bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distance From Nest and Climate Explain Geographical Trends of Harvester Ant's Food Resource Use: A Multi‐Species Approach
Authors: Anjos Diego , Luna Pedro , Del‐Claro Kleber , Pol Rodrigo G. , de Casenave Javier Lopez , Torezan‐Silingardi Helena Maura , Baena Martha L. , Baudino Florencia , Bronstein Judie , Burt Melissa , Calixto Eduardo , Cao Ana Laura , de Castro Flávio Siqueira , Cole Blaine J. , Elizalde Luciana , Escobar Federico , Feitosa Rodrigo Machado , Flores Jaime Hernández , Hahn Philip , Indalêncio Maria Eduarda , Juárez‐Juárez Brenda , Karnish Alex , Ladino Natalia , Lescano María Natalia , de Siqueira Neves Frederico , Ortiz Daniela , Pérez Gibran , Pezzonia José , Pirk Gabriela , Porto Gabriela , Ramírez Carlos , Resasco Julian , Aranda‐Rickert Adriana , Robertson Ian , Verble Robin , Vullo Lucía , Wiernasz Diane , Werenkraut Victoria , Guevara Roger , Dáttilo Wesley
Published: September 2024

Main

Animals not only forage for abundant and nearby resources, but their diets can also be influenced by abiotic and geographic factors. This often results in non‐random interactions among species. We investigate how seed density, distance from nest, abiotic (e.g., climate stability, temperature, precipitation) and geographic factors (e.g., latitude, elevation and continental hemisphere) influence the removal of food items (i.e., seeds and dead arthropods) by Pogonomyrmex species.

Location

South and North America, from Patagonia to the Rocky Mountains.

Taxon

Genus Pogonomyrmex (Formicidae: Hymenoptera).

Methods

Conducting standardised experiments, we performed a seed removal experiment and an assessment of the items retrieved by ant workers of 160 nests from eight Pogonomyrmex spp. at 16 sites extending the American continent.

Results

Pogonomyrmex ants native to North America removed more seeds than their South American counterpart. In general, results align with optimal foraging theory, indicating a higher probability of seed removal near ant nests. High climate stability correlated with lower seed predation rates, emphasising seed consumption's significance in historically arid environments. Increased precipitation and temperature led to reduced removal of food resources, suggesting reduced water availability and lower mean temperatures increases the consumption of seeds by harvester ants.

Conclusions

Overall, Pogonomyrmex ants' food resource use is influenced by a combination of factors such as region, distance from the nest and climate. This study underscores harvester ants' potential impact on plant distribution over large spatial scales consuming seeds from the immediate proximity of their nest and preventing establishment.
Self‐Reported Perceptions of Patients and Staff on Participation and Verbal and Social Interactions in High‐Security Forensic Psychiatric Care in Sweden
Authors: Söderberg Andreas , Wallinius Märta , Munthe Christian , Hörberg Ulrica , Rask Mikael
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Studies suggest that experiences of patient participation, as described by both patients and staff, are associated with a significant caring relationship of high quality.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate staffs' and patients' self‐reported perceptions on participation and the frequency and importance of verbal and social interactions in high‐security forensic psychiatry.

Method

The questionnaire Verbal and Social Interactions (VSI) was used together with the subscale Participation from Quality in Psychiatric Care (QPC). The study was conducted at a large forensic psychiatric clinic in Sweden.

Results

Staff and patients rated the frequency of VSI differently while reporting the same perceived degree of patient participation. All categories of VSI were significantly correlated with perceived level of participation with medium or small effect size for the patients.

Discussion

Patients' perceived participation seems to depend on verbal and social interaction within the specific categories ‘Showing interest in the patients’ feelings, experiences, and behavior’ and ‘Helping the patients establish structure and routines in their everyday life’. There was, however, a negative association for the latter.

Implications for Practice

The results give a better understanding of what kind of interactions that affect patients' perceived level of participation.

Relevance Statement

Patient participant is a prioritised area for development in forensic psychiatry. The study contributes to a better understanding of what types of interactions that affect the perceived level of participation, while at the same time, it shows important similarities and differences between patient and staff perspectives.
From dynamic FMR1 mutation to variable phenotypes: A case series from a large Tunisian family
Authors: Ketata Imen , Ellouz Emna
Published: September 2024

Background

Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 gene (FMR1) disorders result from a mutation in the FMR1 gene, leading to a deficiency or absence of the FMRP. Full mutations and premutations of the FMR1 gene are known to cause completely different symptoms.

Aim

To determine the clinical phenotype of individuals with a full mutation or premutation of the FMR1 gene.

Methods

We report 6 patients of the same Tunisian family with different clinical phenotypes. We gathered recent findings on the clinical spectrum of FMR1 mutations from 2020 to 2024 using PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science.

Results

Our observations revealed two first cousins, aged 4 and 13 years, respectively, with a medical history of recurrent infections. They exhibited developmental delay, hyperactivity, concentration difficulties, and autistic traits, with characteristic facial dysmorphia. Family investigation revealed a history of early menopause and primary ovary insufficiency diagnosis in their mothers and one aunt. The 79‐year‐old grandfather presented with recent memory and sleep disturbances, with signs suggestive of fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) on brain MRI. The genetic assessment confirmed the fragile X syndrome (FXS) in children and the fragile X‐associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) in their mothers. Our search in literature uncovered a genetically diverse disorder exhibiting clinical variability influenced by factors such as gene size, methylation mosaicism, and the presence of premutations or full mutations, alongside various pathophysiological mechanisms.

Conclusion

Clinical signs highlighted in our family report should alert clinicians to consider FXS, particularly facial dysmorphia and intellectual disability or language developmental delay, FXPOI for early menopause, and FXTAS for tremor and ataxia within the family context of FXS.
Correlation analysis of airway space and condylar morphology in bilateral idiopathic condylar resorption patients
Authors: Yu Yanfang , Xia Xueyan , Xu Lehan , Chen Xiaoyan , Zhang Ningning , Wu Mengjie
Published: September 2024

To evaluate the airway space in bilateral idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR) patients and analyse the correlation between the morphological characteristics of the condyles and airway parameters. In all, 35 female patients with bilateral ICR (mean age: 21.6 years) and 35 age‐matched female controls (mean age: 21.3 years) were included. Airway parameters were measured using CBCT. Independent T‐tests were used to analyse the differences between the bilateral ICR group and the control group, and then the correlation between airway parameters and condylar parameters was detected using Pearson correlation analysis. p < .05 was considered statistically significant. Patients with bilateral ICR showed a significant decrease in airway volume, minimum axial area and sagittal sectional area (p < .05). The bilateral condylar axial angle positively correlated with airway volume and sagittal sectional area (p < .05). In contrast, the bilateral condylar neck angle negatively correlated with sagittal sectional area (p < .05). None of the condylar parameters showed a correlation with minimum axial area of the airway in the bilateral ICR group (p > .05). Bilateral ICR significantly affects patients' airway space. The condylar axial angle and neck angle correlate with airway parameters.
Resilience of Family Caregivers of People With Dementia in South Korea: A Scoping Review
Authors: Seo Hyun‐Ju , Park Song‐I , Choi Min‐Jung , Choo Il‐Han , Park Jeong‐Hwan
Published: September 2024

Background

Due to rapid increases in the number of Korean people with dementia, dementia has become a priority health issue in South Korea. Likewise, the well‐being of family caregivers of people with dementia has also become an issue of concern. However, little is known about the resilience of Korean family caregivers because there is a lack of review studies from a Korean cultural perspective about the resilience of family caregivers of people with dementia.

Objectives

The purpose of this scoping review was to investigate quantitative studies related to resilience theories, measurement instruments, correlates and resilience interventions for family caregivers of people with dementia.

Method

This review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute based on Arksey and O'Malley. Nine databases were searched to retrieve evidence published in English or Korean between January 2000 and September 2022. Studies with a quantitative research design reporting the resilience of family caregivers of people with dementia based on a resilience theory framework were included.

Results

A total of 13 studies were included in this review. All studies used either a modified McCubbin and McCubbin's family stress, adjustment and adaptation model or Walsh's family resilience model. All resilience instruments were used without cross‐cultural adaptation. Family adaptation, social support, life satisfaction, family (di)stress and caregiver burden were associated with resilience among family caregivers. A few family resilience‐enhancing programmes showed a positive effect on caregiver resilience.

Conclusion

This review noted that all the resilience measures documented in this study need to test for cultural adaptation in a Korean context. Further research is required to develop and implement family‐based, culturally tailored interventions to effectively enhance Korean resilience for family caregivers of people with dementia.

Implications for Practice

Gerontological nurses should include Korean family caregivers in their nursing care and assess whether family caregivers have depression or suicidal thoughts to promote better health outcomes for caregivers and their family members.
Treating people as individuals and as members of groups
Authors: Munch Lauritz Aastrup , Knudsen Nicolai
Published: September 2024

Many believe that we ought to treat people as individuals and that this form of treatment is in some sense incompatible with treating people as members of groups. Yet, the relation between these two kinds of treatments is elusive. In this paper, we develop a novel account of the normative requirement to treat people as individuals. According to this account, treating people as individuals requires treating people as agents in the appropriate capacity. We call this the Agency Attunement Account. This view has the surprising implication that it's not only possible to fail in treating people as individuals but also possible to fail in treating people as members of groups, on the presumption that people's agency is sometimes nested in, and exercised via, agential groups.
Emotion, attention, and reason
Authors: Peet Andrew , Pitcovski Eli
Published: September 2024

Our reasons for emotions such as sadness, anger, resentment, and guilt often remain long after we cease experiencing these emotions. This is puzzling. If the reasons for these emotions persist, why do the emotions not persist? Does this constitute a failure to properly respond to our reasons? In this paper we provide a solution to this puzzle. Our solution turns on the close connection between the rationality of emotion and the rationality of attention, together with the differing reasons to which attention and emotion are properly responsive.
A victim risk identification model for nature‐induced urban disaster emergency response
Authors: Fang Weipeng , Reniers Genserik , Zhou Dan , Yin Jian , Liu Zhongmin
Published: September 2024

In recent years, nature‐induced urban disasters in high‐density modern cities in China have raised great concerns. The delayed and imprecise understanding of the real‐time post‐disaster situation made it difficult for the decision‐makers to find a suitable emergency rescue plan. To this end, this study aims to facilitate the real‐time performance and accuracy of on‐site victim risk identification. In this article, we propose a victim identification model based on the You Only Look Once v7‐W6 (YOLOv7‐W6) algorithm. This model defines the “fall‐down” pose as a key feature in identifying urgent victims from the perspective of disaster medicine rescue. The results demonstrate that this model performs superior accuracy (mAP@0.5, 0.960) and inference speed (5.1 ms) on the established disaster victim database compared to other state‐of‐the‐art object detection algorithms. Finally, a case study is illustrated to show the practical utilization of this model in a real disaster rescue scenario. This study proposes an intelligent on‐site victim risk identification approach, contributing significantly to government emergency decision‐making and response.
Sex workers' professional agency, quality of life, and problematic substance use in Finland
Authors: Gunst Annika , Uusitalo Mimmi , Pölönen Petra , Petrík Štefan , Antfolk Jan
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Sex workers suffer considerable marginalization that limits their choices and exposes them to various types of harm. Hence, it is important to examine sex workers' professional agency and its association with quality of life. In the current study, we investigated professional agency, quality of life, and problematic substance use among sex workers in Finland.

Methods

Using an online survey, we collected data from 136 sex workers contacted through Finnish sex work organizations and social media platforms. We conducted correlational analyses between the study variables and linear regression analyses with professional agency as the independent variable and quality of life and problematic alcohol and drug use as dependent variables.

Results

As expected, in the regression analyses, professional agency was strongly positively associated with quality of life (β = 0.86, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with problematic alcohol (β = −0.38, p = 0.002) and drug (β = −0.69, p < 0.001) use. Professional agency explained as much as 73% of the variance in quality of life. Most sex workers rated their quality of life as either good or very good.

Conclusion

Our results underscore the importance of professional agency to sex workers' well‐being, explaining a substantial proportion of the variance in quality of life. Promoting agency should therefore be at the heart of sex work policymaking. However, as most of the respondents were Finnish‐born cis women, our results might not generalize to foreign‐born, male, and gender diverse sex workers. Future studies should prioritize reaching these populations to ensure broader representativeness.
Coronofrontal rhytidectomy: A new approach for the treatment of severe pseudoptosis and superior entropion in dogs
Authors: Cardoso Rita Vilao , Leiva Marta , Seruca Cristina , Lacerda Rodrigo P. , Laguna Fernando , Peña M. Teresa
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To describe the use of coronofrontal rhytidectomy (CFR) for the treatment of severe pseudoptosis and superior entropion in dogs, and to provide guidelines for the selection of surgical technique depending on presentation.

Methods

A review of medical records of dogs that underwent rhytidectomy from 2002 to 2023 was carried out, including signalment, clinical signs, type of rhytidectomy, concurrent surgical techniques, re‐interventions, post‐operative complications, follow‐up time, and outcome.

Results

Twenty dogs with a median age of 5.1 years were included in this study. English Cocker Spaniel was the most common breed (8 dogs:40%) and males were overrepresented (13 dogs: 65%). Besides pseudoptosis and visual impairment (100%), the other most common clinical signs were entropion and/or ectropion (19 dogs: 95%), conjunctivitis (17 dogs: 85%), euryblepharon (12 dogs: 60%) and non‐ulcerative keratitis (10 dogs: 50%). CFR was performed in 12 dogs (60%), frontal rhytidectomy in 5 (25%), coronal in 2 (10%), and modified shared in 1 (5%). Concurrent surgical techniques were performed in 17 dogs (85%), being lateral canthoplasty (13 dogs; 65%), and Celsus–Hotz (10 dogs; 50%) the most common. The median follow‐up time was 115 days with no complications and good outcomes reported in all dogs. At last re‐recheck, complete correction of the eyelid positioning was obtained in 92% (11/12) and 87.5% (7/8) of the cases that underwent CFR and other rhytidectomy techniques, respectively.

Conclusion

CFR is an effective surgical treatment for severe pseudoptosis and superior entropion in dogs. The provided guidelines will assist in the selection of the most appropriate eyelid lifting technique.
A non‐monophyly of ‘crowned’ Daphnia (Ctenodaphnia) Dybowski et Grochowski, 1895 (Cladocera: Daphniidae): From genomes to morphology
Authors: Pereboev Dmitry D. , Garibian Petr G. , Karabanov Dmitry P. , Efeykin Boris D. , Galimov Yan R. , Petrusek Adam , Kotov Alexey A.
Published: September 2024

Daphnia (Crustacea: Cladocera) has been frequently used as a model taxon for studying prey antipredator defences. Among numerous representatives of this genus, there are several taxa within the subgenus Daphnia (Ctenodaphnia) with a morphological innovation unique for these cladocerans, a head plate. In some populations, the margin of this anterior projection of carapace into the head shield is adorned with a remarkable ‘crown of thorns’, which has been shown to be an antipredator adaptation against tadpole shrimps (Notostraca). This structure is phenotypically plastic, dependent on the presence of these omnivorous crustaceans in the respective water bodies. We aimed to evaluate the monophyly of Eurasian ‘crowned’ Daphnia species (i.e., those forming the ‘crown of thorns’ under some circumstance) based on genomic phylogenies and morphology. For this study, we have individually sequenced the genomes of five daphniids, four representing taxa able to form ‘crowns’ (two specimens of different clades of the D. (C.) atkinsoni complex and two specimens of D. (C.) triquetra from distant populations), and D. (C.) mediterranea distantly related to D. (C.) atkinsoni that lacks the head plate. We analysed them along with genomes obtained from GenBank, focusing on either full mitochondrial or partial nuclear datasets (BUSCO). Our main hypothesis on a monophyly of all ‘crowned’ daphnids was rejected. Genomic analyses confirmed existence of two independent lineages able to express this phenotypic trait in the Palaearctic: (1) a monophyletic D. (C.) atkinsoni s. lat. and (2) D. (C.) triquetra, formally redescribed here. These lineages form a well‐supported clade together with several other species lacking a head plate (including D. (C.) mediterranea). Genomic analyses indicate that D. (C.) atkinsoni s. lat. is closely related to D. (C.) tibetana; mitochondrial markers also suggest a close relationship of D. (D.) triquetra with D. (C.) studeri, both D. (C.) tibetana and D. (C.) studeri, are lacking this morphological feature. Molecular clock estimated the time of the differentiation of the major clade containing both ‘crowned Daphnia’ to the Late Mesozoic, confirming an antiquity of the head plate as antipredator defence.
Nocturnal pulse oximetry for the detection and prediction of acute mountain sickness: An observational study
Authors: Joyce Kelsey E. , Ashdown Kimberly , Delamere John P. , Bradley Chris , Lewis Christopher T. , Letchford Abigail , Lucas Rebekah A. I. , Malein Will , Thomas Owen , Bradwell Arthur R. , Lucas Samuel J. E.
Published: September 2024

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a well‐studied illness defined by clinical features (e.g., headache and nausea), as assessed by the Lake Louise score (LLS). Although obvious in its severe form, early stages of AMS are poorly defined and easily confused with common travel‐related conditions. Measurement of hypoxaemia, the cause of AMS, should be helpful, yet to date its utility for identifying AMS susceptibility remains unclear. This study quantified altitude‐induced hypoxaemia in individuals during an ascent to 4800 m to determine the utility of nocturnal pulse oximetry measurements for prediction of AMS. Eighteen individuals (36 ± 16 years of age) ascended to 4800 m over 12 days. Symptomology of AMS was assessed each morning via LLS criteria, with participants categorized as either AMS‐positive (LLS ≥ 3 with headache) or AMS‐negative. Overnight peripheral oxygen saturations (ov‐) were recorded continuously (1 Hz) using portable oximeters. Derivatives of these recordings were compared between AMS‐positive and ‐negative subjects (Mann–Whitney U‐test). Exploratory analyses (Pearson's) were conducted to investigate relationships between overnight parameters and AMS severity. Overnight derivatives, including ov‐, heart rate/ov‐, variance, oxygen desaturation index, hypoxic burden and total sleep time at <80% , all differed significantly between AMS‐positive and ‐negative subjects (all P < 0.01), with cumulative/relative frequency plots highlighting these differences visually. Exploratory analysis revealed that ov‐ from 3850 m was correlated with peak LLS at 4800 m (r = 0.58–0.61). The findings highlight the potential for overnight oximetry to predict AMS susceptibility during ascent to high altitude. Further investigation is required to develop, evaluate and optimize predictive models to improve AMS management and prevention.
Hypothyroidism alters the rhythmicity of the central clock, body temperature and metabolism: evidence of Bmal1 transcriptional regulation by T3
Authors: Emrich Felipe , Gomes Bruno Henrique , Selvatici‐Tolentino Letícia , Lopes Roberta Araújo , Secio‐Silva Ayla , Carvalho‐Moreira João Pedro , Bittencourt‐Silva Paloma Graziele , Guarnieri Leonardo de Oliveira , Silva Ana Bárbara de Paula , Drummond Lucas Rios , da Silva Glauber Santos Ferreira , Szawka Raphael Escorsim , Moraes Márcio Flávio Dutra , Coimbra Cândido Celso , Peliciari‐Garcia Rodrigo Antonio , Bargi‐Souza Paula
Published: September 2024

In mammals, the central circadian oscillator is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis components exhibit circadian oscillation, regulated by both central clock innervation and intrinsic circadian clocks in the anterior pituitary and thyroid glands. Thyroid disorders alter the rhythmicity of peripheral clocks in a tissue‐dependent response; however, whether these effects are influenced by alterations in the master clock remains unknown. This study aimed to characterize the effects of hypothyroidism on the rhythmicity of SCN, body temperature (BT) and metabolism, and the possible mechanisms involved in this signalling. C57BL/6J adult male mice were divided into Control and Hypothyroid groups. Profiles of spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA), BT, oxygen consumption () and respiratory quotient (RQ) were determined under free‐running conditions. Clock gene expression, and neuronal activity of the SCN and medial preoptic nucleus (MPOM) area were investigated in light–dark (LD) conditions. Triiodothyronine (T3) transcriptional regulation of Bmal1 promoter activity was evaluated in GH3‐transfected cells. Hypothyroidism delayed the rhythmicity of SLA and BT, and altered the expression of core clock components in the SCN. The activity of SCN neurons and their outputs were also affected, as evidenced by the loss of circadian rhythmicity in and RQ and alterations in the neuronal activity pattern of MPOM. In GH3 cells, T3 increased Bmal1 promoter activity in a time‐dependent manner. Thyroid hormone may act as a temporal cue for the central circadian clock, and the uncoupling of central and peripheral clocks might contribute to a wide range of metabolic and thermoregulatory impairments observed in hypothyroidism.

image

Key points

Hypothyroidism alters clock gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).

Thyroid hypofunction alters the phase of spontaneous locomotor activity and body temperature rhythms.

Thyroid hormone deficiency alters the daily pattern of SCN and medial preoptic nucleus neuronal activities.

Hypothyroidism alterations are extended to daily oscillations of oxygen consumption and metabolism, which might contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome.

Triiodothyronine increases Bmal1 promoter activity acting as temporal cue for the central circadian clock.
A systematic scoping review of the collaborative governance of environmental and cultural flows
Authors: Bergbusch Nathanael T. , Saunders Mark D. , Leonard Kelsey , St-Hilaire André , Gibson Robert B. , Jardine Timothy D. , Courtenay Simon C.
Published: September 2024

This study systematically reviews English-language papers about the collaborative governance of environmental and cultural flows. With mixed-methods analyses, we illustrate that the determination of environmental flow needs is common, with authors in 42 countries across 112 watersheds describing their management. In contrast, cultural flows (characterized by attention to both ecological and non-ecological needs, decision-making authority of Indigenous Nations, and Indigenous rights) were reported only in papers by authors in commonwealth, colonial countries: Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Evaluated against the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Water Governance Principles, we found that the literature reported efforts that considered appropriate local and regional scales, information and data, regulatory frameworks, and capacity building of communities and authorities engaged in environmental and cultural flow initiatives. However, there was limited consideration of the roles of communities in policymaking, which was more common in jurisdictions with decentralized governance. In jurisdictions with democratic community-based initiatives, environmental and cultural flows have not been approached in merely technical processes to communicate hydro-social-ecological information to decision-makers. Instead, the initiatives have created the context for evaluating new developments at the watershed level in light of communities’ social and ecological water goals, collaborating during unique drought and flooding conditions, working to rebalance power in decision-making through water justice, creating ecological and Indigenous reserved water rights, granting legal personhood for rivers, and protecting water for the environment and dependent people in water markets. Going forward, we identify a need for greater attention to community roles in environmental and cultural flows protection in water governance, including policy creation and evaluation, regulatory initiatives, strategic planning, and impact assessments.
A hierarchy of WZW models related to super Poisson–Lie T-duality
Authors: Eghbali Ali , Rezaei-Aghdam Adel
Published: September 2024

Motivated by super Poisson–Lie (PL) symmetry of the Wess–Zumino–Witten (WZW) model based on the $$(C^3+A)$$

(

C
3

+
A
)

Lie supergroup of our previous work (Eghbali et al., in J High Energy Phys 07:134, 2013. arXiv:1303.4069 [hep-th]), we first obtain and classify all Drinfeld superdoubles (DSDs) generated by the Lie superbialgebra structures on the $$({\mathscr {C}}^3+ {\mathscr {A}})$$

(

C

3

+
A
)

Lie superalgebra as a theorem. Then, introducing a general formulation we find the conditions under which a two-dimensional $$\sigma $$
σ
-model may be equivalent to a WZW model. With the help of this formulation and starting the super PL symmetric $$(C^3+A)$$

(

C
3

+
A
)

WZW model, we get a hierarchy of WZW models related to super PL T-duality, in such a way that it is different from the super PL T-plurality, because the DSDs are, in this process, non-isomorphic. The most interesting indication of this work is that the $$(C^3+A)$$

(

C
3

+
A
)

WZW model does remain invariant under the super PL T-duality transformation, that is, the model is super PL self-dual.
Surface conversion of the dynamics of bacteria escaping chemorepellents
Authors: Braham Asma , Lemelle Laurence , Ducasse Romain , Toukabri Houyem , Mottin Eleonore , Fabrèges Benoit , Calvez Vincent , Place Christophe
Published: September 2024

Flagellar swimming hydrodynamics confers a recognized advantage for attachment on solid surfaces. Whether this motility further enables the following environmental cues was experimentally explored. Motile E. coli (OD ~ 0.1) in a 100 µm-thick channel were exposed to off-equilibrium gradients set by a chemorepellent Ni(NO3)2-source (250 mM). Single bacterial dynamics at the solid surface was analyzed by dark-field videomicroscopy at a fixed position. The number of bacteria indicated their congregation into a wave escaping from the repellent source. Besides the high velocity drift in the propagation direction within the wave, an unexpectedly high perpendicular component drift was also observed. Swimming hydrodynamics CW-bends the bacteria trajectories during their primo approach to the surface (< 2 µm), and a high enough tumbling frequency likely preserves a notable lateral drift. This comprehension substantiates a survival strategy tailored to toxic environments, which involves drifting along surfaces, promoting the inception of colonization at the most advantageous sites.

Graphical abstract
Improved Monitoring of Wind Speed Using 3D Printing and Data‐Driven Deep Learning Model for Wind Power Systems
Authors: Shin Sanghun , Park Sangyeun , So Hongyun
Published: September 2024

This study presents a novel method for airflow rate (i.e., wind speed) sensing using a three‐dimensional (3D) printing‐assisted flow sensor and a deep neural network (DNN). The 3D printing of thermoplastic polyurethane can realize multisensing devices for different flow rate values. Herein, the 3D‐printed flow sensor with an actuating membrane is used to simultaneously measure two electrical parameters (i.e., capacitance and resistance) depending on the airflow rate. Subsequently, a data‐driven DNN model is introduced and trained using 6,965 experimental data points, including input (resistance and capacitance) and output (airflow rate) data with and without external interferences during capacitance measurements. The mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), and root mean squared logarithmic error (RMSLE) measured using predicted flow rate values by the DNN model with multiple inputs are 0.59, 0.7, and 0.18 for continuous test dataset without interference and 1.16, 3.95, and 0.73 for test dataset with interference, respectively. Compared to the prediction results using single‐input cases, the average MAE, MSE, and RMSLE significantly decrease by 70.37%, 88.74%, and 72.26% for test datasets without interference and 51.91%, 53.01%, and 12.20% with interference, respectively. The results suggest a cost‐effective and accurate sensing technology for wind speed monitoring in wind power systems.
Short‐Term Load Probability Prediction Based on Integrated Feature Selection and GA‐LSTM Quantile Regression
Authors: Meng Xue , Shao Xigao , Li Shan
Published: September 2024

Accurately forecasting electricity demand is crucial for maintaining the balance between supply and demand of electric energy in real‐time, ensuring the reliability and cost‐efficiency of power system operations. The integration of numerous active loads and distributed renewable energy sources into the grid has led to increased load variability, rendering the traditional point forecasting approach inadequate for meeting the evolving needs of the power system. Probabilistic forecasting, which predicts the complete probability distribution of loads and provides more extensive information on load uncertainty, has emerged as a key solution to address these challenges. The long short‐term memory (LSTM) model, known for its strong performance in modeling long series, is commonly utilized in load forecasting. Therefore, this study focuses on short‐term electric load probability forecasting for users in a specific park in Yantai. We propose a short‐term load probability forecasting model based on integrated feature selection (IFS), genetic algorithm (GA) optimization of LSTM, and quantile regression (QR), referred to as the IFS‐GA‐QRLSTM model. Initially, the integrated feature selection method is employed to identify the most influential factors affecting electric load, optimizing the model’s input features and reducing data redundancy. To address the subjective nature of parameter selection in the LSTM model, we use a GA to optimize model parameters. The combination of optimized LSTM with QR enables direct generation of quantile load predictions, which are further used in kernel density estimation to construct the probability density distribution. We compare the proposed method with five basic models, QRLSTM, IFS‐QRCNN, IFS‐QRRNN, IFS‐QRLSTM, and IFS‐QRGRU, for point prediction, interval prediction, and probability prediction. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method in this paper exhibits better prediction performance, smaller prediction errors, and greater effectiveness compared to the aforementioned models.
Constitutional BRCA1 Epimutations: A Key for Understanding Basal‐Like Breast and High‐Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Lønning Per E. , Nikolaienko Oleksii , Knappskog Stian
Published: September 2024

Germline pathogenic genetic variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most frequent causes of familial breast and ovarian cancer. Contrasting BRCA2, epimutations in the BRCA1 gene are frequently detected in tissue from triple‐negative breast (TNBC) and high‐grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC). While studies over the last decade have reported BRCA1 epimutations in white blood cells (WBC) from breast and ovarian cancer patients, the potential hazard ratio for incident TNBC and HGSOC was not formally assessed until recently.

Conducting a prospective nested case‐control study on women participating in the American Women’s Health Initiative Study, we provided firm evidence that mosaic WBC BRCA1 epimutations, even at allele frequencies < 0.1%, are associated with a significantly increased risk of both incident HGSOC and TNBC > 5 years after WBC collection. In a second study assessing BRCA1 epimutations in WBC and matched tumor samples from TNBC, our results indicated such epimutations to be the underlying cause of around 20% of TNBC, far exceeding the percentage of cases carrying BRCA1 germline pathogenic genetic variants.

We detected primary constitutional BRCA1 epimutations in tissues derived from all three germ layers. They occur independently of BRCA1 promoter haplotypes but are present on the same allele in all WBC within affected individuals. Moreover, epimutations are consistently found on the same allele in normal and tumor breast tissue as well as in WBC. This finding, together with BRCA1 epimutations detected in WBC from newborns, strongly indicates an early embryonic event with clonal expansion affecting all germ layers.

Future work in the field must lead to an understanding of exactly when and how the BRCA1 epimutations occur and, most importantly, whether primary constitutional epimutations in genes other than BRCA1 may cause an elevated risk of other cancer types.
A Global Spatial–Temporal Energy Poverty Assessment and Social Impacts Analysis
Authors: Lu Shengfang , Ren Jingzheng
Published: September 2024

Energy poverty (EP) has emerged as a major challenge to achieving sustainable development goals, and its significance in social development has increased over time. This paper aims to analyze the spatial autocorrelation between EP and social factors on a global scale. Utilizing the panel data of 116 countries from 2012 to 2019, the Bivariate local Moran index, a representative spatial econometrics tool, has been employed to examine temporal changes and spatial differences of transboundary synergy and tradeoff relations between EP and social factors. The results indicate that EP has synergy relationships with social factors, including life expectancy at birth, access to immunization, CO2 emission, and forest area, and tradeoff relationship with social factors, such as infant mortality rate, prevalence of undernourishment, forest rents, and gender inequality. Significant spatial differences have been observed that clusters of high‐income countries, particularly those in the Global North, tend to have better energy access and are surrounded by areas with favorable social conditions, and clusters of lower‐income countries, especially those in South Africa and Southeast Asia, have lower energy access and are surrounded by areas with more severe social conditions. The robustness analysis has been conducted to verify the reliability of the results. The spatial imbalance of findings offers robust evidence by emphasizing the importance of key areas, such as Southeast Asia and South Africa, that should be prioritized to take essential policy measures to address the EP and social issues.
Exploring Synergistic Inhibition of Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential: Integrated In Silico and In Vitro Analyses of Garcinia mangostana, Curcuma comosa, and Acanthus ebracteatus
Authors: Eawsakul Komgrit , Bunluepuech Kingkan
Published: September 2024

Compared with the use of a single herb alone, herb combinations can significantly increase their effectiveness in treating various diseases. The objective of this research was to determine the appropriate proportions of Garcinia mangostana (GM), Curcuma comosa (CC), and Acanthus ebracteatus (AE) to enhance their antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. The study employed computer modeling (in silico) and laboratory testing (in vitro). The optimal levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were achieved with a ratio of 15 parts GM, 5 parts CC, and 10 parts AE. In contrast, the 10 : 15 : 5 ratio resulted in the highest antioxidant activity, reducing DPPH radicals by 80.33% and ABTS radicals by 92.20%. The ratio had a synergistic effect and was within the safe range, ranging from 82.97 to 147.04 µg/mL. The ratio of 5 : 10 : 15 had the greatest anti‐inflammatory effects, with an exceptional activity level of 98.86%. It effectively suppressed 23 genes or proteins, including the prominent NFE2L2 gene, and had a synergistic effect. This combination effectively inhibits inflammation (IC50: 12.05 µg/mL) and is safe for macrophages at concentrations up to 50 µg/mL. These findings emphasize the potential of these herbal mixtures for antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory applications.
Abstract A006: Generation of a flexible pancreatic cancer mouse model via somatic tissue engineering
Authors: Yang Ziyue (Zoey) , Cardenas Mara , Miyauchi Akihiko , Snider Caroline , Parchem Ronald
Published: September 2024

Pancreatic cancer, recognized as one of the most lethal cancer types, exhibits a dismal five-year survival rate below 12%. The genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity in human cancer poses a tremendous challenge in understanding disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapeutics. Current mouse models in the field can recapitulate some features of human pathophysiology but have limitations. While tumor formation in patients is focal, most genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) express oncogenes throughout the pancreas. GEMMs also have limited flexibility to manipulate gene expression and model the heterogeneity of human cancer. Additionally, GEMMs require significant time for crossing and tumor formation. Tumor transplantation models offer greater flexibility, however, they often require immunodeficient mice, which limits their applications in modeling the tumor microenvironment. To overcome the limits of current mouse models, we combined the piggyBac transposon system, CRISPR/Cas9, and in vivo electroporation to engineer somatic pancreatic tissue to induce focal tumor formation in immune-competent mice. With this approach, we engineered wildtype pancreata to express oncogenic KrasG12D while knocking out multiple tumor suppressors. We optimized this protocol by generating multiplexed gRNA constructs and cell type-specific promoters to improve reproducibility. Low-grade tumors formed within 10 days after electroporation, progressed to higher grade within a month, and metastasized to peritoneal organs during disease progression. Mouse tumors also recapitulated histopathological features in human patients. Lastly, we used our novel mouse model to study how mutant Kras disrupts post-transcriptional regulation by microRNA to drive pancreatic tumorigenesis. This model offers a powerful platform for manipulating gene expression and functionality to model cancer heterogeneity, ultimately advancing precision oncology's prospects for treating human patients.

Citation Format: Ziyue (Zoey) Yang, Mara Cardenas, Akihiko Miyauchi, Caroline Snider, Ronald Parchem. Generation of a flexible pancreatic cancer mouse model via somatic tissue engineering [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research; 2024 Sep 15-18; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(17 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A006.
Abstract A010: A patient first approach using CRISPR-directed gene editing as an augmentative therapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductile adenocarcinoma
Authors: McGill London P , Banas Kelly H , Tiesi Gregory , Kmiec Eric B
Published: September 2024

At the Gene Editing Institute, we are advancing a novel strategy for the treatment of pancreatic ductile adenocarcinoma by employing CRISPR-directed gene editing to disable the functions of key genes that block effective drug application including chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. No matter how careful one is at designing a specific drug against a specific protein, ultimately, the tumor cell develops a workaround. A paradigm shift is required to truly overcome this formidable barrier. We’ve accomplished this by leveraging the effectiveness of standard care and augmenting it, thereby reducing patient suffering, increasing treatment tolerance and, most importantly, improving outcomes. With an enthusiastic response for this concept from the FDA- INTERFACT meeting, we have demonstrated that a carefully selected CRISPR/Cas complex disables the NRF2 gene in the tumor cell and significantly reduces the dose of chemotherapy required to halt pancreatic tumor cell growth, and consequently promoting cell death. The efficiency of gene editing approaches 70 % routinely, which destroys the function of NRF2 and enables additional killing of residual tumor cells by chemotherapeutic agents. As a consequence of CRISPR/Cas activity, we effectively reduce the amount of chemotherapy needed to kill tumor cells by over 20-fold. This level of reduction should enable patients to complete their treatment regimens more successfully, at lower dosages and with far fewer adverse side effects. In addition to reduced suffering, this will invariably prolong survival as we are augmenting already proven treatments. This approach is agnostic to the haplotype of the tumor cell and does not rely on specific biomarker composition; radically expanding the patient population that would be suitable for this type of treatment. We will discuss the impact of CRISPR/Cas-gene editing to disable specific genes, including NRF2 and mutant KRAS, to enable current therapies to work at greater efficacy and at lower dosages.

Citation Format: London P McGill, Kelly H Banas, Gregory Tiesi, Eric B Kmiec. A patient first approach using CRISPR-directed gene editing as an augmentative therapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductile adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research; 2024 Sep 15-18; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(17 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A010.
Abstract A011: Enhanced Radiosensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer Achieved through Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1
Authors: Van Matre Stetson , Huq Saaimatul , Akana Lokesh , Zuniga Oscar , Rodrigues Henrique , Wolfe Adam
Published: September 2024

Introduction: One of the major challenges in treating Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is overcoming radioresistance. This study investigates the targeting of Cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (CDK1) through both genetic and pharmaceutical inhibition as a strategy to increase the radiosensitivity of PDAC cells. Methods: We conducted mass spectrometry and phosphoproteomics analyses to compare engineered radiation-resistant PDAC cell lines (MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1) with their parental controls. Additionally, we examined the TCGA PDAC database to correlate clinical outcomes, such as overall survival (OS), with CDK1 mRNA expression levels in PDAC patients. Furthermore, we developed a microRNA-based TET-on inducible shRNA to specifically inhibit CDK1 expression in PDAC cell lines. In an orthotopic PDAC model, we evaluated the radiation sensitivity of PDAC tumors with or without doxycycline treatment. We also employed a selective CDK1 inhibitor, RO-3306, to target CDK1 activation, followed by in vitro experiments using immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and clonogenic assays. Results: Our phosphoproteomics analysis revealed a significant increase in phospho-CDK1 (Tyr15) levels in the radiation-resistant cell lines. High CDK1 expression was associated with poorer OS in PDAC patients. Additionally, we observed heightened CDK1 phosphorylation at the threonine tyrosine 14 (Tyr14) residue following radiation exposure. Through our in vivo and in vitro experiments, we demonstrated that CDK1 inhibition, in conjunction with radiation therapy, delayed tumor growth and enhanced radiosensitivity in PDAC cells. Treatment with RO-3306 caused a substantial shift of cells into the G2/M phase and disrupted DNA repair post-radiation exposure, further enhancing radiosensitivity. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the critical role of CDK1 in PDAC radioresistance. Targeting CDK1 in combination with radiotherapy shows promise for future exploration as a potential treatment strategy in PDAC.

Citation Format: Stetson Van Matre, Saaimatul Huq, Lokesh Akana, Oscar Zuniga, Henrique Rodrigues, Adam Wolfe. Enhanced Radiosensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer Achieved through Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research; 2024 Sep 15-18; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(17 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A011.