bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Q-Marker Prediction of Astragali Complanati Semen Based on Fingerprint and Network Pharmacology
Authors: Jia Xiaozhou , Lv Weisheng , Wei Cuijie , Liang Yueyi , Yang Jie , Hou Xuxuan , Li Zhenyu , Chen Xiangdong , Wei Mei , Sun Dongmei
Published: October 2024

Background

Astragali Complanati, known in Chinese as Shayuanzi, is a common medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly used for tonifying the kidney, supporting yang, consolidating essence, reducing urine, and other diseases.

Objective

The ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) fingerprint of Astragali Complanati Semen (ACS) was established, and the Q-markers of ACS were analyzed by network pharmacology.

Methods

First, a UPLC fingerprint detection method was established for ACS, and the common peaks were identified by UPLC–MS/MS. The “component–target–pathway” network relationships of characteristic components of ACS were constructed by network pharmacology, and the potential quality markers (Q-markers) were predicted.

Results

A total of 24 common peaks were identified from the UPLC fingerprint of ACS, and 12 chromatographic peaks were identified by UPLC–MS/MS. A total of 12 Q-markers candidate components were screened out. Through network pharmacological analysis, it is predicted that myricetin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1–2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1–6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, myricetin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1–2)-β-D-glucopyranoside, myricetin 3-β-D-glucopyranoside, cannabiscitrin, laricitrin-3-O-glucoside, leucoside, complanatoside B, complanatuside, complanatuside 6''-malonate, clycosin, rhamnocitrin 3-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 3-O-[5'''-O-feruloyl-beta-D-apiofuranosyl(1'''->2'')-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] rhamnocitrin are the Q-markers of ACS.

Conclusion

The method established in this study was accurate, reliable, simple, and practical and could be used as a reference method for ACS quality detection. Twelve Q-markers selected by network pharmacology could provide support and references for ACS QC.
End Column Reverse Chromatography as a Novel Approach for Enhanced Separation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Soliman Mostafa
Published: October 2024

Background

Currently, the most popular technique in gas chromatography (GC) is “temperature programming,” where the temperature increases from the start of the injection. This leads to faster elution of analytes compared to isothermal methods. However, isothermal methods are considered optimal for separating compounds with similar retention times. Another interesting technique that provides higher resolution is dynamic thermal gradient gas chromatography (TGGC), where separations are achieved as a decreasing thermal gradient. This gradually decreases the positive gas velocity. Nevertheless, it was proven that GC techniques with negative velocity gradients do not improve the resolution of compounds with nearly identical retention times.

Objective

Optimizing a new GC approach to combine both the short time from positive temperature ramps programming, and the enhanced separation of the negative ramps of the TGGC, a model under the name of “end column reverse chromatography” (ECRC).

Methods

The process simply consists of two steps: the first is a normal positive ramp from the start of the injection, and the second step is a negative thermal ramp at a time that is around the retention time of the first eluting peak. This will decrease the solute velocity almost solely for the second compound, leading to relatively enhanced separation.

Results

The optimized ECRC method increased the resolution of two isomers (trans- and cis-chlordane) from 1 (slightly overlapping) in the case of temperature programming to 2.78 as shown in this study. This comes at the expense of the width and intensity of the peaks, where the intensity decreased about 17 and 12% for cis- and trans-chlordane, and the peak width increased with 37 and 77% for the same compounds, respectively.

Conclusions

ECRC is a novel model for enhanced separation that comes with some drawbacks.

Highlights

It can be an alternative approach to get a fast GC method with enhanced separation for isomers.
PET Imaging of Breast Cancer: Current Applications and Future Directions
Authors: Edmonds Christine E , O’Brien Sophia R , McDonald Elizabeth S , Mankoff David A , Pantel Austin R
Published: October 2024

As molecular imaging use expands for patients with breast cancer, it is important for breast radiologists to have a basic understanding of molecular imaging, including PET. Although breast radiologists may not directly interpret such studies, basic knowledge of molecular imaging will enable the radiologist to better direct diagnostic workup of patients as well as discuss diagnostic imaging with the patient and other treating physicians. Several new tracers are now available to complement imaging glucose metabolism with FDG. Because it provides a noninvasive assessment of disease status across the whole body, PET offers specific advantages over tissue-based assays. Paired with targeted therapy, molecular imaging has the potential to guide personalized treatment of breast cancer, including guiding dosing during drug trials as well as predicting and assessing clinical response. This review discusses the current established applications of FDG, which remains the most widely used PET radiotracer for malignancy, including breast cancer, and highlights potential areas for expanded use based on recent research. It also summarizes research to date on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved PET tracer 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-estradiol (FES), which targets ER, including the current guidelines from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging on the appropriate use of FES-PET/CT for breast cancer as well as areas of active investigation for other potential applications. Finally, the review highlights several of the most promising novel PET tracers that are poised for clinical translation in the near future.
Copyist or Creative? The Emergence of the Woman Fashion Artist in Britain, 1880–1920
Authors: Rose Clare
Published: October 2024

The period between 1880 and 1914 was a critical time for the redefinition of high fashion as a form of art, with couture garments displayed at international exhibitions and couturiers like Paul Poiret claiming the legal protection applied to artworks for his fashion designs. At the same time, a massive expansion in illustrated journals and catalogs selling mass-produced garments offered new possibilities for graphic artists, including women trained in the applied arts by public and private colleges. These trends intersected in the figure of the female “fashion artist,” who conceived new designs or presented them to the public—but did not stitch them. In some cases, this person was a designer working for a dressmaking firm or sample house, while others were copyists of existing garments. This article will analyze surviving documents produced by British women fashion artists; examine the life cycle of fashion artists, as revealed in census data; analyze the pathways for training and career development; and consider the ways in which fashion artists were discussed in women’s magazines, both as role models for employment and as fashion mediators.
Triticum monococcum subsp. monococcum and aegilopoides: new sources of resistance to the dipteran pest, Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Liu Aifeng , Nemacheck Jill A , Li Hongwei , Anderson Kirk M , DeWitt Noah , Harris Marion O , Xu Steven S , Subramanyam Subhashree
Published: October 2024

The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) belonging to the order Diptera (family: Cecidomyiidae), is a destructive pest of host wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) causing significant economic losses. Although planting resistant wheat cultivars harboring an effective Hessian fly resistance gene (H) is the most economical and environmentally friendly pest management strategy, it imposes selection pressure on the insect populations and can lead to the evolution of Hessian fly virulence. This results in the eventual failure of the deployed H gene. New sources and novel types of resistance are urgently needed to expand the repertoire of H genes and enable strategies that are more effective and durable over the long-term. New sources of Hessian fly resistance have been identified from tetraploid (T. turgidum L., AABB) and hexaploid (T. aestivum, AABBDD) wheat species, as well as from wheat’s D-genome donor (Aegilops tauschii Coss., DD). In contrast, diploid einkorn wheat (T. monococcum L., AA) has not been extensively explored for Hessian fly resistance. In this study, we phenotyped 506 T. monococcum accessions belonging to 2 subspecies, T. monococcum L. subsp. monococcum (205 accessions) and T. monococcum subsp. aegilopoides (Link) Thell. (301 accessions), for resistance against 2 predominant Hessian fly biotypes, L and GP (Great Plains). Three and 6 accessions belonging to subsp. monococcum and aegilopoides, respectively, showed > 70% resistance. These accessions provide additional resources for improving wheat cultivars as mitigating strategies for Hessian fly management.
More efficient, smaller multicancer screening trials
Authors: Sasieni Peter , Brentnall Adam R
Published: October 2024

Background

The NHS-Galleri Trial has demonstrated feasibility of a trial design in which all participants provide a “sample” for screening, but only samples from the intervention arm are tested and acted upon during the trial. We assessed the efficiency of analysis methods when the control arm may be retrospectively tested at the time of analysis.

Methods

Analyses considered were (1) the traditional method (random allocation, with all events included), (2) the “intended-effect” method (nested in those individuals who tested positive in both arms and all events therein), and (3) the targeted method (by random allocation but with an endpoint “test-positive event”). These methods are compared using approximate statistical methods and scenario analysis.

Results

Provided that the number of individuals who die from cancer after a test-positive sample is a small fraction of the total number who die from cancer, intended-effect and targeted analyses require a much smaller sample size to evaluate cancer-specific mortality than the traditional approach. Intended-effect analysis has a smaller sample size requirement than targeted analysis does. This gain is substantial only when the risk of cancer death in individuals testing positive is high.

Conclusion

Intended-effect or targeted analysis may substantially reduce the sample size needed to evaluate cancer-specific mortality in blood-based screening trials. Targeted analysis requires many fewer retrospective tests and avoids potential problems arising from the need to inform those individuals whose stored samples test positive. Trialists should consider the trade-off of costs between sample size and retrospective testing requirements when choosing the analysis method.
Changes in the frequency and amount of alcohol intake before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nagahama Satsue , Dhungel Bibha , Hori Ai , Michikawa Takehiro , Asakura Keiko , Nishiwaki Yuji
Published: October 2024

Objectives: Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol consumption patterns, which can have implications for public health. In this descriptive study, we aimed to show the change in the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption in Japan before and during the COVID-19 pandemic periods.

Methods: We analyzed data from annual health checkups among Japanese workers from April 2018 to March 2021. Changes in the frequency (daily, occasionally, rarely/never) and amount per one-time (4 categories by Japanese alcohol unit) of alcohol consumed among 331 200 participants were summarized by sex as 1-year changes in the periods before (fiscal year [FY] 2018 to FY 2019) and during (FY 2019 to FY 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Among daily drinkers and rarely/never drinkers, overall, 1-year changes in the frequency of alcohol consumption during the pandemic were mostly consistent with changes before the pandemic, for both sexes. The number of occasional drinkers who drank less frequently a year later increased during the pandemic compared with before the pandemic (from 9.6% to 11.6% among men and from 12.9% to 16.5% among women); however, occasional drinkers who drank more frequently showed a small increase. Collectively, both men and women showed a slight decrease in both the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption during the pandemic among occasional drinkers.

Conclusions: No major shifts in alcohol consumption habits occurred during the pandemic in our study population. Occasional drinkers tended to drink less during the pandemic, suggesting that initial concerns about increased alcohol consumption owing to the pandemic were unfounded.
Learning to Burn: A Case Study on the Redesign of Federal Prescribed Fire Training in the United States Using the Twelve Levers of Transfer Effectiveness
Authors: Heward Heather , Holyoke Laura , Kobziar Leda
Published: October 2024

Lack of effectively trained personnel is a barrier to increasing safe and effective prescribed burning. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) identified a need to redesign the required training to become a federally qualified burn boss. The redesign uses strengths of subject matter experts while considering best practices for training development and delivery using the twelve levers of transfer effectiveness as a framework. This article serves as a reference for developing and delivering courses in and outside of wildland fire by applying the most up-to-date understanding of adult learning for improved training effectiveness. The ideas presented in this article support continued development of practitioners to accomplish land management objectives.

Study Implications: Strategic development and implementation of burn boss training may increase the likelihood that burn bosses can safely and effectively implement prescribed burns. This article presents a case study for applying key adult learning methods to improve training effectiveness that can be applied to other training topics in and outside wildland fire management.
PPDC: an online platform for the prediction of plant distributions in China
Authors: Qiu Jinshui , Zhang Jianwen , Wang Yanan , Zhuang Huifu
Published: October 2024

The survival and reproduction of plants in a particular region are closely related to the local ecological niche. The use of species distribution models based on the ecological niche concept to predict potential distributions can effectively guide the protection of endangered plants, prevention and control of invasive plants, and plant introduction and ex-situ conservation. However, traditional methods and processes for predicting potential distributions of plants are tedious and complex, requiring the collection and processing of large amounts of data and the manual operation of multiple tools. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve large-scale prediction of the potential distributions of plants. To address these limitations, by collecting and organizing a large amount of basic data, occurrence records, and environmental data and integrating species distribution models and mapping techniques, a workflow to automatically predict the potential distributions of Chinese plants was established, thus the innovative work of predicting the potential distributions of 32 000 species of plants in China was completed. Furthermore, an online platform for predicting plant distributions in China based on visualization technology was developed, providing a basis for sharing the prediction results across a wide range of scientists and technologists. Users can quickly access information about the potential distributions of plants in China, providing a reference for the collection, preservation, and protection of plant resources. In addition, users can quickly predict the potential distribution of a certain plant in a certain region across China according to specific needs, thus providing technical support for biodiversity conservation.
Sparse inference of the human haematopoietic system from heterogeneous and partially observed genomic data
Authors: Sottile Gianluca , Augugliaro Luigi , Vinciotti Veronica , Arancio Walter , Coronnello Claudia
Published: October 2024

Haematopoiesis is the process of blood cells’ formation, with progenitor stem cells differentiating into mature forms such as white and red blood cells or platelets. While progenitor cells share regulatory pathways involving common nuclear factors, specific networks shape their fate towards particular lineages. This paper analyses the complex regulatory network that drives the formation of mature red blood cells and platelets from their common precursors. Using the latest reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR genomic data, we develop a dedicated graphical model that incorporates the effect of external genomic data and allows inference of regulatory networks from the high-dimensional and partially observed data.
Modelling particle number size distribution: a continuous approach
Authors: Martínez-Hernández Israel , Euán Carolina , Burr Wesley S , Meis Melanie , Blangiardo Marta , Pirani Monica
Published: October 2024

Particulate matter (PM) is well known to be detrimental to health, and it is crucial to apportion PM into the underlying sources to target policies. Particle number size distribution (PNSD) is the most accessible data to identify these sources, which provides information on the PM sizes. Here, we propose a new functional factor model for PNSD, which allows to disentangle PM into sources and contributions while considering the complex dependencies of the data across different sizes and periods. Through a simulation study, we show that this method is able to identify sources correctly, and we use it to analyse hourly PNSD data collected in London for 7 years, finding 6 well-defined sources. Our proposed methodology is fast, accurate, and reproducible.
Disseminated histoplasmosis in a Congolese migrant under long-term steroid hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Karkowski Ludovic , Gondoin Sylvie , Durupt François , Gaillard Tiphaine , Rabodonirina Meja , Le Moigne François , Aoun Olivier
Published: October 2024

We report a disseminated histoplasmosis in a Congolese migrant under long-term steroid hormone replacement therapy. Organs involved were the skin, oral and nose mucosae, brain, lungs and colon. Histoplasma capsulatum var capsulatum was detected by histopathology and identified by fungal culture. The outcome was favourable following liposomal amphotericin B then itraconazole.
Comparing the Accuracy of Conventional Gypsum and 3D-Printed Dental Casts Using Three-Dimensional Analysis
Authors: Thomson Bradley J , Hu Eric , Masterson Robert
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Dental impressions and casts play a critical role in dental care, facilitating diagnoses and the fabrication of prostheses. Traditional methods of fabrication involve elastomeric materials that are more prone to errors and patient discomfort. Digital advancements offer promising alternatives, yet their accuracy and applicability to military dentistry remain under-explored. This study evaluates the accuracy of digital casts produced with material available in the Military Health System compared to conventional methods.

Materials and Methods

Using a digital (n = 10) and analog (n = 10) methodology casts were fabricated from a reference cast (n = 1). The reference and cast samples were scanned with a reference scanner to generate stereolithography files. These files were used to generate full arch, single crown, fixed dental prosthesis, and inlay digital casts which were then compared using a three-dimensional (3D) comparison software to evaluate accuracy. Root mean square values were obtained, giving a quantitative evaluation of the deviation of each sample from the reference cast. Statistical analysis consisted of a Shapiro-Wilk and Levene test to account for homogeneity of variances in each group. An ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test were used to determine differences in accuracy among the full arch and a two-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test evaluated differences in trueness among the casts of the individual preparations.

Results

Analog full arch casts had an average root mean square of 106 ±19.18 µm when examining trueness and 12 ±2.58 µm for precision. Digital full arch casts had an average root mean square of 51.9 ±5.39 µm when examining trueness and 4.2 ±1.57 µm for precision. Overall digital casts surpassed analog counterparts in accuracy. Fixed dental prostheses were found to be the only group, which showed no statistically significant difference between digital and analog.

Conclusion

These findings validate the potential of digital workflows in enhancing the speed and accuracy of dental care in the Military Health System, while underscoring the need for further exploration and refinement in specific clinical contexts.
Exploring the properties of the obscured hyperluminous quasar COS-87259 at z = 6.853
Authors: Varnava Charalambia , Efstathiou Andreas , Farrah Duncan
Published: October 2024

In this paper we explore the properties of the $z=6.853$ obscured hyperluminous quasar COS-87259, discovered in the Cosmological Evolution Survey (COSMOS) field, with our recently developed Bayesian spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting code SMART (Spectral energy distributions Markov chain Analysis with Radiative Transfer models). SMART fits SEDs exclusively with multicomponent radiative transfer models that constitute four different types of pre-computed libraries for the active galactic nucleus (AGN) torus, the starburst, and the spheroidal or disc host. We explore two smooth radiative transfer models for the AGN torus and two two-phase models, in order to put constraints on the AGN fraction of the galaxy, the black hole mass, and its star formation rate (SFR). We find that either of the smooth tapered disc or the two-phase flared disc models provide a good fit to the SED of COS-87259. The best-fitting models predict an AGN fraction in the range $86-92$ per cent, a bolometric AGN luminosity of $5.8-10.3 \times 10^{13} L_\odot$, a black hole mass of $1.8-3.2 \times 10^{9} M_\odot$ (assuming the quasar is accreting at the Eddington limit), and an SFR in the range $1985-2001~M_\odot \rm yr^{-1}$. The predicted space density of such objects in the redshift range $4-7$ is $\sim 20$ times more than that of co-eval unobscured quasars.
Numerical experiments on granulation-generated two-fluid waves and flows in a solar magnetic carpet
Authors: Niedziela R , Murawski K , Srivastava A K
Published: October 2024

We consider the effects of granulation with a complex geometry of a magnetic carpet on the genesis of waves and plasma flows in a quiet-region of the solar atmosphere. Our aim is to perform numerical experiments on the self-generated and self-evolving solar granulation in a magnetic carpet representing the parts of the large-scale magnetized solar atmosphere, where waves and flows are basic inherent physical processes occurring continuously. We perform numerical experiments with the use of the joanna code which solves non-ideal and non-adiabatic two-fluid equations  for ions + electrons and neutrals treated as two separate fluids. In these experiments, we assume that the plasma is hydrogen, and initially described by magnetohydrostatic equilibrium which is accompanied with a magnetic carpet. Parametric studies with different values of magnetic field show that its higher values result in larger magnitudes of ion-neutral velocity drift, thus ensuring larger heating and plasma flows. The present model addresses that in the highly dynamic solar chromosphere, waves, heating and plasma flows may collectively couple different layers of the solar atmosphere, and this entire process crucially depends on the local plasma and magnetic field properties. We suggest that waves and flows are the natural response of the granulation process in the quiet-Sun.
Magnetic fields under feedback: a case study of the massive star-forming hub G34.26 + 0.15
Authors: Khan Zacariyya Afzal , Pattle Kate , Graves Sarah F
Published: October 2024

We present 850 $\mu$m polarized observations of the molecular cloud G34.26 + 0.15 taken using the POL-2 polarimeter mounted on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). G34.26 + 0.15 is a hub–filament system with ongoing high-mass star formation, containing multiple H ii regions. We extend the histogram of relative orientations technique with an alternative application that considers the alignment of the magnetic field to the filaments and a H ii region boundary, denoted as the filament alignment factor ($\xi _{F}$) and the ellipse alignment factor ($\xi _{E}$), respectively. Using these metrics, we find that, although in general the magnetic field aligns parallel to the filamentary structure within the system in the north-west, the magnetic field structure of G34.26 + 0.15 has been radically reshaped by the expansion of an evolved H ii region in the south-east, which itself may have triggered further high-mass star formation in the cloud. Thus, we suggest high-mass star formation is occurring through both mass accretion as per the hub–filament model from one side and compression of gas under stellar feedback from the other. We also use HARP (Heterodyne Array Receiver Program) observations of C$^{18}$O from the CHIMPS survey to estimate the magnetic field strength across the cloud, finding strengths of $\sim$0.5–1.4 mG.
Evolution mapping – II. Describing statistics of the non-linear cosmic velocity field
Authors: Esposito Matteo , Sánchez Ariel G , Bel Julien , Ruiz Andrés N
Published: October 2024

We extend the evolution–mapping approach, introduced in the first paper of this series to describe non-linear matter density fluctuations, to statistics of the cosmic velocity field. This framework classifies cosmological parameters into shape parameters, which determine the shape of the linear matter power spectrum, $P_{\rm L}(k, z)$, and evolution parameters, which control its amplitude at any redshift. Evolution–mapping leverages the fact that density fluctuations in cosmologies with identical shape parameters but different evolution parameters exhibit similar non-linear evolutions when expressed as a function of clustering amplitude. We analyse a suite of N-body simulations sharing identical shape parameters but spanning a wide range of evolution parameters. Using a method for estimating the volume-weighted velocity field based on the Voronoi tessellation of simulation particles, we study the non-linear evolution of the velocity divergence power spectrum, $P_{\theta \theta }(k)$, and its cross-power spectrum with the density field, $P_{\delta \theta }(k)$. We demonstrate that the evolution–mapping relation applies accurately to $P_{\theta \theta }(k)$ and $P_{\delta \theta }(k)$. While this breaks down in the strongly non-linear regime, deviations can be modelled in terms of differences in the suppression factor, $g(a) = D(a)/a$, similar to those for the density field. Such modelling describes the differences in $P_{\theta \theta }(k)$ between models with the same linear clustering amplitude to better than 1 per cent accuracy at all scales and redshifts considered. Evolution–mapping simplifies the description of the cosmological dependence of non-linear density and velocity statistics, streamlining the sampling of large cosmological parameter spaces for cosmological analysis.
Exploring massive star early evolution: the case of the Herschel 36 A triple system
Authors: Arias Julia I , Holgado Gonzalo , Gamen Roberto , Morrell Nidia I , Campillay Abdo R
Published: October 2024

Theoretical models show that some massive stars have not yet arrived at the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) at the end of the accretion phase. At that time, they have lost their thick envelopes and thus could be optically visible. Although some candidates to optically observable ZAMS stars have been reported, the evolutionary status of none of them has been confirmed yet. The O-type triple system Herschel 36 A (H36A) is one of these candidates. We present the quantitative spectral analysis of the individual stellar components of H36A and investigate the evolutionary status of the system by contrasting main-sequence and pre-main-sequence models. Overall, the derived parameters suggest that the components of H36A could be pre-main-sequence stars going through the very last contraction to the ZAMS. However, the possibility of them already being on the main sequence is not yet ruled out. This study highlights the importance of considering multiple evolutionary models and shows that H36A represents a key object for understanding massive star formation and early evolution.
Probing the cosmic web in Lyα emission over large scales: an intensity mapping forecast for DECaLS/BASS and DESI
Authors: Renard Pablo , Spinoso Daniele , Montero-Camacho Paulo , Sun Zechang , Zou Hu , Cai Zheng
Published: October 2024

Being the most prominent H i line, Ly$\alpha$ permeates the cosmic web in emission. Despite its potential as a cosmological probe, its detection on large scales remains elusive. We present a new methodology to perform Ly$\alpha$ intensity mapping with broad-band optical images, by cross-correlating them with Ly$\alpha$ forest data using a custom one-parameter estimator. We also develop an analytical large-scale Ly$\alpha$ emission model with two parameters (average luminosity $\langle L_{\rm Ly\alpha } \rangle$ and bias $b_{\rm e}$) that respects observational constraints from quasar (QSO) luminosity functions. We compute a forecast for Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS)/Beijing–Arizona Sky Survey (BASS) g-band images cross-correlated with Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Ly$\alpha$ forest data, setting guidelines for reducing images into Ly$\alpha$ intensity maps. Given the transversal scales of our cross-correlation (26.4 arcmin, $\sim$33 cMpc h−1), our study effectively integrates Ly$\alpha$ emission over all the cosmic volume inside the DESI footprint at $2.2 \lt z \lt 3.4$ (the g-band Ly$\alpha$ redshift range). Over the parameter space ($\langle L_{\rm Ly\alpha } \rangle$, $b_{\rm e}$) sampled by our forecast, we find a 3$\sigma$ of large-scale structure in Ly$\alpha$ likely, with a probability of detection of 23.95 per cent for DESI–DECaLS/BASS, and 54.93 per cent for a hypothetical DESI phase-II with twice as much Ly$\alpha$ QSOs. Without a detection, we derive upper bounds on $\langle L_{\rm Ly\alpha } \rangle$ competitive with optimistic literature estimates [$2.3 \pm 1 \times 10^{\rm 41}$ erg s−1 (cMpc$^3$)−1 for DESI, and $\sim$35  per cent lower for its hypothetical phase-II]. Extrapolation to the DESI-Rubin overlap shows that a detection of large-scale structure with Ly$\alpha$ intensity mapping using next-generation imaging surveys is certain. Such detection would allow constraining $\langle L_{\rm Ly\alpha } \rangle$, and explore the constraining power of Ly$\alpha$ intensity mapping as a cosmological probe.
Recent advances in Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy for glioblastoma
Authors: Khagi Simon , Kotecha Rupesh , Gatson Na Tosha N , Jeyapalan Suriya , Abdullah Huda Ismail , Avgeropoulos Nicholas G , Batzianouli Eleni T , Giladi Moshe , Lustgarten Leonardo , Goldlust Samuel A
Published: October 2024

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is a locoregional, anticancer treatment consisting of a noninvasive, portable device that delivers alternating electric fields to tumors through arrays placed on the skin. Based on efficacy and safety data from global pivotal (randomized phase III) clinical studies, TTFields therapy (Optune Gio) is US Food and Drug Administration-approved for newly diagnosed (nd) and recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) and Conformité Européenne-marked for grade 4 glioma. Here we review data on the multimodal TTFields mechanism of action that includes disruption of cancer cell mitosis, inhibition of DNA replication and damage response, interference with cell motility, and enhancement of systemic antitumor immunity (adaptive immunity). We describe new data showing that TTFields therapy has efficacy in a broad range of patients, with a tolerable safety profile extending to high-risk subpopulations. New analyses of clinical study data also confirmed that overall and progression-free survival positively correlated with increased usage of the device and dose of TTFields at the tumor site. Additionally, pilot/early phase clinical studies evaluating TTFields therapy in ndGBM concomitant with immunotherapy as well as radiotherapy have shown promise, and new pivotal studies will explore TTFields therapy in these settings. Finally, we review recent and ongoing studies in patients in pediatric care, other central nervous system tumors and brain metastases, as well as other advanced-stage solid tumors (ie, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, gastric, and hepatic cancers), that highlight the broad potential of TTFields therapy as an adjuvant treatment in oncology.
Candidates nomination strategy in a mixed electoral system: Evidence from the 2022 Italian general election
Authors: Boldrini Matteo
Published: October 2024

Despite the significant attention that scientific literature has dedicated to candidate selection mechanisms, relatively few studies have delved into which characteristics influence candidate positioning on the list. Social scientists have primarily focussed on factors shaping a candidate’s career rather than those affecting their placement on the list. Placement is a crucial factor in mixed or proportionally representative electoral systems with closed-list structures. Through a multivariate statistical analysis applied to an original dataset on candidates from major parties, this article aims to fill this gap in the literature by analysing candidates in the list during the 2022 Italian political elections. The results suggest that factors such as incumbency, previous national career, and the level of local rootedness favour placement on the list in positions where the chance of election seems more realistic. Conversely, gender favours placement in positions where the chances of election are less realistic. Additionally, dual candidacy in both the proportional and majoritarian parts also appear to have a positive effect; however, its interaction effects with other variables are less clear.
The DYRKP1 kinase regulates cell wall degradation in Chlamydomonas by inducing matrix metalloproteinase expression
Authors: Kim Minjae , Jorge Gabriel Lemes , Aschern Moritz , Cuiné Stéphan , Bertrand Marie , Mekhalfi Malika , Putaux Jean-Luc , Yang Jae-Seong , Thelen Jay J , Beisson Fred , Peltier Gilles , Li-Beisson Yonghua
Published: October 2024

The cell wall of plants and algae is an important cell structure that protects cells from changes in the external physical and chemical environment. This extracellular matrix, composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, must be constantly remodeled throughout the life cycle. However, compared to matrix polysaccharides, little is known about the mechanisms regulating the formation and degradation of matrix glycoproteins. We report here that a plant kinase belonging to the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase (DYRKP1) family present in all eukaryotes regulates cell wall degradation after mitosis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by inducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Without DYRKP1, daughter cells cannot disassemble parental cell walls and remain trapped inside for more than 10 days. On the other hand, the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase complementation lines show normal degradation of the parental cell wall. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses indicate a marked downregulation of MMP gene expression and accumulation, respectively, in the dyrkp1 mutants. The mutants deficient in matrix metalloproteinases retain palmelloid structures for a longer time than the background strain, like dyrkp1 mutants. Our findings show that dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase, by ensuring timely MMP expression, enables the successful execution of the cell cycle. Altogether, this study provides insight into the life cycle regulation in plants and algae.
Reply to the Comment on “A New Boson Expansion Theory Utilizing a Norm Operator”
Authors: Taniguchi Kimikazu
Published: October 2024

The comment is based on misunderstandings and, as a result, does not evaluate the norm operator method. We refute the comment. The structure of the norm operator composed of all the excitation modes determines whether the form of a practical boson expansion is a small parameter expansion. KT-3 is chimerical. It should be taken seriously that the small parameter expansions do not hold with truncating the contributions of all phonon excitation modes that are not adopted as boson excitations. The formulation using the boson expansion of the projection operator on to the boson vacuum does not allow the limitation of the phonon excitation number beforehand.
The Gender Investment Gap over the Life Cycle
Authors: Bacher Annika
Published: October 2024

Single women invest less in risky assets than do single men. This paper analyzes the determinants of the “gender investment gap” based on a structural life-cycle framework. The model can rationalize the gender investment gap without gender heterogeneity in preferences. Rather, lower deterministic income and larger household sizes shift the composition of single women toward poorer households that invest less risky (composition effect). Additionally, future outcomes of both variables (which cannot easily be controlled for in regressions) make single women more vulnerable to financial shocks and decrease their optimal equity share even conditional on state variables (policy effect).
Diffusion tensor imaging of vastus lateralis in patients with inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Saran Sonal , Nandolia Khanak , Baweja Ashish , Pai Venkatesh S , Kumar Mritunjai , Botchu Rajesh
Published: October 2024

Objective

Inflammation in patients with myositis would increase diffusion of water molecules across sarcolemma that could be detected with the help of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We aimed to determine an association between DTI of vastus lateralis (VL) and histopathological findings in cases of myositis and to estimate diagnostic performance of different MRI variables in predicting histopathological outcomes.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional observational study included 43 patients with myositis. MRI of bilateral thighs with DWI/DTI protocol was performed in all the patients. Thirty-three patients further underwent biopsy of right VL muscle. Imaging analysis included grading of ‘muscle oedema’ based on signal intensity (SI) and extent and ‘fatty infiltration’ based on extent on conventional sequences and, acquiring DWI and DTI parameters. Gold standard method to determine inflammation in muscles was histopathological examination. Comparison of DTI/DWI variables with clinical and histopathological variables was done.

Results

The average DWI apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and DTI ADC values in the patients were 1.77 ± 0.35 and 2.06 ± 0.35, respectively. The average functional anisotropy (FA) was 0.39 ± 0.17 and, the three eigenvalues in the patients were 2.96 ± 0.63, 2.05 ± 0.32 and 1.20 ± 0.39, respectively. VL oedema SI weighted score was the best parameter for predicting effaced fascicular architecture and marked lymphocytic inflammation in endomysium on histopathology. VL fatty infiltration weighted score was the best parameter in predicting perifascicular atrophy.

Conclusion

Addition of DWI or DTI did not add significantly in determining active inflammation in cases of myositis.
Monte Carlo simulation study of the effect of thyroid shielding on radiation dose in dental cone beam CT in an adult male phantom
Authors: Chen Guolin , Yin Yuchen , Sun Liang , Tang Zichun , Chen Jianguo
Published: October 2024

In this paper, the effect of thyroid collars on radiation dose during dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations and to calculate the effective dose underestimated for the actual CBCT examination due to accounting only for the head and neck. Three thyroid collar models that covered the surface of the phantom were established according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) adult-male mesh-type reference computational phantoms, and a Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System was used to calculate the equivalent and effective doses of ICRP phantom when different thyroid shielding protocols were used in NewTom VGi evo CBCT, considering one medium (12 × 8 cm) and one small (8 × 5 cm) fields of view (FOVs), and two centre positions were used for each FOV. In four CBCT scanning scenarios, thyroid shielding reduced the equivalent dose for many tissues. The results indicate that the portion of the thyroid collar that wraps around the neck has the main role in reducing the effective dose during dental CBCT examinations, and the higher the axial level of the top of the shielding, the better the effectiveness of the shielding. In this study, the underestimation of the effective dose due to considering only the head and neck was 3.1%–8.1%, and the underestimation was more pronounced in larger FOVs.
Safety and tolerability of a Muse cell-based product in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with therapeutic hypothermia (SHIELD trial)
Authors: Sato Yoshiaki , Shimizu Shinobu , Ueda Kazuto , Suzuki Toshihiko , Suzuki Sakiko , Miura Ryosuke , Ando Masahiko , Tsuda Kennosuke , Iwata Osuke , Muramatsu Yukako , Kidokoro Hiroyuki , Hirakawa Akihiro , Hayakawa Masahiro ,   the SHEILD team, Yue Xu , Goto Ryoko , Kanzawa Takahiro , Hashimoto Yuki , Tanaka Ryuichi , Taniguchi Akinobu , Aoyama Aiko , Kotani Atsuna , Tanahashi Yoshihiro , Shoji Go , Saito Akiko , Ito Miharu , Muramatsu Kanji , Yoshikane Masatoshi , Tanimura Tomoshige , Kawase Koya , Tanaka Taihei , Ueda Kentaro , Hayashi Seiji , Sahashi Takeshi , Sugiyama Yuichiro , Ikari Azuma , Hattori Tetsuo , Kato Yuichi , Oshiro Makoto , Uchizono Hiromasa , Matsuyama Nao , Fujita Yumi , Suetake Yukihiro , Matsui-Hirai Hisako , Nishimura Chiho , Watarai Yasuko , Hayashi Naoko , Katayama Akemi , Kobayashi Yumiko , Kinoshita Fumie , Mizuno Masaaki , Yamamoto Toshimichi
Published: October 2024

Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), associated with high mortality and neurological sequelae, lacks established treatment except therapeutic hypothermia. Clinical-grade multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells (CL2020) demonstrated safety and efficacy in nonclinical HIE rat models, thereby leading to an investigator-initiated clinical trial to evaluate CL2020 safety and tolerability in neonatal HIE as a single-center open-label dose-escalation study with 9 neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE who received therapeutic hypothermia. Each patient received a single intravenous injection of CL2020 cells between 5 and 14 days of age. The low-dose (3 patients) and high-dose (6 patients) groups received 1.5 × 106 and 1.5 × 107 cells/dose, respectively. The occurrence of any adverse event within 12 weeks following CL2020 administration was the primary endpoint of this trial. No significant changes in physiological signs including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were observed during or after administration. The only adverse event that may be related to cell administration was a mild γ-glutamyltransferase level elevation in one neonate, which spontaneously resolved without any treatment. All patients enrolled in the trial survived, and normal developmental quotients (≥ 85) in all 3 domains of the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001 were observed in 67% of the patients in this trial. CL2020 administration was demonstrated to be safe and tolerable for neonates with HIE. Considering the small number of patients, a randomized controlled confirmatory study is warranted to verify these preliminary findings and evaluate the efficacy of this therapy.
HDAC10 inhibits non-small-cell lung cancer cell ferroptosis through the microRNA-223-5p-SLC7A11 axis
Authors: Shi Zhihua , Jiang Tao , Sun Xusheng , Peng Liangbiao , Cao Bingji , Wang Yi
Published: October 2024

Objective

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading attributor to cancer deaths. High HDAC10 and low microRNA (miR)-223-5p levels have been observed in NSCLC. But their roles remain elusive. This study illustrated their roles in NSCLC cell ferroptosis and the mechanism.

Methods

HDAC10, miR-223-5p, and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) levels in cells were determined by RT-qPCR. Iron ion content, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione (GSH) levels were tested using reagent kits, and levels of SLC7A11 and Acyl-CoA synthesis long chain family (ACSL4) were examined using Western blot. Chromatin immunoprecision was performed to analyze the enrichment of HDAC10 and acetylated lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9ac) on the miR-223-5p promoter. The targeted binding of miR-223-5p and SLC7A11 was analyzed by dual-luciferase assay. Joint experiments were designed to identify the role of miR-223-5p/SLC7A11 axis in HDAC10-regulated ferroptosis in NSCLC cells.

Results

HDAC10 was highly expressed in NSCLC cells. Silencing HDAC10 significantly reduced GSH and SLC7A11 levels, upregulated iron ion content, ROS levels, and ACSL4 expression, promoting cell ferroptosis. Mechanically, HDAC10 inhibited miR-223-5p expression through H3K9ac deacetylation of the miR-223-5p promoter, thereby targeting SLC7A11. The joint experimental results showed that overexpression of SLC7A11 or downregulation of miR-223-5p alleviated the promoting effect of silencing HDAC10 on ferroptosis in NSCLC cells.

Conclusion

HDAC10 inhibits miR-223-5p expression through H3K9ac deacetylation of the miR-223-5p promoter, thereby promoting SLC7A11 expression and inhibiting ferroptosis in NSCLC cells.
Design and computational analysis of a novel Leptulipin-p28 fusion protein as a multitarget anticancer therapy in breast cancer
Authors: Khalid Sania , Rehman Hafiz Muhammad , Al-Qassab Yasamin , Ahmad Irfan , Fatima Tehreem , Mubasher Mian Muhammad , Kalsoom Maria , Nadeem Tariq , Bashir Hamid
Published: October 2024

The search for novel therapeutic agents to treat breast cancer has compelled the development of fusion proteins that synergize the functional benefits of different bioactive peptides. Leptulipin, derived from scorpion venom, exhibits antitumor properties. On the other hand, p28, a peptide from the bacterial protein azurin, enhances cell penetration. The current study investigated the design and computational evaluation of a Leptulipin-p28 fusion protein for breast cancer treatment. The amino acid sequences of Leptulipin and p28 were joined via a rigid linker to maintain structural and functional integrity. Secondary and tertiary structure predictions were performed using online servers of GOR-IV and I-TASSER. Physicochemical properties and solubility were analyzed using ProtParam and Protein-Sol. Validation and quality assessment of the fusion protein were confirmed through Rampage and ERRAT2. Finally, the fusion protein was docked with 2 receptors (VEGFR and Cadherin) and docked complexes were simulated on GROMACS. The Leptulipin-p28 fusion protein exhibited a stable structure exhibiting a high quality score of 92 on ERRAT and Ramachandran plot analysis highlighting 76.3% of residues in the favorable region. Docking studies with VEGFR and Cadherin receptors followed by 100 ns simulations on GROMACS showed stable complex formation. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability and robust interaction of the fusion protein-receptor complexes over time. The computational analysis indicates that the Leptulipin-p28 fusion protein holds promise as a multitarget therapeutic agent in breast cancer. The current findings warrant further investigation through in vitro and in vivo studies to validate the current outcomes.