bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effectiveness of cytoreductive surgery in oligometastatic prostate cancer: insights from quantitative analysis and retrospective cohort studies
Authors: Cheng Bisheng , Li Bingheng , Fu Jianhan , Wang Qiong , Luo Tianlong , Li Zean , Peng Shirong , Wu Jilin , Zhou Qianghua , Wu Peng , Huang Hai
Published: July 2024

Background:

Oligometastatic prostate cancer (OmPCa) is characterized by a restricted number of metastatic lesions confined to a limited organ range, presenting a distinct clinical challenge. The role of cytoreductive prostatectomy (CRP) in managing this specific metastatic stage has gained attention but remains controversial. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of CRP in OmPCa by synthesizing outcomes from previous studies and analyzing data from a multicenter, retrospective cohort.

Methods:

We focused on evaluating overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival (CRPCFS) as primary outcomes. A multicenter comparative retrospective analysis was also conducted on OmPCa patients treated with CRP versus those receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone from January 2008 to June 2018. We gathered and analyzed data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical outcomes, and survival metrics.

Results:

The quantitative analysis included 18 studies [2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 16 non-RCT studies], comprising a total of 1733 patients with OmPCa, and this is the largest number of samples included in the same subject research at present. The pooled analysis demonstrated that cytoreductive surgery was associated with significantly improved OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40–0.60], PFS (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.27–0.51), CSS (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23–0.65), and CRPCFS (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.36–0.59) compared to nonsurgical management. In addition, OS, PFS, and CRPCFS showed better results in the CRP group in all analyses (RCTs and non-RCTs). Additionally, in our multicenter retrospective research analysis, 64 patients with OmPCa were included, 32 underwent CRP (50%) and 32 underwent ADT alone (50%). The median follow-up time was 40.1 (18.9–51.3) months. The OS (P=0.0182), PFS (P=0.0297), and CRPCFS (P=0.0125) had statistical differences between the two matched cohorts. Moreover, we observed 8 (25%) cases of perioperative complications, with the most common being urinary incontinence (9.4%).

Conclusions:

Incorporating CRP alongside ADT in the treatment protocol for OmPCa significantly enhances patient outcomes in terms of OS, PFS, and CRPC-free survival, underscoring the potential benefit of this surgical approach in the specified patient population.
Preinjection With Ligation-Assisted Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Barrett’s Dysplasia and Early Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Williams Thomas J. , Hlaing Phyu , Maher Adrian M. , Walker Neal , Kendall Bradley J. , Holtmann Gerald , Hourigan Luke F.
Published: July 2024

Background and Aim:

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an established technique for the diagnosis and treatment of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and early esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in Barrett’s esophagus. Submucosal preinjection is not universally used or generally recommended when performing routine ligation-assisted EMR. Prior studies, however, have demonstrated evidence of at least superficial muscle injury on ligation-assisted EMR without submucosal injection. There are limited published data supporting any potential benefit of submucosal preinjection. Our aim was to review this technique and determine the rate of any degree of muscle injury in patients with Barrett’s HGD and EAC treated with submucosal preinjection before ligation-assisted EMR.

Methods:

Patients undergoing submucosal preinjection before ligation-assisted EMR for Barrett’s esophagus at a single institution between 2012 and 2016 were identified. Data were collected regarding patient demographics and medical history, endoscopy and histopathology findings, adverse events, and subsequent outcomes. All EMR specimens were reviewed by an expert gastrointestinal pathologist.

Results:

One hundred fifty consecutive EMR procedures were performed on 70 patients. Of 70 patients, 85.7% of patients were men, with a median age of 68 years. EAC was identified in 75 specimens (50%) and HGD in 44 specimens (29.3%). Deep resection margins were clear of adenocarcinoma in all specimens. Muscularis propria was not identified in any of the 150 specimens. There were no cases of post-EMR perforation.

Conclusions:

Preinjection before ligation-assisted EMR achieved complete excision with histologically clear margins, without histological evidence of any inadvertent muscularis propria.
The Complex Relationship Between Pain, Mental Health, and Quality-of-Life in Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Liver Transplant Evaluation
Authors: Wong Randi J. , Loeb Rebecca , Seal Karen H. , Barry Fawzy , Stark Kent Dorothea , Seetharaman Sri , Sharma Arjun , Lai Jennifer C. , Rubin Jessica B.
Published: July 2024

Goals and Background:

Patients with cirrhosis undergoing liver transplant evaluation have high rates of pain and mental health comorbidities; both may significantly impair health-related quality of life (HRQL). We investigated the association between pain, anxiety/depression, and HRQL in this population.

Study:

In 62 patients with cirrhosis undergoing liver transplant evaluation, we performed 4 validated assessments to characterize: pain (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, BPI-SF), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8), and liver-specific HRQL (Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire). The presence of pain was determined using the BPI-SF screening question. Linear regression was used to identify demographic or clinical factors predictive of pain severity (PS) and interference (PI) and to evaluate the association between pain, anxiety/depression, and HRQL.

Results:

Seventy-one percent of patients reported pain, 26% had clinical depression, and 24% had moderate-severe anxiety. Neither liver disease severity, nor its complications were associated with pain (PS or PI), but anxiety and depression were predictors of pain on bivariate analysis. Only depression remained a significant predictor of PS (b=0.28, P<0.05) and PI (b=0.30, P<0.05) in multivariable models. HRQL was inversely associated with PS, PI, depression, and anxiety, but only anxiety (b=−0.14, P=0.003) remained associated with HRQL in the adjusted model.

Conclusions:

Pain is present in over 70% of patients with cirrhosis undergoing liver transplant evaluation. Anxiety and depression were highly correlated with pain and appeared to be key drivers in predicting poor HRQL. Evaluating and managing mental health comorbidities should be explored as a strategy to improve HRQL in patients with cirrhosis and pain.
Bowel Perforation Caused by Biliary Stent Migration After ERCP
Authors: Wilson Natalie , Ezeani Chukwunonso , Ismail Abdellatif , Abdalla Monzer , Mohammed Shaikhoon , Abdalla Abubaker , Elawad Ayman , Beran Azizullah , Jaber Fouad , Abosheaishaa Hazem , Loon Erica , Abdallah Mohamed , Vargo John , Bilal Mohammad , Chahal Prabhleen
Published: July 2024

Goals:

This systematic review aims to evaluate the risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes of bowel perforation caused by stent migration after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Background:

Distal migration of biliary stents can occur after ERCP. Upon migration, most stents pass through the intestine without adverse events; however, bowel perforation has been reported.

Study:

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted through October 2023 for articles that reported bowel perforation because of stent migration. Cases of incomplete stent migration and proximal stent migration were excluded. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines to identify full-length articles in English reporting.

Results:

Of 2041 articles retrieved on the initial search, 92 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 132 cases of bowel perforation occurred due to stent migration after ERCP (56.1% female; average age: 66 y). The median time from initial ERCP to perforation was 44.5 days (IQR 12.5–125.5). Most cases of perforation occurred in the small bowel (64.4%) compared with the colon (34.8%). Stents were mostly plastic (87.1%) with a median diameter of 10 Fr (IQR 8.5–10) and median length of 10.3 cm (IQR 715). Surgical management was pursued in 52.3% and endoscopic management in 42.4%. Bowel resection was required for 25.8% of patients. The overall mortality rate was 17.4%.

Conclusion:

In summary, this study demonstrates that bowel perforation after ERCP stent migration primarily occurs within 44.5 days and most frequently with a 10 Fr plastic biliary stent. The overall mortality rate was 17.4%. It is important for endoscopists to be mindful of this rare but serious adverse event.
A Pediatric Case of B Cell Precursor ALL With Blinatumomab-associated Encephalopathy
Authors: Shimomura Maiko , Tanaka Mari , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Izumo Hiroki , Tateishi Yuichi , Mizoguchi Yoko , Kawaguchi Hiroshi , Okada Satoshi , Karakawa Shuhei
Published: July 2024

Blinatumomab is a CD3/CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engager used to treat relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). Although blinatumomab has shown efficacy, it can cause serious adverse events, including cytokine release syndrome and neurological events. Among the neurological events, encephalopathy is rare, and knowledge is lacking. Herein, we present a pediatric case of blinatumomab-associated encephalopathy that initially presented with refractory convulsions and later developed into a cerebral infarction. The patient experienced prolonged paralysis and increased brain damage.
Virtual Modeling in Gender-Affirming Facial Masculinization Surgery
Authors: Moghadam Shahrzad , LaGuardia Jonnby S. , Chin Madeline G. , Huang Kelly X. , Bedar Meiwand , Lee Justine C.
Published: July 2024

The increase in access to facial gender-affirming surgery has resulted in an increase in facial feminization procedures for transfeminine and gender nonbinary populations. However, refined execution of facial masculinization is challenged by the lack of defined measurements for facial augmentation, the lack of long-term predictability in autologous bone grafting in augmentation procedures, and the lack of precision in traditional facial augmentation procedures with generic alloplastic implants. The authors describe an innovation in facial masculinization surgery using modern reconstructive craniofacial surgical techniques with preoperative virtual modeling and the fabrication of 3-dimensionally printed, patient-specific custom implants.
Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression Provides Incremental Prognostic Value and Optimizes Risk Reclassification by Computed Tomography Angiography
Authors: Meng Qingchao , An Yunqiang , Zhao Li , Zhao Na , Yan Hankun , Wang Jingxi , Zhou Yutao , Lu Bin , Gao Yang
Published: July 2024

Purpose:

This study investigated the prognostic value and risk reclassification ability of coronary atherosclerosis progression through serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Materials and Methods:

This study enrolled patients with suspected or confirmed coronary artery disease who underwent serial CCTA. Coronary atherosclerosis progression was represented by coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and segment stenosis score (SSS) progression. The baseline and follow-up CCTA characteristics and coronary atherosclerosis progression were compared. Furthermore, the incremental prognostic value and reclassification ability of three models (model 1, baseline risk factors; model 2, model 1 + SSS; and model 3, model 2 + SSS progression) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were compared.

Results:

In total, 516 patients (aged 56.40 ± 9.56 y, 67.4% men) were enrolled. During a mean follow-up of 65.29 months, 114 MACE occurred. The MACE group exhibited higher CACS and SSS than the non-MACE group at baseline and follow-up CCTA (P < 0.001), and demonstrated higher coronary atherosclerosis progression than the non-MACE group (ΔSSS: 2.63 ± 2.50 vs 1.06 ± 1.78, P < 0.001; ΔCACS: 115.15 ± 186.66 vs 89.91 ± 173.08, P = 0.019). SSS progression provided additional prognostic information (C-index = 0.757 vs 0.715, P < 0.001; integrated discrimination index = 0.066, P < 0.001) and improved the reclassification ability of risk (categorical-net reclassification index = 0.149, P = 0.015) compared with model 2.

Conclusions:

Coronary atherosclerosis progression through CCTA significantly increased the prognostic value and risk stratification for MACE compared with baseline risk factor evaluation and CCTA only.
Introducing Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Orhan Adile , Justesen Tobias F. , Raskov Hans , Qvortrup Camilla , Gögenur Ismail
Published: July 2024

Objective:

To give surgeons a review of the current and future use of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with localized colorectal cancer (CRC).

Background:

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the standard of care in oncology and improved survival outcomes in several cancers. However, the applicability of immunotherapy is still an ongoing challenge. Some cancer types are less responsive to immunotherapy, and the heterogeneity in responses within cancer types is poorly understood. Clinical characteristics of the patient, the timing of immunotherapy in relation to surgery, diversities in the immune responses, clonal heterogeneity, different features of the tumor microenvironment, and genetic alterations are some factors among many that may influence the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Results:

In this narrative review, we describe the major types of immunotherapy used to treat localized CRC. Furthermore, we discuss the prediction of response to immunotherapy in relation to biomarkers and radiologic assessment. Finally, we consider the future perspectives of clinical implications and response patterns, as well as the potential and challenges of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in localized CRC.

Conclusions:

Establishing mismatch repair (MMR) status at the time of diagnosis is central to the potential use of neoadjuvant immunotherapy, in particular immune checkpoint inhibitors, in localized CRC. To date, efficacy is primarily seen in patients with deficient MMR status and polymerase epsilon mutations, although a small group of patients with proficient MMR does respond. In conclusion, neoadjuvant immunotherapy shows promising complete response rates, which may open a future avenue of an organ-sparing watch-and-wait approach for a group of patients.
On second-order tensor representation of derivatives in shape optimization
Authors: Laurain Antoine , Lopes Pedro T. P.
Published: July 2024

In this article, we study general properties of distributed shape derivatives admitting a volumetric tensor representation of order two. We obtain a general result providing a range of expressions for the shape derivative, with the distributed shape derivative at one end of the range and the standard Hadamard formula at the other end. We further apply this result to a cost functional depending on the solution of a fourth-order elliptic equation, and obtain the distributed shape derivative in the case of open sets, and the Hadamard formula for sets of class

C

4

. We also consider the case of polygons, for which a description of the weak singularities of the solution appearing in the neighbourhood of the vertices is required to obtain the Hadamard formula.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Non-smooth variational problems with applications in mechanics’.
On the numerical corroboration of an obstacle problem for linearly elastic flexural shells
Authors: Peng Xin , Piersanti Paolo , Shen Xiaoqin
Published: July 2024

In this article, we study the numerical corroboration of a variational model governed by a fourth-order elliptic operator that describes the deformation of a linearly elastic flexural shell subjected not to cross a prescribed flat obstacle. The problem under consideration is modelled by means of a set of variational inequalities posed over a non-empty, closed and convex subset of a suitable Sobolev space and is known to admit a unique solution. Qualitative and quantitative numerical experiments corroborating the validity of the model and its asymptotic similarity with Koiter’s model are also presented.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Non-smooth variational problems with applications in mechanics’.
A variational approach to frame-indifferent quasistatic viscoelasticity of rate type
Authors: Şengül Yasemin
Published: July 2024

The three-dimensional dynamical model for nonlinear viscoelasticity of strain-rate type is investigated in a quasistatic setting under the assumption of higher-order regularity of the deformation, which in the literature is referred to as the case of non-simple materials. The existence of weak solutions is proven using a time-discretization technique while respecting the condition of dynamical frame indifference. Some observations on frame indifference for strain-rate-type stresses are made, and corrections are proposed for some related work in the literature. Finally, a counterexample is given to show that the assumed higher-order regularity is necessary in order to obtain the required compactness.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Non-smooth variational problems with applications in mechanics’.
Hard interfaces with microstructure: the cases of strain gradient elasticity and micropolar elasticity
Authors: Serpilli Michele , Rizzoni Raffaella , Lebon Frédéric
Published: July 2024

As the size of a layered structure scales down, the adhesive layer thickness correspondingly decreases from macro- to micro-scale. The influence of the material microstructure of the adhesive becomes more pronounced, and possible size effect phenomena can appear. This paper describes the mechanical behaviour of composites made of two solids, bonded together by a thin layer, in the framework of strain gradient and micropolar elasticity. The adhesive layer is assumed to have the same stiffness properties as the adherents. By means of the asymptotic methods, the contact laws are derived at order 0 and order 1. These conditions represent a formal generalization of the hard elastic interface conditions. A simple benchmark equilibrium problem (a three-layer composite micro-bar subjected to an axial load) is developed to numerically assess the asymptotic model. Size effects and non-local phenomena, owing to high strain concentrations at the edges, are highlighted. The example proves the efficiency of the proposed approach in designing micro-scale-layered devices.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Non-smooth variational problems with applications in mechanics’.
Sensing and feeling: an overview
Authors: Poerio Giulia L. , Kondo Hirohito M. , Moore Brian C. J.
Published: July 2024

Emotional experiences are driven, in part, by the way we process and integrate information from different sensory modalities. Understanding how perceptual and emotional systems interact to give rise to subjective feelings is an important, complex and challenging issue, requiring new approaches and integrative thinking that fuses the fundamentals of low-level sensory perception with higher-level cognitive and affective processes. The Theme Issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’ showcases fifteen theoretical, empirical, and review articles from experts working at the intersection of perception and emotion, encompassing multiple sensory systems (visual, auditory, tactile and interoceptive), clinical and non-clinical perspectives (e.g. affective disorders and hearing loss), contextual and social perspectives, and complex emotional experiences in special populations. Articles in Part 1 emphasize recent advances across fields in sensory and emotion science and give insights into future directions. Each article in Part 2 provides more detailed and specific methodological approaches or theoretical models, and focuses on basic mechanisms linking sensation to emotional experience.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
The role of environmental sensitivity in the experience and processing of emotions: implications for well-being
Authors: Lionetti Francesca , Pluess Michael
Published: July 2024

Several theories suggest that people differ significantly in their environmental sensitivity, defined as the capacity to perceive and process information about the environment. More sensitive people, who make up between 25% and 30% of the population, are not only more negatively affected by adverse experiences but also benefit disproportionately from positive ones, in line with differential susceptibility theory. Heightened emotional reactivity has been identified as one of the key markers of sensitivity. However, the current understanding of the relationship between sensitivity and the experience and processing of emotions remains limited. In the current paper we propose a new conceptual framework for the multiple ways in which environmental sensitivity may impact on different aspects of the experience and processing of emotions. This includes heightened perception of emotions, increased emotional reactivity, as well as the important role of emotion regulation for the well-being of highly sensitive people. In addition, we also consider rearing experiences in shaping sensitivity and emotion regulation. The reviewed empirical studies largely support the conceptual model but more research is needed to explore the dynamics between sensitivity and emotions further. Finally, we discuss several implications for well-being before making a case for the inclusion of individual differences in environmental sensitivity in affective science.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Interaction between the prefrontal and visual cortices supports subjective fear
Authors: Taschereau-Dumouchel Vincent , Côté Marjorie , Manuel Shawn , Valevicius Darius , Cushing Cody A. , Cortese Aurelio , Kawato Mitsuo , Lau Hakwan
Published: July 2024

It has been reported that threatening and non-threatening visual stimuli can be distinguished based on the multi-voxel patterns of haemodynamic activity in the human ventral visual stream. Do these findings mean that there may be evolutionarily hardwired mechanisms within early perception, for the fast and automatic detection of threat, and maybe even for the generation of the subjective experience of fear? In this human neuroimaging study, we presented participants ('fear' group:
N
= 30; 'no fear' group:
N
= 30) with 2700 images of animals that could trigger subjective fear or not as a function of the individual's idiosyncratic ‘fear profiles’ (i.e. fear ratings of animals reported by a given participant). We provide evidence that the ventral visual stream may represent affectively neutral visual features that are statistically associated with fear ratings of participants, without representing the subjective experience of fear itself. More specifically, we show that patterns of haemodynamic activity predictive of a specific ‘fear profile’ can be observed in the ventral visual stream whether a participant reports being afraid of the stimuli or not. Further, we found that the multivariate information synchronization between ventral visual areas and prefrontal regions distinguished participants who reported being subjectively afraid of the stimuli from those who did not. Together, these findings support the view that the subjective experience of fear may depend on the relevant visual information triggering implicit metacognitive mechanisms in the prefrontal cortex.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
The origins and development of aesthetics
Authors: Maurer Daphne , Maurer Charles
Published: July 2024

All people (and some other animals) have aesthetic responses to sensory stimulation, responses of emotional pleasure or displeasure. These emotions vary from one person and culture to another, yet they share a common mechanism. To survive, an adaptive animal (as opposed to a tropic animal) needs to become comfortable with normality and to have slight abnormalities draw attention to themselves. Walking through a jungle you need to notice a tiger from a single stripe: if you must wait to see the whole animal, you are unlikely to survive. In
Homo sapiens
, the brain's adaptive neurochemistry does this naturally, partly because the brain's neuronal networks are structured to react efficiently to fractal structures, structures that shape much of nature. In addition, previous associations may turn a slight variation from normal into feelings of either pleasure or danger. The details of these responses—what is normal and what variations feel like—will depend upon an individual's experience, but the mechanism is the same, no matter whether a person is tasting a wine, seeing a face or landscape, or hearing a song.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Confrontation with others' emotions changes bodily resonance differently in those with low and high levels of depersonalization
Authors: Gillmeister Helge , Šmate Ieva , Savva Dimitra , Li Haojie , Parapadakis Christina , Adler Julia
Published: July 2024

We present novel research on the cortical dynamics of atypical perceptual and emotional processing in people with symptoms of depersonalization–derealization disorder (DP-DR). We used electroencephalography (EEG)/event-related potentials (ERPs) to delineate the early perceptual mechanisms underlying emotional face recognition and mirror touch in adults with low and high levels of DP-DR symptoms (low-DP and high-DP groups). Face-sensitive visual N170 showed markedly less differentiation for emotional versus neutral face–voice stimuli in the high- than in the low-DP group. This effect was related to self-reported bodily symptoms like disembodiment. Emotional face–voice primes altered mirror touch at somatosensory cortical components P45 and P100 differently in the two groups. In the high-DP group, mirror touch occurred only when seeing touch after being confronted with angry face–voice primes. Mirror touch in the low-DP group, however, was unaffected by preceding emotions. Modulation of mirror touch following angry others was related to symptoms of self–other confusion. Results suggest that others’ negative emotions affect somatosensory processes in those with an altered sense of bodily self. Our findings are in line with the idea that disconnecting from one's body and self (core symptom of DP-DR) may be a defence mechanism to protect from the threat of negative feelings, which may be exacerbated through self–other confusion.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Primary somatosensory cortical processing in tactile communication
Authors: Maallo Anne Margarette S. , Novembre Giovanni , Kusztor Anikó , McIntyre Sarah , Israr Ali , Gerling Gregory , Björnsdotter Malin , Olausson Håkan , Boehme Rebecca
Published: July 2024

Touch is an essential form of non-verbal communication. While language and its neural basis are widely studied, tactile communication is less well understood. We used fMRI and multivariate pattern analyses in pairs of emotionally close adults to examine the neural basis of human-to-human tactile communication. In each pair, a participant was designated either as sender or as receiver. The sender was instructed to communicate specific messages by touching only the arm of the receiver, who was inside the scanner. The receiver then identified the message based on the touch expression alone. We designed two multivariate decoder algorithms—one based on the sender's intent (sender-decoder), and another based on the receiver's response (receiver-decoder). We identified several brain areas that significantly predicted behavioural accuracy of the receiver. Regarding our
a priori
region of interest, the receiver's primary somatosensory cortex (S1), both decoders were able to accurately differentiate the messages based on neural activity patterns here. The receiver-decoder, which relied on the receivers' interpretations of the touch expressions, outperformed the sender-decoder, which relied on the sender's intent. Our results identified a network of brain areas involved in human-to-human tactile communication and supported the notion of non-sensory factors being represented in S1.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Arousal and the modulation of sensory experience: evidence from food-related emotions
Authors: Prescott John , Spinelli Sara
Published: July 2024

Across sensory systems, several stimulus collative characteristics, including intensity, novelty, complexity and perceived dangerousness, are known to elicit high levels of physiological and psychological arousal. It has become apparent that food rejections by both children and adults are frequently linked to such arousal-inducing characteristics. This paper examines how arousal and arousability are important elements in responding to stimuli generally, but specifically to foods, ultimately influencing food preferences and choices. It is clear that responses to sensory properties are subject not just to variations in perceptual sensitivity due to genetics or experience—as in the case of widely rejected qualities such as bitterness or pungency—but also to the arousal potential of those stimuli. Moreover, this is linked to various enduring aspects of personality, suggesting that the impact of arousal on food choices is merely one aspect of a more general sensory sensitivity. The impact of diet on various health outcomes underlines the importance of understanding the relationship of arousal to food choices.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Interoceptive attention and mood in daily life: an experience-sampling study
Authors: Poerio Giulia L. , Klabunde Megan , Bird Geoffrey , Murphy Jennifer
Published: July 2024

Theories of emotion ascribe a fundamental role to the processing of bodily signals (interoception) in emotional experience. Despite evidence consistent with this, current knowledge is limited by a focus on interoceptive accuracy and laboratory-based interoception measures. This experience-sampling study examines how state interoceptive attention and state emotional experience are related in everyday life, providing the first data to our knowledge examining: (1) within-subject fluctuations in interoceptive attention across domains, and (2) the relationship between trait and state interoception. Compared with rates of exteroceptive attention (auditory attention: engaged 83% of the time), interoceptive signals captured attention approximately 20% of the time, with substantial within- and between-person variability across domains. There were relationships between interoceptive attention and emotion in daily life (greater attention being associated with more negative valence and fatigue) that were specific to interoceptive attention (different patterns were observed with exteroceptive attention). State measures of interoceptive (but not exteroceptive) attention were correlated with the trait interoceptive attention, but not accuracy. Results underscore the relationship between interoceptive attention and emotion, providing new insights into interoceptive attention and the structure of interoceptive ability. Future research should examine the source(s) of within- and between-person variability in interoceptive and exteroceptive attention and its relationship with emotional experience.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
The perception of emotion in music by people with hearing loss and people with cochlear implants
Authors: Moore Brian C. J.
Published: July 2024

Music is an important part of life for many people. It can evoke a wide range of emotions, including sadness, happiness, anger, tension, relief and excitement. People with hearing loss and people with cochlear implants have reduced abilities to discriminate some of the features of musical sounds that may be involved in evoking emotions. This paper reviews these changes in perceptual abilities and describes how they affect the perception of emotion in music. For people with acquired partial hearing loss, it appears that the perception of emotion in music is almost normal, whereas congenital partial hearing loss is associated with impaired perception of music emotion. For people with cochlear implants, the ability to discriminate changes in fundamental frequency (associated with perceived pitch) is much worse than normal and musical harmony is hardly perceived. As a result, people with cochlear implants appear to judge emotion in music primarily using tempo and rhythm cues, and this limits the range of emotions that can be judged.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience’.
Thalassotalea psychrophila sp. nov., Thalassotalea nanhaiensis sp. nov. and Thalassotalea fonticola sp. nov., three psychrophilic bacteria isolated from deep-sea sediment
Authors: Li An-Qi , Qi Xiao-Qing , Zhang Chan , Huang Xiao-Ge , Wen Ding-Yang , Li Xue-Gong , Zhang Wei-Jia
Published: July 2024

Three psychrophilic bacteria, designated as strains SQ149T, SQ345T, and S1-1T, were isolated from deep-sea sediment from the South China Sea. All three strains were the most closely related to Thalassotalea atypica RZG4-3-1T based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis (similarity ranged from 96.45 to 96.67 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and core-genome sequences showed that three strains formed a cluster within the genus Thalassotalea. The average amino acid identity, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values among the three strains and closest Thalassotalea species were far below the cut-off value recommended for delineating species, indicating they each represented a novel species. All three strains were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, and contained summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) as the predominant fatty acid, Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as predominant polar lipids. Based on the genomic, phylogenetic, and phenotypic characterizations, each strain is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Thalassotalea, for which the names Thalassotalea psychrophila sp. nov. (type strain SQ149T=MCCC 1K04231T=JCM 33807T), Thalassotalea nanhaiensis sp. nov. (type strain SQ345T=MCCC 1K04232T=JCM 33808T), and Thalassotalea fonticola sp. nov. (type strain S1-1T=MCCC 1K06879T=JCM 34824T) are proposed.
Methylobacterium amylolyticum sp. nov. and Methylobacterium ligniniphilum sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , Luo Yanfang , Zhang Kun , Song Zhengke , Ling Ling , Yu Xiaoyan , Sun Yanan , Li Jiaxin , Xiang Wensheng , Wang Xiangjing , Zhao Junwei
Published: July 2024

Two pink-pigmented bacteria, designated strains NEAU-140T and NEAU-KT, were isolated from field soil collected from Linyi, Shandong Province, PR China. Both isolates were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, and facultatively methylotrophic. 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis showed that these two strains belong to the genus Methylobacterium. Strain NEAU-140T exhibited high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Methylobacterium radiotolerans NBRC 15690T (97.43 %) and Methylobacterium phyllostachyos NBRC 105206T (97.36 %). Strain NEAU-KT exhibited high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to M. phyllostachyos NBRC 105206T (99.00 %) and Methylobacterium longum DSM 23933T (98.72 %). A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NEAU-140T formed a clade with Methylobacterium aerolatum (95.94 %), Methylobacterium persicinum (95.66 %) and Methylobacterium komagatae (96.87 %), and strain NEAU-KT formed a cluster with M. phyllostachyos and M. longum. The predominant fatty acid in both strains was C18 : 1
 ω7c. Both strains contained ubiquinone Q-10 as the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipid profiles of both strains contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine. Whole-genome phylogeny showed that strains NEAU-140T and NEAU-KT formed a phyletic line with M. aerolatum, M. persicinum, Methylobacterium radiotolerans, Methylobacterium fujisawaense, Methylobacterium oryzae, Methylobacterium tardum, M. longum and M. phyllostachyos. The orthologous average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain NEAU-140T and its closely related strains were lower than 82.62 and 25.90  %, respectively. The ANI and dDDH values between strain NEAU-KT and its closely related strains were lower than 86.29 and 31.7 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C contents were 71.63 mol% for strain NEAU-140T and 69.08 mol% for strain NEAU-KT. On the basis of their phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness and the results of dDDH and ANI hybridization, these two isolates represent two novel species within the genus Methylobacterium, for which the names Methylobacterium amylolyticum sp. nov. (type strain NEAU-140T=MCCC 1K08801T=DSM 110568T) and Methylobacterium ligniniphilum sp. nov. (type strain NEAU-KT=MCCC 1K08800T=DSM 110567T) are proposed.
Taming a behavioral monster: Resonant song recognition and the evolution of acoustic communication in crickets
Authors: Mann Winston , Erregger Bettina , Hennig Ralf Matthias , Clemens Jan
Published: July 2024

Rare behavioral phenotypes—behavioral monsters—can challenge hypotheses about the evolution of the neural networks that drive behavior. In crickets, the diversity of song recognition behaviors is thought to be based on the modification of a shared neural network. We here report on a cricket with a novel resonant song recognition pattern that challenges this hypothesis. Females of the speciesAnurogryllus muticusrespond to pulse patterns with the period of the male song, but also to song at twice the period. To identify the mechanisms underlying this multi-peaked recognition, we first explored minimal models of resonant behaviors. Though all of the three simple models tested (autocorrelation, rebound, resonate and fire) produced some kind of resonant behavior, only a single-neuron model with an oscillating membrane qualitatively matched the Anurogryllus behavior with regard to both period and duty cycle tuning. Surprisingly, the rebound model, a minimal model of the core mechanism for song recognition in crickets, fails to reproduce the preference for higher duty cycles observed in the behavior, questioning the universality of the core algorithm. However, the behavior is reproduced with a network model that contains all computations from the song recognition network of crickets, revealing the importance of an additional computation not part of the core mechanism: Following the core rebound mechanism in which post-inhibitory rebounds give rise to the resonant period tuning, feed-forward inhibition further shapes the tuning, resulting in the observed behavioral profile. Overall, this shows how unusual behavioral phenotypes can evolve by combining different nonlinear computations at the level of single cells and networks.
Sensing cellular growth rate facilitates its robust optimal adaptation to changing conditions
Authors: Planqué Robert , Hulshof Josephus , Bruggeman Frank J.
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The determinants of growth rate and the associated metabolism has been at center stage in microbial physiology for over seventy years. In this paper we show that a cell sensing its own growth rate is in principle capable of maximising it using a gene regulatory circuit responsible for adapting metabolic enzyme concentrations in dynamic conditions. This is remarkable, since any state of (close-to) optimal growth depends on nutrient conditions, and is thus not a fixed target. We derive the properties of such gene regulatory networks, and prove that such circuits allow the growth rate to be a Lyapunov function. We derive this from a general stoichiometric and kinetic description of cellular metabolism. Interestingly, our finding is in agreement with our current understanding of howE. colicontrols its growth rate. It uses ppGpp to tune the growth rate by balancing metabolic and ribosomal protein expression. Since ppGpp covaries 1-to-1 with the protein translation rate, an excellent proxy for growth rate, on a timescale of seconds, this suggests that direct sensing of the growth rate underlies growth rate optimisation inE. coli.
Discovery and Repurposing of Multi-Target Senolytics through Structure-Based Virtual Screening
Authors: Olacoaga Samael , Königsberg Mina , Cortés-Benítez Francisco , Pérez-Villanueva Jaime , López-Diazguerrero Norma Edith
Published: July 2024

Cellular Senescence is a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest in response to various stressors that can damage the cell. Senescent Cells (SCs) exhibit multiple alterations at the morphological and molecular levels, one of the most significant being the development and activation of Senescent Cell Anti-Apoptotic Pathways (SCAPs). Due to this characteristic, SCs accumulate in organs and tissues during aging. The accumulation of these cells has been associated with the onset and progression of various chronic degenerative diseases, and their selective elimination allows for the slowing down, halting, and reversing of many ageassociated ailments. Small molecules called senolytics, which inhibit SCAPs, have been proposed to selectively eliminate SCs. Herein, we identified new senolytics through computational and rational drug design approaches. Among the identified molecules are the FDA-approved drug tolvaptan, the experimental Phase II drug sotrastaurin, and the experimental drugs cryptotanshinone and bicuculline. The effectiveness of these molecules in targeting senescent cells was confirmed through experiments using two different models of cellular senescence in human lung fibroblasts. Our results suggest that some molecules work by selectively inducing apoptosis through a multi-target mechanism, inhibiting several SCAPs, including PIK3CD, SERPINE1, EFNB1, and PDGFB. These newly identified FDAapproved and experimental drugs have the potential to be repurposed as new senolytic agents.
Integrative deep immune profiling of the elderly reveals systems-level signatures of aging, sex, smoking, and clinical traits
Authors: Riemann Lennart , Gutierrez Rodrigo , Odak Ivan , Barros-Martins Joana , Roesner Lennart M. , Lara Ximena Leon , Falk Christine , Schulz Thomas F. , Hansen Gesine , Werfel Thomas , Förster Reinhold ,   the RESIST SI Cohort Investigators
Published: July 2024

Elderly individuals have higher disease susceptibility and lower vaccine responsiveness, highlighting the need to better comprehend the aging immune system and its clinical associations. Here we conducted a deep immune profiling study of 550 elderly individuals (61–94 years) and 100 young adults (22–38 years). Utilizing high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry to identify 97 immune cell populations and 48-plex cytokine profiling, we detailed intricate age-and sex-related changes in the elderly immune system at an unprecedented depth. Synthesizing information from clinical, laboratory, and immunological data through an integrative multi-block analysis, we reveal overarching systems-level signatures of aging, such as increased concentrations of specific cytokines and frequencies of defined innate and adaptive immune cell subpopulations. Extending this approach, we identified unique immune signatures of smoking, obesity, and several diseases including osteoporosis, heart failure and gout. Our systems biology approach enables to uncover new relationships between clinical characteristics and immunological traits.
AgRP1 modulates breeding season-dependent feeding behavior in female medaka
Authors: Tagui Yurika , Takeda Shingo , Waida Hiroyo , Kitahara Shoichi , Kimura Tomoki , Kanda Shinji , Oka Yoshitaka , Hayashi Yu , Umatani Chie
Published: July 2024

Feeding and reproduction are known to be closely correlated with each other, and the seasonal breeders show breeding season-dependent feeding behavior. However, most model animals do not have definite breeding seasonality, and the mechanisms for such feeding behavior remain unclear. Here, we focused on female medaka (Oryzias latipes); they show breeding season-dependent feeding behavior, and their condition of breeding season can be experimentally controlled by day-length. We first demonstrated that, among previously reported feeding-related peptides (neuropeptides involved in feeding), agouti-related peptide 1 (agrp1) and neuropeptide y b (npyb) show higher brain expression under the breeding condition than under the non-breeding one. Combined with analysis ofagrp1knockout medaka, we obtained results to suggest that long day-induced sexually mature condition, especially ovarian estrogenic signals, increase the expressions ofagrp1in the brain, which results in increased food intake to promote reproduction. Our findings advance the understanding of neural mechanisms of feeding behavior for reproductive success.
A Receptor Like Cytoplasmic Kinase evolved inAeschynomenelegumes to mediate Nod-independent rhizobial symbiosis
Authors: Horta Araújo Natasha , Landry David , Quilbé Johan , Pervent Marjorie , Nouwen Nico , Klopp Christophe , Cullimore Julie , Gully Djamel , Brottier Laurent , Pichereaux Carole , Racoupeau Martin , Rios Maëlle , Gressent Frédéric , Chaintreuil Clémence , Gough Clare , Giraud Eric , Lefebvre Benoit , Arrighi Jean-François
Published: July 2024

Many plants interact symbiotically with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to enhance inorganic phosphorus uptake, and legumes also develop a nodule symbiosis with rhizobia for nitrogen acquisition. Establishment and functioning of both symbioses rely on a common plant signaling pathway activated by structurally related Myc- and Nod-factors. Recently, a SPARK Receptor-like-Kinase (RLK)/Receptor-like Cytoplasmic Kinase (RLCK) complex was shown to be essential for AM in both monocot and dicot plants. Here, we show that inAeschynomenelegumes the RLCK component of this receptor complex has evolved following a gene duplication event and mediates a unique nodule symbiosis that is independent of rhizobial Nod factors. InAeschynomene evenia,AeRLCK2is crucial for nodule initiation but not for AM. Additionally, AeRLCK2 physically interacts with and is phosphorylated by the Cysteine-rich RLK, AeCRK, also required for nodulation. This work reveals a novel evolutionary origin of this Nod-independent symbiosis from AM.