bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant chromosome polytenization contributes to suppression of root growth in high polyploids
Authors: Kikuchi Suzuka , Sakamoto Takuya , Matsunaga Sachihiro , Sugiyama Munetaka , Iwamoto Akitoshi
Published: July 2024

Autopolyploidization, which refers to a polyploidization via genome duplication without hybridization, promotes growth in autotetraploids, but suppresses growth in high polyploids (autohexaploids or auto-octoploids). The mechanism underlying this growth suppression (i.e. ‘high-ploidy syndrome’) has not been comprehensively characterized. In this study, we conducted a kinematic analysis of the root apical meristem cells in Arabidopsis thaliana autopolyploids (diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid, and octoploid) to determine the effects of the progression of genome duplication on root growth. The results of the root growth analysis showed that tetraploidization increases the cell volume, but decreases cell proliferation. However, cell proliferation and volume growth are suppressed in high polyploids. Whole-mount fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed extensive chromosome polytenization in the region where cell proliferation does not usually occur in the roots of high polyploids, which is likely to be at least partly correlated with the suppression of endoreduplication. The study findings indicate that chromosome polytenization is important for the suppressed growth of high polyploids.
Root plasticity improves maize nitrogen use when nitrogen is limiting: an analysis using 3D plant modelling
Authors: Lu Jie , Lankhost Jan A , Stomph Tjeerd Jan , Schneider Hannah M , Chen Yanling , Mi Guohua , Yuan Lixing , Evers Jochem B
Published: July 2024

Plant phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in nitrogen (N) acquisition and use under nitrogen-limited conditions. However, this role has never been quantified as a function of N availability, leaving it unclear whether plastic responses should be considered as potential targets for selection. A combined modelling and experimentation approach was adopted to quantify the role of plasticity in N uptake and plant yield. Based on a greenhouse experiment we considered plasticity in two maize (Zea mays) traits: root-to-leaf biomass allocation ratio and emergence rate of axial roots. In a simulation experiment we individually enabled or disabled both plastic responses for maize stands grown across six N levels. Both plastic responses contributed to maintaining a higher N uptake, and plant productivity as N availability declined compared with stands in which plastic responses were disabled. We conclude that plastic responses quantified in this study may be a potential target trait in breeding programs for greater N uptake across N levels while it may only be important for the internal use of N under N-limited conditions in maize. Given the complexity of breeding for plastic responses, an a priori model analysis is useful to identify which plastic traits to target for enhanced plant performance.
Subinhibitory concentrations of nisin enhance virulence gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus and increase mortality in Galleria mellonella
Authors: Rodrigues Ramila Cristiane , Andre Cleriane , Dantas Vanetti Maria Cristina
Published: July 2024

Alternative strategies for controlling Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens have been continuously investigated, with nisin, a bacteriocin widely used in the food industry as a biopreservative, gaining increasing attention. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, bacteriocins have significant effects on genome functionality even at inhibitory concentrations. This study investigated the impact of subinhibitory concentrations of nisin on S. aureus. Culturing in the presence of 0.625 μmol l−1 nisin, led to the increased relative expression of hla, saeR, and sarA, genes associated with virulence while expression of the sea gene, encoding staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), decreased. In an in vivo experiment, Galleria mellonella larvae inoculated with S. aureus cultured in the presence of nisin exhibited 97% mortality at 72 h post-infection, compared to over 40% of larvae mortality in larvae infected with S. aureus. A comprehensive understanding of the effect of nisin on the transcriptional response of virulence genes and the impact of these changes on the virulence of S. aureus can contribute to assessing the application of this bacteriocin in food and medical contexts.
High-Quality Hospital Status on Health Care Costs for Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Care for U.S. Military Beneficiaries
Authors: El-Amin Amber , Koehlmoos Tracey , Yue Dahai , Chen Jie , Cho Nam Yong , Benharash Peyman , Franzini Luisa
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common and resource demanding birth defect managed in the United States, with approximately 40,000 children undergoing CHD surgery year. Researchers have compared high-volume to low-volume hospitals and found significant hospital-level variation in major complications, health resource utilization, and health care costs after CHD surgery.

Materials and Methods

Using nationwide representative claim data from the United States Military Health System from 2016 to 2020, TRICARE beneficiaries diagnosed with CHD were tabulated based on ICD-10 codes (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision). We examined the relationships between total costs and total hospitalizations costs post 1-year CHD diagnosis and presence or absence of High-Quality Hospital (HQH) designation. We applied both the naive generalized linear model (GLM) to control for the observed patient and hospital characteristics and the 2-stage least squares (2SLS) model to account for the unobserved confounding factors. This study was approved by University of Maryland, College Park Institutional Review Board (IRB) (Approval Number: 1576246-2).

Results

A relationship between HQH designation and total CHD related costs was not seen across 2SLS model specifications (marginal effect; −$41,579; 95% CI, −$83,429 to $271). For patients diagnosed with a moderate-complex or single ventricle CHD, the association of HQH status was a statistically significant reduction in total costs (marginal effect; −$84,395; 95% CI, −$140,560 to −$28,229) and hospitalization costs (marginal effect; −$73,958; 95% CI, −$121,878 to −$26,039).

Conclusions

It is very imperative for clinicians and patient support advocates to urge policymakers to deliberate the establishment of a quality designation authority for CHD management. These efforts will not only help to identify and standardize quality care metrics but to improve long-term health, effectiveness, and equity in the management of CHD. Furthermore, these efforts can be used to navigate patients to proven HQH, thereby improving care and reducing associated treatment costs for CHD patients.
Commentary—A Military Health Care Ethics Framework
Authors: Beardmore Charlie , Bricknell Martin C M , Kelly Janet , Lough Fred
Published: July 2024

Ethical practice within military health care is a significant topic of professional and academic debate. The term “military health care ethics” enfranchises the entire health care team. Military health care professionals are subject to tension between their duties as military personnel, and their ethical duties as health care professionals, so-called “Dual Loyalty.” Some military health care practitioners have suffered moral injury because of the psychological stress associated with ethical challenges on military operations. It is important to define military health care ethics and also to consider how it should be taught. The essence of ethical practice is ethical decision-making. It has become self-evident from our experience of teaching military health care ethics that a simple and agreed framework for analyzing an ethical problem is required. This paper describes the development of the King’s Military Healthcare Ethics Framework in support of a military health care ethics policy on behalf of the NATO Military Healthcare Working Group. There is logic to using a stepped approach to analyze an ethical problem in military health care. These steps are: “Identify” the problem, “Analyze” the problem including consideration of perspectives, “Fuse” the analysis, and “Decide”. Step 1—Identify—is intended to orientate the decision-making group, and to articulate the problem specifically and clearly in order to determine the exact ethical issue and the secondary issues that arise. Step 2—Analyse—considers the problem from 4 perspectives: patient, clinical, legal, and societal/military. These reflect the breadth of perspectives that impact on health care practice within a military context. Step 3—Fuse—is the culminating step. The conclusions from the analysis of perspectives should be summarized and key references cited. This will determine the exact decision(s) to be made. Step 4—Decide—clearly articulates the decision made and provides the record of the key reasons for making that decision. This may include areas of enduring uncertainly and any planned review of the decision. The King’s Military Healthcare Ethics Analytical Framework has been evaluated for content validity through iterative discussion at 4 meetings of the NATO MHCWG and a specific workshop on military health care ethics over 2022/2023. It is included within the draft NATO Standardization Agreement on Military Healthcare Ethics.
Two dynamically discovered compact object candidate binary systems from LAMOST low-resolution survey
Authors: Qi Senyu , Gu Wei-Min , Zhang Zhi-Xiang , Yi Tuan , Liu Jin-Zhong , Zheng Ling-Lin
Published: July 2024

We report two binary systems, LAMOST J035540 + 381550 (hereafter J035540) and LAMOST J035916 + 400732 (hereafter J035916), identified through the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) low-resolution survey (LRS). Each of these two systems contains an M-type star orbiting with a invisible compact object candidate. Follow-up spectroscopic observations of Palomar 200-in. telescope (P200) enhance radial velocity measurements. We use radial velocities from LAMOST and P200, as well as light curves from Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) to constrain orbital parameters. The masses of the visible M-type stars are estimated by fitting the MIST isochrones and spectral energy distributions. The mass functions for the unseen companions are: $0.22\pm 0.01\,{\rm M}_{\odot }$ for J035540 and $0.16\pm 0.01\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ for J035916. With the orbital and stellar parameters derived above and assuming the orbital inclination is 90° (edge-on), we find that the minimum masses of the invisible companions exceeds that of the visible stars. The single-lined feature and the dynamical evidence suggest the presence of compact objects. J035540’s ZTF light curve, modelled with phoebe, yields a compact object mass of $0.70^{+0.12}_{-0.05}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$. For J035916, ellipsoidal modulation analysis constrains the light-curve amplitude, yielding a compact object mass range of $0.57-0.90\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$. The mass estimates indicate that both are likely white dwarfs. These findings underscore the efficiency of optical time-domain surveys and dynamical methods in identifying faint, massive white dwarfs, along with other compact objects in binaries.
Unified properties of supermassive black hole winds in radio-quiet and radio-loud AGN
Authors: Mestici S , Tombesi F , Gaspari M , Piconcelli E , Panessa F
Published: July 2024

Powerful supermassive black hole (SMBH) winds in the form of ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) are detected in the X-ray spectra of several active galactic nuclei (AGNs) seemingly independently of their radio classification between radio quiet (RQ) and radio loud (RL). In this work, we explore the physical parameters of SMBH winds through a uniform analysis of a sample of X-ray bright RQ and RL AGN. We explored several correlations between different wind parameters and with respect to the AGN bolometric and Eddington luminosities. Our analysis shows that SMBH winds are not only a common trait of both AGN classes but also that they are most likely produced by the same physical mechanism. Consequently, we find that SMBH winds do not follow the radio-loudness dichotomy seen in jets. On average, a comparable amount of material accreted by the SMBH is ejected through such winds. The average wind power corresponds to about 3 per cent of the Eddington luminosity, confirming that they can drive AGN feedback. Moreover, the most energetic outflows are found in the most luminous sources. We find a possible positive correlation of the wind energetics, renormalized to the Eddington limit, with respect to $\lambda _{\mathrm{ Edd}}$, consistent with the correlation found with bolometric luminosity. We also observe a possible positive correlation between the energetics of the outflow and the X-ray radio-loudness parameter. In general, these results suggest an underlying relation between the acceleration mechanisms of accretion disc winds and jets.
FAST observations of neutral hydrogen in the interacting galaxies NGC 3395/3396
Authors: Yu Nai-Ping , Zhu Ming , Xu Jin-Long , Zhang Chuan-Peng , Yu Hai-Yang , Liu Xiao-Lan , Jiang Peng , Ai Mei
Published: July 2024

We report on high-sensitivity neutral hydrogen observations toward the gas-rich interacting galaxies NGC 3395/3396 with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Compared to previous observations carried out by the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT), a more extended H i envelope around this system has been detected. The total H i gas mass of the NGC 3395/3396 system is estimated to be 7.8 × 109 M$_\odot$. This value is 2.7 times more than that reported based on the VLA interferometric maps. Previous observations found a large H i tail extending to the south-west and a minor tail emerging from the north of this peculiar galaxy pair. Based on the high-sensitivity observations of FAST, an extended H i plume to the north-west and a gas plume to the north-east have been detected for the first time. Neutral hydrogen of the two smaller galaxies IC 2604 and IC 2608 in the south of the system have also been detected. We discuss the origins of these extra gas and possible tidal interactions between these galaxies. The most prominent tidal feature of NGC 3395/3396, the south-west tail combined with the new detected north-west plume, behaves like a large ring. We suggest the ring might be formed by the previous fly-by interaction between NGC 3395 and 3396, which happened 500 Myr ago. Our study shows that high-sensitivity H i observations are important in revealing low column density gas, which is crucial to a deeper understanding of this interacting system.
What Is Nietzschean Weakness of Will?
Authors: Lambert Thomas
Published: July 2024

The notions of strength and weakness of will appear at central junctures in Nietzsche’s philosophy, figuring, for example, into his critique of modernity (BGE 212) and his engagement with the free will debate (BGE 21). Despite the centrality of these notions for Nietzsche’s philosophical project, little scholarly attention has been devoted to examining how Nietzsche actually conceives of strength and weakness of will. Instead, it is commonly assumed that Nietzsche simply follows his philosophical predecessors in identifying weakness with akrasia. In this paper, I challenge this reading, arguing that the primary kind of agential failure that Nietzsche associates with weakness is irresoluteness, understood as the failure to persist in one’s intentions.
A randomized crossover trial of regional anticoagulation modalities for intermittent haemodialysis
Authors: Faguer Stanislas , Serre Jean-Emmanuel , Brusq Clara , Bongard Vanina , Casemayou Audrey , Moranne Olivier , Pfirmann Pierre , Rafat Cédric , Cointault Olivier
Published: July 2024

Background

The optimal regional anticoagulation (RA) of dialysis filters in patients at risk of bleeding remains elusive. Inducing hypocalcaemia within the filter by using a calcium-free dialysate has emerged as an easy-to-use heparin-free RA, including in critically ill patients, but comparative studies are lacking.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre, randomized, crossover trial to compare the efficacy and tolerance of two RAs [heparin-coated membrane (HCM) and calcium-free dialysate (CFD) with calcium reinjection according to ionic dialysance] in patients requiring haemodialysis and at risk of bleeding. During the study period, each patient received two dialysis sessions (one with each RA in a randomly assigned order). The primary endpoint was the proportion of dialysis sessions completed (≥240 min).

Results

A total of 94 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis, including 16 critically ill patients (17.0%). Coagulation and inflammation parameters, as well as haemodynamic status at baseline, were balanced between groups. Premature coagulation of the filter occurred in 19 (20.9%) HCM sessions compared with 3 (3.2%) CFD sessions. In half of the sessions with premature termination, coagulation occurred before 180 min. The proportion of patients who completed the CFD session while failing to complete the HCM session (n = 17) was significantly higher than the proportion of patients who completed the HCM session while failing to complete the CFD session (n = 1; P < .001). Haemodynamic and metabolic tolerance were not different between groups.

Conclusions

In individuals at risk of bleeding, RA with CFD significantly reduced the incidence of premature dialysis termination compared with HCM without safety concerns.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03842657.
PET imaging of gliomas: Status quo and quo vadis?
Authors: Galldiks Norbert , Lohmann Philipp , Friedrich Michel , Werner Jan-Michael , Stetter Isabelle , Wollring Michael M , Ceccon Garry , Stegmayr Carina , Krause Sandra , Fink Gereon R , Law Ian , Langen Karl-Josef , Tonn Joerg-Christian
Published: July 2024

PET imaging, particularly using amino acid tracers, has become a valuable adjunct to anatomical MRI in the clinical management of patients with glioma. Collaborative international efforts have led to the development of clinical and technical guidelines for PET imaging in gliomas. The increasing readiness of statutory health insurance agencies, especially in European countries, to reimburse amino acid PET underscores its growing importance in clinical practice. Integrating artificial intelligence and radiomics in PET imaging of patients with glioma may significantly improve tumor detection, segmentation, and response assessment. Efforts are ongoing to facilitate the clinical translation of these techniques. Considerable progress in computer technology developments (eg quantum computers) may be helpful to accelerate these efforts. Next-generation PET scanners, such as long-axial field-of-view PET/CT scanners, have improved image quality and body coverage and therefore expanded the spectrum of indications for PET imaging in Neuro-Oncology (eg PET imaging of the whole spine). Encouraging results of clinical trials in patients with glioma have prompted the development of PET tracers directing therapeutically relevant targets (eg the mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase) for novel anticancer agents in gliomas to improve response assessment. In addition, the success of theranostics for the treatment of extracranial neoplasms such as neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer has currently prompted efforts to translate this approach to patients with glioma. These advancements highlight the evolving role of PET imaging in Neuro-Oncology, offering insights into tumor biology and treatment response, thereby informing personalized patient care. Nevertheless, these innovations warrant further validation in the near future.
Predicting prognosis outcomes of primary central nervous system lymphoma with high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapeutic treatment using lipidomics
Authors: Zhong Yi , Zhou Liying , Xu Jingshen , Huang He
Published: July 2024

Background

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare extranodal lymphomatous malignancy which is commonly treated with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based chemotherapy. However, the prognosis outcome of HD-MTX-based treatment cannot be accurately predicted using the current prognostic scoring systems, such as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) score.

Methods

We studied 2 cohorts of patients with PCNSL and applied lipidomic analysis to their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. After removing the batch effects and features engineering, we applied and compared several classic machine-learning models based on lipidomic data of CSF to predict the relapse of PCNSL in patients who were treated with HD-MTX-based chemotherapy.

Results

We managed to remove the batch effects and get the optimum features of each model. Finally, we found that Cox regression had the best prediction performance (AUC = 0.711) on prognosis outcomes.

Conclusions

We developed a Cox regression model based on lipidomic data, which could effectively predict PCNSL patient prognosis before the HD-MTX-based chemotherapy treatments.
Identification of mitochondrial ATP synthase as the cellular target of Ru-polypyridyl-β-carboline complexes by affinity-based protein profiling
Authors: Wang Wen-Jin , Ling Yu-Yi , Shi Yin , Wu Xiao-Wen , Su Xuxian , Li Zheng-Qiu , Mao Zong-Wan , Tan Cai-Ping
Published: July 2024

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes are promising anticancer candidates, while their cellular targets have rarely been identified, which limits their clinical application. Herein, we design a series of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes containing bioactive β-carboline derivatives as ligands for anticancer evaluation, among which Ru5 shows suitable lipophilicity, high aqueous solubility, relatively high anticancer activity and cancer cell selectivity. The subsequent utilization of a photo-clickable probe, Ru5a, serves to validate the significance of ATP synthase as a crucial target for Ru5 through photoaffinity-based protein profiling. Ru5 accumulates in mitochondria, impairs mitochondrial functions and induces mitophagy and ferroptosis. Combined analysis of mitochondrial proteomics and RNA-sequencing shows that Ru5 significantly downregulates the expression of the chloride channel protein, and influences genes related to ferroptosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Finally, we prove that Ru5 exhibits higher anticancer efficacy than cisplatin in vivo. We firstly identify the molecular targets of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes using a photo-click proteomic method coupled with a multiomics approach, which provides an innovative strategy to elucidate the anticancer mechanisms of metallo-anticancer candidates.
Tobacco Taxation in Spain: A Tax Laggard With a Brighter Possible Future
Authors: López-Nicolás Ángel , Branston J Robert , Ross Hana
Published: July 2024

Introduction

In recent years tobacco taxation in Spain has regressed, with its Tobacconomics tax scorecard falling from 3.9 points (out of 5) in 2014, to only 2.625 in 2020. The objective of this research is to provide a detailed analysis of the causes behind this deterioration and identify possible ways forward for reversing this trend.

Aims and Methods

A retrospective 2014–2022 analysis of manufactured cigarettes (FM) and roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) markets including tax structure/rates, affordability, retail price gaps across products, and price differentials with bordering countries. A market-level simulation model for 2028 studied the impact of various tax policy scenarios on smoking prevalence, premature deaths averted, smoking intensity, product substitution, government revenue, sales, and industry profit.

Results

A lack of tax increases in a context of inflation and income growth during the past 8 years means FM and RYO have become 13% more affordable, with a constant differential of €2 between 20 FM and RYO sticks, and the price gap between Spain and neighboring France increased. Modeling of two realistic reform scenarios that reduce/eliminate the price gap between FM and RYO suggest substantial increases in government revenues and up to 700 000 fewer smokers and 210 000 fewer premature deaths.

Conclusions

Current European Union (EU) legislation on tobacco taxes leaves ample room for much-needed tobacco tax reform. For the sake of both public health and the economy, Spain should increase its Minimum Excise Tax. This would not only save lives, but also bring much-needed revenue for the government.

Implications

The stance of Spain on tobacco taxes has deteriorated recently. This study argues that the failure of successive governments to raise minimum taxes in an inflationary context has made tobacco products more affordable, and quantifies the improvements in smoking prevalence and excise revenue that would accrue if the authorities act urgently increasing rates within realistic limits. Spain is representative of European countries where government inaction has rendered minimum tobacco taxes obsolete. Given the postponement of the revision of the EU Tobacco Tax Directive, this study highlights the need to act unilaterally within the existing legal framework.
Associations between effort–reward imbalance and risk of burnout among Swedish physicians
Authors: Christiansen F , Gynning B E , Lashari A , Johansson G , Brulin E
Published: July 2024

Background

The high prevalence of burnout among Swedish physicians may have several possible effects on individuals and society. However, further investigations of work-related factors associated with the risk of burnout among Swedish physicians are needed.

Aims

We aimed to study the associations between psychosocial work factors, based on the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model, and the risk of burnout among Swedish physicians.

Methods

A representative sample of 7200 Swedish physicians was invited in 2021. Data were gathered through questionnaires, with a response rate of 41%. Logistic regression models were used to study the associations between exposure to ERI and the risk of burnout.

Results

Approximately 62% of Swedish physicians were exposed to a high ERI. Exposure to a high ERI was associated with 11 times increased risk (95% confidence interval 6.5–20.0) of burnout in adjusted models. Large variations in the prevalence of ERI and risk of burnout across sociodemographic and occupational factors were identified, particularly across different clinical specialties.

Conclusions

A majority of Swedish physicians were exposed to high levels of work-related stress, strongly associated with an increased risk of burnout. This population-based cross-sectional study underlines the need to further study variations of work-related stress across clinical specialties and to monitor occupational health among physicians longitudinally.
Duration of coalition formation in the German states: Inertia and familiarity in a multilevel setting
Authors: Praprotnik Katrin , Thürk Maria , Krauss Svenja
Published: July 2024

Only gradually, scholars began to show interest in party competition at the sub-national level. Yet, we still know very little about how long it takes until a regional government gets into office. To narrow this research gap, we examine the effect of previous government experience between parties at the regional and national levels. Government formation processes are expected to be faster if parties currently govern together—i.e. have inertia—or have previous government experience—i.e. have familiarity—at the regional and/or national level. We test our expectations by relying on a newly compiled, comprehensive dataset about government formation duration in Germany between 1949 and 2020. Our hypotheses are largely supported: parties are faster in forming coalition governments if they have inertia at the regional or national level and if they have national familiarity. Our results have important implications for our understanding of the interplay between the national and sub-national levels.
The normativity of gender discourse: A pragmatic approach
Authors: Knoll Viktoria
Published: July 2024

Many disputes about gender are normatively charged. To account for this, some suggest building normativity into the semantics of gender terms. I propose an alternative, pragmatic account. When speakers utter gender-attributing sentences of the form ‘Person A is of gender G’, they often pragmatically convey normative content about whether A should be categorized as G. After critically discussing the semantic approach, I motivate and discuss in detail this novel pragmatic view and elaborate on its compatibility with a number of semantic options.
Cross-sectional associations of low body mass index and being underweight with joint damage in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pan Jie , Wu Tao , Zou Yao-Wei , Li Qi-Hua , Ouyang Zhi-Ming , Ma Jian-Da , Jia Pei-Wen , Zheng Hu-Wei , Lin Jian-Zi , Lu Ye , Yang Ying , Chen Le-Feng , Yang Kui-Min , Dai Jun , Dai Lie
Published: July 2024

Objective

To characterize BMI in Chinese patients with RA vs US patients and examine its association with joint damage in Chinese patients.

Methods

Each of the 1318 patients from a real-world Chinese RA population was first stratified by gender and then individually age-matched with one American RA patient from the US National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 1999–2018. Data on BMI, bilateral hand radiographs and risk factors at enrolment were collected but radiographs were unavailable for the American patients. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of BMI with radiographic joint damage (RJD) in Chinese patients.

Results

Chinese patients had a significantly lower BMI [(weighted) median 21.8 vs 29.8 kg/m2; P < 0.001] and a higher prevalence of being underweight (15.2% vs 1.1%; P < 0.05) than their American counterparts. Underweight Chinese patients (BMI <18.5) had higher modified total Sharp scores (median 17 vs 10) and joint space narrowing (JSN) subscores (median 6 vs 2) (both P < 0.05) than normal-weight patients (BMI ≥18.5–<24). After controlling for confounding, continuous BMI was cross-sectionally negatively associated with RJD [adjusted prevalence odds ratio (OR) 0.90 (95% CI 0.85, 0.96)] and JSN [adjusted prevalence OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.87, 0.96)]; being underweight vs normal weight was associated with RJD [adjusted prevalence OR 2.14 (95% CI 1.37, 3.35)] and JSN [adjusted prevalence OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.10, 2.84)].

Conclusion

Low BMI and being underweight were cross-sectionally associated with joint damage in Chinese RA patients, especially JSN, suggesting the clinical importance of identifying underweight patients and focusing on weight gain to prevent joint damage.
Why Did Bank Stocks Crash during COVID-19?
Authors: Acharya Viral V , Engle Robert , Jager Maximilian , Steffen Sascha
Published: July 2024

A two-sided “credit-line channel”—relating to drawdowns and repayments—explains the severe drop and partial subsequent recovery in bank stock prices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Banks with greater exposure to undrawn credit lines saw larger stock price declines but performed better outside of crises periods. Despite deposit inflows, high drawdowns led to reduced bank lending, suggestive of capital encumbrance upon drawdowns. Repayments of credit lines unencumbered capital which explains the stock price recovery starting Q2 2020. Bank provision of credit lines resembles writing put options on aggregate risk, and we propose how to incorporate this feature into bank stress tests.
Digitalization, AI, and robotics for good care and work? German policy imaginaries of healthcare technologies
Authors: Breuer Svenja , Müller Ruth
Published: July 2024

Healthcare is being discussed as an increasingly important application domain for new digital, artificial intelligence–enabled, and robotic technologies. This area has garnered interest from policymakers who seek to harness technological advancements in their quest for providing adequate healthcare to aging populations and modernizing healthcare jobs. In this article, we analyze the sociotechnical imaginary of healthcare technology constructed in German public policy. We analyze 22 pertinent German policy documents from the years 2018–22, drawing on a conceptual frame of sociotechnical imaginaries and dramaturgical studies of futuring. Our analysis shows how healthcare is imagined as a sector in crisis, how technology is promoted as a solution, and how anticipated resistances to technological solutions are being met with the narratives of “technological assistance,” the provision of “good care,” and the facilitation of “good work” within the healthcare sector.
Whole Genomes Reveal Evolutionary Relationships and Mechanisms Underlying Gene-Tree Discordance inNeodiprionSawflies
Authors: Herrig Danielle K , Ridenbaugh Ryan D , Vertacnik Kim L , Everson Kathryn M , Sim Sheina B , Geib Scott M , Weisrock David W , Linnen Catherine R
Published: July 2024

Rapidly evolving taxa are excellent models for understanding the mechanisms that give rise to biodiversity. However, developing an accurate historical framework for comparative analysis of such lineages remains a challenge due to ubiquitous incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and introgression. Here, we use a whole-genome alignment, multiple locus-sampling strategies, and summary-tree and single nucleotide polymorphism-based species-tree methods to infer a species tree for eastern North American Neodiprion species, a clade of pine-feeding sawflies (Order: Hymenopteran; Family: Diprionidae). We recovered a well-supported species tree that—except for three uncertain relationships—was robust to different strategies for analyzing whole-genome data. Nevertheless, underlying gene-tree discordance was high. To understand this genealogical variation, we used multiple linear regression to model site concordance factors estimated in 50-kb windows as a function of several genomic predictor variables. We found that site concordance factors tended to be higher in regions of the genome with more parsimony-informative sites, fewer singletons, less missing data, lower GC content, more genes, lower recombination rates, and lower D-statistics (less introgression). Together, these results suggest that ILS, introgression, and genotyping error all shape the genomic landscape of gene-tree discordance in Neodiprion. More generally, our findings demonstrate how combining phylogenomic analysis with knowledge of local genomic features can reveal mechanisms that produce topological heterogeneity across genomes.
Effectiveness and Genetic Control of Trichoderma spp. as a Biological Control of Wheat Powdery Mildew Disease
Authors: Mourad Amira M. I. , Börner Andreas , Esmail Samar M.
Published: July 2024

Wheat powdery mildew (WPM) is one of the most devasting diseases that affects wheat yield worldwide. Few efforts have been made to control such a serious disease. An effective way to control WPM is urgently needed. Biological control is an effective way to control plant diseases worldwide. In this study, the efficiency of three different Trichoderma spp. in controlling WPM at the seedling growth stage was tested using 35 highly diverse wheat genotypes. Highly significant differences were found in WPM resistance among the four treatments, confirming the efficiency of Trichoderma in controlling WPM. Of the three species, T. asperellum T34 (T34) was the most effective species in controlling WPM, as it reduced the symptoms by 50.56%. A set of 196 wheat genotypes was used to identify the genetic control of the WPM resistance induced by T34. A total of 39, 27, and 18 gene models were identified to contain the significant markers under Pm, T34, and the improvement in powdery mildew resistance due to T34 (T34_improvement) conditions. Furthermore, no gene model was common between T34 and Pm, suggesting the presence of completely different genetic systems controlling the resistance under T34 and Pm. The functional annotation and biological process pathways of the detected gene models confirm their association with the normal and induced resistance. This study, for the first time, confirms the efficiency of T34 in controlling WPM and provides a deep understanding of the genetic control of induced and normal resistance to WPM.
SREBP‐1‐mediated lipogenesis confers resistance to ferroptosis and improves endothelial injury
Authors: Wang Xue , Chen Yanqiu , Meng Heyu , Ruan Jianjun , Meng Fanbo
Published: July 2024

Atherosclerosis refers to a disease characterized by the formation of lipid plaque deposits within arterial walls, leading to reduced blood flow or blockage of blood outflow. The process of endothelial injury induced by oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) is considered the initial stage of atherosclerosis. Ferroptosis is a form of iron‐dependent, non‐apoptotic cell death, and current research suggests its association with coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study, we observed a correlation between reduced expression of SREBP‐1 and the occurrence of stable CAD. Additionally, during the process of endothelial injury induced by ox‐LDL, we also noted decreased expression of the SREBP‐1/SCD1/FADS2 and involvement in the ferroptosis process. Mechanistically, ox‐LDL induced endothelial injury by inhibiting the lipid biosynthesis process mediated by the SREBP‐1/SCD1/FADS2, thereby inducing lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. On the contrary, overexpression of SREBP‐1 or supplementation with monounsaturated fatty acids counteracted iron accumulation, mitochondrial damage, and lipid peroxidation‐induced ferroptosis, thereby improving endothelial injury. Our study indicated that the decreased expression of peripheral blood SREBP‐1 mRNA is an independent risk factor for stable CAD. Furthermore, in endothelial cells, the lipid biosynthesis process mediated by SREBP‐1 could ameliorate endothelial injury by resisting ferroptosis. The study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, which serves as a primary registry in the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ChiCTR2300074315, August 3rd, 2023).
Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Valvular Heart Disease: A Comprehensive Exploration of Equipment, Efficacy, Gender, Racial, and Socioeconomic Disparities, and Future Prospects
Authors: Goyal Aman , Sulaiman Samia Aziz , Safi Darsh , Mehta Kahan , Jain Hritvik , Jain Jyoti , Maheshwari Surabhi , Mahalwar Gauranga
Published: July 2024

The 2 primary components of valvular heart disease are mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is an advanced, minimally invasive procedure that has recently displayed encouraging outcomes in the treatment of these pathologies. TEER offers a nonsurgical alternative for individuals diagnosed with conditions deemed to be high-risk surgical candidates. Currently, the TEER procedure employs devices such as MitraCLIP and TriCLIP, as well as innovative PASCAL (transcatheter valve repair system used for mitral and tricuspid valve repair) and FORMA (repair system used for tricuspid valve repair) repair systems. In the COAPT (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation) trial enrolling 614 patients to test the efficacy of TEER in MR, a significant reduction in hospitalization due to heart failure was observed at 24 months in the MitraClip + guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) group (35.8%) than in the GDMT-alone group (67.9%), HR, 0.53; P < 0.001, lower rate of all-cause mortality at 29.1% compared with 46.1% (P < 0.001), lower risk of cerebrovascular events (P = 0.001), and lower mortality due to cardiovascular events (P < 0.001). In another trial, patients with moderate TR or greater than New York Heart Association Class II or higher underwent TEER using the TriClip for the management of TR. The outcomes were encouraging, with 86% of patients showing a reduction in TR severity of at least one grade. As the technology and research surrounding TEER continue to progress, a more extensive range of patients are expected to qualify for TEER procedures. Our comprehensive review sought to extensively explore the background, equipment used, effectiveness of MR and TR, potential side effects, future prospects, and ongoing trials associated with TEER. We further discuss the existing gender, racial, and socioeconomic disparities in the realm of TEER.-
Managing the Intricacies of Coronary Revascularization: A Close Look at the Complete Versus Culprit-Only Approach and its Implications in Elderly Patients
Authors: El Hajj Mahmoud , Hadid Bana , Rosenzveig Akiva , Hadid Somar , Frishman William H. , Aronow Wilbert S.
Published: July 2024

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, and data indicates that 805,000 Americans will face a new or recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) attack every year. Frailty, a conceptual syndrome categorized by a functional decline that occurs with aging, has been linked to adverse health outcomes in cardiovascular disease and all cardiac-related procedures in general. It is therefore reasonable to deliberate that more conservative medical therapy or medical management should be considered in the frail population when managing acute coronary syndrome. This course of action has, in fact, been documented in clinical practice. However, the recent Functional Assessment in Elderly MI Patients with Multivessel Disease trial, in which all subjects were 75 years of age or above, indicated that the more invasive complete revascularization approach may be favorable over incomplete or culprit-only revascularization in patients with acute MI. In this review, we will discuss coronary heart disease and review guidelines and procedures for culprit lesion identification, including electrocardiogram procedures, coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, fractional flow reserve, and instantaneous fractional flow reserve. We then discuss the concept of complete vs culprit-only/incomplete coronary revascularization and staging. Following this, we will delve into recent trials discussing complete vs culprit-only revascularization, emphasizing the insights gleaned from this latest trial within this special frailty cohort which warrants special consideration.
On the enigmatic null effect of global methylation perturbation
Authors: Edrei Yifat , Hellman Asaf
Published: July 2024

Despite the established role of DNA methylation in transcriptional silencing, most of the genes remain unchanged upon its global erasing from the genome, while expression of other genes is actually raised. Since its discovery a few decades ago, this unsolved enigma has hampered true understanding of DNA methylation role. By applying an updated mathematical model to the results of the original studies, we showed that this paradoxical effect is due to between-gene differences in the balance between methylation-guided enhancers and silencers, which protect particular disease-causing genes from the otherwise harsh effects of global methylation perturbation. Nevertheless, local methylation alternation may still affect these genes. The results a settle a long-standing wondering and suggest that DNA-methylation regulatory role is significantly greater than previously thought.
Translational control of cell plasticity drives 5-FU tolerance
Authors: CHALABI-DCHAR Mounira , VILLERONCE Olivia , RIPOLL Julie , VINCENT Anne , FENOUIL Tanguy , KHOUEIRY Rita , KUCHARCZAK Jerome , JENTSCHEL Laura , CATEZ Frederic , Vigneron Arnaud M , TREGUIER Julie , MANDIER Celine , BOUCLIER Celine , VITRE Jihane , LAGERQVIST Louise , CHOQUET Armelle , HERCEG Zdenko , MACHON Christelle , GUITTON Jerome , DAVID Alexandre , SOLARY Eric , Bernard David , MARTIN Nadine , RIVALS Eric , DALLA VENEZIA Nicole , Pannequin Julie , DIAZ Jean-Jacques
Published: July 2024

All routine clinical treatments for colorectal cancer include 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which cannot counteract recurrence and metastases formation. As the pyrimidine analog 5-FU can impact multiple pathways including both DNA and RNA metabolism, studying its mode of actions could lead to improved therapies. Using a dedicated reporter system for lineage-tracing and deep translatome profiling we demonstrate that 5-FU causes some colorectal cancer cells to tolerate the drug, due to a durable translational reprogramming that sustains cell plasticity. This period of drug tolerance coincides with specific translational activation of genes coding for proteins with major pro-tumoral functions. We unravel a major unexpected translational overexpression of the pro-inflammatory and pro-tumoral IL-8 cytokine, alongside other anti-apoptotic, senescence-associated secretory phenotype and cancer-related senescence phenotype genes. Given the adverse prognostic implications of elevated IL-8 levels across various cancers, our findings suggest IL-8 targeting could counteract 5-FU resistance.
The first report on the effect of white and black truffle extracts on human semen parametersin vitro
Authors: Shelkovnikova Victoria , Dmitrieva Maria , Malygina Ekaterina , Imidoeva Natalia , Belyshenko Alexander , Morgunova Maria , Vlasova Anfisa , Telnova Tamara , Batalova Anna , Martynova Elena , Axenov-Gribanov Denis
Published: July 2024

Our experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of extracts of white and black truffle mushrooms on human spermatozoa. The study utilized 28 samples of wild truffle fruiting bodies. In the experiment, we used ejaculate from male volunteers of active reproductive age (N=10, 25–35 years old). During the experiment, we assessed sixteen physiological parameters. Research has shown that extracts from black and white truffles related toTubersp. have a stimulating effect on spermatozoa. The average path sperm velocity, curvilinear velocity and beat cross-frequency were increased by 56%, 48% and 50% respectively. Linearity showed a significant increase by 56% and straightness by 48%. This could be useful in the development of drugs to enhance sperm activity and lifespan. Additionally, extracts from black truffles have been found to have negative effects on spermatozoa, which could be relevant for developing new contraceptive drugs. Our study demonstrated, for the first time, the influence of methanol extracts ofTubersp. mushrooms on male gametesin vitro.
Evaluating theories of neural information integration during visual search
Authors: Leite Abe , Adeli Hossein , McPeek Robert M. , Zelinsky Gregory J.
Published: July 2024

The brain routes and integrates information from many sources during behavior. A number of models explain this phenomenon within the framework of mixed selectivity theory, yet it is difficult to compare their predictions to understand how neurons and circuits integrate information. In this work, we apply time-series partial information decomposition [PID] to compare models of integration on a dataset of superior colliculus [SC] recordings collected during a multi-target visual search task. On this task, SC must integrate target guidance, bottom-up salience, and previous fixation signals to drive attention. We find evidence that SC neurons integrate these factors in diverse ways, including decision-variable selectivity to expected value, functional specialization to previous fixation, and code-switching (to incorporate new visual input).