bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glutamine alleviated heat stress-induced damage of porcine intestinal epithelium associated with the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway mediated by heat shock protein 70
Authors: Zhang Bolin , Sun Huilei , Sun Zewei , Liu Ning , Liu Rujie , Zhong Qingzhen
Published: April 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of glutamine (Gln) addition on the damage of porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) induced by heat stress (HS). IPEC-J2 cultured in logarithmic growth period in vitro were firstly exposed to 42 °C for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h for cell viability and cultured with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 mmol Gln per L of culture media for heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression to determine the optimal disposal strategy (HS, 42 °C for 12 h and HSP70 expression, 6 mmol/L Gln treatment for 24 h). Then IPEC-J2 cells were divided into three groups: control group (Con, cultured at 37 °C), HS group (HS, cultured at 42 °C for 12 h), and glutamine group (Gln+HS, cultured at 42 °C for 12 h combined with 6 mmol/L Gln treatment for 24 h). The results showed that HS treatment for 12 h significantly decreased the cell viability of IPEC-J2 (P < 0.05) and 6 mmol/L Gln treatment for 12 h increased HSP70 expression (P < 0.05). HS treatment increased the permeability of IPEC-J2, evidenced by the increased fluorescent yellow flux rates (P < 0.05) and the decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (P < 0.05). Moreover, the downregulated protein expression of occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens-1 was observed in HS group (P < 0.05), but Gln addition alleviated the negative effects on permeability and the integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier induced by HS (P < 0.05). In addition, HS resulted in the elevations in HSP70 expression, cell apoptosis, cytoplasmic cytochrome c potential expression, and the protein expressions of apoptosis-related factors (apoptotic protease-activating factor-1, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3, and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9) (P < 0.05); however, the reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential expression and B-cell lymphoma-2 expression were induced by HS (P < 0.05). But Gln treatment attenuated HS-induced adverse effects mentioned above (P < 0.05). Taken together, Gln treatment exhibited protective effects in protecting IPEC-J2 from cell apoptosis and the damaged integrity of epithelial mucosal barrier induced by HS, which may be associated with the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway mediated by HSP70.
Evaluating phenotypes associated with heat tolerance and identifying moderate and severe heat stress thresholds in lactating sows housed in mechanically or naturally ventilated barns during the summer under commercial conditions
Authors: Johnson Jay S , Wen Hui , Freitas Pedro H F , Maskal Jacob M , Hartman Sharlene O , Byrd MaryKate , Graham Jason R , Ceja Guadalupe , Tiezzi Francesco , Maltecca Christian , Huang Yijian , DeDecker Ashley , Schinckel Allan P , Brito Luiz F
Published: April 2023

An accurate understanding of heat stress (HS) temperatures and phenotypes that indicate HS tolerance is necessary to improve swine HS resilience. Therefore, the study objectives were 1) to identify phenotypes indicative of HS tolerance, and 2) to determine moderate and severe HS threshold temperatures in lactating sows. Multiparous (4.10 ± 1.48) lactating sows and their litters (11.10 ± 2.33 piglets/litter) were housed in naturally ventilated (n = 1,015) or mechanically ventilated (n = 630) barns at a commercial sow farm in Maple Hill, NC, USA between June 9 and July 24, 2021. In-barn dry bulb temperatures (TDB) and relative humidity were continuously recorded for naturally ventilated (26.38 ± 1.21 °C and 83.38 ± 5.40%, respectively) and mechanically ventilated (26.91 ± 1.80 °C and 77.13 ± 7.06%, respectively) barns using data recorders. Sows were phenotyped between lactation days 11.28 ± 3.08 and 14.25 ± 3.26. Thermoregulatory measures were obtained daily at 0800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 h and included respiration rate, and ear, shoulder, rump, and tail skin temperatures. Vaginal temperatures (TV) were recorded in 10 min intervals using data recorders. Anatomical characteristics were recorded, including ear area and length, visual and caliper-assessed body condition scores, and a visually assessed and subjective hair density score. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED to evaluate the temporal pattern of thermoregulatory responses, phenotype correlations were based on mixed model analyses, and moderate and severe HS inflection points were established by fitting TV as the dependent variable in a cubic function against TDB. Statistical analyses were conducted separately for sows housed in mechanically or naturally ventilated barns because the sow groups were not housed in each facility type simultaneously. The temporal pattern of thermoregulatory responses was similar for naturally and mechanically ventilated barns and several thermoregulatory and anatomical measures were significantly correlated with one another (P < 0.05), including all anatomical measures as well as skin temperatures, respiration rates, and TV. For sows housed in naturally and mechanically ventilated facilities, moderate HS threshold TDB were 27.36 and 26.69 °C, respectively, and severe HS threshold TDB were 29.45 and 30.60 °C, respectively. In summary, this study provides new information on the variability of HS tolerance phenotypes and environmental conditions that constitute HS in commercially housed lactating sows.
Unexpected finding of Fusobacterium varium as the dominant Fusobacterium species in cattle rumen: potential implications for liver abscess etiology and interventions
Authors: Schwarz Cory , Mathieu Jacques , Gomez Jenny Laverde , Miller Megan R , Tikhonova Marina , Nagaraja Tiruvoor.G , Alvarez Pedro J J
Published: April 2023

Fusobacterium varium has been generally overlooked in cattle rumen microbiome studies relative to the presumably more abundant liver abscess-causing Fusobacterium necrophorum. However, F. varium was found to be more abundant in the rumen fluid of cattle and under culture conditions tailored to enrich F. necrophorum. Using near-full length 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing, we demonstrate that F. varium grows under restrictive conditions commonly used to enumerate F. necrophorum, suggesting that previous F. necrophorum abundance assessment may have been inaccurate and that F. varium may be an underestimated member of the ruminal bacterial community. Fusobacterium varium were not as susceptible as F. necrophorum to in-feed antibiotics conventionally used in feedlots. Exposure to tylosin, the current gold standard for liver abscess reduction strategies in cattle, consistently hindered growth of the F. necrophorum strains tested by over 67% (P < 0.05) relative to the unexposed control. In contrast, F. varium strains were totally or highly resistant (0%–13% reduction in maximum yield, P < 0.05). Monensin, an ionophore antibiotic, had greater inhibitory activity against F. necrophorum than F. varium. Finally, preliminary genomic analysis of two F. varium isolates from the rumen revealed the presence of virulence genes related to those of pathogenic human F. varium isolates associated with active invasion of mammalian cells. The data presented here encourage further investigation into the ecological role of F. varium within the bovine rumen and potential role in liver abscess development, and proactive interventions.
Impact of Residing in Below Median Household Income Districts on Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Barrett’s Esophagus
Authors: Li Suqing , Fujiyoshi Yusuke , Jugnundan Sechiv , May Gary , Marcon Norman , Mosko Jeffrey , Teshima Christopher
Published: April 2023

Background

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Low socioeconomic (SES) status adversely impacts care and outcomes in patients with EAC, but this has not been evaluated in BE. As the treatment of BE is similarly intensive, we aimed to evaluate the effect of SES on achieving complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM), dysplasia (CE-D) and development of invasive EAC.

Methods

Our study was a retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients between January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018, referred for BE-associated high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal adenocarcinoma were included. Pre, intra and post-procedural data were collected. Household income data was collected from the 2016 census based on postal code region. Patients were divided into income groups relative to the 2016 median household income in Ontario. Multivariate regression was performed for outcomes of interest.

Results

Four hundred and fifty-nine patients were included. Rate of CE-IM was similar between income groups. Fifty-five per cent (n = 144/264) versus 65% (n = 48/264) in the below and above-income groups achieved CE-D, respectively, P = 0.02. Eighteen per cent (n = 48/264) versus 11% (n = 22/195) were found to have invasive EAC during their treatment course in below and above-income groups, respectively, P = 0.04. Residing in a below-median-income district was associated with developing invasive EAC (Odds Ratio, [OR] 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 3.35) and failure to achieve CE-D (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.97).

Conclusions

Residing in low-income districts is associated with worse outcomes in patients with advanced BE. Further research is needed to guide future initiatives to address the potential impact of SES barriers in the optimal care of BE.
Goaf area detection using high-precision wavefield imaging method of ground-airborne transient electromagnetics
Authors: Yang Hang , Cheng Wangsheng , Qi Zhipeng , Cao Huake , Li Xiu , Sun Naiquan , Ma Jie
Published: April 2023

The coal goaf areas are the main cause of accidents involving water intrusion in coal mines. The ground collapse caused by water intrusion in goaf areas poses major threats to further coal mining as the conventional ground-based transient electromagnetic method is difficult to perform due to the hilly terrain in the Loess Plateau. In this study, a ground-airborne transient electromagnetic method for detecting coal goaf areas on the Loess Plateau was presented. First, a numerical model was built using the geological data of the study area. The transient electromagnetic method (TEM) responses of the coal goaf area were determined by forward modeling. Then, the high-precision wavefield transformation method was applied to image the forward model. It was found that compared with the apparent resistivity definition method, the results of the high-precision wavefield transformation method more accurately represented the subsurface structures and the volume effect was avoided. Finally, the high-precision time sweep wavefield imaging method was applied to process the field data. The results revealed that the high-precision wavefield imaging method was able to accurately determine the locations of the goaf areas. In addition, the upper and lower interfaces of the strata and the goaf areas were clearly identified.
Income level and treatment selection in prostate cancer: analysis of a North Carolina population-based cohort
Authors: Rock Crosby , Cao Ying , Katz Aaron J , Usinger Deborah , Walden Sarah , Chen Ronald C , Shen Xinglei
Published: April 2023

Background

Disparities in treatment selection based on socioeconomic status for prostate cancer exist. However, the association between patient-level income with treatment selection priorities and treatment received has not been studied.

Methods

A population-based cohort of 1382 individuals with newly diagnosed prostate cancer was enrolled throughout North Carolina prior to treatment. Patients self-reported household income and were asked about the importance of 12 factors contributing to their treatment decision-making process. Diagnosis details and primary treatment received were abstracted from medical records and cancer registry data.

Results

Patients with lower income were diagnosed with more advanced disease (P < .01). Cure was deemed to be “very important” by more than 90% of patients at all income levels. However, patients with lower vs higher household income were more likely to rate factors beyond cure as “very important” such as cost (P < .01), effect on daily activities (P = .01), duration of treatment (P < .01), recovery time (P < .01), and burden on family and friends (P < .01). On multivariable analysis, high vs low income was associated with increased utilization of radical prostatectomy (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.33 to 3.04; P < .01) and decreased use of radiotherapy (odds ratio = 0.48, 95% confidence interval = 0.31 to 0.75; P < .01).

Conclusions

New insights from this study on the association between income and treatment decision-making priorities provide potential avenues for future interventions to reduce disparities in cancer care.
Gender minority stress in transgender people: a major role for social network
Authors: Collet Sarah , Kiyar Meltem , Martens Klara , Vangeneugden Jolien , Simpson Victoria G , Guillamon Antonio , Mueller Sven C , T’Sjoen Guy
Published: April 2023

Background

Gender minority individuals, on average, experience higher rates of mental health problems. Mounting work suggests that gender minority stress (GMS) contributes to mental health outcomes in transgender/gender-nonconforming individuals.

Aim

We assessed whether GMS decreased in transgender people after initiating gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and we identified social predictors and hormonal associations for GMS at 2 time points.

Methods

GMS was surveyed through self-report questionnaires tapping into proximal and distal stressors and coping constructs following the minority stress framework. Eighty-five transgender persons wishing to undertake hormonal interventions were assessed prospectively at start of GAHT and after 7.7 ± 3.5 months (mean ± SD). Sixty-five cisgender persons served as a control group.

Outcomes

(1) Proximal stressors were surveyed by the Beck Depression Inventory II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Scale for Suicide Ideation, Suicidal Thoughts/Attempts, Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire, and Perceived Stress Scale; (2) distal stressors by the Everyday Discrimination Scale; and (3) coping constructs by the Resilience Scale, social network, social standing, and Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale.

Results

Transgender people experienced higher rates of proximal stressors (Beck Depression Inventory II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Scale for Suicide Ideation, Suicidal Thoughts/Attempts, Perceived Stress Scale) and had lower protective factors (social standing) prior to and during GAHT than cisgender people. Social network and resilience were lower in transgender people relative to cisgender peers only at baseline. Prospectively, decreasing trait anxiety was observed in transgender people. Social factors were adequate predictors of multiple GMS constructs. Specifically, a major role for social network emerged. As for hormonal associations, only serum estradiol levels in transgender women with GAHT were negatively associated with trait anxiety and suicidal thoughts/attempts but positively with resilience and social desirability.

Clinical Implications

Stimulating a social environment supportive of diverse identities, particularly by investing in social networks as a resource for resilience, is likely to alleviate GMS.

Strengths and Limitations

Longer duration of interventions with sex steroid treatment, with continued resilience-enhancing strategies, is needed to observe further alleviation of GMS in transgender persons. Also, objective and subjective GMS identification with heteronormative attitudes and beliefs should be surveyed for good measure when assessing GMS.

Conclusion

Transgender people experienced more GMS throughout study visits than cisgender people did. With a relatively short period of GAHT, some significant changes in and predictors for experienced GMS emerged.
The relationship between sleep disorders, quality, and duration and sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dilixiati Diliyaer , Kadier Kaisaierjiang , Laihaiti Duolikun , Lu Jian-De , Rezhake Remila , Azhati Baihetiya , Rexiati Mulati
Published: April 2023

Background

The associations between sexual dysfunction (SD) and sleep disorders, sleep quality, and sleep duration remain unclear.

Aim

To assess the relationship between sleep and SD through a literature review and meta-analysis.

Methods

The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched from inception to November 10, 2022.

Outcomes

Pooled relative risks and 95% CIs were used to examine the association of sleep disorders with SD in longitudinal studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were used to examine the associations between SD and sleep disorders, sleep quality, and sleep duration in cross-sectional studies.

Results

Forty-three articles, including 11 longitudinal studies and 32 cross-sectional studies, were included in the quantitative analysis. The pooled relative risk of SD in patients with sleep disorders was 1.97 in longitudinal studies (95% CI, 1.46-2.67, P < .001; heterogeneity: I2 = 95.0%, P < .001), while the pooled OR of SD in patients with sleep disorders was 2.05 in cross-sectional studies (95% CI, 1.76-2.39, P < .001; heterogeneity: I2 = 91.4%, P < .001). When compared with controls, subjects with poor sleep quality had a 1.49-fold increased risk of SD (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.31-1.71, P < .001; heterogeneity: I2 = 73.4%, P < .001). In addition, short sleep duration was associated with the risk of SD (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06-1.22, P < .001; heterogeneity: I2 = 0.0%, P = .849).

Clinical Implications

The risk of SD is significantly increased in patients with sleep disorders and poor sleep quality, indicating that clinicians should monitor sleep among patients with SD.

Strengths and Limitations

This study is the most comprehensive meta-analysis of the association between sleep and SD to date. However, different sleep disorders may have varying associations with sleep duration and sleep quality; thus, we could not identify the independent effects across the studies.

Conclusion

Our systematic review and meta-analysis results suggest that sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea, increase the risk of SD in men and women. Poor sleep quality is significantly associated with SD. Short sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of SD.
Dynamic responses of carbon assimilation and stomatal conductance in the future climate
Authors: De Souza Amanda P
Published: April 2023

This article comments on:

Wall S, Cockram J, Vialet-Chabrand S, Van Rie J, Galle A, Lawson T. 2023. The impact of growth at elevated [CO2] on stomatal anatomy and behavior differs between wheat species and cultivars. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 2860–2874
The translocase of the inner mitochondrial membrane 22-2 is required for mitochondrial membrane function during Arabidopsis seed development
Authors: Zhang Yuqin , Hu Yuanyuan , Wang Zhiqin , Lin Xiaodi , Li Zihui , Ren Yafang , Zhao Jie
Published: April 2023

The carrier translocase (also known as translocase of the inner membrane 22; TIM22 complex) is an important component of the mitochondrial protein import apparatus. However, the biological functions of AtTIM22-2 in Arabidopsis remain poorly defined. Here, we report studies on two tim22-2 mutants that exhibit defects in embryo and endosperm development, leading to seed abortion. AtTIM22-2, which was localized in mitochondria, was widely expressed in embryos and in various seedling organs. Loss of AtTIM22-2 function resulted in irregular mitochondrial cristae, decreased respiratory activity, and a lower membrane potential, together with changes in gene expression and enzyme activity related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, leading to increased accumulation of ROS in the embryo. The levels of transcripts encoding mitochondrial protein import components were also altered in the tim22-2 mutants. Furthermore, mass spectrometry, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that AtTIM22-2 interacted with AtTIM23-2, AtB14.7 (a member of Arabidopsis OEP16 family encoded by At2G42210), and AT5G27395 (mitochondrial inner membrane translocase complex, subunit TIM44-related protein). Taken together, these results demonstrate that AtTIM22-2 is essential for maintaining mitochondrial membrane functions during seed development. These findings lay the foundations for a new model of the composition and functions of the TIM22 complex in higher plants.
DNA methylation and gene transcription act cooperatively in driving the adaptation of a marine diatom to global change
Authors: Wan Jiaofeng , Zhou Yunyue , Beardall John , Raven John A , Lin Jiamin , Huang Jiali , Lu Yucong , Liang Shiman , Ye Mengcheng , Xiao Mengting , Zhao Jingyuan , Dai Xiaoying , Xia Jianrong , Jin Peng
Published: April 2023

Genetic changes together with epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation have been demonstrated to regulate many biological processes and thereby govern the response of organisms to environmental changes. However, how DNA methylation might act cooperatively with gene transcription and thereby mediate the long-term adaptive responses of marine microalgae to global change is virtually unknown. Here we performed a transcriptomic analysis, and a whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, along with phenotypic analysis of a model marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum adapted for 2 years to high CO2 and/or warming conditions. Our results show that the methylated islands (peaks of methylation) mCHH were positively correlated with expression of genes in the subregion of the gene body when the populations were grown under high CO2 or its combination with warming for ~2 years. We further identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and hence the metabolic pathways in which they function, at the transcriptomics level in differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Although DEGs in DMRs contributed only 18–24% of the total DEGs, we found that those DEGs acted cooperatively with DNA methylation and then regulated key processes such as central carbon metabolism, amino acid metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, and degradation of misfolded proteins. Taken together, by integrating transcriptomic, epigenetic, and phenotypic analysis, our study provides evidence for DNA methylation acting cooperatively with gene transcription to contribute to the adaptation of microalgae to global changes.
Anatomical and biophysical basis for graft incompatibility within the Solanaceae
Authors: Thomas Hannah R , Gevorgyan Alice , Frank Margaret H
Published: April 2023

Interspecies grafting is an economically relevant technique that allows beneficial shoot and root combinations from separate species to be combined. One hypothesis for the basis of graft compatibility revolves around taxonomic relatedness. To test how phylogenetic distance affects interspecific graft compatibility within the economically important Solanaceae subfamily, Solanoideae, we characterized the anatomical and biophysical integrity of graft junctions between four species: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), pepper (Capsicum annuum), and groundcherry (Physalis pubescens). We analyzed the survival, growth, integrity, and cellular composition of the graft junctions. Utilizing various techniques, we were able to quantitatively assess compatibility among the interspecific grafts. Even though most of our graft combinations could survive, we show that only intrageneric combinations between tomato and eggplant are compatible. Unlike incompatible grafts, the formation of substantial vascular reconnections between tomato and eggplant in the intrageneric heterografts likely contributed to biophysically stable grafts. Furthermore, we identified 10 graft combinations that show delayed incompatibility, providing a useful system to pursue deeper work into graft compatibility. This work provides new evidence that graft compatibility may be limited to intrageneric combinations within the Solanoideae subfamily. Further research amongst additional Solanaceous species can be used to test the extent to which our hypothesis applies to this family.
Validation of an expanded, in-house library and an optimized preparation method for the identification of fungal isolates using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Zvezdanova Margarita Estreya , de Aledo Manuel González , López-Mirones José Israel , Ortega Jesús , Canut Andrés , Castro Carmen , Gomez Carmen , Hernáez Silvia , Oviaño Marina , Ercibengoa María , Alkorta Miriam , Muñoz Patricia , Rodriguez-Temporal David , Rodríguez-Sánchez Belén
Published: April 2023

The goal of this study was to validate an optimized sample preparation method for filamentous fungal isolates coupled with the use of an in-house library for the identification of moulds using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in a multicenter context. For that purpose, three Spanish microbiology laboratories participated in the identification of 97 fungal isolates using MALDI-TOF MS coupled with the Filamentous Fungi library 3.0 (Bruker Daltonics) and an in-house library containing 314 unique fungal references. The isolates analyzed belonged to 25 species from the genus Aspergillus, Fusarium, Scedosporium/Lomentospora, the Mucorales order and the Dermatophytes group. MALDI-TOF MS identification was carried out from hyphae resuspended in water and ethanol. After a high-speed centrifugation step, the supernatant was discarded and the pellet submitted to a standard protein extraction step. The protein extract was analyzed with the MBT Smart MALDI Biotyper system (Bruker Daltonics). The rate of accurate, species-level identification obtained ranged between 84.5% and 94.8% and the score values were 1.8 for 72.2–94.9% of the cases. Two laboratories failed to identify only one isolate of Syncephalastrum sp. and Trichophyton rubrum, respectively and three isolates could not be identified in the third center (F. proliferatum, n = 1; T.interdigitale, n = 2). In conclusion, the availability of an effective sample preparation method and an extended database allowed high rates of correct identification of fungal species using MALDI-TOF MS. Some species, such as Trichophyton spp. are still difficult to identify. Although further improvements are still required, the developed methodology allowed the reliable identification of most fungal species.
The eROSITA Final Equatorial-Depth Survey (eFEDS) – Splashback radius of X-ray galaxy clusters using galaxies from HSC survey
Authors: Rana Divya , More Surhud , Miyatake Hironao , Grandis Sebastian , Klein Matthias , Bulbul Esra , Chiu I-Non , Miyazaki Satoshi , Bahcall Neta
Published: April 2023

We present the splashback radius measurements around the SRG/eROSITA eFEDS X-ray selected galaxy clusters by cross-correlating them with HSC S19A photometric galaxies. The X-ray selection is expected to be less affected by systematics related to projection that affects optical cluster finder algorithms. We use a nearly volume-limited sample of 109 galaxy clusters selected in 0.5–2.0 keV band having luminosity $L_X \gt 10^{43.5}\, {\rm erg \, s}^{-1}\, h^{-2}$ within the redshift z < 0.75 and obtain measurements of the projected cross-correlation with a signal to noise of 17.43. We model our measurements to infer a 3D profile and find that the steepest slope is sharper than −3 and associate the location with the splashback radius. We infer the value of the 3D splashback radius $r_{\rm sp} = 1.45^{+0.30}_{-0.26}\, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}$ . We also measure the weak-lensing signal of the galaxy clusters and obtain halo mass $\log [M_{\rm 200m}/ h^{-1}\, {\rm M_\odot }] = 14.52 \pm 0.06$ using the HSC-S16A shape catalogue data at the median redshift z  = 0.46 of our cluster sample. We compare our rsp values with the spherical overdensity boundary $r_{\rm 200m} = 1.75 \pm 0.08\, h^{-1} \, {\rm Mpc}$ based on the halo mass, which is consistent within 1.2σ with the ΛCDM predictions. Our constraints on the splashback radius, although broad, are the best measurements thus far obtained for an X-ray selected galaxy cluster sample.
Measurement of the evolving galaxy luminosity and mass function using clustering-based redshift inference
Authors: Karademir Geray S , Taylor Edward N , Blake Chris , Cluver Michelle E , Jarrett Thomas H , Triani Dian P
Published: April 2023

We develop a framework for using clustering-based redshift inference (cluster-$z$ ) to measure the evolving galaxy luminosity function (GLF) and galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF) using Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer W1 (3.4 μm) mid-infrared photometry and positions. We use multiple reference sets from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey, Sloan Digital Sky Survey and Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey. Combining the resulting cluster-$z$ s allows us to enlarge the study area, and by accounting for the specific properties of each reference set, making best use of each reference set to produce the best overall result. Thus we are able to measure the GLF and GSMF over ∼7500 deg2 of the Northern Galactic Cap up to $z$ < 0.6. Our method can easily be adapted for new studies with fainter magnitudes, which pose difficulties for the derivation of photo-$z$ s. With better statistics in future surveys this technique is a strong candidate for studies with new emerging data from, e.g. the Vera C Rubin Observatory, the Euclid mission or the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Accurate mass–radius ratios for Hyades white dwarfs
Authors: Pasquini L , Pala A F , Salaris M , Ludwig H-G , Leão I , Weiss A , de Medeiros J R
Published: April 2023

We use the ESPRESSO spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope to measure velocity shifts and gravitational redshifts of eight bona fide Hyades white dwarfs, with an accuracy better than 1.5 per cent. By comparing the gravitational redshift measurements of the mass-to-radius ratio with the same ratios derived by fitting the Gaia photometry with theoretical models, we find an agreement to better than one per cent. It is possible to reproduce the observed white dwarf cooling sequence and the trend of the mass-to-radius ratios as a function of colour using isochrones with ages between 725 and 800 Myr, tuned for the Hyades. One star, EGGR 29, consistently stands out in all diagrams, indicating that it is possibly the remnant of a blue straggler. We also computed mass-to-radius ratios from published gravities and masses, determined from spectroscopy. The comparison between photometric and spectroscopic stellar parameters reveals that spectroscopic effective temperature and gravity are systematically larger than the photometric values. Spectroscopic mass-to-radius ratios disagree with those measured from gravitational redshift, indicating the presence of systematics affecting the white dwarf parameters derived from the spectroscopic analysis.
A model of EUV emission from clusters of galaxies
Authors: Lieu Richard , Shi Chun-Hui
Published: April 2023

With tantalizing evidence of the recent e-Rosita mission, re-discovering very soft X-rays and Extreme-Ultraviolet (EUV) radiation from a cluster of galaxies or its environment, the question of the origin of cluster EUV excess is revisited in this work. It will be shown that the gas temperature, density, and frozen-in magnetic field of the intracluster medium, collectively support the emission and propagation of coherent C̆erenkov radiation, which is low frequency and large amplitude radiation capable of accelerating charged particles to relativistic speeds. Owing to the spectrum of C̆erenkov radiation, most of the incipient relativistic electrons undergo inverse-Compton scattering with the cosmic microwave background. It turns out the scattered radiation has observable ramifications only in the EUV band, of photon energy 70–100 eV, having a luminosity ≈1044 ergs s−1. This luminosity is on par with the EUV excess level detected from Abell 1795 and the Coma cluster. It should be stressed, as caveat emptor, that although the main subject is the putative large amplitude coherent C̆erenkov modes which are highly non-linear, the results presented were derived using a quasi-linear approach to highlight the observable features of the phenomenon, namely, the EUV emission.
Prediction of protein structures, functions and interactions using the IntFOLD7, MultiFOLD and ModFOLDdock servers
Authors: McGuffin Liam J , Edmunds Nicholas S , Genc Ahmet G , Alharbi Shuaa M A , Salehe Bajuna R , Adiyaman Recep
Published: April 2023

The IntFOLD server based at the University of Reading has been a leading method over the past decade in providing free access to accurate prediction of protein structures and functions. In a post-AlphaFold2 world, accurate models of tertiary structures are widely available for even more protein targets, so there has been a refocus in the prediction community towards the accurate modelling of protein-ligand interactions as well as modelling quaternary structure assemblies. In this paper, we describe the latest improvements to IntFOLD, which maintains its competitive structure prediction performance by including the latest deep learning methods while also integrating accurate model quality estimates and 3D models of protein-ligand interactions. Furthermore, we also introduce our two new server methods: MultiFOLD for accurately modelling both tertiary and quaternary structures, with performance which has been independently verified to outperform the standard AlphaFold2 methods, and ModFOLDdock, which provides world-leading quality estimates for quaternary structure models. The IntFOLD7, MultiFOLD and ModFOLDdock servers are available at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/bioinf/.
PASSer: fast and accurate prediction of protein allosteric sites
Authors: Tian Hao , Xiao Sian , Jiang Xi , Tao Peng
Published: April 2023

Allostery refers to the biological process by which an effector modulator binds to a protein at a site distant from the active site, known as allosteric site. Identifying allosteric sites is essential for discovering allosteric process and is considered a critical factor in allosteric drug development. To facilitate related research, we developed PASSer (Protein Allosteric Sites Server) at https://passer.smu.edu, a web application for fast and accurate allosteric site prediction and visualization. The website hosts three trained and published machine learning models: (i) an ensemble learning model with extreme gradient boosting and graph convolutional neural network, (ii) an automated machine learning model with AutoGluon and (iii) a learning-to-rank model with LambdaMART. PASSer accepts protein entries directly from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) or user-uploaded PDB files, and can conduct predictions within seconds. The results are presented in an interactive window that displays protein and pockets’ structures, as well as a table that summarizes predictions of the top three pockets with the highest probabilities/scores. To date, PASSer has been visited over 49 000 times in over 70 countries and has executed over 6 200 jobs.
Phase II Trial of MEDI0457 and Durvalumab for Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancers
Authors: Morris Van K , Jazaeri Amir , Westin Shannon N , Pettaway Curtis , George Solly , Huey Ryan W , Grinsfelder Michaela , Shafer Aaron , Johnson Benny , Vining David , Guo Ming , Fellman Bryan , Frumovitz Michael
Published: April 2023

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16/18 drive oncogenesis for most patients with cervical, anal, and penile cancers. MEDI0457, a therapeutic DNA vaccine containing plasmids for E6 and E7 HPV-16/18 viral oncogenes and IL-12 adjuvant, is safe and provokes an immune response against E6/E7. We tested MEDI0457 with the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab for patients with HPV-associated cancers.

Methods

Patients with recurrent/metastatic, treatment-refractory HPV-16/18 cervical cancer, or rare HPV-associated (anal and penile) cancers were eligible. Prior immune checkpoint inhibition was not permitted. Patients received MEDI0457 7 mg intramuscularly (weeks 1, 3, 7, 12, and every 8 weeks thereafter) and durvalumab 1500 mg intravenously every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall response (RECIST 1.1). In this Simon two-stage phase 2 trial (Ho: p < 0.15; Ha: p ≥ 0.35), ≥2 responses were needed in both cervical and non-cervical cohorts during the first stage for the trial to proceed to stage 2 with an additional 25 patients (34 total) enrolled.

Results

Twenty-one patients (12 cervical, 7 anal, and 2 penile) were evaluable for toxicity and 19 for response Overall response rate was 21% (95% CI, 6%-46%) among evaluable patients. Disease control rate was 37% (95% CI, 16%-62%). Median duration of response among responders was 21.8 months (95% CI, 9.7%-not estimable). Median progression-free survival was 4.6 months (95% CI, 2.8%-7.2%). Median overall survival was 17.7 months (95% CI, 7.6%-not estimable). Grades 3-4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 6 (23%) participants.

Conclusions

The combination of MEDI0457 and durvalumab demonstrated acceptable safety and tolerability in patients with advanced HPV-16/18 cancers. The low ORR among patients with cervical cancer led to study discontinuation despite a clinically meaningful disease control rate.
Development of a Multivariate Prognostic Model for Lenvatinib Treatment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Xiaomi , Ding Xiaoyan , Liu Mei , Wang Jingyan , Li Wei , Chen Jinglong
Published: April 2023

Background

Lenvatinib is a first-line agent for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but individual responses to treatment are highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical parameters that influence the efficacy of Lenvatinib and to develop a prognostic model.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 333 Lenvatinib-treated patients with HCC with a median age of 57 years. Two hundred nd sixty-three of these patients had BCLC (2022) stage C. The median overall survival (mOS) time within the cohort was 12.1 months, and the median progression-free survival (mPFS) time was 4.7 months. Univariate Cox regression, best subset regression, and Lasso regression were used to screen primary variables for possible contribution to OS, multivariate Cox analysis was used to fit selected models, and the final model was selected using the maximum area under the curve (AUC) and minimum AIC. Receiver operating curves (ROC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis were plotted to assess model performance, and 5-fold cross-validation was performed for internal validation. X-tile software was used to select the best cutoff points and to divide the study cohort into 3 different risk groups.

Results

Seven variables were included in the final model: BCLC stage, prior transarterial chemoembolization and immunotherapy history, tumor number, prognostic nutritional index, log (alpha-fetoprotein), and log (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio). We named this final model the “multivariate prognostic model for Lenvatinib” (MPML), and a nomogram was constructed to predict the probability of survival at 6, 9, and 12 months. The MPML had good discrimination, calibration, and applicability. Cross-validation showed mean AUC values of 0.7779, 0.7738, and 0.7871 at 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. According to nomogram points, mOS time was 21.57, 8.70, and 5.37 months in the low, medium, and high-risk groups, respectively (P < .001), and these differences were also observed in the PFS survival curve (P < .001).

Conclusions

The MPML stratified patients according to baseline clinical characteristics had a strong performance in predicting Lenvatinib efficacy and has the potential for use as an auxiliary clinical tool for individualized decision-making.
Perioperative Chemotherapy Could Not Improve the Prognosis of Gastric Cancer Patients With Mismatch Repair Deficiency: A Multicenter, Real-World Study
Authors: Zhao Lulu , Fu Yongliang , Niu Penghui , Zhang Fan , Jiao Fuzhi , Zhou Xiadong , Wu Zhenkun , Wang Wanqing , Luan Xiaoyi , Han Xue , He Mingyan , Guan Quanlin , Li Yumin , Zhao Dongbing , Gao Jidong , Chen Yingtai
Published: April 2023

Introduction

To date, the role of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) remains to be proven in gastric cancer, and it is difficult to judge its value in clinical application. Our study aimed to investigate how MMR status affected the prognosis in patients with gastrectomy, as well as the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with dMMR with gastric cancer.

Materials and Methods

Patients with gastric cancer with certain pathologic diagnosis of dMMR or proficient MMR (pMMR) using immunohistochemistry from 4 high-volume hospitals in China were included. Propensity score matching was used to match patients with dMMR or pMMR in 1:2 ratios. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared statistically using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models based on hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the risk factors for survival.

Results

In total, data from 6176 patients with gastric cancer were ultimately analyzed, and loss of expression of one or more MMR proteins was observed in 293 patients (293/6176, 4.74%). Compared to patients with pMMR, patients with dMMR are more likely to be older (≥66, 45.70% vs. 27.94%, P < .001), distal location (83.51% vs. 64.19%, P < .001), intestinal type (42.21% vs. 34.46%, P < .001), and in the earlier pTNM stage (pTNM I, 32.79% vs. 29.09%, P = .009). Patients with gastric cancer with dMMR showed better OS than those with pMMR before PSM (P = .002); however, this survival advantage was not observed for patients with dMMR after PSM (P = .467). As for perioperative chemotherapy, results of multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that perioperative chemotherapy was not an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS in patients with dMMR with gastric cancer (HR = 0.558, 95% CI, 0.270-1.152, P = .186 and HR = 0.912, 95% CI, 0.464-1.793, P = .822, respectively).

Conclusion

In conclusion, perioperative chemotherapy could not prolong the OS and PFS of patients with dMMR with gastric cancer.
Policing re-centralization or de-centralization? A study of state responses in England and Hong Kong during COVID-19
Authors: Chan Jason Kwun-hong , McCarthy Daniel , Ho Lawrence Ka-Ki
Published: April 2023

The persisting challenge of COVID-19 is urging states to respond with evolving strategies via policing systems. Policing systems are now mandated with new tasks beyond daily maintenance of law and order. First, states rely largely on empowering the public police officers as sovereign enforcers against COVID-19. Yet, the enforcement of COVID-19 displays considerable variation across nations, despite the existence of specific laws designed to curtail behaviour. This study seeks to analyse and explain the diverged pattern of policing during the pandemic via the experiences of Hong Kong and England. Different severity of quarantine, social distancing, and lockdown orders have been imposed in both Hong Kong and England since March 2020, but with different levels of engagement in pandemic policing. Our paper explains how and why England (de-centralized and comparatively light policing) and Hong Kong (aggressive, re-centralized policing response) have experienced such divergences in policing response.
Understanding Factors Associated with Burnout Symptoms amongst Investigators working on Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) investigations in England and Wales
Authors: Sondhi Arun , Harding Richard , Maguire Linda , Williams Emma
Published: April 2023

Prolonged stress leading to job-related burnout is of increasing interest in policing. Police officers involved in rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) investigations experience heightened scrutiny alongside increased forensic demands whilst providing an accountable, victim-orientated service. The objective of the study was to examine correlates associated with burnout symptoms [emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment (PA)]. RASSO investigators (n = 538) completed a cross-sectional online survey across five police force areas in England and Wales. Measures were screened using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator method, and three regression models were run against the three outcome measures. Excessive job demands encompassing workload, work–life balance and team pressures from colleagues and managers were strongly related to EE and DP. Male officers reported elevated levels of depersonalization. The learning climate was associated with all three burnout measures. The findings suggest that creating an effective learning environment for RASSO investigations and establishing effective organizational health policies to enhance team cohesion can reduce burnout. Further work is required to understand male officers’ higher levels of depersonalization.
Regulating low wages: cross-national policy variation and outcomes
Authors: Pedersen Siri Hansen , Picot Georg
Published: April 2023

This article provides a comparative analysis of three central policies to regulate low wages: statutory minimum wages, state support for collective bargaining and topping up low wages with public transfers (in-work benefits). We map the variation of these policies across 33 OECD countries and analyze the incidence of low-wage employment they are associated with. We find three approaches to regulating low wages. In the first, ‘wage scale protection’, states put most emphasis on supporting collective bargaining. In the second, ‘bare minimum’, there is not much else than the statutory minimum wage. In the third, ‘state pay’, the statutory minimum wage is supplemented by sizeable public financial support for low earners. When analyzing policy outcomes, ‘wage scale protection’ is associated with least low-wage employment. For ‘bare minimum’, much depends on the level of the statutory minimum wage. Although ‘state pay’ props up workers’ disposable income, many workers receive low gross pay.
From early birds to night owls: a longitudinal study of actigraphy-assessed sleep trajectories during the transition from pre- to early adolescence
Authors: Boatswain-Jacques Anna-Francesca , Dusablon Charlotte , Cimon-Paquet Catherine , YuTong Guo Élie , Ménard Rosalie , Matte-Gagné Célia , Carrier Julie , Bernier Annie
Published: April 2023

Study Objectives

Pre- and early adolescence are believed to constitute periods of important age-related changes in sleep. However, much of the research on these presumed developmental changes has used cross-sectional data or subjective measures of sleep, limiting the quality of the evidence. In addition, little is known about the development of certain features of the sleep–wake cycle pertaining to regularity (e.g. weekend–weekday differences and intra-individual variability) or circadian rhythms (e.g. sleep midpoint).

Methods

This study examined the sleep trajectories of 128 typically developing youth (69 girls) from ages 8 to 12 years on four sleep characteristics: sleep onset, sleep offset, total sleep time (TST), and sleep midpoint. For each of these characteristics, actigraphy-derived estimates of typical (i.e. mean) sleep and sleep regularity were obtained at each time point. Multilevel growth curves were modeled.

Results

Overall, the sleep–wake cycle significantly changed between 8 and 12 years. Mean sleep onset, offset and midpoint exhibited an ascending curvilinear growth pattern that shifted later with age, while mean TST decreased linearly. Weekend–weekday differences (social jetlag) for sleep offset and midpoint became more pronounced each year. Weekday TST was longer than weekend TST, though this difference became smaller over time. Finally, intra-individual variability increased over time for all sleep characteristics, with variability in TST ascending curvilinearly. Important between-person and sex differences were also observed.

Conclusion

This study reveals the marked changes that occur in the sleep of typically developing pre- and early adolescents. We discuss the potential implications of these trajectories.