bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential role of interferon-regulatory factor 4 in regulating diabetogenic CD4+ T and innate immune cells in autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice
Authors: Niri Tetsuro , Inoue Shin-Ichi , Akazawa Satoru , Nishikido Shinpei , Miwa Masaki , Kobayashi Masakazu , Yui Katsuyuki , Okita Minoru , Kawakami Atsushi , Abiru Norio
Published: October 2024

Haploinsufficiency of the transcription factor interferon-regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) prevents the onset of spontaneous diabetes in NOD mice. However, the immunological mechanisms of the IRF4-mediated disease regulation remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of IRF4 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes by conducting adoptive transfer experiments using donor IRF4 gene-deficient CD4+ T cells from BDC2.5-transgenic (Tg) NOD mice and recipient Rag1-knockout NOD mice, respectively. Through this approach, we analyzed both clinical and immunological phenotypes of the recipient mice. Additionally, IRF4-deficient BDC2.5 CD4+ T cells were stimulated to assess their immunological and metabolic phenotypes in vitro. The findings revealed that diabetes was completely prevented in the recipients with Irf4−/− T cells and was approximately 50% lower in those with Irf4+/− T cells than in wild type (WT) controls, whereas Irf4−/− recipients with WT T cells only showed a delayed onset of diabetes. Islet-infiltrating T cells isolated from recipients with Irf4+/− T cells exhibited significantly lower proliferation and IFN-γ/IL-17 double-positive cell fraction rates compared with those in WT controls. Irf4−/− BDC2.5 CD4+ T cells stimulated in vitro showed a reduced number of cell divisions, decreased antigen-specific T-cell markers, and impairment of glycolytic capacity compared with those observed in WT controls. We concluded that IRF4 predominantly regulates the diabetogenic potential in a dose-dependent manner by mediating the proliferation and differentiation of islet-infiltrating T cells while playing an adjunctive role in the innate immune responses toward diabetes progression in NOD mice.
CD8 cell-derived granzyme B may be a predictor for coronary artery involvement and MACE in Takayasu arteritis patients
Authors: Li Taotao , Gao Na , Du Juan , Zhao Limin , Yang Shiyu , Zhang Yaxin , Zhu Junming , Hu Haiou , Qiao Zhiyu , Cui Wei , Pan Lili
Published: October 2024

Coronary artery involvement (CAI) is a special but not rare manifestation of Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Granzyme B (GzmB) is a multifunctional protease associated with the immune system and coronary artery disease. However, its role in patients with TAK and CAI remains unclear. This study investigates the role of GzmB+ cell subsets in TAK. The study included 105 TAK patients and 58 healthy controls. The percentages of different GzmB+ cells in blood samples were analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that age, age at onset, body mass index, disease duration month, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were significantly different between TAK patients with and without CAI (P = 0.000, P = 0.038, P = 0.003, P = 0.031, P = 0.039, P = 0.000). The proportions of CD3+CD8+cells (P = 0.001) and CD3+CD4+cells (P = 0.000) in GzmB+ cells were significantly increased, while the proportion of CD3-CD56+cells (P = 0.001) in GzmB+ cells was decreased in TAK patients. The proportions of three types of GzmB+ subsets in lymphocytes (CD3+CD4+GzmB+, CD3+CD8+GzmB+, CD3+CD56+ GzmB+) were higher in TAK patients with CAI compared with those without CAI (P = 0.021, P = 0.007, P = 0.007). The increased proportion of CD3+CD8+GzmB+cells/lymphocytes was an independent risk factor for coronary involvement in TAK (OR = 4.990 [1.766–14.098], P = 0.002). Additionally, patients with a high CD3+CD8+GzmB+cells/lymphocytes ratio had a higher major adverse cardiovascular events rate than those with a low ratio in TAK (P = 0.019). Our results indicate that CD8 cell-derived Gzm B may be a predictor for CAI and major adverse cardiovascular events in TAK patients. Targeting CD3+CD8+GzmB+ lymphocytes or using GzmB inhibitors could be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of CAI in TAK.
The h-faulty-block connectivity of k-ary n-cubes
Authors: Hua Xiaohui , Zhao Qin
Published: October 2024

The connectivity of a network is an important indicator for assessing its reliability and fault tolerability. However, currently various kinds of connectivity do not well reflect the network’s fault tolerance when facing certain attacks such as Botnet attacks, DDoS attacks, and Local Area Network Denial attacks. Therefore, Lin et al. (A novel measurement for network reliability. IEEE Trans Comput 2021; 70: 17191731.) proposed a new measurement for network reliability. This measurement method can resist the block attack by taking into account of the dispersity of the remaining nodes. Let $G$ be a network, $C \subset V(G)$, and $G[C]$ be a connected subgraph. Then $C$ is called an $h$-faulty-block of $G$ if $G-C$ is disconnected, and every component of $G-C$ has at least $h+1$ nodes. The minimum cardinality over all $h$-faulty-block of $G$ is called $h$-faulty-block connectivity, denoted by $FB_{k_{h}}(G)$. In this paper, we determine $FB_{k_{h}}(Q_{n}^{k})$ for $k$-ary $n$-cube $Q_{n}^{k}$ ($k\geq 3$), a classic interconnection network. We prove that $FB_{k_{0}}(Q_{n}^{3})=3n-1$, $FB_{k_{1}}(Q_{n}^{3})=5n-4$, and $FB_{k_{2}}(Q_{n}^{3})=7n-9$ for $n\geq 3$. Also, we show that $FB_{k_{0}}(Q_{n}^{k})=4n-1$ for $k\geq 4$ and $n\geq 2$, $FB_{k_{1}}(Q_{n}^{4})=6n-4$ for $n\geq 3$, $FB_{k_{1}}(Q_{n}^{k})=6n-3$ for $k\geq 5$ and $n\geq 3$, $FB_{k_{2}}(Q_{n}^{4})=8n-7$ for $n\geq 4$, $FB_{k_{2}}(Q_{n}^{5})=8n-6$ for $n\geq 4$, and $FB_{k_{2}}(Q_{n}^{k})=8n-5$ for $k\geq 6$ and $n\geq 5$.
Data transmission optimization based on multi-objective deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Wang Cuiping , Li Xiaole , Tian Jinwei , Yin Yilong
Published: October 2024

Simultaneously reducing network energy consumption and delay is a hot topic today. This paper addresses this issue by designing a novel multi-objective data transmission optimization algorithm based on deep reinforcement learning. A three-layer back propagation (BP) neural network is designed to improve the accuracy of environmental state prediction, by learning from historical state and action sequence data, which can help the agent make better decision for routing selection in complex network environment. Based on this, we use Q-Learning to find routing for transmission demands, aggregating more traffic through less links and routers, to reduce energy consumption and delay. To enhance the efficiency and robustness of the algorithm, a new reward mechanism is designed based on the traffic demand and the link state. The algorithm divides candidate links into three levels for path selection so that a better solution can be obtained on the basis of ensuring feasible solutions are obtained. Continuous updating of the Pareto set through multiple state steps approximates the optimal solution. We leverage the Euclidean distance to the reference point to measure the optimization effect of the two objectives. The simulation results show that this algorithm outperforms existing algorithms in reducing energy consumption and network delay.
Duets convey information about pair and individual identities in a Neotropical bird
Authors: Diniz Pedro , Silva-Jr Edvaldo F , Rech Gianlucca S , Ribeiro Pedro H L , Guaraldo André C , Macedo Regina H , Amorim Paulo S
Published: October 2024

Vocal individuality is essential for social discrimination but has been poorly studied in animals that produce communal signals (duets or choruses). Song overlapping and temporal coordination make the assessment of individuality in communal signals more complex. In addition, selection may favor the accurate identification of pairs over individuals by receivers in year-round territorial species with duetting and long-term pair bonding. Here, we studied pair and individual vocal signatures in the polyphonal duets of rufous horneros Furnarius rufus, a Neotropical bird known for its long-term pair bonds. Hornero partners engage in duets to deter territorial intruders and protect their partnership year-round and can discern duets from neighbors versus strangers. Using a dataset of 471 duets from 43 pairs in 2 populations, we measured fine-scale acoustic features across different duet levels (e.g., complete duets to non-overlapping syllable parts) and analysis levels (pair or individual). Permuted linear discriminant function analyses classified pairs and individuals more accurately than expected by chance (means: 45% and 47% vs. 4 and 2%). Pair identity explained more variance in the multivariate acoustic features of duets than individual or population identities. The initial frequency of the duet showed strong potential for encoding pair identity. The acoustic traits contributing most to individual vocal signatures varied between sexes, which might facilitate the simultaneous assessment of duetters’ identities by receivers. Our study indicates that vocal individuality may exist even in species with intricate and innate communal signals and elucidates the mechanisms employed by horneros in their social discrimination ability.
First case report of a percutaneous coronary intervention with intracoronary lithotripsy in a heavily calcified and tortuous right coronary artery using the R-One+ robotic system
Authors: Golabkesh Milad , Mundfortz Diana , Haude Michael
Published: October 2024

Background

Advancement in interventional techniques has significantly improved the ability of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat complex coronary artery disease. Despite these advancements, coronary artery calcification poses a substantial challenge during PCI, contributing to increased risks of procedural complications, prolonged procedure duration, and an increase in radiation exposure dose for both patients and physicians. Recently, robotic PCI has emerged, allowing physicians to remotely control and deliver wires and catheters, leading to a notable reduction of the operator radiation exposure and a decrease in the risk of operator physical injuries such as back pain.

Case summary

We report the first robotic PCI with the R-One+™ robotic system using intracoronary lithotripsy for lesion preparation of two heavily calcified lesions in a tortuous right coronary artery of a 60-year-old male patient followed by double drug-eluting stent implantation.

Discussion

Robotic PCI with the R-One+™ system can not only manage wires, balloons, or stent systems but can also precisely position more bulky catheters such as intracoronary lithotripsy catheters to the target site even in the presence of a tortuous access.
Performance of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer-4o in the Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program
Authors: Malik Abdulaziz , Madias Christopher , Wessler Benjamin S
Published: October 2024

Aims

This study evaluates the performance of OpenAI’s latest large language model (LLM), Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer-4o, on the Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (ACCSAP).

Methods and results

Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer-4o was tested on 639 ACCSAP questions, excluding 45 questions containing video clips, resulting in 594 questions for analysis. The questions included a mix of text-based and static image-based [electrocardiogram (ECG), angiogram, computed tomography (CT) scan, and echocardiogram] formats. The model was allowed one attempt per question. Further evaluation of image-only questions was performed on 25 questions from the database. Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer-4o correctly answered 69.2% (411/594) of the questions. The performance was higher for text-only questions (73.9%) compared with those requiring image interpretation (55.3%, P < 0.001). The model performed worse on questions involving ECGs, with a correct rate of 56.5% compared with 73.3% for non-ECG questions (P < 0.001). Despite its capability to interpret medical images in the context of a text-based question, the model’s accuracy varied, demonstrating strengths and notable gaps in diagnostic accuracy. It lacked accuracy in reading images (ECGs, echocardiography, and angiograms) with no context.

Conclusion

Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer-4o performed moderately well on ACCSAP questions. However, the model’s performance remains inconsistent, especially in interpreting ECGs. These findings highlight the potential and current limitations of using LLMs in medical education and clinical decision-making.
Sexual conflict over sex—an underappreciated consequence of childbirth?
Authors: Archer C Ruth , Castledine Meaghan , Hosken David J
Published: October 2024

Many postpartum women experience sexual dysfunction, characterised by reduced sexual motivation and libido, and pain during intercourse. Menstruation is also suppressed in breastfeeding women (lactational amenorrhoea). Lactational amenorrhoea has been discussed in an evolutionary context due to its positive impacts on birth spacing. In contrast, postpartum sexual dysfunction has not been viewed through an evolutionary lens. Might postpartum sexual dysfunction also be under selection? We discuss possible evolutionary explanations for postpartum sexual dysfunction. In particular, we suggest that sexual conflict, a widespread phenomenon that occurs when the evolutionary interests of males and females diverge, may be a cause of disrupted postpartum sex. This sexual conflict-based explanation generates predictions relevant to the health and well-being of new mothers that warrant testing.
Prognosis after switching to electronic cigarettes following percutaneous coronary intervention: a Korean nationwide study
Authors: Kang Danbee , Choi Ki Hong , Kim Hyunsoo , Park Hyejeong , Heo Jihye , Park Taek Kyu , Lee Joo Myung , Cho Juhee , Yang Jeong Hoon , Hahn Joo-Yong , Choi Seung-Hyuk , Gwon Hyeon-Cheol , Song Young Bin
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

Despite the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes), the prognostic impact of switching to E-cigarettes in smokers with coronary artery disease who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear.

Methods

Using a nationwide cohort from the Korean National Health Insurance database, 17 973 adults (≥20 years) identified as smokers (based on a health screening examination within 3 years before PCI) who underwent health screening within 3 years after PCI were enrolled to determine changes in smoking habits. Patients were classified as continued combustible cigarette users, successful quitters, or switchers to E-cigarettes. The group switching to E-cigarettes was further divided into dual users (using both combustible and E-cigarettes) and those exclusively using E-cigarettes. Primary outcomes included major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), a composite of all-cause death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization.

Results

Among the total population, 8951 patients (49.8%) continued using combustible cigarettes, 1694 (9.4%) were switched to E-cigarettes, and 7328 (40.7%) successfully quit smoking after PCI. During a median follow-up of 2.4 years, the cumulative incidence of MACE was lower among E-cigarette switchers (10%) or quitters (13.4%) than among continued combustible cigarette users (17%). When continued combustible cigarette users were used as the reference, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for MACE were 0.82 (0.69–0.98) for switchers to E-cigarettes and 0.87 (0.79–0.96) for successful quitters. Compared with dual users, entirely switching to E-cigarettes was associated with a significantly lower MACE risk (hazard ratio 0.71; 95% confidence interval 0.51–0.99).

Conclusions

Among smokers who underwent PCI for coronary artery disease, switching to E-cigarette use (particularly complete transition) or quitting smoking was associated with reduced MACE risk than with continued combustible cigarette use.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06338761
Wolbachia strengthens the match between premating and early postmating isolation in spider mites
Authors: Cruz Miguel A , Magalhães Sara , Bakırdöven Murat , Zélé Flore
Published: October 2024

Endosymbiotic reproductive manipulators are widely studied as sources of postzygotic isolation in arthropods, but their effect on prezygotic isolation between genetically differentiated populations has garnered less attention. We tested this using two partially isolated populations of the red and green color forms of Tetranychus urticae, either uninfected or infected with different Wolbachia strains, one inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility and the other not. We first investigated male and female preferences and found that, in absence of infection, females were not choosy, but all males preferred red-form females. Wolbachia effects were more subtle, with only the cytoplasmic incompatibility-inducing strain slightly strengthening color-form-based preferences. We then performed a double-mating experiment to test how incompatible matings affect subsequent mating behavior and offspring production as compared to compatible matings. Females mated with an incompatible male (infected and/or heterotypic) were more attractive and/or receptive to subsequent (compatible) matings, although analyses of offspring production revealed no clear benefit for this remating behavior (i.e., apparently unaltered first male sperm precedence). Finally, by computing the relative contributions of each reproductive barrier to total isolation, we showed that premating isolation matches both host-associated and Wolbachia-induced postmating isolation, suggesting that Wolbachia could contribute to reproductive isolation in this system.
Allometric scaling of somatic mutation and epimutation rates in trees
Authors: Johannes Frank
Published: October 2024

How long-lived trees escape “mutational meltdown” despite centuries of continuous growth remains puzzling. Here we integrate recent studies to show that the yearly rate of somatic mutations and epimutations (μY) scales inversely with generation time (G), and follows the same allometric power law found in mammals (μY ∝ G−1). Deeper insights into the scaling function may permit predictions of somatic (epi)mutation rates from life-history traits without the need for genomic data.
Outcomes of antenatal depression in women and the new-born: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: López Daniel Perejón , Serna Laura Gascó , Arnáiz María Catalina Serna , Ruiz Miriam Orós , Viladegut Júlia Siscart , Sol Joaquim , Salinas-Roca Blanca
Published: October 2024

Objective

To determine what effect maternal antenatal depression has on pregnancy and infant outcomes in the Lleida health region.

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort study in pregnant women between 2012 and 2018 in the Lleida health region. Variables included age, body mass index, caesarean section, pre-eclampsia, birth weight, and Apgar score. We performed multivariate analysis, with linear regression coefficients and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Antenatal depression was diagnosed in 2.54% pregnant women from a total sample of 17 177. Depression is significantly associated with a higher risk pregnancy and low birth weight. Pre-eclampsia, 1-minute Apgar score, and caesarean section were not significantly associated with depression.

Conclusions

Antenatal depression increases the risk of pregnancy complications. In addition, depression in the mother increases the probability of low birth weight.
Loss of the Na+/K+ cation pump CATP-1 suppresses nekl-associated molting defects
Authors: Binti Shaonil , Edeen Philip T , Fay David S
Published: October 2024

The conserved Caenorhabditis elegans protein kinases NEKL-2 and NEKL-3 regulate membrane trafficking and are required for larval molting. Through a forward genetic screen, we identified a mutation in catp-1 as a suppressor of molting defects in synthetically lethal nekl-2; nekl-3 double mutants. catp-1 encodes a membrane-associated P4-type ATPase involved in Na+–K+ exchange. A previous study found that wild-type worms exposed to the nicotinic agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) exhibited larval arrest and molting-associated defects, which were suppressed by inhibition of catp-1. By testing spectrum catp-1 alleles, we found that resistance to DMPP toxicity and the suppression of nekl defects did not strongly correlate, suggesting key differences in the mechanism of catp-1-mediated suppression. Through whole-genome sequencing of additional nekl-2; nekl-3 suppressor strains, we identified 2 additional coding-altering mutations in catp-1. However, neither mutation, when introduced into nekl-2; nekl-3 mutants using CRISPR, was sufficient to elicit robust suppression of molting defects, suggesting the involvement of other loci. Endogenously tagged CATP-1 was primarily expressed in epidermal cells within punctate structures located near the apical plasma membrane, consistent with a role in regulating cellular processes within the epidermis. Based on previous studies, we tested the hypothesis that catp-1 inhibition induces entry into the predauer L2d stage, potentially accounting for the ability of catp-1 mutants to suppress nekl molting defects. However, we found no evidence that loss of catp-1 leads to entry into L2d. As such, loss of catp-1 may suppress nekl-associated and DMPP-induced defects by altering electrochemical gradients within membrane-bound compartments.
Self-efficacy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: the effect of self-care education by two randomized methods—teach-back and a smartphone application
Authors: Manzari Zahra Sadat , Vossoughinia Hassan , Nedaei Behzad , Rafiei Hossein , Mafi Mohamad Hossein
Published: October 2024

The use of the best teaching method to promote self-care in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been well defined. Therefore, the current study was conducted to compare the effect of self-care education by two methods of teach-back and a smartphone application. The current clinical trial with a pre- and post-test design was conducted among 78 patients with IBD. Patients were allocated to three groups of application, teach-back and control using a simple blocked randomization. Data were collected using a checklist for demographic information and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Self-efficacy Scale. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS. Participants in all three groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic variables. The mean pretest scores of self-efficacy (SE) in the application, teach-back and control groups were 191.37 ± 49.15, 193.92 ± 45.54 and 192.76 ± 43.12, respectively. The mean post-test scores of SE in the application, teach-back and control groups were 224.51 ± 49.89, 207.48 ± 48.109 and 189.92 ± 40.28, respectively (P = 0.033). The results of the current study showed that self-care education by the application can better improve the mean scores of SE and its four dimensions of managing stress and emotions, managing symptoms and disease, managing medical care and maintaining remission, compared to other methods. It seems that the use of the application as a continuous and cost-effective educational strategy will become widespread in the future for patient education among most healthcare and treatment systems.
Historical analogies, traumatic past and responses to the war in Ukraine
Authors: Kalhousová Irena , Finkel Eugene , Kocián Jiří
Published: October 2024

This article examines the use of historical analogies by political leaders during foreign policy crises. Specifically, we focus on the German, Polish and Czech leaderships' reactions to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and investigate the historical analogies which leaders invoked to justify their responses to Russia's aggression. The existing scholarship recognizes the importance of historical analogies in foreign policy decision-making, but the literature focuses predominantly on several high-profile analogies (i.e. the Munich Agreement or the Vietnam War) and lacks comparative perspective. We employ a dual-method approach that combines qualitative coding with semantic network analysis, and conduct a comparative analysis of the full spectrum of analogies used by Polish, Czech and German policy-makers. We find that politicians did not focus on a single overarching analogy, but employed a wide array of historical references. We also find that even though the countries' policies largely aligned and that their leaders often invoked the same events, the meaning of analogies and the signals they sent differed substantially across cases. Analysing the full spectrum of analogies demonstrates that justifications for supporting Ukraine were shaped more by these states' own historical traumas than by their sympathy for Ukraine, support for international law, or desire to uphold the rules-based international order.
Assessment of nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights in South Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Thema Adolphina Mokgadi , Mulaudzi Fhumulani Mavis , Lavhelani Ndivhaleni Robert
Published: October 2024

Background

Compliance with Patients’ Rights by nurses is a crucial determinant of how well healthcare services are provided. Nurses are responsible for upholding Patients’ Rights because they spend so much time with patients. Therefore, it is essential to continuously assess nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights in healthcare institutions.

Objectives

To outline the breadth and type of existing research on nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights as well as to pinpoint any gaps in the body of existing knowledge.

Methods

A scoping review search was done in six electronic databases. For eligibility, articles written in English and focusing on nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights in South Africa (SA) were checked and evaluated. Data were taken from eligible study materials in order to compile, evaluate the quality, summarize, and create a narrative summary of the results.

Results

The literature collected was 1158 records from six data bases, after deleting 239 duplicates, 919 records remained. A total of 891 records were excluded using title and abstract of the studies. Fifteen articles were included in the final analysis. Four articles were quantitative studies, ten qualitative and one a mixed method. The included studies focused on six Patients’ Rights listed in the Patients’ Rights Charter, which consist of 12 Patients’ Rights.

Conclusion

Nurses’ compliance with Patients’ Rights is inconsistent and there are limited studies on nurses’ compliance with all Patients’ Rights in SA. More studies are required in future, as seen by the included studies’ inconsistent findings.
The Roles of Media Platforms, Political Orientation and Climate Change Belief in Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Cross-Cutting Versus Like-Minded Exposure in the United States and South Korea
Authors: Lee Seo Yoon , Lee Heejae , Park Sunho
Published: October 2024

Climate change’s dire effects call for fostering a belief in it through accurate information. This research investigates how YouTube, enabling selective and like-minded information exposure, influences climate change beliefs based on political orientations. Additionally, this study aimed to ascertain whether YouTube significantly facilitated like-minded climate change information exposure and impacted climate change beliefs among individuals leaning toward specific political orientations by comparing it with broadcast news use. We also examined the politicization effect by contrasting the United States and South Korea. Findings revealed that U.S. conservatives consuming broadcasted information exhibited stronger climate change beliefs, linking to increased risk perception and pro-environmental actions. However, YouTube did not show a significant association with beliefs in climate change, and neither did political orientation significantly moderate this relationship. In South Korea, political orientation did not play a significant role in the associations between YouTube and broadcast news use on climate change belief. Further theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
D-aspartate stimulates growth hormone secretion in wethers
Authors: Takahashi Tatsuyuki , Kidachi Kyosuke , Yukawa Mikiko , Hachinohe Tomoki , Takashima Yuina , Fujimura Mao , Saito Atsuko , Soga Daichi , Ota Chihiro , Niizuma Eri , Sato Katsuyoshi , Ogasawara Hideki , Kurose Yohei
Published: October 2024

Growth hormone (GH) is an essential factor in enhancing the productivity of animals. In ruminants, L-aspartate (L-Asp) stimulates the secretion of GH; however, the effect of D-Asp on GH remains unknown. Here, we examined the effect of D-Asp on GH secretion in wethers. Blood GH, insulin, adrenaline, noradrenaline, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and glucose concentrations were evaluated in response to the intravenous infusion of a high-dose (0.1 mmol/kg/min) of D-Asp for 20 min. Further, concentrations of these biomolecules were evaluated when a low-dose (0.05 mmol/kg/min) of D-Asp was continuously infused intravenously for 20 min. Finally, the direct effect of D-Asp on GH secretion was determined using cultured sections of the anterior pituitary tissue from wethers. Infusion of the high-dose of D-Asp markedly increased blood GH concentrations (P < 0.05), resulting in an increase in the area under the curve (AUC). Plasma GH concentrations and AUC also increased in response to infusion of a low D-Asp dose. Infusion of a high and low D-Asp dose caused a prolonged reduction in plasma insulin concentrations, and the AUC was lower (P < 0.05). Plasma NEFA concentrations gradually increased after the end of D-Asp infusion, with a low D-Asp dose infusion resulting in significantly higher concentrations at 90 min (P < 0.05). Plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline, and glucose concentrations did not show significant changes despite differences in the dose of D-Asp. Although D-Asp treatments stimulated GH secretion in the cultured sections of pituitary tissues, the effect was not significant. These results suggest that D-Asp stimulates the secretion of GH in wethers through not only a direct action on the pituitary gland but also through another pathway of GH stimulation.
Dietary glycerides of valerate ameliorate diarrhea and impact intestinal physiology and serum biomarkers in weaned piglets infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18
Authors: Kovanda Lauren , Rengman Sofia , Tawde Snehal , Pos Jeroen , Park Sangwoo , Sun Shuhan , Park Jungjae , Kim Kwangwook , Li Xunde , Liu Yanhong
Published: October 2024

In the commercial swine farm setting, the postweaning period is a critical window during which piglets are highly susceptible to infection and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)-associated diarrhea. Short-chain fatty acids and their glycerides are compounds that may influence intestinal health; however, valerate is one that has not been well-characterized for its role as a dietary supplement. Therefore, the major objective of this experiment was to investigate two forms of valerate glycerides on diarrhea, intestinal physiology, and systemic immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with ETEC F18. Dietary treatments included a control diet and three additional diets supplemented with 0.075% monovalerin, 0.1% monovalerin, or 0.1% trivalerin, respectively. Piglets were weaned (21 d to 24 d of age), individually housed, and experimental diets were fed through the 28-d trial period. After a 7-d period, all piglets were inoculated on three consecutive days with 1010 CFU ETEC F18/3 mL. Growth performance was monitored throughout the trial, and daily diarrhea scores were recorded. Rectal swabs were collected for bacterial culture to confirm the presence or absence of β-hemolytic coliforms throughout the trial. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for inflammatory biomarkers on days 0, 3, 6, and 21 postinoculation (PI) and untargeted metabolomics on day 6 PI. Intestinal mucosa and tissue sections were harvested from pigs sacrificed on day 7 PI for gene expression and histology analysis. All data, except for frequency of diarrhea and metabolomics, were analyzed by ANOVA using the PROC MIXED of SAS. Dietary trivalerin reduced (P < 0.05) the frequency of severe diarrhea over the entire trial period and the frequency of β-hemolytic coliforms on day 7 PI compared with the control. The intestinal villus height on day 7 PI in jejunum tissue was increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed trivalerin. The mRNA expression of TNF-α was decreased (P < 0.05) in the trivalerin group, while that of ZO1 was increased (P < 0.05) compared with control. Throughout the trial, serum TNF-α was reduced in pigs fed trivalerin compared with control. Serum metabolites, adenosine, inosine, and shikimic acid were reduced (P < 0.05) on day 6 PI in all treatment groups compared with control. In conclusion, the present results indicate supplementing dietary valerate glycerides exhibited beneficial impacts on diarrhea, inflammation, and intestinal gene expression of piglets during the postweaning period.
Parity-specific differences in spatial genetics and dispersal in the common lizard
Authors: Hunter Darren C , Clobert Jean , Elmer Kathryn R
Published: October 2024

Dispersal is a key demographic parameter that plays an important role in determining spatial population dynamics and genetic structure. Linking differences in dispersal patterns to life-history traits is often confounded by inconsistent environmental pressures experienced by different populations. To explore the relationship between dispersal and life history, we focus on a site where oviparous and viviparous lineages of the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) are found adjacent to each other. We take advantage of this shared environment to investigate parity-specific dispersal patterns using high-resolution, individual-level spatial-genetic autocorrelation and population genomic approaches (11,726 single nucleotide polymorphisms; 293 oviparous and 310 viviparous individuals). We found isolation-by-distance patterns to be present in both the oviparous and viviparous populations. Density was 2.5 times higher in the oviparous population than the viviparous one, though heterozygosity and genetic diversity measures were similar in the two populations. We found marked differences in the extent of genetic neighbourhoods between the lineages, with the viviparous population showing both dispersal (σ) and spatial-genetic autocorrelation (Moran’s I) at 2-fold greater geographic distances than the oviparous population. We found clear evidence of male-biased dispersal from genetic estimates in the viviparous population. In the oviparous population, evidence of male-biased dispersal was weak or absent. These differences are likely to be closely linked to specific requirements of the alternative reproductive strategies and may be the demographic consequences of mother–offspring interactions. Fine-scale geographic and individual-level measures are essential to understanding parity mode differences at microevolutionary scales and to better identifying their ecological and evolutionary impacts.
Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals atypical monocytes circulating ahead of acute graft-versus-host disease clinical onset
Authors: Martins Filipe , Planet Evarist , Marino Denis , Ansari Marc , Trono Didier
Published: October 2024

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) represents the rejection of the recipient's skin, gut, and liver tissues of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) by the donor T cells. The onset of aGVHD is often rapid and its evolution is unpredictable. We undertook the single-cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected before aGVHD clinical onset in 3 patients and from 1 patient afterward. We used 4 HSCT recipients who remained free of aGVHD as controls. This analysis unveiled the presence of particular subpopulations of circulating monocytes and cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in pre-aGVHD samples up to 18 d before clinical disease. These pre-aGVHD monocytes were characterized by an upregulation of the M2 polarity marker CD163 and the transmembrane protein SIGLEC1/CD169. At the same time, their CTL counterparts stood out for the upregulation of the CXCL10 receptor CXCR3 and the antigenic stimulation marker CD70. The occurrence of CD163/SIGLEC1 co-expressing monocytes upstream of aGVHD onset was validated using transcriptomic data from an independent cohort and by flow cytometry in additional blood samples. These findings point to potential early diagnostic tools and preventive therapeutic strategies for aGVHD.
The Role of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in the Ars Moriendi
Authors: Durham Levi
Published: October 2024

There is disagreement among physicians and medical ethicists on the precise goals of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM). Some think that HPM’s goals should differ from those of other branches of medicine and aim primarily at lessening pain, discomfort, and confusion, while others think that HPM’s practices should aim, like all other branches of medicine, at promoting health. I take the latter position: using the ars moriendi to set a standard for what it means to die well, I argue that if HPM’s practices were to aim at mitigating suffering with little regard to promoting health, some patients would die worse deaths than if HPM’s practices were to aim at health. According to the ars moriendi, flourishing at the end of one’s life requires that persons exercise their agency and pursue the goods most important to them. On this view, HPM’s practices should promote patients’ health to enable them to pursue these goods.
On the role of surrogates in the efficient estimation of treatment effects with limited outcome data
Authors: Kallus Nathan , Mao Xiaojie
Published: October 2024

In many experimental and observational studies, the outcome of interest is often difficult or expensive to observe, reducing effective sample sizes for estimating average treatment effects (ATEs) even when identifiable. We study how incorporating data on units for which only surrogate outcomes not of primary interest are observed can increase the precision of ATE estimation. We refrain from imposing stringent surrogacy conditions, which permit surrogates as perfect replacements for the target outcome. Instead, we supplement the available, albeit limited, observations of the target outcome with abundant observations of surrogate outcomes, without any assumptions beyond unconfounded treatment assignment and missingness and corresponding overlap conditions. To quantify the potential gains, we derive the difference in efficiency bounds on ATE estimation with and without surrogates, both when an overwhelming or comparable number of units have missing outcomes. We develop robust ATE estimation and inference methods that realize these efficiency gains. We empirically demonstrate the gains by studying long-term-earning effects of job training.
Integrated transcriptomic analysis reveals dysregulated immune infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the secretory endometrium of recurrent implantation failure patients
Authors: Zhou Ping , Mo Dan , Huang Hanji , Xu Jiaqi , Liao Baoying , Wang Yinxue , Mao Di , Zeng Zhonghong , Huang Ziying , Zhang Chao , Yang Yihua , Yu Yang , Pan Heng , Li Rong
Published: October 2024

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a leading impediment to assisted reproductive technology, yet the underlying pathogenesis of RIF remains elusive. Recent studies have sought to uncover novel biomarkers and etiological factors of RIF by profiling transcriptomes of endometrial samples. Nonetheless, the inherent heterogeneity among published studies and a scarcity of experimental validations hinder the identification of robust markers of RIF. Hence, we integrated six publicly accessible datasets with 209 samples, including microarray profiles of endometrial samples in the secretory phase. After removing batch effects, we identified 175 differentially expressed genes. Gene set enrichment analysis identified dysregulation of immunological pathways in RIF. We also observed altered immune infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RIF. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified ten hub genes, representing two co-expression modules significantly related to RIF. Knockdown of ENTPD3, one of the hub genes, promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and resulted in elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, our study reveals abnormal gene expressions involving the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and immune status in RIF, providing valuable insights into its pathogenesis.
Freedom, Omniscience and the Contingent A Priori
Authors: Lampert Fabio
Published: October 2024

One of the major challenges in the philosophy of religion is theological fatalism — roughly, the claim that divine omniscience is incompatible with free will. In this article, I present new reasons to be sceptical of what I consider to be the strongest argument for theological fatalism. First, I argue that divine foreknowledge is not necessary for an argument against free will if we take into account divine knowledge of contingent a priori truths. Second, I show that this argument can be generalized so that ordinary human knowledge of contingent a priori truths also leads to an argument against free will. This, I believe, results in an absurd conclusion that is unacceptable to both theists and non-theists. But if there is something wrong with this argument, there is something wrong, too, with the argument for theological fatalism. Although there is a range of possible responses, I suggest that the core issue in all cases is a closure principle — specifically, the principle that ‘no choice about’ is closed under entailment (or strict implication).
On the origin of star formation quenching in massive galaxies at z ≳ 3 in the cosmological simulations IllustrisTNG
Authors: Kurinchi-Vendhan Shalini , Farcy Marion , Hirschmann Michaela , Valentino Francesco
Published: October 2024

Using the cosmological simulations IllustrisTNG, we perform a comprehensive analysis of quiescent, massive galaxies at z ≳ 3. The goal is to understand what suppresses their star formation so early in cosmic time, and how other similar mass galaxies remain highly star forming. As a first-order result, the simulations are able to produce massive, quiescent galaxies in this high-redshift regime. We find that active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback is the primary cause of halting star formation in early, massive galaxies. Not only do the central, supermassive black holes (SMBHs) of the quenched galaxies have earlier seed times, but they also grow faster than in star-forming galaxies. As a result, the quenched galaxies are exposed to AGN feedback for longer, and experience the kinetic, jet mode of the AGN feedback earlier than the star-forming galaxies. The release of kinetic energy reduces inflows of gas while likely maintaining outflows, which keeps a low cold gas fraction and decreases the star formation of the galaxies down to a state of quiescence. In addition to AGN feedback, we also investigate the influence of the large-scale environment. While mergers do not play a significant role in the quenching process, the quenched galaxies tend to reside in more massive haloes and denser regions during their evolution. As this provides a greater initial amount of infalling gas to the galaxies, the large-scale environment can mildly affect the fate of the central SMBH growth and, via AGN feedback, contribute to star formation quenching.
Influence of rotation speed and frequency on the decision of Columba livia domestica (homing pigeon) to cross the rotor-swept area of paper blades mimicking a wind turbine
Authors: Blary Constance , Potier Simon , Duriez Olivier , Besnard Aurélien , Bonadonna Francesco
Published: October 2024

To reduce bird collisions with wind turbines, automatic detection systems have been developed to slow the blades down when a bird is approaching. We experimentally tested whether blade rotational speed (i.e., number of rotations per min) and frequency (i.e., number of times a blade passes a point per min) affected the decision time (i.e., time to take-off), path choice (i.e., the position in the aviary), and decision to cross the rotor-swept area in Columba livia domestica (rock dove [domestic variety]; aka homing pigeon; hereafter, pigeon). We used a homemade device with paper blades, mimicking the movement of wind turbine blades. We adjusted the paper blade dimensions and achromatic contrast with the background to match the visual capabilities of pigeons, increasing the probability of detection. Pigeons were less likely to cross the rotor-swept area at higher speeds and frequencies, independent of their decision time. When pigeons crossed the rotor-swept area (43 out of 160 trials), 63% collided with the blades, regardless of blade speed or frequency. Pigeons chose to avoid the rotor-swept area after they had traveled half the distance to the wind turbine. Pigeons were not better able to avoid the rotor-swept area when blades were rotating at low speed and/or frequency and often collided with the blades. Thus, slowing blades to a low rotational speed may not reduce collisions with some species and a complete turbine shutdown may be necessary. The feasibility and economic costs of regular complete shutdowns after the deceleration triggered by the automatic detection systems need further investigation.
The H2S-responsive transcription factor ERF.D3 regulates tomato abscisic acid metabolism, leaf senescence, and fruit ripening
Authors: Hu Kangdi , Geng Meihui , Ma Lin , Yao Gaifang , Zhang Min , Zhang Hua
Published: October 2024

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a signaling molecule that regulates plant senescence. In this study, we found that H2S delays dark-induced senescence in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves. Transcriptome and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses revealed an ethylene response factor ERF.D3 is quickly induced by H2S. H2S also persulfidated ERF.D3 at amino acid residues C115 and C118. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, and gene overexpression analyses showed that ERF.D3 negatively regulates leaf senescence and fruit ripening. Abscisic acid (ABA) levels were reduced by ERF.D3 overexpression, suggesting ERF.D3 might regulate ABA metabolism. Additionally, the ABA 8′-hydroxylase-encoding gene CYP707A2, which is required for ABA degradation, was identified as an ERF.D3 target gene through transcriptome data, RT-qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. ERF.D3 persulfidation enhanced its transcriptional activity toward CYP707A2. Moreover, the E3 ligase RNF217 ubiquitinated ERF.D3, which may accelerate fruit ripening during the late stage of fruit development. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the roles of a H2S-responsive ERF.D3 and its persulfidation state in delaying leaf senescence and fruit ripening and provides a link between H2S and ABA degradation.
On the Within-Perfect Numbers
Authors: Kwan Chung-Hang , Miller Steven J
Published: October 2024

Motivated by the works of Erdös, Wirsing, Pomerance, Wolke and Harman on the sum-of-divisor function $\sigma(n)$, we study the distribution of a special class of natural numbers closely related to (multiply) perfect numbers which we term ‘$(\ell;k)$-within-perfect numbers’, where $\ell \gt 1$ is a real number and $k: [1, \infty) \rightarrow (0, \infty)$ is an increasing and unbounded function.