bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adequacy and Innateness in Spinoza
Authors: Marshall Eugene
Published: November 2023

Adequate ideas are a perennial topic of debate among Spinoza scholars. Questions abound. What are they? Can the human mind contain an adequate idea? If so, from where does the human mind acquire these ideas? Opinions differ on each of these questions. Some scholars argue that adequate ideas, being infinite, seem to be unavailable to the human mind. Others believe them to be cognizable through reflection and intuition.
Sexual Selection and the Origins of Human Mating Systems
Authors: Dixson Alan F
Published: November 2023

Comparative analyses of the anatomy, reproductive physiology, and behaviour of extant primates and other mammals can offer important insights into the origins of human sexual behaviour, allowing us to reconstruct the origins of human mating systems, the evolution of sexual attractiveness, patterns of mate choice, and copulatory behaviour. Sexual Selection and the Origins of Human Mating Systems provides a modern synthesis of research on the evolution of human mating systems, bringing together work on reproductive physiology, behavioural biology, anthropology, primatology, palaeontology, evolutionary psychology, and sexological research. The approach taken is genuinely cross-disciplinary in scope, and provides a fascinating account of the effects of sexual selection upon human evolution in the light of the latest advances in the field.
The Natural and the Normative
Authors: Majors Brad
Published: November 2023

It is a commonplace to observe that it is a commonplace to observe that the moral supervenes upon the natural. Roughly speaking, to say that the moral supervenes upon the natural is to say that it is necessary that fixing the natural fixes the moral. This much is granted by nearly everyone working in ethical theory. One cannot, however, be much more precise than this without running into controversial issues. There is little agreement concerning, for example, the kind of modality appropriate to the formulation of moral supervenience; the kind of entity or entities the properties of which are at issue in such a formulation—whether, that is, they be actions, individual moral agents, situations, states of affairs, or entire worlds; and, finally, whether moral differences unaccompanied by natural differences are impossible across possible worlds, or merely within a single such world.
The Mask (Continued)
Authors: Chambers E K
Published: November 2023

THE historical sketch given in the last chapter needs to be supplemented by some analysis of the stage of develop ment which the mask had reached, in relation to its origins, by the Jacobean period. And first of all, on the side of scenic effect. Looking back over the reign of Henry VIII, in the light of what followed, we may discover two fairly distinct types of masks. There is the mask simple, in which the dancers, with their richly hued and sparkling costumes, their torch-bearers and their musicians, may be regarded as furnishing their own decoration There is the mask spectacular, to which added eclat is given by the pageant, mobile, or towards the end of the reign stationary, with its additional lights, its carvings and mouldings, its gilt and colours, and the elements of illusion and surprise afforded by its facilities for the concealed entry of personages.
Humanism And Puritanism
Authors: Chambers E K
Published: November 2023

THE investigations of my opening book have shown clearly enough that in the Tudor, as in the mediaeval, scheme of things there was ample room for the stage and its players. The revelling instinct survived, and the old native love of mimesis and spectacle had been reinforced by a literary delight in the revival of classical drama and in every form of the give and take of dialogue. Nor was the appreciation of the folk for the ruder forms of sensational and farcical entertainment less keen; and a period of general acceptance of the stage as an element in social life might have been anticipated, in which it stood greatly to gain by the more settled and less migratory habits of the royal household and the possibilities of building up a permanent head-quarters for itself in London which resulted from the change.
The Elizabethan Stage
Authors: Chambers E K
Published: November 2023

A reissue of the E. K. Chambers's seminal four-volume account of the private, public, and court stages, together with other forms of drama and spectacle surviving from earlier times, from the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth until the death of Shakespeare. Haled in its day as a comprehensive compendium of 'practically all the discoverable evidence upon the various parts of the subject, collected, weighed, sorted, classified and built up with immense care into a logical and beautiful structure' (New Statesman), the work is still much consulted by by today's scholars and historians. From the author's Preface: 'My First Book is devoted to a description, perhaps disproportionate, of the Elizabethan Court, and of the ramifications in pageant and progress, tilt and mask, of that instinct for spectacular mimesis, which the Renaissance inherited from the Middle Ages, and of which the drama is itself the most important manifestation. The Second Book gives an account of the settlement of the players in London, of their conflict, backed by the Court, with the tendencies of Puritanism, and of the place which they ultimately found in the monarchical polity. To the Third and Fourth belong the more pedestrian task of following in detail the fortunes of the individual playing companies and the individual theatres, with such fulness and the available records permit. The Fifth deals with the surviving plays, not in their literary aspect, which lies outside my plan, but as documents helping to throw light upon the history of the institution which produced them.'
Republic of the Philippines
Authors: Wright Michael , Hamzah Ednin , Phungrassami Temsak , Bausa-Claudio Agnes
Published: November 2023

The Philippine archipelago (projected population 90.50 million in 2008) lies between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea and encompasses 300 000 square kilometres of land and water (Fig. 4.1).
Introduction
Authors: Slater Robert J
Published: November 2023

On the grounds of safety, whenever an experiment is being considered the need for a radioisotope must be questioned: is a radioisotope absolutely essential to the experiment planned? Or put another way, arc non-radioactive methods available that will achieve the same end? If the answer to this question is yes, that is there is a non-radioactive technique that is equally effective, then that i the one that must be used. This is a legal requirement. Only if a radioisotope is absolutely essential or if its use results in a significant improvement in benefit is the use of a radioisotope justified. This complies with current thinking and official recommendations regarding radiation hazard, that is the ALARA principle: as low as is reasonably achievable. Although legislatively applied dose limits for radiation workers apply (see Chapter 2), the basic principle of safe laboratory practice is that as little radioisotope should be used as possible.
The Scintillation Counter
Authors: Simonnet Gerard
Published: November 2023

All experiments based on the use of radionuclides depend at some time or another on the detection of radioactivity. Therefore, the quality and reliability of the experimental results and subsequent interpretation depends on the accuracy and dependability of the detection system.
Expression of receptor genes in cultured cells
Authors: Fraser Claire M
Published: November 2023

The cloning and sequence analysis of a number of genes encoding hormone and neurotransmitter receptors has provided a wealth of new information on the primary structure of these proteins and has revealed the existence of at least three multigene families of receptors including: those containing an integral ion channel, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine (1-4), GABA (5), and glycine (6) receptors; those that interact with guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, such as the adrenergic (7 -10) and muscarinic cholinergic (1 l -13) receptors; and those which stimulate mitogenesis and possess protein-tyrosine kinase activity, such as the insulin (14), and EGF (15) receptors.
Prospects of IL-2 in cancer therapy
Authors: Palmer P A , Franks C R
Published: November 2023

Interleukin-2 is an interesting new therapeutic entity which is currently receiving extensive and coordinated investigation. To date, this lymphokine has been primarily evaluated in an anticancer setting, using high and low dose intravenous recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2).
The Isolation Of Functional Mitotic Organelles From Tissue Culture Cells
Authors: Wordeman Linda
Published: November 2023

The repertoire of dynamic activities involved in the cquipartitioning of chromosomes during cell division is complex. A complete and dramatic reorganization of the cell cytoplasm takes place within an interval of, at most, one-fifteenth of the total cell-cycle time. In tissue culture cells the centrosomes separate and proceed to opposite sides of the nucleus, the nuclear envelope breaks down and the condensed chromosomes, which are now free to interact with the microtubules of the mitotic spindle, travel back and forth from one spindle pole to the other, eventually reaching an equilibrium position at the spindle equator. When all the chromosomes have reached the spindle mid-zone, the sister chromatids separate and sweep towards their respective spindle poles, re-establishing the interphase state of the cell cycle.
Isolation of subcellular fractions
Authors: Hinton Richard H , Mullock Barbara M
Published: November 2023

The aim of subcellular fractionation is to separate cell organelles with as little damage as possible. The first thing to remember is that it will never be possible to separate organelles completely undamaged. In the living cell, most of the cell organelles are attached to cytoskeletal elements and are surrounded by cytosol which is a 20% solution of protein in which most of the water is bound to the hydration sphere of the proteins. Breakage of the linkage to the cytoskeleton and alterations in the environment will thus inevitably result in alterations to the cell organelles and these alterations will undoubtedly be exacerbated by damage occurring during homogenization, as discussed in Chapter 1, and damage occurring during the course of separation, as discussed in this and subsequent chapters. Thus it will never be possible to separate cell organelles in a completely natural state and, in fact, there is never a single best way to fractionate a tissue. For example, the method used to determine the distribution of some material between cell organelles may differ markedly from the method used to isolate a particular organelle with the minimum of damage. The first aim of this chapter will be to discuss the general principles of both analytical and preparative methods for cell fractionation.
Mutation detection and diagnosis Using PFGE
Authors: Dunnen J T Den , Liang P , Van Ommen, G J B , Van Broeckhoven C
Published: November 2023

Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was specifically designed to separate large DNA fragments (1). Consequently, the great innovation of PFGE analysis for mutation identification and diagnosis was its range of detection and its ability to scan for genetic rearrangements at large distances from a given locus (probe). For a specific disease, when closely linked genetic markers become available, PFGE analysis is used to determine the physical map of the region involved. Simultaneous analysis of patient material will quickly reveal if large chromosomal aberrations play a role in the development of the disease. In the case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) this has led to the detection of large deletions and duplications as the diseasecausing mutation in over 50% of the patients at a time when the gene involved had not yet been identified (2). Similarly, PFGE allowed the detection of large chromosomal duplications in a majority of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type la (CMTla), with probes that had been shown to be closely linked by genetic mapping (3, 4). Again, at that time, the responsible gene(s) had not yet been identified.
Footprint analysis of DNA—protein complex.es i.n vitro and lil VlVO
Authors: Spiro Craig , Y Cynthia T Mcmurra
Published: November 2023

Protein-DNA complexes mediate essential processes such as transcription and DNA replication. Footprint experiments use chemicals and enzymes that modify DNA to obtain detailed information on the individual nucleotides in protein-DNA complexes, even inside living mammalian cells.
Reverse genetics of RNA viruses
Authors: Bridgen A , Elliott R M
Published: November 2023

RNA viruses comprise many of the most serious human pathogens. There are now possibly 500 million carriers of hepatitis C virus world-wide (1). Rotavirus infections are responsible for around 18 million cases of severe diarrhoea and nearly 1 million deaths in young children in developing countries annually (2). Measles is still also one of the leading causes of infant death in developing countries, and can induce the rare, but fatal, neurodegenerative disease subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (3). Many human respiratoiy infections are caused by RNA viruses such as influenza, human respiratoiy syncytial virus, coronaviruses, enteroviruses and, one of the most frequent virus pathogens of humans, the rhinoviruses (4). Hantaviruses, members of the Bunyaviridae family, are responsible for haemorrhagic diseases and form one of a number of virus groups whose incidence has increased greatly over the last few years, the so-called ‘emerging viruses’ (5). Perhaps the most frightening of all virus diseases, because of their high mortality and lack of effective prophylaxis and treatment, are those caused by the filoviruses Marburg and Ebola (6).
Molecular modelling
Authors: Kroemer Romano T
Published: November 2023

Molecular modelling or computational chemistry have come a long way. From the era when they were restricted to a small number of scientists using very specialized and user-unfriendly software/hardware to the present where we are confronted with a vast amount of well integrated programs and relatively cheap hardware. The recent explosion of the Internet has added significantly to the amount of software available, as it is often accessible directly via the net. Now-adays, many of these programs can be used also by someone without programming expertise, and it is not necessary to have studied theoretical chemistry for years beforehand. However, the program in question should not be treated as a black box either and the user must have an understanding of the underlying theory and concepts.
Evaluating receptor stoichiometry by fluorescence resonance energy transfer
Authors: Gakamsky Dmitry M , Pecht Israel
Published: November 2023

Elucidating mechanisms of molecular interactions among receptors and their ligands is a central problem in cell and molecular biology. Many different methods, including gel filtration, radiolabelling, immunoprecipitation, two-hybrid system analysis, circular dichroism, fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy, and surface plasmon resonance, have been developed to reveal the proximity of proteins in cells, their organization into molecular complexes, and to determine their stoichiometry. The present review focuses on the use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), which is a universal, versatile, and powerful approach for evaluating/assaying distances between and within molecules. In comparison with other methods, FRET has numerous advantages. The exquisite sensitivity provided by a fluorescence detection method (single molecule detection is possible), coupled with the wide range of fluorescence-based instrumentation (e.g. microscopy, flow cytometry, steady-state fluorimetry, fluorescence polarization, fluorescence lifetime, rapid mixing devices) and a large variety of commercially available fluorescent probes, allows numerous possible approaches for studying biological structure and function. Moreover, the ability to measure the concentration of bound complexes, without the need to separate them from the unbound fraction, together with the potential for high spatial resolution, make FRET an excellent tool for the study ofreal time receptor-ligand interactions in individual cells (1-3). This is illustrated by the recent application of FRET to the design of high throughput screening instruments in drug design (4, 5). In this chapter we describe FRET applications in the determination of complex molecular organization and stoichiometry in solutions and in living cells.
Monitoring intracellular trafficking of receptors
Authors: Molloy Raymond , Hughes Thomas E , Robert Antoine , Howe James R
Published: November 2023

When appended to a membrane protein as a genetic fusion, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) can be used to mark both the presence and amount of receptor in the cellular compartments ofliving cells (1). The great advantage of this approach is that it affords a unique view of protein trafficking as it occurs. Fluorescent receptors can therefore serve as direct assays for the determinants of protein dynamics. Indeed, the creative ferment that has developed as researchers continue to devise new approaches is one of the main attractions of this emerging field.

It is helpful to begin by understanding why the GFP is so useful as well as some of the disadvantages. The protein comprises 238 amino acids and adopts a unique barrel-shaped structure (2) whose 11 staves in the beta sheet conformation surround the fluorophore. One drawback to using GFP as a tag, then, is simply the large size of the protein. Fortunately, its remarkably compact and self-contained structure appears, empirically, to minimize interactions with neighbouring proteins. In addition, both the N- and C-termini extend from the same end of the barrel so that, despite its size, the GFP can be placed within another coding sequence without adding much physical distance between the two parts of the receptor.
Regulation of receptors and receptor-coupled ion channels by protein phosphorylation
Authors: McDonald Bernard J , Huganir Richard L
Published: November 2023

Phosphorylation of serine, threonine, or tyrosine residues is accepted to be a key mechanism for the regulation of protein structure and function in the cellular environment. This highly dynamic process is catalysed by a diverse group of enzymes termed protein kinases (1) and is reversed by another group called phosphatases (2). Phosphorylation status has been shown to regulate the function, distribution, and interactions of numerous classes of proteins including those involved in transmembrane signalling, cytoskeletal dynamics, cell division, and transcriptional regulation (3-6). The importance of protein phosphorylation in the transduction of extracellular stimuli and the generation of appropriate cellular responses is well established. Such responses depend critically on the correct phosphorylation of a multitude of proteins in response to signals arriving at the plasma membrane; for example hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters, and alterations in membrane potential. Given the diversity of such stimuli and the complexity of the responses they elicit throughout the cell, it is crucial that the initial response at the plasma membrane is tightly regulated.
Combined Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy and Cesarean Delivery in BRCA1/2 Alteration Carriers
Authors: Barker Victoria E. , Vlachodimitropoulou Evangelia , O’Brien Patrick , Iskaros Joseph , Rosenthal Adam N.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

The cumulative lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 16–68% and 11–30% in female BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene alteration carriers, respectively. Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is the only proven way to reduce ovarian cancer mortality. We report a series of patients who underwent risk-reducing surgery at the time of planned obstetric-indicated cesarean delivery.

CASES:

This is a case series of four women carrying a pathogenic germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene alteration who underwent RRSO at the time of cesarean delivery between March 1, 2018, and March 31, 2022. All women were referred during pregnancy to the University College London Hospitals Familial Cancer Clinic for consideration of RRSO at the time of obstetric-indicated cesarean delivery. Women were considered eligible for RRSO if they had a proven pathogenic germline alteration, would have completed childbearing after the cesarean delivery, and were older than age 35 or 40 years with BRCA1 or BRCA2 alterations, respectively. Operating time, blood loss, transfusion requirements, length of hospital stay, complications, and ability to breastfeed were assessed and, where possible, compared with the institutional means for similar patients who underwent cesarean delivery only, to determine whether RRSO was associated with increased morbidity. Women were contacted 11–59 months postprocedure to assess satisfaction. The mean blood loss was 687 mL (range 400–1,000 mL), mean operating time was 68 minutes, mean length of hospital stay was 3 days, and mean change in hemoglobin was −1 g/dL. No patient required a transfusion, had internal organ damage, returned to the operating room, or was readmitted. One of two women with intact breast tissue successfully breastfed, and the other chose to bottle feed. The mean contemporaneous institutional blood loss for cesarean delivery was not significantly different at 681 mL for singleton pregnancies and 872 mL for twin pregnancies. All four women reported a high level of satisfaction with the combined procedure.

CONCLUSION:

Our results show that RRSO can be performed at the time of cesarean delivery with high patient satisfaction. This approach can be offered to appropriately counseled individuals, with the benefit of avoiding the need for two separate procedures, with potentially reduced patient morbidity and health care costs.
Comparison of Morbidity and Retreatment After Urethral Bulking or Midurethral Sling at the Time of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair
Authors: Russell Rebekah , Rhodes Stephen , Gupta Ankita , Bretschneider C. Emi , Ferrando Cecile A. , Hijaz Adonis , Shoag Jonathan , Sheyn David
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To compare postprocedure retreatment rates for stress incontinence in patients who underwent either midurethral sling or urethral bulking at the time of concomitant repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the Premier Healthcare Database. Using Current Procedural Terminology codes, we identified patients who were undergoing POP repair and concomitant urethral bulking or midurethral sling between the years 2001 and 2018. Patients who underwent concomitant nongynecologic surgery, Burch urethropexy, or oncologic surgery, and those who did not undergo concomitant POP and anti-incontinence surgery, were excluded. Additional data collected included patient demographics, hospital characteristics, surgeon volume, and comorbidities. The primary outcome was a repeat anti-incontinence procedure at 2 years, and the secondary outcome was the composite complication rate.

RESULTS:

Over the study period, 540 (0.59%) patients underwent urethral bulking, and 91,005 (99.41%) patients underwent midurethral sling. The rate of a second procedure within 2 years was higher for urethral bulking, compared with midurethral sling (9.07% vs 1.11%, P<.001); in the urethral bulking group, 4.81% underwent repeat urethral bulking and 4.81% underwent midurethral sling. In the midurethral sling group, 0.77% underwent repeat midurethral sling and 0.36% underwent urethral bulking. After adjusting for confounders, midurethral sling was associated with a decreased odds of a repeat anti-incontinence procedure at 2 years (adjusted odds ratio 0.11, 95% CI 0.08–0.16). The probability of any complication at 2 years was higher with urethral bulking (23.0% vs 15.0%, P<.001).

CONCLUSION:

Urethral bulking at the time of POP repair is associated with a higher rate of repeat procedure and postoperative morbidity up to 2 years after surgery.
Aspirin in Pregnancy
Authors: Jones Pullins Maura , Boggess Kim , Porter T. Flint
Published: November 2023

Preeclampsia is associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Aspirin has been long purported and extensively studied for prevention of preeclampsia. For this reason, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommend its use in pregnancy for preeclampsia prevention in those at high risk. Yet, much controversy exists regarding optimal use in pregnancy with guidelines across global organizations varying. In this narrative review, we summarize the published literature related to the safety, optimal dose, and timing and duration of use of aspirin, as well as other indications for which aspirin has been studied in pregnancy.
MA-5 ameliorates autism-like behavior in mice prenatally exposed to valproic acid
Authors: Nakagami Yasuhiro , Nishi Mina
Published: November 2023

Indole-3-acetic acid is a common naturally occurring auxin in plants. A synthesized derivative of this compound, 4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-oxobutanoic acid also called mitochonic acid 5 (MA-5), has shown to increase the survival ratio of fibroblasts from patients with mitochondrial disease under stress-induced conditions. Further studies verified its efficacy in pathological models, such as an ischemia-reperfusion model, possibly by increasing ATP production. However, the efficacy of MA-5 in mental disorders, such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), has not been investigated. Our study focused on examining the effect of MA-5 in a mouse model of ASD induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). VPA exposure significantly deteriorated the level of anxiety and exploratory behavior in an open field test. We fed mice an MA-5-containing diet for 5 weeks and observed an improvement in the above behavior in the MA-5-fed groups. The efficacy of MA-5 was also observed in the elevated plus maze and three-chambered tests. These findings suggest that MA-5 could potentially be used to treat ASD, especially in patients with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Long-lasting hyperopic shift and irregular astigmatism after selective laser trabeculoplasty
Authors: Farrokhi Sanaz , Steinberg Johannes , Spitzer Martin S. , Linke Stephan J.
Published: November 2023

We report a rare side effect after routine selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), which remained until the last visit, 36 months after the procedure. A patient with no pathological findings after the procedure, such as corneal haze or corneal edema, complained about blurred vision 7 weeks after undergoing uneventful SLT. Refractive changes that topographically displayed as a decrease in the total corneal power from 41.29 diopters (D) to 36.38 D and the development of an irregular corneal astigmatism were observed. Clinically, these corneal changes lead to a massive hyperopic shift with a decrease in the spherical equivalent from −7.75 to +2.25 and a decrease in the corrected distance visual acuity to 20/200. The patient regained a full visual acuity of 20/20, and anisometropia could be treated with rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGPCLs). Although refractive changes after SLT are underreported, ophthalmologists should be aware of this side effect and its effective symptomatic treatment with RGPCLs.
Association between cerebrovascular disease and perioperative neurocognitive disorders: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Feng Lan , Liu Yuanhui , Li PengFei , Wan Hengjun , Deng Xiren , Wang Tingting , Fu Hong , Duan Xiaoxia
Published: November 2023

Background:

Previous studies have shown that patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) have a significantly increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia; however, the association between preoperative CVD and perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the correlation between preoperative CVD and PNDs, as well as combine logistic regression and ROC curves to construct a clinical prediction PND model.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective cohort study evaluated 13,899 surgical patients of a large-scale comprehensive hospital between January 2021 and January 2022 to explore the association between preoperative CVD and PNDs, with follow-up to monitor postoperative survival until February 28, 2023, unless the patient died. The study participants comprised all inpatients from the Bone and Joint Surgery, Spine Surgery, Urology, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery departments. Patients were classified into two groups: the CVD group with a confirmed diagnosis and the non-cerebrovascular disease (NCVD) group. The incidence of PNDs was measured, and potential associations between patient demographic information, preoperative comorbidities, and CVD, as well as the correlation between preoperative CVD and PNDs, were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Next, we constructed a clinical prediction PND model by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The postoperative survival of all patients was tracked, and a survival curve was constructed and incorporated into the Cox proportional hazard regression model to analyze the relationship between preoperative CVD and overall postoperative survival rate.

Results:

Of the included 13,899 patients, propensity score matching yielded 1006 patient pairs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CVD was an independent risk factor for PNDs [Odds ratio: 10.193; 95% confidence interval: 7.454–13.938; P<0.001]. Subsequently, we developed a clinical prediction model for PNDs by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The area under the ROC curve was 0.798 (95% CI: 0.765–0.830). The survival of 11,702 patients was followed up. Multivariate Cox hazard ratio regression analysis revealed that CVD affected the overall postoperative survival rate (Hazard ratio, 1.398; 95% confidence interval: 1.112–1.758; P＜0.001).

Conclusion:

CVD was an independent risk factor for PNDs and affected the overall postoperative survival rate of surgical patients with preoperative CVD.
Timing of restoration of bowel continuity after decompressing stoma, in left-sided obstructive colon cancer – A nationwide retrospective cohort
Authors: Zamaray Bobby , Veld Joyce V. , Brohet Richard , Consten Esther C.J. , Tanis Pieter J. , van Westreenen Erik L. ,   on behalf of the Dutch Snapshot Research Group and the Dutch Complex Colon Cancer Initiative (DCCCI)
Published: November 2023

Background:

With increasing use of decompressing stoma as bridge to surgery for left-sided obstructive colon cancer, timing of restoration of bowel continuity (ROBC) is a subject of debate. There is a lack of data on immediate ROBC during elective resection as alternative for a 3-stage procedure. This study analysed if immediate ROBC during tumour resection is safe and of any benefit for patients who underwent decompressing stoma for left-sided obstructive colon cancer.

Methods:

In a Dutch nationwide collaborative research project, 3153 patients who underwent resection for left-sided obstructive colon cancer in 75 hospitals (2009-2016) were identified. Extensive data on disease and procedural characteristics, and outcomes was collected by local collaborators. For this analysis, 332 patients who underwent decompressing stoma followed by curative resection were selected. Immediate ROBC during tumour resection was compared to two no immediate ROBC groups, (1) tumour resection with primary anastomosis (PA) with leaving the decompressing stoma in situ, and (2) tumour resection without PA.

Results:

Immediate ROBC was performed in 113 patients (34.0%) and no immediate ROBC in 219 patients (168 with PA (50.6%) and 51 patients without PA (15.4%)). No differences at baseline between the groups were found for age, ASA score, cT and cM. Major surgical complications (8.8% immediate ROBC vs. 4.8% PA with decompressing stoma and 7.8% no PA; P=0.37) and mortality (2.7% vs. 2.4% and 0%, respectively; P=0.52) were similar. Immediate ROBC resulted in a shorter time with a stoma (mean 41 vs. 240 and 314 days, respectively; P<0.001), and fewer permanent stomas (7% vs. 21% and 80%, respectively; P<0.001) as compared to PA with decompressing stoma or no PA.

Conclusion:

After decompressing stoma for left-sided obstructive colon cancer, immediate ROBC during elective resection appears safe, reduces the total time with a stoma and the risk of a permanent stoma.
Serum Humanin in Pediatric Septic Shock Associated Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
Authors: Atreya Mihir R. , Piraino Giovanna , Cvijanovich Natalie Z. , Fitzgerald Julie C. , Weiss Scott L. , Bigham Michael T. , Jain Parag N. , Schwarz Adam J. , Lutfi Riad , Nowak Jeffrey , Thomas Neal J. , Baines Torrey , Haileselassie Bereketeab , Zingarelli Basilia
Published: November 2023

Background

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) disproportionately contributes to pediatric sepsis morbidity. Humanin (HN) is a small peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA and thought to exert cytoprotective effects in endothelial cells and platelets. We sought to test the association between serum HN (sHN) concentrations and MODS in a prospectively enrolled cohort of pediatric septic shock.

Methods

Human MT-RNR2 ELISA was used to determine sHN concentrations on day 1 and 3. The primary outcome was thrombocytopenia associated multi-organ failure (TAMOF). Secondary outcomes included individual organ dysfunctions on day 7. Associations across pediatric sepsis biomarker (PERSEVERE) based mortality risk strata and correlation with platelet and markers endothelial activation were tested.

Results

140 subjects were included in this cohort, of whom 39 had TAMOF. The concentration of sHN was higher on day 1 relative to day 3, and among those with TAMOF phenotype in comparison to those without. However, the association between sHN and TAMOF phenotype was not significant after adjusting for age and illness severity in multivariate models. In secondary analyses, sHN was associated with presence of day 7 sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) (p = 0.049). Further, sHN was higher among those with high PERSEVERE-mortality risk strata and correlated with platelet counts and several markers of endothelial activation.

Conclusion

Future investigation is necessary to validate the association between sHN and SA-AKI among children with septic shock. Further, mechanistic studies that elucidate the role of humanin may lead to therapies that promote organ recovery through restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis among those critically ill.
Jiella pelagia sp. nov., isolated from the phosphonate-amended seawater of the northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Shin Dong Young , Hong Yeon Woo , Kim Soo Yoon , Choi Jy Young , Kim Bok Jin , Kang Jin Kyeong , Cho Byung Cheol , Hwang Chung Yeon
Published: November 2023

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as HL-NP1T, was isolated from the surface water of the northwestern Pacific Ocean after enrichment cultivation using the organic phosphorous compound of 2-aminoethylphosphonate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belonged to the genus

Jiella

, with the highest similarity to

Jiella pacifica

40Bstr34T (98.7 %). The complete genome sequence of strain HL-NP1T comprised a circular chromosome of 5.58 Mbp and two circular plasmids of 0.15 and 0.22 Mbp. Comparison of the genome sequences between strains HL-NP1T and

J. pacifica

40Bstr34T revealed that average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values (88.0, 86.4 and 33.9 %, respectively) were below the recommended cut-off levels for delineating bacterial species. Strain HL-NP1T showed optimal growth at 30 °C, pH 6.5–7.0, with 2.0–2.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The predominant fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω6c and/or C18 : 1
 ω7c). The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and four unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 65.1 %. Based on phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain HL-NP1T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus

Jiella

, for which the name Jiella pelagia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HL-NP1T (= KCCM 90499T = JCM 35838T).
Flectobacillus longus sp. nov. and Flectobacillus rivi sp. nov., isolated from streams in China and reclassification of Flectobacillus rhizosphaerae as a synonym of Flectobacillus roseus
Authors: Lu Huibin , Li Ping , Chen Li , Chen Guangjie
Published: November 2023

Three Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile strains (LYT7WT, DC10W and LFS242WT) were isolated from streams in PR China. Comparisons based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these three strains showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Flectobacillus roseus

GFA-11T (99.2, 98.8 and 99.8 %, respectively) and

Flectobacillus rhizosphaerae

JC289T (98.8, 98.6 and 99.4 %, respectively), and less than 96.6 % to other species of the genus

Flectobacillus

. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains LYT7WT, DC10W, LFS242WT,

F. roseus

GFA-11T and

F. rhizosphaerae

JC289T formed a tight cluster. The phylogenomic tree also supported the above robust phylogenetic relationships. The calculated OrthoANIu and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strains LYT7WT and DC10W were 95.2 % and 61.9 %, respectively. Although these values are located in the transition region for species demarcation, the similar physiological and genotypic characteristics supported that strains LYT7WT and DC10W should belong to the same species. The pairwise OrthoANIu and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain LFS242WT and its related strains were less than 91.8 and 45.3 %, respectively, indicating that strain LFS242WT should represent an independent novel species of the genus

Flectobacillus

. It should be noticed that the pairwise OrthoANIu and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strains

F. roseus

LMG 24501T and

F. rhizosphaerae

KCTC 42575T were 96.9 and 73.1 %, respectively. The similar physiological and genotypic characteristics also supported that

F. rhizosphaerae

Ramaprasad et al. 2015 should be a synonym of

F. roseus

Sheu et al. 2009. Combining the above descriptions, strains LYT7WT, DC10W and LFS242WT should represent two novel species of the genus

Flectobacillus

, for which the names Flectobacillus longus sp. nov. (type strain LYT7WT=GDMCC 1.3222T=KCTC 92561T) and Flectobacillus rivi sp. nov. (type strain LFS242WT=GDMCC 1.3223T=KCTC 92562T) are proposed.
Elevation of Lentilactobacillus rapi subsp. dabitei Li et al. 2022 to the species level as Lentilactobacillus dabitei sp. nov.
Authors: Wang Ting-Yu , Gu Chun Tao
Published: November 2023

Lentilactobacillus rapi

subsp.

dabitei

was proposed by Li et al. in 2022. The type strains of

L. rapi

subsp.

dabitei

and

L. rapi

subsp.

rapi

shared 93.1 % average nucleotide identity and 52.8 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization values. Strain IMAU80584T was proposed as a novel subspecies of

L. rapi

rather than a novel species of the genus

Lentilactobacillus

on the basis of similar phenotypic characteristics (including growth temperature and pH, tolerance to NaCl and features based on API 50CH and API ZYM). However, the phenotypic investigation performed by Li et al. was insufficient because some physiological and biochemical characteristics recommended by Mattarelli et al. were not included. In the present study, the taxonomic relationship between

L. rapi

subsp.

dabitei

and

L. rapi

subsp.

rapi

was re-evaluated. Based upon the data obtained in the present study, we propose to elevate

L. rapi

subsp.

dabitei

to the species level as Lentilactobacillus dabitei sp. nov. The type strain is IMAU80584T (=GDMCC 1.2566T=JCM 34647T).
Temperature-driven coordination of circadian transcriptome regulation
Authors: Xu Bingxian , Hwangbo Dae-Sung , Saurabh Sumit , Rosensweig Clark , Allada Ravi , Kath William L. , Braun Rosemary
Published: November 2023

The circadian rhythm is an evolutionarily-conserved molecular oscillator that enables species to anticipate rhythmic changes in their environment. At a molecular level, the core clock genes induce a circadian oscillation in thousands of genes in a tissue–specific manner, orchestrating myriad biological processes. While studies have investigated how the core clock circuit responds to environmental perturbations such as temperature, the downstream effects of such perturbations on circadian regulation remain poorly understood. By analyzing bulk-RNA sequencing ofDrosophilafat bodies harvested from flies subjected to different environmental conditions, we demonstrate a highly condition-specific circadian transcriptome. Further employing a reference-based gene regulatory network (Reactome), we find evidence of increased gene-gene coordination at low tem-peratures and synchronization of rhythmic genes that are network neighbors. Our results point to the mechanisms by which the circadian clock mediates the fly’s response to seasonal changes in temperature.

Significance Statement

The circadian rhythm enables organisms to anticipate and adapt to changes in their environment. While behavioral changes have been observed inDrosophila melanogastersubjected to low temperatures, little is known regarding how these changes are enacted at a molecular level. By conducting bulk RNA sequencing from fruit flies, we observe that genome-wide circadian oscillation patterns are temperature dependent. Intriguingly, we find that morning and evening peaks of transcriptomic activity shift closer together, consistent with anticipation of a shorter photoperiod in cooler winter weather. We further find that the low-temperature dynamics are highly coordinated with respect to a reference-based gene regulatory network. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which flies adapt to environmental temperature changes.
MiceVAPORDot: A novel automated approach for high-throughput behavioral characterization during E-cigarette exposure in mice
Authors: Han Yaning , Xu Zhibin , Mo Zhizhun , Huang HongYi , Wu Zehong , Jiang Xingtao , Tian Ye , Wang Liping , Wei Pengfei , Chen Zuxin , Liu Xin-an
Published: November 2023

The prosperity of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarette use has been regarded to lead an increasing risk of nicotine addiction, especially among youth. Understanding and evaluating the behaviors induced by ENDS are fundamental to the study of neuropsychiatric effects of e-cigarettes. However, little is known regarding the behavioral features during e-cigarette exposure in mice. Current behavioral assessments for nicotine addiction are based on nicotine withdrawal-induced anxiety which can be only performed after ENDS exposures. Here we developed MiceVAPORDot, a novel high-throughput tool for automatedin situbehavioral characterization during e-cigarette exposure. The integration of a deep learning-based animal pose tracking method by MiceVAPORDot allows precise characterization on behavioral phenotypes of e-vapor exposed mice, which were unable revealed by traditional evaluation methodology such as conditioned place preference and elevated plus maze tests. The behavioral fingerprints recognized by MiceVAPORDot can be used for high-throughput screening on incentive nature of e-cigarette flavors as well as medications for smoking cessation.
Medial temporal lobe functional network architecture supports sleep-related emotional memory processing in older adults
Authors: Chappel-Farley Miranda G. , Adams Jenna N. , Betzel Richard F. , Janecek John C. , Sattari Negin S. , Berisha Destiny E. , Meza Novelle J. , Niknazar Hamid , Kim Soyun , Dave Abhishek , Chen Ivy Y. , Lui Kitty K. , Neikrug Ariel B. , Benca Ruth M. , Yassa Michael A. , Mander Bryce A.
Published: November 2023

Memory consolidation occurs via reactivation of a hippocampal index during non-rapid eye movement slow-wave sleep (NREM SWS) which binds attributes of an experience existing within cortical modules. For memories containing emotional content, hippocampal-amygdala dynamics facilitate consolidation over a sleep bout. This study tested if modularity and centrality—graph theoretical measures that index the level of segregation/integration in a system and the relative import of its nodes—map onto central tenets of memory consolidation theory and sleep-related processing. Findings indicate that greater network integration is tied to overnight emotional memory retention via NREM SWS expression. Greater hippocampal and amygdala influence over network organization supports emotional memory retention, and hippocampal or amygdala control over information flow are differentially associated with distinct stages of memory processing. These centrality measures are also tied to the local expression and coupling of key sleep oscillations tied to sleep-dependent memory consolidation. These findings suggest that measures of intrinsic network connectivity may predict the capacity of brain functional networks to acquire, consolidate, and retrieve emotional memories.
Localized Rift Valley Fever Virus Persistence Depends on a High Transovarial Transmission Fraction
Authors: Rostal Melinda K. , Prentice Jamie , Ross Noam , Kemp Alan , Thompson Peter N. , Anyamba Assaf , Cleaveland Sarah , Cordel Claudia , Msimang Veerle , van Vuren Petrus Jansen , Haydon Daniel T. , Karesh William B. , Paweska Janusz T. , Matthews Louise
Published: November 2023

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) has spread beyond continental Africa and threatens to follow West Nile, chikungunya and Zika viruses into the Americas. Its impact in new localities and the capacity to control future outbreaks, depends on whether and how RVFV persists at small spatial scales. Transovarial transmission (TOT) is hypothesized as an important mechanism for local persistence, yet its role in RVFV ecology remains poorly understood. We examine whether RVFV can persist locally via TOT while maintaining a realistic seroprevalence pattern of interepidemic and epidemic transmission. We developed a mechanistic, compartmental model of RVFV dynamics within a single host (sheep) and two vector (mosquito) populations, driven by temperate climatic factors. Decades-long persistence was possible in our simulations, which generally captured the observed outbreak patterns in central South Africa with a mean annual seroprevalence (∼23%) within the range reported during interepidemic periods (5-40%). Persistence was only possible with a substantial TOT fraction and over a narrow range of parameters. The basic reproduction number (R0) was close to one at mean vector population sizes, suggesting a relatively limited expansion of the infected vector population during outbreaks. This limited expansion provides the system with the flexibility to support both low-level transmission and large outbreaks and, counterintuitively, large outbreaks resulted in smaller infectedAedesegg populations. This has important consequences for control: low-level vaccination may prevent large outbreaks without eliminating RVFV and local control efforts may be most effective immediately following an outbreak, suggesting elimination may be possible after emergence in temperate regions.