bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction
Authors: Oette Lutz
Published: May 2024

The introduction sets out the contours of the transformation forming the subject of the book and provides an overview of its contents. It highlights the dilemma of the prohibition of torture, particularly its problematic relationship to systemic suffering, which has formed part of critical inquiries of human rights theory and law, especially if viewed from the perspective of the ‘Global South’. In engaging with these concerns, it discusses notions of violence, particularly structural violence, which capture widespread, everyday suffering but have played a limited role in the context of the prohibition of torture. The introduction further examines the nature and role of the anti-torture movement in the transformation of the prohibition, emphasizing how the latter process is characterized by ongoing practices and interactions which produce normative developments. The author reflects on his positionality and experiences, using Sudan and Sri Lanka as examples. He argues that the struggle against torture, including legal strategies, resonates most where it is embedded and forms part of wider visions and efforts to address systemic political, legal, institutional, economic, social, and cultural challenges in a given context.
Contextualization: Towards Effective Prevention of and Justice for Torture
Authors: Oette Lutz
Published: May 2024

The chapter examines the three key components of states’ obligations deriving from the prohibition in international human rights law. It probes the relationship between the legal prohibition and prevention as a practice and situates the turn to holistic and situational torture prevention models in empirical work in the field. Following an analysis of the increasingly sophisticated standards on criminal accountability for torture, it interrogates the limitations and problematic aspects of the criminal and carceral turn in international human rights law. Reparation has firmly established itself as the victim-oriented dimension of the prohibition, although several grey areas and gaps constrain its potency. In addition, discourses and practices relating to victims’ rights risk creating exclusions that reflect prevailing privileges and bias. Building on the relational understandings developed in preceding chapters, the chapter sets out a transformative approach to accountability and reparation that is informed by experiences of persons at risk and torture survivors and is aimed at altering the structures and practices that produce and sustain torture and other ill-treatment.
Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations Reimagined
Authors: Knyt Erinn E
Published: May 2024

This book provides the first detailed reception history of adaptations of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Aria mit 30 Veränderungen (Goldberg Variations, BWV 988). It documents multiple ways the work has appeared in arrangements, transcriptions, and re-compositions from 1800 to 2020. It examines adaptations for the traditional concert hall, theater, cinema, digital media, literature, visual art, and dance. In the process, the book reveals a dramatic increase in adaptations of the piece in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The reception history documented in the book also considers performance practice issues and the musical work concept. It shows that, particularly since the late 1980s, there has been a loosening of the regulative hold of the modernist work concept associated with single authorship, structural unity, and an autonomous score. The book thus contributes to recent studies about adaptations, the role of musical authorship, and changing notions of Bach and the work concept.
Prelude
Authors: Knyt Erinn E
Published: May 2024

This chapter documents the early history of the Goldberg Variations, with particular attention to Ferruccio Busoni’s 1914 version of the piece. By examining nineteenth- and early twentieth-century editions and performances, it shows that transcriptions and arrangements of the piece for solo piano, piano duet, or two pianos were essential for the canonization of the Goldberg Variations in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries due to a dearth of two-manual harpsichords and due the length. In the process, it not only documents a little researched aspect of the piece’s reception history, but also lays the foundation for the book’s broader discussion of adaptations of the Goldberg Variations throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Continuation and desperation in contemporary multiseason television drama
Authors: Strong Jeremy
Published: May 2024

This paper examines how multiseason drama serials, including those characterized as ‘quality’ or ‘complex’ television, deliver their continuation across multiple seasons. It proposes ‘desperation’ as a distinctive storytelling modality in which continuation itself and the narrative means by which continuation is managed are brought to the fore, charting how this is deployed by many shows which use season-long stories and/or stories which run for the lifetime of the show. Dramas derived from literary sources are examined alongside those where original narratives are drafted while they are already underway, and the relationship among continuation, seriality, adaptation, and literary/story-telling models is considered. Finally, through discussion of ‘show bibles’ and ‘pitch bibles’ it contends that continuing dramas effectively adapt themselves through the manner in which earlier seasons generate models and possibilities for those that follow.
Association between exposure to airborne trichloramine and health effects in indoor swimming pool workers
Authors: Ahmadpour Elham , Debia Maximilien
Published: May 2024

Objective

The main objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the association between trichloramine (TCA) exposure and respiratory health effects in swimming pool workers.

Methodology

In this study, air sampling was performed for TCA concentrations at fixed locations (static measurements) and on individual workers (personal measurements) in six indoor public swimming pools during periods of high swimmer attendance over the winter school break. Health effects were evaluated using questionnaires and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) tests performed before and after the working day.

Results

In these swimming pools, the environmental TCA concentration ranged from 0.11 to 0.88 mg/m³. Worker exposure ranged from 0.05 to 0.72 mg/m³ for personal measurements. Furthermore, in each swimming pool, the average worker exposure to TCA exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of 0.35 mg/m³. Personal TCA measurements were consistently lower than static measurements performed around the pool, with a reduction ranging from 21% to 49%. This can be explained by the time that the workers spend in the pool area, office, and break room. The most common respiratory health effects self-reported by the workers were coughing, shortness of breath, and sneezing with prevalence rates of 38%, 37%, and 35%, respectively. This study demonstrated an association between TCA exposure and eye irritation. Analysis of the FENO tests revealed that individuals with preexisting asthma or allergies exhibited sustained FENO elevation.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that occupational exposure to TCA in indoor swimming pools is a matter of concern. Implementing and improving workplace safety measures is crucial for safeguarding the respiratory health of swimming pool workers.
Recognition of cyanobacteria promoters via Siamese network-based contrastive learning under novel non-promoter generation
Authors: Yang Guang , Li Jianing , Hu Jinlu , Shi Jian-Yu
Published: May 2024

It is a vital step to recognize cyanobacteria promoters on a genome-wide scale. Computational methods are promising to assist in difficult biological identification. When building recognition models, these methods rely on non-promoter generation to cope with the lack of real non-promoters. Nevertheless, the factitious significant difference between promoters and non-promoters causes over-optimistic prediction. Moreover, designed for E. coli or B. subtilis, existing methods cannot uncover novel, distinct motifs among cyanobacterial promoters. To address these issues, this work first proposes a novel non-promoter generation strategy called phantom sampling, which can eliminate the factitious difference between promoters and generated non-promoters. Furthermore, it elaborates a novel promoter prediction model based on the Siamese network (SiamProm), which can amplify the hidden difference between promoters and non-promoters through a joint characterization of global associations, upstream and downstream contexts, and neighboring associations w.r.t. k-mer tokens. The comparison with state-of-the-art methods demonstrates the superiority of our phantom sampling and SiamProm. Both comprehensive ablation studies and feature space illustrations also validate the effectiveness of the Siamese network and its components. More importantly, SiamProm, upon our phantom sampling, finds a novel cyanobacterial promoter motif (‘GCGATCGC’), which is palindrome-patterned, content-conserved, but position-shifted.
PanDepth, an ultrafast and efficient genomic tool for coverage calculation
Authors: Yu Huiyang , Shi Chunmei , He Weiming , Li Feng , Ouyang Bo
Published: May 2024

Coverage quantification is required in many sequencing datasets within the field of genomics research. However, most existing tools fail to provide comprehensive statistical results and exhibit limited performance gains from multithreading. Here, we present PanDepth, an ultra-fast and efficient tool for calculating coverage and depth from sequencing alignments. PanDepth outperforms other tools in computation time and memory efficiency for both BAM and CRAM-format alignment files from sequencing data, regardless of read length. It employs chromosome parallel computation and optimized data structures, resulting in ultrafast computation speeds and memory efficiency. It accepts sorted or unsorted BAM and CRAM-format alignment files as well as GTF, GFF and BED-formatted interval files or a specific window size. When provided with a reference genome sequence and the option to enable GC content calculation, PanDepth includes GC content statistics, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of copy number variation analysis. Overall, PanDepth is a powerful tool that accelerates scientific discovery in genomics research.
Metabolic models predict fotemustine and the combination of eflornithine/rifamycin and adapalene/cannabidiol for the treatment of gliomas
Authors: Kishk Ali , Pires Pacheco Maria , Heurtaux Tony , Sauter Thomas
Published: May 2024

Gliomas are the most common type of malignant brain tumors, with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) having a median survival of 15 months due to drug resistance and relapse. The treatment of gliomas relies on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Only 12 anti-brain tumor chemotherapies (AntiBCs), mostly alkylating agents, have been approved so far. Glioma subtype–specific metabolic models were reconstructed to simulate metabolite exchanges, in silico knockouts and the prediction of drug and drug combinations for all three subtypes. The simulations were confronted with literature, high-throughput screenings (HTSs), xenograft and clinical trial data to validate the workflow and further prioritize the drug candidates. The three subtype models accurately displayed different degrees of dependencies toward glutamine and glutamate. Furthermore, 33 single drugs, mainly antimetabolites and TXNRD1-inhibitors, as well as 17 drug combinations were predicted as potential candidates for gliomas. Half of these drug candidates have been previously tested in HTSs. Half of the tested drug candidates reduce proliferation in cell lines and two-thirds in xenografts. Most combinations were predicted to be efficient for all three glioma types. However, eflornithine/rifamycin and cannabidiol/adapalene were predicted specifically for GBM and low-grade glioma, respectively. Most drug candidates had comparable efficiency in preclinical tests, cerebrospinal fluid bioavailability and mode-of-action to AntiBCs. However, fotemustine and valganciclovir alone and eflornithine and celecoxib in combination with AntiBCs improved the survival compared to AntiBCs in two-arms, phase I/II and higher glioma clinical trials. Our work highlights the potential of metabolic modeling in advancing glioma drug discovery, which accurately predicted metabolic vulnerabilities, repurposable drugs and combinations for the glioma subtypes.
The effect of a pre- and post-operative exercise program versus standard care on physical activity and sedentary behavior of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer undergoing neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery (the PERIOP-OG Trial): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Loughney Lisa , Murphy Kate , Tully Roisin , Robb William B , McCaffrey Noel , Dowd Kieran , Skelly Fiona
Published: May 2024

Neoadjuvant cancer treatment (NCT) reduces both physical fitness and physical activity (PA) levels, which can increase the risk of adverse outcomes in cancer patients. This study aims to determine the effect of exercise prehabilitation on PA and sedentary behavior (SB) in patients undergoing NCT and surgery for esophagogastric malignancies. This study is a randomized pragmatic controlled multi-center trial conducted across three Irish hospitals. Participants were aged ≥18 years scheduled for esophagectomy or gastrectomy and were planned for NCT and surgery. Participants were randomized to an exercise prehabilitation group (EX) that commenced following cancer diagnosis, continued to the point of surgery, and resumed following recovery from surgery for 6 weeks or to usual care (UC) who received routine treatment. The primary outcome measures were PA and SB. Between March 2019 and December 2020, 71 participants were recruited: EX (n = 36) or UC (n = 35). No significant differences were found between the EX group and UC group on levels of PA or SBs across all measured timepoints. Significant decreases in moderate–vigorous physical activity levels (MVPAs) were found between baseline and post-surgery (P = 0.028), pre-surgery and post-surgery (P = 0.001) and pre-surgery and 6-week follow-up (P = 0.022) for all participants. Step count also significantly decreased between pre-surgery and post-surgery (P < 0.001). Baseline aerobic fitness was positively associated to PA levels and negatively associated with SB. Esophagogastric cancer patients have lower than recommended levels of PA at the time of diagnosis and this decreased further following completion of NCT. An optional home- or group-based exercise intervention was not effective in improving PA levels or behaviors across the cancer treatment journey.
The Supply of Weapons to a Victim of Aggression: The Law of Neutrality in Light of the Conflict in Ukraine
Authors: Zugliani Niccolò
Published: May 2024

The relationship between the customary law of neutrality and the contemporary rules of the jus ad bellum is notoriously unclear, especially when an international armed conflict stems from an act of aggression, but the United Nations (UN) Security Council has not mandated or authorized any measure pursuant to Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The issue has emerged once again during the recent international armed conflict in Ukraine, in which states not participating in the conflict have disregarded, among other things, the customary prohibition to supply weapons to either belligerent by supplying weapons to Ukraine – that is, the state victim of armed aggression – despite the deadlock in the Security Council. These acts of unilateral unneutral support have not been characterized by the supplying states as being pursuant to exceptions to the law of neutrality or by Russia or other states as being violations of it. This raises the question whether the law of neutrality still bears relevance whenever an act of aggression occurs. In the uncertainty as to the legal regime applicable in this case, the Ukrainian conflict offers an important instance of state practice that might help shed light on the applicability of the customary prohibition to supply weapons, as well as of the law of neutrality in general, when the international conflict is initiated by an act of aggression.
Complex patterns of morphological diversity across multiple populations of an urban bird species
Authors: Diamant Eleanor S , Yeh Pamela J
Published: May 2024

Urbanization presents a natural evolutionary experiment because selection pressures in cities can be strongly mismatched with those found in species’ historic habitats. However, some species have managed to adapt and even thrive in these novel conditions. When a species persists across multiple cities, a fundamental question arises: do we see similar traits evolve in similar novel environments? By testing if and how similar phenotypes emerge across multiple urban populations, we can begin to assess the predictability of population response to anthropogenic change. Here, we examine variation within and across multiple populations of a songbird, the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis). We measured morphological variations in juncos across urban and nonurban populations in Southern California. We investigated whether the variations we observed were due to differences in environmental conditions across cities. Bill shape differed across urban populations; Los Angeles and Santa Barbara juncos had shorter, deeper bills than nonurban juncos, but San Diego juncos did not. On the other hand, wing length decreased with the built environment, regardless of the population. Southern Californian urban juncos exhibit both similarities and differences in morphological traits. Studying multiple urban populations can help us determine the predictability of phenotypic evolutionary responses to novel environments.
Unveiling the Genetic Blueprint of a Desert Scorpion: A Chromosome-level Genome of Hadrurus arizonensis Provides the First Reference for Parvorder Iurida
Authors: Bryant Meridia Jane , Coello Asher M , Glendening A M , Hilliman Samuel A , Jara Carolina Fernanda , Pring Samuel S , Rodríguez Rivera Aviel , Santiago Membreño Jennifer , Nigro Lisa , Pauloski Nicole , Graham Matthew R , King Teisha , Jockusch Elizabeth L , O’Neill Rachel J , Wegrzyn Jill L , Santibáñez-López Carlos E , Webster Cynthia N
Published: May 2024

Over 400 million years old, scorpions represent an ancient group of arachnids and one of the first animals to adapt to life on land. Presently, the lack of available genomes within scorpions hinders research on their evolution. This study leverages ultralong nanopore sequencing and Pore-C to generate the first chromosome-level assembly and annotation for the desert hairy scorpion, Hadrurus arizonensis. The assembled genome is 2.23 Gb in size with an N50 of 280 Mb. Pore-C scaffolding reoriented 99.6% of bases into nine chromosomes and BUSCO identified 998 (98.6%) complete arthropod single copy orthologs. Repetitive elements represent 54.69% of the assembled bases, including 872,874 (29.39%) LINE elements. A total of 18,996 protein-coding genes and 75,256 transcripts were predicted, and extracted protein sequences yielded a BUSCO score of 97.2%. This is the first genome assembled and annotated within the family Hadruridae, representing a crucial resource for closing gaps in genomic knowledge of scorpions, resolving arachnid phylogeny, and advancing studies in comparative and functional genomics.
Associations of Relative Intensity of Physical Activity With Incident Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality
Authors: Schumacher Benjamin T , LaMonte Michael J , Di Chongzhi , Parada Humberto , Hooker Steven P , Bellettiere John , Simonsick Eleanor M , Liles Sandy , LaCroix Andrea Z
Published: May 2024

Background

The relative intensity of physical activity (PA) can be estimated as the percent of one’s maximal effort required.

Methods

We compared associations of relative and absolute intensity PA with incident major cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in 5 633 women from the Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Study (mean age 78.5 ± 6.7). Absolute intensity was measured by accelerometry. Relative intensity was estimated by dividing accelerometer-estimated metabolic equivalents (METs) by maximal MET capacity. Both were aggregated into mean daily hours of light intensity PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for 1-hour higher amounts of PA on outcomes.

Results

During follow-up (median = 7.4 years), there were 748 incident CVD events and 1 312 deaths. Greater LPA and MVPA, on either scale, were associated with reduced risk of both outcomes. HRs for a 1-hour increment of absolute LPA were 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83–0.93) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84–0.92) for incident CVD and mortality, respectively. HRs for a 1-hour increment of absolute MPVA were 0.73 (95% CI: 0.61–0.87) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.48–0.64) for the same outcomes. HRs for a 1-hour increment of relative LPA were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.59–0.84) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68–0.89) for incident CVD and mortality, respectively. HRs for a 1-hour increment of relative MPVA were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83–0.96) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.77–0.87) for the same outcomes. On the relative scale, LPA was more strongly, and inversely associated with both outcomes than relative MVPA. Absolute MVPA was more strongly inversely associated with the outcomes than relative MVPA.

Conclusions

Findings support the continued shift in the PA intensity paradigm toward recommendation of more movement, regardless of intensity. Relative LPA––a modifiable, more easily achieved behavioral target, particularly among ambulatory older adults––was associated with reduced risk of incident major CVD and death.
Subnational institutions, firm capabilities and eco-innovation
Authors: Kesidou Effie , Krammer Sorin M.S , Wu Lichao
Published: May 2024

We examine the role institutional pressures, at the subnational level, play in the generation of eco-innovations and explicitly consider how they interact with firms’ heterogeneous capabilities and ownership characteristics. Theoretically, we combine elements from institutional theory with the resource-based view of the firm to develop our hypotheses. Empirically, we use a novel dataset over the period 2003–2013 compiled from several sources: (I) environmental regulations (city-level) from the China Environmental Statistical Yearbooks and City Statistical Yearbooks; (II) green patents (firm-level) from the China National Intellectual Property Administration; and (III) ownership (firm-level) from the National Bureau of Statistics. Our econometric analysis employs an instrumental variable (IV) approach that controls for endogeneity and a negative binomial multilevel methodology for robustness. The results show that institutional pressures associated with environmental regulations, implemented at city level, lead to more green patents produced by firms in these jurisdictions. Crucially, the effectiveness of environmental regulation is enhanced when firms invest more in their internal technological capabilities. Finally, we find that a firm’s affiliation with a business group enhances the positive effects of regulations in terms of the production of eco-innovations.
Trans-Atlantic genomic differentiation and parallel environmental and allelic variation in Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)
Authors: Langille Barbara L , Kess Tony , Nugent Cameron M , Messmer Amber , Duffy Steven J , Knutsen Tim Martin , Kent Matthew , Boyce Danny , Gregory Robert S , Gauthier Johanne , Fairchild Elizabeth A , Pietrak Michael , Eddy Stephen , Garcia de Leaniz Carlos , Consuegra Sofia , Whittaker Ben , Bentzen Paul , Bradbury Ian R
Published: May 2024

In marine species with large populations and high dispersal potential, large-scale genetic differences and clinal trends in allele frequency can provide insight into the evolutionary processes that shape diversity. Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus, is found throughout the North Atlantic and has traditionally been harvested for roe and more recently used as a cleaner fish in salmon aquaculture. We used a 70 K SNP array to evaluate trans-Atlantic differentiation, genetic structuring, and clinal variation across the North Atlantic. Basin-scale structuring between the Northeast and Northwest Atlantic was significant, with enrichment for loci associated with developmental/mitochondrial function. We identified a putative structural variant on chromosome 2, likely contributing to differentiation between Northeast and Northwest Atlantic Lumpfish, and consistent with post-glacial trans-Atlantic secondary contact. Redundancy analysis identified climate associations both in the Northeast (N = 1269 loci) and Northwest (N = 1637 loci), with 103 shared loci between them. Clinal patterns in allele frequencies were observed in some loci (15%—Northwest and 5%—Northeast) of which 708 loci were shared and involved with growth, developmental processes, and locomotion. The combined evidence of trans-Atlantic differentiation, environmental associations, and clinal loci, suggests that both regional and large-scale potentially-adaptive population structuring is present across the North Atlantic.
Regnase-1 D141N mutation induces CD4+ T cell-mediated lung granuloma formation via upregulation of Pim2
Authors: Htun Thin Sandi , Tanaka Hiroki , Singh Shailendra Kumar , Diez Diego , Akira Shizuo
Published: May 2024

Regnase-1 is an RNase that plays a critical role in negatively regulating immune responses by destabilizing inflammatory messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Dysfunction of Regnase-1 can be a major cause of various inflammatory diseases with tissue injury and immune cell infiltration into organs. This study focuses on the role of the RNase activity of Regnase-1 in developing inflammatory diseases. We have constructed mice with a single point mutation at the catalytic center of the Regnase-1 RNase domain, which lacks endonuclease activity. D141N mutant mice demonstrated systemic inflammation, immune cell infiltration into various organs, and progressive development of lung granuloma. CD4+ T cells, mainly affected by this mutation, upregulated the mTORC1 pathway and facilitated the autoimmune trait in the D141N mutation. Moreover, serine/threonine kinase Pim2 contributed to lung inflammation in this mutation. Inhibition of Pim2 kinase activity ameliorated granulomatous inflammation, immune cell infiltration, and proliferation in the lungs. Additionally, Pim2 inhibition reduced the expression of adhesion molecules on CD4+ T cells, suggesting a role for Pim2 in facilitating leukocyte adhesion and migration to inflamed tissues. Our findings provide new insights into the role of Regnase-1 RNase activity in controlling immune functions and underscore the therapeutic relevance of targeting Pim2 to modulate abnormal immune responses.
Genetic sex determination in three closely related hydrothermal vent gastropods, including one species with intersex individuals
Authors: Castel Jade , Pradillon Florence , Cueff Valérie , Leger Guillaume , Daguin-Thiébaut Claire , Ruault Stéphanie , Mary Jean , Hourdez Stéphane , Jollivet Didier , Broquet Thomas
Published: May 2024

Molluscs have undergone many transitions between separate sexes and hermaphroditism, which is of interest in studying the evolution of sex determination and differentiation. Here, we combined multi-locus genotypes obtained from restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing with anatomical observations of the gonads of three deep-sea hydrothermal vent gastropods of the genus Alviniconcha living in the southwest Pacific. We found that all three species (Alviniconcha boucheti, Alviniconcha strummeri, and Alviniconcha kojimai) share the same male-heterogametic XY sex-determination system but that the gonads of XX A. kojimai individuals are invaded by a variable proportion of male reproductive tissue. The identification of Y-specific RAD loci (found only in A. boucheti) and the phylogenetic analysis of three sex-linked loci shared by all species suggested that X-Y recombination has evolved differently within each species. This situation of three species showing variation in gonadal development around a common sex-determination system provides new insights into the reproductive mode of poorly known deep-sea species and opens up an opportunity to study the evolution of recombination suppression on sex chromosomes and its association with mixed or transitory sexual systems.
Emerging evidence of context-dependent synapse elimination by phagocytes in the CNS
Authors: Shen Fang-Shuai , Liu Cui , Sun Hui-Zhe , Chen Xin-Yi , Xue Yan , Chen Lei
Published: May 2024

Precise synapse elimination is essential for the establishment of a fully developed neural circuit during brain development and higher function in adult brain. Beyond immune and nutrition support, recent groundbreaking studies have revealed that phagocytic microglia and astrocytes can actively and selectively eliminate synapses in normal and diseased brains, thereby mediating synapse loss and maintaining circuit homeostasis. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that the mechanisms of synapse elimination by phagocytic glia are not universal but rather depend on specific contexts and detailed neuron–glia interactions. The mechanism of synapse elimination by phagocytic glia is dependent on neuron-intrinsic factors and many innate immune and local apoptosis-related molecules. During development, microglial synapse engulfment in the visual thalamus is primarily influenced by the classic complement pathway, whereas in the barrel cortex, the fractalkine pathway is dominant. In Alzheimer's disease, microglia employ complement-dependent mechanisms for synapse engulfment in tauopathy and early β-amyloid pathology, but microglia are not involved in synapse loss at late β-amyloid stages. Phagocytic microglia also engulf synapses in a complement-dependent way in schizophrenia, anxiety, and stress. In addition, phagocytic astrocytes engulf synapses in a MEGF10-dependent way during visual development, memory, and stroke. Furthermore, the mechanism of a phenomenon that phagocytes selectively eliminate excitatory and inhibitory synapses is also emphasized in this review. We hypothesize that elucidating context-dependent synapse elimination by phagocytic microglia and astrocytes may reveal the molecular basis of synapse loss in neural disorders and provide a rationale for developing novel candidate therapies that target synapse loss and circuit homeostasis.
LINC01572 promotes the malignant progression of lung adenocarcinoma by modulating p53 mediated by miRNA-338-5p/TTK axis
Authors: Liu Shilan , Liu Xiao , Yang Qinghui , Zeng Chunhua , Hu Gang , Ren Bochen
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors that threaten human health seriously. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an important factor affecting tumorigenesis and development. However, the mechanism of lncRNA in lung cancer progression remains to be further explored.

Methods

In this study, the TCGA database was analyzed, and LINC01572 was found to be increased in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues. Thereafter, with the help of databases including lncBase, TargetScan, and mirDIP, as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, LINC01572/miRNA-338-5p/TTK regulatory axis and downstream p53 signaling pathway were excavated. qRT-PCR was adopted to detect levels of LINC01572, miRNA-338-5p, and TTK in LUAD cells. The role that LINC01572 played in LUAD cells was validated by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, colony formation, Transwell, and scratch healing assays. The binding ability between LINC01572/TTK and miRNA-338-5p was then verified by dual-luciferase and RIP analysis.

Key findings

The results of this study demonstrated that LINC01572 was elevated in LUAD cells compared with normal cells. The overexpression of LINC01572 promoted the proliferative and migratory properties of LUAD cells but inhibited cell apoptosis. The inhibition of LINC01572 resulted in the opposite result. In addition, rescue experiments revealed that LINC01572, as a molecular sponge of miRNA-338-5p, targeted TTK to manipulate p53 for facilitating LUAD cell malignant progression. Apart from this, we constructed a mouse xenograft model and confirmed that the knockdown of LINC01572 hindered the growth of LUAD solid tumors in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings illuminated the molecular mechanism of LINC01572 influencing LUAD and provided new insights for targeted therapy of LUAD cells.
The Marssonina rosae effector MrSEP43 suppresses immunity in rose by targeting the orphan protein RcBROG
Authors: Yang Yi , Qi Yucen , Su Lin , Yang Shumin , Yi Xingwan , Luo Le , Yu Chao , Cheng Tangren , Wang Jia , Zhang Qixiang , Pan Huitang
Published: May 2024

Rose black spot disease, caused by Marssonina rosae (syn. Diplocarpon rosae), is one of the most widespread diseases of field-grown roses worldwide. Pathogens have been found to interfere with or stimulate plant immune responses by secreting effectors. However, the molecular mechanism involved in inhibition of the rose immune response by M. rosae effectors remains poorly understood. Here, we identified the effector MrSEP43, which plays a pivotal role in promoting the virulence of M. rosae and enhancing rose susceptibility to infection by reducing callose deposition, H2O2 accumulation, and the expression of defense genes in the jasmonic acid signaling pathway. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and split luciferase assays showed that MrSEP43 interacted with the rose orphan protein RcBROG. RcBROG, a positive regulator of defense against M. rosae, enhanced rose resistance by increasing callose deposition, H2O2 accumulation, and the expression of RcERF1 in the ethylene signaling pathway. Overall, our findings suggest that the M. rosae virulence effector MrSEP43 specifically targets the orphan protein RcBROG to suppress the rose immune response to M. rosae. These results provide new insights into how M. rosae manipulates and successfully colonizes rose leaves, and are essential for preventing the breakdown of resistance to rose black spot disease.
Recent progress on the functionalization of white phosphorus in China
Authors: Huangfu Xinlei , Wang Zhongzhen , Chen Yu , Wei Junnian , Liu Wei , Zhang Wen-Xiong
Published: May 2024

Direct synthesis of organophosphorus compounds from white phosphorus represents a significant but challenging subject, especially in the context of ongoing efforts to comprehensively improve the phosphorus-derived chemical industry driven by sustainability and safety concerns. China is the world's largest producer of white phosphorus, creating a significant demand for the green transformation of this crucial feedstock. This review provides an overview of advancements in white phosphorus activation by Chinese research teams, focusing on the direct construction of P‒C/N/O/S/M bonds from white phosphorus. Additionally, we offer some insights into prospective directions for the activation and transformation of white phosphorus in the future. This review paper aims to attract more researchers to engage in this area, stimulating follow-up exploration and fostering enduring advances.
Epidemiology of Cryptococcosis Among Patients With Commercial Health Insurance and Patients With Medicaid, United States, 2016–2022
Authors: Benedict Kaitlin , Smith Dallas J , Gold Jeremy A W
Published: May 2024

In 2 large health insurance claims databases, cryptococcosis prevalence was 3.4 cases per 100 000 commercially insured patients and 6.5 per 100 000 Medicaid patients. Prevalence was higher among males, non-Hispanic Black patients, and residents of the Southern United States, likely reflecting the disproportionate burden of HIV in these populations.
GROWTH REGULATING FACTOR 7-mediated arbutin metabolism enhances rice salt tolerance
Authors: Chen Yunping , Dan Zhiwu , Li Shaoqing
Published: May 2024

Salt stress is an environmental factor that limits plant growth and crop production. With the rapid expansion of salinized arable land worldwide, investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the salt stress response in plants is urgently needed. Here, we report that GROWTH REGULATING FACTOR 7 (OsGRF7) promotes salt tolerance by regulating arbutin (hydroquinone-β-D-glucopyranoside) metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa). Overexpression of OsGRF7 increased arbutin content, and exogenous arbutin application rescued the salt-sensitive phenotype of OsGRF7 knockdown and knockout plants. OsGRF7 directly promoted the expression of the arbutin biosynthesis genes URIDINE DIPHOSPHATE GLYCOSYLTRANSFERASE 1 (OsUGT1) and OsUGT5, and knockout of OsUGT1 or OsUGT5 reduced rice arbutin content, salt tolerance, and grain size. Furthermore, OsGRF7 degradation through its interaction with F-BOX AND OTHER DOMAINS CONTAINING PROTEIN 13 reduced rice salinity tolerance and grain size. These findings highlight an underexplored role of OsGRF7 in modulating rice arbutin metabolism, salt stress response, and grain size, as well as its broad potential use in rice breeding.
Theory of Majorana Zero Modes in Unconventional Superconductors
Authors: Tanaka Yukio , Tamura Shun , Cayao Jorge
Published: May 2024

Majorana fermions are spin-1/2 neutral particles that are their own antiparticles; they were initially predicted by Ettore Majorana in particle physics but their observation still remains elusive. The concept of Majorana fermions has been borrowed by condensed matter physics, where, unlike particle physics, Majorana fermions emerge as zero-energy quasiparticles that can be engineered by combining electrons and holes and have therefore been called Majorana zero modes. In this review, we provide a pedagogical explanation of the basic properties of Majorana zero modes in unconventional superconductors and their consequences in experimental observables, putting a special emphasis on the initial theoretical discoveries. In particular, we first show that Majorana zero modes are self-conjugated and emerge as a special type of zero-energy surface Andreev bound states at the boundary of unconventional superconductors. We then explore Majorana zero modes in 1D spin-polarized p-wave superconductors, where we address the formation of topological superconductivity and the physical realization in superconductor–semiconductor hybrids. In this part we highlight that Majorana quasiparticles appear as zero-energy edge states, exhibiting charge neutrality, spin-polarization, and spatial nonlocality as unique properties that can already be seen from their energies and wavefunctions. Next, we discuss the analytically obtained Green’s functions of p-wave superconductors and demonstrate that the emergence of Majorana zero modes is always accompanied by the formation of odd-frequency spin-triplet pairing as a unique result of the self-conjugate nature of Majorana zero modes. We finally address the signatures of Majorana zero modes in tunneling spectroscopy, including the anomalous proximity effect, and the phase-biased Josephson effect.
Does open or closed reduction with internal fixation reduces the incidence of complications in neck of femur fractures in pediatrics: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Hafez Ahmed T. , Aly Mohammed , Omar Islam , Richardson George , James Kyle
Published: May 2024

The neck of femur fracture (FNF) in children is a rare injury with a high incidence of complications such as avascular necrosis (AVN), coxa-vara and nonunion. The aim of this review is to compare the incidence of complications between open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) and closed reduction with internal fixation (CRIF) of FNF in children. Two independent reviewers searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, COCHRANE and PUBMED databases from inception until April 2022 according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Studies included comparison of complications between open and closed approaches with fixation of FNF in patients less than 18 years old. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test while the Newcastle–Ottawa tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. A total of 724 hip fractures from 15 included studies received either ORIF or CRIF. Overall, the rate of AVN was approximately 21.7% without statistical significance between both reduction methods [relative risk (RR) = 0.909, using fixed effect model at 95% confidence interval (CI, 0.678–1.217)]. No significant heterogeneity among AVN studies (I
2 = 3.79%, P = 0.409). Similarly, neither coxa-vara nor nonunion rates were statistically significant in both treatment groups (RR = 0.693 and RR = 0.506, respectively). Coxa-vara studies showed mild heterogeneity (I
2 = 27.8%, P = 0.218), while significant publication bias was encountered in nonunion studies (P = 0.048). No significant difference in the incidence of AVN, coxa-vara and nonunion between ORIF or CRIF of FNF in children. High-quality studies as Randomised Controlled Trials can resolve the inconsistency and heterogeneity of other risk factors including age, initial displacement, fracture type, reduction quality and time to fixation.
Foundation Models, Generative AI, and Large Language Models
Authors: Ross Angela , McGrow Kathleen , Zhi Degui , Rasmy Laila
Published: May 2024

We are in a booming era of artificial intelligence, particularly with the increased availability of technologies that can help generate content, such as ChatGPT. Healthcare institutions are discussing or have started utilizing these innovative technologies within their workflow. Major electronic health record vendors have begun to leverage large language models to process and analyze vast amounts of clinical natural language text, performing a wide range of tasks in healthcare settings to help alleviate clinicians' burden. Although such technologies can be helpful in applications such as patient education, drafting responses to patient questions and emails, medical record summarization, and medical research facilitation, there are concerns about the tools' readiness for use within the healthcare domain and acceptance by the current workforce. The goal of this article is to provide nurses with an understanding of the currently available foundation models and artificial intelligence tools, enabling them to evaluate the need for such tools and assess how they can impact current clinical practice. This will help nurses efficiently assess, implement, and evaluate these tools to ensure these technologies are ethically and effectively integrated into healthcare systems, while also rigorously monitoring their performance and impact on patient care.
Publications in Plastic Surgery and Reconstruction: A Review from a Developing Country, Sudan
Authors: Bakhiet Mohammed Yousof , Alshareef Alshareef Mohamed , Abuelnour Aimen Elsheikh Khalil , Asiri Mohammed Nasser , Alzahrani Rayan Abdullah J. , Alghamdi Saja Mohammed S. , Murdhi A. Alzahrani Rayan , Alghamdi Hanin Ayed M. , Gismalla Mohamed Daffalla-Awadalla
Published: May 2024

Background:

Plastic and reconstructive surgery services need to be improved in developing African countries. Research and article publications from those countries are limited. This review was conducted to identify published articles from Sudan in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Methods:

This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines were used for the preparation of this systematic review. A comprehensive systematic search was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases. Articles published in Sudan, specifically in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery, and written in English were included in this review.

Results:

The total number of articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria was 23. The articles were written from 1969 to 2023. Only two articles were published in the 20th century. The most common study type was a retrospective study of eight articles, and the most common study area was Khartoum Teaching Hospital. Regarding the publishing journals, the number of subscription journals was six (30%), whereas open access was 17 (70%).

Conclusion:

This review demonstrates the lack of articles published on plastic surgery in Sudan. Further investigation is needed to determine the challenges and problems associated with possible clarifications.
Surgical options and clinical outcomes for high myopia
Authors: Abing Ashley A. , Oh Alyce , Ong Lauren F. , Marvasti Amir H. , Tran Dan B. , Lee Jimmy K.
Published: May 2024

Purpose of review

Higher degrees of myopia are currently being treated with refractive surgery. However, there is limited characterization and outcomes data for this cohort. This article aims to review the literature on highly myopic patients who had refractive surgery and present a retrospective analysis of 149 patients (270 eyes) with high to extreme myopia (≤−5.0D SE) who underwent refractive surgery [laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), or implantable collamer lense (ICL)] at a single practice.

Recent findings

There is substantial literature on the efficacy of LASIK, PRK, and phakic intraocular lenses for refractive error correction, but a dearth of studies on patients with high to extreme myopia undergoing different types of refractive surgery. Our study reveals that this cohort of patients has excellent outcomes with minimal complications.

Our study reveals that the average preoperative myopia was highest in ICL patients (−10.03D), followed by PRK (−7.21D), and LASIK (−7.04D) patients. Not surprisingly, eyes with high myopia and thin corneas were offered and elected ICLs for their procedure. Highly myopic patients achieved outcomes consistent with data reported in the literature- average postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 for LASIK and ICL eyes and 20/25 for PRK eyes.
Treatment Outcomes Comparing the Paul and Baerveldt Glaucoma Implants After One Year of Follow-Up
Authors: Berteloot Sophie , Correia Barão Rafael , Abegão Pinto Luís , Vandewalle Evelien , Stalmans Ingeborg , Lemmens Sophie
Published: May 2024

Précis:

In reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), Paul (PGI) and Baerveldt (BGI) glaucoma implants are safe and effective in patients with glaucoma.

Objective:

To compare efficacy and safety profiles of the PGI and BGI in the treatment of medically uncontrolled glaucoma at 1 year of follow-up.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of patients implanted with a PGI or BGI with a minimum of 12 months follow-up. The primary outcome was surgical success defined as IOP ≥6 and ≤18 mm Hg and at least 20% IOP reduction from baseline. Secondary outcomes included IOP measurements, number of medications, and complications.

Results:

Twenty-three patients implanted with PGI and 27 with BGI were included. At last visit (12 mo), mean IOP had decreased from 23.7 ± 6.9 to 0.1 ± 2.9 mm Hg in the PGI group versus 26 ± 7.3 to 10.4 ± 4.9 mm Hg with the BGI (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Overall qualified success rates were similar between groups (PGI 91% vs BGI 89%, P = 0.784). IOP was significantly lower in the PGI at week 1 and month 1 of follow-up versus the BGI (13.6 ± 6.1 vs 20.1 ± 7.4; 14.6±3.8 vs 21.2 ± 5.8 mm Hg; P < 0.002 for both) with a lower number of medications (1.57 ± 1.47 vs 2.52 ± 1.16 at mo 1, P = 0.015). Most complications were minor and similar in both groups.

Conclusion:

Both PGI and BGI are safe and effective in reducing IOP in patients with glaucoma, with similar success rates.