bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small noncoding RNA in Streptococci: From regulatory functions to drug development
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Liu , Liu Liu , Zou Jian , Huang Dingming , Li Yuqing
Published: March 2023

Streptococci are a genus of gram‐positive coccus of spherical bacteria, including many commensal bacteria and opportunistic pathogens that threaten the public health system. Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression via various regulatory mechanisms, which have been illustrated to play vital roles in regulations of virulence factor expressions. Recent advances in sequencing technology and bioinformatic analysis facilitated discovery of a myriad of sRNAs from pathogenic bacteria, revealing a variety of unique features that contribute to gene expressions and virulence regulations. Although various research studies have reported the regulatory functions of sRNAs in the virulence of bacterial species of the genus Streptococci, the common features of sRNAs in the pathogenesis of Streptococci remain unclear. This blocks the development of novel antistreptococcal antibiotics and antibacterial strategies. Here, we summarize the fundamental roles of Streptococcal sRNAs in pathogenic regulations, which advance mechanistic understanding of streptococcal infection associated diseases. Moreover, we discuss the prospects of sRNA acting as drug targets to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance.
Non‐habit‐associated squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in a treated breast cancer patient
Authors: Mahindre Swapnagandha , Sarode Gargi S. , Sengupta Namrata , Anand Rahul , Sarode Sachin C.
Published: March 2023

The development of second cancer following a primary cancer is an enigma for oncologists. A very few cases have been reported in the literature, wherein, a second malignancy developed following the treatment protocols of the first cancer. We report a case of a breast cancer patient who later developed oral squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and discuss the possible etiologies of such unfavorable consequences.
Outcomes of transvenous lead extraction in octogenarians using bidirectional rotational mechanical sheaths
Authors: Migliore Federico , Pittorru Raimondo , Dall'Aglio Pietro Bernardo , De Lazzari Manuel , Falzone Pasquale Valerio , Sottini Simone , Dentico Alessia , Ferrieri Alessandra , Pradegan Nicola , Bertaglia Emanuele , Iliceto Sabino , Gerosa Gino , Tarzia Vincenzo , Carretta Domenico
Published: March 2023

Background

Outcomes of transvenous lead extraction (TLE) are well reported in the general population, However, data on safety, efficacy of TLE in octogenarians with a long lead dwell time, using powered extraction tools are limited. The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the safety, effectiveness of TLE in octogenarians using the bidirectional rotational mechanical sheaths and mid‐term outcome after TLE.

Methods

The study population comprised 83 patients (78.3% male; mean age 85 ± 3 years; [range 80–94 years]) with 181 target leads. All the leads (mean implant duration 112 ± 77 months [range 12–377]) were extracted exclusively using the Evolution RL sheaths (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA).

Results

The main indication for TLE was infection in 84.3% of cases. Complete procedural success rate, clinical success rate, per lead were 93.9% and 98.3%, respectively. Failure of lead extraction was seen in 1.7% of leads. The additional use of a snare was required in 8.4% of patients. Major complications occurred in one patient (1.2%). Thirty‐day mortality after TLE was 6%. During a mean time follow‐up of 22 ± 21 months, 24 patients (29%) died. No procedure‐related mortality occurred. Predictors of mortality included ischemic cardiomyopathy (HR 4.35; 95% CI 1.87–10.13; p = .001), left ventricularejection fraction ≤35% (HR 7.89; 95% CI 3.20–19.48; p < .001), and TLE for systemic infection (HR 4.24; 95% CI 1.69–10.66; p = .002).

Conclusions

At experienced centers bidirectional rotational mechanical sheaths combined with different mechanical tools and femoral approach allowreasonable success and safety in octogenarian with long lead dwell time. Patient's age should not influence the decision to extract or not the leads, although the 30‐day and mid‐term mortality are significant, especially in the present of specific comorbidities.
N6‐methyladenosine RNA modification regulates cotton drought response in a Ca2+ and ABA‐dependent manner
Authors: Li Baoqi , Zhang Mengmeng , Sun Weinan , Yue Dandan , Ma Yizan , Zhang Boyang , Duan Lingfeng , Wang Maojun , Lindsey Keith , Nie Xinhui , Zhang Xianlong , Yang Xiyan
Published: March 2023

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification present in mRNAs, and is considered to participate in a range of developmental and biological processes. Drought response is highly regulated at the genomic, transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels. However, the biological function and regulatory mechanism of m6A modification in the drought stress response is still poorly understood. We generated a transcriptome‐wide m6A map using drought‐resistant and drought‐sensitive varieties of cotton under different water deficient conditions to uncover patterns of m6A methylation in cotton response to drought stress. The results reveal that m6A represents a common modification and exhibit dramatic changes in distribution during drought stress. More 5'UTR m6A was deposited in the drought‐resistant variety and was associated with a positive effect on drought resistance by regulating mRNA abundance. Interestingly, we observed that increased m6A abundance was associated with increased mRNA abundance under drought, contributing to drought resistance, and vice versa. The demethylase GhALKBH10B was found to decrease m6A levels, facilitating the mRNA decay of ABA signal‐related genes (GhZEP, GhNCED4 and GhPP2CA) and Ca2+ signal‐related genes (GhECA1, GhCNGC4, GhANN1 and GhCML13), and mutation of GhALKBH10B enhanced drought resistance at seedling stage in cotton. Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) of two Ca2+‐related genes, GhECA1 and GhCNGC4, reduced drought resistance with the decreased m6A enrichment on silenced genes in cotton. Collectively, we reveal a novel mechanism of post‐transcriptional modification involved in affecting drought response in cotton, by mediating m6A methylation on targeted transcripts in the ABA and Ca2+ signalling transduction pathways.
Are sleep disturbances a cause or consequence of autism spectrum disorder?
Authors: Yamada Takashi , Watanabe Takeo , Sasaki Yuka
Published: March 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms such as atypical social communication, stereotyped behaviors, and restricted interests. One of the comorbid symptoms of individuals with ASD is sleep disturbance. There are two major hypotheses regarding the neural mechanism underlying ASD, i.e., the excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance and the altered neuroplasticity hypotheses. However, the pathology of ASD remains unclear due to inconsistent research results. This paper argues that sleep is a confounding factor, thus, must be considered when examining the pathology of ASD because sleep plays an important role in modulating the E/I balance and neuroplasticity in the human brain. Investigation of the E/I balance and neuroplasticity during sleep might enhance our understanding of the neural mechanisms of ASD. It may also lead to the development of neurobiologically informed interventions to supplement existing psychosocial therapies.
Triple‐combination clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%/adapalene 0.15% gel for moderate‐to‐severe acne in children and adolescents: Randomized phase 2 study
Authors: Eichenfield Lawrence F. , Stein Gold Linda , Kircik Leon H. , Werschler William P. , Beer Kenneth , Draelos Zoe D. , Tanghetti Emil A. , Papp Kim A. , Baldwin Hilary , Lain Edward , Sadick Neil , Gooderham Melinda J. , Konda Adarsh
Published: March 2023

Background/Objectives

Topical clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%/adapalene 0.15% gel (IDP‐126) is the first fixed‐dose triple‐combination formulation in development for acne. This post hoc analysis investigated efficacy and safety of IDP‐126 in children and adolescents with moderate‐to‐severe acne.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind phase 2 study (NCT03170388), participants ≥9 years of age with moderate‐to‐severe acne were eligible for randomization (1:1:1:1:1) to once‐daily IDP‐126, one of three dyad combination gels, or vehicle gel for 12 weeks. This post hoc analysis of pediatric participants (n = 394) included children and adolescents up to 17 years of age. Assessments included treatment success, inflammatory/noninflammatory lesion counts, Acne‐Specific Quality of Life (Acne‐QoL) questionnaire, treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and cutaneous safety/tolerability.

Results

At Week 12, treatment success rates were significantly greater with IDP‐126 (55.8%) than with vehicle (5.7%; p < .001) or any of the dyad combinations (range: 30.8%–33.9%; p < .01, all). Lesion reductions with IDP‐126 were also significantly greater than with vehicle (inflammatory: 78.3% vs. 45.1%; noninflammatory: 70.0% vs. 37.6%; p < .001, both) and 9.2%–16.6% greater than with any of the dyad combinations. Increases (improvements) from baseline in Acne‐QoL domain scores were generally greater with IDP‐126 than in any other treatment group. The most common treatment‐related TEAEs across treatment groups were application site pain and dryness. Most treatment‐related TEAEs were of mild‐to‐moderate severity.

Conclusion

IDP‐126 gel—a novel fixed‐dose, triple‐combination topical formulation for acne—demonstrated superior efficacy to vehicle and three dyad component gels and was well tolerated in children and adolescents with moderate‐to‐severe acne.
A call for implementing augmented intelligence in pediatric dermatology
Authors: Issa Christopher J. , Reimer‐Taschenbrecker Antonia , Paller Amy S.
Published: March 2023

Augmented intelligence (AI), the combination of artificial based intelligence with human intelligence from a practitioner, has become an increased focus of clinical interest in the field of dermatology. Technological advancements have led to the development of deep‐learning based models to accurately diagnose complex dermatological diseases such as melanoma in adult datasets. Models for pediatric dermatology remain scarce, but recent studies have shown applications in the diagnoses of facial infantile hemangiomas and X‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia; however, we see unmet needs in other complex clinical scenarios and rare diseases, such as diagnosing squamous cell carcinoma in patients with epidermolysis bullosa. Given the still limited number of pediatric dermatologists, especially in rural areas, AI has the potential to help overcome health disparities by helping primary care physicians treat or triage patients.
A silent burden: How negative experiences with public toilets impact quality of life and life satisfaction
Authors: Corradi Guido , Theirs Cecilia , Garcia‐Garzon Eduardo , Barrada Juan Ramón
Published: March 2023

Public toilets are a critical public health issue with a significant negative impact on people's lives. Unfortunately, the effect of negative experiences caused by public toilets on people's quality of life and life satisfaction is unknown. In this study, participants (n = 550) were asked to fill in a scale‐based survey about their negative experiences with public toilets, quality of life, and life satisfaction. We found that people with toilet‐dependent illnesses (36% of the sample) reported more negative experiences with public toilets than their counterparts. These negative experiences are also related to lower scores in some areas of participants' quality of life, such as their environmental, psychological, and physical health and life satisfaction, even after controlling for relevant socio‐economic variables. Additionally, toilet‐dependent individuals had particularly negative experiences in terms of life satisfaction and physical health than non‐toilet‐dependent people. We conclude that the impoverishment of quality of life linked to public toilets as an environmental inadequacy is traceable, estimable, and meaningful. This association is not only negative for ordinary people, but it is significantly negative for people with toilet‐dependent illnesses. These results highlight that public toilets are essential to ensure collective well‐being, particularly when considering those affected by their presence or lack thereof.
Poverty as a Political Problem in Late Eighteenth‐Century Britain: Smith, Burke, Malthus
Authors: Harris James A.
Published: March 2023

In eighteenth‐century Britain, there was more than one way of thinking about poverty. For some, poverty was an essentially moral problem. Another way of conceiving of poverty was in economic terms. In this article, however, I want to consider some eighteenth‐century versions of the idea that poverty might be a political issue. What I have in mind is the idea that a society containing a large proportion of very poor people might be, just for that reason, an unstable and disordered society. I argue, first, that this idea is central to Smith's treatment of poverty in The Wealth of Nations. Then, after a brief account of how Paine and Godwin imagined the end of poverty, I describe the further development and refinement of Smithian lines of thought in Burke and Malthus. My conclusion is that Smith, Burke, and Malthus constitute evidence that present‐day ideas of social justice derive more from the nineteenth century and subsequent developments in moral and political thought than from the early modern period.
What is the role of adherence to 24‐hour movement guidelines in relation to physical fitness components among adolescents?
Authors: Tapia‐Serrano Miguel Ángel , López‐Gil José Francisco , Sevil‐Serrano Javier , García‐Hermoso Antonio , Sánchez‐Miguel Pedro Antonio
Published: March 2023

Background

Physical inactivity, excessive sedentary time, and lack of sleep time have been independently associated with lower health‐related physical fitness. However, little is known about the combined association between 24‐h movement guidelines (i.e., physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration) and components of physical fitness.

Objective

The main aim was to examine the likelihood of having high/very high levels on different components of physical fitness based on meeting with 24‐h movement guidelines.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 1276 Spanish youths (13.07 ± 0.86; 55.88% boys), aged 11–16 years, completed self‐reported questionnaires on physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration. Physical fitness components were assessed by 20‐m shuttle‐run test, standing long jump test, handgrip strength test, and 4 × 10‐m shuttle‐run test. Meeting 24‐h movement guidelines was defined as: 9–11 h/day (children aged 5–13) or 8–10 h/day (adolescents aged 14–17) of sleep, ≤2 h/day of recreational screen time and at least 60 min/day of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity. The probability of having a high/very high score for each physical fitness components (i.e., ≥60th centile according to the normative cut‐off points for European adolescents) in relation to adherence to 24‐h movement guidelines was analyzed using a series of binary logistic regressions.

Results

Participants who met the three 24‐h movement guidelines were more likely to have high/very high for cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.79, 6.14; p < 0.001), standing long jump (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.45; p = 0.031), muscular fitness (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.86; p = 0.048) and physical fitness (OR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.66; p = 0.012), but not for handgrip strength (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.64, 2.01; p = 0.636) and speed/agility (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 0.92, 2.96; p = 0.093), compared to those who did not meet all three recommendations.

Conclusion

Since meeting the three 24‐h movement guidelines increased the likelihood of having higher levels in most physical fitness components, it seems necessary to promote these movement behaviors early in life, as they could serve as a gateway for improving health‐related fitness in future generations.
The Indoors/Outdoors Divide: Homelessness, Rat Infestation, and Spatial Management in Downtown Los Angeles
Authors: McCumber Andrew
Published: March 2023

In 2019, Los Angeles, California's City Hall was reported to be infested with rats. LA's pest control contractor later drew a link between this rat problem and nearby encampments of unhoused residents. I use these connected cases of homelessness and rat control in Los Angeles to investigate the spatial and symbolic logics that guide urban social processes. Using computational and qualitative text analysis, interviews, and participant observation, I argue that rats and homelessness are issues tied to the proper place of nature in cities. While urban nature is central to the aspirational goals of urbanization, where institutions craft a desirable, recognizably urban life, I argue that managing it means not just introducing “good” nature (parks, street trees, etc.) to cities, but also keeping “bad” nature at bay. Practically, this entails guarding public faith in the boundary between “indoors” and “outdoors.” Homelessness and rat infestations present challenges to this goal because they represent inverse spatial transgressions of the indoors/outdoors divide. Rats bring the outdoors inside, compromising safety and security. Homeless encampments, meanwhile, represent domestic, indoor life spilling over into the outdoors. City institutions materially maintain the indoors/outdoors divide and symbolically attend to it by removing meaningful indications of these spatial transgressions.
Cognitive Science Progresses Toward Interactive Frameworks
Authors: Spivey Michael J.
Published: March 2023

Despite its many twists and turns, the arc of cognitive science generally bends toward progress, thanks to its interdisciplinary nature. By glancing at the last few decades of experimental and computational advances, it can be argued that—far from failing to converge on a shared set of conceptual assumptions—the field is indeed making steady consensual progress toward what can broadly be referred to asinteractive frameworks. This inclination is apparent in the subfields of psycholinguistics, visual perception, embodied cognition, extended cognition, neural networks, dynamical systems theory, and more. This pictorial essay briefly documents this steady progress both from a bird's eye view and from the trenches. The conclusion is one of optimism that cognitive science is getting there, albeit slowly and arduously, like any good science should.
Acetylation of GhCaM7 enhances cotton resistance to Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wu Yajie , Yu Yongang , Zhang Yihao , Wei Feng , Zhu Qian‐Hao , Zhou Jinglong , Zhao Lihong , Zhang Yalin , Feng Zili , Feng Hongjie , Sun Jie
Published: March 2023

Protein lysine acetylation is an important post‐translational modification mechanism involved in cellular regulation in eukaryotes. Calmodulin (CaM) is a ubiquitous Ca2+ sensor in eukaryotes and is crucial for plant immunity, but it is so far unclear whether acetylation is involved in CaM‐mediated plant immunity. Here, we found that GhCaM7 is acetylated upon Verticillium dahliae (V. dahliae) infection and a positive regulator of V. dahliae resistance. Overexpressing GhCaM7 in cotton and Arabidopsis enhances V. dahliae resistance and knocking‐down GhCaM7 makes cotton more susceptible to V. dahliae. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing GhCaM7 with mutation at the acetylation site are more susceptible to V. dahliae than transgenics overexpressing the wild‐type GhCaM7, implying the importance of the acetylated GhCaM7 in response to V. dahliae infection. Yeast two‐hybrid, bimolecular fluorescent complementation, luciferase complementation imaging, and coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated interaction between GhCaM7 and an osmotin protein GhOSM34 that was shown to have a positive role in V. dahliae resistance. GhCaM7 and GhOSM34 are co‐localized in the cell membrane. Upon V. dahliae infection, the Ca2+ content reduces almost instantly in plants with downregulated GhCaM7 or GhOSM34. Down regulating GhOSM34 enhances accumulation of Na+ and increases cell osmotic pressure. Comparative transcriptomic analyses between cotton plants with an increased or reduced expression level of GhCaM7 and wild‐type plants indicate the involvement of jasmonic acid signaling pathways and reactive oxygen species in GhCaM7‐enabled disease resistance. Together, these results demonstrate the involvement of CaM protein in the interaction between cotton and V. dahliae, and more importantly, the involvement of the acetylated CaM in the interaction.
RESCUE AND RECOVERY AS A THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE, AND A KEY TO MORALITY IN EXTRATERRESTRIAL SPECIES
Authors: Rappaport Margaret Boone , Corbally Christopher J. , Campa Riccardo
Published: March 2023

New theological understanding can emerge with the advancement of scientific knowledge and the use of new concepts, or older concepts in new ways. Here, the authors present a proposal to extend the concept of “rescue and recovery” found in the United Nations Law of the High Seas, off‐world and within a broader purview of other intelligent and self‐aware species that humans may someday encounter. The notion of a morality that extends to off‐world species is not new, but in this analysis, rescue and recovery become an imperative when any intelligent and self‐aware species is in harm's way. Rescue and recovery encompass a necessary action component except perhaps in those cases where rescuers are in danger. The authors explore three biblical examples of rescue and recovery to derive a fundamental meaning of the concept.
The mechanosensitive ion channel ASIC2 mediates both proprioceptive sensing and spinal alignment
Authors: Bornstein Bavat , Watkins Bridgette , Passini Fabian S. , Blecher Ronen , Assaraf Eran , Sui Xiao Meng , Brumfeld Vlad , Tsoory Michael , Kröger Stephan , Zelzer Elazar
Published: March 2023

By translating mechanical forces into molecular signals, proprioceptive neurons provide the CNS with information on muscle length and tension, which is necessary to control posture and movement. However, the identities of the molecular players that mediate proprioceptive sensing are largely unknown. Here, we confirm the expression of the mechanosensitive ion channel ASIC2 in proprioceptive sensory neurons. By combining in vivo proprioception‐related functional tests with ex vivo electrophysiological analyses of muscle spindles, we showed that mice lacking Asic2 display impairments in muscle spindle responses to stretch and motor coordination tasks. Finally, analysis of skeletons of Asic2 loss‐of‐function mice revealed a specific effect on spinal alignment. Overall, we identify ASIC2 as a key component in proprioceptive sensing and a regulator of spine alignment.
Reproducibility and diurnal variation in middle cerebral artery blood velocity in healthy humans
Authors: Shariffi Brian , Lloyd Iman N. , Cessac Mikala E. , Harper Jennifer L. , Limberg Jacqueline K.
Published: March 2023

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is used to assess cerebral blood velocity (CBV) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR). Assessments of TCD reproducibility are limited, and few include multiple within‐day measurements. We sought to establish reproducibility of CBV and CVR in healthy adults during three time periods (morning, afternoon and evening). We hypothesized that CBV and CVR measured at the same time of day are reproducible between days. We also hypothesized that CBV and CVR exhibit diurnal variation, with measurements being higher in the evening compared with morning/afternoon hours. Twelve adults [six male and six female, 27 years (95% CI, 22–31 years)] completed three measurements (morning, afternoon and evening) on two separate days in controlled conditions (e.g., meals, activity and sleep). Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv, TCD) was measured continuously at rest and during two CVR tests (end‐expiratory apnoea and carbogen inhalation). Intraclass correlation coefficients for resting MCAv showed moderate to good reproducibility, which did not differ between morning, afternoon and evening (0.87, 0.56 and 0.67, respectively; P > 0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficients for peak MCAv during apnoea (0.80, 0.46 and 0.65, respectively; P > 0.05) and minute 2 of carbogen inhalation (0.81, 0.74 and 0.73, respectively; P > 0.05) were also not different from morning compared with afternoon/evening. Time of day had no effect on resting MCAv (F = 0.69, P = 0.51, ƞp2 = 0.06) or the peak response to apnoea (F = 1.00, P = 0.39, ƞp2 = 0.08); however, peak MCAv during carbogen breathing exhibited diurnal variation, with highest values in the evening (F = 3.41, P = 0.05, ƞp2 = 0.24). Measures of CBV and CVR assessed via TCD during morning, afternoon and evening hours are reproducible between days. There is diurnal variation in the MCAv response to carbogen exposure, with CVR being highest during evening compared with morning hours.
Whole genome transcriptomic reveals heat stroke molecular signatures in humans
Authors: Bouchama Abderrezak , Rashid Mamoon , Malik Shuja Shafi , Al Mahri Saeed , Yassin Yara , Abdullah Mashan , Abdulmalek Nour , Maashi Fuad , Mashi Abdulaziz , Khan Altaf , Alotaibi Badriah , Lehe Cynthia , Mohammad Sameer , Alkadi Haitham , Alwadaani Deemah , Yezli Saber
Published: March 2023

An evolutionary heat shock response (HSR) protects most living species, including humans, from heat‐induced macromolecular damage. However, its role in the pathogenesis of heat stroke is unknown. We examined the whole genome transcriptome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a cohort of subjects exposed to the same high environmental heat conditions, who developed heat stroke (n = 19) versus those who did not (n = 19). Patients with heat stroke had a mean rectal temperature at admission of 41.7 ± 0.8°C, and eight were in deep coma (Glasgow Coma Score = 3). The transcriptome showed that genes involved in more than half of the entire chaperome were differentially expressed relative to heat stress control. These include the heat shock protein, cochaperone, and chaperonin genes, indicating a robust HSR. Differentially expressed genes also encoded proteins related to unfolded protein response, DNA repair, energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and immunity. The analysis predicted perturbations of the proteome network and energy production. Cooling therapy attenuated these alterations without complete restoration of homeostasis. We validated the significantly expressed genes by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The findings reveal the molecular signature of heat stroke. They also suggested that a powerful HSR may not be sufficient to protect against heat injury. The overwhelming proteotoxicity and energy failure could play a pathogenic role.

image

Key points

Most living species, including humans, have inherent heat stress response (HSR) that shields them against heat‐induced macromolecular damage. The role of the HSR in subjects exposed to environmental heat who progressed to heat stroke versus those that did not is unknown.

Our findings suggest that heat stroke induces a broad and robust HSR of nearly half of the total heat shock proteins, cochaperones, and chaperonin genes.

Heat stroke patients exhibited inhibition of genes involved in energy production, including oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production.

Significant enrichment of neurodegenerative pathways, including amyloid processing signalling, the Huntington's and Parkinson's disease signalling suggestive of brain proteotoxicity was noted.

The data suggests that more than a powerful HSR may be required to protect against heat stroke. Overwhelming proteotoxicity and energy failure might contribute to its pathogenesis.
Accelerated Prediction of Photon Transport in Nanoparticle Media Using Machine Learning Trained With Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Carne Daniel , Peoples Joseph , Feng Dudong , Ruan Xiulin
Published: March 2023

Monte Carlo simulations for photon transport are commonly used to predict the spectral response, including reflectance, absorptance, and transmittance in nanoparticle laden media, while the computational cost could be high. In this study, we demonstrate a general purpose fully connected neural network approach, trained with Monte Carlo simulations, to accurately predict the spectral response while dramatically accelerating the computational speed. Monte Carlo simulations are first used to generate a training set with a wide range of optical properties covering dielectrics, semiconductors, and metals. Each input is normalized, with the scattering and absorption coefficients normalized on a logarithmic scale to accelerate the training process and reduce error. A deep neural network with ReLU activation is trained on this dataset with the optical properties and medium thickness as the inputs, and diffuse reflectance, absorptance, and transmittance as the outputs. The neural network is validated on a validation set with randomized optical properties, as well as nanoparticle medium examples including barium sulfate, aluminum, and silicon. The error in the spectral response predictions is within 1% which is sufficient for many applications, while the speedup is 1–3 orders of magnitude. This machine learning accelerated approach can allow for high throughput screening, optimization, or real-time monitoring of nanoparticle media's spectral response.
Thickness dependent field emission study of LaB6 coated Si nanowire arrays
Authors: Deore Amol , Jagtap Krishna , Bhorade Onkar , Vella Angela , More Mahendra
Published: March 2023

A simple physical metal mask is efficiently employed to obtain an array of silicon (Si) nanowires (Si-NWs) on a Si substrate grown using the hot filament chemical vapor deposition route. Well adhered and uniform coating of different thicknesses (20 and 50 nm) of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) on Si-NWs was obtained using electron beam evaporation technique. The thickness of LaB6 coating was estimated from ellipsometry measurement. Structural, morphological, and chemical properties of the LaB6 coated Si-NWs (LaB6@Si-NWs) arrays were revealed using x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Field electron emission characteristics of pristine Si-NW array and LaB6 coated Si-NWs array emitters were studied in planar diode configuration at a base pressure of 1 × 10−8 mbar. The values of turn-on field (current density ∼1 μA/cm2) were observed as ∼2.2, 1.2, and 1.6 V/μm for pristine Si-NWs, LaB6@Si-NWs_20, and LaB6@Si-NWs_50 array emitters, respectively. Furthermore, maximum emission current densities of ∼1276.81, 2763.64, and 2231.81 μA/cm2 have been extracted from the pristine Si-NWs, LaB6@Si-NWS_20, and LaB6@Si-NWS_50 array emitters at an applied field of 3.1, 2.7, and 2.7 V/μm, respectively. The LaB6@Si-NWS_20 array emitter demonstrated superior FEE properties as compared to the pristine Si-NWs and LaB6@Si-NWS_50 emitters. Furthermore, LaB6@Si-NWS_20 emitter depicted very good emission current stability tested at a preset value of 1 μA over a duration of 3 h. The enhanced FEE performance exhibited by the LaB6@Si-NWs_20 array emitter is attributed to reduction in effective work function and enhanced electron tunneling probability across the LaB6–Si interface.
A charge analysis of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation
Authors: Klee Maurice M.
Published: March 2023

The brain is an electric organ. As such, for well over a hundred years, physicists, engineers, biologists, and physicians have used electromagnetic theory to try to understand how the brain works and to diagnose and treat disease. The field of electro-neuroscience is immense with thousands of papers being published each year. In this paper, we provide physics students with an introduction to the field using a conventional model of the head that employs four concentric spheres having different conductivities to represent the scalp, skull, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the brain itself. To ground the discussion, we use the specific case of non-invasive DC electrical stimulation of the brain through electrodes applied to the surface of the scalp, a procedure known as transcranial DC stimulation or tDCS. Currently, tDCS is under clinical investigation for such diseases as depression, anxiety, and chronic pain as well as to enhance the performance of athletes and the training of fighter pilots. We solve the corresponding physics problem from a charge perspective and explain why the charge distributions look the way they do using what we call the “sensing pixel” technique. This paper can introduce students to the ways in which electromagnetic theory is being applied to problems in neuroscience; in this case, the problem of how to non-invasively stimulate the brain to treat disease or improve performance.
Electromagnetic induction: How the “flux rule” has superseded Maxwell's general law
Authors: Giuliani Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

As documented by textbooks, the teaching of electromagnetic induction in university and high school courses is primarily based on what Feynman labeled as the “flux rule,” downgrading it from the status of physical law. However, Maxwell derived a “general law of electromagnetic induction” in which the vector potential plays a fundamental role. A modern reformulation of Maxwell's law can be easily obtained by defining the induced electromotive force as ∮l(E→+v→c×B→)·dl→, where v→c is the velocity of the positive charges which, by convention, are the current carriers. Maxwell did not possess a model for the electric current. Therefore, in his law, he took v→c to be the velocity of the circuit element containing the charges. This paper aims to show that the modern reformulation of Maxwell's law governs electromagnetic induction, and the “flux rule” is not a physical law but only a calculation shortcut that does not always yield the correct predictions. This paper also tries to understand why Maxwell's law has been ignored, and how the “flux rule” has taken root. Finally, a section is dedicated to teaching this modern reformulation of Maxwell's law in high schools and elementary physics courses.
Auditory short-term memory for pitch loses precision over time
Authors: Wisniewski Matthew G. , Tollefsrud Michael A.
Published: March 2023

The impact of retention interval duration on the fidelity of pitch memory was investigated. Listeners heard “target” pure tones, followed by a retention interval (2–8 s), then a response period in which the frequency of a novel sound was adjusted to match their memory of the target. The variability of pitch matches increased with retention interval duration. Supplemental analyses of the most accurate trials and temporal dynamics of matching suggest that decreasing precision was not due to differences in complete forgetting among intervals. Results suggest that the precision of short-term memory for pitch may continuously degrade over time.
Wave interference at the contralateral ear helps explain non-monotonic envelope interaural time differences as a function of azimuth
Authors: Mayo Paul G. , Brown Andrew D. , Goupell Matthew J.
Published: March 2023

Interaural time differences (ITDs), an important acoustic cue for perceptual sound-source localization, are conventionally modeled as monotonic functions of azimuth. However, recent literature and publicly available databases from binaural manikins demonstrated ITDs conveyed by the envelopes (ENV-ITDs) of high-frequency (≥2 kHz) signals that were non-monotonic functions of azimuth. This study demonstrates using a simple, time-dependent geometric model of an elliptic head that the back-traveling (longer) sound path around the head, delayed and added to the conventionally treated front-traveling path, can account for non-monotonic ENV-ITDs. These findings have implications for spatial-hearing models in acoustic and electric (cochlear-implant) hearing.
On the accuracy of one-way approximate models for nonlinear waves in soft solids
Authors: Berjamin Harold
Published: March 2023

Simple strain-rate viscoelasticity models of isotropic soft solid are introduced. The constitutive equations account for finite strain, incompressibility, material frame-indifference, nonlinear elasticity, and viscous dissipation. A nonlinear viscous wave equation for the shear strain is obtained exactly and corresponding one-way Burgers-type equations are derived by making standard approximations. Analysis of the travelling wave solutions shows that these partial differential equations produce distinct solutions, and deviations are exacerbated when wave amplitudes are not arbitrarily small. In the elastic limit, the one-way approximate wave equation can be linked to simple wave theory and shock wave theory, thus, allowing direct error measurements.
A silicone-based support material eliminates interfacial instabilities in 3D silicone printing
Authors: Duraivel Senthilkumar , Laurent Dimitri , Rajon Didier A. , Scheutz Georg M. , Shetty Abhishek M. , Sumerlin Brent S. , Banks Scott A. , Bova Frank J. , Angelini Thomas E.
Published: March 2023

Among the diverse areas of 3D printing, high-quality silicone printing is one of the least available and most restrictive. However, silicone-based components are integral to numerous advanced technologies and everyday consumer products. We developed a silicone 3D printing technique that produces precise, accurate, strong, and functional structures made from several commercially available silicone formulations. To achieve this level of performance, we developed a support material made from a silicone oil emulsion. This material exhibits negligible interfacial tension against silicone-based inks, eliminating the disruptive forces that often drive printed silicone features to deform and break apart. The versatility of this approach enables the use of established silicone formulations in fabricating complex structures and features as small as 8 micrometers in diameter.
A direct and clean route to MXenes
Authors: Robertson Daniel D. , Tolbert Sarah H.
Published: March 2023

New, scalable methods synthesize two-dimensional carbide and nitride materials
Four-dimensional optics using time-varying metamaterials
Authors: Engheta Nader
Published: March 2023

Optical platforms using material parameters that change with time have diverse applications
Elucidation of the pathway for biosynthesis of saponin adjuvants from the soapbark tree
Authors: Reed James , Orme Anastasia , El-Demerdash Amr , Owen Charlotte , Martin Laetitia B. B. , Misra Rajesh C. , Kikuchi Shingo , Rejzek Martin , Martin Azahara C. , Harkess Alex , Leebens-Mack Jim , Louveau Thomas , Stephenson Michael J. , Osbourn Anne
Published: March 2023

The Chilean soapbark tree (
Quillaja saponaria
) produces soap-like molecules called QS saponins that are important vaccine adjuvants. These highly valuable compounds are sourced by extraction from the bark, and their biosynthetic pathway is unknown. Here, we sequenced the
Q. saponaria
genome. Through genome mining and combinatorial expression in tobacco, we identified 16 pathway enzymes that together enable the production of advanced QS pathway intermediates that represent a bridgehead for adjuvant bioengineering. We further identified the enzymes needed to make QS-7, a saponin with excellent therapeutic properties and low toxicity that is present in low abundance in
Q. saponaria
bark extract. Our results enable the production of
Q. saponaria
vaccine adjuvants in tobacco and open the way for new routes to access and engineer natural and new-to-nature immunostimulants.
A booster for vaccines from plants
Authors: Chubatsu Nunes Helena H. , Dang Thu-Thuy T.
Published: March 2023

Reconstituting a plant biosynthetic pathway enables a sustainable supply of vaccine adjuvants
In Other Journals
Authors: Simonti Corinne , Lopez Bianca , Scanlon Seth Thomas , McCartney Melissa , Szuromi Phil , Vignieri Sacha , Lavine Marc S.
Published: March 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
New Long Covid cases decline with Omicron
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: March 2023

Virus biology, widespread vaccination may be driving down risk of persistent symptoms
New clues to pandemic’s origin surface, causing uproar
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: March 2023

Genetic sequences from Wuhan market may point to animal that spread SARS-CoV-2, but data remain hidden
Earth may face higher risk of catastrophic asteroid strikes
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: March 2023

Sizes of geologically recent impact craters revised upward with sharper satellite imagery
Identification of
lthB
, a Gene Encoding a Putative Glycosyltransferase Family 8 Protein Required for
Leptothrix
Sheath Formation
Authors: Kunoh Tatsuki , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Ono Erika , Sugimoto Shinya , Takabe Kyosuke , Takeda Minoru , Utada Andrew S. , Nomura Nobuhiko
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the regulation of cell chain elongation of filamentous bacteria via extracellular signals has attracted attention as a potential strategy to prevent clogging of water distribution systems and filamentous bulking of activated sludge in industrial settings. However, a fundamental understanding of the ecology of filamentous bacteria remains elusive.
Frenchman Mountain Dolostone: A new formation of the Cambrian Tonto Group, Grand Canyon and Basin and Range, USA
Authors: Rowland Stephen M. , Korolev Slava , Hagadorn James W. , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: March 2023

We describe, interpret, and establish a stratotype for the Frenchman Mountain Dolostone (FMD), a new Cambrian stratigraphic unit that records key global geochemical and climate signals and is well exposed throughout the Grand Canyon and central Basin and Range, USA. This flat-topped carbonate platform deposit is the uppermost unit of the Tonto Group, replacing the informally named “undifferentiated dolomites.” The unit records two global chemostratigraphic events—the Drumian Carbon Isotope Excursion (DICE), when δ13Ccarb (refers to “marine carbonate rocks”) values in the FMD dropped to −2.7‰, and the Steptoean Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion (SPICE), when the values rose to +3.5‰. The forma tion consists of eight lithofacies deposited in shallow subtidal to peritidal paleoenvironments. At its stratotype at Frenchman Mountain, Nevada, the FMD is 371 m thick. Integration of regional trilobite biostratigraphy and geochronology with new stratigraphy and sedimentology of the FMD, together with new δ13Ccarb chemostratigraphy for the entire Cambrian succession at Frenchman Mountain, illustrates that the FMD spans ~7.2 m.y., from Miaolingian (lower Drumian, Bolaspidella Zone) to Furongian (Paibian, Dicanthopyge Zone) time. To the west, the unit correlates with most of the Banded Mountain Member of the ~1100-m-thick Bonanza King Formation. To the east, at Grand Canyon’s Palisades of the Desert, the FMD thins to 8 m due to pre–Middle Devonian erosion that cut progressively deeper cratonward. Portions of the FMD display visually striking, meterscale couplets of alternating dark- and light-colored peritidal facies, while other portions consist of thick intervals of a single peritidal or shallow subtidal facies. Statistical analysis of the succession of strata in the stratotype section, involving Markov order and runs order analyses, yields no evidence of cyclicity or other forms of order. Autocyclic processes provide the simplest mechanism to have generated the succession of facies observed in the FMD.
Late Triassic tectonic stress field of the southwestern Ordos Basin and its tectonic implications: Insights from finite-element numerical simulations
Authors: Song Li-Jun , Wang Zeng-Zhen
Published: March 2023

The tectonic stress field of the southwestern Ordos Basin during the Late Triassic is controversial. The major controversy is whether the southwestern Ordos Basin was a compressional basin throughout the Late Triassic or whether it transformed from an extensional into a compressional basin during this period. We divided the Late Triassic into the early to middle and late to terminal periods. Two paleotectonic stress field simulation models of the southwestern Ordos Basin were constructed using finite-element software (ANSYS 10). Our results showed high consistency with regional geologic correlations, suggesting the credibility of the models. We found that the southwestern Ordos Basin was dominated by NE-SW extensional stress and strain during the early to middle Late Triassic, associated with strike-slip faulting along the western margin of the Ordos block. This is consistent with the development of syndepositional normal faults and was probably induced by the scissor collision from east to west between the North China craton and Yangtze block. The tectonic stress field of the southwestern Ordos Basin during the late to terminal Late Triassic mainly manifested as NE-SW compressive stress and strain. The dominant tectonic dynamics for the Ordos block during this period may have changed to northward compression of the Songpan-Ganzi and Qiangtang terranes. The southwestern Ordos Basin was characterized by compressional deformation and northeastward migration of the depocenter. The southwestern Ordos Basin transformed from an extensional basin associated with strike-slip faulting during the early to middle Late Triassic into a compressional depression basin during the late to terminal Late Triassic.
Breast cancer metastasis to thymus
Authors: Aleem Javaria , Sattar Sandeela , Iqbal Javeria , Majid Faisal
Published: March 2023

Despite advancements in breast cancer management, metastatic disease remains a challenge. Thymic metastasis is an infrequent site of involvement. We intend to report a rare case of a woman in her 40s who presented with bilateral nipple discharge for 2 months. A triple assessment confirmed left breast carcinoma. A staging CT scan and positron emission tomography scan revealed an anterior mediastinal mass of thymic origin, and histology confirmed metastatic breast cancer. The patient made a good recovery following surgical and oncological treatment.
High levels of serum C-peptide are associated with a decreased risk for incident renal progression in patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yang Qi , Liu Yan , Peng Juan , Pan Jinting , Chen Li , Cui Jing , Yi Bin
Published: March 2023

Introduction

C-peptide has been reported to provide renoprotective effects. This study aims to explore the relationship between C-peptide and progression of renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Research design and methods

We retrospectively collected clinical data from 854 T2DM patients over a median follow-up of 5 years. Renal events included an annual decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a rapid kidney function decline and a renal composite endpoint. A linear mixed-effects model and Cox regression analysis were used to investigate the effect of C-peptide on renal events, and a subgroup analysis was performed after stratification by risk factors.

Results

The highest-level C-peptide group had a smaller annual eGFR decline compared with those in the group with the lowest level (p<0.05). Higher levels of 2 h postprandial C-peptide (2hPCP) (adjusted HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.92), difference between 2 h postprandial and fasting C-peptide (ΔCP) (adjusted HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.69), and 2 h postprandial C-peptide-to-glucose ratio (PCGR) (adjusted HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.82) were independently related to a decreased risk for the renal composite endpoint. 2hPCP <2.92 ng/mL, ΔCP <1.86 ng/mL, and PCGR <1.11 significantly increased the risk of progression in kidney function (adjusted HRs <0.50, p<0.05) among T2DM patients with male sex, an age of <65 years old, a disease course of <10 years, an glycosylated hemoglobin value of ≥7%, or a history of hypertension.

Conclusions

Higher levels of 2hPCP, ΔCP and PCGR could protect T2DM patients from renal progression, especially in the aforementioned population with diabetes.