bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Phase 1 study of ADI‐PEG20 (pegargiminase) combined with cisplatin and pemetrexed in ASS1‐negative metastatic uveal melanoma
Authors: Chan Pui Ying , Phillips Melissa M. , Ellis Stephen , Johnston Amanda , Feng Xiaoxing , Arora Amit , Hay Gordon , Cohen Victoria M. L. , Sagoo Mandeep S. , Bomalaski John S. , Sheaff Michael T. , Szlosarek Peter W.
Published: April 2022

Metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) is a devastating disease with few treatment options. We evaluated the safety, tolerability and preliminary activity of arginine depletion using pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI‐PEG20; pegargiminase) combined with pemetrexed (Pem) and cisplatin (Cis) chemotherapy in a phase 1 dose‐expansion study of patients with argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1)‐deficient metastatic UM. Eligible patients received up to six cycles of Pem (500 mg/m2) and Cis (75 mg/m2) every 3 weeks plus weekly intramuscular ADI (36 mg/m2), followed by maintenance ADI until progression (NCT02029690). Ten of fourteen ASS1‐deficient patients with UM liver metastases and a median of one line of prior immunotherapy received ADIPemCis. Only one ≥ grade 3 adverse event of febrile neutropenia was reported. Seven patients had stable disease with a median progression‐free survival of 3.0 months (range, 1.3–8.1) and a median overall survival of 11.5 months (range, 3.2–36.9). Despite anti‐ADI‐PEG20 antibody emergence, plasma arginine concentrations remained suppressed by 18 weeks with a reciprocal increase in plasma citrulline. Tumour rebiopsies at progression revealed ASS1 re‐expression as an escape mechanism. ADIPemCis was well tolerated with modest disease stabilisation in metastatic UM. Further investigation of arginine deprivation is indicated in UM including combinations with immune checkpoint blockade and additional anti‐metabolite strategies.
Differential reaction of sweet pepper to infection with the crinivirus tomato chlorosis virus probably depends on the viral variant
Authors: Vicentin Eduardo , Mituti Tatiana , Nogueira Angélica Maria , Moura Mônika Fecury , Bello Vinicius Henrique , Ribeiro‐Júnior Marcos Roberto , Wintermantel William M. , Fiallo‐Olivé Elvira , Navas‐Castillo Jesús , Krause‐Sakate Renate , Rezende Jorge Alberto Marques
Published: April 2022

The tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), transmitted by whitefly species of the genera Bemisia and Trialeurodes in a semipersistent manner, causes significant losses in solanaceous crops including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum). Worldwide reports of natural and experimental infection of sweet pepper plants with ToCV are contradictory, raising the question of whether the critical factor determining infection is related to the susceptibility of sweet pepper cultivars or the genetics of virus isolates. In this work, ToCV isolates obtained from different hosts and geographical origins were biologically and molecularly analysed, transmitted by B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED, and the reaction of different sweet pepper cultivars was evaluated under different environmental conditions. Brazilian ToCV isolates from tomato, potato (S. tuberosum), S. americanum, and Physalis angulata did not infect plants of five sweet pepper cultivars when transmitted by B. tabaci MEAM1. Temperatures did not affect the sweet pepper susceptibility to tomato‐ToCV isolates from São Paulo, Brazil, and Florida, USA. However, sweet pepper‐ToCV isolates from Spain and São Paulo, Brazil, were transmitted efficiently to sweet pepper plants by B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED. Although the results indicated that ToCV isolates from naturally infected sweet pepper plants seem to be better adapted to plants of C. annuum, phylogenetic analyses based on the complete nucleotide sequences of RNA1 and RNA2 as well as the p22 gene did not reveal significant nucleotide differences among them. Additional studies are needed to identify intrinsic characteristics of ToCV isolates that favour infection of sweet pepper plants.
Suppression of reproductive behaviour and gonadal function in female horses—An update
Authors: Aurich Christine , Kaps Martim
Published: April 2022

The behaviour of mares is often detrimental to their performance resulting in frequent demand for methods to suppress gonadal function. In addition, prevention of unintended reproduction especially in feral horse populations may require methods for suppression of gonadal function. Surgical ovariectomy is a safe method but not an acceptable approach in feral mares and undesired in mares where future breeding is considered. There are different approaches for artificial prolongation of the luteal phase resulting in transient inhibition of oestrus and ovulation. Among those, treatment with natural or synthetic progestogens is considered the most common and successful method. Whereas application of intrauterine devices may result in prolongation of luteal function in non‐pregnant mares, intrauterine insertion of glass balls is no longer recommended because of complications in individual mares. There are several safer alternatives that may be of interest, especially for population control in free‐roaming horses. Treatment with long‐acting deslorelin implants inhibited ovulation and oestrus behaviour in mares for limited and variable time intervals in a dose‐dependent manner. The effect of GnRH vaccines varies considerably among individual mares, is age dependent, and oestrus‐like behaviour may still occur. Contraception via immunization against native porcine or recombinant zona pellucida antigen is successful, but immunocontraception is as much a result of ovarian inactivity as an antibody‐based block to sperm‐oocyte binding. In conclusion, several treatments for suppression of gonadal function in mares are available, but there are advantages and disadvantages associated that have to be considered. The treatment of choice will thus differ with regard to the demands.
Effects of different concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the quality of ram cauda epididymal spermatozoa during storage at 4°C
Authors: Soltani Leila , Samereh Sarah , Mohammadi Tayebeh
Published: April 2022

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) are known for their antioxidant effects. In this study, ZnO‐NPs were synthesized using aqueous extract of Maclura pomifera fruit; then, their effects on the quality of ram cauda epididymal spermatozoa were evaluated during storage at 4°C. ZnO‐NPs formation was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopes (FE‐SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity responses were investigated by 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazole‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were obtained from testicles collected from abattoir(s). The sperm samples were pooled. The samples were diluted by extender and supplemented with different concentrations of ZnO‐NPs (0, 1, 5 and 25 µg/ml) and cooled to 4°C for 72 hr. Total motility, viability, DNA and membrane integrity, morphological abnormality, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant activities: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of cooled diluted samples were evaluated. Addition of 1 μg/ml of ZnO‐NPs increased sperm viability under normal conditions (p < .05). Extender supplementation with 1 μg/ml of ZnO‐NPs improved sperm total motility, viability, DNA and membrane integrity during storage periods (p < .05). Moreover, using 1 μg/ml of ZnO‐NPs improved (p < .05) MDA, TAC and SOD activities after 72 hr compared to other treatments. In conclusion, there were some beneficial effects of ZnO‐NPs supplementation in ram epididymal sperm extender during oxidative stress conditions and cooled storage.
Changes in aquaporins mRNA expression and liquid storage at 17°C: A potential biomarker of boar sperm quality?
Authors: Castany Quintana Marina , Gardela Jaume , Ruiz‐Conca Mateo , López‐Béjar Manel , Martinez Cristina A. , Rodríguez‐Martinez Heriberto , Álvarez‐Rodríguez Manuel
Published: April 2022

Artificial insemination (AI) for pigs relies on liquid storage of extended semen at 17°C, which preserves sperm quality and ensures its fertilizing capacity. Routine quality controls include the evaluation of sperm motility, viability and capacitation status. The physiological functions of all these features depend on transmembrane aquaporins (AQPs), proteins playing key roles in osmoadaptation. In this study, we made a relative quantification, using RT‐qPCR, of the mRNA of several sperm AQPs in AI‐liquid semen doses before and after a 48‐hr incubation period, aiming to determine possible quantitative compromising expression changes during the process that could serve as a diagnostic tool. Our results showed a decrease in classical sperm motility variables (total and progressive motility and velocity) and sperm viability after 48‐hr storage, whereas capacitation status increased overtime. mRNA expression increased in the orthodox AQP4 and AQP6 after 48‐hr incubation, relative to control (0 hr) and 24‐hr time‐points. Moreover, mRNA expression of aquaglyceroporins AQP3, AQP7 and AQP10 was higher after 48‐hr incubation, confirmed by AQP7‐protein validation using Western blot. Our results indicate that expression levels of AQPs‐mRNA can change in ejaculated pig spermatozoa under conditions of ex‐vivo incubation that could modify sperm homeostasis, suggesting it could eventually become a relevant molecular biomarker to assess the efficiency of liquid storage of pig semen.
Effect of site elevation and soil depth on the biomass and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stocks of roots in planted Kandelia obovata mangrove forests
Authors: Chen Jiahui , Huang Yingying , Chen Guangcheng , Zhu Heng , Qiu Yue , Ye Yong
Published: April 2022

Site elevation is one of the most important factors for successful mangrove restoration. Understanding how site elevation influences mangrove roots is critical for evaluating mangrove primary productivity, carbon dynamics and nutrient cycles. Root biomass and organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (N), and total phosphorus (P) stocks were compared through an in situ experiment among 11‐year‐old Kandelia obovata mangrove forests planted under three intertidal elevations. Compared with site upper elevation, biomass of total root, live root, dead root, fine root, and coarse root decreased approximately 74.62, 79.82, 26.65, 42.52, and 87.09%, respectively, but contribution rates of fine root to total root increased 35.40% at site lower elevation. Biomass of total root and fine root at the three sites decreased with soil depth increases. Stocks of OC, N, and P in the total root decreased approximately 70, 52.92, and 47.30% from site upper elevation to site lower elevation owing to decreases in the total root biomass. Stocks of OC, N, and P in the total root and fine root also decreased with soil depth increases, while only OC stock of coarse root had a decreasing trend with soil depth increases. These indicated that decreases in site elevation will reduce mangrove primary productivity, carbon dynamics, and nutrient cycles due to decreases in root biomass. For K.obovata forests, upper elevation should be used in the future mangrove forest restoration projects to improve mangrove blue carbon capability.
Seven lessons from the coronavirus pandemic for primary health care: A qualitative study of registered and assistant nurses in Sweden
Authors: Nilsen Per , Fernemark Hanna , Seing Ida , Schildmeijer Kristina , Skagerström Janna
Published: April 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore lessons from the pandemic by registered and assistant nurses in Swedish primary health care (PHC) of potential relevance for the future operation of PHC.

Methods

Twenty‐one semi‐structured interviews were conducted with registered and assistant nurses. We used a purposeful sampling strategy to achieve a diverse sample with regard to size and location of PHC centres. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Analysis yielded two categories: lessons from the pandemic pertaining to PHC personnel and patient behaviours (adaptability of the personnel; importance of hygiene and maintaining physical distance; and importance of being attentive to illness symptoms) and lessons from the pandemic related to primary healthcare work routines (effectiveness of digital job meetings; advantages of digital patient consultations; importance of keeping infectious patients separate from other patients; and the need to allow only pre‐booked patient appointments).

Conclusions

The seven sub‐categories represent seven lessons from the pandemic. The lessons generated both instrumental knowledge, which the nurses could apply in work‐related decisions, and conceptual knowledge which yielded improved understanding of problems and potential solutions for PHC.
Extracellular 20S proteasome secreted via microvesicles can degrade poorly folded proteins and inhibit Galectin‐3 agglutination activity
Authors: Bonhoure Anne , Henry Laurent , Bich Claudia , Blanc Lionel , Bergeret Blanche , Bousquet Marie‐Pierre , Coux Olivier , Stoebner Pierre‐Emmanuel , Vidal Michel
Published: April 2022

Proteasomes are major non‐lysosomal proteolytic complexes localized in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Strikingly, high levels of extracellular proteasome have also been evidenced in the plasma (p‐proteasome) of patients with specific diseases. Here, we examined the process by which proteasomes are secreted, as well as their structural and functional features once in the extracellular space. We demonstrate that assembled 20S core particles are secreted by cells within microvesicles budding from the plasma membrane. Part of the extracellular proteasome pool is also free of membranes in the supernatant of cultured cells, and likely originates from microvesicles leakage. We further demonstrate that this free proteasome released by cells (cc‐proteasome for cell culture proteasome) possesses latent proteolytic activity and can degrade various extracellular proteins. Both standard (no immune‐subunits) and intermediate (containing some immune‐subunits) forms of 20S are observed. Moreover, we show that galectin‐3, which displays a highly disordered N‐terminal region, is efficiently cleaved by purified cc‐proteasome, without SDS activation, likely after its binding to PSMA3 (α7) subunit through its intrinsically disordered region. As a consequence, galectin‐3 is unable to induce red blood cells agglutination when preincubated with cc‐proteasome. These results highlight potential novel physio‐ and pathologic functions for the extracellular proteasome.
Changes in glycans on platelet microparticles released during storage of apheresis platelets are associated with phosphatidylserine externalization and phagocytosis
Authors: van der Wal Dianne E. , Rey Gomez Laura M. , Hueneburg Thomas , Linnane Claire , Marks Denese C.
Published: April 2022

Background

Platelets shed platelet microparticles (PMP) when activated or stored. As the removal of sialic acid (desialylation) promotes platelet uptake and clearance from the circulation, similar mechanisms for PMP uptake were hypothesized. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of surface glycans in thein vitrouptake of PMP from stored platelet components.

Study Design and Methods

Apheresis platelet components were stored in 40% plasma/60% SSP+ and sampled on day 1, 5, and 7 post‐collection. PMP were characterized by staining with annexin‐V (AnV) for phosphatidylserine (PS)‐exposure, CD41 antibody, and fluorescently labeled glycan‐binding lectins using flow cytometry. The procoagulant function of PMP following desialylation by neuraminidase treatment was assessed by AnV binding and a procoagulant phospholipid assay. PMP were isolated and stained with Deep Red, and phagocytosis by HepG2 cells was measured. Isolated PMP were deglycosylated with neuraminidase and galactosidase to assess the involvement of glycans in mediating phagocytosis.

Results

While the overall platelet surface glycan profile was unchanged during storage, PS+platelets were sialylated, indicating different glycoproteins were changed. In contrast, sialic acid was removed from PS+and CD41+PMP, which specifically lost α‐2,3‐linked sialic acid during platelet storage. PMP were phagocytized by HepG2 cells, and PMP from platelets stored for 7 days were phagocytized to a lesser extent than on day 1. Desialylation by neuraminidase induced PS‐exposure on PMP, decreased PPL clotting time, and increased PMP phagocytosis.

Conclusion

PMP glycans change during platelet storage. Desialylation influences the procoagulant function of PMP and phagocytosis by HepG2 cells.
A taxonomic approach to the use of English in the Italian media
Authors: Gazzardi Antonella , Vásquez Camilla
Published: April 2022

Investigating English borrowings in Italian media, this study analyzes various uses of English in headlines of the online version of the popular Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera. It addresses the pervasiveness of English borrowings in contexts where their use does not seem motivated by necessity. The analysis disambiguates informative loans from loans of manner (as well as pseudo‐Anglicisms from integral loans) in different topic domains. Findings show that non‐specialized borrowings are especially abundant in domains where the advertising power of English is exploited, and that borrowings are often hybridized in a systematic way, adapting to Italian morphosyntax. Moreover, this study responds to language ideological debates about the alleged ‘invasion’ of English into Italian and, by taking a taxonomic approach, demonstrates that such uses of English are associated with distinct pragmatic functions within the hybridized genre of news‐as‐advertising discourse.
Development of a Finite Element Model of the Pediatric Thoracic and Lumbar Spine, Ribcage, and Pelvis With Orthotropic Region-Specific Vertebral Growth
Authors: Balasubramanian Sriram , D'Andrea Christian R. , Viraraghavan Girish , Cahill Patrick J.
Published: April 2022

Finite element (FE) modeling of the spine has increasingly been applied in orthopedic precision-medicine approaches. Previously published FE models of the pediatric spine growth have made simplifications in the geometry of anatomical structures, material properties, and representation of vertebral growth. To address those limitations, a comprehensive FE model of a pediatric (10-year-old) osteo-ligamentous thoracic and lumbar spine (T1-L5 with intervertebral discs (IVDs) and ligaments), ribcage, and pelvis with age- and level-specific ligament properties and orthotropic region-specific vertebral growth was developed and validated. Range of motion (ROM) measures, namely, lateral bending, flexion–extension, and axial rotation, of the current 10 YO FE model were generally within reported ranges of scaled in vitro adult ROM data. Changes in T1-L5 spine height, as well as kyphosis (T2-T12) and lordosis (L1-L5), angles in the current FE model for two years of growth (from ages 10 to 12 years) were within ranges reported from corresponding pediatric clinical data. The use of such comprehensive pediatric FE models can provide clinically relevant insights into normative and pathological biomechanical responses of the spine, and also contribute to the development and optimization of clinical interventions for spine deformities.
Electrochemical Characterization of Dopamine in Neural Cells With Flexible Biosensors
Authors: Abbasi Shirsavar Mehran , Niaraki Amir , Hashemi Nicole N.
Published: April 2022

Dopamine is critical for the physiological function and plays a crucial role in the discovery of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Improving the measurement of this neurotransmitter could improve treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis of neurological disorders. Graphene's outstanding biocompatibility and electrical conductivity have caused it to become a widely used material in cellular interfacing and neurotransmitter characterization. However, graphene has been rarely used to investigate cellular systems after introducing trauma. Sensing dopamine on the cellular level and on the microscale can lead to provide a point-of-care diagnostics for traumatic brain injury patients. The sensitivity of graphene biosensor to different concentrations of dopamine was evaluated in the dynamic range of 0.1–100 µM, and the limit of detection of biosensor was estimated to be 180 µM. In this work, a 3D-printed graphene biosensor was used to characterize the dopamine levels as a real-time detector of neurotransmitters. We used cyclic voltammetry (CV) to measure the response of graphene biosensors to neurotransmitter changes, in addition, to evaluate the effect of UV irradiation as the injury stimulant on the electrical properties of graphene biosensors. We demonstrated that the 3D-printed graphene could detect significant changes in the CV profiles of N27 dopaminergic neural cells cultured on the graphene device in the face of trauma.
Effect of Cooling Rate on Phase Transformation and Strain Response of SA508-3 Steel by Numerical and Experimental Study
Authors: Jiang Wenchun , Luo Yun , Deng Yangguang , Wan Yu , Chen Jingkai
Published: April 2022

The key to accurately predict welding residual stress is to explore the solid-phase transition law of SA508-3 steel and establish the phase transition model under continuous cooling conditions. The effects of cooling rate on phase transformation and strain response of SA508-3 steel were investigated in this paper. The established programs accurately predict the evolution of microstructure at different cooling rates, the relationship between the bainite volume fraction and temperature is fitted by a modified bainite transformation model and is validated by optical microscopy and dilatometric test. The strain evolution of SA508-3 steel is predicted at different cooling rates and is verified by the dilatometric test. In addition, the effects of bainite transformation and martensite transformation on the strain response of SA508-3 steel are intensively discussed. This work casts light on the simulation of metallurgical effects at different cooling region during welding.
Dual-path transformer-based network with equalization-generation components prediction for flexible vibrational sensor speech enhancement in the time domain
Authors: Zheng Changyan , Xu Liguo , Fan Xiaohu , Yang Jibin , Fan Junyi , Huang Xian
Published: April 2022

The flexible vibrational sensor (FVS) has the potential to become a popular wearable communication device because of its natural noise shielding characteristics and soft materials. However, FVS speech faces a severe loss of frequency components. To improve speech quality, a time-domain neural network model based on the dual-path transformer combined with equalization-generation components prediction (DPT-EGNet) is proposed. More specifically, the DPT-EGNet consists of five modules, namely the pre-processing module, dual-path transformer module, equalization module, generation module, and post-processing module. The dual-path transformer module is leveraged to extract the local and global contextual relationship of long-term speech sequences, which is extremely beneficial for inferring the missing components. The equalization and generation modules are designed according to the characteristics of FVS speech, which further improve the speech quality by simulating the inversion process of the speech distortion. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model effectively improves the quality of FVS speech; the average perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ), short-time objective intelligibility (STOI), and composite measure for overall speech quality (COVL) scores of three males and three females are relatively increased by 64.19%, 29.63%, and 101.37%, which is superior to other baseline models developed in different domains. The proposed model also has significantly lower complexity than the others.
Pioneering study of outdoor sound propagation
Authors: Attenborough Keith
Published: April 2022

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.
Dyad Training in a Perceptual-Motor Task: “Two Pairs of Eyes Are Better Than One”
Authors: Panzer Stefan , Pfeifer Christina , Leinen Peter , Shea Charles
Published: April 2022

The aim of this experiment was to determine if dyad practice helped individuals become aware, use, and retain information in a dynamically changing perceptual-motor task compared with practice alone. We used a computerized perceptual-motor task, where individuals were required to intercept balls that dropped from the top of the screen. A colored line at the top of the screen provided information about the direction of the dropping ball. Participants (N = 24) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: A dyad training group where two participants alternated between physical and observational practice after each block of 20 trials, and they also engaged in dialog about the task, and an individual training group where one participant practiced the task. Both groups improved their accuracy during acquisition. On the retention test, participants in the dyad group caught significantly more balls (73%) than individuals of the alone group (58%). Participants in the dyad group also showed a higher percentage of correctly identified stimuli in the recognition task. Dyad training induced performance advantages in a perceptual-motor task because individuals became aware and used information acquired during observation and/or from the dialog.
Sex-Related Differences in Oxygen Consumption Recovery After High-Intensity Rowing Exercise During Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Bardin Joffrey , Maciejewski Hugo , Diry Allison , Thomas Claire , Ratel Sébastien
Published: April 2022

Purpose: To determine sex-related differences in oxygen consumption () recovery after high-intensity exercise during childhood and adolescence. Methods: Forty-two boys and 35 girls (10–17 y) performed a 60-second all-out test on a rowing ergometer. Postexercise recovery was analyzed from (1) the recovery time constant obtained from a biexponential model (τ1) and (2) excess postexercise oxygen consumption calculated over a period of 8 minutes (EPOC8) and until τ1 was reached (EPOCτ1). Multiplicative allometric modeling was used to assess the concurrent effects of body mass or lean body mass, and age on EPOC8 and EPOCτ1. Results: EPOC8 increased significantly more in boys from the age of 14 years. However, the sex difference was no longer significant when EPOC8 was analyzed using an allometric model including body mass + age or lean body mass + age. In addition, despite a greater increase in EPOCτ1 in boys from the age of 14 years, τ1 was not significantly different between sexes whatever age. Conclusion: While age and lean body mass accounted for the sex-related differences of EPOC during childhood and adolescence, no significant effect of age and sex was observed on the recovery time constant after high-intensity exercise.
Express Yourself: Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assays for Rapid Chromosomal Antimicrobial Resistance Detection in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Madden Danielle E. , Olagoke Olusola , Baird Timothy , Neill Jane , Ramsay Kay A. , Fraser Tamieka A. , Bell Scott C. , Sarovich Derek S. , Price Erin P.
Published: April 2022

The rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria is a global health emergency. One critical facet of tackling this epidemic is more rapid AMR diagnosis in serious multidrug-resistant pathogens like
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
.
Reprogramming of Cell Death Pathways by Bacterial Effectors as a Widespread Virulence Strategy
Authors: Wanford Joseph J. , Hachani Abderrahman , Odendall Charlotte
Published: April 2022

The modulation of programmed cell death (PCD) processes during bacterial infections is an evolving arms race between pathogens and their hosts. The initiation of apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis pathways are essential to immunity against many intracellular and extracellular bacteria.
Sulfur Availability Impacts Accumulation of the 2-Thiouridine tRNA Modification in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Edwards Ashley M. , Black Katherine A. , Dos Santos Patricia C.
Published: April 2022

The 2-thiouridine (s
2
U) tRNA modification is found ubiquitously across all domains of life. YrvO and MnmA, the enzymes involved in this modification, are essential in
B. subtilis
, confirming the well-established role of s
2
U in maintaining translational efficiency and, consequently, cellular viability.
Differential Functions of Individual Transcription Factor Binding Sites in the Tandem Repeats Found in Clinically Relevant
cyp51A
Promoters in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Paul Sanjoy , Verweij Paul E. , Melchers Willem J. G. , Moye-Rowley W. Scott
Published: April 2022

Aspergillus fumigatus
is the most common human filamentous fungal pathogen. Azole drugs are the current therapy of choice for
A. fumigatus
, but the prevalence of azole resistance is increasing.
Borreliella burgdorferi Antimicrobial-Tolerant Persistence in Lyme Disease and Posttreatment Lyme Disease Syndromes
Authors: Cabello Felipe C. , Embers Monica E. , Newman Stuart A. , Godfrey Henry P.
Published: April 2022

The annual incidence of Lyme disease, caused by tick-transmittedBorreliella burgdorferi, is estimated to be at least 476,000 cases in the United States and many more worldwide. Ten to 20% of antimicrobial-treated Lyme disease patients display posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), a clinical complication whose etiology and pathogenesis remain uncertain.
Structure of a Vaccine-Induced, Germline-Encoded Human Antibody Defines a Neutralizing Epitope on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike N-Terminal Domain
Authors: Altomare Clara G. , Adelsberg Daniel C. , Carreno Juan Manuel , Sapse Iden A. , Amanat Fatima , Ellebedy Ali H. , Simon Viviana , Krammer Florian , Bajic Goran
Published: April 2022

We report the first structure of a vaccine-induced antibody to SARS-CoV-2 spike isolated from plasmablasts 7 days after vaccination. The genetic sequence of the antibody PVI.V6-14 suggests that it is completely unmutated, meaning that this type of B cell did not undergo somatic hypermutation or affinity maturation; this cell was likely already present in the donor and was activated by the vaccine.
Sulfane Sulfur Posttranslationally Modifies the Global Regulator AdpA to Influence Actinorhodin Production and Morphological Differentiation of Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Lu Ting , Wu Xiaohua , Cao Qun , Xia Yongzhen , Xun Luying , Liu Huaiwei
Published: April 2022

Streptomyces
species produce a myriad of natural products with (potential) clinical applications. While the database of biosynthetic gene clusters is quickly expanding, their regulation mechanisms are rarely known.
The Number and Type of Chaperone-Usher Fimbriae Reflect Phylogenetic Clade Rather than Host Range in Salmonella
Authors: Cheng Rachel A. , Orsi Renato H. , Wiedmann Martin
Published: April 2022

Fimbriae of the CU assembly pathway represent important organelles that mediate
Salmonella
’s interactions with host tissues and abiotic surfaces. Our analyses provide a comprehensive overview of the diversity of CU fimbriae in
Salmonella
spp., highlighting that the majority of CU fimbriae are distributed broadly across multiple subspecies and suggesting that acquisition most likely occurred prior to the divergence of subspecies
enterica
.
Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria-Related Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis: Antimicrobial Resistance of the Pathogens, Treatment, and Outcome
Authors: Ye Yi , Kong Yueyue , Ma Jiawei , Shi Guangzhi
Published: April 2022

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria-related health care-associated ventriculitis and meningitis is a clinical threat because of the poor outcome and challenges in treatment. We reached several conclusions: (i) the antimicrobial resistance of pathogens is severe, and some antimicrobial agents represented by polymyxin are optional according to the antimicrobial susceptibility tests; (ii) in the background that the portion of carbapenems resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is increasing, there is no increasing trend for the antimicrobial resistance of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in the 9-year study; (iii) meropenem is the main antimicrobial agent in treatment, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tigecycline, polymyxin, and meropenem/sulbactam are commonly used in the targeted treatment; (iv) the treatment effect was poor and affected by the treatment: timely active antimicrobial agents should be given.
Amplification of the Chromosomal
bla
CTX-M-14
Gene in Escherichia coli Expanding the Spectrum of Resistance under Antimicrobial Pressure
Authors: Yoon Eun-Jeong , Choi You Jeong , Kim Dokyun , Won Dongju , Choi Jong Rak , Jeong Seok Hoon
Published: April 2022

Increasing prevalence of
E. coli
producing CTX-M ESBL is a major concern in clinical settings because it significantly limits treatment options. Thus, it is important to keep watching current molecular mechanisms of resistance and the scheme for dissemination.
Microbial Diversity and Composition in Six Different Gastrointestinal Sites among Participants Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Henan, China
Authors: Li Minjuan , Shao Dantong , Zhou Jiachen , Gu Jianhua , Qin Junjie , Li Xinqing , Hao Changqing , Wei Wenqiang
Published: April 2022

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, while limited attention has been paid to the UGI microbiota. Microbial biomarkers, such as
Fusobacteria nucleatum
and
Helicobacter pylori
, bring new ideas for early detection of UGI tract cancer, which may be a highly feasible method to reduce its disease burden.
Spontaneous Control of SIV Replication Does Not Prevent T Cell Dysregulation and Bacterial Dissemination in Animals Co-Infected with M. tuberculosis
Authors: Moriarty Ryan V. , Rodgers Mark A. , Ellis Amy L. , Balgeman Alexis J. , Larson Erica C. , Hopkins Forrest , Chase Michael R. , Maiello Pauline , Fortune Sarah M. , Scanga Charles A. , O’Connor Shelby L.
Published: April 2022

HIV and TB remain significant global health issues, despite the availability of treatments. Individuals with HIV, including those who are virally suppressed, are at an increased risk to develop and succumb to severe TB disease when compared with HIV-naive individuals.
Distinct Potentially Adaptive Accumulation of Truncation Mutations in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A
Authors: Robinson Stephy Mol , Rajachandran Vyshakh , Majumdar Suchismita , Saha Satabdi , Das Sneha , Chattopadhyay Sujay
Published: April 2022

Detecting the adaptive mutations leading to gene inactivation or loss of function is crucial for understanding their contribution in the evolution of bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance. Such inactivating mutations, apart from being of nonsynonymous (i.e., amino acid replacement) nature, can also be truncation mutations, abruptly trimming the length of encoded proteins.
Transposable Element Insertions into the Escherichia coli Polysialic Acid Gene Cluster Result in Resistance to the K1F Bacteriophage
Authors: Styles Kathryn M. , Locke Rebecca K. , Cowley Lauren A. , Brown Aidan T. , Sagona Antonia P.
Published: April 2022

Bacteriophages have many potential uses in industry and the clinical environment as an antibacterial control measure. One of their uses, phage therapy, is an appealing alternative to antibiotics due to their high specificity.
Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from the Poultry Farm Environment
Authors: Veloo Yuvaneswary , Thahir Syahidiah S. A. , Rajendiran Sakshaleni , Hock Lim K. , Ahmad Norazah , Muthu Vickneshwaran , Shaharudin Rafiza
Published: April 2022

The occurrence and spread of ARB due to high demand in poultry industries are of great public health concern. The widespread emergence of antibiotic resistance, particularly MDR among bacterial pathogens, poses challenges in clinical treatment.
Immigrant ancestry and birthweight across two generations born in Sweden: an intergenerational cohort study
Authors: Aradhya Siddartha , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Juárez Sol P
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Differences in birthweight are often seen between migrants and natives. However, whether migrant-native birthweight inequalities widen, narrow or remain persistent across generations when comparing the descendants of immigrants and natives remains understudied. We examined inequalities in birthweight of mothers (G2) and daughters (G3) of foreign-born grandmothers (G1) compared with those of Swedish-born grandmothers.

Methods

We used population registers with multigenerational linkages to identify 314 415 daughters born in Sweden during the period 1989–2012 (G3), linked to 246 642 mothers (G2) born in Sweden during 1973–1996, and to their grandmothers (G1) who were Swedish or foreign-born. We classified migrants into non-western, Eastern European, the rest of Nordic and Western. We used multivariable methods to examine mean birthweight and low birthweight (<2500 g; LBW).

Results

Birthweight between individuals with Swedish background (G1) and non-western groups increased from -80 g to -147 g between G2 (mothers) and G3 (daughters), respectively. Furthermore, the odds of LBW increased among the G3 non-western immigrants compared with those with Swedish grandmothers (OR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.69). Birthweight increased in both descendants of Swedes and non-western immigrants, but less so in the latter (83 g vs 16 g).

Conclusion

We observed an increase in birthweight inequalities across generations between descendants of non-western immigrants and descendants of Swedes. This finding is puzzling considering Sweden has been lauded for its humanitarian approach to migration, for being one of the most egalitarian countries in the world and providing universal access to healthcare and education.
Diversity of life history traits, growth, and lipid storage in migratory variants of steelhead and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Kamchatka, Russia
Authors: Zimmerman Mara S. , Sloat Matthew R. , Kuzishchin Kirill V. , Arostegui Martin C. , Gruzdeva Marina A. , Seamons Todd R. , Quinn Thomas P.
Published: April 2022

Partial migration in salmonids provides access to freshwater and marine feeding environments varying in productivity. To test the hypothesis that partial migration drives differences in growth and energy storage with differential consequences for females than males, we assigned Oncorhynchus mykiss sampled on the western Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, to one of five life history contingents based on scale patterns. Stable isotopes, obtained from a subset of fish, indicated different foraging by fish showing oceanic and coastal anadromous life histories. In younger fish, body size was largest in anadromous fish feeding on the high seas, intermediate for those feeding in coastal environments, and smallest for nonanadromous fish feeding in rivers. Older fish converged on large (oceanic) and small (coastal and freshwater) body sizes. Somatic lipid content, also collected for a subset of fish, averaged 2.5% across all life histories. Percent lipid was highest in females of ocean and males of coastal and freshwater life histories. Taken together, migratory patterns predictably influenced growth but may limit compensatory lipid storage in females, especially for the rare life histories.
An empirical financial analysis of integrating biomass procurement in sawtimber and pulpwood harvesting in eastern Canada
Authors: Canuel Claudie-Maude , Thiffault Evelyne , Thiffault Nelson
Published: April 2022

Integrating forest biomass procurement in wood procurement for conventional products is a potential means of reducing bioenergy system supply costs. We studied forest harvest operations to procure biomass in the form of trees and tree sections, along with sawtimber and pulpwood. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the supply chain with a particular focus on harvest costs and the potential silvicultural savings from a reduced need for site preparation and reforestation. We compared four wood procurement scenarios of increasing intensity (from harvesting only sawtimber to harvesting sawtimber, pulpwood and biomass for bioenergy) at three sites in eastern Canada. Wood procurement intensity did not affect feedstock unit costs (CAD·m−3). At the stand scale, procuring biomass for bioenergy had limited impact on harvest costs (CAD·ha−1) for low-density stands with large trees. In contrast, high-density stands with small trees generated more feedstock for bioenergy (up to 50 m3·ha−1), but biomass procurement increased harvest costs. The cost-effectiveness of the wood supply chain did not vary significantly along the wood procurement intensity gradient we studied when silvicultural savings are considered. The proportion of biomass harvested, stand characteristics, and market conditions proved to be important factors that influence wood procurement profitability.
Geometry of static $$w=-1/5$$ perfect fluid spheres in general relativity
Authors: Fazlpour Behnaz , Banijamali Ali , Faraoni Valerio
Published: April 2022

We discuss the physical features of two recent classes of analytical solutions of the Einstein equations sourced by an exotic perfect fluid with equation of state $$ P=-\rho /5$$

P
=
-
ρ
/
5

. These geometries depend on up to four parameters and are static and spherically symmetric. They describe compact spaces with naked central singularities.
Feynman checkers: The probability to find an electron vanishes nowhere inside the light cone
Authors: Novikov Ivan
Published: April 2022

We study Feynman checkers, the most elementary model of electron motion introduced by  Feynman. For the model, we prove that the probability to find an electron vanishes nowhere inside the light cone. We also prove several results on the average electron velocity. In addition, we present a lot of identities related to the model.
Non-Archimedean statistical field theory
Authors: Zúñiga-Galindo W. A.
Published: April 2022

We construct in a rigorous mathematical way interacting quantum field theories on a [Formula: see text]-adic spacetime. The main result is the construction of a measure on a function space which allows a rigorous definition of the partition function. The advantage of the approach presented here is that all the perturbation calculations can be carried out in the standard way using functional derivatives, but in a mathematically rigorous way.
Criterion of proper actions of abelian affine discontinuous groups for ℝn
Authors: Adili Samir , Baklouti Ali , Bejar Souhail
Published: April 2022

In [Formula: see text], Auslander conjectured that every crystallographic subgroup [Formula: see text] of the affine group [Formula: see text] acting properly discontinuously on [Formula: see text] is virtually solvable, i.e. contains a solvable subgroup of finite index. One of the major difficulties to prove such a conjecture is to generate a criterion of the proper action of a given discrete group acting properly discontinuously on [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we focus on this question in the setting where [Formula: see text] is abelian. We show that [Formula: see text] acts properly on [Formula: see text] if and only if any [Formula: see text]-orbit is discrete (or equivalelntly closed). We further generate an equivalent criterion in the setting where [Formula: see text] stands for a crystallographic discontinuous affine group for [Formula: see text] based upon a generating family.
Frobenius-like structure in Gaudin model
Authors: Mukhin Evgeny , Varchenko Alexander
Published: April 2022

We introduce a Frobenius-like structure for the [Formula: see text] Gaudin model. Namely, we introduce potential functions of the first and second kind. We describe the Shapovalov form in terms of derivatives of the potential of the first kind and the action of Gaudin Hamiltonians in terms of derivatives of the potential of the second kind.
Enhancing traffic capacity of scale-free networks by employing structural hole theory
Authors: Ma Jinlong , Kong Lingkang , Wang Jianxia
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose a Structural Hole Routing (SHR) strategy based on the structural hole theory for scale-free networks. The performance of routing strategies on scale-free networks can be measured by two indicators, i.e. the traffic capacity and the average path length. With the SHR strategy, the packets can bypass those center nodes to enhance the traffic capacity of scale-free networks. The simulation results show that our SHR strategy can achieve approximately 6% higher traffic capacity than the efficient routing (ER) strategy. Moreover, the average path length of the SHR strategy is a little higher than that of the ER strategy. Therefore, our SHR routing strategy is preferable to other routing strategies and can be easily implemented through software method.
Heavy Overload Prediction Method of Distribution Transformer Based on GBDT
Authors: Duan Ganglong , Han Weiyu
Published: April 2022

The distribution transformer voltage may be overloaded, which may lead to the aging of distribution transformer components, shorten the service life of distribution transformer components and even affect the daily life of community residents and the operation of enterprises. A large amount of real data are collected, and the factors that affect the heavy overload of distribution transformer are comprehensively considered from multiple angles, so as to establish a model for future prediction and early maintenance to reduce losses. First, the collected data is analyzed by attributes and preprocessed to improve the quality of the data. Then, the time attributes are generalized according to seasons, months, holidays and weekends. The test results show that the data prediction value is more accurate when generalized according to seasons. For the prediction model, the gradient lifting decision tree algorithm is selected to establish the model, and then the parameters are further optimized, and finally the model is evaluated. Lastly, the prediction accuracy of the model reaches a high level, and it can be determined that the prediction is close to the objective fact. The model can be used to predict the heavy overload of distribution transformer voltage, so as to reduce the loss caused by abnormal conditions of relevant equipment for the enterprises.
Design of High Stability and Low Power 7T SRAM Cell in 32-NM CNTFET Technology
Authors: Elangovan M. , Muthukrishnan M.
Published: April 2022

A novel 7T carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET)-based static random-access memory (SRAM) cell is proposed in this paper. Power and noise margin performances of the proposed SRAM cell is observed for write, hold and read operations. The power consumption and noise margin of the proposed SRAM cell is compared with the conventional 6T and 8T CNTFET-based SRAM cells. From the simulation, it is noted that the proposed 7T SRAM cell consumes lesser power and offers high static noise margin (SNM) compared to that of conventional 6T and 8T SRAM cells. The introduction of diode-based transistor structure improves the power and noise performance of the proposed SRAM cell. The effect of variation of parameters such as gate oxide thickness, dielectric constant, pitch, temperature, number of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and supply voltage on power and noise performance of proposed 7T SRAM cell is studied. Simulations were carried out with HSPICE simulation tool using Stanford University 32-nm CNTFET model.