bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound‐guided percutaneous micro‐drainage tube irrigation combined with high negative pressure tube drainage versus debridement with closed suction irrigation for treating deep surgical site infection after spinal surgery
Authors: Cao Le , Zeng Ran , Sun Kai , Fan Haitao
Published: October 2023

It is difficult to avoid deep surgical site infection after spinal surgery. Debridement combined with closed suction irrigation (CSI) and other treatment methods lead to greater trauma and lower satisfaction. We developed a new method for the treatment of SSI, which has the advantages of less invasiveness and lower cost. The cohort of this retrospective study comprised 26 patients with SSI after undergoing spinal surgery in our hospital from August 2017 to March 2022. The patients were divided into CSI and microtube drainage group according to treatment methods. The durations of antibiotic use and hospital stay, hospitalization costs, and functional scores during follow‐up were compared between the two groups. The only baseline characteristic that differed between the two groups was sex. Infection was controlled in both groups and there were no recurrences during follow‐up. However, the length of hospital stay after the first operation and the total length of stay were significantly greater in the CSI group. Hospitalization costs and antibiotic costs were significantly higher in the CSI group. Additionally, the duration of intravenous antibiotic use was significantly longer in the CSI group. Both the CSI and microtube drainage groups had significantly improved of Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) scores 6 months postoperatively. However, 3 months postoperatively, SF‐36 scores were significantly lower in the CSI group. Compared with debridement followed by CSI, percutaneous micro‐drainage tube irrigation combined with high negative pressure tube drainage is a more efficient and economical means of treating SSI after spinal surgery.
Influence of the reaction medium on enzyme activity in bio‐organic synthesis: behaviour of lipase from Candida rugosa in the presence of polar additives
Authors: Triantafyllou AO , Adlercreutz P. , Mattiasson B.
Published: October 2023

Lipase from Candida rugosa immobilized on Celite was employed as the biocatalyst in order to examine the effect of the reaction medium upon enzymic activity and selectivity. As the model reaction, transesterification between tributyrin and pentan‐2‐ol in iso‐octane (2,2,4‐trimethylpentane) was chosen. A small amount of water (0.05%, v/v) was added to the reaction medium. Enhanced transesterification yields and increased selectivity of the lipase could be obtained by manipulating the microenvironment of the catalyst. Addition of 0.2% NN‐dimethylformamide allowed a 93% higher ester yield compared with that obtained when no extra addition was made. Under the same conditions, the ratio of the amount of transesterification product over the amount of hydrolysis product after 48 h, became 52% higher than the ratio determined in the absence of additives. It was concluded that addition of compounds that have low logP3 (P is the partition coefficient in the octanol/water two‐phase system) values and high dielectric constant was advantageous in order to favour transesterification over hydrolytic processes.
Peptide synthesis catalysed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase
Authors: Pauchon V. , Besson C. , Saulnier J. , Wallach J.
Published: October 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase was used for peptide‐bond synthesis with benzyloxycarbonylalanine and amino acid amides as nucleophilic substrates. Dipeptide‐bond synthesis was observed only for hydrophobic amino acid amides. The rate of peptide synthesis, measured by h.p.l.c., was in the decreasing order: Phe > Leu > Tyr > Val, Ile > Ala, which is consistent with the decreasing order of hydrolysis rates of the corresponding tetrapeptides Ala‐Ala‐Xaa‐Ala. In contrast with thermolysin, Ps. aeruginosa elastase permits the synthesis of tyrosine‐containing peptides with tyrosine in the P'1 position. Furthermore, the rates of synthesis for other hydrophobic amino acid amides are higher with elastase than with thermolysin.
Adolescent Development and Youth Suicide
Authors: Aro Hillevi M. , Marttunen Mauri J. , Lönnqvist Jouko K.
Published: October 2023

The adolescent years, being a period of unique developmental changes, are of great interest in understanding suicidal behavior. The occurrence of completed suicide by age in 1‐year age groups in adolescence and young adulthood was studied via official Finnish mortality statistics and the population statistics. Suicide rates increased sharply by age during adolescence, starting somewhat earlier among boys than among girls. During the periods of rapidly rising and high suicide rates in the 1970s and 1980s among boys, the increase in suicide rates started at a younger age than during a spell of lower rates in the 1960s.
Single‐cell DNA from West Greenland marine sediments suggests presence of Protoperidinium tricingulatum in the Arctic
Authors: Luostarinen Tiia , Ribeiro Sofia , Zimmermann Heike H. , Kvorning Anna B. , Heikkilä Maija
Published: October 2023

Spiny brown dinoflagellate cysts are commonly used as sea‐ice indicators in the Arctic, but their biological affinities are not well known. We present the first indication of hitherto temperate Protoperidinium tricingulatum in the Arctic based on single‐cell LSU rDNA sequencing from sediments of the Disko Bay‐Vaigat Sound, West Greenland. The morphological similarity of the sequenced cyst morphotype to the sea‐ice indicator Islandinium? cezare morphotype 1 is striking. The morphology of the isolated cysts, as well as those observed in the total cyst assemblage following standard palynological preparation, both resemble either I.? cezare morphotype 1 or P. tricingulatum, suggesting that the specimens may in fact be close morphological variants of the same species. In addition, nine LSU rDNA sequences were obtained from morphological variants assigned to Islandinium minutum s.l.: including both subspecies minutum and subspecies barbatum. The two subspecies could not be differentiated based on partial LSU rDNA sequencing. Overall, Arctic spiny brown dinoflagellate cyst species may be morphologically more diverse and taxonomically more complex than shown earlier and further genetic and morphological studies are needed. Importantly, the value of cysts as palaeoecological indicators depends on a sound understanding of their biological affinity and taxonomy.
Does environmental investment pay off?—portfolio analyses of the E in ESG during political conflicts and public health crises
Authors: Shen Jiancheng , Chen Chen , Liu Zheng
Published: October 2023

This paper examines the contribution of environmental investment on firm value during the Russia‐Ukraine War and Global Public Health Crisis. Using media‐based environmental scores, we investigate the performance of the emission‐reduction‐based and green‐innovation‐based portfolios. The results indicate that while engaging in environmental activities decreases firm value during the noncrisis time, it creates value when companies face market‐wide crises. Our findings suggest that environmental investment serves as a risk‐hedging vehicle for political and health crises. In addition, compared to corporate ESG disclosures, firm‐level media‐based environmental scores mitigate the endogeneity between a company's ESG disclosure policies and its firm characteristics.
Board structure and market performance: Does one solution fit all?
Authors: Petrova Milena
Published: October 2023

We investigate the relationship between internal corporate governance and market performance across multiple countries, utilizing a comprehensive data set comprising 77,440 firm observations from 15 European Union countries over the period 2002‐2018. Specifically, we examine the impact of board characteristics, including size, independence, gender diversity, CEO duality, and classified boards, on market performance. Our findings reveal that CEO duality is generally negatively related to returns, whereas independent directors and board diversity are positively related to market performance. We observe a positive association between staggered boards and market performance as well as Tobin's Q, aligning with the EU's emphasis on stakeholder investments. Upon analyzing the data at the country level, we identify that the links between board structure and performance vary by country, and there isn't a single variable that is consistently related to market returns or Tobin's Q. These divergent findings indicate that there is no universally applicable corporate governance solution that can be recommended for companies throughout Europe.
A critical review of the use of cognitive ability testing for selection into graduate and higher professional occupations
Authors: Woods Stephen A. , Patterson Fiona
Published: October 2023

This article presents a critical review of the use of cognitive ability testing for access to graduate and higher professional occupations to promote further debate and reflection in both the academic and practitioner community. The main contentions are that the practice of applying cognitive ability testing in these contexts has strong potential to both maintain and exacerbate social inequality in access to higher occupations and professions, and that validity evidence does not justify this to the extent that has previously been presumed. Five critical observations are examined, namely (1) evidence of adverse impact in test outcomes; (2) the tendency to position cognitive ability testing early in selection processes in high‐volume recruitment; (3) recent evidence challenging the meta‐analytic validity of cognitive ability tests; (4) weaknesses in historical primary validity studies; (5) conceptually flawed examination of differential validity evidence in the literature. Implications for practice are discussed, contrasting strategies that involve modifying selection systems that include cognitive testing, versus removing and replacing cognitive tests.
ATG7‐mediated autophagy protects human gingival myofibroblasts from irradiation‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Zhuang Xiumei , Lin Xiaoxuan , Xu Ruogu , Zhang Zhengchuan , Zhou Bin , Deng Feilong
Published: October 2023

Background

Apoptosis resistance of myofibroblasts is critical in pathology of irradiation‐induced fibrosis and osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ). However, molecular mechanism of apoptosis resistance induced by irradiation in oral myofibroblasts remains largely obscure.

Methods

Matched ORNJ fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts pairs from gingival were primarily cultured, and myofibroblast markers of α‐SMA and FAP were evaluated by qRT‐PCR and western blot. CCK8 assay and flow cytometric analysis were performed to investigate the cell viability and apoptosis under irradiation treatment. Autophagy‐related protein LC3 and ATG7, and punctate distribution of LC3 localization were further detected. After inhibition of autophagy with inhibitor CQ and 3‐MA, as well as transfected ATG7‐siRNA, cell viability and apoptosis of ORNJ and normal fibroblasts were further assessed.

Results

Compared with normal fibroblasts, ORNJ fibroblasts exhibited significantly higher α‐SMA and FAP expression, increased cell, viability and decreased apoptosis under irradiation treatment. LC3‐II and ATG7 were up‐regulated in ORNJ fibroblasts with irradiation stimulation. After inhibition of irradiation‐induced autophagic flux with lysosome inhibitor CQ, LC3‐II protein was accumulated and punctate distribution of LC3 localization was increased in ORNJ fibroblasts. Moreover, autophagy inhibitor CQ and 3‐MA enhanced the irradiation‐induced apoptosis but inhibited viability of ORNJ fibroblasts. Silencing ATG7 with siRNA could obviously weaken irradiation‐induced LC3‐II expression, and promoted irradiation‐induced apoptosis of ORNJ fibroblasts. After knockdown of ATG7, finally, p‐AKT(Ser473) and p‐mTOR(Ser2448) levels of ORNJ fibroblasts were significantly increased under irradiation.

Conclusion

Compared with normal fibroblasts, human gingival myofibroblasts are resistant to irradiation‐induced apoptosis via autophagy activation. Silencing ATG7 may evidently inhibit activation of autophagy, and promote apoptosis of gingival myofibroblasts via Akt/mTOR pathway.
Resolving the taxonomy of thePolysiphonia scopulorumcomplex and theBryocladialineage (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Díaz‐Tapia Pilar , Verbruggen Heroen
Published: October 2023

Cryptic diversity is common among marine macroalgae, with molecular tools leading to the discovery of many new species. To assign names to these morphologically similar species, the type and synonyms have to be examined, and if appropriate, new species must be described. The turf‐forming red algaPolysiphonia scopulorumwas originally described from Rottnest Island, Australia, and subsequently widely reported in tropical and temperate coasts based on morphological identifications. A recent study of molecular species delineation revealed a complex of 12 species in Australia, South Africa, and Europe. These species are placed in a taxonomically unresolved lineage of the tribe Polysiphonieae. The aim of this study was to resolve the genus‐ and species‐level taxonomy of this complex and related species using molecular and morphological information. Three morphologically indistinguishable species of the complex were found at the type locality ofP. scopulorum, preventing a straightforward assignment of the name to any of the molecular lineages. Therefore, we propose a molecularly characterized epitype.Polysiphonia caespitosais reinstated for the only species found in its type locality in South Africa. We describe seven new species. Only one species of the complex can be morphologically recognized, with the other eight species indistinguishable based on morphometric analysis. The studied complex, together with another seven species currently placed inPolysiphoniaand twoBryocladiaspecies, formed a clade distinct fromPolysiphoniasensu stricto. Based on observations ofBryocladia cervicornis(the generitype), we describe our seven new species in the genusBryocladiaand transfer another nine species fromPolysiphoniatoBryocladia.
Changes in human sweat metabolome conditioned by severity of obstructive sleep apnea and intermittent hypoxemia
Authors: Castillo‐Peinado Laura S. , Calderón‐Santiago Mónica , Jurado‐Gámez Bernabé , Priego‐Capote Feliciano
Published: October 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that has been associated with the incidence of other pathologies. Diagnosis is mainly based on the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) obviating other repercussions such as intermittent hypoxemia, which has been found to be associated to cardiovascular complications. Blood‐based samples and urine have been the most utilised biofluids in metabolomics studies related to OSA, while sweat could be an alternative due to its non‐invasive and accessible sampling, its reduced complexity, and comparability with other biofluids. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate metabolic overnight changes in sweat collected from patients with OSA classified according to the AHI and oxygen desaturation index (ODI), looking for potential cardiovascular repercussions. Pre‐ and post‐sleeping sweat samples from all individuals (n = 61) were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry after appropriate sample preparation to detect as many metabolites as possible. Permanent significant alterations in the sweat were reported for pyruvate, serine, lactose, and hydroxybutyrate. The most relevant overnight metabolic alterations in sweat were reported for lactose, succinate, urea, and oxoproline, which presented significantly different effects on factors such as the AHI and ODI for OSA severity classification. Overall metabolic alterations mainly affected energy production‐related processes, nitrogen metabolism, and oxidative stress. In conclusion, this research demonstrated the applicability of sweat for evaluation of OSA diagnosis and severity supported by the detected metabolic changes during sleep.
Identifying the pathophysiological traits of obstructive sleep apnea during dexmedetomidine sedation
Authors: Li Chunbo , Ma Renqiang , Wu Xingmei , Wang Dan , Chen Lin , Huang Zixuan , Ji Ding , Wen Weiping , Wu Yan
Published: October 2023

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been described as a safe sedative in clinical practice, but its effects on the pathophysiological traits of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are unclear. We estimated the effects of DEX sedation on the four key pathophysiological traits of OSA (pharyngeal collapsibility, dilator muscle function, arousal threshold, and loop gain) in adult patients with OSA by conducting a secondary analysis of a prospective diagnostic trial. Pathophysiological traits estimated from polysomnography and the respiratory parameters under natural sleep and DEX‐induced sleep were compared. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship between pathophysiological traits and OSA severity for both sleep states. Adult patients with OSA had a significantly higher pharyngeal collapsibility (Vpassive: 44.9 [15.7 to 53.8] vs. 53.3 [34.2 to 66.3] %eupnea, p < 0.001), arousal threshold (178.5 [132.5 to 234.6] vs. 140.5 [123.2 to 192.3] %eupnea, p < 0.001), and loop gain (LG1: 0.74 ± 0.25 vs. 0.60 ± 0.17, p < 0.001; LGn: 0.52 ± 0.12 vs. 0.44 ± 0.08, p < 0.001) during DEX‐induced sleep compared with natural sleep. There was no significant difference in dilator muscle function or PSG respiratory parameters between natural versus DEX‐induced sleep states. Bivariate regression analysis showed varying degrees of correlation between OSA traits and severity. Multiple regression analysis indicated that collapsibility was the strongest predictor of the apnea–hypopnea index for both sleep states. Dexmedetomidine sedation in patients with OSA increased the pharyngeal collapsibility without impairing dilator muscle function, while elevating arousal threshold and increasing loop gain.
Positive regulation of the PhcB neighbouring regulator PrhX on expression of the type III secretion system and pathogenesis in Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Huang Jiajun , Wang Rongsheng , Zhang Qi , Wang Chunli , Liang Tao , Hikichi Yasufumi , Ohnishi Kouhei , Jiang Gaofei , Guo Tao , Zhang Yong
Published: October 2023

Ralstonia solanacearum PhcB and PhcA control a quorum‐sensing (QS) system that globally regulates expression of about one third of all genes, including pathogenesis genes. The PhcB–PhcA QS system positively regulates the production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) and negatively regulates hrp gene expression, which is crucial for the type III secretion system (T3SS). Both EPS and the T3SS are essential for pathogenicity. The gene rsc2734 is located upstream of a phcBSR operon and annotated as a response regulator of a two‐component system. Here, we demonstrated that RSc2734, hereafter named PrhX, positively regulated hrp gene expression via a PrhA–PrhIR–PrhJ–HrpG signalling cascade. Moreover, PrhX was crucial for R. solanacearum to invade host roots and grow in planta naturally. prhX expression was independent of the PhcB–PhcA QS system. PrhX did not affect the expression of phcB and phcA and the QS‐dependent phenotypes, such as EPS production and biofilm formation. Our results provide novel insights into the complex regulatory network of the T3SS and pathogenesis in R. solanacearum.
Trypanosoma cruzi infection reduces the population fitness of Mepraia spinolai, a Chagas disease vector
Authors: de Bona Sophie , Chi Hsin , Bustamante Ramiro O. , Botto‐Mahan Carezza
Published: October 2023

The hematophagous insect Mepraia spinolai (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) is naturally infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease in humans. In this study, we compared the demographic parameters of M. spinolai with and without T. cruzi infection. We collected the immature life table data of 479 M. spinolai individuals of control cohort (reared on mice without T. cruzi infection) and 563 M. spinolai individuals of treatment cohort (reared on mice with T. cruzi infection). Nymphs were maintained in individual compartments inside a growth chamber (26°C; 65–75%) until adult emergence; moulting and survival were recorded daily. For the adult life table study of the control, we used 24 pairs of adults from the control cohort. For the adult life table study of T. cruzi‐infected cohort, 25 infected females were paired with 25 males from the control cohort. Life table data were analysed using bootstrap‐match technique based on the age‐stage, two‐sex life table. The preadult survival rate (0.5282) of the control cohort was significantly higher than that of the infected cohort (0.2913). However, the mean fecundity of reproductive females (Fr = 22.29 eggs/♀) and net reproductive rate of population (R0 = 5.07 offspring/individual) of the 0.5th percentile bootstrap‐match control cohort were not significantly different from those of the infected cohort (Fr = 23.35 eggs/♀, R0 = 3.77 offspring/individual). Due to the shorter total preoviposition period and higher proportion of reproductive female, the intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.0053 d−1) and finite rate of increase (λ = 1.0053 d−1) of control cohort of M. spinolai were significantly higher than those of the T. cruzi‐infected cohort (r = 0.0035 d−1, λ = 1.0035 d−1). These results suggest that T. cruzi infection reduces the population fitness of the Chagas disease vector M. spinolai.
Allometries of cell and tissue anatomy and photosynthetic rate across leaves of C3 and C4 grasses
Authors: Baird Alec S. , Taylor Samuel H. , Reddi Sachin , Pasquet‐Kok Jessica , Vuong Christine , Zhang Yu , Watcharamongkol Teera , John Grace P. , Scoffoni Christine , Osborne Colin P. , Sack Lawren
Published: October 2023

Allometric relationships among the dimensions of leaves and their cells hold across diverse eudicotyledons, but have remained untested in the leaves of grasses. We hypothesised that geometric (proportional) allometries of cell sizes across tissues and of leaf dimensions would arise due to the coordination of cell development and that of cell functions such as water, nutrient and energy transport, and that cell sizes across tissues would be associated with light‐saturated photosynthetic rate. We tested predictions across 27 globally distributed C3 and C4 grass species grown in a common garden. We found positive relationships among average cell sizes within and across tissues, and of cell sizes with leaf dimensions. Grass leaf anatomical allometries were similar to those of eudicots, with exceptions consistent with the fewer cell layers and narrower form of grass leaves, and the specialised roles of epidermis and bundle sheath in storage and leaf movement. Across species, mean cell sizes in each tissue were associated with light‐saturated photosynthetic rate per leaf mass, supporting the functional coordination of cell sizes. These findings highlight the generality of evolutionary allometries within the grass lineage and their interlinkage with coordinated development and function.
Revisiting an ecophysiological oddity: Hydathode‐mediated foliar water uptake in Crassula species from southern Africa
Authors: Fradera‐Soler Marc , Mravec Jozef , Schulz Alexander , Taboryski Rafael , Jørgensen Bodil , Grace Olwen M.
Published: October 2023

Hydathodes are usually associated with water exudation in plants. However, foliar water uptake (FWU) through the hydathodes has long been suspected in the leaf‐succulent genus Crassula (Crassulaceae), a highly diverse group in southern Africa, and, to our knowledge, no empirical observations exist in the literature that unequivocally link FWU to hydathodes in this genus. FWU is expected to be particularly beneficial on the arid western side of southern Africa, where up to 50% of Crassula species occur and where periodically high air humidity leads to fog and/or dew formation. To investigate if hydathode‐mediated FWU is operational in different Crassula species, we used the apoplastic fluorescent tracer Lucifer Yellow in combination with different imaging techniques. Our images of dye‐treated leaves confirm that hydathode‐mediated FWU does indeed occur in Crassula and that it might be widespread across the genus. Hydathodes in Crassula serve as moisture‐harvesting structures, besides their more common purpose of guttation, an adaptation that has likely played an important role in the evolutionary history of the genus. Our observations suggest that ability for FWU is independent of geographical distribution and not restricted to arid environments under fog influence, as FWU is also operational in Crassula species from the rather humid eastern side of southern Africa. Our observations point towards no apparent link between FWU ability and overall leaf surface wettability in Crassula. Instead, the hierarchically sculptured leaf surfaces of several Crassula species may facilitate FWU due to hydrophilic leaf surface microdomains, even in seemingly hydrophobic species. Overall, these results confirm the ecophysiological relevance of hydathode‐mediated FWU in Crassula and reassert the importance of atmospheric humidity for some arid‐adapted plant groups.
Correlation between plant cell wall stiffening and root extension arrest phenotype in the combined abiotic stress of Fe and Al
Authors: Kaur Harinderbir , Teulon Jean‐Marie , Godon Christian , Desnos Thierry , Chen Shu‐wen W. , Pellequer Jean‐Luc
Published: October 2023

The plasticity and growth of plant cell walls (CWs) remain poorly understood at the molecular level. In this work, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to observe elastic responses of the root transition zone of 4‐day‐old Arabidopsis thaliana wild‐type and almt1‐mutant seedlings grown under Fe or Al stresses. Elastic parameters were deduced from force‐distance curve measurements using the trimechanic‐3PCS framework. The presence of single metal species Fe2+ or Al3+ at 10 µM exerts no noticeable effect on the root growth compared with the control conditions. On the contrary, a mix of both the metal ions produced a strong root‐extension arrest concomitant with significant increase of CW stiffness. Raising the concentration of either Fe2+ or Al3+ to 20 µM, no root‐extension arrest was observed; nevertheless, an increase in root stiffness occurred. In the presence of both the metal ions at 10 µM, root‐extension arrest was not observed in the almt1 mutant, which substantially abolishes the ability to exude malate. Our results indicate that the combination of Fe2+ and Al3+ with exuded malate is crucial for both CW stiffening and root‐extension arrest. However, stiffness increase induced by single Fe2+ or Al3+ is not sufficient for arresting root growth in our experimental conditions.
Natural variation in a K+‐preferring HKT transporter contributes to wheat shoot K+ accumulation and salt tolerance
Authors: Du Linying , Ding Li , Huang Xueling , Tang Dongling , Chen Bin , Tian Hui , Kang Zhensheng , Mao Hude
Published: October 2023

Soil salinity can adversely affect crop growth and yield, and an improved understanding of the genetic factors that confer salt tolerance could inform breeding strategies to engineer salt‐tolerant crops and improve productivity. Here, a group of K+‐preferring HKT transporters, TaHKT8, TaHKT9 and TaHKT10, were identified and negatively regulate the wheat shoot K+ accumulation and salt tolerance. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and candidate gene association analysis further revealed that TaHKT9‐B substantially underlies the natural variation of wheat shoot K+ accumulation under saline soil conditions. Specifically, an auxin responsive element (ARE) within an 8‐bp insertion in the promoter of TaHKT9‐B is strongly associated with shoot K+ content among wheat accessions. This ARE can be directly bound by TaARF4 for transcriptional activation of TaHKT9‐B, which subsequently attenuates shoot K+ accumulation and salt tolerance. Moreover, the tae‐miR390/TaTAS3/TaARF4 pathway was identified to regulate the salt‐induced root development and salt tolerance in wheat. Taken together, our study describes the genetic basis and accompanying mechanism driving phenotypic variation in wheat shoot K+ accumulation and salt tolerance. The identified tae‐miR390/TaTAS3/TaARF4/TaHKT9‐B module is an important regulator in wheat subjected to salt stress, which provides the potentially important genetic resources for breeders to improve wheat salt tolerance.
Demoralization in cancer survivors: an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis for quantitative studies
Authors: Lin Cian‐Cian , Her Yu‐Ning
Published: October 2023

Background

Demoralization can cause impairments across all life aspects of cancer patients. Cancer patients are also vulnerable during their survivorship. The purpose of this review is to examine the risk of demoralization and associated risk factors among cancer survivors who have completed their primary anti‐cancer treatment or time since diagnosis ≥5 years without recurrence.

Methods

We searched databases of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, PsycINFO and ClinicalTrial.gov to identify eligible studies which reported the demoralization level among cancer survivors. A random‐effect meta‐analysis model was used for calculating mean demoralization level. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 statistics. Funnel plots and Egger's regression tests were performed for checking publication bias. We used one‐study‐removed method for sensitivity analysis. Subgroup analysis was also done to examine the difference of demoralization level between cancer types. Meta‐regression was performed to reveal risk factors of demoralization.

Results

A meta‐analysis of 12 articles involving 2902 cancer survivors was conducted. The mean demoralization score among cancer survivors was 25.98 (95% CI: 23.53–28.43). Higher demoralization level was seen in participants with older age, higher female ratio, higher married/living together status ratio and higher patient health questionnaire‐9 score. The literature review revealed correlations between demoralization and suicide risk, anxiety and quality of life. No consistent correlation between demoralization and post‐traumatic stress symptoms could be seen.

Conclusions

High demoralization level is noticed among cancer survivors. Risks for females, elder patients or breast cancer survivors are identified. More longitudinal or interventional studies for cancer survivors' demoralization are expected in the future.
Too different to be equal: Lack of public respect is associated with reduced self‐respect for stigmatized individuals
Authors: Martiny Sarah E. , Josten Jonas , Renger Daniela
Published: October 2023

Individuals with physical and mental disabilities can be stigmatized and perceived in terms of their disabilities in the public domain. This is less pervasive in the private domain, because of the presence of individuating information. We argue that disabilities decrease individuals' everyday opportunities to receive basic equality‐based respect experiences in the public domain and thus makes it difficult for them to develop a high and secure level of self‐respect (i.e., seeing the self as someone who possesses the same rights as others). These hypotheses were tested in a cross‐sectional study in Norway with 173 participants (51 males, 117 females, two trans men, and three non‐binary persons;Mage = 28.00;SD = 10.33, age range: 19–77 years), of which 60 participants reported having mental or physical disabilities. In line with our hypotheses, we found higher levels of self‐respect for individuals without mental or physical disabilities compared to individuals with mental or physical disabilities. In addition, results showed that respect experiences differed depending on the domain. Whereas individuals with and without disabilities did not significantly differ in the respect experiences they reported in the private domain, they did significantly differ in the respect experiences they reported in the public domain. In addition, respect experiences in the public domain mediated the relationship between disability and self‐respect. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of the importance of developing high and secure levels of self‐respect and in terms of how respect experiences in the public domain can be ensured for everyone.
Seeing the state in waste? Exploring the everyday state and imagined state performance in Lusaka's lower income settlements
Authors: Cornea Natasha
Published: October 2023

In this paper I demonstrate the ways that the everyday state is produced in and through Lusaka's rubbish, although the state is largely absent from the day‐to‐day management of the solid waste in the city. This analysis draws insight from over 90 semi‐structured interviews with a range of respondents in Lusaka, primarily focussed on the cities’ lower income settlements. I build on the overlapping conversation in political geography on the state as assemblage and the prosaic on the one hand, and the everyday state in the Global South on the other to focus on three key aspects of the production of the state: materialities, performance and temporalities. I argue that in order to understand the state in present day Lusaka, one must account for the history of state performance and imaginaries of the state that was. And secondly, that even in the absence of the state, the state may continue to perform and be known.
Effect of interleukin‐12 gene expression on insulin resistance in patients with acne vulgaris
Authors: AbdElneam Ahmed Ibrahim , Al‐Dhubaibi Mohammed Saleh , Bahaj Saleh Salem , Mohammed Ghada Farouk , Alantry Ahmed Kaid , Atef Lina M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition where cells become resistant to insulin, causing impaired glucose uptake and increased blood glucose levels. Interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), a cytokine, regulates the immune system. High levels of IL‐12 can lead to chronic inflammation, exacerbate resistance to insulin, and contribute to type 2 diabetes. Also, link IR to acne vulgaris (AV), as it reduces tissue sensitivity to insulin, causing increased insulin levels and sebum production, which can contribute to acne development.

Aim

To explore the role of IL‐12 gene expression on IR in AV patients and to study the role of IL‐12 gene in the development of AV.

Subjects and Methods

A case–control study was performed on 68 AV patients and 68 healthy controls. The biochemical analysis included fasting glucose, fasting insulin, (HOMA‐IR), and serum IL‐12 level. IL‐12 gene expression was performed by quantitative real‐time PCR for both two groups. In addition, folding change was calculated by using the standard 2–(∆∆Ct) method.

Result

IL‐12 level, IL‐12 folding change, fasting insulin, and IR were all increased in acne patients. A highly significant linear correlation was found between IL‐12 folding change and both IL‐12 levels and IR. There is a substantial positive significant simple linear association between IL‐12 level and IL‐12 folding change, as well as IR and IL‐12 folding change, in moderate and severe acne.

Conclusion

IL‐12 gene has an important role in IR and the development of acne in AV patients.
A Creative Writing Intervention for Second Language Acquisition Development in Multilingual Students
Authors: Kalaitzi Christina , Theocharis Dimitrios
Published: October 2023

The primary goal of this research is to examine how creative writing-based methods impact the development of narrative skill in students who are learning Greek as a second language at the A1-A2 proficiency levels. More specifically, this study aims to evaluate the extent to which the writing abilities of A1-A2 level Second Language Learners (SLL) can progress from basic, structured stories to more complex narratives at higher proficiency levels. In this study, a total of fifty-four A1-A2 level SLL were divided into two groups: the Experimental Group (E.G.) and the Control Group (C.G.). Both groups underwent a pretest and a posttest assessment. An intervention, consisting of six class hours per week over a three-month period, was exclusively administered to the E.G. When designing the creative writing activities, the research considered the A1-A2 level writing criteria and writing competencies outlined in the Common Application Text for European Languages. The results of the study reveal that, following the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The C.G. displayed only a marginal improvement across all measurement scales, while the E.G. performance reached the levels of B1-B2 in terms of written narrative skill. These findings confirm previous research indicating that creative writing, as an engaging teaching approach, empowers A1-A2 level SLL to employ specific narrative techniques, thus elevating their narrative writing skill to B1-B2 proficiency levels. As a result, the discussion underscores the importance of enriching teaching practices with effective tools such as creative writing to enhance the narrative skill of multilingual students, ultimately facilitating their acquisition of a second language.
Moduli of polarised Enriques surfaces — Computational aspects
Authors: Sikirić Mathieu Dutour , Hulek Klaus
Published: October 2023

Moduli spaces of (polarised) Enriques surfaces can be described as open subsets of modular varieties of orthogonal type. It was shown by Gritsenko and Hulek that there are, up to isomorphism, only finitely many different moduli spaces of polarised Enriques surfaces. Here, we investigate the possible arithmetic groups and show that there are exactly 87 such groups up to conjugacy. We also show that all moduli spaces are dominated by a moduli space of polarised Enriques surfaces of degree 1240. Ciliberto, Dedieu, Galati and Knutsen have also investigated moduli spaces of polarised Enriques surfaces in detail. We discuss how our enumeration relates to theirs. We further compute the Tits building of the groups in question. Our computation is based on groups and indefinite quadratic forms and the algorithms used are explained.
Modulation of sarcopenia phenotypes by glutathione peroxidase 4 overexpression in mice
Authors: Xu Hongyang , Czyżowska Agnieszka , Van Remmen Holly , Brown Jacob L.
Published: October 2023

Our laboratory previously showed lipid hydroperoxides and oxylipin levels are elevated in response to loss of skeletal muscle innervation and are associated with muscle pathologies. To elucidate the pathological impact of lipid hydroperoxides, we overexpressed glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), an enzyme that targets reduction of lipid hydroperoxides in membranes, in adult CuZn superoxide dismutase knockout (Sod1KO) mice that show accelerated muscle atrophy associated with loss of innervation. The gastrocnemius muscle from Sod1KO mice shows reduced mitochondrial respiration and elevated oxidative stress (F2‐isoprostanes and hydroperoxides) compared to wild‐type (WT) mice. Overexpression of GPx4 improved mitochondrial respiration and reduced hydroperoxide generation in Sod1KO mice, but did not attenuate the muscle loss that occurs in Sod1KO mice. In contrast, contractile force generation is reduced in EDL muscle in Sod1KO mice relative to WT mice, and overexpression of GPx4 restored force generation to WT levels in Sod1KO mice. GPx4 overexpression also prevented loss of muscle contractility at the single fibre level in fast‐twitch fibres from Sod1KO mice. Muscle fibres from Sod1KO mice were less sensitive to both depolarization and calcium at the single fibre level and exhibited a reduced activation by S‐glutathionylation. GPx4 overexpression in Sod1KO mice rescued the deficits in both membrane excitability and calcium sensitivity of fast‐twitch muscle fibres. Overexpression of GPx4 also restored the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase activity in Sod1KO gastrocnemius muscles. These data suggest that GPx4 plays an important role in preserving excitation–contraction coupling function and Ca2+ homeostasis, and in maintaining muscle and mitochondrial function in oxidative stress‐induced sarcopenia.

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Key points

Knockout of CuZn superoxide dismutase (Sod1KO) induces elevated oxidative stress with accelerated muscle atrophy and weakness.

Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) plays a fundamental role in the reduction of lipid hydroperoxides in membranes, and overexpression of GPx4 improves mitochondrial respiration and reduces hydroperoxide generation in Sod1KO mice.

Muscle contractile function deficits in Sod1KO mice are alleviated by the overexpression of GPx4.

GPx4 overexpression in Sod1KO mice rescues the impaired muscle membrane excitability of fast‐twitch muscle fibres and improves their calcium sensitivity.

Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase activity in Sod1KO muscles is decreased, and it is restored by the overexpression of GPx4.

Our results confirm that GPx4 plays an important role in preserving excitation–contraction coupling function and Ca2+ homeostasis, and maintaining muscle and mitochondrial function in oxidative stress‐induced sarcopenia.
Primary afferent depolarization of myelinated fibres in the joint and interosseous nerves of the cat.
Authors: Jankowska E , Riddell J S , McCrea D A
Published: October 2023

1. Changes in the excitability of the intraspinal terminals of fibres in the posterior knee joint and interosseous nerves were used as a measure of primary afferent depolarization (PAD) which is associated with presynaptic inhibition of transmission from afferent fibres. These were estimated from changes in the intensity of electrical stimuli required to activate the fibres in 50% of trials. In order to avoid the inclusion of group I muscle afferents which contaminate the joint and interosseal nerves, the analysis was restricted to fibres conducting at less than 75 m s‐1 and/or displaying patterns of PAD which differed from those of group Ia and Ib muscle afferents in lower lumbar segments of anaesthetized cats. PAD was evoked by electrical stimulation of ipsilateral hindlimb nerves. 2. PAD of fibres in the posterior knee joint nerve was induced from group I (Ia and Ib) and group II muscle afferents and cutaneous afferents but not by stimulation of the joint or the interosseous nerves. The most effective stimuli were those applied to the superficial peroneal, sural, quadriceps and posterior biceps and semitendinosus nerves. 3. PAD of fibres in the interosseous nerve was also induced by stimulation of group I (Ia and Ib) and group II muscle afferents and cutaneous afferents and, in addition, by stimulation of joint and interosseous nerves. The most effective stimuli were those applied to the superficial peroneal, quadriceps, flexor digitorum longus and posterior biceps and semitendinosus nerves. 4. Individual fibres of the joint and the interosseous nerves were depolarized by only some of the conditioning stimuli. Even the most effective stimuli did not produce PAD in all of the fibres tested. Individual fibres of the joint and the interosseous nerves were depolarized by diverse combinations of afferents of different functional types and of different peripheral nerves. The differences in the sources of PAD were not associated with the conduction velocities and hence are unlikely to be related to differences in the receptor origin of the tested fibres. The diversity in the sources of PAD of individual fibres is interpreted as providing a high degree of differentiation in the control of transmission from receptors in joints and interosseal membranes.
M2 muscarinic receptor‐mediated inhibition of the Ca2+ current in rat magnocellular cholinergic basal forebrain neurones.
Authors: Allen T G , Brown D A
Published: October 2023

1. The actions of muscarinic agonists and antagonists upon the Ca2+ current (ICa) in acutely dissociated magnocellular cholinergic basal forebrain neurones from 11 to 14‐day‐old postnatal rats were studied using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique. 2. In all cells studied, muscarinic agonists inhibited a transient component of high‐voltage‐activated (HVA) current, but had no effect upon the low‐voltage‐activated (LVA) current. The mean IC50 values for ACh and oxotremorine methiodide (oxo‐M), obtained from non‐cumulative dose‐response curves, were 204 and 363 nM respectively. Superfusion with the K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA; 30 mM) shifted the ACh dose‐response curve to the right giving an IC50 value of 22:9 microM. 3. Pirenzepine (0.1‐1 microM) and methoctramine (0.03‐0.3 microM) produced parallel shifts to the right in the agonist dose‐response curves. Schild analysis of the agonist dose ratios yielded pA2 (negative log of the apparent dissociation constant KB) values for pirenzepine and methoctramine of 6.8 and 8.2 respectively, indicating the involvement of an M2 receptor subtype. 4. In the presence of GTP‐gamma‐S (10‐500 microM) in the patch pipette, the agonist‐induced inhibition of ICa became irreversible. Dialysis with GDP‐beta‐S (1 mM) abolished all agonist‐induced inhibition of the Ca2+ current. The agonist‐induced inhibition of ICa was totally blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (500 ng ml‐1) but unaffected by preincubation with cholera toxin (500 ng ml‐1). Superfusion with 8‐bromo cAMP (0.5‐1 mM) did not mimic or prevent the effect of agonist application. 5. Inhibition of the Ca2+ current by muscarinic agonists was only partially blocked by omega‐conotoxin GVIA (omega‐CgTX GVIA), with approximately 46% of the agonist‐sensitive current being resistant to omega‐CgTX GVIA. Both the agonist‐ and omega‐CgTX GVIA‐sensitive components of the current were abolished following maximal inhibition of ICa by GTP‐gamma‐S. 6. These results indicate that inhibition of the Ca2+ current by muscarinic agonists is mediated via an M2 muscarinic receptor coupled to a pertussis toxin‐sensitive G‐protein. The possible modulation of multiple HVA Ca2+ channels by muscarinic agonists and the role that these receptors may play in presynaptic modulation of neurotransmitter release are discussed.
Proton currents in human granulocytes: regulation by membrane potential and intracellular pH.
Authors: Demaurex N , Grinstein S , Jaconi M , Schlegel W , Lew D P , Krause K H
Published: October 2023

1. To determine whether conductive pathways contribute to the H+ efflux from granulocytes, we used the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique combined with microfluorimetric determinations of cytosolic pH (pHi) in single, dimethylsulphoxide‐differentiated HL‐60 cells. 2. In voltage‐clamp mode, depolarization of the cell from the resting potential (around ‐60 mV) to +60 mV caused an increase in pHi that was accompanied by a sizeable outward current. 3. Ion substitution experiments and analysis of the reversal potential of tail currents indicated that the outward current is carried largely by H+ ions. 4. Full activation of the H+ current occurred within 1‐2s after depolarization and deactivation within 100‐200 ms upon repolarization. 5. This H+ conductance was strongly dependent on pHi, being larger at acidic pH. In addition, at low pHi the threshold for voltage activation of the H+ conductance was shifted to more negative values. 6. Addition of millimolar concentrations of Cd2+ and Zn2+ to the bath solution reduced the maximum H+ conductance and shifted the voltage dependence of the H+ conductance to more positive potentials. The effects were reversible. 7. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that granulocytic HL‐60 cells possess a voltage‐gated and pHi‐sensitive H+ conductance. Because both a depolarization and a cytosolic acidification occur during the activation of granulocytes, this conductance may play a role in pHi homeostasis of granulocytes during microbial killing.