bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reelin cells and sex‐dependent synaptopathology in autism following postnatal immune activation
Authors: Ardalan Maryam , Chumak Tetyana , Quist Alexandra , Hermans Eva , Hoseinpoor Rafati Ali , Gravina Giacomo , Jabbari Shiadeh Seyedeh Marziyeh , Svedin Pernilla , Alabaf Setareh , Hansen Brian , Wegener Gregers , Westberg Lars , Mallard Carina
Published: April 2022

Background and Purpose

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here, we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD‐like behaviours.

Experimental Approach

C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg·kg−1) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behaviour was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans‐synaptic genes, including neurexin‐3, neuroligin‐1, and cell‐adhesion molecule nectin‐1, were analysed at P12 and P45.

Key Results

Social withdrawal and increased stereotypic activities in males were related to increased mean diffusivity on MRI‐DKI and overgrowth in hippocampus together with retention of long‐thin immature synapses on apical dendrites, decreased volume and number of Reelin+ cells as well as reduced expression of trans‐synaptic and cell‐adhesion molecules.

Conclusion and Implications

The study provides new insights into sex‐dependent mechanisms that may underlie ASD‐like behaviour in males following postnatal immune activation. We identify GABAergic interneurons as core components of dysmaturation of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus following postnatal infection and provide cellular and molecular substrates for the MRI findings with translational value.
Sex difference in patients with controlled acromegaly—A multicentre survey
Authors: Dal Jakob , Rosendal Christian , Karmisholt Jesper , Feldt‐Rasmussen Ulla , Andersen Marianne S. , Klose Marianne , feltoft Claus , Heck Ansgar , Nielsen Eigil H. , Jørgensen Jens O. L.
Published: April 2022

Objective

Active acromegaly is subject to sex differences in growth hormone (GH) and Insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF‐I) patterns as well as clinical features but whether this also pertains to controlled disease is unclear.

Design

In a cross‐sectional, multi‐centre study, 84 patients with acromegaly (F = 43, M = 41), who were considered controlled after surgery alone (n = 23) or during continued somatostatin receptor ligand (SRL) treatment (n = 61), were examined.

Methods

Serum concentrations of GH, insulin, glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) together with baseline serum IGF‐I and completion of two HR‐Qol questionnaires (acromegaly quality of life questionnaire [AcroQol] and Patient‐assessed Acromegaly Symptom Questionnaire [PASQ]).

Results

The mean age at the time of the study was 57 (±1.1) years and the majority of females (were postmenopausal. Females had significantly higher fasting GH but comparable IGF‐I standard deviation scores (SDS). Using fasting GH < 1.0 µg/L as cut off, disease control was less prevalent in females (F: 56% vs. M: 83%, p = .007) whereas a comparable figure was observed using IGF‐I SDS < 2 (F:79% vs. M:76%, p = .71). Compared with males, female patients showed impaired AcroQol physical score (p = .05), higher fasting FFA (p = .03) and insulin concentrations during the OGTT (p = .04).

Conclusion

In patients with acromegaly considered controlled, postmenopausal females exhibited higher GH levels than males despite comparable IGF‐I levels, which also translated into impaired metabolic health and well‐being. Our findings point to the relevance of including GH measurements in the assessment of disease control and suggest that disease‐specific sex differences prevail after treatment.
Character strengths as a link between family psychosocial environment and depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents
Authors: Liu Qianwen , Wang Ning , Wang Zhenhong
Published: April 2022

The present study examined how perceived interparental conflict and parental attachment combined with character strengths contributed to depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents. A total of 978 adolescents (Mage = 13.71 years, SD = 0.57; 470 girls) completed a battery of questionnaires. The results indicated that adolescents' perceived interparental conflict could directly affect adolescents' depression symptoms and indirectly via parental attachment. More importantly, parental attachment and global character strengths, particularly teamwork and spirit and faith, played serial multiple mediating roles in the relationship between perceived interparental conflict and adolescents' depression symptoms. Our findings provided strengths‐based perspectives to promote adolescents' mental health.
Upgrading in the Automotive Periphery: Turkey's Battery Electric Vehicle Maker Togg
Authors: Mordue Greig , Sener Erman
Published: April 2022

Restructuring of the automotive industry in the post‐2000 period has led to the emergence of three strata of automotive manufacturing jurisdictions. Core automotive countries host the headquarters of global automakers. They retain most research and development (R&D) and high levels of production. By contrast, integrated peripheries offer low‐cost labour. While increasing levels of vehicle production have gravitated there, they have been unable to attract mandates for knowledge‐intensive portions of the automotive value chain. Finally, semi‐peripheries have neither a home‐grown automaker nor low‐cost labour. Consequently, they have been unable to gain mandates for R&D and struggle to maintain production. Thus, policy makers in non‐core countries consider a range of tools to either retain their position or ‘graduate’ from one category to another. Recently, the demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has given rise to new vehicle manufacturers. Turkey is attempting to develop a BEV automaker and jump from an automotive integrated periphery country to one having a key attribute of an automotive core: a home‐grown automaker. This article reveals and discusses Turkey's generous incentives and assesses the challenges the Turkish BEV entrant will confront, as well as its potential to generate wider economic benefits. The authors also consider the application the Turkey case study has for our understanding of power and upgrading in automotive global value chains.
An ever more critical dialogue: Table‐talking with Paulo Freire on education and liberation
Authors: Brondos David A.
Published: April 2022

This past year marked the centenary of the birth of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire (1921–1997). Like Martin Luther, Freire saw literacy, critical reflection, and dialogue among those oppressed by systems that exploited and excluded them as the primary means toward their liberation. As we seek to address systemic injustice and oppression today, we can learn a great deal by looking to the pedagogical thought of Freire and Luther and placing them in critical dialogue with one another and with our own contexts.
Building bridges across borders: An integrative literature review of project work and careers
Authors: Jemine Grégory , Stuer David , Sulbout Jérôme
Published: April 2022

Project‐based forms of work have been steadily increasing in all sorts of organizations, which has led scholars to investigate their effects on career development and career management practices. However, disciplinary and conceptual divides have prevented comprehensive conceptualizations of project workers' careers to emerge to this day. Building on an integrative literature review, the paper underlines the predominance of individual‐centred research designs giving pride of place to project managers, at the expense of organizational‐centred studies accounting for the multiple stakeholders involved in project workers' careers. Five research perspectives on project work and careers are highlighted: Project work may be studied under the prism of career management, career transitions, career orientations, career advantages, and role transitions. The review is concluded with a comprehensive framework articulating project work and careers. The paper ultimately pleads for further investigation of project work and careers from a multistakeholder and organizational perspective.
Value of genetic testing for pediatric epilepsy: Driving earlier diagnosis of ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 Batten disease
Authors: Leal‐Pardinas Fernanda , Truty Rebecca , McKnight Dianalee A. , Johnson Britt , Morales Ana , Bristow Sara L. , Yar Pang Tiffany , Cohen‐Pfeffer Jessica , Izzo Emanuela , Sankar Raman , Koh Sookyong , Wirrell Elaine C. , Millichap John J. , Aradhya Swaroop
Published: April 2022

This study assessed the effectiveness of genetic testing in shortening the time to diagnosis of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2) disease. Individuals who received epilepsy gene panel testing through Behind the Seizure®, a sponsored genetic testing program (Cohort A), were compared to children outside of the sponsored testing program during the same period (Cohort B). Two cohorts were analyzed: children aged ≥24 to ≤60 months with unprovoked seizure onset at ≥24 months between December 2016 and January 2020 (Cohort 1) and children aged 0 to ≤60 months at time of testing with unprovoked seizure onset at any age between February 2019 and January 2020 (Cohort 2). The diagnostic yield in Cohort 1A (n = 1814) was 8.4% (n = 153). The TPP1 diagnostic yield within Cohort 1A was 2.9‐fold higher compared to Cohort 1B (1.0%, n = 18/1814 vs. .35%, n = 8/2303; p = .0157). The average time from first symptom to CLN2 disease diagnosis was significantly shorter than previously reported (9.8 vs. 22.7 months, p < .001). These findings indicate that facilitated access to early epilepsy gene panel testing helps to increase diagnostic yield for CLN2 disease and shortens the time to diagnosis, enabling earlier intervention.
Nest defense, personality, and fitness of a locally endangered island passerine
Authors: Suckow Nicole M. , Pollock Henry S. , Hauber Mark E. , Kastner Martin , Savidge Julie A. , Baker Kayla , Rogers Haldre S.
Published: April 2022

Personality, or repeatable variation in behavior, may impact an animal's survival or reproduction. Parental aggression is one such personality trait with potentially direct implications for fitness, as it can improve offspring survival during vulnerable early life stages. We took advantage of a long‐term nest box and fledgling survival monitoring project to explore the potential fitness consequences of both repeatability and variation in parental aggression in breeding pairs of a locally endangered passerine species (Såli: Micronesian starling, Aplonis opaca) in the presence of an invasive predator, the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis), on the island of Guam. To do so, we tested for associations between aggressive offspring defense throughout the nesting cycle and three fitness measures: hatching success, fledging success, and post‐fledging survival. Aggression varied greatly among breeding pairs and was repeatable within pairs (R = .47), providing evidence of a personality trait. Consistent with parental investment theory, nest stage was the best predictor of parental aggression, which increased with offspring age. Aggression was positively correlated with hatching success during the egg stage, but not nestling or post‐fledging survival. We propose that parental aggression was decoupled from nestling and fledgling survival because parents were unable to defend young from nocturnal, invasive brown treesnakes. More broadly, our findings demonstrate that repeatable variation in personality traits may not necessarily confer fitness benefits, particularly in the presence of invasive predators.
‘I Don't Like Uncertainty, I Like to Know’: How and why uveal melanoma patients consent to life expectancy prognostication
Authors: Brown Stephen L. , Fisher Peter L. , Morgan Andrew , Davies Cari , Olabi Yasmin , Hope‐Stone Laura , Heimann Heinrich , Hussain Rumana , Cherry Mary Gemma
Published: April 2022

Background

Technological advances have led to cancer prognostication that is increasingly accurate but often unalterable. However, a reliable prognosis of limited life expectancy can cause psychological distress. People should carefully consider offers of prognostication, but little is known about how and why they decide on prognostication. Using uveal melanoma (UM) patients, we aimed to identify (i) how and why do people with UM decide to accept prognostication and (ii) alignment and divergence of their decision‐making from conceptualizations of a ‘well‐considered’ decision.

Methods

UM provides a paradigm to elucidate clinical and ethical perspectives on prognostication, because prognostication is reliable but prognoses are largely nonameliorable. We used qualitative methods to examine how and why 20 UM people with UM chose prognostication. We compared findings to a template of ‘well‐considered’ decision‐making, where ‘well‐considered’ decisions involve consideration of all likely outcomes.

Results

Participants wanted prognostication to reduce future worry about uncertain life expectancy. They spontaneously spoke of hoping for a good prognosis when making their decisions, but largely did not consider the 50% possibility of a poor prognosis. When pressed, they argued that a poor outcome at least brings certainty.

Conclusions

While respecting decisions as valid expressions of participants' wishes, we are concerned that they did not explicitly consider the realistic possibility of a poor outcome and how this would affect them. Thus, it is difficult to see their decisions as ‘well‐considered’. We propose that nondirective preference exploration techniques could help people to consider the possibility of a poor outcome.

Patient or Public Contribution

This paper is a direct response to a patient‐identified and defined problem that arose in therapeutic and conversational discourse. The research was informed by the responses of patient participants, as we used the material from interviews to dynamically shape the interview guide. Thus, participants' ideas drove the analysis and shaped the interviews to come.
Exploring the knowledge base of trauma and trauma informed care of staff working in community residential accommodation for adults with an intellectual disability
Authors: McNally Paddy , Irvine Mandy , Taggart Laurence , Shevlin Mark , Keesler John
Published: April 2022

Background

Taking a trauma informed care approach has demonstrated positive outcomes for services for people in the general population. Given the increased vulnerability to psychological trauma for adults with an intellectual disability, this study explores what residential staff know about trauma and trauma informed care.

Methods

Thirty‐two staffs representing three staff groups: direct care staff; managers; and specialist practitioners, were interviewed using semi‐structured interviews, which were analysed following a structured framework.

Findings

Each staff group held different perspectives in their knowledge of trauma and trauma informed care. Limitations were noted in staffs' knowledge of trauma, implementation of evidence‐based supports, and access to specialist services for adults with an intellectual disability. All participants highlighted their training needs regarding trauma.

Conclusion

Increased training on recognising and responding to trauma is needed among community staff supporting those with a trauma history if organisations are to move towards trauma informed care.
Grasses through space and time: An overview of the biogeographical and macroevolutionary history of Poaceae
Authors: Gallaher Timothy J. , Peterson Paul M. , Soreng Robert J. , Zuloaga Fernando O. , Li De‐Zhu , Clark Lynn G. , Tyrrell Christopher D. , Welker Cassiano A.D. , Kellogg Elizabeth A. , Teisher Jordan K.
Published: April 2022

Grasses are widespread on every continent and are found in all terrestrial biomes. The dominance and spread of grasses and grassland ecosystems have led to significant changes in Earth′s climate, geochemistry, and biodiversity. The abundance of DNA sequence data, particularly chloroplast sequences, and advances in placing grass fossils within the family allows for a reappraisal of the family′s origins, timing, and geographic spread and the factors that have promoted diversification. We reconstructed a time‐calibrated grass phylogeny and inferred ancestral areas using chloroplast DNA sequences from nearly 90% of extant grass genera. With a few notable exceptions, the phylogeny is well resolved to the subtribal level. The family began to diversify in the Early–Late Cretaceous (crown age of 98.54 Ma) on West Gondwana before the complete split between Africa and South America. Vicariance from the splitting of Gondwana may be responsible for the initial divergence in the family. However, Africa clearly served as the center of origin for much of the early diversification of the family. With this phylogenetic, temporal, and spatial framework, we review the evolution and biogeography of the family with the aim to facilitate the testing of biogeographical hypotheses about its origins, evolutionary tempo, and diversification. The current classification of the family is discussed with an extensive review of the extant diversity and distribution of species, molecular and morphological evidence supporting the current classification scheme, and the evidence informing our understanding of the biogeographical history of the family.
Down‐phase auditory stimulation is not able to counteract pharmacologically or physiologically increased sleep depth in traumatic brain injury rats
Authors: Moreira Carlos G. , Hofmann Pascal , Müllner Adrian , Baumann Christian R. , Ginde Varun R. , Kollarik Sedef , Morawska Marta M. , Noain Daniela
Published: April 2022

Modulation of slow‐wave activity, either via pharmacological sleep induction by administering sodium oxybate or sleep restriction followed by a strong dissipation of sleep pressure, has been associated with preserved posttraumatic cognition and reduced diffuse axonal injury in traumatic brain injury rats. Although these classical strategies provided promising preclinical results, they lacked the specificity and/or translatability needed to move forward into clinical applications. Therefore, we recently developed and implemented a rodent auditory stimulation method that is a scalable, less invasive and clinically meaningful approach to modulate slow‐wave activity by targeting a particular phase of slow waves. Here, we assessed the feasibility of down‐phase targeted auditory stimulation of slow waves and evaluated its comparative modulatory strength in relation to the previously employed slow‐wave activity modulators in our rat model of traumatic brain injury. Our results indicate that, in spite of effectively reducing slow‐wave activity in both healthy and traumatic brain injury rats via down‐phase targeted stimulation, this method was not sufficiently strong to counteract the boost in slow‐wave activity associated with classical modulators, nor to alter concomitant posttraumatic outcomes. Therefore, the usefulness and effectiveness of auditory stimulation as potential standalone therapeutic strategy in the context of traumatic brain injury warrants further exploration.
‘No other alternative than to compromise’: Experiences of midwives/nurses providing care in the context of scarce resources
Authors: Boakye Priscilla N.
Published: April 2022

Midwives and nurses play a critical role in safeguarding the lives of women in resource‐constrained African countries. Working within the context of scarce resources may undermine their moral agency and hinder their ability to care. The purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of resource scarcity on midwifery and nursing care and practice. A critical ethnography was conducted in the obstetric department of three tertiary‐level facilities in Ghana. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 30 midwives and nurses and semistructured interviews, field notes and documentary materials were used to generate in‐depth understanding. Ethical approval was granted from Canada and Ghana and written, and ongoing informed consent was obtained from the participants. Five conceptual themes depicting the impact of scarce resources on midwifery and nursing care were discovered: compromised care, constrained care, dehumanized care, missed care and disengaged care. Improving the maternal health of women and averting avoidable maternal morbidity and mortality require governments and institutions to invest in health infrastructure that will support the delivery of ethical and safe midwifery care for women in their most vulnerable period.
Global scientific production, international cooperation, and knowledge evolution of public administration
Authors: Lyu Peng‐Hui , Zhang Ming‐Ze , Liu Chuan‐Jun , Ngai Eric W. T.
Published: April 2022

Public administration is a discipline with considerable history, and is also a diverse, interdisciplinary field in social science. To analyze its evolution, discover the present research foci, and predict future development trends, this study applied scientometrics visualization technology to evaluate over 72,000 scientific articles from the 1920s to 2020s. This research referred to the SSCI and JCR databases to gather scientific data of the discipline and the journals' impact factor. Consequently, paper citations, cited journals, journal co‐citations, author co‐citations, authoritative papers, top countries, productive institutes, average references, and research collaboration trends were analyzed on the bases of the published literature. This study found top productive journals in the discipline, discovered productive countries and institutes, present the research foci, and predicted future development trends. Through this study, scientific production, international cooperation, and knowledge evolution mode of public administration research offers a clear knowledge map of the public administration discipline.
Grain carbon isotope composition is a marker for allocation and harvest index in wheat
Authors: Domergue Jean‐Baptiste , Abadie Cyril , Lalande Julie , Deswarte Jean‐Charles , Ober Eric , Laurent Valérie , Zimmerli Céline , Lerebour Philippe , Duchalais Laure , Bédard Camille , Derory Jérémy , Moittie Thierry , Lamothe‐Sibold Marlène , Beauchêne Katia , Limami Anis M. , Tcherkez Guillaume
Published: April 2022

The natural 13C abundance (δ13C) in plant leaves has been used for decades with great success in agronomy to monitor water‐use efficiency and select modern cultivars adapted to dry conditions. However, in wheat, it is also important to find genotypes with high carbon allocation to spikes and grains, and thus with a high harvest index (HI) and/or low carbon losses via respiration. Finding isotope‐based markers of carbon partitioning to grains would be extremely useful since isotope analyses are inexpensive and can be performed routinely at high throughput. Here, we took the advantage of a set of field trials made of more than 600 plots with several wheat cultivars and measured agronomic parameters as well as δ13C values in leaves and grains. We find a linear relationship between the apparent isotope discrimination between leaves and grain (denoted as Δδcorr), and the respiration use efficiency‐to‐HI ratio. It means that overall, efficient carbon allocation to grains is associated with a small isotopic difference between leaves and grains. This effect is explained by postphotosynthetic isotope fractionations, and we show that this can be modelled by equations describing the carbon isotope composition in grains along the wheat growth cycle. Our results show that 13C natural abundance in grains could be useful to find genotypes with better carbon allocation properties and assist current wheat breeding technologies.
Determinants of attrition between Waves 1 and 2 of South Africa's National Income Dynamics Study – Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS‐CRAM)
Authors: Daniels Reza Che , Ingle Kim P. , Brophy Timothy S. L.
Published: April 2022

We introduce a new approach to the analysis of attrition in South African longitudinal surveys by supplementing the public‐use data with paradata about the survey process and interview experience. The number of successfully interviewed respondents reduced from 7,073 in Wave 1 of NIDS‐CRAM to 5,676 in Wave 2—a level of attrition of almost 20%. We fit probit regression models to predict the determinants of attrition. In the fully specified model, attrition was most affected by contact effort by the survey organisation, the sample batch the respondent was in during Wave 1, employment status and whether they had a missing value for household income. Another important finding was that respondents who underwent COVID‐19 tests were 3% more likely to attrite, a trend that could negatively affect the efficacy of the survey to track COVID‐19 testing behaviour in future waves. Attrition was not influenced by how often respondents previously participated or refused in NIDS, the interviewer‐interviewee experience in the interview or by the respondent's observable demographic characteristics. This is a new contribution to the South African literature on attrition and shows the importance of using paradata to understand nonresponse.
Systematic construction of nonautonomous Hamiltonian equations of Painlevé‐type. II. Isomonodromic Lax representation
Authors: Błaszak Maciej , Domański Ziemowit , Marciniak Krzysztof
Published: April 2022

This is the second article in a suite of articles investigating relations between Stäckel‐type systems and Painlevé‐type systems. In this paper, we construct isomonodromic Lax representations for Painlevé‐type systems found in the previous paper by Frobenius integrable deformations of Stäckel‐type systems. We first construct isomonodromic Lax representations for Painlevé‐type systems in the so‐called magnetic representation and then, using a multitime‐dependent canonical transformation, we also construct isomonodromic Lax representations for Painlevé‐type systems in the nonmagnetic representation. Thus, we prove that the Frobenius integrable systems constructed in Part I are indeed of Painlevé‐type. We also present isomonodromic Lax representations for all one‐, two‐, and three‐dimensional Painlevé‐type systems originating in our scheme. Based on these results we propose complete hierarchies of that follow from our construction.
Studies of Twin Responses to Understand Exercise THerapy (STRUETH): cerebrovascular function
Authors: Thomas Hannah J. , Marsh Channa E. , Scurrah Katrina J. , Naylor Louise H. , Smith Kurt J. , Green Daniel J.
Published: April 2022

We studied monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs following resistance (RES) and endurance (END) training to assess genetic and environmental contributions to cerebrovascular function. Cerebrovascular function (rest, autoregulation, hypercapnia, exercise) was assessed in 86 healthy same‐sex MZ (30 pairs) and DZ (13 pairs) twins, who underwent 3 months of END and RES. Carbon dioxide (), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) were measured and MCAv resistance (MCACVRi) was calculated. Resting MCAv reduced by −2.8 cm/s following RES (P = 0.024), with no change following END (−0.3 cm/s, P = 0.758). Change in MCACVRi following RES was +0.11 mmHg/cm/s (P < 0.001), which was significantly greater than END (+0.02 mmHg/cm/s, P = 0.030). MAP also increased following RES (+4 mmHg, P = 0.010), but not END (+1 mmHg, P = 0.518). No changes were apparent in . At rest, positive response rates following RES ranged from 27 to 71% and from 40 to 64% following END. Intraclass correlations between twins were moderate for most variables at baseline. In response to training, only MZ pairs were significantly correlated for a change in MCAv (P = 0.005) and low frequency phase (P = 0.047) following RES.This study is the first to compare cerebrovascular function following RES and END in MZ and DZ twins. Most individuals who did not respond to one modality were able to respond by switching modality, and baseline heritability estimates were higher than training response. Exercise professionals should therefore consider modality and environmental factors when optimising interventions.

Key points

Characterising individual responses to resistance and endurance exercise training can inform optimal strategies for exercise prescription.

This study utilised monozygotic and dizygotic twins in a randomised cross‐over study to determine individual responsiveness to different modalities of exercise training. The influence of environment vs. genetics on cerebrovascular responses to training was determined.

It is apparent that individuals respond differently to distinct exercise stimuli and that switching modality may be a beneficial way to obtain positive responses in cerebrovascular function.

This study has implications for improving individualised exercise prescription to maintain or improve cerebrovascular structure and function.
Experimental studies and simple numerical modeling of underwater electric discharges
Authors: Frost Thanasi , Novac Bucur M. , Senior Peter , Pecastaing Laurent , Reess Thierry
Published: April 2022

At present, underwater electric pulsed discharges are used in a wide range of modern applications. During the development of a system for generating underwater acoustic pressure pulses, a numerical model is an essential tool for guiding the design and interpreting the data. Developing a complex one-dimensional numerical code, like those presented in the literature, requires a substantial dedicated effort. Unfortunately, previous work trying to use simple and elegant theoretical models developed many decades ago reported a fundamental issue, apparently related to the input data. The present work performs a detailed analysis of the real meaning of the voltage measured across an underwater discharge and clarifies the correct way the power input to a simple two-phase model should be calculated. Based on accurate measurements, a phenomenological methodology to obtain the input data is demonstrated, with theoretical predictions obtained from the simple two-phase model being successfully compared with the experimental evidence obtained from both the present work as well as from other reliable data presented in the literature.
A MYC inhibitor selectively alters the MYC and MAX cistromes and modulates the epigenomic landscape to regulate target gene expression
Authors: Holmes Austin G. , Parker J. Brandon , Sagar Vinay , Truica Mihai I. , Soni Pritin N. , Han Huiying , Schiltz Gary E. , Abdulkadir Sarki A. , Chakravarti Debabrata
Published: April 2022

MYC regulates multiple gene programs, raising questions about the potential selectivity and downstream transcriptional consequences of MYC inhibitors as cancer therapeutics. Here, we examined the effect of a small-molecule MYC inhibitor, MYCi975, on the MYC/MAX cistromes, epigenome, transcriptome, and tumorigenesis. Integrating these data revealed three major classes of MYCi975-modulated gene targets: type 1 (down-regulated), type 2 (up-regulated), and type 3 (unaltered). While cell cycle and signal transduction pathways were heavily targeted by MYCi, RNA biogenesis and core transcriptional pathway genes were spared. MYCi975 altered chromatin binding of MYC and the MYC network family proteins, and chromatin accessibility and H3K27 acetylation alterations revealed MYCi975 suppression of MYC-regulated lineage factors AR/ARv7, FOXA1, and FOXM1. Consequently, MYCi975 synergistically sensitized resistant prostate cancer cells to enzalutamide and estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer cells to 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Our results demonstrate that MYCi975 selectively inhibits MYC target gene expression and provide a mechanistic rationale for potential combination therapies.
Dissociation of nanosilicates induces downstream endochondral differentiation gene expression program
Authors: Brokesh Anna M. , Cross Lauren M. , Kersey Anna L. , Murali Aparna , Richter Christopher , Gregory Carl A. , Singh Irtisha , Gaharwar Akhilesh K.
Published: April 2022

Bioactive materials harness the body’s innate regenerative potential by directing endogenous progenitor cells to facilitate tissue repair. Dissolution products of inorganic biomaterials provide unique biomolecular signaling for tissue-specific differentiation. Inorganic ions (minerals) are vital to biological processes and play crucial roles in regulating gene expression patterns and directing cellular fate. However, mechanisms by which ionic dissolution products affect cellular differentiation are not well characterized. We demonstrate the role of the inorganic biomaterial synthetic two-dimensional nanosilicates and its ionic dissolution products on human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. We use whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-sequencing) to characterize the contribution of nanosilicates and its ionic dissolution products on endochondral differentiation. Our study highlights the modulatory role of ions in stem cell transcriptome dynamics by regulating lineage-specific gene expression patterns. This work paves the way for leveraging biochemical characteristics of inorganic biomaterials to direct cellular processes and promote in situ tissue regeneration.
Versatile acid solvents for pristine carbon nanotube assembly
Authors: Headrick Robert J. , Williams Steven M. , Owens Crystal E. , Taylor Lauren W. , Dewey Oliver S. , Ginestra Cedric J. , Liberman Lucy , Ya’akobi Asia Matatyaho , Talmon Yeshayahu , Maruyama Benji , McKinley Gareth H. , Hart A. John , Pasquali Matteo
Published: April 2022

Chlorosulfonic acid and oleum are ideal solvents for enabling the transformation of disordered carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into precise and highly functional morphologies. Currently, processing these solvents using extrusion techniques presents complications due to chemical compatibility, which constrain equipment and substrate material options. Here, we present a novel acid solvent system based on methanesulfonic or
p
-toluenesulfonic acids with low corrosivity, which form true solutions of CNTs at concentrations as high as 10 g/liter (≈0.7 volume %). The versatility of this solvent system is demonstrated by drop-in application to conventional manufacturing processes such as slot die coating, solution spinning continuous fibers, and 3D printing aerogels. Through continuous slot coating, we achieve state-of-the-art optoelectronic performance (83.6 %T and 14 ohm/sq) at industrially relevant production speeds. This work establishes practical and efficient means for scalable processing of CNT into advanced materials with properties suitable for a wide range of applications.
parC
Variants in Mycoplasma genitalium: Trends over Time and Association with Moxifloxacin Failure
Authors: Murray Gerald L. , Bodiyabadu Kaveesha , Vodstrcil Lenka A. , Machalek Dorothy A. , Danielewski Jennifer , Plummer Erica L. , Garland Suzanne M. , Whiley David M. , Sweeney Emma L. , Bradshaw Catriona S.
Published: April 2022

Prevalence, trends, and treatment outcome estimates were generated for
parC
variants in macrolide-resistant
Mycoplasma genitalium
. Among 539 cases, the most common amino acid change was S83I, which increased from 13% in 2012 to 2013, to 23% in 2019 to 2020 (
P
trend
 = 0.046).
Status of Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses within 12 Months following CoronaVac Vaccination against COVID-19
Authors: Zhao Wei , Chen Weixin , Li Juan , Chen Meng , Li Qin , Lv Min , Zhou ShanShan , Bai Shuang , Wang Yali , Zhang Lichi , Zhang Peng , Wang Jian , Zheng Qun , Wu Jiang
Published: April 2022

CoronaVac is an inactivated vaccine containing whole-virion SARS-CoV-2, which has been approved in 43 countries for emergency use as of 26 November 2021. However, the long-term immune persistence of the CoronaVac vaccine is still unknown. Here, we reported the status of the persistence of antibodies and cellular responses within 12 months after two doses of CoronaVac. Such data are crucial to inform ongoing and future vaccination strategies to combat COVID-19.
Temsavir Treatment of HIV-1-Infected Cells Decreases Envelope Glycoprotein Recognition by Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Boutin Marianne , Vézina Dani , Ding Shilei , Prévost Jérémie , Laumaea Annemarie , Marchitto Lorie , Anand Sai Priya , Medjahed Halima , Gendron-Lepage Gabrielle , Bourassa Catherine , Goyette Guillaume , Clark Andrew , Richard Jonathan , Finzi Andrés
Published: April 2022

FDA-approved fostemsavir, the prodrug for the active moiety small molecule temsavir (GSK 2616713 [formally BMS-626529]), acts as an attachment inhibitor by targeting the HIV-1 envelope (Env) and preventing CD4 interaction. Temsavir also stabilizes Env in its “closed,” functional state 1 conformation, which represents an ideal target for broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs).
Bma-LAD-2, an Intestinal Cell Adhesion Protein, as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Lymphatic Filariasis
Authors: Flynn Alexander F. , Taylor Rebekah T. , Pazgier Marzena E. , Bennuru Sasisekhar , Lindrose Alyssa R. , Sterling Spencer L. , Morris C. Paul , Gleeson Brynna I. , Maugel Tim K. , Nutman Thomas B. , Mitre Edward
Published: April 2022

Brugia malayi
is a parasitic nematode that can cause lymphatic filariasis, a debilitating disease prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries. Significant progress has been made toward eliminating the disease.
Genetic Variability of the Amur Sleeper (Perccottus glenii) and their Parasite, Cestode (Nippotaenia mogurndae), outside the Natural Area of Distribution
Authors: Alyamkin G. V. , Zhigileva O. N. , Zhokhov A. E.
Published: April 2022

Based on the polymorphism of multilocus DNA markers (inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR)), we assessed the level of genetic variability and differentiation of populations of two invasive species, the Amur sleeper (Percottus glenii) and its specific parasite, Nippotaenia mogurndae, from five reservoirs in the acquired part of the range, the Irtysh River basin, Western Siberia. We revealed a high genetic polymorphism of neutral DNA markers in P. glenii. In general, the proportion of polymorphic loci was 92%, the average heterozygosity was 0.32. These parameters were lower in particular populations of P. glenii and varied within 53–74% and 0.20–0.23, respectively. The interpopulation component accounted for approximately 35% of the variability (GST = 0.35). In N. mogurndae, polymorphism was 73.7%, heterozygosity was 0.18, varying within 18–45% and 0.06–0.15, depending on the population. The level of genetic differentiation of N. mogurndae (GST = 0.38) was similar to that of P. glenii, which indicates that the processes of genetic differentiation of the parasite and the host are synchronous. Polymorphism and genetic distances of the parasite were lower than those of the host. The population genetic structure of P. glenii was partially consistent with the structure of the hydrographic network, in contrast to N. mogurndae. The data obtained indicate that during dispersal, no significant reduction in genetic polymorphism occurred in the Amur sleeper, and over several decades a population-genetic structure characteristic of this species in the native range was formed in the acquired part of the range.
Directly observed therapy for resistant/refractory hypertension diagnosis and blood pressure control
Authors: Pio-Abreu Andrea , Trani-Ferreira Fernanda , Silva Giovanio V , Bortolotto Luiz A , Drager Luciano F
Published: April 2022

Objective

To test the impact of directly observed therapy (DOT) at hospital for checking not only adherence/diagnosis in patients with resistant (RHTN) and refractory (RefHTN) hypertension but also blood pressure (BP) control after hospital discharge.

Methods

During 2 years, Brazilian patients with clinical suspicion of RHTN/RefHTN after several attempts (≥3) to control BP in the outpatient setting were invited to perform DOT (including low-sodium diet and supervised medications intake) at the hospital. RHTN and RefHTN were categorised using standard definitions. After hospital discharge, we evaluated the BP values and the number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed by physicians who were not involved with the investigation.

Results

We studied 83 patients clinically suspected for RHTN (31%) and RefHTN (69%) (mean age: 53 years; 76% female; systolic BP 177±28 mm Hg and diastolic BP 106±21 mm Hg; number of antihypertensive drugs: 5.3±1.3). DOT confirmed RHTN in 77%, whereas RefHTN was confirmed in only 32.5%. The number of antihypertensive drugs reduced to 4.5±1.3 and systolic/diastolic BP at hospital discharge reduced to 131±17 mm Hg/80±12 mm Hg. After hospital discharge, systolic BP remained significantly lower than the last outpatient visit prehospital admission (delta changes (95% CI): 1 month: −25.7 (−33.8 to −17.6) mm Hg; 7 months: −27.3 (−35.5 to −19.1) mm Hg) despite fewer number of antihypertensive classes (1 month: −1.01 (−1.36 to −0.67); 7 months: −0.77 (−1.11 to −0.42)). Similar reductions were observed for diastolic BP.

Conclusions

DOT at hospital is helpful not only in confirming/excluding RHTN/RefHTN phenotypes, but also in improving BP values and BP control and in reducing the need for antihypertensive drugs after hospital discharge.
Patients with HIV-associated cancers have evidence of increased T cell dysfunction and exhaustion prior to cancer diagnosis
Authors: Chaudhary Omkar , Trotta Diane , Wang Kaicheng , Wang Xun , Chu Xiuping , Bradley Chip , Okulicz Jason , Maves Ryan C , Kronmann Karl , Schofield Christina M , Blaylock Jason M , Deng Yanhong , Schalper Kurt A , Kaech Susan M , Agan Brian , Ganesan Anuradha , Emu Brinda
Published: April 2022

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) have increased risk of developing cancers after controlling traditional risk factors and viral suppression. This study explores whether T cells can serve as a marker of risk for cancer among HIV-infected virally suppressed patients.

Methods

A nested case control study design was pursued with 17 cancer cases and 73 controls (PLWH without cancer)ouidentified among the US Military HIV Natural History Study cohort, and were matched for CD4 + count, duration of HIV infection, and viral suppression. Cells were obtained from PLWH on an average of 12 months prior to clinical cancer diagnosis. Expression of inhibitory receptors (PD-1, CD160, CD244, Lag-3, and TIGIT), and transcription factors (T-bet, Eomesodermin, TCF-1, and (TOX) was measured on CD8 +T cells from that early time point.

Results

We found that cases have increased expression of PD-1 +CD160+CD244+ (‘triple positive’) on total and effector CD8 + compared with controls (p=0.02). Furthermore, CD8 +T cells that were both PD-1 +CD160+CD244+ and T-betdimEomeshiwere significantly elevated in cases at time point before cancer detection, compared with controls without cancer (p=0.008). This was driven by the finding that transcriptional factor profile of cells was altered in cancers compared with controls. Triple-positive cells were noted to retain the ability for cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion mediated by expression of CD160 and PD-1, respectively. However, triple-positive cells demonstrated high expression of TOX-1, a transcription factor associated with T cell exhaustion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have found a subset of dysfunctional CD8 +T cells, PD-1 +CD160+CD244+T-betdimEomeshi, that is elevated 12 months before cancer diagnosis, suggesting that peripheral T cell alterations may serve as a biomarker of increased cancer risk among PLWH.
Isospin extrapolation as a method to study inclusive $${\overline{B}} \rightarrow X_{s} \ell ^{+}\ell ^{-} $$ decays
Authors: Amhis Yasmine , Owen Patrick
Published: April 2022

A novel approach to reconstruct inclusive $${\overline{B}} \rightarrow X_{s} \ell ^{+}\ell ^{-} $$

B
¯

→

X
s

ℓ
+

ℓ
-

decays is presented. The method relies on isopsin symmetry to extrapolate the semi-inclusive signature $$X_{b}\rightarrow K^{+} \ell ^{+}\ell ^{-} X$$

X
b

→

K
+

ℓ
+

ℓ
-

X

to the fully inclusive rate in $${{B} ^+} $$

B

+

and $${B} ^0$$

B

0

decays. We investigate the possibility to measure branching fractions and other observables such as lepton universality ratios and $$C\!P$$

C

P

asymmetries. As a proof of concept, fast simulation is used to compare the $$X_{b}\rightarrow K^{+} \ell ^{+}\ell ^{-} X$$

X
b

→

K
+

ℓ
+

ℓ
-

X

signature with a fully inclusive approach. Several experimental advantages are seen which have the potential to make measurements of inclusive $${\overline{B}} \rightarrow X_{s} \ell ^{+}\ell ^{-} $$

B
¯

→

X
s

ℓ
+

ℓ
-

decays tractable at a hadron collider.
Facile Synthesis of Paper-Derived Porous Activated Carbon and the Electrochemical Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Jiang Yuhang , Zhao Xiangchuan , Wang Qing , Sun Yegeng , Cao Yue , Han Ning , Lee Chuping , Cao Jun , Li Jiao , Si Weimeng
Published: April 2022

We report here a high specific surface area activated carbon loaded with hemin (H-PAC) was synthesized by one-step in situ pyrolysis of paper. As the carrier of hemin, paper-derived activated carbon(PAC) showed high specific surface area (3157 m2 g−1) after optimization. The surface concentration of hemin in the material was effectively increased. Particularly, PAC had a unique interconnected porous structure, which can be used as a continuous conductive framework and provide more active sites. Hemin maintained peroxidase-like activity and showed superior synergistic effect with PAC via pyrolysis, displaying rapid redox characteristics. Under the optimized condition, the composite exhibits high electro–catalytic activities for H2O2 reduction with a low detection limit of 0.087 μM, and high selectivity.
Review—Carbon Cloth as a Versatile Electrode: Manufacture, Properties, Reaction Environment, and Applications
Authors: León María I. , Castañeda Locksley F. , Márquez Ana A. , Walsh Frank C. , Nava José L.
Published: April 2022

The manufacture, characterisation and application of carbon cloth (CC) are reviewed and its use as an electrode in fundamental electrochemical studies and technological applications over the last fifty-five years is considered. The most widely used precursors to produce commercial CC are polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibres manufactured by heat treatment at 1500–2000 oC. Carbon cloth has good electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength and high chemical resistance. CC is a versatile electrode material that can operate over a wide potential range in aqueous electrolytes and molten salts. Chemical and thermal methods can enhance the surface area and help control CC surfaces’ wettability. Electrodes can be decorated by nanostructured carbons, precious metal nanoparticles or enzyme immobilisation to modify surface functionality, improve activity and widen applications. The doping of CC with polymers, metals and metal oxides has enabled its use in sensors, electrosynthesis of chemicals, environmental remediation and water treatment, as well as energy storage and conversion. Electrochemical cells incorporating CC ranging from three-electrode laboratory bench cells to pilot plant flow cells are illustrated. The characterisation of hydrodynamics, mass transport rates and potential/current distributions in CC-equipped flow cells using experimental and computational fluid dynamics approaches are analysed. Finally, continuing research challenges to CC are highlighted.