bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract P430: Angiotensin-(1-7) Induces A Decrease In Proinflammatory Genes Expression Through A Mas Receptor-Mediated Translocation To Brainstem Nuclei Of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Pineda Angelica , Rukavina Mikusic Natalia , Rinaldi Debora , Lazartigues Eric , Grecco Hernan , Gironacci Mariela
Published: October 2024

Mas receptor (MasR) displays differential trafficking in brainstem neurons from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs): the fraction of dynamin-mediated internalized MasRs into early endosomes was larger and the fraction of MasRs recycled back to the plasma membrane was smaller in SHR than in Wistar neurons. Surprisingly, in SHR neurons but not in Wistar neurons, Ang-(1-7) induced MasR translocation to the nucleus. Our aim was to investigate the biological response elicited by MasR in the nucleus and whether MasR translocation was due to interaction with other receptors. We evaluated: 1) nitric oxide (NO) generation by DAF (diaminofluorescein) fluorescence; 2) interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and NFkB expression by real time PCR; and 3) MasR interaction with AT1R and the dopamine type 2 receptor (D2R) by proximity ligation assay in brainstem neuronal primary cultures from Wistar and SHR rats incubated in the presence or absence of Ang-(1-7) or Ang-(1-7) + dynasore (DYN) (dynamin inhibitor) or Ang-(1-7) + A779 (MasR antagonist) during 30 min. Ang-(1-7) (100 nM) induced a decrease in the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, COX2 and NFkB expression in brainstem neurons from Wistar and SHR rats which was blocked by A779, suggesting a MasR-mediated response. The effect of Ang-(1-7) was prevented when MasR internalization was prevented by DYN only in SHRs neurons but not in Wistar neurons, suggesting that the effect of Ang-(1-7) in SHR neurons is mediated by MasR translocation to the nucleus. Treatment of neurons with Ang-(1-7) induced an increase in NO in the nucleus of SHR but not of Wistar neurons and this effect was prevented by DYN and A779, suggesting that the Ang-(1-7)-induced NO production in the nucleus was due to MasR translocation to this compartment. MasR stimulation with Ang-(1-7) induced an increase in MasR-D2R heteromerization in SHR but not in Wistar neurons, and no change in MasR-AT1R heteromerization. Ou study showed that MasR translocation to the nucleus resulted in a reduction in pro-inflammatory genes expression and an increase in NO generation in SHR neurons. A fraction of MasR was translocated through the interaction with D2Rs, suggesting that this heteomer may be involved in the anti-inflammatory responses elicited by Mas translocation to the nucleus.
Abstract P434: Piezo2 Channels in JG cells do not Regulate Renin Expression or Renin Release to the Circulation
Authors: Nagalakshmi Vidya , Martini Alexandre , Xu Fang , Smith Jason , Gomez Ariel , Sequeira Maria Luisa
Published: October 2024

Kidneys are central to blood pressure regulation through the renin-angiotensin system. Renin-producing juxtaglomerular (JG) cells act as renal baroreceptors by controlling renin release according to the changes in perfusion pressure. Recent studies suggest that Piezo2 calcium channels may regulate the baroreceptor mechanism of renin release. However, our single-cell RNAseq and RNAScope analysis on adult kidneys showed a very low expression for
Piezo2
in the JG cells. Since it is unclear if
Piezo2
in the JG cells regulates renin expression and release, we defined the
in vivo
role of
Piezo2
in the current study using
Piezo2
conditional mutant mice. For this we generated

Piezo2
fl/fl
;Ren1
d
Cre,

Piezo2
fl/del
;Ren1
d
Cre

and

Piezo2
fl/fl
;Akr1b7.Cre-Er
T2

mice.

Though we detected an efficient deletion of
Piezo2
by RNAScope in the JG cells of the mutant kidneys, we did not observe a significant difference in the renin signals between the control and the mutant groups by renin immunostaining. q-RT-PCR of the kidney cortices to measure renin mRNA levels and renin-specific ELISA to quantify plasma renin levels also indicated no significant differences (NS) between the control and the mutant groups (

Piezo2
fl/fl
;Ren1
d
Cre

-
Relative renin mRNA levels:
Control (n=11) 1.05±0.113 Mutants (n=6) 0.90±0.20, NS;
Plasma renin levels (pg/ml):
Control (n=11) 17472±3712 Mutants (n=6) 14934±3547, NS;

Piezo2
fl/del
;Ren1
d
Cre

- Relative renin mRNA levels: Control (n=3) 0.98±0.13 Mutants (n=4) 1.04±0.19, NS; Plasma renin levels (pg/ml): Control (n=3) 20221±4303 Mutants (n=4) 15014±1901, NS). Furthermore, subjecting the mice to hypotension and volume depletion with captopril and a low salt diet for one week did not affect the renin expression due to
Piezo2
deletion in the renin cells. Finally, our results from the aortic coarctation surgery model showed that
Piezo2
deletion in the adult JG cells of

Piezo2
fl/fl
;Akr1b7.Cre-Er
T2

mice did not affect the changes in renin expression between the left and right kidneys in response to perfusion pressure (Relative renin mRNA levels: Control (n=11) LK-1.102 ±0.173 RK-0.316±0.046, p=0.002 Mutants (n=9) LK-1.191±0.266 RK-0.524±0.212, p=0.05). Collectively, our
in vivo
data shows that renin expression is unaffected during normal conditions and when homeostasis is threatened by hypotension, sodium depletion, or changes in blood pressure, indicating that
Piezo2
channels are not necessary for renin synthesis and release to circulation in JG cells.
Abstract P439: An Uncommon and Missed Diagnosis of Hypertension: Fibromuscular Dysplasia
Authors: Ketenci Melis , Fallahi Arzhang , Owlia Mina , Homayounrooz Forugh , Hsi David
Published: October 2024

Introduction:
Fibromuscular dysplasia is a noninflammatory vascular disease most commonly affecting carotid and renal arteries, especially in young to middle aged women. Renal artery stenosis may cause refractory and severe hypertension in these patients without traditional risk factors.

Case:
A 58-year-old woman with uncontrolled hypertension on calcium channel and angiotensin receptor blocker and history of left carotid artery stenosis, and carotid endarterectomy at the age of 48 years, was referred cardiac evaluation. Patient’s twin sister had a diagnosis of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Her blood pressure was 190/90 mmHg at presentation. Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of the abdomen/pelvis showed a typical nodular stenosis of the mid renal artery consistent with FMD. Patient underwent renal angiogram and successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. She still required medical therapy but her BP significantly improved.

Discussion:
Our patient had severe hypertension, carotid artery stenosis and even surgery but had missed FMD diagnosis for > 10 years. Physicians should have a high level of clinical suspicion for young and middle aged women with refractory hypertension and/or artery stenosis, aneurysm, or dissection in any vascular bed. CTA should be performed for renal and carotid artery imaging looking for typical “string of beads” appearance. Cerebral artery aneurysm should also be evaluated. The inheritance pattern for FMD such as PHACTR1 is most consistent with an autosomal dominant trait with variable penetrance. Renal artery angioplasty may lessen the degree of refractory or severe hypertension.
Abstract P440: Discovery of clinical candidate GSC002219, a highly selective oral CYP11B2 inhibitor for hypertension
Authors: Lu Yue , Shen Guangyuan , Hu Zhilong , Xia Yuanfeng , Yang Fanglong
Published: October 2024

Background:
Aldosterone is an important mediator of hypertension and its aberration could contribute to heart and kidney diseases. Aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASI) attenuate the production of aldosterone directly and have been proposed as an alternative to mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) for treatment of resistant hypertension and chronic renal disease. GSC002219 is a potent inhibitor of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) with high selectivity over the closely related enzyme CYP11B1. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of GSC002219 on aldosterone and blood pressure.

Methods:
The
inhibitory
effect of GSC002219 against CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 proteins was assessed in human renal leiomyoblastoma cells expressing recombinant human / cynomolgus CYP11B1or CYP11B2 enzymes, respectively. GSC002219 was further evaluated in Synacthen (ACTH) challenged cynomolgus monkey model for its effects against various related key biomarkers including cortisol, aldosterone and precursors. The effects of GSC002219 on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were evaluated in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) model.

Results:
GSC002219 potently inhibits CYP11B2 with an IC
50
of 27nM, while maintains a >150-fold selectivity over CYP11B1. In ACTH challenged cynomolgus monkey model, single oral doses of GSC002219 at 0.03 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg could suppress aldosterone production to 80% and 93%, respectively, comparing to vehicle-treated animals without any effect towards cortisol levels. In the rat SHRSP hypertension model, GSC002219 could effectively lower both SBP and DBP. GSC002219 has an excellent
in vitro
ADME and toxicology profile as well as a balanced physicochemical property. In 14-day rat and monkey toxicology studies, GSC002219 displayed good tolerance, excellent PK profile and a great safety window (>100 fold).

Conclusions:
Taken together, GSC002219 is a safe and potent inhibitor of CYP11B2 and efficacious in various disease models of hypertension. GSC002219 is under IND-enabling study and may enter the clinical development early 2025.
Abstract P447: Impact of Altered Receptor Expression On the Cardiovascular Response to Estrogen
Authors: Imulinde Sugi Ariane , Walker Alex , Menon Riva , Richard Chase , Blessinger Sophia
Published: October 2024

Premenopausal women benefit from estrogen's protective effects, including lower arterial stiffness than men of the same age. Despite estrogen's protective role, menopausal hormone therapy showed no cardiovascular benefits in the Women's Health Initiative. One theory is that the response to menopausal hormone therapy is modulated by the presence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Estrogen signals through nuclear estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, and the membrane-bound G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Our lab has shown that GPER induces protective cardiovascular effects including decreased blood pressure, protection from renal damage, and attenuation of arterial remodeling. In this study, we hypothesized that GPER deletion would attenuate the protective vascular effects of estrogen after menopause. Female C57Bl/6J wildtype (wt) and global GPER knockout (ko) mice underwent ovariectomy (OVX) at 46 weeks of age and concurrently administered estrogen (E) or vehicle (Veh). Angiotensin II (Ang II; 700 ng/kg/day) infusion was used to induce hypertension either four weeks prior (Ang-E) or at the time of OVX (E-Ang) to evaluate the impact of cardiovascular diseases preceding or coinciding with menopause. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography and arterial stiffness was assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA. Ang II induced a similar level of hypertension in wt and ko mice and was not impacted by E or timing. In wt mice, PWV was significantly higher in Veh-treated compared with E-treated hypertensive animals, independent of timing (P<0.001). In contrast, PWV was not impacted by E in GPER ko mice (P=0.99). In conclusion, we found that E did not affect the hypertensive response to Ang II in both wt and GPER ko mice. GPER deletion reduced estrogen’s protection from arterial stiffening. Whether Ang II preceded or coincided with menopause did not alter the effects of E. These studies are important for determining whether cardiovascular status should be a factor when considering menopausal hormone therapy.
Abstract P448: Follistatin Improves Vascular Function by Regulating Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Essential Hypertension
Authors: Kuganathan Ann , Lu Vincent , Gao Bo , MacDonald Melissa , Dickhout Jeffrey , Krepinsky Joan
Published: October 2024

Introduction:
Essential hypertension is characterized by resistance artery remodeling induced by oxidative stress. Most vessels are surrounded by perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) which regulates vascular tone via release of vasoactive substances. In physiological conditions, PVAT induces an anticontractile effect. In pathological conditions such as hypertension, PVAT exhibit increased oxidative stress resulting in augmented contraction and reduced relaxation. Follistatin, an antioxidant glycoprotein, has been shown to induce adipose tissue browning which is linked to improved vasorelaxation and BP. We hypothesize that follistatin, through ROS inhibition and PVAT browning, lowers BP and improves vessel function in a model of essential hypertension.

Methods:
Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated with vehicle or follistatin every other day for 8 weeks. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats served as normotensive controls. BP was measured weekly by radiotelemetry. Mesenteric arteries and PVAT were used. KCl-induced smooth muscle contraction was assessed using wire myography. ROS was measured by DHE (dihydroethidium) staining. Vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in PVAT was measured using DAF-2 FM. Protein expression of markers for ROS or PVAT browning was measured by immunohistochemistry.

Results:
Follistatin significantly lowered BP in SHRs and restored anticontractile effect of PVAT. Increased ROS in SHR vessels and PVAT were also inhibited. Follistatin inhibited SHR PVAT-induced vascular oxidative stress. SHR PVAT NO bioavailability was increased by acute follistatin treatment via ROS inhibition. Follistatin also increased expression of brown adipose tissue markers in SHR PVAT suggesting PVAT browning.

Limitations:
Above studies do not confirm whether PVAT pathology causes hypertension in this model. Vascular dysfunction is an independent risk factor for CVD and our studies do not yet consider effects of follistatin on end-organ damage.

Conclusions:
Follistatin lowers BP in SHRs likely via improved vascular and perivascular structure and function. Specifically, follistatin inhibited perivascular ROS, increased NO and induced PVAT browning suggesting improved regulation of vascular function and thus, BP. Future work will utilize proteomic assays to identify novel mediators of follistatin effects on PVAT in the SHR.
Abstract P449: A Murine Model of Mid-Thoracic Aortic Coarctation
Authors: Lauver Adam , Garver Hannah , Rendon Javier , Fink Gregory , Krieger-Burke Teresa , Contreras Andres , Watts Stephanie
Published: October 2024

Vascular pressure can directly affect cardiovascular structure and function. Understanding the mechanisms, however, is complicated because conditions or interventions that chronically raise blood pressure (e.g. excess angiotensin II) can also have direct effects on the vasculature that occur independent of changes in blood pressure. One approach to mitigating this problem is to obstruct flow in a vascular segment sufficiently to reduce blood pressure in the segment downstream of the obstruction, while pressure upstream either stays the same or increases. As a result, all factors other than pressure are expected to be the same in upstream and downstream vascular segments. We have found evidence that differences in intravascular pressure can also affect closely adjacent tissues, specifically perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). To test this idea
in vivo
, we developed a method to produce chronic, partial occlusion (or coarctation) of the mid-thoracic aorta in mice. This exposes upstream aortic PVAT depots to significantly higher aortic pressure than downstream aortic PVAT depots. The key to the method is producing a stable occlusion with a diameter small enough to produce a pressure gradient but not so small that the downstream flow is inadequate to support tissue oxygenation. To this end, a thoracotomy was performed to expose the thoracic aorta in adult mice anesthetized with isoflurane and artificially ventilated. A coarctation of the mid-thoracic aorta was produced by tying a ligature around the aorta and a blunted needle on the aorta, then removing the needle. In other mice, a silicone rubber or nitrile O-ring of varying dimensions was placed around the aorta. Mice were allowed to recover for varying periods of time (weeks), then the degree of coarctation was evaluated using both imaging methods (ultrasound) and direct measurement of the pressure gradient (catheters placed in a carotid and a femoral artery) under isoflurane anesthesia. In a group of 9 male mice with coarctation and 4 male mice with sham coarctation, we found an average mean arterial pressure gradient of 11.7 ± 5.0 mmHg (mean ± SEM) in coarct mice and 1.6 ± 2.0 mmHg in sham mice. Systolic pressure gradients averaged 14.0 ± 5.9 mmHg in coarct mice and 1.0 ± 3.2 mmHg in sham mice. These results suggest it is possible to produce a stable pressure gradient across the thoracic aorta of mice as a tool to explore the impact of arterial pressure on vascular and PVAT structure and function.
Abstract P451: Effects of Perivascular Adipose Tissue on Arterial Stiffness in an Adiposity-Driven Hypertension Model: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: McClintock Dillon , Bush Sydney , Sather Lisa , Tykocki Nathan , Watts Stephanie , Roccabianca Sara
Published: October 2024

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is crucial for maintaining arterial function under healthy conditions. This research aims to test the hypothesis that the effect of PVAT on arterial stiffness is lessened as hypertension progresses in an animal model of adiposity-driven hypertension. We examined thoracic aorta samples from male Dahl Salt-Sensitive rats subjected to control (10% fat-CD) and high-fat (60% fat-HFD) diets for 16 and 24 weeks. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in HFD rats only at 24 weeks as compared to CD. Uniaxial mechanical tests were then conducted on aorta samples with and without PVAT. Arterial wall stiffness at 20% stretch (matching
in vivo
measures) was increased but not significantly higher in animals fed a HFD compared to those on a CD at 16 weeks but not 24 weeks. Surprisingly, the calculated stiffness of -PVAT samples significantly decreased by 24 weeks in both groups. Stiffness was reduced at both time points in +PVAT samples compared to -PVAT, but the beneficial effect of PVAT is diminished at 24 weeks. Because lower stretches may be important as hypertension progresses. We also measured stiffness at stretches <10%. Here, the addition of PVAT lost all beneficial effects on stiffness at 24 weeks. These results suggest that while PVAT has a beneficial effect on arterial stiffness in adiposity-driven hypertension, its effectiveness decreases with aging.
Abstract P453: Dissecting tunica responsibility in arterial stress relaxation: Smooth muscle need not apply
Authors: Thompson Janice , Watts Stephanie
Published: October 2024

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is being recognized as an important arterial tunica. Stress relaxation, a gradual reduction in stress over time while under a constant strain, is considered a property of smooth muscle (ex. intestine, uterus, bladder). While aortic PVAT (aPVAT) contains a microvasculature, it does not contain organized smooth muscle and isolated PVAT stress relaxes to a greater extent than the vessel itself. This raised the idea that other tunicas lacking smooth muscle may also stress relax. Here we hypothesize that appropriately oriented and functional smooth muscle was not necessary for stress relaxation to occur. To test this, we used histochemical staining and isometric contractility of thoracic aorta from the male Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat. Some rings of aorta were separated into adventitia (no muscle), media (muscle), and PVAT (no muscle), and responses of these isolates compared to the intact aortic ring (muscle + integration of tunicas). Masson Trichrome (MT) and Verhoeff Van Gieson (VVG) staining validated the dissection of the different tunicas with minimal contamination of cells from other tunicas. Stress relaxation was measured after increasing, cumulative amounts of passive tension (6 grams total) was applied in the presence or absence of Ca
2+
, essential for smooth muscle contraction. Each step was followed by challenge with a maximum concentration of the a
1
adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (PE, 10
-5
M).

Stress relaxation occurred in all tunicas at each passive tension, whether or not Ca
2+
was present (figures). In fact, loss of Ca
2+
improved stress relaxation in adventitia and PVAT. Importantly, in the presence of Ca
2+
, PE contraction was observed at each passive tension in tissues containing smooth muscle: media (min, 250 mg PT: 26.67 +/- 8.51 mg; max, 6000 mg PT: 589.59 +/- 114.53 mg) and aorta + PVAT (min, 250 mg PT: 562.61 +/- 238.45 mg; max, 6000 mg PT: 1322.91 +/- 352.73mg). Little to no measurable contraction was recorded in the adventitia and aPVAT. There was little to no measurable contraction in tunicas in the absence of Ca
2+
. Taken together, these data suggest that all tunicas of the rat thoracic aorta stress relax and can do so without the presence of organized smooth muscle. Of all tunicas, PVAT demonstrated the greatest ability to stress relax. Collectively, these findings force reconsideration of individual responsibilities of arterial tunicas, all of which participate in the (dys)function of an artery.
Abstract P456: Loss of Renal Resident Tissue Macrophages Reduces Nitric Oxide-Mediated Relaxation during Salt-Sensitive Hypertension
Authors: Fairbanks Landon , Mookherjee Sohom , Cowley Craig , Yoshigi Masaaki , Araos Patricio , Symons J David , Wynne Brandi
Published: October 2024

Salt-sensitive hypertension (SS-HTN) associates with increased renal sodium reabsorption, arterial dysfunction, and heightened pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). Renal resident tissue macrophages (rRTMs) function to both maintain tissue homeostasis and once activated, can secrete IL-6. We reported that loss of the rRTM population prevents SS-HTN but their influence on arterial reactivity has not been tested. We hypothesize that rRTM-induced IL-6 production impairs endothelial function.

Wild-type (Wt) or rRTM-depleted (CX
3
CR
1
-
EGFP+/+
) male mice (12wks) were used. Mice were given the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME (0.5mg/mL, in drinking water, 2wks) and allowed to washout (1-2wks) before fed normal chow (NC), high salt (HS) chow (4%) for 2 days (early salt-sensitive, eSS) or for 3wks HS (SS-HTN). eSS mice were salt-sensitive, but not yet hypertensive. Mice were also given HS chow alone (3wks). Serum was collected for systemic cytokines (Meso-Scale Discovery; n=4-15) and second-order mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) were obtained (n=3-5). Concentration response curves (CRCs) to phenylephrine (Phe) and acetylcholine (ACh) were performed in the presence or absence of potassium chloride (KCl) or L-NMMA.

Serum IL-6 levels were not increased following HS diet alone, but concentrations trended higher during SS-HTN (1.46 ± 0.2 pg/mL
vs.
1.07 ± 0.2 pg/mL NC). The nadir was observed in eSS mice, before the development of SS-HTN, and was prevented in rRTM-depleted mice (1.81 ± 0.3 pg/mL
vs.
0.58 ± 0.17, **p<0.001, grouped ANOVA). No differences were observed between NC-fed Wt and rRTM-depleted MRAs, but the development of SS-HTN did impair relaxation responses. Overall, ACh-mediated relaxation responses were generally lower in MRAs from rRTM-depleted mice compared to Wt. Interestingly, rRTM-depleted MRAs from SS-HTN animals exhibited a near complete inhibition of all relaxation responses with NOS inhibition (R
max
6.20% ± 8 rRTM SS-HTN
vs.
63.0% ± 10 Wt SS-HTN, *p<0.05), suggesting greater dependence on NO-mediated relaxation.

Together, these data suggest that rRTMs contribute to an early, hypertension-independent spike in IL-6 which may reduce endothelial function later during SS-HTN. We also show that rRTM-depletion affects the function of the resistance vasculature, including loss of non-NO-mediated relaxation during SS-HTN. These data suggest that renal-derived cytokines, via rRTMs, may influence endothelial function.
In Search of the Causes of the Globalization Backlash: Methodological Considerations on Post-treatment Bias
Authors: Agnolin Paolo , Colantone Italo , Stanig Piero
Published: October 2024

We study the implications of post-treatment bias in the context of the globalization backlash. We discuss whether horse-race regressions can inform about the relative role of economic versus cultural drivers. We make three methodological points: (1) if and insofar as cultural variables are post-treatment with respect to economic factors, the estimates of the effect of economic shocks on voting are biased in regressions that include cultural controls (and vice versa); (2) for the same reason, such horse-race regressions do not allow to accurately estimate the relative role of economic versus cultural factors; (3) one cannot infer mediation effects from changes in regression coefficients for a given factor of interest before and after including post-treatment controls. We accompany the methodological discussion with empirical evidence on the relevance of post-treatment bias in studies of the globalization backlash, both by replicating and expanding on earlier studies, and by presenting novel cross-country results on the culture-economy nexus.
The Relationship Between Principal Leadership and Student Achievement: A Multivariate Meta-Analysis with an Emphasis on Conceptual Models and Methodological Approaches
Authors: Shen Jianping , Wu Huang
Published: October 2024

Principal leadership has been widely regarded as a powerful catalyst for school improvement and student learning. This article presents a multivariate meta-analysis of 42 empirical studies, published between 2000 and 2020, that examined the effects of principal leadership on student achievement in the United States. The focus is on the conceptual models and methodological approaches used to examine these effects. Our study reveals three major findings: (a) principal leadership had a positive impact on student achievement, when the effects were conceptualized as direct effects without controls (0.25 SD), or as indirect effects (0.22 SD); (b) the observed effects of principal leadership are contingent upon how impacts were conceptualized and analyzed; and (c) substantial heterogeneity existed in observed principal leadership effects, with student outcome measure serving as a significant moderator. We offer directions for future studies, including conducting more replication studies using high-quality approaches across different contexts; developing common typologies, sets of variables and their definitions and measurements; identifying significant mediators in the school process; applying multiple conceptual models and methodological approaches on a more comprehensive dataset; and moving beyond the effectiveness perspective to adopting an equity lens.
Conversational Preaching in the Era of Christian Nationalism?
Authors: Allen O. Wesley
Published: October 2024

In 2016, I wrote Preaching in the Era of Trump, in which I proposed a conversational, prophetic approach to challenging Donald Trump's attacks on immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+ persons, women, and Muslims. This essay revisits the question of whether such a conversational approach can be effective in response to Christian nationalist support of Trumpism and an effective mode for social change. The essay proposes that preachers take a strong stand in the pulpit against injustice while doing so in a manner that invites instead of shuts down dialogue.
“Make Rome Great Again” Preceded “Make America Great Again”: The Ancient Romo-Nationalism of Biblical Writers
Authors: Young Stephen L.
Published: October 2024

The ideas about religious, sexual, gender, ethnic, urban, moral, and family decay that underlie “Make America Great Again’s” message have notable antecedents in ancient Greek and Roman mythologies about societal degeneration. Roman writers promoted a Romo-nationalist version we can call “Make Rome Great Again” that served to make the patriarchal, exploitative, and imperial power of elite Roman men seem like the solution to societal crisis. Biblical writers like Paul did not subvert these harmful Romo-nationalist logics but instead participated in them to describe gentile degeneration and sexual sin. Recognizing this troubling zone of contact between the Bible and MAGA-like ideologies can reveal the harm they cause and explain the depth of their attractiveness to White Christian nationalists.
Determining the constant diffusion coefficient by Fourier series solution of the diffusion equation
Authors: Park Geon Yong
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this study was to obtain the diffusion coefficient by calculating directly from the Fourier series solution of the diffusion equation, which has not been studied so far. The Fourier series solution is the sum of a steady-state solution and a transient solution. The steady-state solution is a linear function of distance. The transient solution is the product of a distance function and a time function. The Fourier sine series solution, a function of distance only, is negative for the steady-state solution. For the sublimation diffusion of disperse dye in paste into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film using the film-roll method, the constant surface concentration and the diffusion distance were determined from the quadratic regression curve for the concentration distribution at a long time. The concentration distribution of the transient solution is a downwardly convex curve with negative values. The concentration distribution of the Fourier series solution is also a downwardly convex curve. The diffusion coefficient in the exponential term, a function of time only, was determined from the value of the exponential term obtained by the surface concentration and the diffusion distance. The constant diffusion coefficients determined from the Fourier series solution are reliable because they are very similar to those obtained from the error function solution and have excellent linearity of the linear regression lines for their Arrhenius plots.
Less invasive surfactant administration with specially designed semirigid catheter: Experience from a tertiary level neonatal unit of a lower middle-income country
Authors: Kumar Sourabh , Chaudhary Pankaj , Priyadarshi Mayank , Chaurasia Suman , Singh Poonam , Basu Sriparna
Published: October 2024

Clinical outcomes of 74 preterm neonates, who received surfactant replacement therapy (SRT), were collected retrospectively, to compare the following modes of administration: (1) less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) via a specially designed semirigid catheter ( Surfcath), (2) INtubate-SURfactant-Extubate (INSURE) and (3) through endotracheal tube (ETT), in neonates requiring mechanical ventilation. The primary composite outcome of mortality or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks’ post-menstrual age was 41% in LISA, 38% in INSURE and 77% in ETT groups ( p < 0.01), the difference being mainly due to the high incidence of mortality in the latter. LISA, via a specially designed semirigid catheter, was safe and feasible in preterm neonates.
Visualization of AI Accuracy: A Novel Assignment for the Teaching of Critical Thinking and Science Writing
Authors: Cail Jessica
Published: October 2024

Background

Rapid changes brought on by generative artificial intelligence (AI) have emphasized the need to teach students to work with this technology while also developing the “robot proof” human skills future workers will need, such as creativity, communication, and critical thinking.

Objective

The study objective was to explore whether a fact-checking, generative-AI assignment, inserted between the outline, and first-draft stages of a student's literature review writing process, would relate to student classification, perceptions of AI accuracy, and future trust in AI-generated content.

Method

Students in upper and lower division psychology classes used AI to generate a literature review on their final paper topic, which they then fact-checked for accuracy and usefulness using a color-coded system.

Results

Lower division students expected more inaccuracy, highlighted less information as inaccurate, and reported greater future trust of AI-generated content than upper division students.

Conclusion

Students with more experience critically evaluating primary sources may be better equipped to detect inaccuracies within AI-generated content.

Teaching Implications

Teachers of any course requiring a literature review paper may use this assignment to encourage student use of AI with a critical eye toward recognizing where that content is incorrect.
Adaptive hierarchical interval type-2 fuzzy control for trajectory tracking of an underactuated AUV with uncertain dynamics
Authors: Wang Yuxuan , Hou Yaochun , Ye Mengjia , Lai Zhounian , Cao Linlin , Wu Dazhuan
Published: October 2024

In this study, an adaptive hierarchical interval type-2 fuzzy control (AHIT2FC) scheme is presented for three-dimensional (3D) trajectory tracking control of an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which has only three independent control inputs and is subject to partially parametric uncertainty and unknown external disturbances. To decrease reliance on hydrodynamic parameters, an interval type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT2FLS) is utilized, which exhibits superior capabilities in handling high levels of uncertainties prevalent in the underwater environment as compared to a type-1 fuzzy logic system. However, the traditional fuzzy system structure encounters the “curse of dimensionality” issue, which results in high computational complexity and imposes a significant burden on the limited computing resources underwater. The proposed AHIT2FC framework, based on a hierarchical structure, can substantially enhance computational speed while ensuring excellent control performance. Subsequently, Lyapunov’s theory is adopted to guarantee that all the tracking errors in the closed-loop system are semiglobally uniformly bounded (SGUB). Finally, comparative simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed AHIT2FC scheme.
Comparative Histopathological Analysis of Nasal Osteotomy Techniques in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Hanci Deniz , Gurpinar Berk , Altun Huseyin , Onaran Oyku Izel , Uygan Ugur , Kumas Omer , Uyar Yavuz
Published: October 2024

Objective: Nasal osteotomy is a crucial step in rhinoplasty, explicitly addressing the open roof deformity in nasal bones. This study aimed to assess and compare the recovery patterns associated with 4 distinct osteotomy techniques in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods: Twenty white New Zealand rabbits weighing 2.5 to 3.0 kg were included in the study. Median osteotomies were performed on the left side using piezosurgery and on the right side using an oscillating micro-saw. Additionally, internal osteotomy was executed on the right side and external osteotomy on the left side, both performed with a chisel across all rabbits. Ten rabbits were sacrificed on the 7th day, while the remaining 10 were sacrificed on the 15th day for subsequent histological examination. The granulation tissue formation (GTF), vascularization, inflammation, collagen fibril content, osteotomy gap width, and new bone formation were evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome-stained sections. Results: On the 7th day, piezosurgery demonstrated statistically-significant advantages in terms of GTF, neovascularization, and collagen fibril quantity when compared to the oscillating micro-saw ( P < .05). Furthermore, a statistically-significant difference was observed among the groups concerning the distribution of connective tissue organization between the 7th and 15th days ( P < .05). Conclusions: This study’s findings unequivocally establish that bone healing after osteotomy with piezosurgery surpasses that achieved with an oscillating micro-saw in this rabbit model.
The Impact of Lymphatic Drainage and Nerve Mobilization Techniques on Nerve Morphology in Mild-to-Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cihan Emine , Akdeniz Leblebicier Merve , Sahbaz Pirincci Cansu , Yaman Fatima , Ture Arzu , Ari Busra , Yamuc Berra
Published: October 2024

Objective

To investigate whether nerve mobilization related to nerve mobility or the removal of edema using lymphatic drainage affects the cross-sectional area of the nerve, hand function, and symptom severity in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Design

The study is a prospective randomized controlled trial. Data were analyzed between groups using ANOVA, Chi-squared test, and Kruskal–Wallis test.

Setting

Treatment lasted 4 weeks. Splint group wore the splint daily. Splint+manual lymphatic drainage received lymphatic drainage 5 days a week. Splint+nerve mobilization performed neuromobilization exercises as home exercises 5 days a week. Evaluations were conducted before and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Participants

The study included 80 patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

Interventions

The patients were randomly divided into three groups: splint ( n = 27), splint+manual lymphatic drainage ( n = 27), or the splint+nerve mobilization ( n = 26).

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures were ultrasound assessments and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (Symptom Severity Scale and Boston Functional Status Scale).

Results

Compared to the other groups, the nerve cross-sectional area decreased at both the carpal tunnel ( p = 0.003) and mid-forearm ( p = 0.014) levels in the drainage group. Nerve mobilization did not result in a significant change in the nerve cross-sectional area. All groups showed significant improvements in both symptom severity and functional status scores ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The reduction of edema through lymphatic drainage contributes to a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the median nerve. Additionally, all three methods appear to positively impact the functional capacity of the hand and alleviate symptoms.
Association of four CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms with pemphigus risk: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression
Authors: Dhaouadi Tarak , Riahi Awatef , Ben Abdallah Taïeb , Gorgi Yousr , Sfar Imen
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This review aimed to summarize the existing data on the contribution of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) genes to pemphigus susceptibility.

Methods

An electronic literature search for eligible studies among those published prior to 30 April 2024 was conducted through the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. To minimize publication bias, an additional search was performed via the Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar search engines. Meta-analyses, together with subgroup analyses and meta-regressions, were performed for the following four CTLA-4 SNPs: rs231775, rs5742909, rs3087243, and rs733618.

Results

Combined analyses revealed a significant increase in pemphigus risk conferred by the CTLA-4 rs5742909*C and rs733618*C alleles. Conversely, there was no evidence of any significant association between the rs231775*G and rs3087243*G alleles and susceptibility to pemphigus. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity and pemphigus type (vulgaris or foliaceus) and meta-regressions did not reveal any significant difference.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggested that two of the four investigated CTLA-4 SNPs were significantly associated with increased pemphigus risk. Registration: This review has been registered on PROSPERO: CRD42024550668; available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024550668
Thermal experiment study on the self-luminous properties of metallic iron during solid–liquid phase transition
Authors: Meng Linghui , Dong Kai
Published: October 2024

According to the thermal experiment study of the self-luminescence spectrum of industrially pure iron (DT8) at a heating and cooling rate of 5 °C/min, at the moment of 0 (800 °C), DT8 had no significant self-luminescence characteristics in the wavelength range of 200–1100 nm. At the same time, the first-order differentiation of the spectral intensity versus time was equal to zero at the beginning and end moments of the solid-liquid phase transition. When the solid-liquid melt temperatures are equal (i.e. 1531 °C), there are two sharp peaks at wavelengths of 589.1 nm and 766.7 nm of the self-luminous spectrum in the pure liquid state compared to the self-luminous spectrum in the pure solid state. The intensity of the spectrum decreases significantly as the metallic iron changes from the pure solid phase to the pure liquid phase, with a reduction rate greater than 20%. The appearance of the fitted peaks at 589.1 nm and 769 nm was found by XPS fitting analysis to be a significant feature of the difference in the auto-luminescence spectra of pure solid phase and pure liquid phase metallic iron at a constant melt pool temperature. After the transformation of pure solid phase into pure liquid phase, the decay rate of the self-luminous spectrum in the long-wave direction at wavelengths greater than 762 nm is greater than that in the short-wave direction at wavelengths less than 625 nm.
A hybrid prediction model of blast furnace permeability index combining least square support vector machine and artificial neural network
Authors: Yu Zhi-heng , Li Xiao-ming , Wang Bao-rong , Lin Xu-hu , Ren Yi-ze , Xing Xiang-dong
Published: October 2024

Blast furnace (BF) permeability index is a crucial parameter that can quickly, intuitively, and comprehensively reflect the furnace condition. Accurate prediction of this index is crucial for optimising production efficiency and ensuring the stable operation of the BF. In this study, a hybrid permeability index prediction model is constructed by combining a least squares support vector machine and an artificial neural network, using the mean shift clustering algorithm (MSCA) to classify the BF conditions is applied. The results show that the MSCA algorithm shows remarkable precision in classifying the stable and unstable operating states of BF, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 93.98%. The hybrid prediction model could accurately predict the permeability index and has a mean absolute error of 0.6877, a mean square error of 0.4721 and an R2 of 0.9215, highlighting its robust predictive performance. These findings underscore the practical significance of our model in enhancing BF operational efficiency and reliability.
Making citizens, procedures, and outcomes: Theorizing politics in a co-productionist idiom
Authors: Simmet Hilton R
Published: October 2024

The literature engaging political theory in STS often puts forward a deficit model view of STS, in which homegrown STS ideas about politics, such as co-production, are either treated as having an insufficient account of the political or not read as political theory at all. This article challenges the deficit discourse by reading co-production as a full-blown political theory in its own right, in particular by showing how it investigates normative questions of ‘the good’ that are central to any theorization of politics. Where political theory often concerns itself with the construction and application of universal political ideals—such as of the good citizen, legitimate procedures or smart outcomes—co-production looks at empirical sites where citizens, procedures, and outcomes articulate understandings of the good held by political actors in situ. By looking at the making of citizens, procedures, and outcomes in practice, we can better understand co-production as political theory. In particular, co-production elaborates on how the making of citizens, procedures, and outcomes constitute (and are constituted by) ideal normative positions, including: authoritative views about what citizens may claim to know, culturally-situated understandings of procedural legitimacy, and political values and ideologies embedded in seemingly ‘objective’ measurements of outcomes.
The techno-politics of computing the mind: Opening the black box of digital psychiatry
Authors: Sideri Katerina , van Dijk Niels
Published: October 2024

Psychiatry has recently witnessed the launch of digital phenotyping as a new research agenda. According to digital phenotyping’s hypothesis, data about a patient’s daily behavior can be continuously collected through wearable monitoring devices and used to build software that would send warnings of mental relapse or would tailor treatment choices. The research is exploratory, and the claims upon which it is based are contentious. Drawing on interviews, we followed a research team that aspired to build a digital system that could send such warnings to patients with mental health disorders like depression and epilepsy. This enabled us to learn how a new instrument to measure mental function becomes constructed and what translations take place in this process. Here we pay particular attention to the role of patients as research collaborators. We observed the frictions and debates in the research team between different mental health knowledge regimes, seeing them before they were black-boxed and lost from sight. We aimed to understand how actors anticipate software and data analytics to function alongside physicians and patients, as well as how different accounts reconstitute the ‘mental’, ‘therapy’, or the ‘social’ itself. We discuss several ‘dissociations’ that occur along the research trajectory regarding: less motivated and underrepresented patients, the role of clinical knowledge derived from patient self-reporting, and the social, political, and economic aspects of a patient’s life affecting mental health. In this sense, we want to open the black box of this new behavioral technoscience.