bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSII-26 Feeding Behavior and Feed Conversion in Roughage-Lacking Diets Containing Ionized Amino Acids as Antibiotic Alternative
Authors: Neto Geraldo Balieiro , Jorge Marcio , Berndt Alexandre , Munhoz Marcela S J , Amancio Bruna R , Jordao Carlos E K M C , Gianvecchio Sarah B , Rabelo Marcio D
Published: November 2023

To improve animal performance there has been an increase of starch amounts in the ruminant diets; however, feeding high-grain diets can induce metabolic disturbs, needs to include antibiotics in the diet to avoid acidosis and control the growth of lactic acid producing microorganism. In this study was used ionized amino acids to replace monensin and withdraw all forage of diet. Twenty-four Nellore young bulls were allocated into two groups. The first group was fed with high-grain diet containing Brachiaria brizantha hay (15% of DM) and sodium monensim (120 mg/d). The second group was fed with high-grain diet without forage and without antibiotics, containing 82 mg/kg of ionized amino acids (no-forage diet, MJ Nutricao Animal). The feeding lasted 100 d before slaughter, at the end of period l rumen fluid was collected for VFA and lactic acid measurements. The Penn State Particle Separator has been used to monitor feeding sorting, the dry matter intake (DMI) was monitored daily in GrowSafe system and body weight (BW) was measured monthly. A completely randomized design was used. In the forage plus monensin diet the animals sorted larger particle (7.8 to 19 and > 19 mm), the proportion of larger particles decrease after feeding, the proportion of particles from 1.7 to 7.8 mm increased and there was no effect on smaller particles (< 1.7 mm). The animals feeding with no-forage diet avoided the whole cottonseed, the proportion of particles from 1.7 to 7.8 mm decreased and smaller particles (< 1.7 mm) did not change, before or after feeding (Table 2). The feeding behavior was changed; there were visits in the Growsafe feeder, the visits were faster and there was greater consumption per visit, in no-forage diet (Table 1). However, there were greater concentrations of propionic acid (50.9 vs 16.0 mM), smaller acetic:propionic ratio (1.1 vs 3.4), a trend to increased lactic acid (0.3 vs 0.2 mM), and the pH decreased in no-forage diet (6.29 vs 6.68), reducing the DMI (2 vs 2.5% of BW). There was a trend to reduce the BWG (1.7 vs 2.0 kg/d) in no-forage diet. There was no difference in feed conversion (6.43 in forage diet vs 6.08 no forage diet). In conclusion, the faster starch consumption of no-forage diet can induce greater propionic acid concentration, reducing DMI, on the other hand, the no-forage diet representing advantage to become the management of feedlot diets easier, allowing supply concentrate with less frequency, reducing dependence of forage production on farm, with the same feed conversion, without use of antibiotics. We hypothesize that fast passage rate reduces the hind gut starch digestibility, thus, further investigation can include supplies to improve alfa-amylase, to achieve even better feed conversion.
PSVI-28 The Effects Supplementing Tannin Blend on Growth Performance, Energetic Efficiency, and Carcass Characteristics of Calf-Fed Steers
Authors: Latack Brooke C , Carvalho Pedro H V , Ferraz Marcos V C , Hollerbach Lucas G , Theusme Chilove , Zinn Richard A
Published: November 2023

Objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of tannin supplementation on cattle growth performance, energetic efficiency, and carcass characteristics of calf-fed steers. One hundred and sixty dairy steer calves with initial body weight (IBW) of 129.85 ± 3 kg, were blocked by IBW and randomly assigned to 40 pens (4 steers/pen; 10 pens per dietary treatment). Dietary treatments were: 1) Control (no additives); 2) MON (30 mg/kg monensin); 3) TAN (15 g/kg ByPRO; 70% condensed tannin; Silvateam USA, Tontitown, AR); and 4) MON+TAN (30 mg/kg monensin + 15 g/kg ByPRO). All steers were fed a similar steam-flaked corn-based diet (63.5% steam-flaked corn, 12.0% hay, 17.5% of dry distillers grains with solubles, 4.0% cane molasses, and 3.0% vitamin/mineral supplement). All cattle were slaughtered after 328 days of feed. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.13) of dietary treatment on final BW (615 ± 22 kg), overall average daily gain (1.48 ± 0.07 kg/day), overall dry matter intake (7.93 ± 0.39 kg/day), overall gain to feed ratio (0.187 ± 0.07), and overall observed vs. expected net energy for maintenance and gain (1.00 ± 0.03 and 1.00 ± 0.04, respectively). However, cattle receiving MON or MON+TAN supplementation increased (P ≤ 0.04) BW and gain to feed ratio in the first 112 days on feed compared with cattle in the control treatment. Moreover, cattle in the 2 dietary treatments receiving monensin supplementation tended (P ≤ 0.09) to increase average daily gain and gain to feed ratio on the first 112 days on feed compared with cattle in the control treatment. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.22) of feed additive supplementation on hot carcass weight (380.7 ± 14.7 kg), dressing percentage (61.83 ± 1.05%), kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (3.32 ± 0.19%), backfat thickness (0.73 ± 0.12 cm), longissimus muscle area (83 ± 4.83 cm2), marbling score (494 ± 48), and calculated yield grade (2.94 ± 0.24). Moreover, there were no effects (P ≥ 0.55) of dietary treatment on percent of liver abscess incidence, regardless of diet, calf-fed steers in the current study had 3.75% of liver with abscess.
PSVI-30 Effects of Different Cobalt Sources on Ruminal Fermentation of Lactating Dairy Cow Diets in a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System
Authors: Siregar Martha U , Arce-Cordero Jose A , Salas-Solis Gerald K , Silva-Vicente Ana C , Vinyard James R , Sarmikasoglou Efstathios , Johnson Mikayla L , Lobo Richard Roberto , Ma Szu-Wei , Hammond Charese A , Alves Kaliandra Souza S , Castillo Sydney Marie , Katz Lana M , Faciola Antonio P
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sources of cobalt in a lactating dairy cow diet on in vitro ruminal fermentation. All diets provided the same amount of supplemental Co (1 mg per kg of diet DM) included in a premix with a targeted inclusion level of 2.5% of diet DM. Treatments were cobalt carbonate (CON), and three alternative Co sources; alternative source 1 (AS1), alternative source 2 (AS2), and alternative source 3 (AS3). Eight dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. Experimental periods were 10 d (7 d adaptation and 3 d sample collection). Composite samples of daily effluents were collected and analyzed for NH3-N, lactate, and VFA concentration as well as for nutrient digestibility. Samples of ruminal content were collected from each fermenter at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding to determine lactate, NH3-N, and pH kinetics. All data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and the repeated variable of time was included for pH, lactate, and NH3-N. There were neither treatment effects nor interactions between treatment and time for pH, NH3-N, and lactate concentrations, indicating a similar Co kinetics across treatments. With regards to lactate pool, we did not observe treatment effects for L-lactate; however, we observed treatment effects for D-lactate and total-lactate as seen in Table 1. Analyses of total and individual VFA, N utilization, and nutrient degradation are still undergoing, hence, it is possible that Co sources have effects on ruminal fermentation.
PSXII-29 Development of an in Vitro Rumen Fermentation Model to Assess Fusobacterium Necrophorum Growth Inhibition
Authors: Thomas Tyler A , Deters Alyssa , Miller Alexandra C , Loh Huey Yi , Engle Terry E , Nagaraja T G
Published: November 2023

This experiment aimed to determine the impact of growth-inhibitory compounds on F. necrophorum subsp. necrophorum (F.n.n.), a primary etiologic agent of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, in an in vitro rumen fermentation system. The assessment of inhibition was by quantitative PCR. We hypothesized that the addition of growth inhibitory compounds would reduce F.n.n. concentrations. A 2 x 2 x 6 factorial arrangement of treatments was used. Factors included: 1) sodium lactate (0.0 or 100 mM); 2) bacteria (0 or 1x108 CFU/ml of F.n.n.); and 3) 1 mL of test compound [Control (solvent with no additive); Tylosin: 5 μg/mL; Compound A; Compound B; Compound C; and Compound D]. Prior to morning feeding, rumen contents were collected from a single ruminally canulated steer fed a grain-based finishing diet. Rumen fluid was strained through 4 layers of cheesecloth, mixed with McDougall’s buffer (1:1 ratio; RFB), and 30 mL of the RFB was added into 100 mL-serum bottles containing the appropriate treatments. Serum bottles (n = 3 replicates per treatment) were flushed with CO2 closed with rubber stoppers, crimped with aluminum seals, and incubated at 39ºC for 0, 6, 12, and 24 h. Following each incubation time point, a 2-mL aliquot was removed from each serum bottle under a stream of CO2 to maintain anaerobic conditions. Immediately after sample collection, pH was determined, and DNA was extracted by boiling the sample, centrifugation, and purifying with a GeneClean Turbo DNA extraction kit. The concentration of F.n.n was determined by a quantitative PCR assay targeting the promoter region of the leukotoxin genes. Concentrations of F.n.n. from the RFB were used to adjust F.n.n. concentrations for all treatments at all time points. There was a lactate x test compound x incubation time interaction (P < 0.05) for F.n.n. concentration. In the absence of lactate, serum bottles containing tylosin or test compound treatments had decreased (P < 0.05) F.n.n. concentrations by 24 h post incubation. However, when sodium lactate was added, no treatments had F.n.n. concentrations less than the control treatment at 24 h post incubation (P > 0.05). These data suggest that compounds used in this experiment reduced the concentrations of F.n.n by 24 h post incubation in the absence of additional lactate. However, when lactate, a substrate for F.n.n, was added to the in vitro system, the reduction in F.n.n. growth was not observed.
PSXIII-18 Feeding One-Year Stored Sorghum Silage: Effects of Grain Processing on Intake and Apparent Total Tract Digestibility of Backgrounding Beef Heifers
Authors: Abdelhadi Leandro O , Mattioli Guillermo , DiLorenzo Nicolas
Published: November 2023

This study evaluated the effect of feeding sorghum silage after one-year of storage (SS) based diets, on dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility of beef cattle. A dual-purpose sorghum (ADV2450IG, Advanta seeds, Irving, TX) was harvested (Claas Jaguar 930, Harsewinkel, Germany) at the late-dough stage of grain maturity and processed (PRO) or not (NPR) with a specific SS cracker (196 mm rolls of 125 teeth each, 40% speed differential, 1.1 mm roll gap). Whole-plant was chopped at 15 mm and ensiled in polyethylene ag-bags (60 m long and 2.74 m diameter), for 388 d until the beginning of a 60 d-performance trial which was followed by the digestibility trial. From a performance trial with eight heifers/pen, and 12 total (six per treatment), one heifer (13.5 ± 1 mo and 259,4 ± 38 kg of BW) by pen was randomly selected for the digestibility trial. Two backgrounding diets containing (DM basis), 90.5% SS either PRO or NPR, 6.5% soybean meal (expeller) and 3% supplement (ROC90, Provimi, Argentina); continued to be offered ad libitum for an extra 3 d of adaptation while feed and feces were collected the next 4 d. Feed was individually offered once daily, and orts were collected the following day. Fecal samples were collected twice daily and apparent total tract digestibility (TTD) was determined using uNDF240h as a marker. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using pen as the experimental unit, and initial BW as a covariate. No differences among treatments were detected for DM, OM, NDF, ADF, CP and starch intake (P > 0.35). No effects of treatment were observed (P > 0.40) for DM, OM, NDF, ADF, CP and starch TTD. In conclusion, no effects of processing on apparent total tract digestibility were detected when feeding a one-year stored sorghum silage to backgrounding beef heifers.
PSXIII-13 Effect of Supplementation of Red Osier Dogwood Extract on Feed Intake and Growth Performance of Newly Weaned Beef Calves
Authors: Yang Wenzhu , McGeough Emma J J , Ominski Kim H , Chen Lingyun
Published: November 2023

Red osier dogwood (ROD) is a Canadian native shrub plant that is rich in phenolic compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The high phenolic compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties would be beneficial to reduce oxidative stress, hence improve animal growth performance when animals are stressed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding ROD extract and the residue after extraction to newly weaned calves on feed intake and growth performance. Eighty crossbred Angus steers [initial body weight (BW), 254 ± 5.4 kg] were used and housed in individual feedlot pen. The experiment was a randomized complete block design in five treatments (16 steers/treatment). Five treatments were: 1) Control (without ROD); 2) 20 g/d ROD extract (RODLow); 3) 40 g/d ROD extract (RODHigh); 4) 100 g/d ROD residue (RODRes); and 5) 330 mg monensin/d (MON). The MON was used as positive control because it is commonly fed to feedlot cattle to improve feed efficiency and animal health. The experiment diet consisted of 60% silage and 40% concentrate (DM basis) and fed for 84 d. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of ROD extracts and the residue after extraction were determined. The high DPPH scavenging was observed for both ROD extracts (60.6 ± 4.7%) and residue (80.6 ± 1.7%) at the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Dry matter (DM) intake (kg/d) overall did not differ between control (6.44) and ROD supplemented calves (average, 6.27), whereas the DM intake tended (P = 0.10) to be greater with ROD extract (4.97 kg/d) than control (4.56 kg/d) at the first 28 d. The final BW averaged daily gain and feed efficiency were not affected by increasing dose of ROD extract (0, 20, 40 g/d) or by adding 100 g/d ROD residue. The calves fed MON had reduced (P = 0.04) DM intake (5.72 vs. 6.32 kg/d) and decreased (P = 0.07) daily gain (0.81 vs. 0.94 kg/d) than other treatments. Fecal pH ranged from 6.98 to 6.17 and did not differ among treatments. These results indicate that feeding ROD extract or its residue to newly weaned calves may increase feed intake when the animals are stressed; however, its effect on growth performance and feed efficiency is not apparent under current feeding conditions.
PSV-28 Effects of the Dietary Concentrate Level and Harvest Weight on Growth Performance of Spanish Goat Wethers and Doelings
Authors: Wang Wei , Puchala Ryszard , Encinas Fabiola L , Ribeiro Luana , Gipson Terry A , Goetsch Arthur L
Published: November 2023

Thirty-six Spanish goat wethers and 36 doelings with initial mean age of 4.3 ± 0.03 months and body weight (BW) of 20.6 and 18.6 kg, respectively (SEM = 0.41), were used in 2 phases to determine effects of dietary concentrate level and harvest weight on growth performance. Three animals of each type were allocated to 12 pens for a total of 6 per pen. The diet in the first phase, 13 weeks in length, had 20% concentrate and 80% forage (20C) with crude protein and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations of 13 and 50%, respectively. At the end of Phase 1, animals in 2 pens were harvested. In phase 2 that lasted 9 to 11 weeks, two pens per dietary treatment and animal type continued to be fed diets with different levels of concentrate (20C, 40C, 50C, 60C, and 70C) with the same crude protein concentration of 13% and NDF level of 50, 35, 33, 33, and 31%, respectively. Animals were harvested from treatments of 50C and 70C, 40C and 60C, and 20C after 9, 10, and 11 weeks, respectively. Dry matter intake in Phase 1 was 733 ± 18.1 g/day and 3.39 ± 0.070 % BW, with an average BW during the phase of 21.6 ± 0.26 kg. Average daily gain (ADG) in Phase 2 was not affected by diet or diet × animal type (P = 0.712) but was greater (P < 0.05) for wethers than for doelings (44 and 18 g, respectively; SEM = 5.4). There was a tendency (P = 0.055) for differences in ADG among treatments (4, 44, 43, 17, and 45 g for 20C, 40C, 50C, 60C, and 70C, respectively; SEM = 8.7). Dry matter intake in g/day in Phase 2 was similar among treatments (644, 750, 680, 597, and 621 g/day; SEM = 36.9) but in % BW was greatest among diets (P < 0.05) for 40C (2.73, 3.25, 2.84, 2.62, and 2.63 for 20C, 40C, 50C, 60C, and 70C, respectively; SEM = 0.062). Also, there was a tendency (P = 0.057) for ADG during the entire experiment to differ among treatments (46, 17, 27, 30, 20, and 30 for 20C (phase 1 only) 20C, 40C, 50C, 60C, and 70C (phase 1 and phase 2), respectively; SEM = 5.0). These results suggest that a low concentrate diet followed by diets higher in concentrate containing similar CP and NDF content of 31 to 35% may not influence growth performance of Spanish goat wethers and doelings, but continuous feeding of a low concentrate diet with 50% NDF limits growth rate.
Construction of truncated PSMA as a PET reporter gene for CAR T cell trafficking
Authors: Zhang Yirui , Song Xiangming , Xu Zhuoshuo , Lv Xiaoying , Long Yu , Lan Xiaoli , Lei Ping
Published: November 2023

In solid tumors, there are multiple barriers for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell to surmount in order to reach the tumor site. For better understanding whether CAR T cells effectively infiltrate into tumor site, and simultaneously, whether there are off-target effects, real-time monitoring technologies need to be established. Cell-based positron emission tomography reporter genes have been developed to monitor engineered cells in living subjects. In this study, we reported the construction of a novel reporter gene truncated prostate-specific membrane antigen (ΔPSMA) pending for monitoring CAR T cells using 68Ga-PSMA-617 and a method for tracking the distribution of CAR T cells in vivo was developed. Data were provided to demonstrate that ΔPSMA was predominantly localized on the plasma membrane and could take up 68Ga-PSMA-617 in vitro in a time-dependent manner. And the expression of ΔPSMA did not affect CAR expression and cytolytic capacity of CAR T cells. CAR-ΔPSMA T cell xenografts in nude mice were clearly imaged by positron emission tomography 60 min after injection of 68Ga-PSMA-617. PSMA paired with 68Ga-PSMA-617 was capable of identifying approximately 1 × 104 engineered CAR T cells. The ability to image small numbers of CAR T cells in vivo would be helpful to accelerate the translation of cell-based therapies into the clinic, and it may reinforce our understanding of treatment success, failure, and toxicity.
Follicular helper T cells: emerging roles in lymphomagenesis
Authors: Wang Ji-nuo , Zheng Gaofeng , Wu Wenjun , Huang He
Published: November 2023

Follicular helper T cells are a subset of CD4+ T cells that are fundamental to forming germinal centers, which are the primary sites of antibody affinity maturation and the proliferation of activated B cells. Follicular helper T cells have been extensively studied over the past 10 years, especially regarding their roles in cancer genesis. This review describes the characteristics of normal follicular helper T cells and focuses on the emerging link between follicular helper T cells and lymphomagenesis. Advances in lymphoma genetics have substantially expanded our understanding of the role of follicular helper T cells in lymphomagenesis. Moreover, we detail a range of agents and new therapies, with a major focus on chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy; these novel approaches may offer new treatment opportunities for patients with lymphomas.
Revisiting the standard blueprint for biomarker development to address emerging cancer early detection technologies
Authors: Etzioni Ruth , Gulati Roman , Patriotis Christos , Rutter Carolyn , Zheng Yingye , Srivastava Sudhir , Feng Ziding
Published: November 2023

Novel liquid biopsy technologies are creating a watershed moment in cancer early detection. Evidence supporting population screening is nascent, but a rush to market the new tests is prompting cancer early detection researchers to revisit the standard blueprint that the Early Detection Research Network established to evaluate novel screening biomarkers. In this commentary, we review the Early Detection Research Network’s Phases of Biomarker Development (PBD) for rigorous evaluation of novel early detection biomarkers and discuss both hazards and opportunities involved in expedited evaluation. According to the PBD, for a biomarker-based test to be considered for population screening, 1) test sensitivity in a prospective screening setting must be adequate, 2) the shift to early curable stages must be meaningful, and 3) any stage shift must translate into clinically significant mortality benefit. In the past, determining mortality benefit has required lengthy randomized screening trials, but interest is growing in expedited trial designs with shorter-term endpoints. Whether and how best to use such endpoints in a manner that retains the rigor of the PBD remains to be determined. We discuss how computational disease modeling can be harnessed to learn about screening impact and meet the needs of the moment.
Fulvestrant alleviates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury via repression of BNIP3-mediated apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Lee Hui-Ju , Kim Yae-Ji , Kim Kyung-Hyun , Cho Sung-Pil , Hong Geum-Lan , Jung Ju-Young
Published: November 2023

Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical disease characterized by a sudden loss of renal function within a few hours or days, due to cisplatin uptake. Fulvestrant is an oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) antagonist used for endocrine therapy. However, the role of fulvestrant in cisplatin-induced AKI remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of fulvestrant on the regulation of apoptotic cell death and autophagic response in cisplatin-induced AKI. The human kidney proximal tubule epithelial cell line (HK-2) was co-treated with fulvestrant and cisplatin. C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously injected with fulvestrant and cisplatin was administered via intraperitoneal injection. First, cisplatin treatment increased ERα expression, apoptosis, and autophagy in HK-2 cells. Fulvestrant treatment decreased apoptosis and autophagy, which were accompanied by cisplatin treatment in HK-2 cells. Consistent with in vitro results, cisplatin treatment significantly increased ERα expression in vivo. Additionally, cisplatin treatment increased renal injury, apoptosis, and autophagy. Surprisingly, compared to that in the cisplatin-treated mice group, reduced cisplatin-induced renal injury, apoptosis, and autophagy was observed in the cisplatin+fulvestrant-treated mice group. In summary, these results suggest that fulvestrant plays an important role in cisplatin-induced AKI by decreasing apoptosis and autophagy.
Laboratory-Based Correlative Soft X-ray and Fluorescence Microscopy in an Integrated Setup
Authors: Reinhard Julius , Kaleta Sophia , Abel Johann Jakob , Wiesner Felix , Wünsche Martin , Seemann Eric , Westermann Martin , Weber Thomas , Nathanael Jan , Iliou Alexander , Fiedorowicz Henryk , Hillmann Falk , Eggeling Christian , Paulus Gerhard G , Fuchs Silvio
Published: November 2023

Correlative microscopy is a powerful technique that combines the advantages of multiple imaging modalities to achieve a comprehensive understanding of investigated samples. For example, fluorescence microscopy provides unique functional contrast by imaging only specifically labeled components, especially in biological samples. However, the achievable structural information on the sample in its full complexity is limited. Here, the intrinsic label-free carbon contrast of water window soft X-ray microscopy can complement fluorescence images in a correlative approach ultimately combining nanoscale structural resolution with functional contrast. However, soft X-ray microscopes are complex and elaborate, and are usually installed on large-scale synchrotron radiation sources due to the demanding photon flux requirements. Yet, with modern high-power lasers it has become possible to generate sufficient photon flux from laser-produced plasmas, thus enabling laboratory-based setups. Here, we present a compact table-top soft X-ray microscope with an integrated epifluorescence modality for “in situ” correlative imaging. Samples remain in place when switching between modalities, ensuring identical measurement conditions and avoiding sample alteration or destruction. We demonstrate our new method by multimodal images of several exemplary samples ranging from nanoparticles to various multicolor labeled cell types. A structural resolution of down to 50 nm was reached.
Genetic diversity and microevolution in clinical Cryptococcus isolates from Cameroon
Authors: Sephton-Clark Poppy , Temfack Elvis , Tenor Jennifer L , Toffaletti Dena L , Loyse Angela , Molloy Síle F , Perfect John R , Bicanic Tihana , Harrison Thomas S , Lortholary Olivier , Kouanfack Charles , Cuomo Christina A
Published: November 2023

Cryptococcal meningitis is the second most common cause of death in people living with HIV/AIDS, yet we have a limited understanding of how cryptococcal isolates change over the course of infection. Cryptococcal infections are environmentally acquired, and the genetic diversity of these infecting isolates can also be geographically linked. Here, we employ whole genome sequences for 372 clinical Cryptococcus isolates from 341 patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis obtained via a large clinical trial, across both Malawi and Cameroon, to enable population genetic comparisons of isolates between countries. We see that isolates from Cameroon are highly clonal, when compared to those from Malawi, with differential rates of disruptive variants in genes with roles in DNA binding and energy use. For a subset of patients (22) from Cameroon, we leverage longitudinal sampling, with samples taken at days 7 and 14 post-enrollment, to interrogate the genetic changes that arise over the course of infection, and the genetic diversity of isolates within patients. We see disruptive variants arising over the course of infection in several genes, including the phagocytosis-regulating transcription factor GAT204. In addition, in 13% of patients sampled longitudinally, we see evidence for mixed infections. This approach identifies geographically linked genetic variation, signatures of microevolution, and evidence for mixed infections across a clinical cohort of patients affected by cryptococcal meningitis in Central Africa.
Molecular clouds in M51 from high-resolution extinction mapping
Authors: Faustino Vieira Helena , Duarte-Cabral Ana , Davis Timothy A , Peretto Nicolas , Smith Matthew W L , Querejeta Miguel , Colombo Dario , Anderson Michael
Published: November 2023

Here, we present the cloud population extracted from M51, following the application of our new high-resolution dust extinction technique to the galaxy. With this technique, we are able to image the gas content of the entire disc of M51 down to 5 pc (0.14 arcsec), which allows us to perform a statistical characterization of well-resolved molecular cloud properties across different large-scale dynamical environments and with galactocentric distance. We find that cloud growth is promoted in regions in the galaxy where shear is minimized; i.e. clouds can grow into higher masses (and surface densities) inside the spiral arms and molecular ring. We do not detect any enhancement of high-mass star formation towards regions favourable to cloud growth, indicating that massive and/or dense clouds are not the sole ingredient for high-mass star formation. We find that in the spiral arms there is a significant decline of cloud surface densities with increasing galactocentric radius, whilst in the inter-arm regions they remain relatively constant. We also find that the surface density distribution for spiral arm clouds has two distinct behaviours in the inner and outer galaxy, with average cloud surface densities at larger galactocentric radii becoming similar to inter-arm clouds. We propose that the tidal interaction between M51 and its companion (NGC 5195) – which heavily affects the nature of the spiral structure – might be the main factor behind this.
Non-stationary astrophysical stochastic gravitational-wave background: a new probe to the high-redshift population of binary black holes
Authors: Sah Mohit Raj , Mukherjee Suvodip
Published: November 2023

The astrophysical stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) originates from the mergers of compact binary objects that are otherwise undetected as individual events, along with other sources such as supernovae, magnetars, etc. The individual gravitational-wave (GW) signal is time-varying over a time-scale that depends on the chirp mass of the coalescing binaries. Another time-scale that plays a role is the time-scale at which the sources repeat, which depends on the merger rate. The combined effect of these two leads to a breakdown of the time translation symmetry of the observed SGWB and a correlation between different frequency modes in the signal covariance matrix of the SGWB. Using an ensemble of SGWB due to binary black hole coalescence, calculated using simulations of different black hole mass distributions and merger rates, we show how the structure of the signal covariance matrix varies. This structure in the signal covariance matrix brings additional information about the sources on top of the power spectrum. We show that there is a significant improvement in the figure of merit by using this additional information in comparison to only power spectrum estimation for the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA (LVK) network of detectors with the design sensitivity noise with 2 yr of observation. The inclusion of the off-diagonal correlation in the covariance of the SGWB in the data analysis pipelines will be beneficial in the quest for the SGWB signal in LVK frequency bands as well as in lower frequencies and in getting an insight into its origin.
In situ cryogenic transmission electron microscopy observation on the formation of hydrogen-ordered hexagonal ices and its astrophysical implications
Authors: Yamazaki Tomoya , Kouchi Akira , Murata Ken-ichiro , Katsuno Hiroyasu , Nada Hiroki , Hama Tetsuya , Kimura Yuki
Published: November 2023

Water ices play a critical role in various astrophysical phenomena and store information about the thermal history of icy grains. To understand this history, clarifying the formation conditions in astrophysical environments is critical. In addition to taking the form of amorphous ices, ice can take four crystalline forms: hexagonal ice I (ice Ih), cubic ice I (ice Ic) and hydrogen-ordered hexagonal ice (ice XIh) and cubic ice (ice XIc). The aim of this article is to study the conditions for phase transitions among these different crystalline ices. We found through cryogenic transmission electron microscopy observations that some polymorphs of ice XIh were formed by simple annealing of ice Ih at 120–150 K without any dopant or irradiation. We also investigated the formation conditions of ice Ih by vapour deposition and heating of ice Ic in protoplanetary discs. The transition kinetics from ice Ih to ice XIh suggested that ice XIh exists between the transition temperature from ice Ic to ice Ih and 150 K. From these results, we constructed a water-vapour flux–temperature–time diagram that clarifies the amorphous, Ic, Ih, XIc and XIh ice phases. We found that, under the conditions encountered in most protostars, hydrogen-ordered ices XIh and XIc can exist just outside the snow line and below 125 K, respectively. The infrared libration modes should enable these phases to be distinguished observationally. Because some of these phases are chiral, their presence could fundamentally affect the evolution of other homochiral organic molecules that develop on their surface.
AGN radiation imprints on the circumgalactic medium of massive galaxies
Authors: Obreja Aura , Arrigoni Battaia Fabrizio , Macciò Andrea V , Buck Tobias
Published: November 2023

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in cosmological simulations generate explosive feedback that regulates star formation in massive galaxies, modifying the gas phase structure out to large distances. Here, we explore the direct effects that AGN radiation has on gas heating and cooling within one high-resolution z = 3 dark matter halo as massive as a quasar host (Mh = 1012.5M⊙), run without AGN feedback. We assume AGN radiation to impact the circumgalactic medium (CGM) anisotropically, within a bi-cone of angle α. We find that even a relatively weak AGN (black hole mass M• = 108M⊙ with an Eddington ratio λ = 0.1) can significantly lower the fraction of halo gas that is catastrophically cooling compared to the case of gas photoionized only by the ultraviolet background (UVB). Varying M•, λ, and α, we study their effects on observables. A 109M⊙ AGN with λ = 0.1 and $\alpha \approxeq 60^{^{\rm o}}$ reproduces the average surface brightness (SB) profiles of Ly α, He ii, and C iv, and results in a covering fraction of optically thick absorbers within observational estimates. The simulated SB$_{\rm C\, \rm{\small IV}}$ profile is steeper than observed, indicating that not enough metals are pushed beyond the very inner CGM. For this combination of parameters, the CGM mass catastrophically cooling is reduced by half with respect to the UVB-only case, with roughly same mass out of hydrostatic equilibrium heating up and cooling down, hinting to the importance of self-regulation around AGNs. This study showcases how CGM observations can constrain not only the properties of the CGM itself, but also those of the AGN engine.
Halo assembly in cold and warm dark matter during the JWST frontier epoch
Authors: Lovell Mark R
Published: November 2023

The JWST mission is in the process of probing the galaxy mass function at z > 10, when conceivably any delay in halo assembly due to the presence of a dwarf galaxy-scale power spectrum cutoff may drastically suppress the number of galaxies relative to the cold dark matter (CDM) expectation. We employ N-body simulations of CDM and warm dark matter (WDM) to explore how the difference in halo collapse time between these models scales with z = 0 descendant halo mass. We demonstrate that collapse begins first for the most massive haloes, and the delay in collapse time between CDM and WDM haloes correlates inversely with descendant mass. We thus infer that only present-day dwarf galaxies exhibit any difference in their assembly history between CDM and WDM at z = 10, and therefore support previous studies that have found JWST is unlikely to determine whether our Universe is better described by the CDM cosmology or the WDM cosmology.
The intensity of diffuse galactic emission reflected by meteor trails
Authors: Zhao Feiyu , Liang Ruxi , Yang Zepei , Shan Huanyuan , Zheng Qian , Zhang Qiqian , Guo Quan
Published: November 2023

We calculate the reflection of diffuse galactic emission by meteor trails and investigate its potential relationship to meteor radio afterglow (MRA). The formula to calculate the reflection of diffuse galactic emission is derived from a simplified case, assuming that the signals are mirrored by the cylindrical overdense ionization trail of meteors. The overall observed reflection is simulated through a ray tracing algorithm together with the diffuse galactic emission modelled by the Global Sky Model sky model. We demonstrate that the spectrum of the reflected signal is broad-band and follows a power law with a negative spectral index of around −1.3. The intensity of the reflected signal varies with local sidereal time and the brightness of the meteor and can reach 2000 Jy. These results agree with some previous observations of MRAs. Therefore, we think that the reflection of galactic emission by meteor trails can be a possible mechanism causing MRAs, which is worthy of further research.
Probing stellar populations and interstellar medium in early-type central galaxies
Authors: Lorenzoni Vanessa , Rembold Sandro B , de Carvalho Reinaldo R
Published: November 2023

In this study, we analyse the characteristics of stellar populations and the interstellar medium (ISM) in 15 107 early-type central galaxies from the SPIDER survey. Using optical spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), we investigate stellar age (Age), metallicity (Z), visual extinction (AV), and H α equivalent width (EWH α) to understand the evolution of the baryonic content in these galaxies. Our analysis explores the relationship between these properties and central velocity dispersion (σ) and halo mass (Mhalo) for isolated centrals (ICs) and group centrals (GCs). Our results confirm that both ICs and GCs’ stellar populations and gas properties are mainly influenced by σ, with Mhalo playing a secondary role. Higher σ values correspond to older, more metal-rich stellar populations in both ICs and GCs. Moreover, fixed σ values we observe younger Ages at higher values of Mhalo, a consistent trend in both ICs and GCs. Furthermore, we investigate the ionization source of the warm gas and propose a scenario where the properties of ionized gas are shaped by a combination of cooling within the intracluster medium (ICM) and feedback from Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) assuming a Bondi accretion regime. We observe inherent differences between ICs and GCs, suggesting that the ratio between AGN kinetic power and ICM thermal energy influences EWH α in ICs. Meanwhile, gas deposition in GCs appears to involve a more complex interplay beyond a singular AGN–ICM interaction.
Single-lined eclipsing binaries with δ Scuti components: GQ Dra, RR Lep, and TYC 683-640-1
Authors: Kahraman Aliçavuş F , Aliçavuş F , Çoban Ç G , Handler G , De Cat P
Published: November 2023

Eclipsing binaries with (a) pulsating component(s) are remarkable objects to investigate the evolution and structure of stellar systems. Detailed studies of such systems are also important to reveal their pulsation properties. The largest sample of pulsating eclipsing binaries is the one containing δ Scuti variables. In this study, we present a comprehensive spectroscopic and photometric study of three such systems, GQ Dra, RR Lep, and TYC 683-640-1. Their orbital parameters were derived from their large-amplitude radial velocity variations. All systems were found to be single-lined eclipsing binaries. We determined the atmospheric parameters of the primary components, which are the more luminous ones. By using the results of the spectroscopic analysis, the binarity of the systems was modelled and the fundamental stellar parameters (mass, radius) of each system were obtained. In addition, the pulsations of the systems were analysed. Both GQ Dra and RR Lep exhibit frequencies that are modulated with the orbital period. Therefore, the pulsating components of these systems are identified as candidate tidally tilted pulsators.
Zero-age horizontal branch models for −2.5 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤−0.5 and their implications for the apparent distance moduli of globular clusters
Authors: VandenBerg Don A
Published: November 2023

Grids of zero-age horizontal branch (ZAHB) models are presented, along with a suitable interpolation code, for −2.5 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ −0.5, in steps of 0.2 dex, assuming Y = 0.25 and 0.29, [O/Fe] = +0.4 and +0.6, and [m/Fe] = +0.4 for all of the other α-elements. The HB populations of 37 globular clusters (GCs) are fitted to these ZAHBs to derive their apparent distance moduli, (m − M)V. With few exceptions, the best estimates of their reddenings from dust maps are adopted. The distance moduli are constrained using the prediction that (MF606W − MF814W)0 colours of metal-poor, main-sequence stars at $M_{F606W} \mathrel {\rm{{\gt }\lower.5 ex\rm{\sim }}}5.0$ have very little sensitivity to [Fe/H]. Intrinsic (MF336W − MF606W)0 colours of blue HB stars, which provide valuable connections between GCs with exclusively blue HBs and other clusters of similar metallicity that also have red HB components, limit the uncertainties of relative (m − M)V values to within ±0.03–0.04 mag. The ZAHB-based distances agree quite well with the distances derived by Baumgardt & Vasiliev. Their implications for GC ages are briefly discussed. Stellar rotation and mass loss appear to be more important than helium abundance variations in explaining the colour–magnitude diagrams of second-parameter GCs (those with anomalously very blue HBs for their metallicities).
WikiPathways 2024: next generation pathway database
Authors: Agrawal Ayushi , Balcı Hasan , Hanspers Kristina , Coort Susan L , Martens Marvin , Slenter Denise N , Ehrhart Friederike , Digles Daniela , Waagmeester Andra , Wassink Isabel , Abbassi-Daloii Tooba , Lopes Elisson N , Iyer Aishwarya , Acosta Javier Millán , Willighagen Lars G , Nishida Kozo , Riutta Anders , Basaric Helena , Evelo Chris T , Willighagen Egon L , Kutmon Martina , Pico Alexander R
Published: November 2023

WikiPathways (wikipathways.org) is an open-source biological pathway database. Collaboration and open science are pivotal to the success of WikiPathways. Here we highlight the continuing efforts supporting WikiPathways, content growth and collaboration among pathway researchers. As an evolving database, there is a growing need for WikiPathways to address and overcome technical challenges. In this direction, WikiPathways has undergone major restructuring, enabling a renewed approach for sharing and curating pathway knowledge, thus providing stability for the future of community pathway curation. The website has been redesigned to improve and enhance user experience. This next generation of WikiPathways continues to support existing features while improving maintainability of the database and facilitating community input by providing new functionality and leveraging automation.
Depression Severity Moderates Reward Learning Among Smokers With Current or Past Major Depressive Disorder in a Smoking Cessation Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Gollan Jacqueline K , Liverant Gabrielle , Jao Nancy C , Lord Kayla A , Whitton Alexis E , Hogarth Lee , Fox Erica , Bauer Anna-Marika , Quinn Mackenzie Hosie , Pizzagalli Diego A , Leone Frank T , Papandonatos George D , Schnoll Robert A , Hitsman Brian
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Behavioral and pharmacological smoking cessation treatments are hypothesized to increase patients’ reward learning to reduce craving. Identifying changes in reward learning processes that support effective tobacco-dependence interventions among smokers who experience depression may guide patients toward efficient treatment strategies. The objective was to investigate the extent to which adult daily cigarette smokers with current or past major depressive disorder (MDD) learned to seek reward during 12 weeks of treatment combining behavioral activation and varenicline. We hypothesized that a decline in reward learning would be attenuated (least to most) in the following order: (1) behavioral activation integrated with ST (BASC) + varenicline, (2) BASC + placebo, (3) standard behavioral cessation treatment (ST) + varenicline, (4) ST + placebo.

Methods

We ran a phase IV, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial with 300 participants receiving 12 weeks of one of four conditions across two urban medical centers. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI). Reward learning was ascertained at weeks 1, 7, and 14 using the Probabilistic Reward Task (PRT), a laboratory task that uses an asymmetric reinforcement schedule to assess (a) learning to seek reward (response bias), (b) differentiate between stimuli, and (c) time to react to cues.

Results

There was a significant interaction of BDI group × PRT response bias. Response bias declined from weeks 7 to 14 among participants with high baseline depression symptoms. The other two BDI groups showed no change in response bias.

Conclusions

Controlling for baseline depression, participants showed a decrease in response bias from weeks 1 to 14, and from weeks 7 to 14. Treatment condition and abstinence status were unassociated with change in reward learning.

Implications

Smokers who report greater depression severity show a decline in reward learning despite their participation in smoking cessation treatments, suggesting that depressed populations pose unique challenges with standard smoking cessation approaches.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02378714.
Risk of Hospitalization and Mortality Following Medically Attended Norovirus Infection—Veterans Health Administration, 2010–2018
Authors: Cates Jordan , Cardemil Cristina V , Mirza Sara A , Lopman Ben , Hall Aron J , Holodniy Mark , Lucero-Obusan Cynthia
Published: November 2023

Background

While prior studies have suggested a role for norovirus gastroenteritis in contributing to severe morbidity and mortality, the importance of norovirus as a causal pathogen for hospitalization and mortality remains poorly understood. We estimated the effect of laboratory-confirmed norovirus infection on hospitalization and mortality among a national cohort of veterans who sought care within the Veterans Affairs health care system.

Methods

We analyzed electronic health record data from a cohort study of adults who were tested for norovirus within the Veterans Affairs system between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2018. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for hospitalization and mortality were estimated using log-binomial regression models, adjusting for age, Clostridioides difficile, underlying medical conditions, and nursing home residence.

Results

In total, 23 196 veterans had 25 668 stool samples tested for norovirus; 2156 samples (8.4%) tested positive. Testing positive for norovirus infection, compared with testing negative, was associated with a slight increased risk of hospitalization (aRR, 1.13 [95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.21]) and a significant increased risk of mortality within 3 days after the norovirus test (2.14 [1.10–4.14]). The mortality aRR within 1 week and 1 month were reduced to 1.40 (95% confidence interval, .84–2.34) and 0.97 (.70–1.35), respectively.

Conclusions

Older veterans with multiple comorbid conditions were at a slight increased risk of hospitalization and significant increased risk of mortality in the 3 days after a norovirus-positive test, compared with those testing negative. Clinicians should be aware of these risks and can use these data to inform clinical management for veterans with norovirus.
Opioid and Non-Opioid Pharmacotherapy Use for Pain Management Among Privately Insured Pediatric Patients With Cancer in the United States
Authors: Shen Chan , Thornton J Douglas , Li Ning , Schaefer Eric , Zhou Shouhao , Kawasaki Sarah , Pameijer Colette , Leslie Douglas
Published: November 2023

Background

This study examined the trends and patterns of opioid and non-opioid pharmacotherapy use among a large national sample of privately insured pediatric patients with cancer in the United States.

Materials and Methods

We identified pediatric (aged < 21) patients diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS), lymphoma, gonadal, leukemia, or bone cancer from MarketScan data 2005-2019. We examined the proportion of patients who filled a prescription for the following 5 types of pharmacotherapy: opioid, anticonvulsant, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), antidepressant, and muscle relaxant during active cancer treatment. We assessed the trends and patterns in pharmacotherapy using multivariable logistic regressions.

Results

Among 4174 patients included, 2979 (71%) had an opioid prescription; 746 (18%), 384 (9%), 202 (5%), and 169 (4%) had anticonvulsant, NSAID, antidepressant and muscle relaxant prescriptions, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed a nonlinear trend in the use of opioids among pediatric patients with cancer over time such that use slightly increased until 2012 (OR of 1.40 [95% CI, 1.12-1.73] for 2012 vs. 2006) but then decreased thereafter (OR of 0.51 [0.37-0.68] for 2018 vs. 2012). The use of anticonvulsants, NSAIDs, and muscle relaxants increased significantly linearly over time (all P < .005).

Conclusion

There has been a downward trend in the use of opioids in recent years among pediatric patients with cancer and an upward trend in the use of non-opioid pharmacotherapy for pain management potentially as an alternative to opioids.