conscious persons. In addition, extraction of severely periodontally compromised teeth during follow‐up biased the progression towards zero. Another explanation for these low CAL progression rates is that most sites had little or no change in CAL; this means that CAL progression was partly offset by CAL remission. Therefore, changes in mean CAL do not adequately describe the temporal course of periodontitis. Older age was not a risk factor for CAL progression in either cohort.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia‐induced cardiovascular and renal dysfunction: from adaptation to maladaptation
Authors: Arnaud Claire , Billoir Emma , de Melo Junior Antonio F. , Pereira Sofia A. , O'Halloran Ken D. , Monteiro Emilia C.
Published: October 2023

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is the dominant pathological feature of human obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is highly prevalent and associated with cardiovascular and renal diseases. CIH causes hypertension, centred on sympathetic nervous overactivity, which persists following removal of the CIH stimulus. Molecular mechanisms contributing to CIH‐induced hypertension have been carefully delineated. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on the efficacy of interventions to ameliorate high blood pressure in established disease. CIH causes endothelial dysfunction, aberrant structural remodelling of vessels and accelerates atherosclerotic processes. Pro‐inflammatory and pro‐oxidant pathways converge on disrupted nitric oxide signalling driving vascular dysfunction. In addition, CIH has adverse effects on the myocardium, manifesting atrial fibrillation, and cardiac remodelling progressing to contractile dysfunction. Sympatho‐vagal imbalance, oxidative stress, inflammation, dysregulated HIF‐1α transcriptional responses and resultant pro‐apoptotic ER stress, calcium dysregulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction conspire to drive myocardial injury and failure. CIH elaborates direct and indirect effects in the kidney that initially contribute to the development of hypertension and later to chronic kidney disease. CIH‐induced morphological damage of the kidney is dependent on TLR4/NF‐κB/NLRP3/caspase‐1 inflammasome activation and associated pyroptosis. Emerging potential therapies related to the gut–kidney axis and blockade of aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) are promising. Cardiorenal outcomes in response to intermittent hypoxia present along a continuum from adaptation to maladaptation and are dependent on the intensity and duration of exposure to intermittent hypoxia. This heterogeneity of OSA is relevant to therapeutic treatment options and we argue the need for better stratification of OSA phenotypes.

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Jumping Exercise Combined With Collagen Supplementation Preserves Bone Mineral Density in Elite Cyclists
Authors: Hilkens Luuk , van Schijndel Nick , Weijer Vera C.R. , Decroix Lieselot , Bons Judith , van Loon Luc J.C. , van Dijk Jan-Willem
Published: October 2023

This study assessed the effect of combined jump training and collagen supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) in elite road-race cyclists. In this open-label, randomized study with two parallel groups, 36 young (21 ± 3 years) male (n = 8) and female (n = 28) elite road-race cyclists were allocated to either an intervention (INT: n = 18) or a no-treatment control (CON: n = 18) group. The 18-week intervention period, conducted during the off-season, comprised five 5-min bouts of jumping exercise per week, with each bout preceded by the ingestion of 15 g hydrolyzed collagen. Before and after the intervention, BMD of various skeletal sites and trabecular bone score of the lumbar spine were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, along with serum bone turnover markers procollagen Type I N propeptide and carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of Type I collagen. BMD of the femoral neck decreased in CON (from 0.789 ± 0.104 to 0.774 ± 0.095 g/cm2), while being preserved in INT (from 0.803 ± 0.058 to 0.809 ± 0.066 g/cm2; Time × Treatment, p < .01). No differences between treatments were observed for changes in BMD at the total hip, lumbar spine, and whole body (Time × Treatment, p > .05 for all). Trabecular bone score increased from 1.38 ± 0.08 to 1.40 ± 0.09 in CON and from 1.46 ± 0.08 to 1.47 ± 0.08 in INT, respectively (time effect: p < .01), with no differences between treatments (Time × Treatment: p = .33). Serum procollagen Type I N propeptide concentrations decreased to a similar extent in CON (83.6 ± 24.8 to 71.4 ± 23.1 ng/ml) and INT (82.8 ± 30.7 to 66.3 ± 30.6; time effect, p < .001; Time × Treatment, p = .22). Serum carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of Type I collagen concentrations did not change over time, with no differences between treatments (time effect, p = .08; Time × Treatment, p = .58). In conclusion, frequent short bouts of jumping exercise combined with collagen supplementation beneficially affects femoral neck BMD in elite road-race cyclists.
Instructors’ Perceptions and Experiences of Teaching Online Exercise Classes to Older Adults: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Dagenais Matthieu , Krajnovic Aleksandra , Galway Sarah , Gammage Kimberley
Published: October 2023

Online exercise programming has become increasingly popular in recent years, including for older adults. Instructors hold unique perspectives on such programming that could yield important insights for effective program design and delivery. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine instructors’ perceptions and experiences teaching exercise classes online to older adults. Using qualitative description, 19 instructors from a community exercise program for seniors completed a one-on-one semistructured interview. We analyzed data using reflexive thematic analysis and generated three main themes: (a) characteristics of effective online instructors, (b) challenges to delivering online exercise programming to older adults, and (c) future of online exercise programming. Most participants enjoyed delivering online exercise classes and developing the unique skills (particularly related to fostering social experiences and engaging with participants) required to be effective online exercise instructors. Our findings speak to the importance of ensuring instructors are adequately trained to deliver online exercise to seniors.
Cross-modal representation of identity in the primate hippocampus
Authors: Tyree Timothy J. , Metke Michael , Miller Cory T.
Published: October 2023

Faces and voices are the dominant social signals used to recognize individuals among primates. Yet, it is not known how these signals are integrated into a cross-modal representation of individual identity in the primate brain. We discovered that, although single neurons in the marmoset hippocampus exhibited selective responses when presented with the face or voice of a specific individual, a parallel mechanism for representing the cross-modal identities for multiple individuals was evident within single neurons and at the population level. Manifold projections likewise showed the separability of individuals as well as clustering for others’ families, which suggests that multiple learned social categories are encoded as related dimensions of identity in the hippocampus. Neural representations of identity in the hippocampus are thus both modality independent and reflect the primate social network.
Sleep and the hypothalamus
Authors: Adamantidis Antoine R. , de Lecea Luis
Published: October 2023

Neural substrates of wakefulness, rapid eye movement sleep (REMS), and non-REMS (NREMS) in the mammalian hypothalamus overlap both anatomically and functionally with cellular networks that support physiological and behavioral homeostasis. Here, we review the roles of sleep neurons of the hypothalamus in the homeostatic control of thermoregulation or goal-oriented behaviors during wakefulness. We address how hypothalamic circuits involved in opposing behaviors such as core body temperature and sleep compute conflicting information and provide a coherent vigilance state. Finally, we highlight some of the key unresolved questions and challenges, and the promise of a more granular view of the cellular and molecular diversity underlying the integrative role of the hypothalamus in physiological and behavioral homeostasis.
A quantum process in a laser microchip
Authors: Corrielli Giacomo
Published: October 2023

Optical comb lasers could increase data transmission rates in telecommunications
In Other Journals
Authors: Jiang Di , Uzogara Ekeoma , Yeston Jake S. , Grocholski Brent , Stern Peter , Ross Sarah H. , Osborne Ian S.
Published: October 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
High hopes for short corn
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: October 2023

Plants bred or engineered to be short can stand up better to windstorms. They could also boost yields and benefit the environment
Resistance development in
Escherichia coli
to delafloxacin at pHs 6.0 and 7.3 compared to ciprofloxacin
Authors: Bösch Anja , Macha Magreth E. , Ren Qun , Kohler Philipp , Qi Weihong , Babouee Flury Baharak
Published: October 2023

Understanding the resistance mechanisms of antibiotics in the micro-environment of the infection is important to assess their clinical applicability and potentially prevent resistance development. We compared the laboratory resistance evolution of
Escherichia coli
to delafloxacin (DLX) compared to ciprofloxacin (CIP), the co-resistance evolution, and underlying resistance mechanisms at different pHs. Three clones from each of the eight clinical
E. coli
isolates were subjected to subinhibitory concentrations of DLX or CIP in parallel at either pH 7.3 or 6.0. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were regularly tested (at respective pHs), and the antibiotic concentration was adjusted accordingly. After 30 passages, MICs were determined in the presence of the efflux pump inhibitor phenylalanine-arginine-β-naphthylamide. Whole genome sequencing of the parental isolates and their resistant derivatives (
n
= 54) was performed. Complementation assays were carried out for selected mutations. Quantitative PCR and efflux experiments were carried out for selected derivatives. For DLX-challenged strains, resistance to DLX evolved much slower in acidic than in neutral pH, whereas for CIP-challenged strains, the opposite was the case. Mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region were mainly seen in CIP-challenged
E. coli
, whereas a multifactorial mechanism including mutations in efflux-related genes played a role in DLX resistance evolution (predominantly at pH 6.0). This work provides novel insights into the resistance mechanisms of
E. coli
to delafloxacin and highlights the importance of understanding micro-environmental conditions at the infection site that might affect the true clinical efficacy of antibiotics and challenges our current antibiotic susceptibility-testing paradigm.
Use of genome sequencing to resolve differences in gradient diffusion and agar dilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing performance of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
isolates in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Ma Angela , Ferrato Christina , Martin Irene , Smyczek Petra , Gratrix Jennifer , Dingle Tanis C.
Published: October 2023

Agar dilution is the gold standard method for phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
. However, this method is laborious and requires expertise, so laboratories that perform
N. gonorrhoeae
AST may choose alternative methods such as disk diffusion and gradient diffusion. In this study, we retrospectively compare the performance of gradient diffusion to agar dilution for 2,394 unique
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates identified in Alberta from 2017 to 2020 against azithromycin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline. Genome sequencing was utilized to resolve discrepancies between AST methods, detect antimicrobial resistance markers, and identify trends between error rates and sequence types (STs) of isolates. Over 90% of
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates were susceptible to azithromycin, cefixime, and ceftriaxone, whereas decreased susceptibility was observed for ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline. Categorical (CA) and essential agreement (EA) was poorest between the two methods for penicillin (CA: 86.02%; EA: 77.69%) and tetracycline (CA: 47.22%; EA: 55.96%); however, the low CA was primarily attributed to minor errors. Antimicrobial agents with errors outside of acceptable limits included azithromycin (very major error: 18.42%; major error: 7.73%) and tetracycline (very major error: 6.17%). Genome sequencing on a subset of isolates resolved 30.3% of the azithromycin major errors and confirmed the azithromycin or tetracycline very major errors. Significant associations between certain STs and error types for azithromycin and tetracycline were also identified. Overall, gradient diffusion compared well to agar dilution for cefixime, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin, and genome sequencing was identified as a useful tool to arbitrate discrepant susceptibility testing results between gradient diffusion and agar dilution for
N. gonorrhoeae
.
Deep mutational scanning reveals the functional constraints and evolutionary potential of the influenza A virus PB1 protein
Authors: Li Yuan , Arcos Sarah , Sabsay Kimberly R. , te Velthuis Aartjan J. W. , Lauring Adam S.
Published: October 2023

The influenza virus polymerase is central to influenza virus evolution. Adaptive mutations within the polymerase are often a prerequisite for efficient spread of novel animal-derived viruses in human populations. The polymerase also determines fidelity and, therefore, the rate at which the virus will acquire mutations that lead to host range expansion, drug resistance, or antigenic drift. Despite its importance to viral replication and evolution, our understanding of the mutational effects and associated constraints on the influenza RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is relatively limited. We performed deep mutational scanning of the A/WSN/1933(H1N1) polymerase basic 1 (PB1), generating a library of 95.4% of amino acid substitutions at 757 sites. After accuracy filters, we were able to measure replicative fitness for 13,354 (84%) of all possible amino acid substitutions, and 13 were validated by results from pairwise competition assays. Functional and structural constraints were better revealed by individual sites involved in RNA or protein interactions than by major subdomains defined by sequence conservation. Mutational tolerance, as defined by site entropy, was correlated with evolutionary potential, as captured by diversity in the available H1N1 sequences. Of the 29 beneficial sites, many have either been identified in the natural evolution of PB1 or shown experimentally to have important impacts on replication and adaptation. Accessibility of amino acid substitutions by single nucleotide mutation was a key factor in determining whether mutations appeared in natural PB1 evolution. Our work provides a comprehensive map of mutational effects on a viral RdRp and a valuable resource for subsequent studies of influenza replication and evolution.

IMPORTANCE

The influenza virus polymerase is important for adaptation to new hosts and, as a determinant of mutation rate, for the process of adaptation itself. We performed a deep mutational scan of the polymerase basic 1 (PB1) protein to gain insights into the structural and functional constraints on the influenza RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. We find that PB1 is highly constrained at specific sites that are only moderately predicted by the global structure or larger domain. We identified a number of beneficial mutations, many of which have been shown to be functionally important or observed in influenza virus’ natural evolution. Overall, our atlas of PB1 mutations and their fitness impacts serves as an important resource for future studies of influenza replication and evolution.
A global view on carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Müller Carina , Reuter Sandra , Wille Julia , Xanthopoulou Kyriaki , Stefanik Danuta , Grundmann Hajo , Higgins Paul G. , Seifert Harald
Published: October 2023

To give an update on the molecular epidemiology and global distribution of carbapenemase encoding genes, we subjected 313 carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolated from 114 study centers in 47 countries in five world regions, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America, to whole genome sequencing. Numbers of isolates investigated were proportional to the population size of the contributing countries. Molecular epidemiology was investigated using seven-loci and core genome multilocus sequence typing, whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism phylogenies, and the intrinsic
bla
OXA-51-like
variant. Carbapenemase encoding genes were identified by multiplex PCR and ResFinder. Among the total of 313 isolates, 289 (92.3%) were assigned to
A. baumannii
international clones (IC) IC1–IC8. IC2 predominated with 196 isolates (62.6%) and was spread worldwide, followed by IC5 with 44 isolates (14.1%) mainly confined to Latin America. Six isolates (1.9%) originating from Belgium, Egypt, Italy, and Pakistan represent the novel IC9. Acquired OXA-type carbapenemase genes were found in 300 (96%) isolates with
bla
OXA-23-like
and
bla
OXA-40-like
predominating, which constitutes a significant increase compared to our findings from 2010. Metallo-beta-lactamases were rare with seven isolates (2.2%). The distribution of ICs and carbapenemase determinants can vary widely among different geographical regions.

IMPORTANCE

Carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
are of increasing public health importance, as they are resistant to last-line antibiotics. International clones with well-characterized resistance genes dominate globally; however, locally, other lineages with different properties may be of importance to consider. This study investigated isolates from a broad geographic origin from 114 hospitals in 47 countries and from five world regions ensuring the greatest possible diversity in an organism known for its propensity for clonal epidemic spread and reflecting the current global epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant
A. baumannii
. In Latin America, a lineage different from other geographic regions circulates, with a different resistance gene profile. This knowledge is important to adjust local infection prevention measures. In a global world with migration and increasing use of antimicrobials, multidrug-resistant bacteria will continue to adapt and challenge our healthcare systems worldwide.
Complete genome sequence of
Paenibacillus
sp. VCA1 isolated from crater lake of the El Chichón Volcano
Authors: Martínez-López Nancy Abril , Peña-Ocaña Betsy Anaid , García-Contreras Rodolfo , Maeda Toshinari , Rincón-Rosales Reiner , Cazares Adrián , Hoshiko Yuki , Ruíz-Valdiviezo Víctor Manuel
Published: October 2023

We report the complete genome of
Paenibacillus
sp. strain VCA1, which was isolated from sediment from El Chichón Volcano. This genome consists of 6,690,819 bp and 6,312 coding sequences, with 51.8% G+C content. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to explore the strain’s biocontrol and plant growth promotion properties.
Draft genome sequence of aWolbachiaendosymbiont fromSyringophilopsis turdi(Fritsch, 1958) (Acari, Syringophilidae)
Authors: Głowska Eliza , Gerth Michael
Published: October 2023

We present the draft genome of aWolbachiaendosymbiont from quill mites. This is the first representative of a recently discovered distinctWolbachialineage (supergroup P). We hope the genome will be a useful resource for comparative evolutionary and genomic studies across the globally distributed symbiontWolbachia.