bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 692: The Mechanism Of Impaired Coronary Collateral Growth In Metabolic Syndromes
Authors: Wang Yang , Jamaiyar Anurag , Juguilon Cody , Enrick Molly , Gadd James , Kolz Chris , Dong Sarah , Ohanyan Vahagn A , Chilian William M , Jia Zhenyu , Yin Liya
Published: October 2023

Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) accounts for one in seven cardiovascular-related deaths. Coronary collaterals are a "natural bypass" for IHD patients. Patients with poorly developed coronary collateral networks have a poorer prognosis after a cardiovascular event than those with well-developed collaterals. The prognosis of cardiac events in diabetic IHD patients is worse than in IHD patients without diabetes. Interestingly, coronary collateral growth (CCG) is impaired in metabolic syndrome (MetS). The underlying mechanism is unknown. We hypothesize that impaired CCG might be one of the reasons why diabetic patients have adverse outcomes. This study is to understand the mechanism of impaired CCG in MetS and identify critical pathways/genes in the regulation of CCG in MetS.

Methods:
CCG model was made by surgically placing an occluder over the LAD. Repetitive ischemia (RI) was induced by repetitive inflations of the occluder over a 10 or 17-day period. Myocardial Blood flow (MBF) was measured by neutron-activated microspheres or myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) with Sequoia 512 (Siemens Medical Systems) in the collateral-dependent zone (CZ) and normal zone (NZ). The ratio of CZ/NZ was used for assessing CCG. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography before and after the inflation of the occluder on day 0 and day 10 of the RI protocol. The cardiac tissue from NZ and CZ was harvested for microarray and RNA sequencing. Affymetrix microarray was performed with Rat Gene 1.0 ST. RNA sequencing was performed in Nextseq 550. The coronary vasculature was filled with microfil, and μCT was performed. 3D reconstruction of the coronary vasculature was done by Analyzer software.

Results:
Compared to lean animals, CCG was impaired in diabetic animals. RNA microarray and RNA-seq profiling show different gene expressions of the CZ of the left ventricle of lean and diabetic animals during RI. We identified critical pathways/genes that regulated CCG in lean and diabetic animals. We used qPCR to validate our data. Studies in genetically modified mice further confirmed the critical gene/pathway that regulates CCG in MetS. These results will help develop novel targets to stimulate CCG in IHD patients, especially those with diabetes.
Abstract 695: Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase 2 Regulates Mitochondrial Function And Ceramide Metabolism In Macrophages During Atherosclerosis
Authors: Finney Alexandra C , McKinney M. Peyton , Liu Yuhao , Salvatore Sonia , Hyung Nam , Yurdagul Arif , Schopfer Francisco J , Kevil Chris , Rom Oren
Published: October 2023

Increasing evidence suggests a critical role for amino acid metabolism in cardiovascular disease, highlighting potential therapeutic targets and our need for further understanding. Plasma serine has been found to be a biomarker for cardiovascular disease, while glycine is negatively correlated with coronary artery disease. Furthermore, attenuated plasma glycine:serine is associated with unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Mitochondrial Serine hydroxymethyl transferase (SHMT) catalyzes the bulk formation of glycine from serine in most cell types and drives one-carbon metabolism in the cytosol (SHMT1) or mitochondria (SHMT2). SHMT2 is necessary for mitochondrial protein translation and critical in development since global knockout mice are nonviable. We found LPS-treated macrophages have reduced SHMT2 expression concomitant with attenuated intracellular glycine:serine. Deletion of macrophage SHMT2
in vitro
enhanced intracellular serine, which contributes to the rate-limiting step of ceramide
de novo
biosynthesis. C16:0 ceramide is highly abundant in atherosclerotic plaques and is positively associated with plaque severity, and SHMT2-deleted macrophages treated with C16:0 fatty acid enhances intracellular ceramide. Furthermore, deletion of SHMT2 reduced mitochondrial respiration and enhanced glycolysis similar to LPS-treated macrophages. Moreover, we found SHMT2 is highly expressed in plaque-associated macrophages in both human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques. We therefore hypothesized that SHMT2 regulates macrophage inflammatory phenotype in atherosclerosis through alterations in mitochondrial function and ceramide biosynthesis. To determine whether macrophage-expressed SHMT2 contributes to atherosclerosis, we developed a novel
Shmt2
-floxed mouse crossed with LysM-Cre (

Shmt2
MKO

) and
Apoe
-/-
mice. After 12 weeks on Western diet, we observed no differences in plasma glycine:serine or circulating lipids. Nevertheless,

Shmt2
MKO
/ Apoe
-/-

mice had significantly enhanced plaque area compared to littermate controls. Our findings, representing the first investigation of conditional SHMT2 knockout mice, suggest a novel immunometabolic role for SHMT2 in macrophages in atherosclerosis.
Abstract 701: Atherosclerosis Is A Smooth Muscle Cell-driven Tumor-like Disease
Authors: Pan Huize , Ho Sebastian E , Xue Chenyi , Cui Jian , Mawson Thomas , Ross Leila , Reilly Muredach P
Published: October 2023

Background:
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), is a chronic inflammatory disease involving pathological activation of multiple cell types, such as immunocytes (e.g., macrophage, T cells), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells, etc. Multiple lines of evidence have suggested that SMC “phenotypic switching” plays a central role in atherosclerosis development and complications. Yet, how SMCs and SMC-derived cells (SDCs) modulate atherosclerosis progression and clinical CVD remains poorly understood.

Methods:
We applied SMC lineage tracing mice and implemented comprehensive molecular and cellular biology, histological, computational, and pharmacological studies to reveal how tumor cell-like activities of SDCs drive the development of atherosclerosis.

Results:
Oxidative DNA damage occurs during SMC phenotypic switching and increases with the progression of atherosclerosis. Extensive DNA damage-induced genomic instability accumulates in both mouse and human atherosclerosis, especially in SDCs. Indeed, SDCs in atherosclerosis harbor multiple tumor cell-like features, including escape of replicative senescence, clonogenicity, invasive capacity, and
ex vivo
formation of three-dimensional (3D) spheroids like cancer stem cells. Multiple cancer-associated signaling pathways (e.g., p53, TNFa, NFkB, VEGF) are activated in SDCs. SMC-specific expression of oncogenic

Kras
G12D

accelerates SMC phenotypic switching and exacerbates atherosclerosis. Moreover, we provide proof of concept in mouse models that niraparib, an anti-cancer drug targeting DNA damage repair, attenuates atherosclerosis progression and regresses lesions in advanced disease.

Conclusions:
Our studies in human and mouse models provide the first systematic evidence that SDCs in atherosclerosis share extensive commonalities with tumor, which deepens our understanding of the disease and opens prospects for novel targeted strategies to prevent and treat atherosclerotic CVD.
Abstract 702: Accurate Quantification Of Peptides In The Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System By Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Perry William J , Flores Elias N , Vesper Hubert , Lyle Alicia N
Published: October 2023

Aim/Background:
The Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) is responsible for the regulation of vascular hemodynamics. When dysregulated, the RAAS contributes to cardiovascular pathologies, such as hypertension, which affects ~40-50% of the US population. Angiotensin (Ang) peptides are the primary effector molecules of the classical RAAS and alternative RAAS pathways.
1
The accurate quantification of these vasoactive peptides using a high throughput method may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying hypertension that standard blood pressure cuff measurements cannot capture.

Methods:
A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based method was developed to simultaneously measure four (4) angiotensin peptides (Ang (1-7), Ang (1-9), Ang I, and Ang II) in human serum. The peptides are isolated prior to measurement using a two-step precipitation followed by solid phase extraction. Peptides were quantified using stable isotope labeled peptides as internal standards.

Results:
Calibration curves spanning a concentration range of 1 - 1000 fmol/mL were established for all peptides. Linear regression analysis established R
2
values ≥ 0.98. Estimated method limits of detection (LOD) are at or below 5 fmol/mL for all 4 peptides. For initial assessments, RAAS peptides were quantified in 25 commercial serum samples. Median values (concentration ranges) were as follows: Ang (1-7) 3.7 fmol/mL (LOD - 37.9 fmol/mL), Ang (1-9) 3.8 fmol/mL (LOD - 16.4 fmol/mL), Ang II 82.0 fmol/mL (LOD - 549.6 fmol/mL), Ang I 27.2 fmol/mL (LOD - 324.0 fmol/mL). Ang II always occurred in the highest concentration, except for one sample where Ang I was the most abundant peptide. In most samples, Ang I was about 4 times lower, and Ang (1-9) and Ang (1-7) were about 25 times lower than Ang II. In one sample, Ang I was about 30 time higher, and Ang (1-7) was about 3 times higher than Ang II.

Conclusion:
This mass spectrometry method enables accurate RAAS peptide quantification in serum samples. Application of this method will lead to the generation of new data that may provide unique, mechanistic insights into hypertension, as well as renal diseases, arteriosclerosis, and other cardiovascular pathologies associated with the RAAS pathway.
Abstract 705: Epha2 Ligand-dependent And Ligand-independent Signaling In Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation And Migration
Authors: Scott Matthew L , Finney Alexandra C , Orr Wayne W
Published: October 2023

During atherosclerotic plaque formation, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo phenotypic modulation from a contractile, quiescent phenotype to a proliferative and synthetic phenotype, allowing VSMCs to deposit form a protective fibrous cap to stabilize the cap through extracellular matrix assembly. Our lab discovered a novel role for the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 in SMC phenotypic modulation and proliferation both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. In many cancer models, EphA2 can act as a tumor promoter in the absence of ligand and a tumor suppressor in the presence of its ephrinA1 ligand. Therefore, we sought to determine the role of ligand-dependent and ligand-independent signaling in VSMC function. While EphA2 expression is required for maximal VSMC proliferation and migration, EphA2 ligation with ephrinA1 inhibits VSMC proliferation (associated with diminished Erk1/2 and Akt activation) and migration. While ligand treatment induces EphA2 tyrosine phosphorylation, treating VSMCs with serum promotes robust S897 phosphorylation (marker for ligand-independent signaling) specifically through RSK2, whereas no role was found for other described S897 kinases (e.g. Akt, RSK1). EphA2 Ser897 phosphorylation specifically localizes to lamellipodia in VSMCs treated with serum, and blocking RSK2-dependent S897 phosphorylation significantly inhibited VSMC migration but did not affect VSMC proliferation. Taken together, these data suggest that VSMC EphA2 ligation suppresses proliferation and migration, whereas RSK2-dependent EphA2 Ser897 phosphorylation in the absence of ligand promotes VSMC migration, and EphA2 expression likely enhances VSMC proliferation through a ligand-independent response independent of S897 phosphorylation.
Abstract 706: The Development Of New Therapies Targeting Pneumonia-accelerated Atherosclerosis
Authors: Stotts Cameron , Rasheed Adil , Geoffrion Michele , Salazar Leon Jonathon , Simon Nancy , Susser Leah , Nguyen My-Anh , Gadde Suresh , Rayner Katey J
Published: October 2023

Background/Objectives:
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. Recent studies show an association between pneumonia and an increased risk of a heart attack. This is likely caused by the persistent inflammatory burden in the lungs and arterial vasculature even 30-45 days after clearance of the infection. Therefore, as inflammation is a strong contributor to the progression of atherosclerosis, there is a need to address the persistent inflammatory burden in this patient population. A normal course of inflammation begins with an initial pro-inflammatory phase and ends with a resolution phase, which is marked by tissue return to homeostasis. During pneumonia, resolution pathways are impaired. Returning resolution processes to normal functioning may prove to be an effective strategy to attenuate prolonged pneumonia-associated inflammation. Resolution pathways are mediated by fatty acid derivatives termed specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), the metabolites of poly-unsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). To improve the therapeutic impact, EPA can be encapsulated in nanoparticle carriers to increase bioavailability and therapeutic delivery. We
hypothesize
that delivery of EPA nanoparticles into the lungs will control the persistent inflammatory response following pneumonia and reduce atherosclerotic burden.

Results:
Bone-marrow derived macrophages (mouse) stimulated with gram-positive toxins and EPA-nanoparticles demonstrated reduced expression of pro-inflammatory markers measured using ELISA. We have also developed a mouse model of atherosclerosis combined with
S. pneumoniae
lung infection. Without EPA administration,
S.pneumoniae
infection followed by 8 weeks on a high fat diet resulted in a trend towards increased plaque size and lesion lipid content. We are currently evaluating if our EPA-nanoparticles promote resolution processes in the
S.pneumoniae
mouse model.

Clinical Impact:
We believe that promotion of resolution pathways via increasing SPM production will prove to be an effective strategy to address inflammation during pneumonia while reducing the risk of suppressive effects on the immune system often caused by currently prescribed anti-inflammatories.
Abstract 707: L-arginine Metabolism Regulated By Sirt3 During Endothelial Cell Dysfunction And Atherosclerosis
Authors: Tian Xiao-Yu , Cao Xiaoyun , Wong Wing T
Published: October 2023

Background:
Atherosclerosis is the chronic inflammation of the vascular wall initiated by endothelial cell dysfunction. SIRT3 is a mitochondrial protein deacetylase with a better defined role in regulating mitochondrial metabolism. There are also some indirect evidence suggesting its function in protecting endothelial cell function. However, there lacks information on the effect of SIRT3 in the endothelium in vivo during atherogenesis and also the underlying mechanisms.

Methods:
Endothelial cell (EC) selective knockout of Sirt3 was achieved by crossing the Sirt3
floxP/floxP
mice (kindly provided by Prof Johan Auwerx) with Cdh5
Cre/+
mice (from Jackson Laboratory) to generate Sirt3f/f (or Sirt3
EC-WT
) as wild type, and Sirt3f/f; Cdh5Cre/+ (or Sirt3
EC-KO
) as endothelium-selective SIRT3 knockout mice. Mice were injected with adeno-associated virus to overexpress PCSK9 for decreasing hepatic LDLR and fed with high cholesterol diet to induce hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis mouse model. Vascular reactivity was measured in aorta by wire myograph (DMT). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used for in vitro experiments.

Results:
Endothelium-selective knockout of Sirt3 enhanced plaque formation, with increased levels of infiltrating macrophages, endothelial adhesion molecules in the plaque area, and expression of inflammatory cytokines. Sirt3
EC-KO
mice also had reduced plasma level of L-arginine. Further analysis in HUVECs showed that silencing of SIRT3 caused hyperacetylation of mitochondrial proteins, including ASS1 (Argininosuccinate Synthase 1), responsible for recycling L-arginine. L-arginine supplementation reduced plaque size, vascular inflammation in Sirt3
EC-KO
mice. L-arginine also attenuated endothelial activation in HUVECs, and improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the aorta from Sirt3
EC-KO
mice.

Conclusion:
Our data demonstrated the important role of SIRT3 in protecting endothelial function and identified ASS1-dependent metabolism of arginine regulated by SIRT3 as an underlying mechanism (supported by GRF14109519).
Abstract 708: Murine Atherosclerosis Data Integration: The Sum Is Greater Than The Parts
Authors: Wang Yihua , Shuey Megan M , Xiang Rachel , Beckman Joshua A , Wells Quinn , Jaffe Iris Z
Published: October 2023

Translation of murine atherosclerosis studies to human disease has limited reproducibility. Our prior work showed that aggregated data from one mouse atherosclerosis model identified etiologic pathways and networks associated with human atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Therefore, we extracted data from 991 ApoE knockout (KO) manuscripts and 544 LDLR KO manuscripts to identify 405 unique genes associated with significant changes in plaque size in mice. The impact of each gene on plaque size was analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to contextualize the gene data. The most significantly activated pathways for genes that increased plaque size were neuroinflammation (p=3.02 E-55) and hepatic fibrosis signaling (p=2.25 E-52), while the LXR/RXR pathway was the most significantly downregulated (p=1.32 E-37). We then performed association analyses from Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s BioVU using genetically predicted gene expression of the individual genes from these datasets. Neither the aggregated genes identified in each individual mouse model nor the genes directly studied in the murine models that mapped to the top pathways were significantly enriched for association with ASCVD in humans. However, when homologous human gene sets derived from the top identified murine pathways were considered as a whole, they were highly significantly enriched for association with ASCVD (Fig 1). Further, this method identified human genes significantly associated with ASCVD that were not directly studied in mice. For example, in the neuroinflammation pathway, the genes studied in mice were not enriched for ASCVD, yet 61/117 genes (52%) in the global pathway were associated with ASCVD (p=0.00017), 43 of which were not directly studied in mice. Thus, integration of murine data identifies novel pathways significantly associated with human ASCVD thereby providing mechanistic insight into human disease only possible through contextualization.
Abstract 714: Effects Of Canagliflozin On Myocardial Microvascular Density, Oxidative Stress, And Proteomic Profile
Authors: Sabe Sharif A , Xu Cynthia M , Sabra Mohamed , Harris Dwight D , Broadwin Mark , Banerjee Debolina , Abid M. Ruhul , Sellke Frank W
Published: October 2023

Objective:
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are cardioprotective, and canagliflozin (CANA), an SGLT2i, has been shown to improve perfusion, AMPK signaling, and oxidative stress in chronically ischemic myocardium. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of CANA in nonischemic myocardium on coronary collateralization, oxidative stress, and other molecular pathways determined by proteomic profiling.

Methods:
Yorkshire swine underwent placement of an ameroid constrictor to the left circumflex artery. Two weeks later, pigs received no drug (CON, n=8) or 300mg CANA daily (n=8). Treatment continued for five weeks, followed by tissue harvest of nonischemic myocardium.

Results:
CANA was associated with a strong trend towards decreased capillary density (p=0.05) compared to CON, with no changes in arteriolar density (p>0.5). Reduced capillary density did not correlate with reduced perfusion (p>0.5). Total oxidative stress was reduced with CANA (22% decrease, p=0.028). In the CANA group, there was a trend towards increased p-eNOS (p=0.19) and eNOS (p=0.13), without a change in p-eNOS/eNOS ratio (p=0.69), p-Akt (p=0.96), Akt (p=0.38), and p-Akt/Akt ratio (p=0.57). There was no change in p-ERK1/2 (p=0.96), with a decrease in total ERK1/2 (p=0.002) and increase in the p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio (p=0.001). There were no changes in expression of p-AMPK (p=0.33), AMPK (p=0.8), with a trend towards increased ratio of p-AMPK/AMPK (p=0.12). Proteomics analysis identified 2819 common proteins, of which 120 were upregulated and 425 were downregulated with CANA (p<0.01). Pathway analysis demonstrated wide regulation of metabolic proteins (Figure).

Conclusions:
The beneficial effects of CANA on myocardial perfusion and AMPK signaling in chronically ischemic myocardium are not found in nonischemic territory, despite improvements in oxidative stress. Metabolic proteins are widely regulated in nonischemic myocardium with CANA.
Abstract 720: Integration Of Population Genetic And Human Knockout Studies With Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage Tracing In Mouse Models Identifies Novel Targets For Atherosclerosis And Cardiovascular Risk.
Authors: Mawson Thomas , Khalid Shareef , Wang Chen , Ross Leila , Xue Chenyi , Ionita-Laza Iuliana , Saleheen Danish , Reilly Muredach P
Published: October 2023

Despite lipid-lowering therapies, residual cardiovascular disease risk remains a major unmet clinical need. Large-scale genetic analyses have identified >250 loci for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Genes that function in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) are causal at several loci, yet the causal genes at most loci remain unknown. Using single cell profiling and SMC lineage tracing in mouse models, we and others have shown that SMC transition through an intermediate state to SMC-derived cells (SDC) with protective or harmful phenotypes for plaque stability. In this study, we integrated SMC lineage tracing in mouse models with ongoing analyses in > 1 million human participants with whole-genome (WGS) and whole-exome sequencing (WES) data, as well as rare variant analysis of human “knockouts” (homozygous for predicted loss-of-function variants) for a novel gene discovery pipeline (Figure 1). Through WES in 76,000 highly consanguineous participants in the Pakistan Genomic Resource (PGR), we assembled the largest global cohort of human KOs. At non-lipid CAD loci from a recent large multi-ethnic meta-analysis (~1.1 million participants), we prioritized genes as potentially causal in SMC/SDC as those that are expressed and regulated in human or mouse arteries and SMC in atherosclerosis progression. Through gene burden testing and analyses of rare predicted loss-of-function (pLoF) and damaging (pDMs) variants in the largest CAD WES/WGS meta-analyses we enriched for causal genes. We restricted to genes with at least 5 pLoF carriers in PGR to facilitate recall studies in Pakistan. Final prioritization incorporated state-of-the-art fine mapping and co-localization analyses as well as biological plausibility. From an initial pool of 1696 genes, our gene discovery pipeline prioritized 15 SMC/SDC genes, and initial recall in PGR identified multiple large pedigrees for mutations in candidate causal genes PDE3A, SERPINH1, HHIPL1, and ZEB2.
Association Between Mental Health Burden, Clinical Presentation, and Outcomes in Individuals With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Smolderen Kim G. , Samaan Zainab , Decker Carole , Collins Tracie , Lazar Ronald M. , Itoga Nathan K. , Mena-Hurtado Carlos ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research
Published: October 2023

Along with the rising burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD), mental health concerns are increasingly being recognized as a comorbidity to address in the chronic disease management of symptomatic PAD. Apart from a high prevalence of comorbid mental health conditions, the role of pain and changing health behaviors and the broader impacts of illness and adaptation to living with PAD require specialized behavioral health expertise. This scientific statement builds a case that this expertise should be integrated within the multidisciplinary PAD team. Furthermore, areas such as cognitive dysfunction and palliative care are highlighted as needing psychological interventions. Although much of the evidence of the efficacy of psychological and psychotropic interventions has been extrapolated from other cardiovascular populations, evidence for the role of psychological interventions for behavior change, for example, uptake of exercise regimens, is increasingly being accrued within PAD. Areas for behavioral health needs and interactions with PAD treatment are discussed, including the use of opioids, depression management, anxiety and stress reduction interventions, the use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants, smoking cessation, rehabilitation trajectories after amputation, and the role of cognitive decline for PAD treatment and outcomes. A case summary highlights the stigma around mental health and vascular disease and the fragmentation of care. This scientific statement provides remarks for building a road map for integrated behavioral PAD care and potential solutions to overcome these barriers. Instrumental to reaching these changes are interprofessional advocacy efforts and initiatives that help break down the stigma around mental health and promote evidence-based collaborative, nonhierarchical, and multidisciplinary PAD care.
Typifications and nomenclatural notes on Agarista (Ericaceae, Vaccinioideae, Lyonieae)
Authors: DALASTRA CLAUDENICE HILDA , HEIDEN GUSTAVO
Published: October 2023

Thirteen names of Agarista are here typified as part of the genus taxonomic revision. We studied protologues, type specimens, digital images, negative photos at F from lost specimens originally deposited at B, and additional publications. Lectotypes are here designated for the names Agarista angustissima, Ag. ericoides, Ag. pulchella, Ag. pulchra, Andromeda neriifolia, An. oleifolia, An. pistrix, An. revoluta, Leucothoë ambigua var. longifolia, L. ambigua var. parvifolia, L. ambigua var. peduncularis, and L. rivularis. Additionally, a neotypification is proposed for the name L. columbiana. Lectotypes and neotype are designated from duplicates conserved in COL, E, F, G, HBG, K, NY, P and US. Additionally, epitypes are designated for Ag. pulchella, Ag. pistrix (a heterotypic synonym of Ag. subrotunda), and L. ambigua var. parvifolia (a heterotypic synonym of Ag. uleana) based on specimens deposited at MBM, P and NY, respectively. Comments are made concerning the correct authorship of the name Ag. coriifolia. Clarifications are made about the location of the type material of Ag. subrotunda. Lastly, the update on the collection locality of the type specimen of L. ambigua var. longifolia, a heterotypic synonym of Ag. oleifolia var. oleifolia, revealed the first and, so far, only known record of Agarista for Tocantins State in North Brazil.
A new species of Physarum (Physaraceae) from Turkey
Authors: EROĞLU GÖNÜL
Published: October 2023

A new species of Physarum, identified herein as P. karamanicum, developed on debris branches of Cedrus libani collected from the Sarıveliler district of Karaman province in Turkey and applied a moist chamber technique. P. karamanicum is morphologically similar to P. globuliferum, P. auripigmentum, and P. tenerum but is distinguished by sporotheca, stalk, capillitium, and spore features. The new species is characterized by a greenish-gray, globose sporotheca, light brown at the bottom, the remainder yellowish-cream colored stalk, triangular, convex quadrilateral nodes and pale-yellow capillitium, prominent spiny and groups of blunt warts spores, greenish gray peridium. Description of the new species, photographs (light microscope, stereo microscope, and scanning electron microscope), and a key to the closest morphologically related species of the genus are provided.
Murichromolaenicola thailandensis sp. nov. (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Dothideomycetes) from Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) in northern Thailand
Authors: HTET ZIN HNIN , TIBPROMMA SAOWALUCK , MAPOOK AUSANA , CHETHANA K.W. THILINI , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: October 2023

In this study, a saprobic species of Murichromolaenicola (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Dothideomycetes) was collected from dead stems of Chromolaena odorata in northern Thailand. It is introduced as a new species Murichromolaenicola thailandensis sp. nov. based on morphology and multigene phylogeny of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, tef1-α, and rpb2 sequence data. Murichromolaenicola thailandensis is similar to other Murichromolaenicola species by having muriform spores but can be differentiated by its smaller conidia with a gelatinous cap and the number of septa on conidia. Here, we present a detailed description, illustrations and antibacterial potential of this new species. Our findings contribute to the expanding knowledge of fungal diversity in Thailand and highlight the importance of utilizing molecular approaches to accurately identify and classify fungi in Ascomycota.
A new species of Psidium (Myrtaceae) from Cuba
Authors: LANDRUM LESLIE R. , RAMOS ZENIA ACOSTA
Published: October 2023

A new species, Psidium urquiolanum, from eastern Cuba is described, illustrated, and its distribution is mapped. It has previously been incorrectly identified as P. calycolpoides, a species now assigned to Mosiera. The differences between Psidium and Mosiera are discussed.
On the taxonomy of “Tigrioides” leucanioides (Walker) with descriptions of two new genera and ten new species from the Oriental realm (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , ČERNÝ KAREL
Published: October 2023

The generic placement and the taxonomic structure of the complex traditionally identified in the collections as “Tigrioides” leucanioides (Walker, 1862) are revised. Two new genera and ten new species are described: Leucanithosia gen. n., Leucanithosia diehli sp. n. (Indonesia: northern Sumatra Island), Leucanithosia paraliaka sp. n. (Indonesia: northern Sumatra Island), Leucanithosia nansabon sp. n. (northern Myanmar), Leucanithosia witti sp. n. (Thailand, Laos, Southwest China (Yunnan) and Northeast India), Leucanithosia leptivalva sp. n. (the Philippines: Palawan Island), Leucanithosia inusitata sp. n. (Indonesia: northern Sumatra Island), Leucanithosia lampunga sp. n. (Indonesia: southern Sumatra Island), Philippinithosia gen. n., Philippinithosia lourensi sp. n. (the Philippines: Luzon, Negros and Mindoro Islands), Philippinithosia settelei sp. n. (the Philippines: Mindanao Island), and Philippinithosia reducta sp. n. (the Philippines: Mindanao, Leyte and Samar Islands). A new combination is established: Leucanithosia leucanioides (Walker, 1862), comb. n. The lectotype is designated for Lithosia leucanioides Walker, 1862. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.
Illustrated key to the species in the genus Laminiceps Costa, 1863 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae: Acanthocephalini), with descriptions of twelve new species
Authors: BRAILOVSKY HARRY , BARRERA ERNESTO
Published: October 2023

The genus Laminiceps Costa, 1863 (Coreidae: Acanthocephalini) is redescribed, and 12 new species are described: L. aburtonia (Brazil), L. curiosus (French Guiana), L. eustoliana (Paraguay), L. excelsus (Peru), L. factiosus (Brazil), L. fundatus (Trinidad), L. gelidus (Brazil), L. genuinus (Peru), L. halatus (Brazil), L. infrequens (Brazil), L. lentus (Venezuela), and L. navus (Bolivia). A revised key to all 30 species is included. Dorsal and lateral photos of all species are provided as well as photos of male genital capsules and parameres where available.
A new Sarcophaginae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) from Brazil: the peculiar colour of Petrolina bifasciata gen. nov., sp. nov., from the Caatinga xeric shrubland of northeastern Brazil
Authors: BARBOSA TACIANO MOURA , MELLO-PATIU CÁTIA ANTUNES , VASCONCELOS SIMÃO DIAS
Published: October 2023

A new genus and species, Petrolina bifasciata gen. nov., sp. nov. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae, Sarcophaginae), with only two black stripes dorsally on thorax, is described from both sexes. The type material was collected in fragments of seasonally dry tropical forest in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. The new genus and species is morphologically similar to genera Rafaelia Townsend and Malacophagula Bequaert. However, the atypical two thoracic black stripes and phallic morphology give evidence to the proposal of a new genus in Sarcophaginae.
Airborne Radar Doppler Spectrum Width as a Scale-Dependent Turbulence Metric
Authors: Majewski Adam , French Jeffrey R. , Haimov Samuel
Published: October 2023

High-resolution airborne cloud Doppler radars such as the W-band Wyoming Cloud Radar (WCR) have, since the 1990s, investigated cloud microphysical, kinematic, and precipitation structures down to 30-m resolution. These measurements revolutionized our understanding of fine-scale cloud structure and the scales at which cloud processes occur. Airborne cloud Doppler radars may also resolve cloud turbulent eddy structure directly at 10-m scales. To date, cloud turbulence has been examined as variances and dissipation rates at coarser resolution than individual pulse volumes. The present work advances the potential of near-vertical pulse-pair Doppler spectrum width as a metric for turbulent air motion. Doppler spectrum width has long been used to investigate turbulent motions from ground-based remote sensors. However, complexities of airborne Doppler radar and spectral broadening resulting from platform and hydrometeor motions have limited airborne radar spectrum width measurements to qualitative interpretation only. Here we present the first quantitative validation of spectrum width from an airborne cloud radar. Echoes with signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10 dB yield spectrum width values that strongly correlate with retrieved mean Doppler variance for a range of nonconvective cloud conditions. Further, Doppler spectrum width within turbulent regions of cloud also shows good agreement with in situ eddy dissipation rate (EDR) and gust probe variance. However, the use of pulse-pair estimated spectrum width as a metric for turbulent air motion intensity is only suitable for turbulent air motions more energetic than the magnitude of spectral broadening, estimated to be <0.4 m s−1 for the WCR in these cases.

Significance Statement

Doppler spectrum width is a widely available airborne radar measurement previously considered too uncertain to attribute to atmospheric turbulence. We validate, for the first time, the response of spectrum width to turbulence at and away from research aircraft flight level and demonstrate that under certain conditions, spectrum width can be used to diagnose atmospheric turbulence down to scales of tens of meters. These high-resolution turbulent air motion intensity measurements may better connect to cloud hydrometeor process and growth response seen in coincident radar reflectivity structures proximate to turbulent eddies.
Investigating the Development and Characteristics of Streamwise Vorticity Currents Produced by Outflow Surges in Simulated Supercell Thunderstorms
Authors: Gray Kevin T. , Frame Jeffrey W.
Published: October 2023

Streamwise vorticity currents (SVCs) have been hypothesized to enhance low-level mesocyclones within supercell thunderstorms and perhaps increase the likelihood of tornadogenesis. Recent observational studies have confirmed the existence of SVCs in supercells and numerical simulations have allowed for further investigation of SVCs. A suite of 19 idealized supercell simulations with varying midlevel shear orientations is analyzed to determine how SVC formation and characteristics may differ between storms. In our simulations, SVCs develop on the cold side of left-flank convergence boundaries and their updraft-relative positions are partially dependent on downdraft location. The magnitude, duration, and mean depth of SVCs do not differ significantly between simulations or between SVCs that precede tornado-like vortices (TLVs) and those that do not. Trajectories initialized within SVCs reveal two primary airstreams, one that flows through an SVC for the majority of its length, and another that originates in the modified inflow in the forward flank and then merges with the SVC. Vorticity budgets calculated along trajectories reveal that the first airstream exhibits significantly greater maximum streamwise vorticity magnitudes than the second airstream. The vorticity budgets also indicate that stretching of horizontal streamwise vorticity is the dominant contributor to the large values of streamwise vorticity within the SVCs. TLV formation does not require the development of an SVC beforehand; 44% of TLVs in the simulations are preceded by SVCs. When an SVC occurs, it is followed by a TLV 53% of the time, indicating not all SVCs lead to TLV formation.

Significance Statement

Streamwise vorticity currents (SVCs) are features within thunderstorms hypothesized to strengthen updraft rotation and increase the likelihood of tornado formation. SVCs in a suite of 19 thunderstorm simulations are analyzed to investigate how they develop, if their characteristics differ between storms, and how often they precede tornado production. The rotation in an SVC is amplified as air accelerates toward the updraft, which is the main process contributing to SVC formation. The likelihood of SVCs may vary with differences in the winds 3–6 km above the ground. These findings may aid in developing strategies for better observing SVCs.
Public transport: lessons learned by the sector through the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gartland Nicola , Coleman Anna , Farrell Bernadine , Fishwick David , Johnson Sheena , van Tongeren Martie
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the operations and functionality of the public transport sector in the UK. This paper reflects on the experience of this sector through the pandemic period, and considers recommendations for any future mitigations required for either new COVID-19 waves or a different public health emergency.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with public transport experts, organisational leaders, workers and passengers in two phases: Phase 1 from January to May 2021, and Phase 2 from December 2021 to February 2022. Interviews were analysed thematically.

Results

Using the ‘What? So What? Now What?’ reflective model, ideas are drawn out to describe (a) what changes occurred, (b) what effects these changes had on service provision as well as perceptions of risk and mitigation and (c) what lessons have been learned and how these findings can feed into pandemic preparedness for the future. Respondent reflections focussed on the importance of communication, leadership, and maintaining compliance.

Conclusions

The wealth of experience gained through the COVID-19 pandemic in the public transport sector is extremely valuable. Through reflection on this experience, specific recommendations are made relating to these factors, covering: maintaining links across industry, access to information and data, understanding of mitigation effectiveness, improving messaging, challenges of behavioural mitigations, and clear lines of accountability. The recommendations made on the basis of this reflective process will help to improve public health strategy within the public transport sector.
Opportunities and challenges of supervised machine learning for the classification of motor evoked potentials according to muscles
Authors: Wermelinger Jonathan , Parduzi Qendresa , Sariyar Murat , Raabe Andreas , Schneider Ulf C. , Seidel Kathleen
Published: October 2023

Background

Even for an experienced neurophysiologist, it is challenging to look at a single graph of an unlabeled motor evoked potential (MEP) and identify the corresponding muscle. We demonstrate that supervised machine learning (ML) can successfully perform this task.

Methods

Intraoperative MEP data from supratentorial surgery on 36 patients was included for the classification task with 4 muscles: Extensor digitorum (EXT), abductor pollicis brevis (APB), tibialis anterior (TA) and abductor hallucis (AH). Three different supervised ML classifiers (random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbors (kNN) and logistic regression (LogReg)) were trained and tested on either raw or compressed data. Patient data was classified considering either all 4 muscles simultaneously, 2 muscles within the same extremity (EXT versus APB), or 2 muscles from different extremities (EXT versus TA).

Results

In all cases, RF classifiers performed best and kNN second best. The highest performances were achieved on raw data (4 muscles 83%, EXT versus APB 89%, EXT versus TA 97% accuracy).

Conclusions

Standard ML methods show surprisingly high performance on a classification task with intraoperative MEP signals. This study illustrates the power and challenges of standard ML algorithms when handling intraoperative signals and may lead to intraoperative safety improvements.
Evaluation of preventive care for swallowing difficulty through policy changes in Japanese long-term care insurance: analysis of a nationwide claims dataset for long-term care insurance
Authors: Mori Hiroko , Nakane Ayako , Tohara Haruka , Nakayama Takeo
Published: October 2023

Background

Swallowing/feeding difficulty is a serious hidden health problem in the older population. Although oral intake services based on the degree of this difficulty have been provided and revised in Japanese public long-term care (LTC) insurance since 2006, their implementation has not been examined. We evaluated the impact of policy changes on these services.

Methods

The nationwide database of LTC service uses in Japan was analysed for three oral intake services: Enhanced Oral Function in daycare facilities whose users were slightly disabled, Maintenance of Oral Ingestion and Transition to Oral Ingestion from tube feeding in residential facilities. Data were extracted for each June from 2015 to 2020 when monthly usage of these services was aligned and each June from 2009 to 2020 for the proportion of users according to LTC insurance certification. The major policy changes were the addition of municipal provision in Enhanced Oral Function and a requirement for multidisciplinary collaboration in Maintenance of Oral Ingestion in 2015. The impact of the medical fee reduction for developing percutaneous gastro-tubing to Transition to Oral Ingestion was also examined.

Results

Between 2015 and 2020, the use of Enhanced Oral Function and Maintenance of Oral Ingestion increased and Transition to Oral Ingestion decreased, resulting in a total increase in use of 275,000 times or approximately 5,000 times per 100,000 among all older adults with LTC insurance certification. Concerning the proportion of users’ disability status, the major users of Enhanced Oral Function in 2020 were slightly disabled and independent older adults (70%, up from 55% to 2009). Regarding the major users of Maintenance of Oral Ingestion between 2013 and 2020, care-need level 5 (most severe) decreased by 11%, whereas the total of care-need levels 4 and 3 increased by 9%. The use of Transition to Oral Ingestion, which had been declining, showed a further decline after reduction of the medical fee for percutaneous gastro-tubing in 2014.

Conclusions

Due to policy changes, Enhanced Oral Function and Maintenance of Oral Ingestion have increased in the number of use among slightly disabled persons. However, this increase may be insufficient given the hidden swallowing/feeding difficulty.
The role of primary care during the pandemic: shared experiences from providers in five European countries
Authors: Kraus Markus , Stegner Christoph , Reiss Miriam , Riedel Monika , Børsch Anne Sofie , Vrangbaek Karsten , Michel Morgane , Turmaine Kathleen , Cseh Borbála , Dózsa Csaba László , Dandi Roberto , Mori Angelo Rossi , Czypionka Thomas
Published: October 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated wide-ranging adaptations to the organisation of health systems, and primary care is no exception. This article aims to collate insights on the role of primary care during the pandemic. The gained knowledge helps to increase pandemic preparedness and resilience.

Methods

The role of primary care during the pandemic in five European countries (Austria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy) was investigated using a qualitative approach, namely case study, based on document analysis and semi-structured interviews. In total, 31 interviews were conducted with primary care providers between June and August 2022. The five country case studies were subjected to an overarching analysis focusing on successful strategies as well as gaps and failures regarding pandemic management in primary care.

Results

Primary care providers identified disruptions to service delivery as a major challenge emerging from the pandemic which led to a widespread adoption of telehealth. Despite the rapid increase in telehealth usage and efforts of primary care providers to organise face-to-face care delivery in a safe way, some patient groups were particularly affected by disruptions in service delivery. Moreover, primary care providers perceived a substantial propagation of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines among the population, which also threatened patient-physician relationships. At the same time, primary care providers faced an increased workload, had to work with insufficient personal protective equipment and were provided incongruous guidelines from public authorities. There was a consensus among primary care providers that they were mostly sidelined by public health policy in the context of pandemic management. Primary care providers tackled these problems through a diverse set of measures including home visits, implementing infection control measures, refurbishing used masks, holding internal meetings and relying on their own experiences as well as information shared by colleagues.

Conclusion

Primary care providers were neither well prepared nor the focus of initial policy making. However, they implemented creative solutions to the problems they faced and applying the learnings from the pandemic could help in increasing the resilience of primary care. Attributes of an integrated health system with a strong primary care component proved beneficial in addressing immediate effects of the pandemic.
The molecular regulatory mechanisms of meiotic arrest and resumption in Oocyte development and maturation
Authors: Pei Zhenle , Deng Ke , Xu Congjian , Zhang Shuo
Published: October 2023

In human female primordial germ cells, the transition from mitosis to meiosis begins from the fetal stage. In germ cells, meiosis is arrested at the diplotene stage of prophase in meiosis I (MI) after synapsis and recombination of homologous chromosomes, which cannot be segregated. Within the follicle, the maintenance of oocyte meiotic arrest is primarily attributed to high cytoplasmic concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Depending on the specific species, oocytes can remain arrested for extended periods of time, ranging from months to even years. During estrus phase in animals or the menstrual cycle in humans, the resumption of meiosis occurs in certain oocytes due to a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Any factor interfering with this process may lead to impaired oocyte maturation, which in turn affects female reproductive function. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon has not been systematically summarized yet. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the recently uncovered regulatory network involved in oocyte development and maturation, the progress of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of oocyte nuclear maturation including meiosis arrest and meiosis resumption is summarized. Additionally, the advancements in understanding the molecular cytoplasmic events occurring in oocytes, such as maternal mRNA degradation, posttranslational regulation, and organelle distribution associated with the quality of oocyte maturation, are reviewed. Therefore, understanding the pathways regulating oocyte meiotic arrest and resumption will provide detailed insight into female reproductive system and provide a theoretical basis for further research and potential approaches for novel disease treatments.