bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kangfuxin liquid reduces the ultraviolet B-induced photodamage of HaCaT cells by regulating autophagy
Authors: Lin Xianghong , Chu Jimin , Xiang Yang , He Miao , Ma Qiong , Duan Jingxian , Wang Yan , Sun Sujiao
Published: September 2023

Kangfuxin liquid (KFX), an extract of the American cockroach, has been clinically proven to be effective in various skin damage disorders, but there are no reports on its use in photodamage. We explored the effect of KFX on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photodamage and whether its mechanism was related to autophagy. We found that KFX treatment reduced UVB-induced reactive oxygen species production and improved the vitality of cells inhibited by UVB irradiation. The expression of LC3 (A/B), which was inhibited after UVB irradiation, could be rescued by KFX treatment. Furthermore, KFX may upregulate the level of cellular autophagy by regulating the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway. When the autophagy inhibitor wortmannin was used to inhibit autophagy, the protective effect of KFX on cells was diminished or even disappeared. Our study suggests that KFX may resist UVB-mediated oxidative stress damage of HaCaT through the induction of autophagy.
Pruritus is associated with longer hospital stays and higher costs in psychiatric inpatients from the USA National Inpatient Sample (2012–2015): a cross-sectional study
Authors: Choragudi Siri C , Andrade Luis F , Yosipovitch Gil
Published: September 2023

This national inpatient data analysis determined that, in addition to the increased costs and duration of hospital stay associated with pruritus, the prevalence of pruritus during inpatient psychiatric admissions in the USA is 18.6% (approximately 1 in 5 patients).
Does genetic risk modify the effect of skin screening on melanoma detection rates?
Authors: Pandeya Nirmala , Dusingize Jean Claude , Olsen Catherine M , MacGregor Stuart , Neale Rachel E , Law Matthew H , Whiteman David C
Published: September 2023

Background

Skin screening is associated with higher melanoma detection rates, a potential indicator of overdiagnosis, but it remains possible that this effect is due to confounding by genetic risk.

Objectives

To compare melanoma incidence among screened vs. unscreened participants within tertiles of genetic risk.

Methods

We investigated melanoma incidence in the QSkin study, a prospective cohort study which for this analysis comprised 15 283 participants aged 40–69 years with genotype data and no prior history of melanoma. We calculated a polygenic score (PGS) for melanoma. We first calculated the age-standardized rate (ASR) of melanoma within PGS tertiles, and then measured the association between skin examination and melanoma detection by calculating the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), overall and within PGS tertiles.

Results

Melanoma incidence increased with PGS (ASR per 100 000 per year): tertile 1 = 442; tertile 2 = 519; tertile 3 = 871. We found that the HRs for all melanomas (i.e. in situ and invasive) associated with skin examination differed slightly across PGS tertiles [age- and sex-adjusted tertile 1 HR 1.88 (95% CI 1.26–2.81); tertile 2 HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.20–2.41); tertile 3 HR 1.96 (95% CI 1.43–2.70); fully adjusted tertile 1 HR 1.14 (95% CI 0.74–1.75); tertile 2 HR 1.21 (95% CI 0.82–1.78); tertile 3 HR 1.41 (95% CI 1.00–1.98)], but these differences were not statistically significant. HRs for in situ melanoma associated with skin examination were similar across PGS tertiles. For invasive melanomas, the point estimates appeared to be highest in PGS tertile 3 in both the minimally adjusted (age, sex) and fully adjusted models; however, these apparent differences were also not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Genetic risk predicts subsequent melanoma incidence, and is weakly associated with screening behaviour, but it does not explain the higher rate of melanoma detection between screened and unscreened people.
Addressing the challenges facing the paramedic profession in the United Kingdom
Authors: Eaton Georgette
Published: September 2023

Background

The paramedic profession within the United Kingdom has been evolving at pace over the last 20 years. While they are most associated with their work in ambulance services, paramedics are now found throughout a range of clinical and academic settings.

Sources of data

Literature Review.

Areas of agreement

Despite emergence of the paramedic across the healthcare workforce, the understanding and awareness of the professional role and capabilities is poor. This could be due to a lack of representation within senior leadership roles and within health and social care policy.

Areas of controversy

Understanding of the paramedic professional identity, from a philosophical and sociological perspective, remains incomplete.

Growing points

A challenge for the future is to explore how the paramedic role can continue to develop across a range of clinical settings, while retaining its sui generis professional identity.

Areas timely for developing research

Research to establish perspectives of and about the paramedic profession may assist in developing an understanding of identity and its place within the wider healthcare workforce.
Can immunological imprinting drive neurological dysfunction in long COVID?
Authors: Kolson Dennis L
Published: September 2023

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Neurologic sequelae of COVID-19 are determined by immunologic imprinting from previous coronaviruses’ by Spatola et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad155).
Utilizing Instagram as a novel method for dermatopathology instruction
Authors: Hubbard Gregory , Saal Ryan , Wintringham Jennifer , Roberts Alice
Published: September 2023

Instagram provides an accessible and interactive platform for the dissemination of medical knowledge. The Instagram platform is ideally curated for intrinsically visual specialties such as dermatopathology. The described methodology highlights Instagram’s expansive scope and potential to promote active learning in dermatopathology education. Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Instagram page @evmsdermatology provides a novel case framework for further reproducibility throughout similar medical specialties.
Prevention of recurrent erythema multiforme with lenalidomide: a case series
Authors: Ingen-Housz-Oro Saskia , Joly Pascal , Kini-Matondo Willy , Sbidian Emilie
Published: September 2023

Prevention of recurrences of erythema multiforme is a therapeutic challenge. Thalidomide is effective, but its use is limited by adverse effects, especially peripheral neuropathy. We report seven cases of recurrent severe erythema multiforme treated with lenalidomide. In six cases, the drug was effective without significant adverse effects.
Conventions, markets and industry evolution: the example of the wind turbine industry in Germany 1977–2021
Authors: Menzel Max-Peter
Published: September 2023

Markets are drivers of evolutionary change. They link social norms to the evolution of an industry. The study uses a process tracing approach to identify two mechanisms of this link. The first mechanism describes how different conventions change the construction of markets. The second mechanism describes how the changing principles of evaluation influence the resource construction of firms and thus the life cycle of the industry. The empirical example is the wind turbine industry in Germany from 1977 to 2021. The development of the industry can be divided into different phases shaped by different conventions, each affecting market construction and industry evolution in different ways.
Occupancy of Bombus affinis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Minnesota is highest in developed areas when standardized surveys are employed
Authors: Boone Michelle L , Portman Zachary M , Lane Ian , Rao Sujaya
Published: September 2023

Mounting evidence of bumble bee declines and the listing of the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis Cresson) as federally endangered in the United States in 2017 and Canada in 2012 has stimulated an interest in monitoring and conservation. Understanding the influence of land use on occupancy patterns of imperiled species is crucial to successful recovery planning. Using detection data from community surveys, we assessed land use associations for 7 bumble bee species in Minnesota, USA, including B. affinis. We used multispecies occupancy models to assess the effect of 3 major land use types (developed, agricultural, and natural) within 0.5 and 1.5 km on occupancy of 7 Bombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) species, while accounting for detection uncertainty. We found that B. affinis occupancy and detection were highest in developed landscapes and lowest in agricultural landscapes, representing an inverse relationship with the relative landcover ratios of these landscapes in Minnesota. Occupancy of 2 bumble bee species had strong positive associations with natural landscapes within 1.5 km and 2 species had strong negative associations with agricultural landscapes within 1.5 km. Our results suggest that best practices for imperiled Bombus monitoring and recovery planning depends upon the surrounding major land use patterns. We provide recommendations for urban planning to support B. affinis based on conservation success in the metropolitan areas of Minneapolis-St. Paul. We also encourage substantial survey effort be employed in agricultural and natural regions of the state historically occupied by B. affinis to determine the current occupancy state.
The impact of annuloplasty ring or band implantation on post-repair mitral valve haemodynamic performance
Authors: Tomšič Anton , Sandoval Elena , Meucci Maria C , Nabeta Takeru , Castella Manuel , Muro Anna , Klautz Robert J M , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Pereda Daniel , Palmen Meindert
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVES

The clinical importance of optimal post-repair mitral valve diastolic performance is increasingly being recognized. The haemodynamic effect of a partial annuloplasty band implantation, in comparison to a full ring, remains insufficiently explored.

METHODS

Patients undergoing mitral valve repair for pure degenerative disease between 2011 and 2019 at 2 experienced heart valve centres were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were concomitant procedures other than tricuspid valve repair and ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation. Pre-discharge and follow-up echocardiograms (1–4 years after surgery) were analysed to assess haemodynamic mitral valve performance.

RESULTS

Of 535 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 364 (68.0%) patients underwent full annuloplasty ring and 171 (31.0%) partial band implantation. On predischarge echocardiogram, post-repair mitral valve gradient and area did not differ between groups [2.89 mmHg (IQR 2.26–3.72) vs 2.60 mmHg (IQR 1.91–3.55), P = 0.19 and 1.98 cm2 (IQR 1.66–2.46) vs 2.03 cm2 (IQR 1.55–3.06), P = 0.15]. However, multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated band annuloplasty as a determinant of larger valve area (coefficient 0.467 cm2, standard error 0.105, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, no significant impact on post-repair gradient was observed (–0.370 mmHg, standard error 0.167, P = 0.36). At follow-up, the differences between groups disappeared and multivariable regression analysis failed to demonstrate a significant impact of annuloplasty device type on mitral valve gradient (coefficient –0.095 mmHg, standard error 0.171, P = 1.00) or area (coefficient –0.085 cm2, standard error 0.120, P = 1.00). These results were confirmed with a linear mixed model analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Partial band annuloplasty was related to an improved haemodynamic profile directly after valve repair for degenerative disease but the effect was short-lived. Our results suggest that the type of annuloplasty device has no durable impact on diastolic valve performance.
Mapping structures on the core–mantle boundary using Sdiff postcursors: Part II. Application to the Hawaiian ULVZ
Authors: Martin Carl , Bodin Thomas , Cottaar Sanne
Published: September 2023

We present a new data set of nearly 100 earthquakes which show clear evidence of the Hawaiian ultra-low velocity zone (ULVZ) in the S core-diffracted phase (Sdiff), representing the most comprehensive Sdiff data set of a ULVZ to date. Using a Bayesian inversion approach, as outlined in Martin et al., and a subset of the data set, we characterise the 2-D morphology and velocity of the Hawaiian ULVZ. The results suggest that the ULVZ is smaller than previously estimated, with an elliptical shape, and oriented along the direction of the large low-shear velocity province boundary. Using forward modelling, we infer that the ULVZ has a height of 25 km and shear velocity reduction of 25 %.
A Laboratory-Developed Assay for Clade II Human Mpox Virus on the Panther Fusion Open Access System
Authors: Villa Rebecca D , Pentella Michael A , Benfer Jeffrey L
Published: September 2023

This paper describes the methods for developing and optimizing a laboratory-developed assay (LDA) for detecting clade II human mpox virus using the automated Panther Fusion platform and Open Access software. Various concentrations of reagents in a primer-probe mix were tested to optimize the LDA. The LDA was validated using 10 previously characterized positive and 10 negative human mpox samples, resulting in 95% accuracy and 100% precision. The LDA resulted in 100% specificity among previously tested HSV1-, HSV2-, and VZV-positive human samples. Several spiked media extensions were also validated and achieved 98% accuracy and 100% precision across all collection media types. The assay's limit of detection was calculated to be 1.475 copies/reaction, and the polymerase chain reaction efficiency resulted in 89.87% (slope, −3.5911; R2 = 0.9947). The methods described here can be applied to the rapid optimization and development of LDAs for many possible pathogens of public health importance.
Cytomegalovirus Viral Load Threshold to Guide Preemptive Therapy in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: Correlation With Cytomegalovirus Disease
Authors: Sadowska-Klasa Alicja , Leisenring Wendy M , Limaye Ajit P , Boeckh Michael
Published: September 2023

A systematic review of randomized and observational studies from 2013 to 2023 demonstrated that antiviral preemptive therapy started at cytomegalovirus viral load thresholds between 2 and 3 log10 IU/mL was associated with similar cytomegalovirus disease rates. Thus, viral thresholds in this range appear to effectively protect patients not receiving prophylaxis.
Randomized Field Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine for Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in School-Aged Children in Bandiagara, Mali
Authors: Traore Karim , Coulibaly Drissa , Kone Abdoulaye K , Guindo Boureima , Traore Souleymane , Kouriba Kindie , Djimde Moussa , Thera Mahamadou Ali
Published: September 2023

Background

Owing to the increased cases of malaria in older children, the World Health Organization has recently recommended extending seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) to children >5 years of age and using other effective drugs for malaria. In this study, we report the safety and efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PQ) for SMC in school-aged children in Mali.

Method

This randomized, controlled trial included 345 participants aged 6–15 years randomized to receive DHA-PQ, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine (SP-AQ), or no chemoprevention (albendazole) at a 1:1:1 ratio. Four rounds of SMC were conducted from September to December 2021. The participants were assessed 7 days after each round for safety and efficacy of the interventions.

Results

Abdominal pain (11.8% vs 29.2%), headache (11.2% vs 19.2%), and vomiting (5.7% vs 15.2%) were frequently reported in the DHA-PQ and SP-AQ arms. On Day 120 of follow up, the incidence of clinical malaria was 0.01 episodes/person-month in the DHA-PQ and SP-AQ arms and 0.17 episodes/person-month in the control arm (P < .0001). Gametocytes were detected in 37 participants in all arms.

Conclusions

Children in DHA-PQ arm reported less adverse events compared to the SP-AQ arm. Both drugs were effective against clinical malaria and infection.
Do Eyes in the Sky Ensure Peace on the Ground? The Uncertain Contributions of Remote Sensing to Ceasefire Compliance
Authors: Sticher Valerie , Verjee Aly
Published: September 2023

In many conflicts, international ceasefire monitors are deployed to mitigate future violence. Increasingly, such monitors use satellite imagery, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and other camera-equipped assets to supplement, and sometimes substitute, human monitoring efforts to document ceasefire violations. To date, we know little about when and how such technology contributes to ceasefire compliance, with scholars offering diverging assessments of the effects. Integrating scholarship on the use of remote sensing in ceasefire monitoring with theories on the causal processes underlying ceasefire monitoring, this analytical essay offers a framework to assess the contribution of remote sensing to ceasefire compliance and illustrates the empirical application of this framework by examining the most technologically advanced ceasefire monitoring mission yet deployed, the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Focusing on the period prior to the Russian invasion of 2022, our research finds that while the mission’s observational power was expanded, remote sensing technologies ultimately had little effect on modifying conflict party behavior or compliance. While in this case remote sensing technology minimally increased compliance, the study contributes to debates on the use of technology as a conflict management tool, and provides an assessment framework for scholars and for policymakers considering adopting technology in other monitoring contexts.
Arbovirology and Cold War Collaborations: A Transnational History of the Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine, 1930-1980
Authors: Mazanik Anna
Published: September 2023

This article analyzes the history of immunization against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and specifically the processes that led to the creation and application of TBE vaccines in the Soviet Union and Austria. Rather than presenting the development of TBE vaccines from the perspective of national scientific schools, the article investigates their history as a transnational project, focusing on the connections among the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Austria, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It argues that biomedical research on TBE was profoundly intertwined with political and military agendas and depended on civil international cooperation as well as Soviet, American, and British military concerns, infrastructures and funding. The article consists of four parts that discuss (1) the identification of the TBE virus and the creation of the first TBE vaccine in the Soviet Union in the 1930s; (2) the internationalization of TBE research and vaccine development in the 1940s-1960s; (3) the history of TBE research and virology in Austria in the 1930s-1960s and the role of the US military funding; and (4) the cooperation of Austrian virologist Christian Kunz with the Microbiological Research Establishment Porton Down in the UK leading to the development of the Austrian/British vaccine against TBE in the 1970s.
Facing up to face value: Communication, difference, and the turn to expertise
Authors: Ashcraft Karen Lee
Published: September 2023

This paper engages with a turn that has taken place over the last decade or so: from a sociology of professions toward a sociology of expertise. While the shift toward expertise is highly conducive to communicative inquiry, it is haunted by a ghost of professions past. I argue that this ghost—a persistent problem I formulate as ‘face value’—must be confronted for the turn to realize its considerable potential. Face value refers to the ways in which presumptions of merit arise through relations of difference, such as gender, race, and sexuality. I chart a path toward examining the production of face value, namely, by situating networks of expertise within economies of difference.
Stationary nonseparable space-time covariance functions on networks
Authors: Porcu Emilio , White Philip A , Genton Marc G
Published: September 2023

The advent of data science has provided an increasing number of challenges with high data complexity. This paper addresses the challenge of space-time data where the spatial domain is not a planar surface, a sphere, or a linear network, but a generalised network (termed a graph with Euclidean edges). Additionally, data are repeatedly measured over different temporal instants. We provide new classes of stationary nonseparable space-time covariance functions where space can be a generalised network, a Euclidean tree, or a linear network, and where time can be linear or circular (seasonal). Because the construction principles are technical, we focus on illustrations that guide the reader through the construction of statistically interpretable examples. A simulation study demonstrates that the correct model can be recovered when compared to misspecified models. In addition, our simulation studies show that we effectively recover simulation parameters. In our data analysis, we consider a traffic accident dataset that shows improved model performance based on covariance specifications and network-based metrics.
Characterization of rhizobia for beneficial traits that promote nodulation in legumes under abiotically stressed conditions
Authors: Khambani Langutani Sanger , Hassen Ahmed Idris , Rumbold Karl
Published: September 2023

The growing interest in using rhizobia as inoculants in sustainable agricultural systems has prompted the screening of rhizobia species for beneficial traits that enhance nodulation and nitrogen fixation under abiotic stressed conditions. This study reports phenotypic and phylogenetic characterization of rhizobia strains previously isolated from the root nodules of several indigenous and exotic legumes growing in South Africa and other countries. The Rhizobia strains were screened for their ability to tolerate various abiotic stresses (temperature 16, 28, and 36 °C; acidity/alkalinity pH 5, 7, and 9; heavy metals 50, 100, and 150 mM AlCl3.6H2O; and salinity 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl). Phylogenetic characterization of the isolates was determined using multilocus sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA, recA, acdS, exoR, nodA, and nodC genes. The analysis indicated that the isolates are phylogenetically related to Sinorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Aminobacter genera and exhibited significant variations in their tolerance to abiotic stresses. Amid the increasing threats of the global stresses, these current results provide baseline information in the selection of rhizobia for use as inoculants under extreme temperatures, acidity/alkalinity, and salinity stress conditions in South Africa.
An HST COS ultraviolet spectroscopic survey of 311 DA white dwarfs – I. Fundamental parameters and comparative studies
Authors: Sahu Snehalata , Gänsicke Boris T , Tremblay Pier-Emmanuel , Koester Detlev , Hermes J J , Wilson David J , Toloza Odette , Hoskin Matthew J , Farihi Jay , Manser Christopher J , Redfield Seth
Published: September 2023

White dwarf studies carry significant implications across multiple fields of astrophysics, including exoplanets, supernova explosions, and cosmological investigations. Thus, accurate determinations of their fundamental parameters (Teff and log g) are of utmost importance. While optical surveys have provided measurements for many white dwarfs, there is a lack of studies utilizing ultraviolet (UV) data, particularly focusing on the warmer ones that predominantly emit in the UV range. Here, we present the medium-resolution far-UV spectroscopic survey of 311 DA white dwarfs obtained with Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) onboard Hubble Space Telescope confirming 49 photometric Gaia candidates. We used 3D extinction maps, parallaxes, and hydrogen atmosphere models to fit the spectra of the stars that lie in the range $12\, 000 \lt \mbox{$T_{\mathrm{eff}}$}\lt 33\, 000$ K, and $7 \le \mbox{$\log g$}\lt 9.2$. To assess the impact of input physics, we employed two mass–radius relations in the fitting and compared the results with previous studies. The comparisons suggest the COS Teff are systematically lower by 3 per cent, on average, than Balmer line fits while they differ by only 1.5 per cent from optical photometric studies. The mass distributions indicate that the COS masses are smaller by ≈0.05  and 0.02 M⊙ than Balmer lines and photometric masses, respectively. Performing several tests, we find that the discrepancies are either arising due to issues with the COS calibration, broadening theories for hydrogen lines, or interstellar reddening which needs further examination. Based on comparative analysis, we identify 30 binary candidates drawing attention for follow-up studies to confirm their nature.
Halo scaling relations and hydrostatic mass bias in the
simba
simulation from realistic mock X-ray catalogues
Authors: Jennings Fred , Davé Romeel
Published: September 2023

We present a new end-to-end pipeline for Mock Observations of X-ray Haloes and Analysis (moxha) for hydrodynamic simulations of massive haloes, and use it to investigate X-ray scaling relations and hydrostatic mass bias in the simba cosmological hydrodynamic simulation for haloes with M500 ∼ 1013−15M⊙. moxha ties together existing yT-based software packages and adds new functionality to provide an end-to-end pipeline for generating mock X-ray halo data from large-scale or zoom simulation boxes. We compare moxha-derived halo properties in simba to their emission-weighted counterparts, and forecast the systematic mass bias in mock Athena observations. Overall, we find inferred hydrostatic masses are biased low compared to true simba values. For simple mass-weighting, we find $b_\text{MW} = 0.15^{+0.15}_{-0.14}$ (16–84 per cent range), while emission-weighting increases this to $b_\text{LW}=0.30^{+0.19}_{-0.10}$. The larger bias versus mass-weighted values we attribute to the spectroscopic and emission-weighted temperatures being biased systematically lower than mass-weighted temperatures. The full moxha pipeline recovers the emission-weighted hydrostatic masses at R500 reasonably well, yielding $b_\text{X}=0.33^{+0.28}_{-0.34}$. moxha-derived halo X-ray scalings are in very good agreement with observed scaling relations, with the inclusion of lower mass groups significantly steepening the LX − M500, M500 − TX, and LX − TX relations. This indicates the strong effect the simba feedback model has on low-mass haloes, which strongly evacuates poor groups but still retains enough gas to reproduce observations. We find similar trends for analogous scaling relations measured at R500, as expected for halo-wide gas evacuation.
The role of tidal interactions in the formation of slowly rotating early-type stars in young star clusters
Authors: He Chenyu , Li Chengyuan , Sun Weijia , de Grijs Richard , Li Lu , Zhong Jing , Qin Songmei , Chen Li , Wang Li , Tang Baitian , Shao Zhengyi , Xu Cheng
Published: September 2023

The split main sequences found in the colour–magnitude diagrams of star clusters younger than ∼600 Myr are suggested to be caused by the dichotomy of stellar rotation rates of upper main-sequence stars. Tidal interactions have been suggested as a possible explanation of the dichotomy of the stellar rotation rates. This hypothesis proposes that the slow rotation rates of stars along the split main sequences are caused by tidal interactions in binaries. To test this scenario, we measured the variations in the radial velocities of slowly rotating stars along the split main sequence of the young Galactic cluster NGC 2422 (∼90 Myr) using spectra obtained at multiple epochs with the Canada–France–Hawai’i Telescope. Our results show that most slowly rotating stars are not radial velocity variables. Using the theory of dynamical tides, we find that the binary separations necessary to fully or partially synchronize our spectroscopic targets, on time-scales shorter than the cluster age, predict much larger radial velocity variations across multiple-epoch observations, or a much larger radial velocity dispersion at a single epoch, than the observed values. This indicates that tidal interactions are not the dominant mechanism to form slowly rotating stars along the split main sequences. As the observations of the rotation velocity distribution among B- and A-type stars in binaries of larger separations hint at a much stronger effect of braking with age, we discuss the consequences of relaxing the constraints of the dynamical tides theory.
Metal-THINGS: a panchromatic analysis of the local scaling relationships of the dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 1569
Authors: Garduño L E , Zaragoza-Cardiel J , Lara-López M A , Zinchenko I A , Zerbo M C , De Rossi M E , Fritz Jacopo , Dib Sami , Pilyugin L S , Sánchez-Cruces M , Heesen V , O’Sullivan S P , López-Cruz O , Valerdi M , Rosado Margarita
Published: September 2023

We investigate several panchromatic scaling relations (SRs) for the dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 1569 using Integral Field Unit (IFU) data from the Metal-THINGS Survey. Among the spatially resolved properties analysed, we explore SRs between the stellar mass, SFR, molecular gas, total gas, baryonic mass, gas metallicity, gas fraction, SFE, and effective oxygen yields. Such multiwavelength SRs are analysed at a spatial resolution of 180 pc, by combining our IFU observations with data from the surveys THINGS, CARMA, and archival data from DustPedia. Although we recover several known relations, our slopes are different to previously reported ones. Our star formation main sequence, Kennicutt–Schmidt (KS), and molecular KS relations show higher SFRs, lower scatter, and higher correlations, with steeper (1.21), and flatter slopes (0.96, 0.58), respectively. The shape of the SRs including metallicity, stellar mass, and gas fraction are flat, with an average value of 12 + log(O/H) ∼ 8.12 dex. The baryonic mass versus effective oxygen yields, and the stellar, gas and baryonic mass versus SFE show higher dispersions and lower correlations. Since we use the dust mass as a tracer of gas mass, we derive the dust-to-gas ratio and the CO luminosity-to-molecular gas mass conversion factors, showing differences of 0.16 and 0.95 dex for the total and molecular gas surface density, respectively, in comparison to previously reported values. We use a self-regulated feedback model to conclude that stellar feedback plays an important role generating outflows in NGC 1569.
The activity of 119 comets
Authors: Betzler Alberto S , Diepvens Alfons , de Sousa Orahcio F
Published: September 2023

This study examines photometric data from 119 comets observed between 2011 and 2020 at the Olmen Observatory in Balen, Belgium, using R- and G-band filters. Applying the q-exponential distribution from Tsallis’ non-extensive mechanics, we find that our sample of short-period (SP) and long-period (LP) comets is complete for objects with an absolute magnitude of H0 ≤ 11.2 and ≤8.7, respectively. These magnitude constraints were used to perform a statistical analysis of the physical parameters describing these populations. LP comets generally have brighter absolute magnitudes and higher activity (median ×  15.4) compared to SP comets. The secular light curves of these comets are symmetric about perihelion. Cometary activity was divided into four categories (‘unusual’, ‘typical’, ‘moderate’, and ‘strong’) based on the Afρ(0) parameter at perihelion, with about 72.7 and 53.6  per cent of the SP and LP comets falling into the ‘typical’ classification. The distribution of peak magnitudes ΔM for outbursts is similar for SP and LP comets, with a median value of −1.0 and a range of −0.2 to −2.90 mag. On average, there are 0.6 and 1.0 outbursts per comet for comets SP and LP, respectively. This result suggests that these events are somewhat more frequent for the LP comets. There is no evidence of periodicity in the frequency of outbursts based on our data. The peak magnitude ΔM of an outburst does not correlate with Afρ(0).
Stratospheric dayside-to-nightside circulation drives the 3D ozone distribution on synchronously rotating rocky exoplanets
Authors: Braam Marrick , Palmer Paul I , Decin Leen , Cohen Maureen , Mayne Nathan J
Published: September 2023

Determining the habitability and interpreting future atmospheric observations of exoplanets requires understanding the atmospheric dynamics and chemistry from a 3D perspective. Previous studies have shown significant spatial variability in the ozone layer of synchronously rotating M-dwarf planets, assuming an Earth-like initial atmospheric composition. We simulate Proxima Centauri b in an 11.2-d orbit around its M-type host star using a 3D coupled climate-chemistry model to understand the spatial variability of ozone and identify the mechanism responsible for it. We document a previously unreported connection between the ozone production regions on the photochemically active dayside hemisphere and the nightside devoid of stellar radiation and thus photochemistry. We find that stratospheric dayside-to-nightside overturning circulation can advect ozone-rich air to the nightside. On the nightside, ozone-rich air subsides at the locations of two quasi-stationary Rossby gyres, resulting in an exchange between the stratosphere and troposphere and the accumulation of ozone at the gyre locations. The mechanism drives the ozone distribution for both the present atmospheric level (PAL) and a 0.01 PAL O2 atmosphere. We identify the hemispheric contrast in radiative heating and cooling as the main driver of the stratospheric dayside-to-nightside circulation. An age-of-air experiment shows that the mechanism also impacts other tracer species in the atmosphere (gaseous and non-gaseous phase) as long as chemical lifetimes exceed dynamical lifetimes. These findings, applicable to exoplanets in similar orbital configurations, illustrate the 3D nature of planetary atmospheres and the spatial and temporal variability that we can expect to impact spectroscopic observations of exoplanet atmospheres.
Non-LTE radio recombination line analysis towards H ii region G34.25+0.14
Authors: Wang Lixin , Wang Hongjun , Liu Bin , Armentrout Will
Published: September 2023

The electron temperature $T^{*}_\mathrm{ e}$ of H ii regions in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) is usually calculated based on the ratio of radio combination lines (RRLs) and continuum emission. In this work, the LTE $T^{*}_\mathrm{ e}$ in the H ii region G34.25+0.14, which is especially luminous and regarded as a prime target to investigate the physical properties of an H ii region, is obtained by analysing both RRLs and continuum in L band, and employing the correction factor $b_n^{*}$ to correct for non-LTE conditions. The LTE $T^{*}_\mathrm{ e}$ values in L band are calculated to be $2580\, {\rm K}$ for H i/OH/Recombination line survey (THOR) observations and $3690\, {\rm K}$ for Survey of Ionized Gas in our Galaxy, using the Arecibo telescope (SIGGMA), respectively. By employing a non-LTE correction, we derive Te of 8900 $\, {\rm K}$ and the corresponding $b^{*}_n$ values are calculated to be 1 and close to 1 in X band and C band, respectively. However, $b_n^{*}$ at L band (${\sim} 1.4\, {\rm GHz}$) is calculated as 4.2 and 2.4 for THOR and SIGGMA, suggesting that non-LTE corrections are necessary and significantly affect the results. This work demonstrates that the assumption of LTE to calculate $T^{*}_\mathrm{ e}$ is not valid for the observed transitions in L band, and hence, non-LTE corrections are needed. Furthermore, Ne for G34.25+0.14 is calculated from multiple bands independently, consistent with previous work. This study provides a method which could be used for other H ii regions to investigate their degree of departure from LTE.
Biases in velocity reconstruction: investigating the effects on growth rate and expansion measurements in the local universe
Authors: Turner Ryan J , Blake Chris
Published: September 2023

The local galaxy peculiar velocity field can be reconstructed from the surrounding distribution of large-scale structure and plays an important role in calibrating cosmic growth and expansion measurements. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the stochasticity of these velocity reconstructions on the statistical and systematic errors in cosmological inferences. By introducing a simple statistical model between the measured and theoretical velocities, whose terms we calibrate from linear theory, we derive the bias in the model velocity. We then use lognormal realizations to explore the potential impact of this bias when using a cosmic flow model to measure the growth rate of structure, and to sharpen expansion rate measurements from host galaxies for gravitational wave standard sirens with electromagnetic counterparts. Although our illustrative study does not contain fully realistic observational effects, we demonstrate that in some scenarios these corrections are significant and result in a measurable improvement in determinations of the Hubble constant compared to standard forecasts.
PL01.4.A LATE BREAKING ABSTRACT: A LONG PEPTIDE VACCINE TARGETING THE CLONAL DRIVER MUTATION H3K27M IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA
Authors: Grassl N , Poschke I , Lindner K , Kromer K , Bunse L , Mildenberger I , Jaehne K , Haltenhof G , Tan C , Green E , Kessler T , Suwala A , Sahm F , Eisele P , Breckwoldt M , Vajkoczy P , Grauer O , Herrlinger U , Tonn J , Denk M , Bendszus M , von Deimling A , Winkler F , Wick W , Lindner J , Platten M , Sahm K
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Clonal and mutually exclusive substitution of lysine 27 to methionine in histone H3-3A (H3K27M) defines an aggressive subtype of diffuse glioma. These diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are aggressive, incurable primary brain tumors that occur predominantly in a midline location in children and young adults. Surgical treatment options remain limited, response to chemoradiation is poor and palliative radiotherapy remains the only intervention with proven benefit, resulting in a median overall survival between 10 and 15 months after initial diagnosis. Previous studies have shown that a H3K27M-specific long peptide vaccine (H3K27M-vac) induces mutation-specific immune responses capable of controlling H3K27M+ tumors in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-humanized mouse model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Here we describe the first-in-human treatment with H3K27M-vac of eight adult patients with recurrent H3K27M+ DMG. Induction of mutation-specific immune responses was determined in peripheral blood using Interferon-γ ELISpot assays. Class II HLA-restricted peripheral H3K27M-specific T cells were expanded in vitro to characterize and track unique H3K27M-reactive T cell responses in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

RESULTS

Repeat vaccinations with H3K27M-vac were safe and induced mutation-specific immune responses in five of eight patients after a median of two vaccinations. Median progression free survival after start of vaccination was 6.2 months and median overall survival was 12.8 months. In vitro restimulation of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with H3 mutant peptide or wild type peptide revealed that H3K27M specific immune responses are CD4-mediated and can be suppressed by blocking antibodies against MHC II, but not MHC I. Furthermore, proximity ligation assay of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissue revealed that H3K27M neoepitope co-localizes with HLA class II-DR. One patient showed radiographic pseudoprogression (PsPD) according to iRANO criteria within six weeks after first detection of mutation-specific peripheral immune response. Following PsPD, three out of the top ten vaccine-induced, K27M-expanded CD4+ TCR clonotypes from peripheral blood were detectable in the CSF of this patient who went into sustained complete remission for > 31 months.

CONCLUSION

H3K27M-vac is safe and induces H3K27M-specific CD4 T cell responses in patients with H3K27M+ DMG. An ongoing multicenter, phase 1 clinical trial for adult patients with newly diagnosed H3K27M+ DMG will assess the safety and immunogenicity of H3K27M-vac in combination with atezolizumab in standard-of-care radiotherapy (NCT04808245).
KS03.7.A INDEPENDENT PROGNOSTIC ROLE OF METHYLATION CLASS IN ATYPICAL AND MALIGNANT MENINGIOMA UNDERGOING ADJUVANT HIGH-DOSE RADIOTHERAPY: COMPREHENSIVE MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF EORTC TRIAL 22042-26042
Authors: Maas S L N , Sievers P , Weber D , Weller M , van den Bent M J , Mair M J , Kros J M , Caparrotti F , Salvador V , Peerdeman S M , Casas J , Gorlia T , Sahm F , Preusser M
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

In EORTC trial 22042-2604 WHO grade 2 and 3 meningioma patients underwent adjuvant high dose radiotherapy. The current study investigated clinicopathological correlations and the prognostic impact of genetic and epigenetic molecular factors in EORTC 22042-26042 trial patients.

METHODS

For patients that gave consent for additional molecular analysis of the resected tumor specimens (53 of 78 enrolled patients), Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip DNA methylation arrays and next generation sequencing (NGS) panels were performed to investigate the meningioma methylation class, and the presence of mutations in AKT1, TRAF7, BAP1, NF2 and the TERT-promotor as well as loss of chromosomes 1p and 22q and/or homozygous loss of CDKN2A/B. The cohort included 50 atypical and 3 malignant meningiomas per local assessment according to WHO classification at the time of patient enrollment. Factors significant at 10% significance in the univariate and interaction factor analyses were included in multivariate analyses with stepwise selection at the same significance.

RESULTS

The Cox multivariate analyses identified meningioma methylation class as a significant independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) measured from patient registration in the trial, respectively Chromosome 1p loss was significantly associated with PFS but not with OS. Age was significantly associated with OS but not with PFS. Due to small number of cases and/or events the prognostic value of homozygous deletion of CDKN2A/B (n=2) and TERT-promotor mutation (n=2) could not be adequately studied.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of WHO grade 2 and 3 meningioma undergoing high-dose adjuvant radiotherapy, meningioma methylation class was identified as an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS. Chromosome 1p loss was associated with reduced PFS but not OS. Larger cohorts are required to validate our findings.
JS01.3.A EPIGENETICALLY DEFINED ANGIOCENTRIC GLIOMAS MAY LACK ANGIOCENTRIC GROWTH AND INSTEAD SHOW A VARIETY OF GROWTH PATTERNS
Authors: Stegat L , Rohwer J L , Stichel D , Schrimpf D , Coras R , Pagès M , Tauziède-Espariat A , Varlet P , Hans V H , Meyer J , Schittenhelm J , Staszewski O , Cheesman E , Glatzel M , Schmid S , Wesseling P , Korshunov A , Sexton-Oates A , Schüller U , Kõrgvee L , Mueller S , Olar A , Snuderl M , Schweizer L , Aronica E , Sahm F , von Deimling A , Blumcke I , Jones D T W , Capper D , Wefers A K
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Angiocentric glioma mainly occurs in children and young adults. It is associated with a good prognosis (CNS WHO grade 1). Molecularly, most angiocentric gliomas have a MYB-QKI fusion. Histologically, angiocentric gliomas were initially defined by angiocentric growth of the tumor cells. However, we noticed that epigenetically defined angiocentric gliomas often get different diagnoses based on their histology as they may lack this angiocentric growth pattern. We therefore wanted to further analyze epigenetically defined angiocentric gliomas and evaluate how reliable these gliomas are histologically diagnosed based on the criteria defined by the WHO.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We collected 48 epigenetically defined angiocentric gliomas (37 supratentorial, 11 infratentorial) from 46 patients with sufficient tissue for histological and molecular analyses (DNA methylation analyses; RNA sequencing of a subset). The classification was done using unsupervised hierarchical cluster analyses from DNA methylation data and the brain tumor classifiers v11b4 and v12.5 (www.molecularneuropathology.org).

RESULTS

Angiocentric gliomas were epigenetically distinct from other gliomas including the diffuse astrocytomas, MYB- or MYBL1-altered. A MYB-QKI fusion was detected in 69% (n = 18/26) of angiocentric gliomas, confirming the diagnosis. Other fusions detected were fusions of MYB with intergenic sites, mainly close to QKI (19%; n = 5/26), and MYBL1-QKI (8%; n = 2/26). Histological workup revealed that 75% of the cases included in this study showed the typical angiocentric growth pattern. However, in many of these tumors this was not very pronounced. Many angiocentric gliomas displayed an unspecific growth pattern or resembled pilocytic astrocytoma or ependymoma. Hence, about 59% of angiocentric gliomas were initially misdiagnosed without molecular analyses (supratentorial 50%, infratentorial 100%). We obtained similar results expanding the cohort with further epigenetically defined angiocentric gliomas for which no tissue for a histological re-evaluation was available (total 68 cases; 50 supratentorial, 12 infratentorial; 65 patients). In this expanded cohort, 54% of cases were initially misdiagnosed (45% of supratentorial and 100% of infratentorial cases).

CONCLUSION

In summary, we show that angiocentric glioma often does not show the typical angiocentric growth pattern, resulting in different diagnoses in more than 50% of the cases without molecular analyses. Thus, DNA methylation analyses are needed for a reliable diagnosis of this tumor type.
JS05.6.A CONTINUOUS DYNAMIC MAPPING OF LANGUAGE FUNCTION AND COGNITIVE CONTROL AND SPATIAL CORRELATION TO WHITE MATTER TRACTS USING INTRAOPERATIVE MRI TRACTOGRAPHY
Authors: Mughal A A , Holthe Ø Ø , Olsen K , Nævra M , Løvland G , Vatnehol S , Undseth R , Espinoza A , Etholm L , Vik-Mo E O
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Subcortical mapping of white matter tracts (WMTs) subserving complex processes as movement, language and cognition is critical in glioma surgery. Continuous dynamic mapping (CDM) is an indispensable tool for mapping of the corticospinal tract (CST). There is, however, no widespread method for CDM of more advanced brain functions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients undergoing awake craniotomy for diffuse gliomas at the Oslo University Hospital with the use of neuronavigation, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and CDM coupled with structured evaluation as well as intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) were included in a retrospective analysis. Subcortical CDM was conducted when resection became close to the arcuate fasciculus (AF) and the frontal aslant tract (FAT) with clinical testing using language paradigms and Stroop task. The current was delivered through a monopolar suction probe applying a modified Taniguchi technique with short train of pulses. The spatial relationship between the stimulation response and the examined tracts was determined by measuring the shortest distance between the resection cavity and the relevant white matter tracts (WMTs) using iMRI DTI.

RESULTS

Twenty IDH-mutant and eight IDH wild type gliomas operated 2021-2023 were included in the analysis. Subcortical CDM of the AF and the FAT proved to be amenable as both language function and the ability to perform Stroop test were affected when the stimulation site gradually became close (< 1 cm) to the examined tracts. Positive stimulation response was verified by repeat challenge. The stimulation intensity was thereafter reduced in a stepwise fashion when there was a consistent hesitation in the patient’s response. Resection was continued until the tumor border was reached and not beyond the threshold of 3mA. The threshold of stimulation intensity correlated to the minimal distance from the resection cavity to the delineated WMTs. We did not observe any seizure activity induced by CDM.

CONCLUSION

We have experienced subcortical CDM to be a safe and reliable method, where distance to identified WMT appear to be correlated to the applied stimulation intensity.