bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacillus suppresses nitrogen efficiency of soybean–rhizobium symbiosis through regulation of nitrogen‐related transcriptional and microbial patterns
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Chen Qianqian , Liang Quan , Zhao Qian , Lu Xing , Tian Jihui , Guan Zidi , Liu Chang , Li Jifu , Zhou Ming , Tian Jiang , Liang Cuiyue
Published: July 2024

The regulation of legume‐rhizobia symbiosis by microorganisms has obtained considerable interest in recent research, particularly in the common rhizobacteria Bacillus. However, few studies have provided detailed explanations regarding the regulatory mechanisms involved. Here, we investigated the effects of Bacillus (Bac.B) on Bradyrhizobium–soybean (Glycine max) symbiosis and elucidated the underlying ecological mechanisms. We found that two Bradyrhizobium strains (i.e. Bra.Q2 and Bra.D) isolated from nodules significantly promoted nitrogen (N) efficiency of soybean via facilitating nodule formation, thereby enhanced plant growth and yield. However, the intrusion of Bac.B caused a reverse shift in the synergistic efficiency of N2 fixation in the soybean–Bradyrhizobium symbiosis. Biofilm formation and naringenin may be importantin suppression of Bra.Q2 growth regulated by Bac.B. In addition, transcriptome and microbiome analyses revealed that Bra.Q2 and Bac.B might interact to regulateN transport and assimilation, thus influence the bacterial composition related to plant N nutrition in nodules. Also, the metabolisms of secondary metabolites and hormones associated with plant–microbe interaction and growth regulation were modulated by Bra.Q2 and Bac.B coinoculation. Collectively, we demonstrate that Bacillus negatively affects Bradyrhizobium–soybean symbiosis and modulate microbial interactions in the nodule. Our findings highlight a novel Bacillus‐based regulation to improve N efficiency and sustainable agricultural development.
A molecular module connects abscisic acid with auxin signals to facilitate seasonal wood formation in Populus
Authors: Guo Xulei , Li Jian , Li Meng , Zhou Bo , Zheng Shuai , Li Laigeng
Published: July 2024

Perennial trees have a recurring annual cycle of wood formation in response to environmental fluctuations. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that regulate the seasonal formation of wood remain poorly understood. Our prior study indicates that VCM1 and VCM2 play a vital role in regulating the activity of the vascular cambium by controlling the auxin homoeostasis of the cambium zone in Populus. This study indicates that abscisic acid (ABA) affects the expression of VCM1 and VCM2, which display seasonal fluctuations in relation to photoperiod changes. ABA‐responsive transcription factors AREB4 and AREB13, which are predominantly expressed in stem secondary vascular tissue, bind to VCM1 and VCM2 promoters to induce their expression. Seasonal changes in the photoperiod affect the ABA amount, which is linked to auxin‐regulated cambium activity via the functions of VCM1 and VCM2. Thus, the study reveals that AREB4/AREB13‐VCM1/VCM2‐PIN5b acts as a molecular module connecting ABA and auxin signals to control vascular cambium activity in seasonal wood formation.
Identifying herbicides compatible with biological soil crusts for land management: effects differ by mechanistic family
Authors: Bailey Lydia N. , Antoninka Anita , Kobelt Lara , Poff Boris , Bowker Matthew A.
Published: July 2024

Dryland degradation is a global problem, destabilizing ecosystems and disrupting coupled human‐natural systems in arid regions. Degradation, caused by livestock grazing, wildfire, vehicles, construction, climate perturbances, and other surface disturbances, open space for invasive plants to establish while damaging soils, biological soil crusts (biocrusts), and vascular plant communities. Due to the scale of invasive plant infestations and the cost of mechanical control, invasive plants are commonly treated with herbicides, but little is known about the consequences of herbicides on biocrust. Biocrusts are communities of biota that aggregate the soil surface and provide ecosystem services, including mitigating soil erosion and fixing nitrogen, making biocrust a promising and emerging tool to counteract degradation. To test biocrust compatibility with standard herbicide treatments, we conducted a organisms (mosses and the lichens Placidium/Clavascidium and Enchylium). We found that response varied based on the herbicide mechanistic family, with the magnitude of response varying for biocrust organisms. Mosses treated with amino acid disrupters (glyphosate and imazapic) had 65–75% less health tissue area than controls after 3 months. Surprisingly, mosses treated with synthetic auxins (2,4‐D and aminopyralid) had a similar or slightly greater healthy area. Blue dye and surfactants had no effect on any tested biocrust organism. This greenhouse study suggests that through careful selection of herbicides, biocrust restoration could be simultaneously used with herbicide treatments of invasive plants to improve soil health.
Contemporary Concise Review 2023: Advances in lung cancer and interventional pulmonology
Authors: Leong Tracy L. , Steinfort Daniel P.
Published: July 2024

Summary of Key Points

Eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening increasingly need to consider family history of lung cancer, as well as age and smoking status.

Lung cancer screening will reveal a multitude of incidental findings, of variable clinical significance, and with a need for clear pathways of management.

Pulmonary nodule sampling is enhanced by intra‐procedural imaging and cutting‐edge robotic technology.

Systematic thoracic lymph node sampling has implications for treatment efficacy.

Bronchoscopic ablative techniques are feasible for peripheral lung cancers.

Bronchoscopic sampling continues to have a high yield for lung cancer molecular characterization.

Immunotherapy indications have expanded to include early stage and resectable lung cancer.
The gamification of dating online
Authors: Nader Karim
Published: July 2024

Dating apps such as Tinder are designed to be played like a game. Users play by swiping left and right on others' profiles to indicate whether they are romantically or sexually interested in them. They match with those who reciprocate their interest. The goal of the game is to match with as many people as possible, prioritizing rapid gratification over the pursuit of meaningful connections. Tinder's design elements and monetization strategies incentivize users to prioritize gathering matches, replacing the complexity of actual dating with a series of discrete decisions. Playing the matching game on Tinder makes dating more immediately gratifying, so users have started to play the game as an end in itself. The app becomes a source of entertainment instead of a means to build valuable connections. This also transforms the activity of dating as users spend time building appealing profiles and attempt to manipulate the algorithm to maximize their matching potential. Gamifying our romantic and sexual lives has negative consequences on people's self‐image as their personal worth becomes entwined with their success on the app. Individuals are reduced to mere players in the game, and the algorithm itself disproportionately favors users with conventional preferences. Gamification can be dangerous when the boundary between the game and real life blurs.
Syntactic Variation in Reduced Registers Through the Lens of the Parallel Architecture
Authors: Smirnova Anastasia
Published: July 2024

Diversion from the syntactic norm, as manifested in the absence of otherwise expected lexical and syntactic material, has been extensively studied in theoretical syntax. Such modifications are observed in headlines, telegrams, labels, and other specialized contexts, collectively referred to as “reduced” registers. Focusing on search queries, a type of reduced register, I propose that they are generated by a simpler grammar that lacks a full‐fledged syntactic component. The analysis is couched in the Parallel Architecture framework, whose assumption of relative independence of linguistic components—their parallelism—and the rejection of syntactocentrism are essential to explain properties of queries.
B-spline Collocation Methods for Solving Linear Two-Point Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Khalid Ali Khan Seherish Naz , Misro Md Yushalify
Published: July 2024

Generating numerical solutions for boundary value problems (BVPs) using numerical methods can be a difficult task since the solutions may involve complex mathematical formulations. Hence, various types of B-splines collocation methods were developed to produce better numerical approximations with much simpler approaches. The present study introduced two new types of extended Cubic Hybrid B-spline Collocation Method (CHBSM) namely the Extended Cubic Hybrid B-spline Collocation Method (ECHBSM) and Extended Trigonometric Cubic Hybrid B-spline Collocation Method (ETCHBSM) for solving second order linear two-point BVPs. These methods were tested on three examples of linear two-point BVPs of order two. For comparison purposes, three established collocation methods which are the Cubic B-spline Collocation Method (CBSM), Cubic Trigonometric B-spline Collocation Method (CTBSM) and Cubic Hybrid B-spline Collocation Method (CHBSM) were also applied on these examples. The numerical results were tabulated and analysed to make comparisons with the analytical solutions and the conventional methods from past literatures. For CHBSM, ECHBSM and ETCHBSM, optimization was applied to the free parameter using a simple proposed approach. The result demonstrated that CHBSM yields the best approximation with the analytical solutions.
Trigeminal ganglion neurons are directly activated by influx of CSF solutes in a migraine model
Authors: Kaag Rasmussen Martin , Møllgård Kjeld , Bork Peter A. R. , Weikop Pia , Esmail Tina , Drici Lylia , Wewer Albrechtsen Nicolai J. , Carlsen Jonathan Frederik , Huynh Nguyen P. T. , Ghitani Nima , Mann Matthias , Goldman Steven A. , Mori Yuki , Chesler Alexander T. , Nedergaard Maiken
Published: July 2024

Classical migraine patients experience aura, which is transient neurological deficits associated with cortical spreading depression (CSD), preceding headache attacks. It is not currently understood how a pathological event in cortex can affect peripheral sensory neurons. In this study, we show that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows into the trigeminal ganglion, establishing nonsynaptic signaling between brain and trigeminal cells. After CSD, ~11% of the CSF proteome is altered, with up-regulation of proteins that directly activate receptors in the trigeminal ganglion. CSF collected from animals exposed to CSD activates trigeminal neurons in naïve mice in part by CSF-borne calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP). We identify a communication pathway between the central and peripheral nervous system that might explain the relationship between migrainous aura and headache.
Beyond the looking glass
The AI Mirror: How to Reclaim Our Humanity in an Age of Machine Thinking
Shannon Vallor
Oxford University Press, 2024. 272 pp.
Authors: Spezio Michael
Published: July 2024

An ethicist advocates a moral framework for technology
Exposed wires: A microbial metabolite influences myelination in the brain
Authors: Needham Brittany
Published: July 2024

A microbial metabolite influences myelination in the brain
Developing a pill to treat sickle cell disease
Authors: Higgs Douglas , Kassouf Mira
Published: July 2024

A newly identified epigenetic modifier increases fetal hemoglobin in preclinical studies
Preventing bad behavior in academia
Authors: da Cruz Albino Rayane , Brimble Mark Allen , Zdenek Christina , Vandenbroeck Katrien , Masud Sarah , Zhang Xuan , Cosentino Mel , Gupta Ankita , Abdul-Ghani Rashad , Gerarduzzi Casimiro , Jackson Pamela , Oomen Rebekah , Servais Bram , Manjunatha Akshatha , Bulthuis Nick , Romero-Molina Carmen , Teng Dequn , Kosanic Aleksandra , de Angeli Dutra Daniela , Alekkou Demos , Venturini Andressa M. , Virguez Edgar , Obasa Adetayo Emmanuel
Published: July 2024

We gave young scientists this prompt: Describe one change to scientific policy or culture that would substantially decrease incidents of scientific misconduct or other unethical behavior.
In Science Journals
Authors: Malo Courtney , Funk Michael A. , Ash Caroline , Szuromi Phil , Grocholski Brent , Stajic Jelena , Lopez Bianca , Ross Sarah H. , Simonti Corinne N. , Jiang Di , Maroso Mattia , Kelly Priscilla N. , Lavine Marc S. , Isles Hannah , Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: July 2024

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Irreducible Complexity of Hox Gene: Path to the Canonical Function of the Hox Cluster
Authors: Kulakova Milana A. , Maslakov Georgy P. , Poliushkevich Liudmila O.
Published: July 2024

The evolution of major taxa is often associated with the emergence of new gene families. In all multicellular animals except sponges and comb jellies, the genomes contain Hox genes, which are crucial regulators of development. The canonical function of Hox genes involves colinear patterning of body parts in bilateral animals. This general function is implemented through complex, precisely coordinated mechanisms, not all of which are evolutionarily conserved and fully understood. We suggest that the emergence of this regulatory complexity was preceded by a stage of cooperation between more ancient morphogenetic programs or their individual elements. Footprints of these programs may be present in modern animals to execute non-canonical Hox functions. Non-canonical functions of Hox genes are involved in maintaining terminal nerve cell specificity, autophagy, oogenesis, pre-gastrulation embryogenesis, vertical signaling, and a number of general biological processes. These functions are realized by the basic properties of homeodomain protein and could have triggered the evolution of ParaHoxozoa and Nephrozoa subsequently. Some of these non-canonical Hox functions are discussed in our review.
Activity of DNA Repair Systems in the Cells of Long-Lived Rodents and Bats
Authors: Popov Aleksei A. , Petruseva Irina O. , Lavrik Olga I.
Published: July 2024

Damages of various origin accumulated in the genomic DNA can lead to the breach of genome stability, and are considered to be one of the main factors involved in cellular senescence. DNA repair systems in mammalian cells ensure effective damage removal and repair of the genome structure, therefore, activity of these systems is expected to be correlated with high maximum lifespan observed in the long-lived mammals. This review discusses current results of the studies focused on determination of the DNA repair system activity and investigation of the properties of its key regulatory proteins in the cells of long-lived rodents and bats. Based on the works discussed in the review, it could be concluded that the long-lived rodents and bats in general demonstrate high efficiency in functioning and regulation of DNA repair systems. Nevertheless, a number of questions around the study of DNA repair in the cells of long-lived rodents and bats remain poorly understood, answers to which could open up new avenues for further research.
Twenty years of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) research in low-income and middle-income countries: systematic evaluation of progress made in addressing WHO prioritiesfor research in HSV-2 epidemiology and diagnostics
Authors: Jama Muna , Owen Ela Mair , Nahal Belinder , Obasi Angela , Clarke Emily
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) have a high burden of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, which has been strongly associated with HIV. In 2001, the WHO hosted a workshop to set research priorities for HSV-2 in LMICs. Periodic re-evaluation of research priorities is essential to ensure effective allocation of resources. This study describes the progress made between 2000 and 2020 in addressing the priorities identified in two of the five thematic areas that were the workshop’s focus: HSV-2 epidemiology and diagnostics. The remaining areas are addressed in a companion paper.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Global Health and Cochrane databases was carried out. Relevant primary and secondary research studies conducted in LMICs, written in English and published from 2000–2020 were included. Two independent researchers screened, identified papers and extracted preidentified variables from study texts. Data were organised into an Excel spreadsheet and analysed using IBM SPSS V.26.

Results

Overall, 4445 discrete papers were identified, of which 165 publications were eligible for inclusion. The highest general population HSV-2 prevalence was reported in South and West Africa. Prevalence was higher among women than men and increased with age. HSV-2 prevalence studies among key populations were few, and the majority were in East and South Asia. Cohort studies of HSV-2 incidence among younger populations (mean age=25 years) and HSV-2 infection prevalence in North Africa and the Middle East were few. The most researched topic in HSV-2 diagnostics addressed serological techniques and direct molecular biology. Studies of point-of-care testing were also few.

Conclusion

HSV-2 research identified in LMICs has mainly addressed the epidemiology and diagnostics priorities identified by the 2001 WHO workshop. Unaddressed priorities include point-of-care testing, antiviral resistance and exploration of HSV-2 epidemiology in neglected geographical settings and population subgroups.
Effectiveness of telerehabilitation in patients with post-COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Yang Jiang , Li Huiru , Zhao Hulei , Xie Yang , Li Jiansheng , Wang Minghang
Published: July 2024

Objective

To assess the effects of telerehabilitation on clinical symptoms, physical function, psychological function and quality of life (QoL) in patients with post-COVID-19.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Data sources

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for publications from 1 January 2020 to 17 April 2024.

Eligibility criteria

RCTs investigating the effects of telerehabilitation in patients with post-COVID-19 were included. The outcomes of interest encompassed clinical symptoms, physical function, psychological function and QoL. Only studies reported in English were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias. Statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager V.5.3, employing mean difference (MD) with a 95% CI, and the corresponding P value was used to ascertain the treatment effect between groups. Heterogeneity was quantified using theI2statistic. The quality of evidence was assessed by GRADE.

Results

16 RCTs (n=1129) were included in this systematic review, 15 of which (n=1095, 16 comparisons) were included in the meta-analysis. The primary pooled analysis demonstrated that, compared with no rehabilitation or usual care, telerehabilitation can improve physical function (measured by 30 s sit-to-stand test [6 RCTs, n=310, MD=1.58 stands, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.66; p=0.004]; 6 min walking distance [6 RCTs, n=324, MD=76.90 m, 95% CI 49.47 to 104.33; p<0.00001]; and physical function from the 36-item short-form health survey [5 RCTs, n=380, MD=6.12 units, 95% CI 2.85 to 9.38; p=0.0002]). However, the pooled results did not indicate significant improvements in clinical symptoms, pulmonary function, psychological function or QoL. The quality of the evidence was graded as low for physical function and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety and very low for other assessed outcomes. The overall treatment completion rate was 78.26%, with no reports of severe adverse events in any included trials.

Conclusions

Despite the lack of significant improvements in certain variables, telerehabilitation could be an effective and safe option for enhancing physical function in patients with post-COVID-19. It is advisable to conduct further well-designed trials to continue in-depth exploration of this topic.

Study registration

PROSPERO, CRD42023404647.
Comparing the antireflux effect of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-flap technique reconstruction versus laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for proximal early gastric cancer: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhou Shengning , Xie Yequan , Zhu Yingying , Tan Jianan , Yang Bin , Zhong Lin , Zhong Guangyu , Han Fanghai
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double flap technique (LPG-DFT) reconstruction has been used for proximal early gastric cancer in recent years. However, its feasibility and safety remain uncertain, as only a few retrospective studies have contained postoperative complications and long-term survival data. LPG-DFT for proximal early gastric cancer is still in the early stages of research. Large-scale, prospective randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are necessary to assess the value of LPG-DFT for proximal early gastric cancer.

Methods and analysis

This study is a multicentre, prospective, open-label, RCT that investigates the antireflux effect of LPG-DFT compared with laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y (LTG-RY) reconstruction for proximal early gastric cancer. A total of 216 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to the LPG-DFT group or the LTG-RY group at a 1:1 ratio using a central, dynamic and stratified block randomisation method, if inclusion criteria are met. General and clinical data will be collected when the patient is enrolled in the study and keep pace with the patient at each stage of his medical and follow-up pathway. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with reflux esophagitis (Los Angeles Grade B or more) within 12 months postoperatively. The secondary endpoints included intraoperative outcomes, postoperative recovery, postoperative pain assessment, pathological outcomes, postoperative quality of life, postoperative nutrition status, morbidity and mortality rate, and oncological outcomes (3-year overall survival (OS), 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), 5-year DFS and 5-year OS).

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol is approved by the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University ethics committee (registration number: SYSKY-2022-276-02) on 28 September 2022.We will report the positive as well as negative findings in international peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05890339.
Psychometric of the Persian version of Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) in the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Amrollah Majdabadi Kohne Zahra , Ebadi Abbas , Ashghali-Farahani Mansoureh , Tajali Saleheh , Keyvanloo Shahrestanaki Sahar
Published: July 2024

Background

Improving the quality of life (QoL) is a significant healthcare priority, and it is an important health outcome for elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) is a specific scale used to measure the QoL in elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s. So far, limited quantitative research has been conducted on the psychometric properties of this scale.

Aims

This study was conducted to translate the QUALID Scale into Persian and evaluate its psychometric properties among family and professional caregivers of elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in Tehran.

Methods

A cross-sectional methodological study was conducted among family and professional caregivers of elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s in Tehran, Iran in 2022. The questionnaire was translated into Persian using the forward–backward method. Face and content validity were assessed. Additionally, construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with Equamax rotation (n=210) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n=155). Cronbach’s alpha and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were estimated to determine reliability.

Results

A total of 365 caregivers with a mean age of 14.18±42.60 years participated in this study. In the face and content validity phase, all 11 items were retained. To determine the construct validity, two factors were extracted in the EFA phase, including behavioural signs of discomfort and behavioural signs of social interaction. The findings of the CFA also indicated that all goodness of fit indices supported the final model. The Cronbach’s alpha was excellent for both factors (0.814), and the ICC was calculated as 0.98.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the Persian version of the QUALID Scale has sufficient validity and reliability for measuring the QoL in elderly Iranian individuals with Alzheimer’s.
Chronic immune-related adverse events arising from immune checkpoint inhibitors: an update
Authors: Fletcher Kylie , Johnson Douglas B
Published: July 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment, improving outcomes for many patients. However, toxicities termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are limitations of these revolutionary treatments. These irAEs may resolve with treatment or ICI cessation (acute) or persist many months beyond therapy cessation (chronic). Acute irAEs were the first to be recognized and are thus more well studied. However, chronic irAEs have been highlighted in recent years and are becoming a topic of more intensive investigation. These chronic irAEs have been noted to affect many different organ systems, including endocrine, rheumatologic, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, neurologic, and cardiovascular systems. In this review, we discuss current knowledge surrounding the frequency, time course, and risk factors associated with chronic irAEs affecting various organ systems, treatment approaches, and future directions.
Off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells targeting immunogenic cell death marker ERp57 execute robust antitumor activity and have a synergistic effect with ICD inducer oxaliplatin
Authors: Zheng Liuhai , Wang Huifang , Zhou Jihao , Shi Guangwei , Ma Jingbo , Jiang Yuke , Dong Zhiyu , Li Jiexuan , He Yuan-Qiao , Wu Dinglan , Sun Jichao , Xu Chengchao , Li Zhijie , Wang Jigang
Published: July 2024

Background

Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) therapy holds great promise for treating hematologic tumors, but its efficacy in solid tumors is limited owing to the lack of suitable targets and poor infiltration of engineered NK cells. Here, we explore whether immunogenic cell death (ICD) marker ERp57 translocated from endoplasmic reticulum to cell surface after drug treatment could be used as a target for CAR-NK therapy.

Methods

To target ERp57, a VHH phage display library was used for screening ERp57-targeted nanobodies (Nbs). A candidate Nb with high binding affinity to both human and mouse ERp57 was used for constructing CAR-NK cells. Various in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to assess the antitumor efficacy of the constructed CAR-NK cells.

Results

We demonstrate that the translocation of ERp57 can not only be induced by low-dose oxaliplatin (OXP) treatment but also is spontaneously expressed on the surface of various types of tumor cell lines. Our results show that G6-CAR-NK92 cells can effectively kill various tumor cell lines in vitro on which ERp57 is induced or intrinsically expressed, and also exhibit potent antitumor effects in cancer cell-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Additionally, the antitumor activity of G6-CAR-NK92 cells is synergistically enhanced by the low-dose ICD-inducible drug OXP.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest that ERp57 can be leveraged as a new tumor antigen for CAR-NK targeting, and the resultant CAR-NK cells have the potential to be applied as a broad-spectrum immune cell therapy for various cancers by combining with ICD inducer drugs.
Hypoxia inhibits the iMo/cDC2/CD8+ TRMs immune axis in the tumor microenvironment of human esophageal cancer
Authors: Wu Chuanqiang , Yu Huan , Liang Fuxiang , Huang Xiancong , Jiang Bin , Lou Zhiling , Liu Yafei , Wu Zixiang , Wang Qi , Shen Hong , Chen Ming , Wu Pin , Wu Ming
Published: July 2024

Background

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a form of malignant tumor associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. However, the specific immune status and key mechanisms of immune regulation in this disease require further exploration.

Methods

To investigate the features of the human ESCA tumor immune microenvironment and its possible regulation, we performed mass cytometry by time of flight, single-cell RNA sequencing, multicolor fluorescence staining of tissue, and flow cytometry analyses on tumor and paracancerous tissue from treatment-naïve patients.

Results

We depicted the immune landscape of the ESCA and revealed that CD8+(tissue-resident memory CD8+T cells (CD8+TRMs) were closely related to disease progression. We also revealed the heterogeneity of CD8+TRMs in the ESCA tumor microenvironment (TME), which was associated with their differentiation and function. Moreover, the subset of CD8+TRMs in tumor (called tTRMs) that expressed high levels of granzyme B and immune checkpoints was markedly decreased in the TME of advanced ESCA. We showed that tTRMs are tumor effector cells preactivated in the TME. We then demonstrated that conventional dendritic cells (cDC2s) derived from intermediate monocytes (iMos) are essential for maintaining the proliferation of CD8+TRMs in the TME. Our preliminary study showed that hypoxia can promote the apoptosis of iMos and impede the maturation of cDC2s, which in turn reduces the proliferative capacity of CD8+TRMs, thereby contributing to the progression of cancer.

Conclusions

Our study revealed the essential antitumor roles of CD8+TRMs and preliminarily explored the regulation of the iMo/cDC2/CD8+TRM immune axis in the human ESCA TME.
B/F/TAF forgiveness to non-adherence
Authors: Maggiolo Franco , Taramasso Lucia , Valenti Daniela , Blanchi Sabrina , Centorrino Federica , Comi Laura , Di Biagio Antonio
Published: July 2024

Background

ART forgiveness is the ability of a regimen to maintain HIV-RNA suppression despite a documented imperfect adherence. We explored forgiveness of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF).

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study pharmacy drug refills were used to calculate the proportion of days covered (PDC) as a proxy of adherence. Forgiveness was defined as the possibility to achieve a selected HIV-RNA threshold by a given level of imperfect adherence. A logistic model was applied to verify the impact of baseline variables and adherence on the virologic outcomes.

Results

We enrolled 420 adults. From them, 787 one-year time-periods were derived for a median cohort follow-up of 873 person/years.

Most of them were males (73.1%); the most frequent risk factor for HIV infection was heterosexual contacts (49.5% of cases), followed by 22.5% MSM and 22.5% intravenous drug users. The median age of enrolled persons with HIV was 51 years (IQR 45-57 years); the median duration of HIV infection was 7.9 years (IQR 4-18 years) and the median nadir of CD4 cells was 277 cells/mcL (IQR 100-513 cells/mcL).

Adherence showed a median of 0.97 (IQR 0.91-1.00), consequently only 17 time-periods (2.2%) in 17 different individuals (4.0%) showed HIV-RNA blood levels above 200 copies/ml.

A PDC of 0.75 was sufficient to obtain in > 90% of cases the virologic outcome for both 200 copies/ml or 50 copies/ml. An adherence value of 0.85 obtained a positive response in virtually all subjects either for a cut-off of 50 or 200 copies/ml.

Conclusions

Long-term success of ART needs effective, well tolerated, friendly regimens. Adherence remains a crucial determinant of long-term success, but suboptimal adherence levels are relatively common. Given this, an elevated forgiveness plays a relevant role to further improve long-term outcomes and should be considered a fundamental characteristic of any antiretroviral regimen. B/F/TAF has been proved to have all of these characteristics.
A geological telescope through the galaxy?
Authors: Kirkland C. L. , Sutton P.
Published: July 2024

We reside within a relatively interior position within the Milky Way galaxy, which hinders our ability to understand its structure. Nonetheless, astrophysical observations of other galaxies in unison with spectroscopic measurements have produced a model for the Milky Way as a grand design, barred, spiral arm galaxy, with either two or four arms. Viewing through the plane of the Milky Way is not possible with any current astrophysical technique. However, perhaps terrestrial geology can help where current observations of our stellar environment cannot. During the orbit of our Solar System around the galactic centre, Earth will have seen different cosmic surroundings, as a function of the Solar System's orbit (240 km s
−1
) that is faster than the spiral arm's density waves (210 km s
−1
). Specifically, if the terrestrial impact record, or proxies for it, in some cryptic way reflect perturbations on the gravity field of the local Solar System, then Earth may act as a geological orrery, with some interesting implications. Here we explore various models for the design of the Milky Way and compare these with geological proxies proposed by some as indicators for impact flux, through the deep time record within our planet. Isotope signatures in zircon are statistically coherent with a four-armed spiral model. However, even better correspondence is shown between the terrestrial isotopic record and more complex atomic hydrogen models of the galaxy.
Vi-AbSQA: Multi-task Prompt Instruction Tuning Model for Vietnamese Aspect-based Sentiment Quadruple Analysis
Authors: Dang Thin Van , Hao Duong , Nguyen Ngan
Published: July 2024

Aspect-based sentiment analysis (ABSA) has recently received considerable attention within the Natural Language Processing (NLP) community, especially for complex tasks like triplet extraction or quadruplet prediction. However, most existing studies focus on high-resource languages. In this paper, we construct a challenging benchmark dataset for Vietnamese Aspect-based Sentiment Quadruple Analysis (AbSQA), where each sentence can contain explicit and implicit aspects and opinion terms. Moreover, each sample includes at least two aspect categories with different sentiments. We release this dataset for free research purposes, believing it will push forward research in this field. In addition, we present a generative-based approach to address the AbSQA task using a multitask instruction prompt tuning framework. Specifically, we design an effective generation paradigm that leverages instruction prompts to provide more information about the task. Besides, our model leverages relational information by designing separate sub-tasks based on the quadruplet elements and fine-tunes the transformer-based pretrained generative models in a multi-task manner. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach outperforms previously established extraction-based and generative-based methods, as well as the baseline variants.
The Causes and Policy Responses to Forced Migration and Environmental Degradation in Africa
Authors: Maystadt Jean-Francois , Mishra Ashok K. , Mueller Valerie , Smoldt Matthew
Published: July 2024

Forced migration has a complex relationship with the environment. The type of policy responses required to alleviate distress migration and improve the livelihoods of involuntary migrants while preserving the environment for broader society will vary by context. We highlight the need to better identify the related mechanisms underlying forced migration and their practices in receiving areas in an attempt to self-integrate. Implementation of safety net programs has risen. Such programs have the potential to promote migration as a risk management strategy and disincentivize the adoption of poor environmental practices in receiving areas. We discuss how available satellite data combined with machine learning approaches open new opportunities to discover solutions to the migration-related environmental issues of Africa.
Genotyping and Molecular Characterization of VP6 and NSP4 Genes of Unusual Rotavirus Group A Isolated from Children with Acute Gastroenteritis
Authors: Dellis Charilaos , Tatsi Elizabeth-Barbara , Koukou Dimitra-Maria , Filippatos Filippos , Vetouli Evangelia-Eirini , Zoumakis Emmanouil , Michos Athanasios , Syriopoulou Vasiliki
Published: July 2024

Group A rotavirus (RVA), which causes acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children worldwide, is categorized mainly based on VP7 (genotype G) and VP4 (genotype P) genes. Genotypes that circulate at <1% are considered unusual. Important genes also include VP6 (genotype I) and NSP4 (genotype E). VP6 establishes the group and affects immunogenicity, while NSP4, as an enterotoxin, is responsible for the clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to genotype the VP6 and NSP4 genes and molecularly characterize the NSP4 and VP6 genes of unusual RVA. Unusual RVA strains extracted from fecal samples of children ≤16 years with AGE were genotyped in VP6 and NSP4 genes with Sanger sequencing. In a 15‐year period (2007–2021), 54.8% (34/62) of unusual RVA were successfully I and E genotyped. Three different I and E genotypes were identified; I2 (73.5%, 25/34) and E2 (35.3%, 12/34) were the most common. E3 genotype was detected from 2017 onwards. The uncommon combination of I2‐E3 was found in 26.5% (9/34) of the strains and G3‐P[9]‐I2‐E3 remained the most frequent G‐P‐I‐E combination (20.6%, 7/34). Children infected with RVA E2 strains had a statistically higher frequency of dehydration (50%) than those infected with RVA E3 strains (p = 0.019). Multiple substitutions were detected in NSP4, but their functional effect remains unknown. The result indicates the genetic diversity of RVA strains. Continuous surveillance of the RVA based on the whole genome will provide better knowledge of its evolution.
Relationship between Blood Lead Levels and Anemia: A Cross‐Sectional Study on Mining Workers from Peru
Authors: Pumallanqui-Ramirez Bertha , Li Jair , Rueda-Torres Lenin , Rosales-Rimache Jaime
Published: July 2024

Background. Lead exposure is an environmental and occupational health problem associated with different clinical outcomes; however, its relationship with anemia in mining workers is not well characterized. This study evaluated the relationship between blood lead level (BLL) and anemia in mining workers who underwent annual medical‐occupational evaluations. Methods. We conducted a cross‐sectional study to estimate the association between the BLL and anemia in workers of a mining company during the year 2019. We obtained occupational information and laboratory test results, with the hemoglobin level for identifying anemia and BLL measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The relationship between BLL and anemia was evaluated in a generalized linear model with a log link and the Poisson family to obtain crude and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) and its 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results. Three hundred forty mining workers, mainly male (95%), with a mean age of 36.8 ± 9.4 years, were evaluated. The median hemoglobin and BLL were 14.1 g/dL (Interquartile range (IQR): 13.0–15.3) and 3.4 µg/dL (IQR: 2.1−4.8). Only one worker presented a BLL exceeding the upper limit value established by the Ministry of Health of Peru (up to 40.0 µg/dL). We found anemia in 21.8% of the mining workers (CI95%: 17.5–26.5). A low and inverse correlation between hemoglobin and BLL (rho: −0.169) was obtained in this study. BLLs were significantly associated with anemia (aPR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01–1.08). Conclusion. Occupational exposure to lead is weakly associated with anemia in mining company workers. Strengthening actions to prevent and control lead exposure is relevant and guarantees the comprehensive promotion of worker health and healthy workplaces.
Biological notes of Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier and Serville, 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Maza Noelia , Melo María Cecilia
Published: July 2024

Assassin bugs are one of the most diverse families of cimicomorphan Heteroptera and are known from all biogeographic regions. Except for the kissing bugs (Triatominae) that are hemathophagous, reduviids show a predatory behavior and are usually study as potential biocontrollers of crop pests. In this way, Harpactorines have been specially studied as they are mostly diurnal and live on the vegetation. In this contribution, the complete life cycle of Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) is described and illustrated. Specimens were collected in the field in El Manantial, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, and were reared in laboratory to obtain all immatures (eggs and nymphs) and to observe its feeding habits, molting, mating, and oviposition. Collection specimens as well as online resources such as iNaturalist records were also studied to know the current distribution of the species. This resulted in the expansion of H. angulosus distribution in Argentina to Tucumán and Buenos Aires provinces and to the recording of the species in Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay for the first time. Our findings reveal that H. angulosus would be studied as a potential biocontroller of Agraulis sp., an important pest of maracuyá crops in several South American countries.
Description of a new alpheid shrimp from the tropical western Atlantic (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheus)
Authors: Anker Arthur
Published: July 2024

A new shallow-water species of the alpheid shrimp genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 is described based on five specimens from Maceió, Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. Alpheus schubarti sp. nov., belongs to the A. paracrinitus Miers, 1881 species complex and is most closely related to the eastern Pacific A. rostratus Kim & Abele, 1988, from which it can be separated by several morphological differences and the colour pattern of the major and minor chelae.
Imaging of Existing and Newly Translated Proteins Elucidates Mechanisms of Sarcomere Turnover
Authors: Douvdevany Guy , Erlich Itai , Haimovich-Caspi Lilac , Mashiah Tomer , Prondzynski Maksymilian , Pricolo Maria Rosaria , Alegre-Cebollada Jorge , Linke Wolfgang A. , Carrier Lucie , Kehat Izhak
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

How the sarcomeric complex is continuously turned over in long-living cardiomyocytes is unclear. According to the prevailing model of sarcomere maintenance, sarcomeres are maintained by cytoplasmic soluble protein pools with free recycling between pools and sarcomeres.

METHODS:

We imaged and quantified the turnover of expressed and endogenous sarcomeric proteins, including the giant protein titin, in cardiomyocytes in culture and in vivo, at the single cell and at the single sarcomere level using pulse-chase labeling of Halo-tagged proteins with covalent ligands.

RESULTS:

We disprove the prevailing protein pool model and instead show an ordered mechanism in which only newly translated proteins enter the sarcomeric complex while older ones are removed and degraded. We also show that degradation is independent of protein age and that proteolytic extraction is a rate-limiting step in the turnover. We show that replacement of sarcomeric proteins occurs at a similar rate within cells and across the heart and is slower in adult cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings establish a unidirectional replacement model for cardiac sarcomeres subunit replacement and identify their turnover principles.
TÜRKİYE'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROCESS IN FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF TURKISH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
Authors: Çiftçi Salih , Kayaer Mesut
Published: July 2024

Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’nin iklim değişikliği ile mücadele sürecinde etkinliği araştırılmıştır. İlk önce çevre yönetimi ve çevre mevzuatı, iklim değişikliği çerçevesinde incelenmiştir. İklim değişikliğinin ve olumsuz etkilerinin farkında olan Türkiye, aktif mücadelesini sürdürmektedir. Bunun için Türkiye, yasal ve yönetsel düzenlemelerle kendi çevre yönetimini ve çevre mevzuatını, taraf olduğu sözleşmelere ve protokollere göre yeniden düzenlemiştir. Daha sonra, iklim değişikliğinin temel sebebi olan sera gazı emisyon envanteri incelenmiştir. Türkiye’nin emisyon değerlerine bakıldığında, beyan ettiği taahhütlerden uzak olduğu anlaşılmaktadır.
THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL SERVICES TRADE RESTRICTIVENESS ON TRADE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTER, AND INFORMATION SERVICES: EVIDENCE FROM OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: Akça Emrah Eray
Published: July 2024

This study analyzes the impact of digital services trade restrictiveness on trade in telecommunications, computer, and information services of Organisation for Economic and Co-operation Development countries by utilizing the Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood method covering the period 2014-2022. The findings of the study statistically significantly confirm the disincentive impact of the higher degree of digital services trade restrictiveness on both exports and imports in telecommunications, computer, and information services. Therefore, more relaxing policies can most likely help to enhance the trade in this type of services due to mainly diminishing trade costs. Besides, to make use of more advantages of increasing digitalization, further cooperation and dialogue across countries, particularly with technologically advanced countries, is required. By this means, domestic services suppliers can attain foreign advanced knowledge and technology at relatively moderate costs, thus productivity can be improved, and eventually, more trade in services can be achieved.
The genus Psyttalia Walker (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in Vietnam: descriptions of seven new species and their host information
Authors: OANH NGUYEN THI , LONG KHUAT DANG , XUAN TRINH THI , TINH DUONG VAN , NGHIEP HOANG THI
Published: July 2024

The genus Psyttalia Walker is recorded for the first time from Vietnam with seven species described and fully illustrated as new for science, viz. Psyttalia antenervis Long, sp. nov., P. hoabinhensis Long, sp. nov., P. mangiferae Long & Oanh, sp. nov., P. nigristriata Long, sp. nov., P. quadrinervis Long, sp. nov., P. sonla Long, sp. nov. and P. tricolorata Long, sp. nov. Two species, P. incisi (Silvestri) and P. latinervis Wu & van Achterberg, are newly recorded for Vietnam’s braconid fauna. Additionally, the diagnosis of a putative female of P. latinervis is given. Host records are provided for P. mangiferae, sp. nov., which is mainly reared from tephritid larvae of Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, infesting fruits of mango, Mangifera indica, in South Vietnam. A key to Vietnamese Psyttalia species is provided, and comparative morphological characters of Psyttalia species are discussed.
New data on the systematics and distribution of snout moths of the genus Evergestis Hübner, [1825] in Kyrgyzstan (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: KORB STANISLAV K. , GORBUNOV PAVEL YU. , MELYAKH SERGEY F.
Published: July 2024

New data about distribution and systematics of snout moths of the genus Evergestis in Kyrgyzstan are presented. Evergestis radagastalis sp. n. is described, with the type locality: “Kyrgyzstan, Moldo-Too Mts., 7 km E of Kyzyl-Korgon, 41°43'43.08"N, 74°16'38.54"E, 1491 m”. It differs from the closely related species E. caesialis (Herrich-Schäffer, [1849]) and E. impervialis Sinev & Korb, 2021 by the wing pattern and genitalia structures. Evergestis grummi (Christoph, 1885) is recorded from Kyrgyzstan for the first time, Evergestis sorhageni (Sauber, 1899) is recorded for the first time from the Alai region, and Evergestis frumentalis (Linnaeus, 1761) is recorded for the first time from West Tian-Shan.