bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In silico prediction and in vitro assessment of novel heterocyclics with antimalarial activity
Authors: Orozco Martha Ilce , Moreno Pedro , Guevara Miguel , Abonia Rodrigo , Quiroga Jairo , Insuasty Braulio , Barreto Mauricio , Burbano Maria Elena , Crespo-Ortiz Maria del Pilar
Published: December 2023

The development of new antimalarials is paramount to keep the goals on reduction of malaria cases in endemic regions. The search for quality hits has been challenging as many inhibitory molecules may not progress to the next development stage. The aim of this work was to screen an in-house library of heterocyclic compounds (HCUV) for antimalarial activity combining computational predictions and phenotypic techniques to find quality hits. The physicochemical determinants, pharmacokinetic properties (ADME), and drug-likeness of HCUV were evaluated in silico, and compounds were selected for structure-based virtual screening and in vitro analysis. Seven Plasmodium target proteins were selected from the DrugBank Database, and ligands and receptors were processed using UCSF Chimera and Open Babel before being subjected to docking using Autodock Vina and Autodock 4. Growth inhibition of P. falciparum (3D7) cultures was tested by SYBR Green assays, and toxicity was assessed using hemolytic activity tests and the Galleria mellonella in vivo model. From a total of 792 compounds, 341 with good ADME properties, drug-likeness, and no interference structures were subjected to in vitro analysis. Eight compounds showed IC50 ranging from 0.175 to 0.990 µM, and active compounds included pyridyl-diaminopyrimido-diazepines, pyridyl-N-acetyl- and pyridyl-N-phenyl-pyrazoline derivatives. The most potent compound (UV802, IC50 0.178 µM) showed no toxicophoric and was predicted to interact with P. falciparum 1-cysperoxidredoxin (PfPrx1). For the remaining 7 hits (IC50 < 1 μM), 3 showed in silico binding to PfPrx1, one was predicted to bind the haloacid dehalogenase-like hydrolase and plasmepsin II, and one interacted with the plasmodial heat shock protein 90.
Recombination map tailored to Native Hawaiians may improve robustness of genomic scans for positive selection
Authors: Dinh Bryan L. , Tang Echo , Taparra Kekoa , Nakatsuka Nathan , Chen Fei , Chiang Charleston W. K.
Published: December 2023

Recombination events establish the patterns of haplotypic structure in a population and estimates of recombination rates are used in several downstream population and statistical genetic analyses. Using suboptimal maps from distantly related populations may reduce the efficacy of genomic analyses, particularly for underrepresented populations such as the Native Hawaiians. To overcome this challenge, we constructed recombination maps using genome-wide array data from two study samples of Native Hawaiians: one reflecting the current admixed state of Native Hawaiians (NH map) and one based on individuals of enriched Polynesian ancestries (PNS map) with the potential to be used for less admixed Polynesian populations such as the Samoans. We found the recombination landscape to be less correlated with those from other continental populations (e.g. Spearman’s rho = 0.79 between PNS and CEU (Utah residents with Northern and Western European ancestry) compared to 0.92 between YRI (Yoruba in Ibadan, Nigeria) and CEU at 50 kb resolution), likely driven by the unique demographic history of the Native Hawaiians. PNS also shared the fewest recombination hotspots with other populations (e.g. 8% of hotspots shared between PNS and CEU compared to 27% of hotspots shared between YRI and CEU). We found that downstream analyses in the Native Hawaiian population, such as local ancestry inference, imputation, and IBD segment and relatedness detections, would achieve similar efficacy when using the NH map compared to an omnibus map. However, for genome scans of adaptive loci using integrated haplotype scores, we found several loci with apparent genome-wide significant signals (|Z-score|> 4) in Native Hawaiians that would not have been significant when analyzed using NH-specific maps. Population-specific recombination maps may therefore improve the robustness of haplotype-based statistics and help us better characterize the evolutionary history that may underlie Native Hawaiian-specific health conditions that persist today.
Identifying heat thresholds for South Africa towards the development of a heat-health warning system
Authors: Kapwata Thandi , Abdelatif Nada , Scovronick Noah , Gebreslasie Michael T. , Acquaotta Fiorella , Wright Caradee Y.
Published: December 2023

Exposure to heatwaves may result in adverse human health impacts. Heat alerts in South Africa are currently based on defined temperature-fixed threshold values for large towns and cities. However, heat-health warning systems (HHWS) should incorporate metrics that have been shown to be effective predictors of negative heat-related health outcomes. This study contributes to the development of a HHWS for South Africa that can potentially minimize heat-related mortality. Distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) were used to assess the association between maximum and minimum temperature and diurnal temperature range (DTR) and population-adjusted mortality during summer months, and the effects were presented as incidence rate ratios (IRR). District-level thresholds for the best predictor from these three metrics were estimated with threshold regression. The mortality dataset contained records of daily registered deaths (n = 8,476,532) from 1997 to 2013 and data for the temperature indices were for the same period. Maximum temperature appeared to be the most statistically significant predictor of all-cause mortality with strong associations observed in 40 out of 52 districts. Maximum temperature was associated with increased risk of mortality in all but three of the districts. Our results also found that heat-related mortality was influenced by regional climate because the spatial distribution of the thresholds varied according to the climate zones across the country. On average, districts located in the hot, arid interior provinces of the Northern Cape and North West experienced some of the highest thresholds compared to districts located in temperate interior or coastal provinces. As the effects of climate change become more significant, population exposure to heat is increasing. Therefore, evidence-based HHWS are required to reduce heat-related mortality and morbidity. The exceedance of the maximum temperature thresholds provided in this study could be used to issue heat alerts as part of effective heat health action plans.
Improved genetic algorithm approach for coordinating decision-making in technological disaster management
Authors: Guerrero Granados Bethsy , Quintero M. Christian G. , Núñez César Viloria
Published: December 2023

The increasing frequency of technological events has resulted in significant damage to the environment, human health, social stability, and economy, driving ongoing scientific development and interest in emergency management (EM). Traditional EM approaches are often inadequate because of incomplete and imprecise information during crises, making fast and effective decision-making challenging. Computational Intelligence techniques (CI) offer decision-supporting capabilities that can effectively address these challenges. However, there is still a need for deeper integration of emerging computational intelligence techniques to support evidence-based decision-making while also addressing gaps in metrics, standards, and protocols for emergency response and scalability. This study presents a coordinated decision-making system for multiple types of emergency case scenarios for technological disaster management based on CI techniques, including an Improved Genetic Algorithm (IGA), and Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO). The IGA enhances emergency performance by optimizing the task assignment for multiple agents involved in emergency response with coordination mechanisms, resulting in an approximately 15% improvement compared to other state-of-the-art methods. Ultimately, this study offers a promising foundation for future research to develop effective strategies for mitigating the impact of technological disasters on society and the environment.
Impact of different cephalometric skeletal configurations on anatomic midface parameters in adults
Authors: Willershausen Ines , Ehrenfried Amelie , Krautkremer Franziska , Ströbel Armin , Seidel Corinna Lesley , Paulsen Friedrich , Kopp Markus , Uder Michael , Gölz Lina , May Matthias Stefan
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Skull morphology and growth patterns are essential for orthodontic treatment, impacting clinical decision making. We aimed to determine the association of different cephalometric skeletal configurations on midface parameters as measured in 3D CT datasets.

Materials and methods

After sample size calculation, a total of 240 fully dentulous patients between 20 and 79 years of age (mean age: 42 ± 15), who had received a CT of the skull within the scope of trauma diagnosis or intracranial bleeding, were retrospectively selected. On the basis of cephalometric analysis, using MPR reconstructions, patients were subdivided into three different vertical skull configurations (brachyfacial, mesofacial, dolichofacial) and the respective skeletal Class I, II, and III relationships. Anatomic parameters were measured using a three-dimensional post-processing console: the thickness of the maxillary and palatine bones as well as the alveolar crest, maxillary body and sutural length, width and height of the hard palate, maxillary facial wall thickness, and masseter muscle thickness and length.

Results

Individuals with brachyfacial configurations had a significantly increased palatal and alveolar ridge thicknesses compared to those with dolichofacial- or mesofacial configurations. Brachyfacial configurations presented a significantly increased length and thickness of the masseter muscle (4.599 cm; 1.526 cm) than mesofacial (4.431 cm; 1.466 cm) and dolichofacial configurations (4.405 cm; 1.397 cm) (p < 0.001). Individuals with a skeletal Class III had a significantly shorter palatal length (5.313 cm) than those with Class I (5.406 cm) and Class II (5.404 cm) (p < 0.01). Sutural length was also significantly shorter in Class III (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Skeletal configurations have an impact on parameters of the bony skull. Also, measurable adaptations of the muscular phenotype could result.

Clinical relevance

The association between viscerocranial morphology and midface anatomy might be beneficial for tailoring orthodontic appliances to individual anatomy and planning cortically anchored orthodontic appliances.
Brunn–Minkowski Inequality for $$\theta $$-Convolution Bodies via Ball’s Bodies
Authors: Alonso-Gutiérrez David , Goñi Javier Martín
Published: December 2023

We consider the problem of finding the best function $$\varphi _n:[0,1]\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$

φ
n

:

[
0
,
1
]

→
R

such that for any pair of convex bodies $$K,L\in {\mathbb {R}}^n$$

K
,
L
∈

R

n

the following Brunn–Minkowski type inequality holds $$\begin{aligned} |K+_\theta L|^\frac{1}{n}\ge \varphi _n(\theta )(|K|^\frac{1}{n}+|L|^\frac{1}{n}), \end{aligned}$$

|
K

+
θ

L
|

1
n

≥

φ
n

(
θ
)

(
|
K
|

1
n

+

|
L
|

1
n

)
,

where $$K+_\theta L$$

K

+
θ

L

is the $$\theta $$
θ
-convolution body of K and L. We prove a sharp inclusion of the family of Ball’s bodies of an $$\alpha $$
α
-concave function in its super-level sets in order to provide the best possible function in the range $$\left( \frac{3}{4}\right) ^n\le \theta \le 1$$

3
4

n

≤
θ
≤
1

, characterizing the equality cases.
Extending 3D geometric file formats for geospatial applications
Authors: Praschl Christoph , Krauss Oliver
Published: December 2023

This study addresses the representation and exchange of geospatial geometric 3D models, which is a common requirement in various applications like outdoor mixed reality, urban planning, and disaster risk management. Over the years, multiple file formats have been developed to cater to diverse needs, offering a wide range of supported features and target areas of application. However, classic exchange formats like the JavaScript Object Notation and the Extensible Markup Language have been predominantly favored as a basis for exchanging geospatial information, leaving out common geometric information exchange formats such as Wavefront’s OBJ, Stanford’s PLY, and OFF. To bridge this gap, our research proposes three novel extensions for the mentioned geometric file formats, with a primary focus on minimizing storage requirements while effectively representing geospatial data and also allowing to store semantic meta-information. The extensions, named GeoOBJ, GeoOFF, and GeoPLY, offer significant reductions in storage needs, ranging from 14 to 823% less compared to standard file formats, while retaining support for an adequate number of semantic features. Through extensive evaluations, we demonstrate the suitability of these proposed extensions for geospatial information representation, showcasing their efficacy in delivering low storage overheads and seamless incorporation of critical semantic features. The findings underscore the potential of GeoOBJ, GeoOFF, and GeoPLY as viable solutions for efficient geospatial data representation, empowering various applications to operate optimally with minimal storage constraints.
Seasonality and Lithic Investment in the Oldowan
Authors: Clark James , Linares-Matás Gonzalo J.
Published: December 2023

Seasonality is a critical driver of resource availability within individual generations and is therefore likely to have exerted selective pressures on hominin evolution. Nonetheless, it has frequently been overlooked in discussions of early technological variability. This paper examines the relationship between seasonality and lithic investment in the Oldowan of eastern Africa, to broaden our understanding of hominin behavioural adaptability. We develop a framework for the identification of seasonal signatures in the archaeological record and examine the nature of lithic variability across 12 Early Pleistocene localities. In combining these insights, we suggest that seasonality played a pivotal role in shaping the pattern of lithic investment in the Oldowan, with peak investment related to greater wet season processing of plant resources and mobility across the landscape. The productivity of cores, retouching of flakes, and use of percussive implements may each play a role in this seasonal patterning of tool use. Our analysis provides further evidence that Oldowan hominins were able to adapt their technological behaviours to changing environmental conditions, even at the scale of intra-seasonal fluctuations in resource availability, and how this interacts with landscape familiarity over longer timescales.
Our New Galileo Affair
Authors: Ford Craig A.
Published: December 2023

This essay argues that the current Roman Catholic ecclesial climate with respect to its teachings on gender identity and sexual orientation constitutes our own contemporary version of the Galileo Affair. After a consideration of the historical circumstances of the Galileo Affair of the 17th century, I argue not only that the institutional risk factors for a subsequent Galileo Affair have not been adequately mitigated; I argue also that the presence of discourse impasse, preemptive judgments, and exclusionary policies on the part of Church leaders make it likely that we are in the midst of another Galileo Affair.
The Development of Cuba’s Biotechnology: Mechanisms and Challenges
Authors: Perez Villanueva Omar Everleny , Albizu-Campos Espiñeira Juan Carlos
Published: December 2023

Cuba faces a dilemma between continuing its current portfolio of biotechnology drugs and vaccines with lower profitability or renewing its product portfolio with the associated costs and risks.
Targeted treatment of injured nestmates with antimicrobial compounds in an ant society
Authors: Frank Erik. T. , Kesner Lucie , Liberti Joanito , Helleu Quentin , LeBoeuf Adria C. , Dascalu Andrei , Sponsler Douglas B. , Azuma Fumika , Economo Evan P. , Waridel Patrice , Engel Philipp , Schmitt Thomas , Keller Laurent
Published: December 2023

Infected wounds pose a major mortality risk in animals. Injuries are common in the ant Megaponera analis, which raids pugnacious prey. Here we show that M. analis can determine when wounds are infected and treat them accordingly. By applying a variety of antimicrobial compounds and proteins secreted from the metapleural gland to infected wounds, workers reduce the mortality of infected individuals by 90%. Chemical analyses showed that wound infection is associated with specific changes in the cuticular hydrocarbon profile, thereby likely allowing nestmates to diagnose the infection state of injured individuals and apply the appropriate antimicrobial treatment. This study demonstrates that M. analis ant societies use antimicrobial compounds produced in the metapleural glands to treat infected wounds and reduce nestmate mortality.
The first petrographic characterisation of a prehistoric rock crystal mine in the Swiss Alps
Authors: Hess Thomas , Mullis Josef , Franz Leander
Published: December 2023

Over the past decades, there has been increasing evidence for the prehistoric use of rock crystal in mountainous environments, including craft specialisation and long-distance exchange. Yet there are only a few known sites where the mineral was quarried in sustainable quantities. One of them is situated near Fiescheralp in the Upper Valais (Switzerland) and dates to the Early Mesolithic and a final stage of the Neolithic. Here we present the first petrographic characterisation of a prehistoric rock crystal mine in the Swiss Alps, involving a combination of different methods. The article provides a detailed description of the fluid inclusions within the quartz crystals and an overview over the related mineral paragenesis. This gives interesting new insights into the formation of the analysed fissure and allows comparing rock crystal artefacts found in other archaeological sites to this particular source. The results form the basis for further investigations concerning the circulation and distribution of the raw material in the past.
CPEB2 inhibit cell proliferation through upregulating p21 mRNA stability in glioma
Authors: Zhao Guang , Zhao Zhongjun , Xia Mingyi , Xiao Lishun , Zhu Bao , Wang Hui , Li Xiang , Di Jiehui
Published: December 2023

Glioma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults and remains an incurable disease at present. Thus, there is an urgent need for progress in finding novel molecular mechanisms that control the progression of glioma which could be used as therapeutic targets for glioma patients. The RNA binding protein cytoplasmic polyadenylate element-binding protein 2 (CPEB2) is involved in the pathogenesis of several tumors. However, the role of CPEB2 in glioma progression is unknown. In this study, the functional characterization of the role and molecular mechanism of CPEB2 in glioma were examined using a series of biological and cellular approaches in vitro and in vivo. Our work shows CPEB2 is significantly downregulated in various glioma patient cohorts. Functional characterization of CPEB2 by overexpression and knockdown revealed that it inhibits glioma cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis. CPEB2 exerts an anti-tumor effect by increasing p21 mRNA stability and inducing G1 cell cycle arrest in glioma. Overall, this work stands as the first report of CPEB2 downregulation and involvement in glioma pathogenesis, and identifies CPEB2 as an important tumor suppressor gene through targeting p21 in glioma, which revealed that CPEB2 may become a promising predictive biomarker for prognosis in glioma patients.
Constructing custom thermodynamics using deep learning
Authors: Chen Xiaoli , Soh Beatrice W. , Ooi Zi-En , Vissol-Gaudin Eleonore , Yu Haijun , Novoselov Kostya S. , Hippalgaonkar Kedar , Li Qianxiao
Published: December 2023

One of the most exciting applications of artificial intelligence is automated scientific discovery based on previously amassed data, coupled with restrictions provided by known physical principles, including symmetries and conservation laws. Such automated hypothesis creation and verification can assist scientists in studying complex phenomena, where traditional physical intuition may fail. Here we develop a platform based on a generalized Onsager principle to learn macroscopic dynamical descriptions of arbitrary stochastic dissipative systems directly from observations of their microscopic trajectories. Our method simultaneously constructs reduced thermodynamic coordinates and interprets the dynamics on these coordinates. We demonstrate its effectiveness by studying theoretically and validating experimentally the stretching of long polymer chains in an externally applied field. Specifically, we learn three interpretable thermodynamic coordinates and build a dynamical landscape of polymer stretching, including the identification of stable and transition states and the control of the stretching rate. Our general methodology can be used to address a wide range of scientific and technological applications.
An interpretable and transferrable vision transformer model for rapid materials spectra classification
Authors: Chen Zhenru , Xie Yunchao , Wu Yuchao , Lin Yuyi , Tomiya Shigetaka , Lin Jian
Published: December 2023

An interpretable and transferrable Vision Transformer (ViT) model was developed for classifying individual materials from their XRD and FTIR spectra.
Recent advances in combatting bacterial infections via well-designed metallacycles/metallacages
Authors: Li Qian , Ye Huan , Zhao Fang , Li Yuntao , Zhang Zhipeng , Yan Qiang , Sun Yao
Published: December 2023

Bacterial infections can lead to the development of large-scale outbreaks of diseases that pose a serious threat to human life and health.
Alleviating the competitive adsorption of hydrogen and hydroxyl intermediates on Ru by d–p orbital hybridization for hydrogen electrooxidation
Authors: Feng Youkai , Lu Siguang , Fu Luhong , Yang Fulin , Feng Ligang
Published: December 2023

Promoted hydrogen oxidation reaction kinetics in alkaline electrolytes and enlarged effective potential range were achieved simultaneously by alleviating the competitive adsorption of hydrogen and hydroxyl intermediates.
Oxime metathesis: tuneable and versatile chemistry for dynamic networks
Authors: Pettazzoni Luca , Ximenis Marta , Leonelli Francesca , Vozzolo Giulia , Bodo Enrico , Elizalde Fermin , Sardon Haritz
Published: December 2023

Oxime chemistry as a robust building block for dynamic networks.
Deciphering structural evolution of adsorbed ˙OH species on Zr-oxo nodes of UiO-66 to modulate methane hydroxylation
Authors: Tian Ling-Chan , Fang Geqian , Zhou Yun , Yu Wenjun , Li Lin , Hu Jin-Nian , Wang Haiyan , Liang Jin-Xia , Zhu Chun , Wang Xiaodong , Lin Jian
Published: December 2023

The ˙OH quantity and DSOM performance on Zr-oxo nodes in the UiO-66-H catalyst exhibit a volcano-like curve relationship due to the evolution of p-band centers of O atoms on adsorbed oxygenic species.
Synthetic macromolecular peptide-mimetics with amino acid substructure residues as protein stabilising excipients
Authors: Foralosso Ruggero , Kopiasz Rafał Jerzy , Alexander Cameron , Mantovani Giuseppe , Stolnik Snow
Published: December 2023

The clinical use of protein and peptide biotherapeutics requires fabrication of stable products.
Impact of substituent position on crystal structure and photoconductivity in 1D and 2D lead(ii) benzenethiolate coordination polymers
Authors: Akiyoshi Ryohei , Saeki Akinori , Ogasawara Kazuyoshi , Tanaka Daisuke
Published: December 2023

We revealed the relationship between the inorganic (–M–S–)n network and photoconductivity by systematically synthesizing semiconductive Pb(ii) coordination polymers with methoxybenzenethiol.
Nonlinguistic Cognitive Functions of Mandarin Speakers With Poststroke Aphasia
Authors: Huang Tzu-Jung , Chang Ping-Hsin , Chiou Hsinhuei Sheen , Hsu Hsin-jen
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive functions of Mandarin speakers with poststroke aphasia and to investigate the relationship between nonlinguistic cognitive deficits and the severity of aphasia.

Method:

Twenty-three adults with aphasia resulting from left-hemispheric stroke and 23 adults matched for age and educational level completed a series of six nonlinguistic cognitive tests measuring nonverbal intelligence, short-term memory, visual selective attention, visual alternating attention, auditory selective attention, and auditory alternating attention. A standardized aphasia assessment (Concise Chinese Aphasia Test [CCAT]) was also conducted to evaluate the severity of aphasia. Data analyses examined cognitive functions by comparing task performance of the two groups and examining the relationship between scores on the cognitive tasks and aphasia severity based on a hierarchical regression analysis.

Results:

The aphasia group scored significantly lower than the control group on all nonlinguistic cognitive tasks with large effect sizes (
d
= 0.95 ~ 1.54). Significant associations between different nonlinguistic cognitive tasks and CCAT subtests were observed. Results from the hierarchical regression analysis showed that auditory alternating attention was the only factor that significantly predicted aphasia severity based on CCAT overall scores after age and education level were taken into account.

Conclusions:

The findings align with prior research observing deficits in nonlinguistic cognition in individuals with aphasia. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Postoperative CSF Leak: Blood Patch—A New Avenue
Authors: Lobo Geover , Lobo Sarita R. J.
Published: December 2023

Introduction Cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) after a neurosurgical procedure is a known complication that may result in bad outcomes (1). The incidence of CSF leak varies based on the site involved; it ranges from 4 to 32% for transsphenoidal to posterior fossa procedures. The costs involved in treating postoperative CSF leaks increases exponentially that becomes a barrier in continuing optimum treatment. There are many studies that compare the different treatment modalities and even use of sealing agents but none give an algorithm of management. Our study aims at known technique that can help to treat these kinds of low-pressure CSF leaks.

Materials and Methods This was a prospective study done over a period of 5 years from January 2014 to January 2019. All patients who underwent procedures in which durotomy was done were included in the study.

Results A total of six patients were enrolled for the study. The duration of the study spanned 5 years from January 2014 to January 2019. All the patients after taking informed consent underwent the necessary investigations and a blood patch was done. Five of the patients the CSF stopped but in one patient it persisted. This patient again underwent investigation and under image guidance another blood patch was put after which the CSF leak stopped.

Conclusion Blood patch under imaging guidance is a safe and simple technique. The success rates of cessation of CSF leaks are good. Also, it is a cost-effective method using an autograft (patient's blood).
Posterior Instrumentation of Cervical Spine: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends in Publication
Authors: Kumar Vishal , Raj Vikash , Barik Sitanshu , Richa Richa
Published: December 2023

Aim The aim of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of the articles published on posterior instrumentation of cervical spine and to study the general publishing trends over the years in this topic in terms of journals, authors, topics, keywords, collaborating countries, etc.

Material and Methods Articles were searched on the web of science using appropriate keywords. A bibliometric analysis was performed using Bibliometrix R package

Results A total of 1,953 studies were identified between 1991 and 2023 including 1,782 articles and 171 reviews from 198 sources. A total of 3,421 author's keywords were used by 6,725 authors. Thirty-four documents are single authored. The average co-author per document is 5.63. The average citation per document is 22.62. There is international co-authorship in 13.11% documents. RM Xu and Sonntag VKH have maximum publications (n = 28). The “Spine” journal has the maximum number of publications (n = 335) and best H index of 64. United States has maximum number of publications (n = 1,720) and citations (n = 19,573). Publication by Harms et al in the “Spine” in 2001 has the highest global (n = 956) & local (n = 272) citations. Three-dimensional printing and atlantoaxial fixation are emerging trends.

Conclusion The findings of this study enhance the knowledge on the topic of posterior instrumentation of cervical spine and shall guide the trends and directions of future research and innovation.
Subcellular mechano-regulation of cell migration in confined extracellular microenvironment
Authors: Kim Daesan , Kim Dong-Hwee
Published: December 2023

Cell migration is a highly coordinated cellular event that determines diverse physiological and pathological processes in which the continuous interaction of a migrating cell with neighboring cells or the extracellular matrix is regulated by the physical setting of the extracellular microenvironment. In confined spaces, cell migration occurs differently compared to unconfined open spaces owing to the additional forces that limit cell motility, which create a driving bias for cells to invade the confined space, resulting in a distinct cell motility process compared to what is expected in open spaces. Moreover, cells in confined environments can be subjected to elevated mechanical compression, which causes physical stimuli and activates the damage repair cycle in the cell, including the DNA in the nucleus. Although cells have a self-restoring system to repair damage from the cell membrane to the genetic components of the nucleus, this process may result in genetic and/or epigenetic alterations that can increase the risk of the progression of diverse diseases, such as cancer and immune disorders. Furthermore, there has been a shift in the paradigm of bioengineering from the development of new biomaterials to controlling biophysical cues and fine-tuning cell behaviors to cure damaged/diseased tissues. The external physical cues perceived by cells are transduced along the mechanosensitive machinery, which is further channeled into the nucleus through subcellular molecular linkages of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton or the biochemical translocation of transcription factors. Thus, external cues can directly or indirectly regulate genetic transcriptional processes and nuclear mechanics, ultimately determining cell fate. In this review, we discuss the importance of the biophysical cues, response mechanisms, and mechanical models of cell migration in confined environments. We also discuss the effect of force-dependent deformation of subcellular components, specifically focusing on subnuclear organelles, such as nuclear membranes and chromosomal organization. This review will provide a biophysical perspective on cancer progression and metastasis as well as abnormal cellular proliferation.
Features of anisotropic compact stars in rastall teleparallel gravity via linear equation of state
Authors: Ditta Allah , Tiecheng Xia
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to discuss the model of compact stars based on spherically symmetric spacetime, with a focus on the gravitational effects of Rastall teleparallel gravity, where T represents torsion and λ represents the Rastall parameter. In this study, we evaluate the spherically symmetric spacetime component e

a(r) in terms of e

b(r) using the linear equation of state p

r
= β
ρ + γ, while the other component e

b(r) is assumed from the literature. The paper delves into a detailed analysis of various properties of compact stars such as energy density profile, pressure components, gradients profiles, anisotropic conduct, energy limits, equation of state profiles, velocities of sound profiles, TOV equation profiles, and compactification profile. We use the well-known junction conditions to facilitate the evaluation of the unknown parameters, taking the standard Schwarzschild metric as the outer spacetime. Through detailed analysis in graphical form, we demonstrate that the model showing the anisotropic conduct of stellar objects is viably legitimate, regular, and stable. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the properties of compact stars, which will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of these astrophysical phenomena.
Newly-observed oxygen-28 nucleus fails ‘double magic’ test
Authors: Jackson Kevin
Published: December 2023

Scientists in Japan have become the first to observe the super-heavy oxygen isotopes oxygen-27 (27O) and oxygen-28 (28O), discovering 28O is not stable as had been thought.
Science goes on in war-torn Ukraine
Authors: van Woerkom Ethan
Published: December 2023

Scientists in Ukraine are still in survival mode following Russia’s invasion of the country, but as Ethan van Woerkom finds out, they are finding ways to continue their science.
Think how to think
Authors: Jeynes Chris
Published: December 2023

A reply to the Critical Point by Robert P Crease about how to write fitting memorials for scientists who have died.
Our colourful world
Authors: Banks Michael , Banks Henry
Published: December 2023

Michael Banks and his son Henry review Can You Get Rainbows in Space? by Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay.
The demand for physics skills in the UK workplace
Authors: Holgate Sharon Ann
Published: December 2023

The growth of physics-based roles in sectors such as green energy and data science is fuelling the need for employees with physics expertise. Sharon Ann Holgate explores the findings of a recent report from the Institute of Physics into the labour market for physics skills in the UK and Ireland.
Put your hands together
Authors: Hiscott Laura
Published: December 2023

Whether it’s at a concert, play or lecture, we love to show our appreciation by clapping our hands. Laura Hiscott hears from two researchers who know how to make great applause.
Pathogenicity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Caenorhabditis elegans as an alternative model host
Authors: Matsuda Anri , Ishida Takashi , Tanimoto Yoshihiko , Wada Takayuki , Kage-Nakadai Eriko
Published: December 2023

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), one of the diarrheagenic E. coli, is the most common cause of diarrhea in developing country and in travelers to those areas. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans was used as an alternative model host to evaluate ETEC infections. The ETEC strain ETEC1, which was isolated from a patient with diarrhea, possessed enterotoxins STh, LT1, and EAST1 and colonization factors CS2 and CS3. Live ETEC1 shortened the life span and body size of C. elegans in association with increased expression of enterotoxin genes and intestinal colonization. In contrast, heat-killed ETEC1 did not affect the life span of C. elegans. Caenorhabditis elegans infected with ETEC1 showed upregulated expression of genes related to insulin-like peptides and host defense responses. These results suggest that ETEC1 exhibits pathogenicity through intestinal colonization and enterotoxin production in C. elegans. This system is useful as an ETEC infection model.
Diversity of MHC class II DRB alleles and mitochondrial DNA in northern and eastern European pine marten, Martes martes (Mammalia: Mustelidae)
Authors: Nishita Yoshinori , Väinölä Risto , Abramov Alexei V , Masuda Ryuichi
Published: December 2023

Four mitochondrial phylogroups are distinguished in the European pine marten (Martes martes), two of which, FNR1/2, are shared with the more easterly sister species, the sable (Martes zibellina). Here, we found that the phylogroup frequencies differed markedly between the southern Finland and western Russia populations in the eastern part of the range of Martes martes, suggesting differential introgression from M. zibellina in these regions. We also examined the diversity of a protein-coding gene, MHC class II DRB, in these two Martes species. We detected 16 functional Martes martes DRB alleles (Mama-DRBs), including several codons that seem to have undergone positive selection, and eight presumed pseudogenes (Mama-DRB*PSs); some alleles/pseudogenes were geographically widespread and others restricted. In a broader carnivoran DRB tree, all Mama-DRBs grouped within a mustelid clade, four in a basal group comprising alleles from early-diverged species and the others in a derived group containing alleles from more recently diverged species. Many alleles showed trans-species polymorphism, suggesting that Mama-DRBs have evolved under pathogen-driven balancing selection. Three of six Mama-DRBs and one of four pseudogenes shared with Martes zibellina were restricted to the FNR1/2 mitochondrial DNA phylogroups, pointing to the possibility that genetic introgression from Martes zibellina might have contributed to Mama-DRB diversity and thus adaptability.
Resection rates and intention-to-treat outcomes in borderline and locally advanced pancreatic cancer: real-world data from a population-based, prospective cohort study (NORPACT-2)
Authors: Farnes Ingvild , Kleive Dyre , Verbeke Caroline S , Aabakken Lars , Issa-Epe Aart , Småstuen Milada Cvancarova , Fosby Bjarte V , Dueland Svein , Line Pål-Dag , Labori Knut J
Published: December 2023

Background

Systemic chemotherapy is the initial treatment strategy for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer to facilitate curative resection. The aim of this study was to investigate the resection rates and overall survival in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer/locally advanced pancreatic cancer discussed by Oslo University Hospital multidisciplinary team between 2018 and 2020, serving a population of 3.1 million within a geographically defined area in south-eastern Norway, were included in this prospective Norwegian Pancreatic Cancer Trial-2 study, according to intention-to-treat principles. The total number of patients with pancreatic cancer was sought from the Cancer Registry of Norway.

Results

A total of 1178 patients were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, of whom 618 were referred to Oslo University Hospital. After multidisciplinary team evaluation, 230 patients were considered to have borderline resectable pancreatic cancer/locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The final study group consisted of 188 patients (borderline resectable pancreatic cancer n = 96, locally advanced pancreatic cancer n = 92) who were fit to receive primary chemotherapy. Resection rates were 46.9% (45 of 96) for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and 13% (12 of 92) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (P <0.001). Median overall survival was 14.6 months (borderline resectable pancreatic cancer 16.4 months; locally advanced pancreatic cancer 13.7 months, (P = 0.2)). Adjusted for immortal time bias, median overall survival for patients undergoing resection versus only chemotherapy was 24.4 months versus 10.1 months (P <0.001) for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and 28.4 months versus 12.6 months for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Resection rates and survival in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer and locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated at a high-volume centre in a universal healthcare system compare well with those treated at international expert centres.

Registration number: NCT04423731 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)
Brain Communications 2023 early career researcher paper prize
Authors: Spires-Jones Tara L
Published: December 2023

Our editor invites nominations for the early career researcher paper prize for an article published in Brain Communications in 2023.
Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Cancer and New versus Preexistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kosmidou Ioanna , Durkin Megan , Vella Eileen , DeJesus Neisha , Romero Sofia , Gamboa Rosalyn , Jenkins Paul , Shaffer Brian , Steingart Richard , Liu Jennifer
Published: December 2023

Background

There is limited information on the prognostic impact of new onset versus preexistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in hospitalized patients with cancer.

Objectives

We sought to determine the clinical impact of new onset AF (NOAF) compared with preexistent AF in hospitalized patients with cancer.

Methods

All patients with cancer hospitalized over the course of 1 year with clinically manifest new or preexistent AF were enrolled in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center AF registry. The relationship of NOAF to the primary composite outcome of all cause death, cardiovascular (CV) rehospitalization, or cerebrovascular event (CVE), as well as secondary CV endpoints, were analysed using proportional hazards regression. Where applicable, the competing risk of death was accounted for using methodology described by Fine and Gray.

Results

Among 606 patients included in the analysis, 313 (51.7%) had NOAF and 293 (48.3%) had preexistent AF. Patients with NOAF were younger and had less frequent prior history of CV disease compared with patients with preexistent AF. At follow-up, patients with NOAF had a higher adjusted hazard for the primary composite outcome versus patients with prior AF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27, 2.13, P = 0.002), as well as the secondary CV composite outcome of clinical AF recurrence, CV death, CV rehospitalization, or CVE (HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.57, 2.99, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In hospitalized patients with cancer and electrocardiographically manifest new versus preexistent AF, NOAF was associated with a higher risk for the primary composite outcome of all-cause death, CV rehospitalization, or CVE.
A comprehensive evolutionary scenario for the origin and neofunctionalization of the Drosophila speciation gene Odysseus (OdsH)
Authors: Nunes William Vilas Boas , Oliveira Daniel Siqueira , Dias Guilherme de Rezende , Carvalho Antonio Bernardo , Caruso Ícaro Putinhon , Biselli Joice Matos , Guegen Nathalie , Akkouche Abdou , Burlet Nelly , Vieira Cristina , Carareto Claudia M A
Published: December 2023

Odysseus (OdsH) was the first speciation gene described in Drosophila related to hybrid sterility in offspring of mating between Drosophila mauritiana and Drosophila simulans. Its origin is attributed to the duplication of the gene unc-4 in the subgenus Sophophora. By using a much larger sample of Drosophilidae species, we showed that contrary to what has been previously proposed, OdsH origin occurred 62 MYA. Evolutionary rates, expression, and transcription factor–binding sites of OdsH evidence that it may have rapidly experienced neofunctionalization in male sexual functions. Furthermore, the analysis of the OdsH peptide allowed the identification of mutations of D. mauritiana that could result in incompatibility in hybrids. In order to find if OdsH could be related to hybrid sterility, beyond Sophophora, we explored the expression of OdsH in Drosophila arizonae and Drosophila mojavensis, a pair of sister species with incomplete reproductive isolation. Our data indicated that OdsH expression is not atypical in their male-sterile hybrids. In conclusion, we have proposed that the origin of OdsH occurred earlier than previously proposed, followed by neofunctionalization. Our results also suggested that its role as a speciation gene might be restricted to D. mauritiana and D. simulans.
Diet Quality and Multimorbidity in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Vega-Cabello Veronica , Struijk Ellen A , Caballero Francisco Felix , Yévenes-Briones Humberto , Ortolá Rosario , Calderón-Larrañaga Amaia , Lana Alberto , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Lopez-Garcia Esther
Published: December 2023

Background

The role of diet quality in the accumulation of multiple chronic conditions is mostly unknown. This study examined diet quality in association with the number of chronic conditions and the rate of multimorbidity development among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

We used data from 2 784 adults aged ≥65 years from the Seniors-ENRICA 2 cohort. Diet quality was assessed at baseline (2015–17) with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Information on medical diagnoses was obtained from electronic clinical records up to 2021.

Results

Higher adherence to the AHEI-2010 was associated with a lower number of total chronic conditions (β [95% CI] quartile 4 vs 1: −0.57 [−0.86 to 0.27], p trend < .001] and cardiometabolic conditions (−0.30 [−0.44 to −0.17], p trend < .001) at baseline, while higher adherence to the MEDAS was associated with a lower number of total chronic conditions (−0.30 [−0.58 to −0.02], p trend = .01) and neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions (−0.09 [−0.17 to −0.01], p trend = .01). After a median follow-up of 5.2 years (range: 0.1–6.1 years) higher adherence to the AHEI-2010 was associated with a lower increase in chronic conditions (β [95% confidence interval] quartile 4 vs 1: −0.16 [−0.30 to −0.01], p trend = .04) and with lower rate of chronic disease accumulation.

Conclusions

Higher diet quality, as measured by the AHEI-2010, was associated with a lower number of chronic health conditions and a lower rate of multimorbidity development over time.
AI v copyright: how could public interest theory shift the discourse?
Authors: Dermawan Artha
Published: December 2023

To achieve a balance between rightsholders and the public in the age of generative AI (GenAI), it is necessary to redefine the concept of public interest in copyright law. This equilibrium is critical because it guarantees that rightsholders are rewarded for their work while also allowing for the dissemination and access of knowledge along with cultural expression. Additionally, redefining the concept of public interest in copyright could address emerging issues such as fair use, open access and the democratization of information in the digital age. The article examines how public interest in copyright would look in the development of GenAI by using Virginia Held’s typology of public interest theory as the sole compass to address the question. The article finds that public interest in copyright could be adjusted to protect rightsholders, sustain cultural production and simultaneously accommodate the development of GenAI by first balancing the preponderance of individual interest or being supported by the preponderance of numbers and empirical terms; second, by making it consistent with individuals’ overall interests and being agreed upon by the polity; and third, by judging the public interest in copyright on ‘valid judgment’ and normative content, where the judgment is based. While different typologies may be used to conceptualize public interest, the article suggests that it is important to explicitly identify what copyright law seeks to achieve and to balance the rights of creators with the public’s interest in accessing creative works. This could be achieved through evidence-based analysis, agreement among individuals without conflicts and normative content based on the morality of society.
The next decade of SET: from an oncoprotein to beyond
Authors: Yao Han , Zhang Meng , Wang Donglai
Published: December 2023

This year marks the fourth decade of research into the protein SET, which was discovered in 1992. SET was initially identified as an oncoprotein but later shown to be a multifaceted protein involved in regulating numerous biological processes under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. SET dysfunction is closely associated with diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. With the increasing understanding of how SET works and how it is regulated in cells, targeting aberrant SET has emerged as a potential strategy for disease intervention. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the advancements in SET studies, encompassing its biological functions, regulatory networks, clinical implications, and pharmacological inhibitors. Furthermore, we provide insights into the future prospects of SET research, with a particular emphasis on its promising potential in the realm of immune modulation.