bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Divine Assemblies in Early Greek and Babylonian Epic
Authors: Ballesteros Bernardo
Published: November 2024

In early Greek and Near Eastern myth and religion, the gods govern the cosmos. In narrative poetry, they are frequently portrayed through scenes of divine assembly. Did Homer and early Greek poets inherit this feature from their more ancient neighbours? And, what can comparison tell us besides? This book is the first to chart divine assembly scenes in ancient Babylonian and early Greek epic. It asks why similarities between the two corpora exist, and exploits those similarities to enhance understanding of Mesopotamian and early Greek literature and religion. The book discusses Sumerian narrative poems, the Akkadian works Atra-ḫasīs, Anzû, Enūma eliš, Erra and Išum and the Epic of Gilgameš; Homer’s Iliad, the Odyssey, Hesiod’s Theogony and some Homeric Hymns. It studies poetic technique and probes further comparisons with Sanskrit, Old Norse, Polynesian and Aztec mythology. It argues that Greek speakers are unlikely to have inherited the divine assembly from the Near East. Still, one can posit a long-term process of oral contact and communication fostered by common poetic structures and religious affinities. In a second part pursuing a mythological and religious comparison, the book concentrates on ideas about the cosmos and humankind, and on power dynamics within the pantheon as well as between gods and mortals. A focus on the head of the pantheon and on concepts of divine prerogatives illuminates culture-specific differences which can be related to historical socio-political discourses. The book develops a systematic approach to questions of cross-cultural literary comparison in the ancient world.
Enemies of the Assembly
Authors: Ballesteros Bernardo
Published: November 2024

The chapter moves to the purely divine plane by comparing Chaoskampf narratives. In these cosmogonic poems, a warrior-god protects the divine community against external enemies by (re-)establishing order. The chapter studies the interaction of the warrior with the divine assembly and the question whether and how he is to become king of the gods. It starts with an introduction to Chaoskampf narratives in a broader context of Near Eastern and world mythology (§1). It presents discussions of Lugale and Anzû (§2), Enūma eliš (§3), Erra and Išum (§4) and Hesiod’s Theogony (§5), and comparative conclusions (§6). Though much changes across the various poems, the Babylonian narratives assert the centrality of the assembly. This is a pre-existing body, whose senior representatives alone can legitimize, guide, and deter the warrior-god. By contrast, the Theogony emphasizes that Zeus’ unique political capacities create a new order which successfully subsumes the previous, unstable situation.
Introduction
Authors: Franklinos T E
Published: November 2024

The Introduction begins from 2.1 and provides an account of Cynthia as Propertius’ scripta puella. It goes on to demonstrate that she is his amatory poetry enfleshed and that the account of his relationship with her—his lover’s discourse—can be closely mapped onto his articulation of his poetic stance as an elegist. In the course of his poetry, Propertius intratextually revisits and recasts his earlier elegies in later ones encoding a poetics of repetition; this is apparent throughout his corpus. The elegiac repetitiousness of language and theme is mirrored in the repetitive nature of the fragmented episodes of the amorous discourse that he construes with Cynthia and with which his reader is presented. It is also argued that, in turning back to revisit earlier books, Propertius integrates later books into his pre-existing corpus, while also reframing that corpus by the addition of new material.
Genomic architecture in social insects is more strongly associated with phylogeny than social behavior
Authors: Behrends Garrett , Hagan Thomas , Kuinkel Samir , Miller Sara E
Published: November 2024

The evolution of sociality in insects has been predicted to reduce effective population sizes, in turn leading to changes in genome architecture, including higher recombination rates, larger genomes, increased GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC), and greater intragenomic variation in GC content to maintain castes through differential methylation. As the number of sequenced insect genomes continues to grow, it remains an open question which, if any, of these genomic features are consistent across social insect genomes. A major challenge to determining such commonalities has been the lack of phylogenetically controlled analyses across independent origins of sociality. Of the 15 Hymenoptera species for which recombination rate was available, social species had higher rates of recombination. Next, we conducted a broader analysis of genome architecture by analyzing genome assemblies for 435 species of Hymenoptera and 8 species of Blattodea to test if GC content, genome size, distribution of CpG sites or codon bias repeatedly differed between social and nonsocial species. Overall, there was little support for predictable changes in genome architecture associated with sociality across Hymenoptera, after accounting for phylogenetic relationships. However, we found a significant negative relationship between sociality and GC content within the family Apidae and a significant negative relationship between sociality and genome size within the family Halictidae. In all, these results suggest that unique origins of social behavior may produce unique trends in genomic architecture. Our study highlights the need to examine genome architecture across independent origins of social behavior.
Functional analysis of a S-adenosylmethionine-insensitive methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase identified in methionine-accumulating yeast mutants
Authors: Isogai Shota , Nishimura Akira , Inoue Akiko , Sonohara Shino , Tsugukuni Takashi , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: November 2024

Essential amino acids (EAAs) are important for the maintenance of brain functions. Therefore, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that accumulates EAAs would help elderly people ingest appropriate levels of EAAs, which in turn could slow neurodegeneration, extend the healthy lifespan, and improve quality of life. Here, we isolated 2 mutant strains, ETH-80 and ETH-129, that accumulate the EAA methionine. Both strains were derived from a diploid laboratory yeast by conventional mutagenesis and carry a novel mutation in the MET13 gene, which encodes the Ser443Phe variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Enzymatic analysis revealed that the Ser443Phe substitution abolished the sensitivity to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-mediated inhibition even in the presence of 2 m m SAM, while increasing the activity for NADPH-dependent reduction. Furthermore, yeast cells expressing the Ser443Phe variant showed a 4-fold increase in intracellular methionine content compared to the wild-type Met13. These findings will be useful for the future development of methionine-accumulating yeast strains.
PINK1-mediated mitophagy attenuates pathological cardiac hypertrophy by suppressing the mtDNA release-activated cGAS-STING pathway
Authors: Zhou Haobin , Wang Xiao , Xu Tianyu , Gan Daojing , Ma Zhuang , Zhang Hao , Zhang Jian , Zeng Qingchun , Xu Dingli
Published: November 2024

Aims

Sterile inflammation is implicated in the development of heart failure (HF). Mitochondria play important roles in triggering and maintaining inflammation. Mitophagy is important for regulation of mitochondrial quality and maintenance of cardiac function under pressure overload. The association of mitophagy with inflammation in HF is largely unclear. As PINK1 is a central mediator of mitophagy, our objective was to investigate its involvement in cardiac hypertrophy, and the effect of PINK1-mediated mitophagy on cGAS-STING activation during cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods and results

PINK1 knockout and cardiac-specific PINK1-overexpressing transgenic mice were created and subsequently subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery. In order to explore whether PINK1 regulates STING-mediated inflammation during HF, PINK1/STING (stimulator of interferon genes) double-knockout (DKO) mice were created. Pressure overload was induced by TAC. Our findings indicate a significantly decline in PINK1 expression in TAC-induced hypertrophy. Cardiac hypertrophic stimuli caused the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytosol, activating the cGAS-STING signalling, which in turn initiated cardiac inflammation and promoted the progression of cardiac hypertrophy. PINK1 deficiency inhibited mitophagy activity, promoted mtDNA release, and then drove the overactivation of cGAS-STING signalling, exacerbating cardiac hypertrophy. Conversely, cardiac-specific PINK1 overexpression protected against hypertrophy thorough inhibition of the cGAS-STING signalling. DKO mice revealed that the effects of PINK1 on hypertrophy were dependent on STING.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that PINK1-mediated mitophagy plays a protective role in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy via inhibiting the mtDNA-cGAS-STING pathway.
Epitranscriptomic regulation of cardiac fibrosis via YTHDF1-dependent PIEZO2 mRNA m6A modification
Authors: Ding Ji-Fei , Tu Bin , Song Kai , Liu Zhen-Yu , Lin Li-Chan , Liu Zhi-Yan , Shi Yan , Yang Jing-Jing , Zhao Jian-Yuan , Tao Hui
Published: November 2024

Aims

Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels play a key role in heart development, physiology, and disease. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the MS non-selective cationic channel Piezo family in cardiac fibrosis.

Methods and results

Mice were treated with ISO/Ang-II/TAC to induce cardiac fibrosis. AAV9 carrying POSTN promoter-driven small hairpin RNA targeting YTHDF1, and Piezo2 were administered to ISO mice to investigate their roles in cardiac fibrosis. RNA-seq, single-cell sequencing, and histological and biochemical analyses were performed to determine the mechanism by which YTHDF1 regulates Piezo2 expression in cardiac fibrosis. Piezo2 was reconstituted in YTHDF1-deficient cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and mouse hearts to study its effects on CF autophagy and fibrosis. Piezo2 but not Piezo1 expression increased in experimental cardiac fibrosis and TGF-β1-induced CFs. Fibroblast-specific Piezo2 deficiency ameliorated fibroblast activation and autophagy and inhibited cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, Piezo2 up-regulation was associated with elevated m6A mRNA levels. Site-specific m6A modifications at peak_26355 were crucial for regulating the binding of YTHDF1 to Piezo2 mRNA and inducing Piezo2 translation. Notably, Piezo2 epitranscriptomic repression ameliorated experimental cardiac fibrosis.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a novel epitranscriptomic mechanism through which YTHDF1 recognizes Piezo2 and controls cardiac fibroblast autophagy and fibrosis through m6A-dependent modulation. Our findings provide new insights for the development of preventive measures for cardiac fibrosis.
Was There a Crisis? Living Standards in Lower Canada, 1760 to 1848
Authors: Curtis Matthew , Geloso Vincent
Published: November 2024

Lower Canada, now the Canadian province of Quebec, is believed to have faced an agricultural crisis in the early 1800s, leading to declining living standards, a debated topic due to lack of data. This paper uses new data on real wages, literacy, and infant mortality to quantitatively assess living standards from 1760 to 1850. The findings show no evidence of a crisis; instead, there are only indications of improvements during the period.
Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: the RESONANCE Spanish registry
Authors: Ruiz Mateas Francisco , Pérez Marcos Antonio , García López Fernando , González Susana , Anguera Camós Ignasi , Gusi Tragant Gabriel , Robledo Irrañitu María , Fernández Lozano Ignacio , Martínez Juan Gabriel , Alzueta Rodríguez Francisco Javier
Published: November 2024

Aims

Despite increasing evidence demonstrating the safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), this procedure is often neglected in this population. This Spanish registry aimed to determine the proportion of MRI referrals and performance among patients with pacemakers (PMs) or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

Methods and results

This prospective, multicentre, open-label registry involved 21 Spanish centres. Data were collected upon implant of PMs or ICDs from BIOTRONIK and one year after, and included the number of MRIs and computed tomography scans prescribed, performed and denied, and reasons for denial. Data from 1105 patients (mean age: 74.2 years) were analysed and 982 completed the follow-up. Of them, 82.2% had a PM and 17.8% an ICD. A total of 351 imaging tests were prescribed in 220 patients (19.9%), including 52 MRIs in 39 patients (3.5%) and 299 computed tomography scans in 196 patients (17.8%). Among the MRIs, 44 (84.6%) were performed, five (9.6%) were not performed, and three (5.8%) were replaced by an alternative test. Most of the indicated computed tomography scans were performed (97.7%). The proportion of patients with an MRI scan referral was 4.6% during the pre-COVID-19 period and 2.6% during the COVID-19 period. No MRI-related arrhythmic ventricular event was reported.

Conclusion

This registry revealed that only 3.5% of patients with CIEDs had an MRI referral over the study, with rates decreasing to 2.6% during the COVID-19 period. These rates contrast with the 85 MRIs conducted per 1000 inhabitants in Spain in 2020.
Shared environmental similarity between relatives influences heritability of reproductive timing in wild great tits
Authors: Jones Carys V , Regan Charlotte E , Cole Ella F , Firth Josh A , Sheldon Ben C
Published: November 2024

Intraspecific variation is necessary for evolutionary change and population resilience, but the extent to which it contributes to either depends on the causes of this variation. Understanding the causes of individual variation in traits involved with reproductive timing is important in the face of environmental change, especially in systems where reproduction must coincide with seasonal resource availability. However, separating the genetic and environmental causes of variation is not straightforward, and there has been limited consideration of how small-scale environmental effects might lead to similarity between individuals that occupy similar environments, potentially biasing estimates of genetic heritability. In ecological systems, environments are often complex in spatial structure, and it may therefore be important to account for similarities in the environments experienced by individuals within a population beyond considering spatial distances alone. Here, we construct multi-matrix quantitative genetic animal models using over 11,000 breeding records (spanning 35 generations) of individually-marked great tits (Parus major) and information about breeding proximity and habitat characteristics to quantify the drivers of variability in two key seasonal reproductive timing traits. We show that the environment experienced by related individuals explains around a fifth of the variation seen in reproductive timing, and accounting for this leads to decreased estimates of heritability. Our results thus demonstrate that environmental sharing between relatives can strongly affect estimates of heritability and therefore alter our expectations of the evolutionary response to selection.
Assembly of functional microbial ecosystems: from molecular circuits to communities
Authors: Wu Shengbo , Zhou Yongsheng , Dai Lei , Yang Aidong , Qiao Jianjun
Published: November 2024

Microbes compete and cooperate with each other via a variety of chemicals and circuits. Recently, to decipher, simulate, or reconstruct microbial communities, many researches have been engaged in engineering microbiomes with bottom-up synthetic biology approaches for diverse applications. However, they have been separately focused on individual perspectives including genetic circuits, communications tools, microbiome engineering, or promising applications. The strategies for coordinating microbial ecosystems based on different regulation circuits have not been systematically summarized, which calls for a more comprehensive framework for the assembly of microbial communities. In this review, we summarize diverse cross-talk and orthogonal regulation modules for de novo bottom-up assembling functional microbial ecosystems, thus promoting further consortia-based applications. First, we review the cross-talk communication-based regulations among various microbial communities from intra-species and inter-species aspects. Then, orthogonal regulations are summarized at metabolites, transcription, translation, and post-translation levels, respectively. Furthermore, to give more details for better design and optimize various microbial ecosystems, we propose a more comprehensive design-build-test-learn procedure including function specification, chassis selection, interaction design, system build, performance test, modeling analysis, and global optimization. Finally, current challenges and opportunities are discussed for the further development and application of microbial ecosystems.
On the reliability of constraining surface conductivity using induced polarization measurements in sedimentary rocks
Authors: Peshtani Klaudio , Slater Lee
Published: November 2024

Recent advances in understanding the induced polarization (IP) method have led to improvements in interpreting hydraulic properties from electrical measurements. Distinguishing the effect of surface conduction from conduction through the electrolyte filling the interconnected pore spaces has been an ongoing challenge in interpreting field-scale electrical resistivity data sets. Previously proposed mechanistic models have suggested that this limitation can be overcome by utilizing the coefficient that describes the ratio between IP measurements and surface conductivity. In this study, we examine this proportionality coefficient (ℓ) through the relationship between IP parameters (imaginary conductivity and normalized chargeability) and surface conductivity for a sample group of 98 sedimentary rocks, composed of sandstones, carbonates and mudstones. A strong linear relationship is observed between the IP parameters and surface conductivity. However, values of ℓ vary significantly across each sample group such that low-salinity estimates of formation factor (F) using the single universal estimate of ℓ are poor. Estimates of F for a single rock type (sandstone, carbonate or mudstone) are improved using ℓ values unique to that rock type, although F estimates for mudstones show high sensitivity to changes in ℓ. Using ℓ coefficients calibrated on a sample group with similar lithological properties to the investigated group moderately improves the estimation of F. Consistent with theory, no relationship is observed between the proportionality coefficient and the measured petrophysical parameters of the porous medium. Our results suggest that, although IP measurements provide a valuable field-scale proxy for surface conductivity, improving petrophysical predictions (i.e. in this case, estimating F) remains a challenge.
Reply: MIND the Gap: Psychiatric Conditions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Massironi Sara , Danese Silvio
Published: November 2024

Lay Summary

This commentary clarifies the methodological approaches of a recently published systematic review and meta-analysis on psychiatric conditions in IBD, addressing limitations in data, subgroup analysis, and publication bias. It emphasizes the need for further primary research to better understand the psychiatric burden in IBD patients and improve study design.
Fecal and Sputum Microbiota and Treatment Response in Patients With Mycobacterium abscessus Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Kim Joong-Yub , An Sujin , Kim So Yeon , Bae Eunhye , Cho Yong-Joon , Kwak Nakwon , Kim Donghyun , Yim Jae-Joon
Published: November 2024

Background

The microbiota may provide biomarkers for clinical outcomes in chronic respiratory conditions, though its role in Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease (PD) remains largely unknown. We aimed to identify microbial signatures in fecal and sputum microbiotas associated with treatment response in M abscessus PD.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients undergoing antibiotic therapy, collecting fecal and sputum samples at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 months. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we analyzed microbiota diversity and composition in early treatment responders and nonresponders, classified by sputum culture results at 2 weeks.

Results

Among 32 participants, 27 patients (median age, 66 years; 85.2% women; 48.1% with subspecies abscessus) were included for analysis. Fifteen patients (55.6%) achieved negative conversion at 2 weeks, sustained in 93.3% at 6 months. Responders showed signifcantly decreased fecal microbiota diversity at 2 weeks, unlike nonresponders (P = .029). Increased abundance of Eubacterium hallii in baseline fecal microbiota was indicative of unresponsiveness, whereas increased Enterococcus in feces at 2 weeks was linked with favorable response. In sputum, high baseline levels of Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia and Porphyromonas, along with decreased Rothia at 2 weeks, were associated with good treatment response.

Conclusions

In M abscessus PD, changes in microbial diversity and compositional signatures reflect treatment response.
Genome-resolved metaproteogenomic and nanosolid characterization of an inactive vent chimney densely colonized by enigmatic DPANN archaea
Authors: Takamiya Hinako , Kouduka Mariko , Kato Shingo , Suga Hiroki , Oura Masaki , Yokoyama Tadashi , Suzuki Michio , Mori Masaru , Kanai Akio , Suzuki Yohey
Published: November 2024

Recent successes in the cultivation of DPANN archaea with their hosts have demonstrated an episymbiotic lifestyle, whereas the lifestyle of DPANN archaea in natural habitats is largely unknown. A free-living lifestyle is speculated in oxygen-deprived fluids circulated through rock media, where apparent hosts of DPANN archaea are lacking. Alternatively, DPANN archaea may be detached from their hosts and/or rock surfaces. To understand the ecology of rock-hosted DPANN archaea, rocks rather than fluids should be directly characterized. Here, we investigated a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney without fluid venting where our previous study revealed the high proportion of Pacearchaeota, one of the widespread and enigmatic lineages of DPANN archaea. Using spectroscopic methods with submicron soft X-ray and infrared beams, the microbial habitat was specified to be silica-filled pores in the inner chimney wall comprising chalcopyrite. Metagenomic analysis of the inner wall revealed the lack of biosynthetic genes for nucleotides, amino acids, cofactors, and lipids in the Pacearchaeota genomes. Genome-resolved metaproteomic analysis clarified the co-occurrence of a novel thermophilic lineage actively fixing carbon and nitrogen and thermophilic archaea in the inner chimney wall. We infer that the shift in metabolically active microbial populations from the thermophiles to the mesophilic DPANN archaea occurs after the termination of fluid venting. The infilling of mineral pores by hydrothermal silica deposition might be a preferred environmental factor for the colonization of free-living Pacearchaeota with ultrasmall cells depending on metabolites synthesized by the co-occurring thermophiles during fluid venting.
Impact of timing on the invasion of synthetic bacterial communities
Authors: Dooley Keven D , Henry Lucas P , Bergelson Joy
Published: November 2024

Microbial communities regularly experience ecological invasions that can lead to changes in composition and function. Factors thought to impact susceptibility to invasions, such as diversity and resource use, vary over the course of community assembly. We used synthetic bacterial communities to evaluate the success and impact of invasions occurring at different times during the community assembly process. Fifteen distinct communities were subjected to each of three bacterial invaders at the initial assembly of the community (“initial invasion”), 24 h into community assembly (“early invasion”), when the community was still undergoing transient dynamics, and 7 days into community assembly (“late invasion”), once the community had settled into its final composition. Communities were passaged daily and characterized through sequencing after reaching a stable composition. Invasions often failed to persist over time, particularly in higher richness communities. However, invasions had their largest effect on composition when they occurred before a community had settled into a stable composition. We found instances where an invader was ultimately excluded yet had profound and long-lasting effects on invaded communities. Invasion outcome was positively associated with lower community richness and resource use efficiency by the community, which varied throughout assembly. Our results demonstrate that microbial communities experiencing transient community dynamics are more affected by, and in some instances prone to, invasion, a finding relevant to efforts to modify the composition of microbial communities.
Diffusing Risk: Bureaucratic Agency, UN Security Council Horse-Trading, and the Role of Co-Financing
Authors: Jud Stefano
Published: November 2024

Political lending is problematic for the operations of multilateral development banks (MDBs) since politically motivated aid has a greater default risk than other aid projects. MDB bureaucrats, therefore, face a dilemma. On the one hand, they want to please major shareholders by engaging in political lending. On the other hand, they want to mitigate their MDB's exposure to excessive risk. One way to solve this dilemma is to share the risk of loans with other lenders through co-financing. I expect that as countries’ share of politically motivated aid increases, these countries’ portfolios will receive more co-financed loans. Using newly collected loan-level data from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, I find that UNSC membership increases the number of co-financed loans by 38.5 percent and increases the share of co-financed loans in a country's European Bank for Reconstruction and Development loan portfolio by 19.1 percentage points. I demonstrate that these results are consistent with the argument that MDB bureaucrats want to mitigate risk.
SQ31f is a potent non-tuberculous mycobacteria antibiotic by specifically targeting the mycobacterial F-ATP synthase
Authors: Ragunathan Priya , Sae-Lao Patcharaporn , Harikishore Amaravadhi , Daher Wassim , Roquet-Banères Françoise , Kremer Laurent , Bates Roderick W , Grüber Gerhard
Published: November 2024

Background

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection presents a growing global health problem and requires new antibiotics targeting enzymes that are essential for the pathogens under various metabolic conditions, with high target specificity, good solubility and with attractive combinatory potency.

Methods

SQ31f was synthesized by a simplified synthesis protocol, and its effect on growth inhibition of fast- and slow-growing NTM and clinical isolates, whole-cell ATP depletion, ex vivo macrophages and its potency in combination with other antibiotics were evaluated. Molecular docking studies were employed to assess SQ31f’s binding mode.

Results

We present- squaramide SQ31f as a novel anti-NTM inhibitor targeting the NTM F1FO-ATP synthase, essential for ATP formation, regulation of ATP homeostasis and proton motive force under multiple growth conditions. The potency of SQ31f in growth inhibition of fast- and slow-growing NTM and clinical isolates correlates with whole-cell ATP depletion, which is not caused by altered oxygen consumption. SQ31f’s high aqueous solubility enables binding to the waterfilled cytosolic proton half channel in the subunits a–c interface of the FO domain. As presented for the fast-growing Mycobacterium abscessus, the compound is active against intracellular-residing M. abscessus. Importantly, SQ31f shows an additive effect of the anti-M. abscessus drugs clofazimine, rifabutin or amikacin, and an attractive potentiation of linezolid, clarithromycin, or the oral pair tebipenem and avibactam.

Conclusions

SQ31f represents an attractive inhibitor to tackle the issues associated with NTM drug tolerance and toxicity. Its combinatory potency with anti-M. abscessus drugs holds potential for overcoming resistance, while also reducing intensive compound synthesis and associated costs.
β-Hydroxybutyrate ameliorates osteoarthritis through activation of the ERBB3 signaling pathway in mice
Authors: Cai Zhiqing , Zhang Zhimin , Leng Jiarong , Xie Mengyun , Zhang Kang , Zhang Jingyi , Zhang Haiyan , Hu Hongling , Deng Yinghu , Bai Xiaochun , Song Qiancheng , Lai Pinglin
Published: November 2024

The ketogenic diet (KD) has demonstrated efficacy in ameliorating inflammation in rats with osteoarthritis (OA). However, the long-term safety of the KD and the underlying mechanism by which it delays OA remain unclear. We found that while long-term KD could ameliorate OA, it induced severe hepatic steatosis in mice. Consequently, we developed 2 versions of ketogenic-based diets: KD supplemented with vitamin D and intermittent KD. Both KD supplemented with vitamin D and intermittent KD effectively alleviated OA by significantly reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines, cartilage loss, sensory nerve sprouting, and knee hyperalgesia without inducing hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), a convenient energy carrier produced by adipocytes, could ameliorate OA without causing liver lesions. Mechanistically, β-HB enhanced chondrocyte autophagy and reduced apoptosis through the activation of Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (ERBB3) signaling pathway; a pathway which was down-regulated in the articular chondrocytes from both OA patients and mice. Collectively, our findings highlighted the potential therapeutic value of β-HB and KD supplemented with vitamin D and intermittent KD approaches for managing OA.
A different approach to identifying thermal parameters for invasive species
Authors: Neven Lisa G
Published: November 2024

The brown marmorated stinkbug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a polyphagous invasive insect found in the eastern United States in 1998 but became a major agricultural pest in 2010. Environmental temperatures regulate the location of invasive species establishment in new locations. To determine those areas where an invasive species might establish it is essential to understand the metabolic response of all life stages to temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry is a useful tool to monitor living organisms’ metabolism at different temperatures, providing vital information related to the ability of the species to survive in new environments. The information obtained from isothermal and scanning calorimetric experiments on all the life stages of H. halys indicates that the third instar is the most thermoresponsive stage and eggs and fifth instar are the least thermoresponsive, whereas the third instars exhibit a broad range of thermoresponsiveness as compared to all other developmental stages. The recorded values for lower, optimal, and upper developmental temperatures in this study were similar to those reported by other researchers using laboratory and field data to develop degree-day models. This method can help in the rapid development of degree day models to improve and synchronize control efforts for newly invasive species.
Radiative transfer of Lyman-α photons at cosmic dawn with realistic gas physics
Authors: Mittal Shikhar , Kulkarni Girish , Garel Thibault
Published: November 2024

Lyman-$\alpha$ photons enable the cosmic dawn 21-cm signal through a process called the Wouthuysen–Field effect. An accurate model of the signal in this epoch hinges on the accuracy of the computation of the Ly$\alpha$ coupling, which requires one to calculate the specific intensity of Ly$\alpha$ photons emitted from the first stars. Most traditional calculations of the Ly$\alpha$ coupling assume a delta-function scattering cross-section, as the resonant nature of the Ly$\alpha$ scattering makes an accurate radiative transfer (RT) solution computationally expensive. Attempts to improve upon this traditional approach using numerical RT have recently emerged. However, some of these treatments suffer from assumptions such as a uniform gas distribution, coherent scattering in the gas frame, and isotropic scattering. While others which do not account for these only do so through certain schemes along with core-skipping algorithms. We present results from a self-consistent Monte Carlo RT simulations devoid of any of the assumptions in the previous work for the first time. We find that gas bulk motion is the most important effect to account for in RT resulting in an RMS difference of 38 per cent in the 21-cm signal and anisotropic scattering being the least important effect contributing to less than 3 per cent RMS difference in 21-cm signal. We also evaluate the 21-cm power spectrum and compare that with the traditional results at cosmic dawn. This work points the way towards higher-accuracy models to enable better inferences from future measurements.
Unveiling the effects of coupling extended Proca-Nuevo gravity on cosmic expansion with recent observations
Authors: Sudharani L , Kavya N S , Venkatesha V
Published: November 2024

We study Coupling Extended Proca-Nuevo gravity, a non-linear theory extending from dRGT massive gravity with a spin-1 field. This theory is shown to yield reliable, ghost-free cosmological solutions, modelling both the Universe’s thermal history and late-time acceleration. By analysing data from dark energy spectroscopic instruments (DESI), cosmic chronometer (CCh), gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and Type Ia Supernova (SNeIa), we derive parameter constraints with up to 3$\sigma$ confidence, demonstrating good agreement with observations. Our comparison of BAO data from WiggleZ and DESI highlights its constraining power on the Hubble constant. The analysis of the cosmographic parameter, q shows the statistical compatibility with the recent data. Further, this indicates that Universe’s current accelerated expansion aligns with quintessential behaviour.
The atomic gas sequence and mass–metallicity relation from dwarfs to massive galaxies
Authors: Scholte Dirk , Saintonge Amélie , Moustakas John , Catinella Barbara , Zou Hu , Dey Biprateep , Aguilar J , Ahlen S , Anand A , Blum R , Brooks D , Circosta C , Claybaugh T , de la Macorra A , Doel P , Font-Ribera A , Förster P U , Forero-Romero J E , Gaztañaga E , Gontcho A Gontcho S , Juneau S , Kehoe R , Kisner T , Koposov S E , Kremin A , Lambert A , Landriau M , Maraston C , Martini P , Meisner A , Mighty A S , Miquel R , Myers A D , Nie J , Poppett C , Prada F , Rezaie M , Rossi G , Sanchez E , Schubnell M , Silber J , Sprayberry D , Siudek M , Speranza F , Tarlé G , Tojeiro R , Weaver B A
Published: November 2024

Galaxy scaling relations provide insights into the processes that drive galaxy evolution. The extension of these scaling relations into the dwarf galaxy regime is of particular interest. This is because dwarf galaxies represent a crucial stage in galaxy evolution, and understanding them could also shed light on their role in reionizing the early Universe. There is currently no consensus on the processes that dominate the evolution of dwarfs. In this work, we constrain the atomic gas sequence (stellar mass versus atomic gas fraction) and mass–metallicity relation (stellar mass versus gas-phase metallicity) from dwarf ($10^{6.5} \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$) to massive ($10^{11.5} \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$) galaxies in the local Universe. The combined optical and 21-cm spectroscopic observations of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA surveys allow us to constrain both scaling relations simultaneously. We find a slope change of the atomic gas sequence at a stellar mass of ${\sim} 10^{9} \, \textrm{M}_{\odot }$. We also find that the shape and scatter of the atomic gas sequence and mass–metallicity relation are strongly linked for both dwarfs and more massive galaxies. Consequently, the low-mass slope change of the atomic gas sequence is imprinted onto the mass–metallicity relation of dwarf galaxies. The mass scale of the measured slope change is consistent with a predicted escape velocity threshold below which low-mass galaxies experience significant supernova-driven gas loss, as well as with a reduction in cold gas accretion onto more massive galaxies.
Unveiling gas kinematics and stellar populations in H ii regions inside the low-metallicity dwarf nearby galaxy SDSSJ0859 + 3923 with MEGARA at the GTC
Authors: García-Vargas M L , Carrasco E , Mollá M , de Paz A Gil , Gallego J , Iglesias-Páramo J , Cardiel N , Castillo-Morales A , Pascual S , Gómez-Alvarez P , Pérez-Calpena A
Published: November 2024

In this study, we present Integral Field Unit observations of the galaxy SDSSJ0859 + 3923, utilizing the MEGARA (Multi Espectrógrafo en GTC de Alta Resolución para Astronomía) instrument on the GTC (Gran Telescopio Canarias) 10.4m telescope. These observations were conducted in two distinct spectral ranges: 4332–5222 Å and 6097–7345 Å, with a high resolving power (R$_\mathrm{FWHM}$$\sim 6\, 000$), and spatial resolution of 25 pc, considering the galaxy’s distance of 8.5 Mpc. Our observations have identified five H ii regions, whose precise positions were determined using data from the Wide Field Camera 3 (ultraviolet and visible) of the Hubble Space Telescope, WFC3-UVIS/HST, archive images, where we also detected the associated blue underlying continuum linked to the ionized knots. A detailed kinematic analysis of these regions revealed low-velocity dispersion values (around 10 km s$^{-1}$) in four H ii regions, indicating a lack of significant turbulent events. In the fifth region, we observed a peak in velocity dispersion reaching 40 km s$^{-1}$, which we interpret as the result of hot star winds and/or a recent type-II supernova explosion. We have conducted a comprehensive spectral analysis of the H ii regions, obtaining emission-line fluxes that enabled us to confirm the oxygen abundance (12  +  log(O/H)  =  7.41 $\pm$  0.15) and, using popstar models, to constrain the age and mass of the ionizing young clusters.
Multifractality signatures in lensed quasars
Authors: Assis Souza R A , Bewketu Belete A , Canto Martins B L , de Azevedo L M C , Campelo J P S , Leão I C , De Medeiros J R
Published: November 2024

Variations in scaling behaviour in the flux and emissions of gravitational lensed quasars can provide valuable information about the dynamics within the sources and their cosmological evolution with time. Here, we study the multifractal behaviour of the light curves (LCs) of 14 lensed quasars with multiple images in the r band, with redshift ranging from 0.657 to 2.730, in the search for potential differences in non-linearity between the signals of the quasar multiple images. Among these lensed systems, nine present two images, two present three images, and three present four images. To this end, we apply the wavelet transform-based multifractal analysis formalism called wavelet transform modulus maxima. We identify strong multifractal signatures in the LCs of the images of all analysed lensed quasar systems, independently of the number of images, with a significant difference between the degree of multifractality of all the images and combinations. We have also searched for a possible connection between the degree of multifractality and the characteristic parameters related to the quasar source and the lensing galaxy. These parameters include the Einstein ring radius and the accretion disc size and the characteristic time-scales related to microlensing variability. The analysis reveals some apparent trends, pointing to a decrease in the degree of multifractality with the increase of the quasar’s source size and time-scale. Using a larger sample and following a similar approach, this study confirms a previous finding for the quasar Q0957 + 561.
Placental gene therapy in nonhuman primates: a pilot study of maternal, placental, and fetal response to non-viral, polymeric nanoparticle delivery of IGF1
Authors: Wilson Rebecca L , Schmidt Jenna Kropp , Davenport Baylea N , Ren Emily , Keding Logan T , Shaw Sarah A , Schotzko Michele L , Antony Kathleen M , Simmons Heather A , Golos Thaddeus G , Jones Helen N
Published: November 2024

Currently, there are no placenta-targeted treatments to alter the in utero environment for administration to pregnant women who receive a diagnosis of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Water-soluble polymers have a distinguished record of clinical relevance outside of pregnancy. We have demonstrated the effective delivery of polymer-based nanoparticles containing a non-viral human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) transgene to correct placental insufficiency in small animal models of FGR. Our goals were to extend these studies to a proof-of-concept study in the pregnant macaque, establish feasibility of nanoparticle-mediated gene therapy delivery to trophoblasts, and investigate the acute maternal, placental, and fetal responses to treatment. Pregnant macaques underwent ultrasound-guided intraplacental injections of nanoparticles (GFP- or IGF1-expressing plasmid under the control of the trophoblast-specific PLAC1 promoter complexed with a HPMA–DMEAMA co-polymer) at approximately gestational day 100 (term = 165 days). Fetectomy was performed 24 h (GFP; n = 1), 48 h (IGF1; n = 3) or 10 days (IGF1; n = 3) after nanoparticle delivery. Routine pathological assessment was performed on biopsied maternal tissues and placental and fetal tissues. Maternal blood was analyzed for complete blood count (CBC), immunomodulatory proteins and growth factors, progesterone (P4), and estradiol (E2). Placental ERK/AKT/mTOR signaling was assessed using Western blot and qPCR. Fluorescent microscopy and in situ hybridization confirmed placental uptake and transient transgene expression in villous syncytiotrophoblast. No off-target expression was observed in either maternal or fetal tissues. Histopathological assessment of the placenta recorded observations not necessarily related to the IGF1 nanoparticle treatment. In maternal blood, CBCs, P4, and E2 remained within the normal range for pregnant macaques across the treatment period. Changes to placental ERK and AKT signaling at 48 h and 10 days after IGF1 nanoparticle treatment indicated an upregulation in placental homeostatic mechanisms to prevent overactivity in the normal pregnancy environment. The lack of adverse maternal reaction to nanoparticle-mediated IGF1 treatment, combined with changes in placental signaling to maintain homeostasis, indicates no deleterious impact of treatment during the acute phase of study.
Genomes OnLine Database (GOLD) v.10: new features and updates
Authors: Mukherjee Supratim , Stamatis Dimitri , Li Cindy Tianqing , Ovchinnikova Galina , Kandimalla Mahathi , Handke Van , Reddy Anuha , Ivanova Natalia , Woyke Tanja , Eloe-Fardosh Emiley A , Chen I-Min A , Kyrpides Nikos C , Reddy T B K
Published: November 2024

The Genomes OnLine Database (GOLD; https://gold.jgi.doe.gov/) at the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute is a comprehensive online metadata repository designed to catalog and manage information related to (meta)genomic sequence projects. GOLD provides a centralized platform where researchers can access a wide array of metadata from its four organization levels namely Study, Organism/Biosample, Sequencing Project and Analysis Project. GOLD continues to serve as a valuable resource and has seen significant growth and expansion since its inception in 1997. With its expanded role as a collaborative platform, it not only actively imports data from other primary repositories like National Center for Biotechnology Information but also supports contributions from researchers worldwide. This collaborative approach has enriched the database with diverse datasets, creating a more integrated resource to enhance scientific insights. As genomic research becomes increasingly integral to various scientific disciplines, more researchers and institutions are turning to GOLD for their metadata needs. To meet this growing demand, GOLD has expanded by adding diverse metadata fields, intuitive features, advanced search capabilities and enhanced data visualization tools, making it easier for users to find and interpret relevant information. This manuscript provides an update and highlights the new features introduced over the last 2 years.
Legislative Authority
Authors: Khalaf-Allah Muhammad
Published: November 2024

Muhammad Khalaf-Allah (Egypt, 1916-1997) first gained notoriety in the early 1950s for his literary analysis of the Qur’an. The purpose of the Qur’an, he argued, was not to record historical facts but to exhort listeners to Islam. A number of Qur’anic scholars took offense at the implication that the Qur’an was not factually complete, and Khalaf Allah was subjected to scathing criticism in the Egyptian press. His work in the 1970s continued to upset traditionalists and revivalists. In The Qur’an and the State, excerpted here, Khalaf-Allah goes beyond ‘Abd al-Raziq’s argument that Islam is compatible with democracy; instead, writes Khalaf-Allah, it lays out the basic tenets of democracy and requires Muslims to work out the implementation. In short, divine revelation does not simply allow democracy; it requires democracy. ‘‘This is a new and novel idea, which can not be found outside of Khalaf-Allah’s thought,” according to one commentator. Chapter 3, “Legislative Authority,” excerpted here, discusses the revelation of the shura (consultation) system of governance and its importance for secular, parliamentary authority. Khalaf-Allah is not an easy author to follow, in Arabic or English, as he tries to build his argument on sound Qur’anic reasoning. His conclusions, however, are straightforward and bold.
Unveiling and Veiling
Authors: Zein-ed-Din Nazira
Published: November 2024

Nazira Zein-ed-Din (Ottoman Lebanon, born circa 1905), the daughter of a high-ranking Lebanese judge, was a theological prodigy. In the summer of 1927, as a young woman, she began to research Islamic teachings on the subject of hijab, the modest clothing required of Muslim women. She was motivated by the contrast between recent incidents in Syria, where women were prevented from leaving their homes without the veil, and Turkey, where secular reformers encouraged women to remove the veil. Zein-ed-Din published her findings-excerpted here-in 1928, arguing that veiling was anachronistic and that Islam, properly understood, treats women as the equals of men, perhaps even their betters. The book was immediately controversial. Within a year, she had published a follow-up volume containing letters of support and vehement criticism, including the accusation that a young woman could not have written such a work.2 Zein-ed-Din’s subsequent career has been difficult to trace. veil that they had previously worn. I have noticed that the nations that have given up the veil are the nations that have advanced in intellectual and material life. Such advancement is not equaled in the veiled nations. The unveiled nations are the ones that have discovered through research and study the secrets of nature and have brought the physical elements under their control, as you see and know.
The Principle of Movement in the Structure of Islam
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad
Published: November 2024

Muhammad Iqbal (India, 1877-1938)-poet, philosopher, lawyer-is widely considered the spiritual father of Pakistan. His presidential address to the Muslim League in 1930 helped to launch the movement toward the partition of British South Asia into two nations, the predominantly Muslim Pakistan and the predominantly Hindu lndia. As important as his political legacy is Iqbal’s position as “a driving force for Islamic modernism in South Asia.” Iqbal leveled sharp criticism against the rigidity of traditional religious exegesis and called for a renewed emphasis on “movement” in the interpretation of Islam.