bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tidal tracks and artificial disruption of cold dark matter haloes
Authors: Benson Andrew J , Du Xiaolong
Published: September 2022

We describe a simple extension to existing models for the tidal heating of dark matter subhaloes which takes into account second-order terms in the impulse approximation for tidal heating. We show that this revised model can accurately match the tidal tracks along which subhaloes evolve as measured in high-resolution N-body simulations. We further demonstrate that, when a constant density core is introduced into a subhalo, this model is able to quantitatively reproduce the evolution and artificial disruption of N-body subhaloes arising from finite resolution effects. Combining these results we confirm prior work indicating that artificial disruption in N-body simulations can result in a factor two underestimate of the subhalo mass function in the inner regions of host haloes, and a 10–20 per cent reduction over the entire virial volume.
The impact of phase equilibrium cloud models on GCM simulations of GJ 1214b
Authors: Christie D A , Mayne N J , Gillard R M , Manners J , Hébrard E , Lines S , Kohary K
Published: September 2022

We investigate the impact of clouds on the atmosphere of GJ 1214b using the radiatively coupled, phase-equilibrium cloud model EddySed coupled to the Unified Model general circulation model. We find that, consistent with previous investigations, high metallicity (100 × solar) and clouds with large vertical extents (a sedimentation factor of fsed = 0.1) are required to best match the observations, although metallicities even higher than those investigated here may be required to improve agreement further. We additionally find that in our case which best matches the observations (fsed = 0.1), the velocity structures change relative to the clear sky case with the formation of a superrotating jet being suppressed, although further investigation is required to understand the cause of the suppression. The increase in cloud extent with fsed results in a cooler planet due to a higher albedo, causing the atmosphere to contract. This also results in a reduced day–night contrast seen in the phase curves, although the introduction of cloud still results in a reduction of the phase offset. We additionally investigate the impact the Unified Model’s pseudo-spherical irradiation scheme on the calculation of heating rates, finding that the introduction of nightside shortwave heating results in slower mid-latitude jets compared to the plane-parallel irradiation scheme used in previous works. We also consider the impact of a gamma distribution, as opposed to a lognormal distribution, for the distribution of cloud particle radii and find the impact to be relatively minor.
The origin of the photospheric emission of GRB 220426A
Authors: Song Xin-Ying , Zhang Shuang-Nan , Ge Ming-Yu , Zhang Shu
Published: September 2022

GRB 220426A is a bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) dominated by the photospheric emission. We perform several tests to speculate the origin of this photospheric emission. The dimensionless entropy η is large, which is not usual if we assume that it is a pure hot fireball launched by neutrino–antineutrino annihilation mechanism only. Moreover, the outflow has larger η with lower luminosity L in the first few seconds, so that the trend of time-resolved η − L can not be described as a monotonically positive correlation between η and L. A hybrid outflow with almost completely thermalized Poynting flux could account for the quasi-thermal spectrum as well as large η. More importantly, the existence of magnetic field could affect the proton density and neutron–proton coupling effect, so that it could account for the observed trend of time-resolved η − L. The other origins for the photospheric emission, such as non-dissipative hybrid outflow or magnetic reconnection, are not supported because their radiation efficiencies are low, which is not consistent with non-detection of the afterglow for GRB 220426A. Therefore, we think the hybrid outflow may be the most likely origin.
The relation between accretion rate and jet power in early-type galaxies with thermally unstable hot atmospheres
Authors: Plšek T , Werner N , Grossová R , Topinka M , Simionescu A , Allen S W
Published: September 2022

We use Chandra X-ray data and Very Large Array radio observations for a sample of 20 nearby, massive, X-ray bright, early-type galaxies to investigate the relation between the Bondi accretion rates and the mechanical jet powers. We find a strong correlation ($\rho = 0.96^{+0.03}_{-0.09}$; BF10 > 100) between the Bondi accretion power, PBondi, and the mechanical jet power, Pjet, for a subsample of 14 galaxies, which also host cool H α+[N ii] line emitting gas and thus likely have thermally unstable atmospheres. The relation between the Bondi accretion power and the mechanical jet power for this subsample is well described by a power-law model $\log \frac{P_{\mathrm{Bondi}}}{{10^{43} \, \mathrm{erg \, s^{-1}}}} = \alpha + \beta \log \frac{P_{\mathrm{jet}}}{{10^{43} \, \mathrm{erg \, s^{-1}}}}$, where α = 1.10 ± 0.25 and β = 1.10 ± 0.24 with an intrinsic scatter $\sigma = 0.08^{+0.14}_{-0.06}$ dex. The results indicate that in all galaxies with thermally unstable atmospheres the cooling atmospheric gas feeds the central black holes at a similar jet-to-Bondi power ratio. For the full sample of 20 galaxies, the correlation is weaker and in a subset of galaxies with no signs of H α+[N ii] emission, we see a hint for a systematically lower jet-to-Bondi power ratio. We also investigate the dependence of jet power on individual quantities in the Bondi formula such as the supermassive black hole mass (M•) and the specific entropy of the gas (K) at the Bondi radius. For the subsample of H α+[N ii] emitting galaxies, we find a very tight correlation of Pjet with M• ($\rho = 0.91^{+0.06}_{-0.11}$; BF10 > 100) and, although poorly constrained, a hint of an anticorrelation for Pjet and K ($\rho = -0.47^{+0.60}_{-0.37}$; BF10 = 1.1).
Spectral and timing properties of the recently discovered Be/X-ray pulsar eRASSUJ 052914.9−662446
Authors: Rai Binay , Ghising Manoj , Tobrej Mohammed , Tamang Ruchi , Paul Bikash Chandra
Published: September 2022

We have presented NuSTAR and Swift observations of the newly discovered Be/X-ray pulsar eRASSU J052914.9−662446. This is the first detailed study of the temporal and spectral properties of the pulsar using 2020 observations. A coherent pulsation of 1411.5 ± 0.5 s was detected from the source. The pulse profile was found to resemble a simple single-peaked feature that may be due to emission from the surface of the neutron star only. Pulse profiles are highly energy dependent. The variation of the pulse fraction of the pulse profiles is found to be non-monotonic with energy. The 0.5–20 keV Swift and NuSTAR simultaneous can be fitted well with power law modified by high-energy cut-off of ∼5.7 keV. The NuSTAR luminosity in the 0.5–79 keV energy range was ∼7.9 × 1035$\text{erg}\,\text{s}^{ -1}\,$. The spectral flux in 3–79 keV shows modulation with the pulse phase.
QU Vul: An integral field spectroscopy case study of a nova shell
Authors: Santamaría E , Guerrero M A , Toalá J A , Ramos-Larios G , Sabin L
Published: September 2022

We present GTC MEGARA high-dispersion integral field spectroscopic observations of the nova remnant QU Vul, which provide a comprehensive 3D view of this nova shell. The tomographic analysis of the H α emission reveals a complex physical structure characterized by an inhomogeneous and clumpy distribution of the material within this shell. The overall structure can be described as a prolate ellipsoid with an axial ratio of 1.4 ± 0.2, a major axis inclination with the line of sight of 12° ± 6°, and polar and equatorial expansion velocities ≈560 km s−1 and 400 ± 60 km s−1, respectively. The comparison of the expansion velocity on the plane of the sky with the angular expansion implies a distance of 1.43 ± 0.23 kpc. The ionized mass is found to be ≈2 × 10−4 M⊙, noting that the information on the 3D distribution of material within the nova shell has allowed us to reduce the uncertainty on its filling factor. The nova shell is still in its free expansion phase, which can be expected as the ejecta mass is much larger than the swept-up circumstellar medium mass. The 3D distribution and radial velocity of material within the nova shell provide an interpretation of the so-called ‘castellated’ line profiles observed in early optical spectra of nova shells, which can be attributed to knots and clumps moving radially along different directions.
High-altitude meteors detected by the interferometric MU radar
Authors: Kastinen Daniel , Kero Johan
Published: September 2022

We have re-analysed part of the middle and upper atmosphere (MU) radar meteor head echo data set collected during 2009–2010 and confirmed the existence of a rare high-altitude radar meteor population reaching up to ∼150 km altitude. The number of detections decreases significantly as a function of initial altitude. Out of the total amount of 106 000 events, 74 had an initial altitude >130 km while four of those had an initial altitude >145 km. High-altitude radar meteor observations have been reported before, e.g. using the EISCAT VHF radar and the Jicamarca Radio Observatory. The main novelty of this study is that the observations were performed using methods that render the final data set unambiguous in direction of arrival together with rigorously tested analysis routines that were validated by noisy raw data simulations. Due to our experimental set-up the maximum detectable range was limited to 148 km. Hence, we cannot confirm or deny the existence of radar meteors above that altitude.
Abundance matching analysis of the emission-line galaxy sample in the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey
Authors: Lin Sicheng , Tinker Jeremy L , Blanton Michael R , Guo Hong , Raichoor Anand , Comparat Johan , Brownstein Joel R
Published: September 2022

We present the measurements of the small-scale clustering for the emission-line galaxy (ELG) sample from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV). We use conditional abundance matching method to interpret the clustering measurements from 0.34 to $70\, h^{-1}\, \textrm {Mpc}$. In order to account for the correlation between properties of ELGs and their environment, we add a secondary connection between star formation rate of ELGs and halo accretion rate. Three parameters are introduced to model the ELG [O ii] luminosity and to mimic the target selection of eBOSS ELGs. The parameters in our models are optimized using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. We find that by conditionally matching star formation rate of galaxies and the halo accretion rate, we are able to reproduce the eBOSS ELG small-scale clustering within 1σ error level. Our best-fitting model shows that the eBOSS ELG sample only consists of $\sim 12{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of all star-forming galaxies, and the satellite fraction of eBOSS ELG sample is 19.3 per cent. We show that the effect of assembly bias is $\sim 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ on the two-point correlation function and $\sim 5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ on the void probability function at scale of $r\sim 20 \, h^{-1}\, \rm Mpc$.
A detailed star formation history for the extremely diffuse Andromeda XIX dwarf galaxy
Authors: Collins Michelle L M , Williams Benjamin F , Tollerud Erik J , Balbinot Eduardo , Gilbert Karoline M , Dolphin Andrew
Published: September 2022

We present deep imaging of the ultradiffuse Andromeda XIX dwarf galaxy from the Advance Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope which resolves its stellar populations to below the oldest main-sequence turn-off. We derive a full star formation history for the galaxy using match, and find no evidence of star formation in the past 8 Gyr. We calculate a quenching time of τ90 = 9.7 ± 0.2 Gyr, suggesting And XIX ceased forming stars very early on. This early quenching, combined with its extremely large half-light radius, low-density dark matter halo and lower than expected metallicity make it a unique galaxy within the Local Group and raises questions about how it formed. The early quenching time allows us to rule out feedback from bursty star formation as a means to explain its diffuse stellar population and low-density dark matter halo. We find that the extended stellar population, low-density halo, and star formation could be explained by either tidal interactions (such as tidal shocking) or by late dry mergers, with the latter also explaining its low metallicity. Proper motions and detailed abundances would allow us to distinguish between these two scenarios.
Astrometry of variable compact radio sources: a search for Galactic black hole X-ray binaries
Authors: Atri P , Miller-Jones J C A , Bahramian A , Plotkin R M , Maccarone T J , Marcote B , Heinke C O , Sivakoff G R , Ginsburg A , Strader J , Chomiuk L
Published: September 2022

We use the Very Long Baseline Array to conduct high precision astrometry of a sample of 33 compact, flat spectrum, variable radio sources in the direction of the Galactic plane (Becker et al. 2010). Although Becker et al. (2010) ruled out a few potential scenarios for the origin of the radio emission, the study could not rule out that these sources were black hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs). Most known BHXBs are first detected by X-ray or optical emission when they go into an outburst, leaving the larger quiescent BHXB population undiscovered. In this paper, we attempt to identify any Galactic sources amongst the Becker et al. (2010) sample by measuring their proper motions as a first step to finding quiescent BHXB candidates. Amongst the 33 targets, we could measure the proper motion of six sources. We find that G32.7193-0.6477 is a Galactic source and are able to constrain the parallax of this source with a 3σ significance. We found three strong Galactic candidates, G32.5898-0.4468, G29.1075-0.1546, and G31.1494-0.1727, based purely on their proper motions, and suggest that G29.1075-0.1546 is also likely Galactic. We detected two resolved targets for multiple epochs (G30.1038+0.3984 and G29.7161-0.3178). We find six targets are only detected in one epoch and have an extended structure. We cross-match our VLBA detections with the currently available optical, infrared, and X-ray surveys, and did not find any potential matches. We did not detect 19 targets in any VLBA epochs and suggest that this could be due to limited uv-coverage, drastic radio variability, or faint, extended nature of the sources.
Analysis of eight magnetic chemically peculiar stars with rotational modulation
Authors: Kobzar O , Khalack V , Bohlender D , Mathys G , Shultz M E , Bowman D M , Paunzen E , Lovekin C , David-Uraz A , Sikora J , Lampens P , Richard O
Published: September 2022

Since the end of 2018, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has provided stellar photometry to the astronomical community. We have used TESS data to study rotational modulation in the light curves of a sample of chemically peculiar stars with measured large-scale magnetic fields (mCP stars). In general, mCP stars show inhomogeneous distributions of elements in their atmospheres that lead to spectroscopic (line profile) and photometric (light curve) variations commensurate with the rotational period. We analyzed the available TESS data from 50 sectors for eight targets after post-processing them in order to minimize systematic instrumental trends. Analysis of the light curves allowed us to determine rotational periods for all eight of our targets. For each star, we provide a phase diagram calculated using the derived period from the light curves and from the available measurements of the disc-averaged longitudinal magnetic field 〈Bz〉. In most cases, the phased light curve and 〈Bz〉 measurements show consistent variability. Using our rotation periods, and global stellar parameters derived from fitting Balmer line profiles, and from Geneva and Strömgren–Crawford photometry, we determined the equatorial rotational velocities and calculated the respective critical rotational fractions veq/vcrit. We have shown from our sample that the critical rotational fraction decreases with stellar age, at a rate consistent with the magnetic braking observed in the larger population of mCP stars.
The DNA repair function of BCL11A suppresses senescence and promotes continued proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Vickridge Elise , Faraco Camila C F , Tehrani Payman S , Ramdzan Zubaidah M , Djerir Billel , Rahimian Hedyeh , Leduy Lam , Maréchal Alexandre , Gingras Anne-Claude , Nepveu Alain
Published: September 2022

We identified the BCL11A protein in a proximity-dependent biotinylation screen performed with the DNA glycosylase NTHL1. In vitro, DNA repair assays demonstrate that both BCL11A and a small recombinant BCL11A160–520 protein that is devoid of DNA binding and transcription regulatory domains can stimulate the enzymatic activities of two base excision repair enzymes: NTHL1 and DNA Pol β. Increased DNA repair efficiency, in particular of the base excision repair pathway, is essential for many cancer cells to proliferate in the presence of elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by cancer-associated metabolic changes. BCL11A is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) where its knockdown was reported to reduce clonogenicity and cause tumour regression. We show that BCL11A knockdown in TNBC cells delays repair of oxidative DNA damage, increases the number of oxidized bases and abasic sites in genomic DNA, slows down proliferation and induces cellular senescence. These phenotypes are rescued by ectopic expression of the short BCL11A160–520 protein. We further show that the BCL11A160–520 protein accelerates the repair of oxidative DNA damage and cooperates with RAS in cell transformation assays, thereby enabling cells to avoid senescence and continue to proliferate in the presence of high ROS levels.
Flour exposure, sensitization and respiratory health among Alberta trainee bakers
Authors: Beach J , Galarneau J -M , Cherry N
Published: September 2022

Background

Sensitization to allergens encountered in baking, and allergic disease including asthma and rhinitis, is recognized. Attempts to reduce this risk have been instituted in some workplaces, but awareness remains low. This study aimed to quantify the current risk among Alberta bakers.

Aims

To estimate the onset of sensitization to bakery allergens and allergic disease among trainee bakers at the outset of their career.

Methods

Trainees attending one of the two bakery programmes were recruited between 2015 and 2018. At entry, an interview was held and spirometry and skin prick tests were performed. Participants were contacted every 6 months by telephone or online interview for 3 years to update work and health information. An exit interview was completed between 2018 and 2019 for all who could be contacted. Exposure was estimated using collected work history and a job exposure matrix was prepared for this study.

Results

A total of 220 individuals participated in the entry interview, 204 completed one or more periodic interviews and 113 completed the exit interview. Six who completed exit testing developed new sensitization to bakery antigens, an incidence of 2.49/100 person-years. Positive skin prick tests for bakery antigens were associated with bread making. Rhinitis symptoms were associated with total flour dust and new-onset rhinitis to months in trade. New-onset asthma was related to cumulative exposure to flour improvers.

Conclusions

Trainee bakers in Alberta remain at risk of sensitization and occupational respiratory disease.
High-throughput screening of SARS-CoV-2 main and papain-like protease inhibitors
Authors: Zang Yi , Su Mingbo , Wang Qingxing , Cheng Xi , Zhang Wenru , Zhao Yao , Chen Tong , Jiang Yingyan , Shen Qiang , Du Juan , Tan Qiuxiang , Wang Peipei , Gao Lixin , Jin Zhenming , Zhang Mengmeng , Li Cong , Zhu Ya , Feng Bo , Tang Bixi , Xie Han , Wang Ming-Wei , Zheng Mingyue , Pan Xiaoyan , Yang Haitao , Xu Yechun , Wu Beili , Zhang Leike , Rao Zihe , Yang Xiuna , Jiang Hualiang , Xiao Gengfu , Zhao Qiang , Li Jia
Published: September 2022

The global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has infected over 109 million people, leading to over 2 million deaths up to date and still lacking of effective drugs for patient treatment. Here, we screened about 1.8 million small molecules against the main protease (Mpro) and papain like protease (PLpro), two major proteases in severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 genome, and identified 1851Mpro inhibitors and 205 PLpro inhibitors with low nmol/l activity of the best hits. Among these inhibitors, eight small molecules showed dual inhibition effects on both Mpro and PLpro, exhibiting potential as better candidates for COVID-19 treatment. The best inhibitors of each protease were tested in antiviral assay, with over 40% of Mpro inhibitors and over 20% of PLpro inhibitors showing high potency in viral inhibition with low cytotoxicity. The X-ray crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in complex with its potent inhibitor 4a was determined at 1.8 Å resolution. Together with docking assays, our results provide a comprehensive resource for future research on anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development.
Speciation Hypotheses from Phylogeographic Delimitation Yield an Integrative Taxonomy for Seal Salamanders (Desmognathus monticola)
Authors: Pyron R Alexander , O’Connell Kyle A , Duncan Sophie C , Burbrink Frank T , Beamer David A
Published: September 2022

Significant advances have been made in species delimitation and numerous methods can test precisely defined models of speciation, though the synthesis of phylogeography and taxonomy is still sometimes incomplete. Emerging consensus treats distinct genealogical clusters in genome-scale data as strong initial evidence of speciation in most cases, a hypothesis that must therefore be falsified under an explicit evolutionary model. We can now test speciation hypotheses linking trait differentiation to specific mechanisms of divergence with increasingly large data sets. Integrative taxonomy can, therefore, reflect an understanding of how each axis of variation relates to underlying speciation processes, with nomenclature for distinct evolutionary lineages. We illustrate this approach here with Seal Salamanders (Desmognathus monticola) and introduce a new unsupervised machine-learning approach for species delimitation. Plethodontid salamanders are renowned for their morphological conservatism despite extensive phylogeographic divergence. We discover 2 geographic genetic clusters, for which demographic and spatial models of ecology and gene flow provide robust support for ecogeographic speciation despite limited phenotypic divergence. These data are integrated under evolutionary mechanisms (e.g., spatially localized gene flow with reduced migration) and reflected in emergent properties expected under models of reinforcement (e.g., ethological isolation and selection against hybrids). Their genetic divergence is prima facie evidence for species-level distinctiveness, supported by speciation models and divergence along axes such as behavior, geography, and climate that suggest an ecological basis with subsequent reinforcement through prezygotic isolation. As data sets grow more comprehensive, species-delimitation models can be tested, rejected, or corroborated as explicit speciation hypotheses, providing for reciprocal illumination of evolutionary processes and integrative taxonomies. [Desmognathus; integrative taxonomy; machine learning; species delimitation.]
Optimization of depreciation subsidy policy strategies for electric two-wheelers for improving traffic safety
Authors: Li Xintong , Huang Helai , Han Chunyang , Xu Guangming , Lee Jaeyoung , Hu Cheng
Published: September 2022

To improve the traffic safety of electric two-wheelers (ETW), China has promulgated ETW standardization policies. This policy requires local governments to take measures to guide the illegal ETWs out of use. Governments have implemented a depreciation subsidy scheme to encourage users to scrap illegal ETWs early. When designing the subsidy scheme, effectively improving the ETWs' traffic safety at the road network level while saving government expenses is essential for the sustainable implementation of the policy. This study proposes an optimization method for depreciation subsidy design incorporating traffic safety evaluation. Based on the policy scheme, this study formulates a risk assessment model for the ETW traffic network to characterize the effect of the subsidy on improving safety. Then, we use the bi-level programming approach to model the subsidy strategy design problem. The upper-level problem reflects the goal of policymakers to maximize safety improvement and minimize government expenses. The lower-level problem describes the route choices of ETW users. The optimal subsidy design under different safety-expense trade-offs is analysed based on the Nguyen and Dupuis network and a real network extracted from Changsha City in China. The results show that specific subsidy schemes effectively improve road safety without a large government spending. When the market price or service life of ETWs increases, the government spending on the same safety goal increases. The government should comprehensively consider the safety effect of financial expense and the situation of the local ETW market before selecting reasonable subsidy strategies.
Accumulation of copy-back viral genomes during respiratory syncytial virus infection is preceded by diversification of the copy-back viral genome population followed by selection
Authors: Felt Sébastien A , Achouri Emna , Faber Sydney R , López Carolina B
Published: September 2022

RNA viruses generate nonstandard viral genomes during their replication, including viral genomes of the copy-back (cbVGs) type that cannot replicate in the absence of a standard virus. cbVGs play a crucial role in shaping virus infection outcomes due to their ability to interfere with virus replication and induce strong immune responses. However, despite their critical role during infection, the principles that drive the selection and evolution of cbVGs within a virus population are poorly understood. As cbVGs are dependent on the virus replication machinery to be generated and replicated, we hypothesized that host factors that affect virus replication exert selective pressure on cbVGs and drive their evolution within a virus population. To test this hypothesis, we used respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as a model and took an experimental evolution approach by serially passaging RSV in immune-competent human lung adenocarcinoma A549 control and immune-deficient A549 Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) KO cells, which allow higher levels of virus replication. As predicted, we observed that virus populations accumulated higher amounts of cbVGs in the more permissive A549 STAT1 KO cells over time; however, unexpectedly, the predominant cbVG species after passages in the two conditions were different. While A549 STAT1 KO cells accumulated relatively short cbVGs, A549 control cells mainly contained cbVGs of much longer predicted size, which have not been described previously. These long cbVGs were predominant at first in both cell lines in vitro and the predominant ones observed in samples from RSV-infected patients. Although sustained high replication levels are associated with cbVG generation and accumulation, our data show that sustained high levels of virus replication are critical for cbVG population diversification, a process that precedes the generation of shorter cbVGs that selectively accumulate over time. Taken together, we show that selection and evolution of cbVGs within a virus population are shaped by how resistant or permissive a host is to RSV.
CD103 and periplakin are potential biomarkers for response of metastatic melanoma to pembrolizumab
Authors: Edmonds Nicole L. , Flores Sarah E. , Mahmutovic Adela , Young Samuel J. , Mauldin Ileana S. , Slingluff Craig L.
Published: September 2022

This study was designed to screen for preliminary evidence of predictive markers of melanoma response to PD-1 blockade. We hypothesized that the following immune markers would be positive predictors of response: increased densities of CD103+CD8+ T cells or Th1 lineage T-bet+ T cells, high expression of CXCL9-11 and presence of tertiary lymphoid structures. Conversely, we hypothesized that the high expression of barrier molecules would be a negative predictor of response. Patients with advanced melanoma treated with pembrolizumab were identified, and clinical response as well as overall survival data were collected. Tumor samples were evaluated by multiplex immunofluorescence histology. All statistical analyses were performed in R Studio and Microsoft Excel using the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, Spearman’s rank correlation and Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Sixty-five advanced melanoma patients were identified, of whom 46 met inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Increased densities (P = 0.04) and proportions (P = 0.02) of CD8+ T cells expressing CD103+ were associated with complete response (CR) to pembrolizumab. Improved survival was associated with increased proportions of CD8+ cells expressing CD103 (P = 0.0085) as well as decreased density of periplakin+ cells (P = 0.012) and periplakin+SOX10+ cells (P = 0.0012). The density and proportion of CD8+ T cells expressing CD103+ positively correlated with PD-L1 expression, though PD-L1 expression was not significantly correlated with outcomes. This screening study found that increased density and proportion of CD8+ T cells expressing CD103 and decreased density of periplakin were associated with positive outcomes in patients with melanoma metastases treated with pembrolizumab and may warrant further study.
Volar Plate Interposition Arthroplasty of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint: A Novel, Modified Malerich’s Technique
Authors: Faccio Marina , Galeano Mariarosaria , Colonna Michele Rosario , Bulli Mattia , Checcucci Giuseppe
Published: September 2022

The choice of prosthetic or autologous reconstruction for proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty in degenerative osteoarthritis represents a challenge for hand surgeons, especially in consideration of complications and patient’s quality of life. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman who developed diffuse arthritis of the finger joints, especially at the PIP joint of the third right finger. Radiographs showed destruction of the PIP joint, large osteophytes, marked narrowing of joint space, severe sclerosis, and deformation of bone contour. Through a volar approach, we removed the osteophytes, reshaped the joint, and performed an arthroplasty with volar plate interposition. The patient had an improved range of motion at 3 months postoperatively. This case study gives a detailed description and discussion, together with literature revision, of volar plate interposition arthroplasty to treat PIP osteoarthritis, as an alternative to other methods.
Postoperative Outcomes following a Multidisciplinary Approach to HIV-positive Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Sayyed Adaah A. , Shin Stephanie , Abu El Hawa Areeg A. , Sogunro Olutayo , Del Corral Gabriel A. , Boisvert Marc E. , Song David H.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Improvements in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment resulted in drastic increases in the lifespan of HIV-positive individuals, resulting in higher rates of non-AIDS-defining cancers. We describe our postoperative outcomes in HIV+ breast cancer (BC) patients, highlighting our multidisciplinary experience with this high-risk population.

Methods:

A 7-year multi-institutional retrospective review of all HIV+ BC patients who underwent surgical intervention was performed. Patient demographics, therapeutic interventions, and treatment outcomes were collected.

Results:

Twenty-four patients were identified, including one male patient (4.2%). Most patients were African American (83.3%). Mean age was 52.1 + 9.7 years at the time of diagnosis in HIV+ BC patients. Surgical interventions included lumpectomy (n = 16, 66.7%), simple mastectomy (n = 3, 12.5%), and skin-sparing mastectomy (n = 5. 20.8%). All patients were on antiretroviral therapy, and 81.3% had undetectable viral loads at the time of operation. Seventeen patients (70.8%) underwent breast reconstruction, with three (17.7%) undergoing delayed reconstruction. Thirty-day postoperative complications occurred in three patients (17.6%), including flap necrosis (11.8%), infection (11.8%), dehiscence (5.9%), and return to OR (11.8%). Three patients (12.5%) experienced recurrence at a median of 18 months since operation. Mean follow-up was 51.4 + 33.3 months since BC diagnosis.

Conclusions:

While postoperative complication rates in HIV+ patients trended higher (17.6%) compared with the existing data on breast reconstruction patients overall (10.1%), HIV+ patients did not exhibit increased risk of BC recurrence (12.5%) compared with BC patients overall (12-27%). This highlights the importance of a combined multidisciplinary approach involving infectious disease, breast surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery to optimize surgical and oncologic outcomes in these high-risk patients.
Microbiology of Musculoskeletal Infections in People Who Inject Drugs at a Rural Tertiary Care Center
Authors: London Abby , Lin Dan , Schade Meredith
Published: September 2022

Background

Complex musculoskeletal (MSK) infections can occur in people who inject drugs (PWID) leading to significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to update information on the anatomy and microbiology of MSK infections (MSKIs) in PWID, as well as 1-year outcomes at our hospital.

Methods

We identified adult patients admitted to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center from 2008 to 2018 with infection of the MSK system who self-reported injection drug use. The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, codes for MSKIs and diagnosis codes related to injection drug use were used to identify the cohort. Age, sex, ethnicity, race, date of admission for infection, location of infection, microbial etiology, method of treatment, comorbidities, and outcome at 1-year were recorded.

Results

Eighty-six distinct infections were found in 82 patients. Most patients were White, non-Hispanic, male, 50 years or younger. Hepatitis C and tobacco use disorder were common comorbidities. The axial skeleton was the most common site of infection. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent organism isolated followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Spinal infections were primarily managed medically whereas septic joints were treated with surgery and antibiotics.

Conclusions

Infections of the MSK system are increasing in PWID. The axial skeleton is the site most often involved; S. aureus was the most frequently isolated organism with P. aeruginosa the next most common. Treatment may include surgical management, but all received antimicrobials. An unfortunate number had a relapse of infection, were lost to follow-up, or deceased at 1 year.
Measurement of skeletal muscle volume is useful for predicting prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Matsui Teppei , Nagai Hidenari , Watanabe Gou , Mouri Kunihide , Yoshimine Naoyuki , Amanuma Makoto , Kobayashi Kojirou , Ogino Yu , Mukozu Takanori , Matsukiyo Yasushi , Daidou Yasuko , Wakui Noritaka , Nakano Shigeru , Momiyama Koichi , Matsuda Takahisa , Igarashi Yoshinori
Published: September 2022

Background

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were previously reported as prognostic factors for outcome in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), and recently, the presence of sarcopenia was reported to be an indicator of worse prognosis in these patients.

Aim

This retrospective study aimed to clarify the importance of sarcopenia as a prognostic factor in patients with LC.

Material and methods

The MELD-Na score, HVPG, and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were measured in 202 patients between January 2013 and August 2020. We performed linear regression analysis between HVPG and SMI and calculated suitable cutoff values of HVPG for predicting presarcopenia and of HVPG, ΔSMI (i.e. the decrease in SMI per year, for predicting survival). Overall survival rates with the HVPG and ΔSMI cutoff values were compared by Kaplan–Meier estimates and log-rank tests. Prognostic factors for survival were analyzed by Cox regression univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

In total, 71% (143/202) of patients presented with presarcopenia. Linear regression showed a significantly negative correlation between HVPG and SMI. Survival was significantly worse in the group with presarcopenia than in the group without. Survival was worse also in the group with an HVPG value ≥ 15 and ΔSMI ≥ −2.4. Cox regression multivariate analyses showed that MELD-Na score, HVPG, HVPG ≥ 15, ΔSMI, and ΔSMI ≥ −2.4 were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

Skeletal muscle volume, especially ΔSMI, has a prognostic value equivalent to that of the MELD-Na score and HVPG.
Targeting Cellular Senescence for Age-Related Diseases: Path to Clinical Translation
Authors: Wyles Saranya P. , Tchkonia Tamara , Kirkland James L.
Published: September 2022

Beyond the palliative reach of today’s medicines, medical therapies of tomorrow aim to treat the root cause of age-related diseases by targeting fundamental aging mechanisms. Pillars of aging include, among others, genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, dysregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication. The unitary theory of fundamental aging processes posits that by targeting one fundamental aging process, it may be feasible to impact several or all others given its interdependence. Indeed, pathologic accumulation of senescent cells is implicated in chronic diseases and age-associated morbidities, suggesting that senescent cells are a good target for whole-body aging intervention. Preclinical studies using senolytics, agents that selectively eliminate senescent cells, and senomorphics, agents that inhibit production or release of senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors, show promise in several aging and disease preclinical models. Early clinical trials using a senolytic combination (dasatinib and quercetin), and other senolytics including flavonoid, fisetin, and BCL-xL inhibitors, illustrate the potential of senolytics to alleviate age-related dysfunction and diseases including wound healing. Translation into clinical applications requires parallel clinical trials across institutions to validate senotherapeutics as a vanguard for delaying, preventing, or treating age-related disorders and aesthetic aging.
The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Conlon Nichola J.
Published: September 2022

The understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of aging has grown exponentially over recent years, and it is now accepted within the scientific community that aging is a malleable process; just as it can be accelerated, it can also be slowed and even reversed. This has far-reaching implications for our attitude and approach toward aging, presenting the opportunity to enter a new era of cellular regenerative medicine to not only manage the external signs of aging but also to develop therapies that support the body to repair and restore itself back to a state of internal well-being. A wealth of evidence now demonstrates that a decline in cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a feature of aging and may play a role in the process. NAD+ plays a pivotal role in cellular metabolism and is a co-substrate for enzymes that play key roles in pathways that modify aging. Thus, interventions that increase NAD+ may slow aspects of the aging trajectory, and there is great interest in methods for cellular NAD+ restoration. Given these recent advancements in understanding the cellular aging process, it is important that there is an integration between the basic scientists who are investigating the underlying mechanisms of cellular aging and the surgeons and aesthetic practitioners who are providing antiaging therapies. This will allow the effective translation of this vastly complex area of biology into clinical practice so that people can continue to not only stay looking younger for longer but also experience improved health and wellness.
The Precision of Different Types of Plates Fabricated With a Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing System in Mandibular Reconstruction With Fibular-Free Flaps
Authors: Yodrabum Nutcha , Rudeejaroonrung Krit , Viriya Natthaphat , Chaikangwan Irin , Kongkunnavat Natthapong , Tianrungroj Jirapat , Ongsiriporn Mathee , Piyaman Parkpoom , Puncreobutr Chedtha
Published: September 2022

Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has been introduced to mandible reconstruction with fibular-free flap in cutting guide placement. When CAS cooperates with different plate fixations, the results show various degrees of errors by which this study aimed to evaluate. Mock surgeries were conducted in 3D-printed mandibles with 2 types of defects, limited or extensive, reconstructed from 2 ameloblastoma patients. Three types of fixations, miniplate, manually bending reconstruction plate, and patient-specific plate, are tested, each of which was performed 3 times in each type of defect, adding up to 18 surgeries. One with the least errors was selected and applied to patients whose 3D-printed mandibles were derived. Finally, in vivo errors were compared with the mock. In limited defect, average errors show no statistical significance among all types. In extensive defect, patient-specific plate had a significantly lower average condylar error than manually bending reconstruction plate and miniplate (8.09±2.52 mm vs. 25.49±2.72 and 23.13±13.54 mm, respectively). When patient-specific plate was applied in vivo, the errors were not significantly different from the mock. Patient-specific plates that cooperated with CAS showed the least errors. Nevertheless, manually bent reconstruction plates and miniplates could be applied in limited defects with caution.
Satellite tracking reveals sex-specific migration distance in green turtles (
Chelonia mydas
)
Authors: Beal Martin , Catry Paulo , Regalla Aissa , Barbosa Castro , Pires António J. , Mestre Julie , Senhoury Cheibani , Sidina Ebaye , Patrício Ana Rita
Published: September 2022

Satellite tracking is a key tool for studying sea turtles in the wild. Most tracking has been performed on adult females however, leaving knowledge gaps regarding other population segments, such as adult males. By satellite tracking 12 male green turtles (
Chelonia mydas
) at a breeding site in West Africa, we describe their movements from the breeding to the foraging grounds and compare migrations with those of 13 females tracked in the same season. During the mating period, some males remained near the focal nesting site, while others performed exploratory movements, apparently to visit other nearby rookeries. Males migrated on average shorter distances to foraging grounds (377 km, range 50–1081,
n
= 9) compared to females (1038 km, range 957–1850,
n
= 11]). Importantly, male foraging areas overlapped with previously described areas for females, suggesting sex-specific migration distances are not derived from differences in habitat selection. Strong support for differential migration by sex in sea turtles has hitherto been found in just one other species, but indications are that it may be a general feature in this group. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the interplay between reproductive roles and movement ecology of these emblematic animals.
Size- and environment-driven seedling survival and growth are mediated by leaf functional traits
Authors: Jiang Feng , Cadotte Marc W. , Jin Guangze
Published: September 2022

Ecologists usually find that plant demography (e.g. survival and growth) changes along with plant size and environmental gradients, which suggests the effects of ontogeny-related processes and abiotic filtering. However, the role of functional traits underlying the size– and environment–demography relationships is usually overlooked. By measuring individual-level leaf traits of more than 2700 seedlings in a temperate forest, we evaluated how seedling traits mediated the size– and environment–demography relationships. We found leaves were larger for taller seedlings; leaf economics traits were more conservative in taller seedlings and under high-light and low-elevation conditions. Structural equation modelling showed that a higher survival probability for taller seedlings was indirectly driven by their larger leaf area. Although taller seedlings had lower growth rates, larger and more resource-conservative leaves could promote the growth of these tall seedlings. Environmental variables did not influence seedling survival and growth directly but did influence growth indirectly by mediating trait variation. Finally, species-specific variation in traits along with size and environments was associated with the species-specific variation in seedling survival and growth. Our study suggests that not only plant ontogeny- and environment-related ecological processes, but functional traits are also important intermediary agents underlying plant size– and environment–demography relationships.
Developmental bias in the evolution and plasticity of beetle horn shape
Authors: Rohner Patrick T. , Hu Yonggang , Moczek Armin P.
Published: September 2022

The degree to which developmental systems bias the phenotypic effects of environmental and genetic variation, and how these biases affect evolution, is subject to much debate. Here, we assess whether developmental variability in beetle horn shape aligns with the phenotypic effects of plasticity and evolutionary divergence, yielding three salient results. First, we find that most pathways previously shown to regulate horn length also affect shape. Second, we find that the phenotypic effects of manipulating divergent developmental pathways are correlated with each other as well as multivariate fluctuating asymmetry—a measure of developmental variability. Third, these effects further aligned with thermal plasticity, population differences and macroevolutionary divergence between sister taxa and more distantly related species. Collectively, our results support the hypothesis that changes in horn shape—whether brought about by environmentally plastic responses, functional manipulations or evolutionary divergences—converge along ‘developmental lines of least resistance’, i.e. are biased by the developmental system underpinning horn shape.
Vibrio tarriae sp. nov., a novel member of the Cholerae clade
Authors: Islam Mohammad Tarequl , Liang Kevin , Orata Fabini D. , Im Monica S. , Alam Munirul , Lee Christine C. , Boucher Yann F.
Published: September 2022

A number of bacteria with close resemblance to

Vibrio cholerae

have been isolated over the years by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which could not be assigned a proper taxonomic designation on the basis of the results from preliminary identification methods. Nine such isolates have been found to share 16S rRNA gene identity exceeding 99 % with V. cholerae, yet DNA–DNA hybridization (60.4–62.1 %) and average nucleotide identity values (94.4–95.1 %) were below the species cut-off, indicating a potentially novel species. Phylogenetic analysis of core genomes places this group of isolates in a monophyletic clade, within the ‘Cholerae clade’, but distinct from any other species. Extensive phenotypic characterization reveals unique biochemical properties that distinguish this novel species from

V. cholerae

. Comparative genomic analysis reveals a unique set of siderophore genes, indicating that iron acquisition strategies could be vital for the divergence of the novel species from a common ancestor with

V. cholerae

. On the basis of the genetic, phylogenetic and phenotypic differences observed, we propose that these isolates represent a novel species of the genus

Vibrio

, for which the name Vibrio tarriae sp. nov. is proposed. Strain 2521-89 T (= DSM 112461=CCUG 75318), isolated from lake water, is the type strain.