bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(366) Potential Effectiveness of Focused Vibration Treatment for Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction: A Case Series
Authors: Rodriguez JE , Dadian R , García A , Valverde J
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The current non-pharmacological treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED) is based on cognitive-behavioral interventions that often involve the participation of the partner, such as desensitization procedures, sensory focusing, and couples counseling. However, it is important to note that in many cases, patients may not have a stable partner or their partner cannot participate in the treatment. The application of local mechanical vibration has shown promising results in increasing skin blood flow and nitric oxide production in healthy young adults. The relaxation of smooth muscle in the penis initiates and maintains an erection. The local release of nitric oxide from autonomic dilator nerves and vascular endothelium is crucial in initiating and sustaining this process. Technological advances have allowed the design of vibrating devices that men can use during sexual encounters.

Objective

To determine if the on-demand use of a focused vibration device can increase blood flow and promote relaxation of erectile tissue to improve erectile function in patients with pED.

Methods

Seven sexually active men diagnosed with pED based on criteria for Erectile Disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and without a stable partner, were instructed to use a vibrating device called TENUTO II during their sexual encounters for duration of 8 weeks. This device generates focal vibrations on the penis and the perineal area in intervals of 10 seconds of vibration followed by 10 seconds of pause, with a frequency of 50Hz and an amplitude of 2mm. The five-item Spanish version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire was used to assess symptoms before and after the procedure and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire was used for evaluating satisfaction with treatment.

Results

After the using the device, all patients enrolled with a mean age of 36.1 years (range 28-45) experienced an improvement in erectile function, mean IIEF-5 score pretreatment was 11(range 5–13) mean posttreatment IIEF score was 20 (range 18-27). No adverse effects were reported during the treatment.

Conclusions

This case series suggests that use of an on-demand focused vibration device could be a potentially effective and safe therapeutic option for men with pED. However, further studies with a larger number of participants and a more rigorous research design are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Disclosure

Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: MysteryVibe.

Clarification: Industry funding only - investigator initiated and executed study.

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Mysteryvibe.
(377) Different Risk Factors and Their Effects on Semen Analysis: A 7-year Single Institutional Review
Authors: Piraino J , Helo S , Guillen Lozoya A
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Semen parameters are a reflection of overall patient health and may fluctuate during times of physiologic stress. Autoimmune disease affects a number of aspects of health and may be exacerbated by disease flare-ups and/or medical therapy. Nearly 5 million men are living with an autoimmune disease, yet its effect on male fertility is not well defined.

Objective

The object of this study is to evaluate the effect of autoimmune disease and other health factors, such as smoking status, BMI, and age on semen parameters using a large institutional database.

Methods

We reviewed an institutional database of all patients who underwent as semen analysis for any reason between 2013 and 2019. In addition to autoimmune disease status, patient age, smoking status, and body mass index were noted. Chi-Squared analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of autoimmune disease and smoking status on semen analysis. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of age and body mass index on semen analysis.

Results

Of the 1127 patients in the cohort, 44 patients had a diagnosis of autoimmune disease at the time of semen analysis. Mean age of patients with and without autoimmune disease was noted to be the same at 34 years. No significant difference was noted in semen parameters (motility, pH, concentration, volume, morphology) when comparing patients with autoimmune disease to those without. When looking at factors aside from having an autoimmune disease, smoking status had a significant difference on sperm morphology (p = 0.043) but did not have any significant effect on other semen parameters. Sperm motility (p = <0.01) and volume (p = 0.03) declined with increasing age. Increasing body mass index was associated with increased semen pH (p = 0.03), but otherwise did not impact semen parameters.

Conclusions

This single center, large retrospective analysis shows no significant impact of autoimmune disease on semen parameters. Smoking and patient age were the only significant factors that influenced semen parameters, while patient age only caused a slight increase in semen pH.

Disclosure

No.
(379) The Effect of 5-α Reductase Inhibitor on Male Reproductive Function
Authors: Song S , Lee TH , Kim DS
Published: February 2024

Introduction

5α-reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) such as finasteride or dutasteride has been approved to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss), which blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. With expanding usage among young men, concerns exist regarding potential negative influence of this hormonal agent on male reproductive function.

Objective

We investigated the effect of 5-ARI usage on the sexual and reproductive function in men of reproductive age.

Methods

This study included healthy males of reproductive age who visited single fertility center. We compared the sexual and reproductive function between those who take 5-ARI for androgenic alopecia (n=40) and no medication group (n=48). Erectile function was surveyed using IIEF-5 questionnaire. In addition to basic fertility evaluation, semen parameters and serum reproductive hormone were compared between groups. Semen samples were collected with abstinence period of more than 48 hours. Patients with chronic medical disease, previous scrotal surgery or exposure to gonadotoxic agents were excluded.

Results

The mean duration of 5-ARI intake was 54.2 months and there was no significant difference in IIEF-5 score between the two groups (5-ARI group vs. control group). There was no significant difference in semen parameters; sperm concentration ([101.5 ± 68.7]×10^6/mL vs. [97.5 ± 65.5]×10^6/mL, p=0.783), sperm motility (39.8% ± 9.0% vs. 42.0% ± 8.5%, p=0.224), sperm progressive motility (37.4% ± 9.4% vs. 39.0% ± 9.0%, p=0.404), sperm morphology (normal forms: 4.5% ± 1.4% vs. 4.8% ± 1.1%, p=0.308), except smaller semen volume in 5-ARI group (2.3 ± 0.9 mL vs. 3.4 ± 1.4 mL, p<0.001). Serum testosterone and FSH were higher in 5-ARI group. Two patients experienced adverse events while taking 5-ARI.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that administration of 5-ARI does not significantly affect male reproductive function. However, a prudent approach is recommended in men with oligospermia or ejaculatory dysfunction.

Disclosure

No.
(383) Viewpoints of Patients Regarding Their Reasons for Undergoing a Vasectomy: Impact of the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Decision
Authors: Wong V , Posid T , Shreram U , Asif H , Sweigert S , Delancey JO , Springer E , Yih J
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Vasectomy is an inexpensive surgical procedure to achieve permanent contraception. Current literature indicates that couples opt for vasectomy for various reasons, examples include satisfaction with size of family, financial constraints, age barriers, lack of confidence in other contraceptive options, concern about spouse’s health with other methods, and avoidance of unwanted pregnancies.

Objective

The main objective of this study is to assess the views and reasons that our patients choose a vasectomy to evaluate if there have been changes to reasons to get this procedure after the recent Dobbs decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

Methods

An anonymous survey was sent via REDCap to patients who have received vasectomy treatment from our institution’s Department of Urology in the last two years (N=57, 52.6% pre-Dobbs ruling). Participants provided demographics, current contraceptive methods, and reasons and duration they considered a vasectomy procedure.

Results

Study Sample. Patients were 93.4% Caucasian, 87.3% heterosexual, 95.1% non-Hispanic or Latino, with a mean age of 37.5 (SD=5.92). All spoke English as a first language. 79.7% were married and the majority (77.1%) had been in their current relationship for more than 6 years. 77.3% had at least one child and 78.0% had at least one child over the age of 2 years. Mean income was $70,000-$100,000 and mean level of education obtained was a bachelor’s degree. Survey Results. We asked patients why they chose to have a vasectomy procedure and compared responses pre- vs. post-Dobbs-ruling. Patients after the Dobbs ruling were significantly more likely to indicate that they chose to have a vasectomy due to a concern about an inability to obtain abortion access (p=0.026). Patients after the Dobbs ruling were also significantly more likely to indicate that they chose to have a vasectomy because they did not want to bring children into the current political climate (p=0.002). Critically, other reasons for obtaining a vasectomy (e.g., feeling too old to have children, limited resources, lack of confidence in other contraceptive methods, health concerns) did not differ pre- vs. post-Dobbs ruling (ps>0.1).

Conclusions

In our study, we found that patients demonstrated concern for abortion inaccessibility after the Dobbs ruling and were more likely to obtain vasectomy due to this reason. Understanding patient viewpoints and reasons for seeking specific procedures and types of healthcare can better prepare our providers and surgeons to provide this care moving forward.

Disclosure

No.
(396) Comparing Phone Based 3D Scanning App to In-Office Measurements to Assess Peyronie's Deformity
Authors: Le B , Lee A , Shekar A , Raheem O
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Peyronie’s disease can lead to complex deformity of the penis. Three-dimensional scanning applications available on personal phones like PD Scan from endo pharmaceuticals offer the possibility of better capturing the condition in the privacy of one’s own home and track progress over time. While the application carries a disclaimer of not being FDA approved to diagnose or treat any condition, it may prove to be a useful tool to facilitate communication between the clinician and patient.

Objective

We sought to evaluate the differences between 3D scans captured on the PD Scan app and office measurements done by a urologist using a goniometer.

Methods

This study obtained measurements using: (1) a bench-top model penis bent to represent various angles and (2) real patients who were offered to monitor progress through xialfex injections. Goniometer measurements were made by a single urologist and compared to PD Scan measurements. Patients also evaluated ease of use of the app on a lichert-scale of 1-5.

Results

26 measurements were obtained comparing urologist obtained goniometer measurements and PD scan software. 10 measurements were patient-generated (4 patients) and 16 measurements were from bench-top model. Primary angle variance range was +/- 15.4 degrees. Patient measurements tended to exceed urologist obtained goniometer measurements (mean difference +9 degrees). Bench model had less variance (mean difference -5 degrees). Patients overall found the app somewhat difficult to use rating it 2/5. We found PD scan useful to better document hourglass deformity and volume loss.

Conclusions

PD scan software in patient hands tended to overestimate penile angulation compared to office measurements with a goniometer. When used on a bench model, the 3D scan accuracy improved suggesting a user induced variance. This can have implications for tracking progress through xiaflex treatment cycles.

Disclosure

No.
A novel model for predicting deep-seated candidiasis due to Candida glabrata among cancer patients: A 6-year study in a cancer center of China
Authors: Li Ding , Wang Lin , Zhao Zhihong , Bai Changsen , Li Xichuan
Published: February 2024

Followed by Candida albicans, Candida glabrata ranks as the second major species contributing to invasive candidiasis. Given the higher medical burden and lower susceptibility to azoles in C. glabrata infections, identifying these infections is critical. From 2016 to 2021, patients with deep-seated candidiasis due to C. glabrata and non-glabrata Candida met the criteria to be enrolled in the study. Clinical data were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. A predictive model and nomogram were constructed using R software based on the stepwise algorithm and logistic regression. The performance of the model was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and decision curve analysis (DCA). A total of 197 patients were included in the study, 134 of them infected with non-glabrata Candida and 63 with C. glabrata. The predictive model for C. glabrata infection consisted of gastrointestinal cancer, co-infected with bacteria, diabetes mellitus, and kidney dysfunction. The specificity was 84.1% and the sensitivity was 61.5% in the validation cohort when the cutoff value was set to the same as the training cohort. Based on the model, treatment for patients with a high-risk threshold was better than ‘treatment for all’ in DCA, while opting low-risk patients out of treatment was also better than ‘treatment for none’ in opt-out DCA. The predictive model provides a rapid method for judging the probability of infections due to C. glabrata and will be of benefit to clinicians making decisions about therapy strategies.
Cooling and instabilities in colliding radiative flows with toroidal magnetic fields
Authors: Markwick R N , Frank A , Blackman E G , Carroll-Nellenback J , Lebedev S V , Russell D R , Halliday J W D , Suttle L G , Hartigan P M
Published: February 2024

We report on the results of a simulation-based study of colliding magnetized plasma flows. Our set-up mimics pulsed power laboratory astrophysical experiments but, with an appropriate frame change, is relevant to astrophysical jets with internal velocity variations. We track the evolution of the interaction region where the two flows collide. Cooling via radiative losses is included in the calculation. We systematically vary plasma beta (βm) in the flows, the strength of the cooling (Λ0), and the exponent (α) of temperature dependence of the cooling function. We find that for strong magnetic fields a counter-propagating jet called a ‘spine’ is driven by pressure from shocked toroidal fields. The spines eventually become unstable and break apart. We demonstrate how formation and evolution of the spines depend on initial flow parameters and provide a simple analytical model that captures the basic features of the flow.
RABBITS – I. The crucial role of nuclear star formation in driving the coalescence of supermassive black hole binaries
Authors: Liao Shihong , Irodotou Dimitrios , Johansson Peter H , Naab Thorsten , Rizzuto Francesco Paolo , Hislop Jessica M , Rawlings Alexander , Wright Ruby J
Published: February 2024

In this study of the ‘Resolving supermAssive Black hole Binaries In galacTic hydrodynamical Simulations’ (RABBITS) series, we focus on the hardening and coalescing process of supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries in galaxy mergers. For simulations including different galaxy formation processes (i.e. gas cooling, star formation, SMBH accretion, stellar, and AGN feedback), we systematically control the effect of stochastic eccentricity by fixing it to similar values during the SMBH hardening phase. We find a strong correlation between the SMBH merger time-scales and the presence of nuclear star formation. Throughout the galaxy merging process, gas condenses at the centre due to cooling and tidal torques, leading to nuclear star formation. These recently formed stars, which inherit low angular momenta from the gas, contribute to the loss cone and assist in the SMBH hardening via three-body interactions. Compared to non-radiative hydrodynamical runs, the SMBH merger time-scales measured from the runs including cooling, stellar, and SMBH physical processes tend to be shortened by a factor of ∼1.7. After fixing the eccentricity to the range of e ∼ 0.6–0.8 during the hardening phase, the simulations with AGN feedback reveal merger time-scales of ∼100–500 Myr for disc mergers and ∼1–2 Gyr for elliptical mergers. With a semi-analytical approach, we find that the torque interaction between the binary and its circumbinary disc has minimal impact on the shrinking of the binary orbit in our retrograde galaxy merger. Our results are useful in improving the modelling of SMBH merger time-scales and gravitational-wave event rates.
Evolution of gas flows along the starburst to post-starburst to quiescent galaxy sequence
Authors: Sun Yang , Lee Gwang-Ho , Zabludoff Ann I , French K Decker , Helton Jakob M , Kerrison Nicole A , Tremonti Christy A , Yang Yujin
Published: February 2024

We measure velocity offsets in the $\rm{Na {}\rm {\small I}}$ λλ5890, 5896 ($\rm{Na {}\rm {\small D}}$) interstellar medium absorption lines to track how neutral galactic winds change as their host galaxies evolve. Our sample of ∼80 000 SDSS spectra at 0.010 < z < 0.325 includes starburst, post-starburst, and quiescent galaxies, forming an evolutionary sequence of declining star formation rate (SFR). We detect bulk flows across this sequence, mostly at higher host stellar masses (log(M*/M⊙)) > 10). Along this sequence, the fraction of outflows decreases (76 ± 2 per cent to 65 ± 4 per cent to a 3σ upper limit of 34 per cent), and the mean velocity offset changes from outflowing to inflowing (−84.6 ± 5.9 to −71.6 ± 11.4 to $76.6\pm 2.3\, \rm km s^{-1}$). Even within the post-starburst sample, wind speed decreases with time elapsed since the starburst ended. These results reveal that outflows diminish as galaxies age. For post-starbursts, there is evidence for an AGN contribution, especially to the speediest outflows: (1) SFR declines faster in time than outflow velocity, a decoupling arguing against massive stellar feedback; (2) of the few outflows strong enough to escape the interstellar medium (9/105), three of the four hosts with measured emission lines are Seyfert galaxies. For discy starburst galaxies, however, the trends suggest flows out of the stellar disc plane (with outflow 1/2-opening angle > 45°) instead of from the nucleus: the wind velocity decreases as the disc becomes more edge-on, and the outflow fraction, constant at $\sim 90~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for disc inclinations i < 45°, steadily decreases from $\sim 90~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ to 20 per cent for i > 45°.
Compact groups of dwarf galaxies in TNG50: late hierarchical assembly and delayed stellar build-up in the low-mass regime
Authors: Flores-Freitas Rodrigo , Trevisan Marina , Mückler Maitê , Mamon Gary A , Schnorr-Müller Allan , Bootz Vitor
Published: February 2024

Compact groups of dwarf galaxies (CGDs) have been observed at low redshifts (z < 0.1) and are direct evidence of hierarchical assembly at low masses. To understand the formation of CGDs and the galaxy assembly in the low-mass regime, we search for analogues of compact (radius ≤100 kpc) groups of dwarfs (7 ≤ log [M*/M⊙] ≤ 9.5) in the IllustrisTNG highest resolution simulation. Our analysis shows that TNG50-1 can successfully produce CGDs at z = 0 with realistic total and stellar masses. We also find that the CGD number density decreases towards the present, especially at z ≲ 0.26, reaching $n \approx 10^{-3.5} \ \rm cMpc^{-3}$ at z = 0. This prediction can be tested observationally with upcoming surveys targeting the faint end of the galaxy population and is essential to constrain galaxy evolution models in the dwarf regime. The majority of simulated groups at z ∼ 0 formed recently ($\lesssim 1.5 \ \rm Gyr$), and CGDs identified at z ≤ 0.5 commonly take more than 1 Gyr to merge completely, giving origin to low- to intermediate-mass (8 ≤ log [M*/M⊙] ≤ 10) normally star-forming galaxies at z = 0. We find that haloes hosting CGDs at z = 0 formed later when compared to haloes of similar mass, having lower stellar masses and higher total gas fractions. The simulations suggest that CGDs observed at z ∼ 0 arise from a late hierarchical assembly in the last ∼3 Gyr, producing rapid growth in total mass relative to stellar mass and creating dwarf groups with median halo masses of $\sim 10^{11.3} \ \rm M_\odot$ and B-band mass-to-light ratios mostly in the range 10 ≲ M/L ≲ 100, in agreement with previous theoretical and observational studies.
SDSS-IV MaNGA: calibration of astrophysical line-widths in the Hα region using HexPak observations
Authors: Chattopadhyay Sabyasachi , Bershady Matthew A , Law David R , Westfall Kyle , Shetty Shravan , Machuca Camilo , Cappellari Michele , Rubin Kate H R , Bundy Kevin , Penny Samantha
Published: February 2024

We have re-observed $\rm \sim$40 low-inclination, star-forming galaxies from the MaNGA survey (σ ∼ 65 km s−1) at ∼6.5 times higher spectral resolution (σ ∼ 10 km s−1) using the HexPak integral field unit on the WIYN 3.5-m telescope. The aim of these observations is to calibrate MaNGA’s instrumental resolution and to characterize turbulence in the warm interstellar medium and ionized galactic outflows. Here we report the results for the Hα region observations as they pertain to the calibration of MaNGA’s spectral resolution. Remarkably, we find that the previously reported MaNGA line-spread-function (LSF) Gaussian width is systematically underestimated by only 1 per cent. The LSF increase modestly reduces the characteristic dispersion of H ii regions-dominated spectra sampled at 1–2 kpc spatial scales from 23 to 20 km s−1 in our sample, or a 25 per cent decrease in the random-motion kinetic energy. This commensurately lowers the dispersion zeropoint in the relation between line-width and star-formation rate surface-density in galaxies sampled on the same spatial scale. This modest zero-point shift does not appear to alter the power-law slope in the relation between line-width and star-formation rate surface-density. We also show that adopting a scheme whereby corrected line-widths are computed as the square root of the median of the difference in the squared measured line width and the squared LSF Gaussian avoids biases and allows for lower signal-to-noise data to be used reliably.
Shock cooling emission from explosions of red supergiants: II. An analytic model of deviations from blackbody emission
Authors: Morag Jonathan , Irani Ido , Sapir Nir , Waxman Eli
Published: February 2024

Light emission in the first hours and days following core-collapse supernovae (SNe) is dominated by the escape of photons from the expanding shock-heated envelope. In a preceding paper, Paper I, we provided a simple analytic description of the time-dependent luminosity, L, and colour temperature, Tcol, valid up to H recombination (T ≈ 0.7 eV), for explosions of red supergiants with convective polytropic envelopes without significant circumstellar medium (CSM). The analytic description was calibrated against ‘grey’ (frequency-independent) photon diffusion numeric calculations. Here, we present the results of a large set of 1D multigroup (frequency-dependent) calculations, for a wide range of progenitor parameters (mass, radius, core/envelope mass ratios, metalicity) and explosion energies, using opacity tables that we constructed (and made publicly available), including the contributions of bound–bound and bound–free transitions. We provide an analytic description of the small, ${\simeq}10\ \hbox{per cent}$ deviations of the spectrum from blackbody at low frequencies, hν < 3Tcol, and an improved (over Paper I) description of ‘line dampening’ for hν > 3Tcol. We show that the effects of deviations from initial polytropic density distribution are small, and so are the effects of ‘expansion opacity’ and deviations from LTE ionization and excitation (within our model assumptions). A recent study of a large set of type II SN observations finds that our model accounts well for the early multiband data of more than 50 per cent of observed SNe (the others are likely affected by thick CSM), enabling the inference of progenitor properties, explosion velocity, and relative extinction.
A new method for short-duration transient detection in radio images: searching for transient sources in MeerKAT data of NGC 5068
Authors: Fijma S , Rowlinson A , Wijers R A M J , de Ruiter I , de Blok W J G , Chastain S , van der Horst A J , Meyers Z S , van der Meulen K , Fender R , Woudt P A , Andersson A , Zijlstra A , Healy J , Maccagni F M
Published: February 2024

Transient surveys are a vital tool in exploring the dynamic Universe, with radio transients acting as beacons for explosive and highly energetic astrophysical phenomena. However, performing commensal transient surveys using radio imaging can require a significant amount of computing power, data storage, and time. With the instrumentation available to us, and with new and exciting radio interferometers in development, it is essential that we develop efficient methods to probe the radio transient sky. In this paper, we present results from a commensal short-duration transient survey, on time-scales of 8 s, 128 s, and 1 h, using data from the MeerKAT radio telescope. The data set used was obtained as part of a galaxy observing campaign, and we focus on the field of NGC 5068. We present a quick, wide-field imaging strategy to enable fast imaging of large data sets, and develop methods to efficiently filter detected transient candidates. No transient candidates were identified on the time-scales of 8 s, 128 s, and 1 h, leading to competitive limits on the transient surface densities of $6.7\, {\times }\, 10^{-5}$, $1.1\, {\times }\, 10^{-3}$, and $3.2\, {\times }\, 10^{-2}$ deg−1 at sensitivities of 56.4, 19.2, and 3.9 mJy following primary beam correction for the respective time-scales. We find one possible candidate that could be associated with a stellar flare, which was rejected due to strict image quality control. Further short time-scale radio observations of this candidate could give definite results about its origin.
Resolving cosmic star formation histories of present-day bulges, discs, and spheroids with ProFuse
Authors: Bellstedt Sabine , Robotham Aaron S G , Driver Simon P , Lagos Claudia del P , Davies Luke J M , Cook Robin H W
Published: February 2024

We present the first look at star formation histories of galaxy components using ProFuse, a new technique to model the 2D distribution of light across multiple wavelengths using simultaneous spectral and spatial fitting of purely imaging data. We present a number of methods to classify galaxies structurally/morphologically, showing the similarities and discrepancies between these schemes. We show the variation in componentwise mass functions that can occur simply due to the use of a different classification method, which is most dramatic in separating bulges and spheroids. Rather than identifying the best-performing scheme, we use the spread of classifications to quantify uncertainty in our results. We study the cosmic star formation history (CSFH), forensically derived using ProFuse with a sample of ∼7000 galaxies from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey. Remarkably, the forensic CSFH recovered via both our method (ProFuse) and traditional Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) fitting (ProSpect) are not only exactly consistent with each other over the past 8 Gyr, but also with the in situ CSFH measured using ProSpect. Furthermore, we separate the CSFH by contributions from spheroids, bulges, and discs. While the vast majority (70 per cent) of present-day star formation takes place in the disc population, we show that 50 per cent of the stars that formed at cosmic noon (8–12 Gyr ago) now reside in spheroids, and present-day bulges are composed of stars that were primarily formed in the very early Universe, with half their stars already formed ∼12 Gyr ago.
Collisions of red giants in galactic nuclei
Authors: Ryu Taeho , Amaro Seoane Pau , Taylor Andrew M , Ohlmann Sebastian T
Published: February 2024

In stellar-dense environments, stars can collide with each other. For collisions close to a supermassive black hole (SMBH), the collisional kinetic energy can be so large that the colliding stars can be destroyed, potentially releasing an amount of energy comparable to that of a supernova. These black hole-driven disruptive collisions have been examined mostly analytically, with the non-linear hydrodynamical effects being left largely unstudied. Using the moving-mesh hydrodynamics code arepo, we investigate high-velocity (>103 km s−1) collisions between 1 M⊙ giants with varying radii, impact parameters, and initial approaching velocities, and estimate their observables. Very strong shocks across the collision surface efficiently convert ${\gtrsim} 10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the initial kinetic energy into radiation energy. The outcome is a gas cloud expanding supersonically, homologously, and quasi-spherically, generating a flare with a peak luminosity ≃1041–1044 erg s−1 in the extreme ultraviolet band (≃10 eV). The luminosity decreases approximately following a power law of t−0.7 initially, then t−0.4 after t ≃ 10 d at which point it would be bright in the optical band (≲1eV). Subsequent, and possibly even brighter, emission would be generated due to the accretion of the gas cloud on to the nearby SMBH, possibly lasting up to multiyear time-scales. This inevitable BH–collision product interaction can contribute to the growth of BHs at all mass scales, in particular, seed BHs at high redshifts. Furthermore, the proximity of the events to the central BH makes them a potential tool for probing the existence of dormant BHs, even very massive ones which cannot be probed by tidal disruption events.
Search for quasi-periodic oscillations in TESS light curves of bright Fermi Blazars
Authors: Tripathi Ashutosh , Smith Krista Lynne , Wiita Paul J , Wagoner Robert V
Published: February 2024

In a previous paper, we reported evidence for quasi-periodicities in the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) light curves of BL Lacerate and two other blazars found serendipitously in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) active galactic nuclei catalogue. In this work, we find tentative evidence for quasi-periodic features in the TESS observations of five sources in the fourth catalogue of the Fermi–Large Area Telescope sources: J090453.4−573503, J2345−1555, B0422+004, J002159.2−514028, and B0537−441. We analysed the TESS light curves of these blazars that we extracted using a customized approach. The quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) are searched for using two timing analysis techniques: generalized Lomb–Scargle periodogram and weighted wavelet Z-transform. Their apparent periods lie in the range of 2.8–6.5 d and have at least 3σ significance in both of these methods. QPOs at such time-scales can originate from the kink instability model which relates the quasi-periodic feature with the growth of kinks in the magnetized relativistic jets. We performed Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations to obtain the posterior distribution of parameters associated with this model and found the kink period consistent with previous studies.
Landscape Heterogeneity Explains the Genetic Differentiation of a Forest Bird across the Sino-Himalayan Mountains
Authors: Jiao Xiaolu , Wu Lei , Zhang Dezhi , Wang Huan , Dong Feng , Yang Le , Wang Shangyu , Amano Hitoha E , Zhang Weiwei , Jia Chenxi , Rheindt Frank E , Lei Fumin , Song Gang
Published: February 2024

Mountains are the world's most important centers of biodiversity. The Sino-Himalayan Mountains are global biodiversity hotspot due to their extremely high species richness and endemicity. Ample research investigated the impact of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau uplift and Quaternary glaciations in driving species diversification in plants and animals across the Sino-Himalayan Mountains. However, little is known about the role of landscape heterogeneity and other environmental features in driving diversification in this region. We utilized whole genomes and phenotypic data in combination with landscape genetic approaches to investigate population structure, demography, and genetic diversity in a forest songbird species native to the Sino-Himalayan Mountains, the red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea). We identified 5 phylogeographic clades, including 1 in the East of China, 1 in Yunnan, and 3 in Tibet, roughly consistent with differences in song and plumage coloration but incongruent with traditional subspecies boundaries. Isolation-by-resistance model best explained population differentiation within L. lutea, with extensive secondary contact after allopatric isolation leading to admixture among clades. Ecological niche modeling indicated relative stability in the extent of suitable distribution areas of the species across Quaternary glacial cycles. Our results underscore the importance of mountains in the diversification of this species, given that most of the distinct genetic clades are concentrated in a relatively small area in the Sino-Himalayan Mountain region, while a single shallow clade populates vast lower-lying areas to the east. This study highlights the crucial role of landscape heterogeneity in promoting differentiation and provides a deep genomic perspective on the mechanisms through which diversity hotspots form.
Effect of fish-oil supplementation on the glycemic and lipidemic profiles of pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Silveira Julie M , Ribeiro Thassia S , Guilarducci Mariana J , Reis Marcela Gomes , Vieira Renata A L , Guimarães Nathalia S , Gomes Júnia M G
Published: February 2024

Context

Pregnant women have physiological metabolic changes in glycemic and lipid profiles that are essential for fetal development.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of fish-oil-capsule supplementation on the glycemic and lipid profiles of pregnant women.

Data Sources

A systematic search was conducted of the MEDLINE (by PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) databases and gray literature, including preprints for all relevant studies published in English, with no date restrictions.

Data Extraction

The estimated pooled results were analyzed using a random-effects model and represented by mean differences (MDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The analyses were performed with R software, version 4.2.1, using the “Meta” packages, versions 6.0-0.

Data Analysis

Fifteen eligible studies were included after screening. In a pooled analysis, overall fish-oil supplementation had no effect on parameters compared with placebo. In the subgroup analysis, fish-oil supplementation may be beneficial in insulin (MD: –2.11 IU/mL; 95% CI: –3.86, –0.36) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD: –0.71; 95% CI: –1.14, –0.29) indices, with heterogeneity (I2 =0%) among pregnant women with diabetes mellitus. In the subgroup with doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) below 200 mg, there was a reduction in HOMA-IR in the intervention group (MD: –0.60; 95% CI: –1.14, –0.06).

Conclusion

Pregnant women taking fish-oil capsules showed significant beneficial changes in the subgroups of type 2 diabetes and EPA dosages below 200 mg for insulin and HOMA-IR.
Culture of presenteeism: emergent perspectives from an NHS-workforce convenience sample
Authors: Marciniak-Nuqui Z , Cabling M L , Romanelli R J
Published: February 2024

Background

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has been under strain for more than a decade, which has been exacerbated by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. According to NHS staff, this is felt especially during the winter (also called ‘winter pressure’), when both absenteeism and presenteeism rates are high in the healthcare workforce.

Aims

To understand the culture of presenteeism amongst NHS staff, focusing specifically on how presenteeism both persisted and changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and during periods of annual winter pressure.

Methods

Data for this study were derived from 20 in-depth interviews conducted with NHS staff, drawn from a convenience sample of primary- and secondary-care services. Interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview protocol.

Results

This study contributes to an understanding of presenteeism by describing the ways in which the practice both changed and, in some ways, stayed the same during COVID-19 self-isolation regulations, with remote work arrangements enabling some healthcare workers to continue working even when unwell. Despite this, isolation guidelines threw into stark relief NHS workers’ deeply held beliefs about duty, service, and commitment to the wider healthcare system, while exposing their experiences and perceptions of profound systemic challenges and a lack of wider support to carry out their work.

Conclusions

The emergent findings from this study suggest that the culture of presenteeism is linked to wider NHS staff’s identification with the institutional goals of the NHS, resulting in their motivation to continue working, even if remotely; yet, the consequences are not fully understood.
Help-seeking intentions of UK construction workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Duncan M , Bansal D , Cooke E
Published: February 2024

Background

In response to the high rates of poor mental health in the construction industry, numerous workplace interventions have been designed to address the known and suspected risk factors to employee mental health and well-being. A key challenge of these strategies is low engagement in support services.

Aims

The goals of this research were to investigate the help-seeking intentions of employees in the construction industry, explore levels of mental well-being in this population and provide insight into employee engagement with mental health support strategies.

Methods

Employees from two UK construction companies completed an online cross-sectional questionnaire (n = 119), designed to measure help-seeking intentions, levels of mental well-being and worker attitudes towards workplace mental health support strategies.

Results

One-third of the sample reported experiencing an episode of mental health difficulties in the past 6 months. Employees reported a greater preference for seeking support from informal versus formal help sources. Participants were most likely to seek help from a partner and least likely to seek help from a Mental Health First Aider/ Champion. The study also showed some association between help-seeking intention and age of employees.

Conclusions

Given the poor levels of mental well-being in this population, it is essential that adequate workplace support is provided. Whilst formal help sources are important for this population, our study highlights the potential benefits of informal help sources to support employees. Future interventions may therefore wish to consider developing tailored, informal workplace support networks and programmes.
Diversification and dispersal in the Americas revealed by new phylogenies of the wrens and allies (Passeriformes: Certhioidea)
Authors: Imfeld Tyler S , Barker F Keith , Vázquez-Miranda Hernán , Chaves Jaime A , Escalante Patricia , Spellman Garth M , Klicka John
Published: February 2024

The passerine superfamily Certhioidea lacks a complete phylogeny despite decades of recognition as a clade and extensive systematic work within all its constituent families. Here, we inferred a near-complete species-level phylogeny of Certhioidea from a molecular supermatrix, including the first comprehensive sampling of the wrens (Troglodytidae), and used this phylogeny to infer its biogeographic and diversification histories. We also inferred an expanded phylogeny including nearly 100 putative phylospecies previously documented in the literature, and we found that including this diversity had notable impacts on the inferred evolutionary history of Certhioidea. This phylospecies-level tree documented a few instances of species paraphyly, some previously described in the literature and some novel. We found that Certhioidea originated largely in Eurasia and dispersed into North America five times in the last 20 million years, including at the origin of the “New World certhioids,” wrens and gnatcatchers, a clade herein named Orthourae. After this initial dispersal event, both wrens and gnatcatchers diversified extensively across the hemisphere, with both lineages repeatedly crossing between continents. However, we detected no notable impact of the formation of the Isthmus of Panama on the frequency of dispersal events between North and South America. The inclusion of phylospecies altered this biogeographic inference in some portions of the tree but overall was largely consistent. With species-level sampling, we found that diversification rates within Certhioidea were largely constant through time with a detectable deceleration toward the present. By contrast, phylospecies-level sampling recovered a different diversification history with a significant rate increase at the crown node of Orthourae after dispersing into the Americas and increased speciation rates particularly within the genera Polioptila and Henicorhina. This largely resolved phylogeny for Certhioidea has yielded important insights into the evolutionary history of this group and provides a framework for future comparative work on this fascinating clade.
GRAS transcription factor PINNATE-LIKE PENTAFOLIATA2 controls compound leaf morphogenesis in Medicago truncatula
Authors: He Liangliang , Liu Ye , Mao Yawen , Wu Xinyuan , Zheng Xiaoling , Zhao Weiyue , Mo Xiaoyu , Wang Ruoruo , Wu Qinq , Wang Dongfa , Li Youhan , Yang Yuanfan , Bai Quanzi , Zhang Xiaojia , Zhou Shaoli , Zhao Baolin , Liu Changning , Liu Yu , Tadege Million , Chen Jianghua
Published: February 2024

The milestone of compound leaf development is the generation of separate leaflet primordia during the early stages, which involves two linked but distinct morphogenetic events: leaflet initiation and boundary establishment for leaflet separation. Although some progress in understanding the regulatory pathways for each event have been made, it is unclear how they are intrinsically coordinated. Here, we identify the PINNATE-LIKE PENTAFOLIATA2 (PINNA2) gene encoding a newly identified GRAS transcription factor in Medicago truncatula. PINNA2 transcripts are preferentially detected at organ boundaries. Its loss-of-function mutations convert trifoliate leaves into a pinnate pentafoliate pattern. PINNA2 directly binds to the promoter region of the LEAFY orthologue SINGLE LEAFLET1 (SGL1), which encodes a key positive regulator of leaflet initiation, and downregulates its expression. Further analysis revealed that PINNA2 synergizes with two other repressors of SGL1 expression, the BEL1-like homeodomain protein PINNA1 and the C2H2 zinc finger protein PALMATE-LIKE PENTAFOLIATA1 (PALM1), to precisely define the spatiotemporal expression of SGL1 in compound leaf primordia, thereby maintaining a proper pattern of leaflet initiation. Moreover, we showed that the enriched expression of PINNA2 at the leaflet-to-leaflet boundaries is positively regulated by the boundary-specific gene MtNAM, which is essential for leaflet boundary formation. Together, these results unveil a pivotal role of the boundary-expressed transcription factor PINNA2 in regulating leaflet initiation, providing molecular insights into the coordination of intricate developmental processes underlying compound leaf pattern formation.
What we know and what we don’t know about catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Rodriguez-Pintó Ignasi , Espinosa Gerard , Cervera Ricard
Published: February 2024

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a severe condition with high mortality. Since its description in 1992, an important effort has been made to improve and disseminate knowledge on CAPS. Most of our current knowledge comes from the studies performed using the CAPS Registry, a database created in 2000 to gather as many cases as possible in order to better define this disease. It has demonstrated that this condition has multiple faces and is often triggered by a precipitating factor that leads to a thrombotic microangiopathy and cytokine storm involving almost any organ of the body. Analysis of the CAPS Registry has also shown that patients receiving anticoagulation, glucocorticoids and plasma exchange and/or IVIG have a better prognosis. However, there are still many unresolved questions. In this review we summarize what is known and what is still a matter of research in this condition.
Genetic changes from type I interferons and JAK inhibitors: clues to drivers of juvenile dermatomyositis
Authors: Covert Lauren T , Prinz Joseph A , Swain-Lenz Devjanee , Dvergsten Jeffrey , Truskey George A
Published: February 2024

Objective

To better understand the pathogenesis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), we examined the effect of the cytokines type I interferons (IFN I) and JAK inhibitor drugs (JAKi) on gene expression in bioengineered pediatric skeletal muscle.

Methods

Myoblasts from three healthy pediatric donors were used to create three-dimensional skeletal muscle units termed myobundles. Myobundles were treated with IFN I, either IFNα or IFNβ. A subset of IFNβ-exposed myobundles was treated with JAKi tofacitinib or baricitinib. RNA sequencing analysis was performed on all myobundles.

Results

Seventy-six myobundles were analysed. Principal component analysis showed donor-specific clusters of gene expression across IFNα and IFNβ-exposed myobundles in a dose-dependent manner. Both cytokines upregulated interferon response and proinflammatory genes; however, IFNβ led to more significant upregulation. Key downregulated pathways involved oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism and myogenesis genes. Addition of tofacitinib or baricitinib moderated the gene expression induced by IFNβ, with partial reversal of upregulated inflammatory and downregulated myogenesis pathways. Baricitinib altered genetic profiles more than tofacitinib.

Conclusion

IFNβ leads to more pro-inflammatory gene upregulation than IFNα, correlating to greater decrease in contractile protein gene expression and reduced contractile force. JAK inhibitors, baricitinib more so than tofacitinib, partially reverse IFN I-induced genetic changes. Increased IFN I exposure in healthy bioengineered skeletal muscle leads to IFN-inducible gene expression, inflammatory pathway enrichment, and myogenesis gene downregulation, consistent with what is observed in JDM.