bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerobic-anaerobic transition boosts poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) synthesis in Rhodospirillum rubrum: the key role of carbon dioxide
Authors: Godoy Manuel S. , de Miguel Santiago R. , Prieto M. Auxiliadora
Published: March 2023

Background

Microbially produced bioplastics are specially promising materials since they can be naturally synthesized and degraded, making its end-of-life management more amenable to the environment. A prominent example of these new materials are polyhydroxyalkanoates. These polyesters serve manly as carbon and energy storage and increase the resistance to stress. Their synthesis can also work as an electron sink for the regeneration of oxidized cofactors. In terms of biotechnological applications, the co-polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), or PHBV, has interesting biotechnological properties due to its lower stiffness and fragility compared to the homopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB). In this work, we explored the potentiality of Rhodospirillum rubrum as a producer of this co-polymer, exploiting its metabolic versatility when grown in different aeration conditions and photoheterotrophically.

Results

When shaken flasks experiments were carried out with limited aeration using fructose as carbon source, PHBV production was triggered reaching 29 ± 2% CDW of polymer accumulation with a 75 ± 1%mol of 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) (condition C2). Propionate and acetate were secreted in this condition. The synthesis of PHBV was exclusively carried out by the PHA synthase PhaC2. Interestingly, transcription of cbbM coding RuBisCO, the key enzyme of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle, was similar in aerobic and microaerobic/anaerobic cultures. The maximal PHBV yield (81% CDW with 86%mol 3HV) was achieved when cells were transferred from aerobic to anaerobic conditions and controlling the CO2 concentration by adding bicarbonate to the culture. In these conditions, the cells behaved like resting cells, since polymer accumulation prevailed over residual biomass formation. In the absence of bicarbonate, cells could not adapt to an anaerobic environment in the studied lapse.

Conclusions

We found that two-phase growth (aerobic-anaerobic) significantly improved the previous report of PHBV production in purple nonsulfur bacteria, maximizing the polymer accumulation at the expense of other components of the biomass. The presence of CO2 is key in this process demonstrating the involvement of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham in the adaptation to changes in oxygen availability. These results stand R. rubrum as a promising producer of high-3HV-content PHBV co-polymer from fructose, a PHBV unrelated carbon source.
Paradoxical effects of statins on endothelial and cancer cells: the impact of concentrations
Authors: Ahmadi Yasin , Fard Javad Khalili , Ghafoor Dlzar , Eid Ali H. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: March 2023

In addition to their lipid-lowering functions, statins elicit additional pleiotropic effects on apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, senescence, and oxidative stress. Many of these effects have been reported in cancerous and noncancerous cells like endothelial cells (ECs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and human umbilical vein cells (HUVCs). Not surprisingly, statins' effects appear to vary largely depending on the cell context, especially as pertains to modulation of cell cycle, senescence, and apoptotic processes. Perhaps the most critical reason for this discordance is the bias in selecting the applied doses in various cells. While lower (nanomolar) concentrations of statins impose anti-senescence, and antiapoptotic effects, higher concentrations (micromolar) appear to precipitate opposite effects. Indeed, most studies performed in cancer cells utilized high concentrations, where statin-induced cytotoxic and cytostatic effects were noted. Some studies report that even at low concentrations, statins induce senescence or cytostatic impacts but not cytotoxic effects. However, the literature appears to be relatively consistent that in cancer cells, statins, in both low or higher concentrations, induce apoptosis or cell cycle arrest, anti-proliferative effects, and cause senescence. However, statins’ effects on ECs depend on the concentrations; at micromolar concentrations statins cause cell senescence and apoptosis, while at nonomolar concentrations statins act reversely.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights in humanitarian settings: a matter of life and death
Authors: Tazinya Rose Mary Asong , El-Mowafi Ieman Mona , Hajjar Julia Marie , Yaya Sanni
Published: March 2023

It is estimated that approximately 4.3 million sexually active persons worldwide will receive poor and/or limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in their lifetime. Globally, approximately 200 million women and girls still endure female genital cutting, 33,000 child marriages occur daily, and a myriad of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) agenda gaps continue to remain unaddressed. These gaps are particularly pertinent for women and girls in humanitarian settings where SRH conditions including gender-based violence, unsafe abortions, and poor obstetric care are among the leading causes of female morbidity and mortality. Notably, the past decade has featured a record high number of forcibly displaced persons globally since World War II and has led to over 160 million persons requiring humanitarian aid globally, 32 million of whom are women and girls of reproductive age. Inadequate SRH service delivery continues to persist in humanitarian settings, with basic services insufficient or inaccessible, putting women and girls at higher risk for increased morbidity and mortality. This record number of displaced persons and the continued gaps that remain unaddressed pertaining to SRH in humanitarian settings require renewed urgency to create upstream solutions to this complex issue. This commentary discusses the gaps in the holistic management of SRH in humanitarian settings, explores why these gaps persist, and addresses the unique cultural, environmental, and political conditions which contribute to continued SRH service delivery inadequacies and increased morbidity and mortality for women and girls.
Exosomal cargos-mediated metabolic reprogramming in tumor microenvironment
Authors: Tan Shiming , Yang Yiqing , Yang Wenjuan , Han Yaqian , Huang Lisheng , Yang Ruiqian , Hu Zifan , Tao Yi , Liu Lin , Li Yun , Oyang Linda , Lin Jinguan , Peng Qiu , Jiang Xianjie , Xu Xuemeng , Xia Longzheng , Peng Mingjing , Wu Nayiyuan , Tang Yanyan , Cao Deliang , Liao Qianjin , Zhou Yujuan
Published: March 2023

Metabolic reprogramming is one of the hallmarks of cancer. As nutrients are scarce in the tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor cells adopt multiple metabolic adaptations to meet their growth requirements. Metabolic reprogramming is not only present in tumor cells, but exosomal cargos mediates intercellular communication between tumor cells and non-tumor cells in the TME, inducing metabolic remodeling to create an outpost of microvascular enrichment and immune escape. Here, we highlight the composition and characteristics of TME, meanwhile summarize the components of exosomal cargos and their corresponding sorting mode. Functionally, these exosomal cargos-mediated metabolic reprogramming improves the "soil" for tumor growth and metastasis. Moreover, we discuss the abnormal tumor metabolism targeted by exosomal cargos and its potential antitumor therapy. In conclusion, this review updates the current role of exosomal cargos in TME metabolic reprogramming and enriches the future application scenarios of exosomes.
Assessment of Alzheimer-related pathologies of dementia using machine learning feature selection
Authors: Rajab Mohammed D. , Jammeh Emmanuel , Taketa Teruka , Brayne Carol , Matthews Fiona E. , Su Li , Ince Paul G. , Wharton Stephen B. , Wang Dennis ,   on behalf of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Neuropathology Study Group
Published: March 2023

Although a variety of brain lesions may contribute to the pathological assessment of dementia, the relationship of these lesions to dementia, how they interact and how to quantify them remains uncertain. Systematically assessing neuropathological measures by their degree of association with dementia may lead to better diagnostic systems and treatment targets. This study aims to apply machine learning approaches to feature selection in order to identify critical features of Alzheimer-related pathologies associated with dementia. We applied machine learning techniques for feature ranking and classification to objectively compare neuropathological features and their relationship to dementia status during life using a cohort (n=186) from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS). We first tested Alzheimer’s Disease and tau markers and then other neuropathologies associated with dementia. Seven feature ranking methods using different information criteria consistently ranked 22 out of the 34 neuropathology features for importance to dementia classification. Although highly correlated, Braak neurofibrillary tangle stage, beta-amyloid and cerebral amyloid angiopathy features were ranked the highest. The best-performing dementia classifier using the top eight neuropathological features achieved 79% sensitivity, 69% specificity and 75% precision. However, when assessing all seven classifiers and the 22 ranked features, a substantial proportion (40.4%) of dementia cases was consistently misclassified. These results highlight the benefits of using machine learning to identify critical indices of plaque, tangle and cerebral amyloid angiopathy burdens that may be useful for classifying dementia.
A 14-year-old boy with multiple trauma and bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage due to coronavirus disease 2019: a case report
Authors: Asadi Payman , Maleki Saba , Zia Ziabari Seyyed Mahdi , Noori Roodsari Nazanin
Published: March 2023

Background

In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 spread worldwide, causing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Coronavirus disease 2019 presents from an asymptomatic infection to severe disease causing multiorgan failure. Neurological manifestations were observed in some patients, including intracerebral hemorrhage. Bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage is rare due to trauma.

Case presentation

Our patient was a 14-year-old Iranian boy with multiple trauma and loss of consciousness who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019. The brain computed tomography scan reported bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage. Bilateral ground glass opacity was reported through a chest computed tomography scan.

Discussion and conclusions

In this study, we reported a 14-year-old boy referred to the emergency room due to multiple trauma. Through the medical interventions, bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage was discovered incidentally. Coronavirus disease 2019 was detected in this patient on the basis of findings in chest computed tomography scan and positive real reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test. Several clinical reports and series exploring the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 and ischemic strokes have been published. Coronavirus disease 2019, like other acute respiratory syndromes, can invade the central nervous system through hematogenous and neuronal dissemination or it can be an immune response to the cytokine storm. In conclusion, it is vital to know the pathophysiology of the neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 and prevent the mild neurological manifestations leading to severe conditions.
Socio-cultural influences on children’s feeding habits and feeding frequencies in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: a retrospective survey
Authors: Bougma Sanogo , Tapsoba François , Semporé Judith Nomwendé , Bougma Sibiri , Dounia Prudence , Songré-Ouattara Laurencia Toulsoumdé , Savadogo Aly
Published: March 2023

Background

From 6 months of age, children need, in addition to breast milk, a complementary food whose nutritional composition meets their needs. However, low consumption of child-specific foods in favor of adult foods has been documented. Thus, the lack of adaptation of children to family feeding conditions has been the source of frequent malnutrition in some low-income countries. In Burkina Faso, little data is available on family-type food consumption by children. The objective was to describe the socio-cultural influences on feeding habits and food consumption frequencies of infants aged 6–23 months in Ouagadougou.

Methods

The study was conducted from March to June 2022 using a structured questionnaire. A reminder of the previous 24 h’ meals was used to assess 618 children's food consumption. Mother–child pairs were selected using the simple random sampling method, and data collection was done by the interview method. Sphinx V5, IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 and XLSTAT 2016 software were used to process data.

Results

Influences between the consumption of certain foods and the mother’s social status were observed. The most consumed foods are simple porridges (67.48%), Tô/rice (65.70%), cookies and cakes (62.94%), juices and sweetened drinks (62.94%). Cowpeas (17.31%), improved porridge (13.92%) and eggs (6.63%) are the least consumed. The most meals frequency was three meals daily (33.98%), and children with the minimum daily meal frequency were 86.41%. Principal component analysis showed that the mother's social status influenced the consumption of imported infant flours, fish soups, fruits, juices and sweetened drinks, cookies and cakes, simple porridge, and tô/rice. Concerning the consumption of local infant porridges, 55.72% of the children who consumed them appreciated positively. However, for 57.75% of the parents, the lack of information limits the consumption rate of this type of flour.

Conclusion

High consumption of family-type meals was observed and was influenced by parental social status. In addition, the rate of acceptable meal frequencies was generally high.
Anesthetic management of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma for patients with Fontan circulation: a case series
Authors: Tanaka Yuto , Sumie Makoto , Hashimoto Takuma , Osawa Sayaka , Karashima Yuji , Kandabashi Tadashi , Yamaura Ken
Published: March 2023

Background

Anesthetic management of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma with Fontan circulation is challenging for physicians, with attention to cardiovascular physiology.

Case presentation

We performed anesthetic management for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma in three patients with Fontan circulation. We maintained intraoperative central venous pressure at preoperative level under fluid infusion and administrating nitric oxide to decrease pulmonary arterial resistance. We administered noradrenaline or vasopressin if low blood pressure was present despite adequate central venous pressure. Although noradrenaline is prevalent for the case of noradrenaline-secreting tumor especially after resection, we could maintain blood pressure to administrate vasopressin without increasing central venous pressure. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach which could avoid intra-abdominal adhesions might be selectable as case 3.

Conclusions

Sophisticated management is required for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma with Fontan circulation.
Transcatheter arterial embolization for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding using imipenem/cilastatin: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Hiraki Sakiko , Sato Fumie , Osugi Masaya , Watanabe Yoshiya , Ichinose Yoshiaki
Published: March 2023

Background

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a standard treatment for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) in situations where endoscopic approaches are impossible or ineffective. Various embolic materials, such as metallic coils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate, are used. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of an imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) mixture as an embolic agent in TAE for acute LGIB.

Results

Twelve patients (mean age, 67 years) with LGIB treated with TAE using IPM/CS were retrospectively evaluated between February 2014 and September 2022. All patients showed evidence of extravasation on computed tomography and 50% (6/12) also showed evidence on angiography. The technical success rate for TAE in this study was 100%, including in patients who showed active extravasation on angiography. The clinical success rate was 83.3% (10/12), with two patients experiencing rebleeding within 24 h after the procedure. No ischemic complications were observed, and no bleeding episodes or other complications were reported during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

This study revealed that using IPM/CS as an embolic agent in TAE for acute LGIB may be safe and effective, even in cases of active bleeding.
Adrenal Medullary Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ganni Rafal , Torpy David J , Falhammar Henrik , Louise Rushworth R
Published: March 2023

Context

Adrenal medullary hyperplasia (AMH) is a rare, incompletely described disorder of the adrenal medulla that is associated with catecholamine excess.

Objective

To increase knowledge about AMH by reviewing the reported cases of this disorder.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the genotype/phenotype relationship in all reported cases of AMH.

Setting

Literature review and analysis.

Patients or Other Participants

All cases of AMH published to date.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Characteristics of AMH cases and genotype-phenotype relationships.

Results

A total of 66 patients, median age of 48 years, were identified from 29 reports. More than one-half were male (n = 39, 59%). The majority had unilateral (73%, n = 48) disease; 71% (n = 47) were sporadic and 23% (n = 15) were associated with the MEN2. Most (91%, n = 60) displayed signs and symptoms of excess catecholamine secretion, particularly hypertension. Elevated catecholamine concentrations (86%, n = 57) and adrenal abnormalities on imaging were common (80%, n = 53). More than one-half (58%, n = 38) had concurrent tumors: pheochromocytoma (42%, n = 16/38); medullary thyroid cancer (24%, n = 9/38); and adrenocortical adenoma (29%, n = 11/38). Most (88%, n = 58) underwent adrenalectomy with 45/58 achieving symptom resolution. Adrenalectomy was less common in patients under 40 years and those with bilateral disease (both P < .05).

Conclusion

AMH may be sporadic or associated with MEN2, most have catecholamine excess and imaging abnormalities. Unilateral involvement is more common. Most reported patients have been treated with adrenalectomy, which is usually curative with regard to catecholamine hypersecretion.
Defining Predictors of Weight Loss Response to Lorcaserin
Authors: Sideri Gugger Aristea , Dimino Cara , Panigrahi Sunil K , Mayer Laurel , Smiley Richard M , Korner Judith , Wardlaw Sharon L
Published: March 2023

Context

Individual responses to weight loss (WL) medications vary widely and prediction of response remains elusive.

Objective

We investigated biomarkers associated with use of lorcaserin (LOR), a 5HT2cR agonist that targets proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons that regulate energy and glucose homeostasis, to identify predictors of clinical efficacy.

Methods

Thirty individuals with obesity were treated with 7 days of placebo and LOR in a randomized crossover study. Nineteen participants continued on LOR for 6 months. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) POMC peptide measurements were used to identify potential biomarkers that predict WL. Insulin, leptin, and food intake during a meal were also studied.

Results

LOR induced a significant decrease in CSF levels of the POMC prohormone and an increase in its processed peptide β-endorphin after 7 days; β-endorphin/POMC increased by 30% (P < .001). This was accompanied by a substantial decrease in insulin, glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance before WL. Changes in CSF POMC peptides persisted after WL (6.9%) at 6 months that were distinct from prior reports after diet alone. Changes in POMC, food intake, or other hormones did not predict WL. However, baseline CSF POMC correlated negatively with WL (P = .07) and a cutoff level of CSF POMC was identified that predicted more than 10% WL.

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence that LOR affects the brain melanocortin system in humans and that effectiveness is increased in individuals with lower melanocortin activity. Furthermore, early changes in CSF POMC parallel WL-independent improvements in glycemic indexes. Thus, assessment of melanocortin activity could provide a way to personalize pharmacotherapy of obesity with 5HT2cR agonists.
Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry, Metabolomics, and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Li Guochen , Jankowich Matthew D , Lu Yanqiang , Wu Luying , Shao Liping , Ke Chaofu
Published: March 2023

Context

Whether baseline preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and if this association could be mediated by circulating metabolites remains to be elucidated.

Objective

To measure the prospective association of PRISm with T2D and potential metabolic mediators thereof.

Methods

This study used data from the UK Biobank and included 72 683 individuals without diabetes at baseline. PRISm was defined as the predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <80% and the FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio ≥0.70. Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed to assess the longitudinal relation between baseline PRISm and incident T2D. Mediation analysis was used to explore the mediation effects of circulating metabolites in the path from PRISm to T2D.

Results

During a median follow-up of 12.06 years, 2513 participants developed T2D. Individuals who had PRISm (N = 8394) were 47% (95% CI, 33%-63%) more likely to develop T2D compared with those who had normal spirometry (N = 64 289). A total of 121 metabolites showed statistically significant mediation effects in the path from PRISm to T2D (false discovery rate <0.05). Glycoprotein acetyls, cholesteryl esters in large high-density lipoprotein (HDL), degree of unsaturation, cholesterol in large HDL, and cholesteryl esters in very large HDL were the top 5 metabolic markers, with mediation proportions (95% CI) being 11.91% (8.76%-16.58%), 11.04% (7.34%-15.55%), 10.36% (7.34%-14.71%), 9.87% (6.78%-14.09%), and 9.51% (6.33%-14.05%), respectively. A total of 11 principal components that explained 95% variance of the metabolic signatures accounted for 25.47% (20.83%-32.19%) of the relation between PRISm and T2D.

Conclusions

Our study revealed the association of PRISm with T2D risk and the potential roles of circulating metabolites in mediating this association.
Sense and Consent in Cocreating with Earth Others
Authors: Morehouse Harlan , Morse Cheryl
Published: March 2023

Recent debates around multispecies communities emphasize collaboration across difference for fostering intimate relations with the world. The basic premise is simple: a richer understanding of the ways in which we are connected to the world will yield greater care for the world. However, while collaboration across difference might close conceptual and material gaps between self and other, and nature and society, it is not always clear whether or how collaboration should take place. Indeed, largely absent in these debates are matters concerning cross-species consent. It can be challenging to obtain consent or ascertain agreement in the absence of straightforward communication. To address the whether and how of collaboration across difference, this article draws on ethnographic research on dowsing—a traditional method for finding underground water and other invisible or intangible resources—in the United States and the United Kingdom. This research shows how dowsers establish dialogue by attuning to Earth Others (e.g., water, plants, spirits) using various tools, such as dowsing rods, pendulums, and their own bodies. This article addresses how practitioners apply dowsing as a technique for communicating across human and more-than-human divides through ethical inquiries that tend to the agency and seek the consent of Earth Others in matters concerning land use. This research suggests that dowsing offers a reciprocal and dialogic strategy for collaborating with that which is often unseen, unheard, or ignored.
Patient Frailty Influences Outcome After Open, But Not Minimally Invasive, Transforaminal Interbody Fusion: A Case Series of 115 Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disease
Authors: Burke John F. , Garcia Joseph H. , Safaee Michael M. , Wong Christopher , Gill Sabraj A. , Chou Dean , Mummaneni Praveen V. , Deviren Vedat , Ames Christopher P. , Clark Aaron J.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

For transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), there are equally good open and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) options.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine if frailty has a differential effect on outcome for open vs MIS TLIF.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective review of 115 TLIF surgeries (1-3 levels) for lumbar degenerative disease performed at a single center; 44 MIS transforaminal interbody fusions and 71 open TLIFs were included. All patients had at least a 2-year follow up, and any revision surgery during that time was recorded. The Adult Spinal Deformity Frailty Index (ASD-FI) was used to separate patients into nonfrail (ASD-FI < 0.3) and frail (ASD-FI > 0.3) cohorts. The primary outcome variables were revision surgery and discharge disposition. Univariate analyses were performed to reveal associations in demographic, radiographic, and surgical data with the outcome variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess independent predictors of outcome.

RESULTS:

Frailty uniquely predicted both reoperation (odds ratio 8.1, 95% CI 2.5-26.1, P = .0005) and discharge to a location other than home (odds ratio 3.9, 95% CI 1.2-12.7, P = .0239). Post hoc analysis indicated that frail patients undergoing open TLIF had a higher revision surgery rate (51.72%) compared with frail patients undergoing MIS-TLIF (16.7%). Nonfrail patients undergoing open and MIS TLIF had a revision surgery rate of 7.5% and 7.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Frailty was associated with increased revision rate and increased probability to discharge to a location other than home after open transforaminal interbody fusions, but not MIS transforaminal interbody fusions. These data suggest that patients with high frailty scores may benefit from MIS-TLIF procedures.
MafB-dependent neurotransmitter signaling promotes β cell migration in the developing pancreas
Authors: Bsharat Sara , Monni Emanuela , Singh Tania , Johansson Jenny K. , Achanta Kavya , Bertonnier-Brouty Ludivine , Schmidt-Christensen Anja , Holmberg Dan , Kokaia Zaal , Prasad Rashmi B. , Artner Isabella
Published: March 2023

Hormone secretion from pancreatic islets is essential for glucose homeostasis, and loss or dysfunction of islet cells is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Maf transcription factors are crucial for establishing and maintaining adult endocrine cell function. However, during pancreas development, MafB is not only expressed in insulin- and glucagon-producing cells, but also in Neurog3+ endocrine progenitor cells, suggesting additional functions in cell differentiation and islet formation. Here, we report that MafB deficiency impairs β cell clustering and islet formation, but also coincides with loss of neurotransmitter and axon guidance receptor gene expression. Moreover, the observed loss of nicotinic receptor gene expression in human and mouse β cells implied that signaling through these receptors contributes to islet cell migration/formation. Inhibition of nicotinic receptor activity resulted in reduced β cell migration towards autonomic nerves and impaired β cell clustering. These findings highlight a novel function of MafB in controlling neuronal-directed signaling events required for islet formation.
Actin-capping protein regulates actomyosin contractility to maintain germline architecture in C. elegans
Authors: Ray Shinjini , Agarwal Priti , Nitzan Anat , Nédélec François , Zaidel-Bar Ronen
Published: March 2023

Actin dynamics play an important role in tissue morphogenesis, yet the control of actin filament growth takes place at the molecular level. A challenge in the field is to link the molecular function of actin regulators with their physiological function. Here, we report an in vivo role of the actin-capping protein CAP-1 in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. We show that CAP-1 is associated with actomyosin structures in the cortex and rachis, and its depletion or overexpression led to severe structural defects in the syncytial germline and oocytes. A 60% reduction in the level of CAP-1 caused a twofold increase in F-actin and non-muscle myosin II activity, and laser incision experiments revealed an increase in rachis contractility. Cytosim simulations pointed to increased myosin as the main driver of increased contractility following loss of actin-capping protein. Double depletion of CAP-1 and myosin or Rho kinase demonstrated that the rachis architecture defects associated with CAP-1 depletion require contractility of the rachis actomyosin corset. Thus, we uncovered a physiological role for actin-capping protein in regulating actomyosin contractility to maintain reproductive tissue architecture.
Zasp52 strengthens whole embryo tissue integrity through supracellular actomyosin networks
Authors: Ashour Dina J. , Durney Clinton H. , Planelles-Herrero Vicente J. , Stevens Tim J. , Feng James J. , Röper Katja
Published: March 2023

During morphogenesis, large-scale changes of tissue primordia are coordinated across an embryo. In Drosophila, several tissue primordia and embryonic regions are bordered or encircled by supracellular actomyosin cables, junctional actomyosin enrichments networked between many neighbouring cells. We show that the single Drosophila Alp/Enigma-family protein Zasp52, which is most prominently found in Z-discs of muscles, is a component of many supracellular actomyosin structures during embryogenesis, including the ventral midline and the boundary of the salivary gland placode. We reveal that Zasp52 contains within its central coiled-coil region a type of actin-binding motif usually found in CapZbeta proteins, and this domain displays actin-binding activity. Using endogenously-tagged lines, we identify that Zasp52 interacts with junctional components, including APC2, Polychaetoid and Sidekick, and actomyosin regulators. Analysis of zasp52 mutant embryos reveals that the severity of the embryonic defects observed scales inversely with the amount of functional protein left. Large tissue deformations occur where actomyosin cables are found during embryogenesis, and in vivo and in silico analyses suggest a model whereby supracellular Zasp52-containing cables aid to insulate morphogenetic changes from one another.
Pax4-Ghrelin mediates the conversion of pancreatic ε-cells to β-cells after extreme β-cell loss in zebrafish
Authors: Yu Junqin , Ma Jianlong , Li Yanfeng , Zhou Yang , Luo Lingfei , Yang Yun
Published: March 2023

Pancreatic ε-cells producing ghrelin are one type of endocrine cell found in islets, which have been shown to influence other intra-islet cells, especially in regulating the function of β cells. However, the role of such cells during β-cell regeneration is currently unknown. Here, using a zebrafish nitroreductase (NTR)-mediated β-cell ablation model, we reveal that ghrelin-positive ε-cells in the pancreas act as contributors to neogenic β-cells after extreme β-cell loss. Further studies show that the overexpression of ghrelin or the expansion of ε-cells potentiates β-cell regeneration. Lineage tracing confirms that a proportion of embryonic ε-cells can transdifferentiate to β-cells, and that the deletion of Pax4 enhances this transdifferentiation of ε-cells to β-cells. Mechanistically, Pax4 binds to the ghrelin regulatory region and represses its transcription. Thus, deletion of Pax4 derepresses ghrelin expression and causes producing more ghrelin-positive cells, enhancing the transdifferentiation of ε-cells to β-cells and consequently potentiating β-cell regeneration. Our findings reveal a previously unreported role for ε-cells during zebrafish β-cell regeneration, indicating that Pax4 regulates ghrelin transcription and mediates the conversion of embryonic ε-cells to β-cells after extreme β-cell loss.
Regulation of morphogen pathways by a Drosophila chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan Windpipe
Authors: Koh Woo Seuk , Knudsen Collin , Izumikawa Tomomi , Nakato Eriko , Grandt Kristin , Kinoshita-Toyoda Akiko , Toyoda Hidenao , Nakato Hiroshi
Published: March 2023

Morphogens provide quantitative and robust signaling systems to achieve stereotypic patterning and morphogenesis. Heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans (HSPGs) are key components of such regulatory feedback networks. In Drosophila, HSPGs serve as co-receptors for a number of morphogens, including Hedgehog (Hh), Wingless (Wg), Decapentaplegic (Dpp) and Unpaired (Upd, or Upd1). Recently, Windpipe (Wdp), a chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan (CSPG), was found to negatively regulate Upd and Hh signaling. However, the roles of Wdp, and CSPGs in general, in morphogen signaling networks are poorly understood. We found that Wdp is a major CSPG with 4-O-sulfated CS in Drosophila. Overexpression of wdp modulates Dpp and Wg signaling, showing that it is a general regulator of HS-dependent pathways. Although wdp mutant phenotypes are mild in the presence of morphogen signaling buffering systems, this mutant in the absence of Sulf1 or Dally, molecular hubs of the feedback networks, produces high levels of synthetic lethality and various severe morphological phenotypes. Our study indicates a close functional relationship between HS and CS, and identifies the CSPG Wdp as a novel component in morphogen feedback pathways.
A ballistic pollen dispersal strategy based on stylar oscillation ofHypochaeris radicata(Asteraceae)
Authors: Ito Shuto , Rajabi Hamed , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: March 2023

Asteraceae, one of the largest flowering plant families, are adapted to a vast range of ecological niches. Their adaptability is partially based on their strong ability to reproduce. The initial, yet challenging, step for the reproduction of animal-pollinated plants is to transport pollen to flower-visiting pollinators. We adopted Hypochaeris radicata as a model species to investigate the functional morphology of the typical floral feature of Asteraceae, a pollen-bearing style. Using quantitative experiments and numerical simulations, here we show that the pollen-bearing style can serve as a ballistic lever for catapulting pollen grains to pollinators. This can potentially be a pollen dispersal strategy to propel pollen to safe sites on pollinators' bodies, which are beyond the physical reach of the styles. Our results suggest that the specific morphology of the floret and the pollen adhesion avoid pollen waste by catapulting pollen within a specific range equal to the size of a flowerhead. The insights into the functional floral oscillation may shed light on the superficially unremarkable, but ubiquitous functional floral design of Asteraceae.
Influence of the Solvent on the Assembly of Ni3(hexaiminotriphenylene)2 Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets at the Air/Liquid Interface
Authors: Ohata Takashi , Tachimoto Kazuaki , Takeno Kanokwan Jumtee , Nomoto Akihiro , Watanabe Takeshi , Hirosawa Ichiro , Makiura Rie
Published: March 2023

Nanosheets of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)—porous crystalline materials consisting of metal ions and organic ligands—are actively studied for their intrinsic chemical/physical properties attributed to the reduced dimensionality and for their potential to function as ideal components of nanodevices, especially when electrical conduction is present. Air/liquid interfacial synthesis is a promising technique to obtain highly oriented MOF nanosheets. However, rational control of size and shape combined with the aimed functionality remains an important issue to address making it necessary to research the critical factors governing nanosheet characteristics in the interfacial synthesis. Here, we investigate the influence of the solvent—methanol (MeOH) versus N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)—used to prepare a ligand spread solution on an assembly of MOF nanosheets composed of Ni2+ and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene (HITP) (HITP-Ni-NS). We find that the macroscopic morphological uniformity in the micrometer scale is higher when DMF is used as the solvent. Regarding the microscopic crystalline domain, molecules of DMF with relatively high polarity and boiling point are involved in HITP-Ni-NS formation, hindering its growth and resulting in nanosheets with slightly smaller lateral size than that grown when MeOH is used. These findings provide crucial guidelines towards establishing a judicious strategy for creating desired MOF nanosheets at the air/liquid interface, thereby driving forward research on both fundamental and applied aspects of this field.
A Proposed Compact Broadband Meander Antenna for RFID Applications
Authors:   Australian University, Kuwait, Ka’bi Amin Al
Published: March 2023

Radio Frequency Identification technology aims at identifying and tracking objects labeled with tags. To achieve this goal, the need for antennas with certain characteristics and specifications becomes of great importance. In this research work, a proposed compact broadband meander antenna for Radio Frequency Identification Applications is presented. In the proposed model of the antenna, the inductive strips are bent to generate capacitive effects between them. To achieve an acceptable impedance matching at a frequency of 876MHz between the antenna and the receiving microchip of model “NXP UCODE G2XL”, shorting lines created along the antenna structure together with a T-shaped matching circuit are used. This proposed design of the antenna results in a compact size antenna (75×25×1.6mm3) with a resonance frequency that lies in theEuropean band of 867MHz, and it has an input impedance of Z = 16 - j156 Ω. The antenna is made from copper strip with a thickness of 35 μm and fabricated on an FR4 epoxy substrate with a thickness of 1.6 mm. This paper presents the proposed antenna simulation results performed in various situations and conditions. The antenna performance is investigated in terms of various aspects such as gain, radiation pattern, return loss, and input impedance.
On the Secrecy Outage Probability of NOMA Systems Affected by Imperfect SIC over κ−μ Fading Channels
Authors:   Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA), Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences (FICA), Quito 170503, Ecuador, Arias Adrián S. , Huera Leidy C. , Rueda Brandon S. , Carvajal Henry R. , Orozco Nathaly V. , Almeida Fernando D.
Published: March 2023

Fifth-generation (5G) and beyond fifth-generation (B5G) wireless systems increase the transmission capabilities of simple devices, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices. However, they are vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks due to their low computational processing capacity. Thus, physical layer security (PLS) appears as an interesting alternative essential for their proper operation. In this work, the secrecy performance of power-domain non-orthogonal-multiple-access (NOMA) systems affected by imperfect successive interference cancellation (SIC) is evaluated in a scenario consisting of two users operating over κ−μ fading channels. By considering that the user furthest from the base station (BS) is an untrusted user, expressions to calculate the signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio (SNIR) of both users are derived, and with these results, an expression to evaluate the secrecy-outage-probability (SOP) for the trusted user is derived. Numerical results using Monte-Carlo simulations are carried out in some scenarios to validate the derived expressions. The results also evidence a simple strategy to minimize the SOP for the trusted user based on the κ and μ fading parameters.
A Developed IoT Platform-Based Data Repository for Smart Farming Applications
Authors:   Department of Computer Engineering, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran, Aziz Dlnya Abdulahad , Asgarnezhad Razieh , Saber Ali Ali , Alani Sameer
Published: March 2023

Generally, it is possible to increase agricultural output while decreasing the time required for human oversight by automating routine tasks. In this work, the Internet of things (IoT) played a vital role in designing a platform to monitor a farm wirelessly, reducing human involvement, allowing remote observing, and remote control of the design using a public IP address based cross-platform, Apache, MySQL, PHP and Perl (XAMPP) Apache package. A cloud is appealing when a wireless sensor network generates a lot of data. Cloud-based wireless communication systems are being tested to monitor and manage a set of sensors and actuators to estimate paddy (rice) water requirements in a particular location. The proposed design shows robust interaction between two microcontrollers to deal with different sensors and simultaneously act as a WiFi unit. The row data obtained from the sensors is uploaded to the cloud through specific Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) files to store and fetch the data from the database. Through the programming method, the system focuses on tracking the paddy growing value and the amount of water available in the soil, which should be around (10 Kpa) for an optimum paddy environment. The results emphasized that 80% of water is retained when a maximal 10 Kpa of soil moisture is achieved.
Średniowieczne początki i późniejsze fazy refleksji nad pochodzeniem, językiem, tożsamością i jednością Słowian
Authors: Strzelczyk Jerzy
Published: March 2023

Artykuł stanowi próbę określenia głównych przejawów i linii rozwojowych myśli ogólnosłowiańskiej poczynając od średniowiecza po wiek XX i XXI.
Studenci z Poznania w latach 1490-1505. Pochodzenie społeczne i kariery
Authors: Bartoszak Michał
Published: March 2023

Artykuł podejmuje zagadnienie studiów 48 synów mieszczan poznańskich immatrykulowanych na różnych uniwersytetach w latach 1490-1505. Analizowane jest pochodzenie społeczne tej grupy – stratyfikacja przeprowadzona jest podług zawodu i zamożności ojców oraz ich udziału w sprawowaniu władzy w mieście. Potem następuje próba analizy roli wykształcenia uniwersyteckiego w zabiegach o awans do elit rządzących miastem. Załączony katalog zawiera biogramy 48 studentów z dokładnymi informacjami o ich rodzinach i biegu życiu.
Aksjonormatywne dylematy świata hybrydalnego
Authors: Łucyszyn Józef , Śledzińska Klaudia
Published: March 2023

The Internet is a medium which substantially pertains to the lives of the majority
of people living in the western civilization. In this reality, a man equipped with his
nature, subjectivity, identity, ability to learn and understand in many aspects becomes
inexorably dependent on technological development, as well as on the imposed behavioral
patterns or on the choices necessitated by a binding system of needs, which make him
often ignore the system of values. In contrast, a responsible choice is possible in the
world of a clearly defined system of values, with simultaneous maintenance of
self-awareness, personal freedom, and identity. Therefore, the problem occurs whether in
the world developing in the situation of mutual permeation of what is real with what is
virtual, that is, in the hybrid world, it is feasible at all to create and provide the
conditions for implementing values? Is it possible to evaluate, establish norms so
consequently to guarantee responsible functioning? The paper is an attempt to indicate
the selected dilemmas concerning the axionormative dimension of the hybrid
reality.
Ambiwalencje kulturowych hybrydyzacji
Authors: Korporowicz Leszek
Published: March 2023

The processes of cultural hybridization are nothing new in the history of human
civilization and have existed since the beginning of its existence. A new situation has
arisen with the advent of virtual reality. Its connections with the traditional kind of
reality create hybrids of a relatively autonomous mode of existence. However, these
phenomena show a lack of coherence and sometimes a strong ambivalence, which generates
tension between what contains positive and negative elements, creative and destructive.
This requires a differentiated methodology for their analysis. The existing
contradictions determine the cognitive, but also practical challenges of the dynamisms
of shaping personality, identity, educational and culture-forming activities. Hybrids
allow to break the patterns of cultural practice, but at the same time disintegrate the
development potential of human identity and subjectivity. Developmental control of their
ambivalence must be preceded by proper diagnostics and abandonment of reductions that
destroy the axiological condition of contemporary social sciences and
humanities.
Pejzaże rzeczywistości hybrydalnej – kilka odsłon
Authors: Chludzińska Ewa
Published: March 2023

Hybrid reality, as a place where real and virtual spaces meet and interpretate
each other is an interesting area of exploration. The paper attempts to describe some
aspects of hybrid reality in the context literature. Several aspects of the hybrid
world’s functioning are investigated, e.g., issues concerning the definition of the
hybrid identity of a human being who lives on the border of the worlds, the
communication process in the hybrid reality and its phenomena. An attempt is also made
to define the condition and place of humanity in the hybrid world in the context of
technological and axiological threats. Hybrid reality with its multidimensionality
raises number of issues related to functioning and activity of human being, raises
curiosity, opens new areas of research, and poses questions that require deep
analysis.
Tożsamość hybrydalna w cyberprzestrzeni. Przekraczanie granic kulturowych
Authors: Paleczny Tadeusz
Published: March 2023

Participation and activity of network users in cyberspace consists in creating
one’s own personality profiles and constructing a new identity in order to create one’s
own image, increasingly merging with the creator operating in the real world. Hybrid
identity in the network is the result of overlapping requirements of two worlds:
multimedia and real. The functioning of users in cyberspace, in the metaversum, leads to
the emergence of surrogate, liaison, double, complex, hybrid identities that legitimate
their carriers both in the network and outside it. Hybrid network identities are a new
phenomenon adapted to the requirements of functioning in the communication space of the
Internet. The text distinguishes and characterizes the following types of hybrid
identity in cyberspace: avatar, ‘janus’, rebel, ‘ludoman’ and outsider.
Education in the Digital Age: Some Implications for Teaching and Teacher
Training
Authors: Sekścińska Izabela , Piórkowska Agnieszka
Published: March 2023

The paper focuses on the present-day education in view of the technological boom
and the ongoing digitalization of our lives, as well as on the neuroscientific
discoveries which shed more light on the nature of learning and thus have consequently
influenced teaching strategies. We would like to argue that successful teachers have to,
on the one hand, understand the intricacies of the human brain in order to organize the
teaching process better; and on the other hand, they must observe and adapt their
teaching strategies to the needs and expectations of the digital-age learners. The 21st
century teachers have to be able to use technological tools on everyday basis to make
education attractive to the young generation who live on the edge of the two worlds: a
real and a virtual one. The new type of learners requires different teaching methods and
a hands-on or a digital approach to teaching. A natural question that arises, therefore,
is whether the importance of digital education is reflected in teacher training
programmes? Are Polish academic institutions effectively preparing graduates who are
ready to work in the digital age? These are the questions which inspired the authors to
write the present article as there does seem to be a need to attend to the state of the
education system in Poland and to ponder on the potential modifications of teacher
training programmes that ought to be introduced.