bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronary vasospasm during infusion of CD-19 directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: a case report
Authors: Tao Jacqueline J , Roszkowska Natalia , Majure David T , Mahmood Syed S
Published: July 2023

Background

Cardiovascular events have been reported to occur in one in five patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. Commonly reported effects including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, myocardial infarction (MI), and arrhythmia. Here, we present a novel case of a patient who developed acute ST segment elevations during CAR-T cell infusion.

Case summary

A 76-year-old man with diffuse large B cell lymphoma was admitted for an investigational CD-19 directed, autologous CAR-T cell therapy. Less than 5 min into the CAR-T cell infusion, he developed severe chest pain, dyspnea, flushing, hypotension, and tachycardia. Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed inferior ST elevations and reciprocal lateral ST depressions. Emergent coronary angiography revealed mild non-obstructive coronary disease. ST segment changes and patient symptoms resolved after catheterization.

Discussion

Given the complete resolution of symptoms and EKG abnormalities in the context of non-obstructive coronary artery disease, this clinical presentation was thought to be most consistent with ST elevation MI due to coronary vasospasm. The mechanism of this vasospasm is as yet not understood and may be related to an anaphylactic reaction or a cardiotoxicity related to the cell therapy agent. As the use of CAR-T therapy continues to expand, there is a need to further characterize the full spectrum of its cardiotoxic effects.
Housing Prices and Credit Constraints in Competitive Search
Authors: Díaz Antonia , Jerez Belén , Rincón-Zapatero Juan Pablo
Published: July 2023

Wealthier, risk-averse buyers pay more to speed up transactions in competitive search markets. This result is established in a dynamic housing model where households save to smooth consumption and build a down payment. ‘Block recursivity’ is ensured by the existence of risk-neutral housing intermediaries. In the long run, the calibrated benchmark features higher indebtedness and house prices than a Walrasian model, especially when housing supply elasticity is low. The long-run price effects of greater credit availability are much larger if rental and owner-occupied stocks are segmented, but even without segmentation they can be substantial when supply elasticity is low.
The evolutionary ecology of variation in labile traits: selection on its among- and within-individual components
Authors: Araya-Ajoy Yimen G , Dingemanse Niels J , Westneat David F , Wright Jonathan
Published: July 2023

Closer integration between behavioral ecology and quantitative genetics has resulted in a recent increase in studies partitioning sources of variation in labile traits. Repeatable between-individual differences are commonly documented, and their existence is generally explained using adaptive arguments, implying that selection has shaped variation at the among- and within-individual level. However, predicting the expected pattern of non-adaptive phenotypic variation around an optimal phenotypic value is difficult, hampering our ability to provide quantitative assessments of the adaptive nature of observed patterns of phenotypic variation within a population. We argue that estimating the strength of selection on trait variation among and within individuals provides a way to test adaptive theory concerned with phenotypic variation. To achieve this aim, we describe a nonlinear selection analysis that enables the study of the selective pressures on trait means and their among- and within-individual variation. By describing an integrative approach for studying the strength of selection on phenotypic variation at different levels, we hope to stimulate empirical studies investigating the ecological factors that can shape the repeatability, heritability, and coefficients of variation of labile and other repeatedly expressed traits.
A qualitative study on the influence of COVID-19 on smoking behaviors through changing social and physical contexts
Authors: Kegler M , Owolabi S , Reilly K , Pouncy J , Kaufmann J , Marra A , Haardörfer R , Berg C
Published: July 2023

Globally, COVID-19 has been a major societal stressor and disrupted social and physical environments for many. Elucidating mechanisms through which societal disruptions influence smoking behavior has implications for future tobacco control efforts. Qualitative interviews were conducted among 38 adults who smoked combustible cigarettes in 2020 and 2021. The majority were women (75.7%), identified as Black (56.8%), were employed (61.3%), had a smoke-free home (66.7%) and lived in a small metro or rural (79.0%) county, primarily in rural southwest Georgia. Participants reported more time at home, increased isolation and less socializing, changed work and financial situations and altered household and family contexts. The vast majority of participants smoked more at some point during the pandemic with about half of these continuing to smoke more at the time of the interview. More time at home, multiple sources of stress and boredom were the main reasons for increased smoking. Decreases in smoking were attributed to financial strain, smoke-free home rules and nonsmoking family members, concerns about COVID-19 and less socializing with friends who smoke. Future tobacco control efforts during societal stressors such as pandemics should take into account specific psychosocial and environmental influences in attempts to minimize negative changes to smoking patterns.
Highlighting Potential Physical and Chemical Cues Involved in Conspecific Recognition System in a Predator Nematode,Seinura caverna
Authors: Ekino Taisuke , Yoshiga Toyoshi , Takeuchi-Kaneko Yuko , Ichihara Yu , Kanzaki Natsumi , Shinya Ryoji
Published: July 2023

Synopsis

Conspecific recognition is the ability to distinguish and respond to individuals of the same species. In nematodes, this behavior can mediate aggregation, feeding behavior, or mating. Here, we investigated whether and how the predatory nematode Seinura caverna recognizes and avoids conspecifics to prey on. In predation assays, S. caverna did not kill conspecifics, but killed nematodes of three heterospecific species. Interestingly, S. caverna did not kill Ektaphelenchoides spondylis nematodes. Seinura caverna did not eject its stylet when encountering conspecifics or E. spondylis. The characterization of the internal cuticle structure of 13 nematode species suggested that the cuticle may play a role in the preying decision, as E. spondylis and S. caverna exhibited similar, type III, cuticle layers. Chemical extracts from S. caverna further repelled conspecifics. We discuss the potential hierarchical use of physical and chemical cues in S. caverna predation behavior and provide insights into the evolutionary adaptations and behavior of this organism.
Perspectives on Principles of Cellular Behavior from the Biophysics of Protists
Authors: Larson Ben T
Published: July 2023

Synopsis

Cells are the fundamental unit of biological organization. Although it may be easy to think of them as little more than the simple building blocks of complex organisms such as animals, single cells are capable of behaviors of remarkable apparent sophistication. This is abundantly clear when considering the diversity of form and function among the microbial eukaryotes, the protists. How might we navigate this diversity in the search for general principles of cellular behavior? Here, we review cases in which the intensive study of protists from the perspective of cellular biophysics has driven insight into broad biological questions of morphogenesis, navigation and motility, and decision making. We argue that applying such approaches to questions of evolutionary cell biology presents rich, emerging opportunities. Integrating and expanding biophysical studies across protist diversity, exploiting the unique characteristics of each organism, will enrich our understanding of general underlying principles.
Reply to the comment by Filbee-Dexter et al. (2023) “Seaweed forests are carbon sinks that may help mitigate CO2 emissions”
Authors: Gallagher John B
Published: July 2023

Filbee-Dexter et al. provided commentary on Gallagher et al.’s assertion regarding the limitations of seaweed ecosystems in mitigating CO2 emissions. However, Filbee-Dexter et al. appear to have different understandings of several key aspects, and claims of heterotrophic bias contradict their cited literature upon which our analysis was based. Filbee-Dexter et al.’s reliance on net primary production fails to consider the consumption and remineralization of said production. Their endorsements of high levels of seaweed ecosystem autotrophy taken from the literature were either conceptually, temporally, or community assemblage-inappropriate. The existing literature does not substantiate their claim of methodological bias between different types of net ecosystem production (NEP) measurements. Additionally, all of these direct measurements account for any photo-re-assimilation of respiratory subsidies. Contrary to Filbee-Dexter et al.’s claim, Gallagher et al. consider the export of sequestered seaweed. The study revealed that respiratory subsidies offset the exported sequestration rates from an average of +173 million tonnes C yr−1 as a carbon sink to a carbon source of around −54 million tonnes C yr−1. Nonetheless, there are also points of consensus. It will be necessary to weight NEP for the types of seaweed ecosystems, and account for differences with a seaweeds’ particular degraded or alternative state as more data becomes available. Finally, more research is required to better understand the fate of export, and the impact of net calcification on the atmospheric exchange of CO2.
Contested Facts: The Politics and Practice of International Fact-Finding Missions
Authors: Lesch Max
Published: July 2023

International organizations (IOs) dispatch fact-finding missions to establish epistemic authority by objectively and impartially assessing contested facts. Despite this technocratic promise, they are often controversial and sometimes even fuel international disputes that challenge the epistemic authority of the dispatching organizations. Although the twenty-first century has witnessed a proliferation of United Nations (UN) commissions of inquiry, they have received surprisingly little attention in international relations (IR) scholarship. How can we explain this trend and the successes and failures of fact-finding missions, which sometimes even backfire on the IO authority? Drawing on IR theories of delegation, epistemic authority, and IO field operations as well as public international law scholarship on commissions of inquiry, this article develops an analytical framework for studying the delegation, implementation, and dissemination of fact-finding missions. It theorizes how and under what conditions international fact-finding missions close or widen credibility gaps and thus help to establish, maintain, or weaken the epistemic authority of IOs. The article illustrates this framework with a case study of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Human Rights Situation in Chile, sent by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1974 to investigate allegations of human rights violations and torture. The conclusion outlines a comparative research agenda on international fact-finding missions for IR that contributes to the study of knowledge production in IOs and the enforcement of international norms.
Recombinant GM-CSF enhances the bactericidal ability of PMNs by increasing intracellular IL-1β and improves the prognosis of secondary Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia in sepsis
Authors: Tu Fuquan , Pan Lili , Wu Wenwei , Cai Yuanhua , Li Jinggang , Wang Xuechun , Lai Xiaolin , Chen Zhixiang , Ye Luya , Wang Shaoyuan
Published: July 2023

This study tested the hypothesis that recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) enhances polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) via interleukin (IL)-1β to improve the prognosis of secondary infection in sepsis. The latter stage of sepsis is prone to induce immunosuppression, resulting in secondary fatal infections. Recombinant GM-CSF has become a way for sepsis-induced immunosuppression due to its immunomodulatory effect. However, the functional impact of GM-CSF on PMNs in sepsis remains obscure. This study aimed to study the role of recombinant GM-CSF on the bactericidal ability of PMNs in septic mice, assessing its effect on the prognosis of secondary pneumonia, and explore the mechanism of recombinant GM-CSF by intervening PMNs in patients with sepsis. The C57BL/6J sepsis mouse model was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Recombinant murine GM-CSF (rmGM-CSF) was used in vivo when mice developed immunosuppression, which was characterized by abnormal bactericidal function of PMNs in peripheral blood. rmGM-CSF improved the prognosis of secondary pneumonia and reversed the function of PMNs. PMNs isolated by Percoll from septic patients were treated by recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) in vitro. The expression of CD11b, reactive oxygen species, phagocytosis, and neutrophil extracellular trap release in PMNs were enhanced by rhGM-CSF treatments. Whole-transcriptomic sequencing of mouse PMNs indicated that recombinant GM-CSF increased the expression of Il1b gene in PMNs. Blocking and inhibiting IL-1β release effectively counteracted the enhancing effect of GM-CSF on the bactericidal function of PMNs. rmGM-CSF enhances the bactericidal function of PMNs in vivo and improves the prognosis of secondary pneumonia in septic mice, and recombinant GM-CSF increases IL-1β precursor reserves, which, if stimulated, can rapidly enhance the bactericidal capacity of PMNs.
Total temporomandibular joint replacement in recurrent temporomandibular joint ankylosis: a case report
Authors: Rauniyar Dilip , Upadhyaya Chandan , Chaurasia Nitesh , Shakya Mamata , Sharma Siddhartha
Published: July 2023

Total temporomandibular joint replacement (TMJR) is a surgical procedure in which end-stage temporomandibular joint disorders are replaced with an alloplastic prosthesis between the mandible and the base of the skull when autogenous grafts are inadvisable. These alloplastic prostheses may be available as stock or custom-made prostheses consisting of the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa components. Although the first total temporomandibular joint prosthesis was used in the 1960s, we present the case of a 20-year-old female patient, probably the first case of total temporomandibular joint arthroplasty in Nepal, performed at Dhulikhel Hospital in Kavrepalanchok. The patient underwent bilateral TMJR with a custom joint prosthesis for recurrent TMJ ankylosis. Postoperatively, the patient noticed significant improvements in mouth opening, chewing ability, facial esthetics and, most importantly, her self-esteem and confidence.
Influence of management practices on water-related grain yield determinants
Authors: Echarte Laura , Alfonso Carla S , González Hugo , Hernández Mariano D , Lewczuk Nuria A , Nagore Luján , Echarte María M
Published: July 2023

Adequate management of N supply, plant density, row spacing, and soil cover has proved useful for increasing grain yields and/or grain yield stability of rainfed crops over the years. We review the impact of these management practices on grain yield water-related determinants: seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency for grain production per unit of evapotranspired water during the growing season (WUEG,ET,s). We highlight a large number of conflicting results for the impact of management on ET and expose the complexity of the ET response to environmental factors. We analyse the influence of management practices on WUEG,ET,s in terms of the three main processes controlling it: (i) the proportion of transpiration in ET (T/ET), (ii) transpiration efficiency for shoot biomass production (TEB), and (iii) the harvest index. We directly relate the impact of management practices on T/ET to their effect on crop light interception and provide evidence that management practices significantly influence TEB. To optimize WUEG,ET,s, management practices should favor soil water availability during critical periods for seed set, thereby improving the harvest index. The need to improve the performance of existing crop growth models for the prediction of water-related grain yield determinants under different management practices is also discussed.
The ratio of auxin to cytokinin controls leaf development and meristem initiation in Physcomitrium patens
Authors: Cammarata Joseph , Roeder Adrienne H K , Scanlon Michael J
Published: July 2023

Crosstalk between auxin and cytokinin contributes to widespread developmental processes, including root and shoot meristem maintenance, phyllotaxy, and vascular patterning. However, our understanding of crosstalk between these hormones is limited primarily to angiosperms. The moss Physcomitrium patens (formerly Physcomitrella patens) is a powerful system for studying plant hormone function. Auxin and cytokinin play similar roles in regulating moss gametophore (shoot) architecture, to those in flowering plant shoots. However, auxin–cytokinin crosstalk is poorly understood in moss. Here we find that the ratio of auxin to cytokinin is an important determinant of development in P. patens, especially during leaf development and branch stem cell initiation. Addition of high levels of auxin to P. patens gametophores blocks leaf outgrowth. However, simultaneous addition of high levels of both auxin and cytokinin partially restores leaf outgrowth, suggesting that the ratio of these hormones is the predominant factor. Likewise, during branch initiation and outgrowth, chemical inhibition of auxin synthesis phenocopies cytokinin application. Finally, cytokinin-insensitive mutants resemble plants with altered auxin signaling and are hypersensitive to auxin. In summary, our results suggest that the ratio between auxin and cytokinin signaling is the basis for developmental decisions in the moss gametophore.
Three-Dimensional Ultrastructural Analysis of the Head-Most Mitochondrial Roots of Mice Spermatozoa Using Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB/SEM) Tomography
Authors: Uemura Kei-ichiro , Miyazono Yoshihiro , Hiroshige Tasuku , Ohta Keisuke , Ueda Kosuke , Nishihara Kiyoaki , Nakiri Makoto , Hirashima Shingo , Igawa Tsukasa , Nakamura Kei-ichiro
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to clarify the three-dimensional ultrastructure of head-side mice spermatozoa mitochondria. Six 13-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were deeply anesthetized, perfused with 2% paraformaldehyde, and placed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer (pH 7.3) for electron microscopy. After perfusion, the vas deferens was removed, and the specimens were cut into small cubes and subjected to postfixation and en bloc staining. Three-dimensional ultrastructural analysis was performed on five mitochondria on the spermatozoa head using conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) tomography. Conventional TEM analysis showed that head-side mitochondria were not spiral in morphology but clearly horizontal to the sperm axis. However, this was difficult to evaluate further using conventional TEM. In the FIB/SEM analysis, the first and second head-most mitochondria were flat and straight, with no helix, and shaped as an attachment plug with two electrodes, and their tail side contacted the third mitochondrion. The third mitochondrion was shorter than the fourth and fifth and had a semicircular arching structure. The fourth and fifth mitochondria were spiral-shaped and intertwined. The redundant nuclear envelope encircled the head-most mitochondria. This ultrastructural analysis clarified that the head-most mitochondria have a unique morphology.
A Retrofittable Photoelectron Gun for Low-Voltage Imaging Applications in the Scanning Electron Microscope
Authors: Quigley Frances , Downing Clive , McGuinness Cormac , Jones Lewys
Published: July 2023

Low-voltage scanning electron microscopy is a powerful tool for examining surface features and imaging beam-sensitive materials. Improving resolution during low-voltage imaging is then an important area of development. Decreasing the effect of chromatic aberration is one solution to improving the resolution and can be achieved by reducing the energy spread of the electron source. Our approach involves retrofitting a light source onto a thermionic lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) electron gun as a cost-effective low energy-spread photoelectron emitter. The energy spread of the emitter's photoelectrons is theorized to be between 0.11 and 0.38 eV, depending on the photon energy of the ultraviolet (UV) light source. Proof-of-principle images have been recorded using this retrofitted photoelectron gun, and an analysis of its performance is presented.
Axisymmetric oscillation modes of relativistic tori in the vicinity of a distorted, deformed compact object
Authors: Faraji S , Trova A
Published: July 2023

This paper studies the oscillation properties of relativistic, non-self-gravitating tori in the background of a distorted, deformed compact object. This work concentrates on a static and axially symmetric metric containing two quadrupole parameters; relating to the central object and the external fields. This metric may associate the observable effects of these parameters as dynamical degrees of freedom. The astrophysical motivation for choosing such a field is the possibility of constituting a reasonable model for an actual scenario occurring in the vicinity of compact objects. Following our previous works, this paper aims to investigate the radial epicyclic frequency in a perfect fluid disc and not a test particle scenario via a local analysis. To achieve this goal, we employ the vertically integrated technique to be able to treat the equations analytically. The tori configuration is also modelled with Keplerian and non-Keplerian distributions of specific angular momentum. In this set-up, we also discuss the dependence of oscillation properties on the model’s variables related to angular momentum distribution and quadrupoles. In the present contribution, we further explore these properties with the possibility of relating oscillatory frequencies to some high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations models and observed data in some microquasar and neutron star sources, and test the ability of this fluid approach to fit with observational data.
On the impact of the galaxy window function on cosmological parameter estimation
Authors: Karim Tanveer , Rezaie Mehdi , Singh Sukhdeep , Eisenstein Daniel
Published: July 2023

One important source of systematics in galaxy redshift surveys comes from the estimation of the galaxy window function. Up until now, the impact of the uncertainty in estimating the galaxy window function on parameter inference has not been properly studied. In this paper, we show that the uncertainty and the bias in estimating the galaxy window function will be salient for ongoing and next-generation galaxy surveys using a simulation-based approach. With a specific case study of cross-correlating emission-line galaxies from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys and the Planck cosmic microwave background lensing map, we show that neural network-based regression approaches to modelling the window function are superior in comparison to linear regression-based models. We additionally show that the definition of the galaxy overdensity estimator can impact the overall signal-to-noise of observed power spectra. Finally, we show that the additive biases coming from the window functions can significantly bias the modes of the inferred parameters and also degrade their precision. Thus, a careful understanding of the window functions will be essential to conduct cosmological experiments.
X-ray metal line emission from the hot circumgalactic medium: probing the effects of supermassive black hole feedback
Authors: Truong Nhut , Pillepich Annalisa , Nelson Dylan , Bogdán Ákos , Schellenberger Gerrit , Chakraborty Priyanka , Forman William R , Kraft Ralph , Markevitch Maxim , Ogorzalek Anna , Oppenheimer Benjamin D , Sarkar Arnab , Veilleux Sylvain , Vogelsberger Mark , Wang Q Daniel , Werner Norbert , Zhuravleva Irina , Zuhone John
Published: July 2023

We derive predictions from state-of-the-art cosmological galaxy simulations for the spatial distribution of the hot circumgalactic medium (CGM, [0.1–1]R200c) through its emission lines in the X-ray soft band ([0.3–1.3] keV). In particular, we compare IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, and SIMBA and focus on galaxies with stellar mass $10^{10-11.6}\, \rm {M}_{\odot }$ at z = 0. The three simulation models return significantly different surface brightness radial profiles of prominent emission lines from ionized metals such as O vii(f), O viii, and Fe xvii as a function of galaxy mass. Likewise, the three simulations predict varying azimuthal distributions of line emission with respect to the galactic stellar planes, with IllustrisTNG predicting the strongest angular modulation of CGM physical properties at radial range ${{\gtrsim}0.3{-}0.5\, R_{200c}}$. This anisotropic signal is more prominent for higher energy lines, where it can manifest as X-ray eROSITA-like bubbles. Despite different models of stellar and supermassive black hole (SMBH) feedback, the three simulations consistently predict a dichotomy between star-forming and quiescent galaxies at the Milky Way and Andromeda mass range, where the former are X-ray brighter than the latter. This is a signature of SMBH-driven outflows, which are responsible for quenching star formation. Finally, we explore the prospect of testing these predictions with a microcalorimeter-based X-ray mission concept with a large field of view. Such a mission would probe the extended hot CGM via soft X-ray line emission, determine the physical properties of the CGM, including temperature, from the measurement of line ratios, and provide critical constraints on the efficiency and impact of SMBH feedback on the CGM.
Orbital period changes for 14 novae and the critical failures of the predictions of standard theories, the Hibernation Model, and the Magnetic Braking Model
Authors: Schaefer Bradley E
Published: July 2023

The evolution of novae and cataclysmic variables (CVs) is driven by changes in the binary orbital periods. In a direct and critical test for various evolution models and their physical mechanisms, I measure the sudden changes in the period (ΔP) across 14 nova eruptions, and I measure the steady period change during quiescence (Ṗ) for 20 inter-eruption intervals. The standard theory for ΔP is dominated by the mechanism of mass loss, and this fails completely for the five novae with negative values, and it fails to permit the ΔP for U Sco eruptions to change by one order of magnitude eruption to eruption. The Hibernation Model of evolution is refuted because all the ΔP measures are orders of magnitude too small to cause any significant drop in accretion luminosity, and indeed, near half of the nova have negative ΔP as the opposite of the required mechanism for any hibernation state. As for the Magnetic Braking Model, this fails by many orders of magnitude in its predictions of the required Ṗ for 9 out of 13 novae. The observed Ṗ values scatter, both positively and negatively, over a range of ±10−9, while the predicted values are from −10−13 to −10−11. This huge scatter is not possible with standard theory, and there must be some currently unknown mechanism to be added in, with this new mechanism 100–10 000× larger in effect than the current theory allows. In all, these failed predictions demonstrate that nova systems must have unknown physical mechanisms for both ΔP and Ṗ that dominate over all other effects.
General relativistic pulsations of ultra-massive ZZ Ceti stars
Authors: Córsico Alejandro H , Boston S Reece , Althaus Leandro G , Kilic Mukremin , Kepler S O , Camisassa María E , Torres Santiago
Published: July 2023

Ultra-massive white dwarf stars are currently being discovered at a considerable rate, thanks to surveys such as the Gaia space mission. These dense and compact stellar remnants likely play a major role in Type Ia supernova explosions. It is possible to probe the interiors of ultra-massive white dwarfs through asteroseismology. In the case of the most massive white dwarfs, general relativity could affect their structure and pulsations substantially. In this work, we present results of relativistic pulsation calculations employing relativistic ultra-massive ONe-core white dwarf models with hydrogen-rich atmospheres and masses ranging from 1.29 to $1.369 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ with the aim of assessing the impact of general relativity on the adiabatic gravity (g)-mode period spectrum of very high mass ZZ Ceti stars. Employing the relativistic Cowling approximation for the pulsation analysis, we find that the critical buoyancy (Brunt–Väisälä) and acoustic (Lamb) frequencies are larger for the relativistic case, compared to the Newtonian case, due to the relativistic white dwarf models having smaller radii and higher gravities for a fixed stellar mass. In addition, the g-mode periods are shorter in the relativistic case than those in the Newtonian computations, with relative differences of up to ∼$50$ per cent for the highest mass models ($1.369 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) and for effective temperatures typical of the ZZ Ceti instability strip. Hence, the effects of general relativity on the structure, evolution, and pulsations of white dwarfs with masses larger than ∼$1.29 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ cannot be ignored in the asteroseismological analysis of ultra-massive ZZ Ceti stars.
Whole Genome Duplication and Gene Evolution in the Hyperdiverse Venomous Gastropods
Authors: Farhat Sarah , Modica Maria Vittoria , Puillandre Nicolas
Published: July 2023

The diversity of venomous organisms and the toxins they produce have been increasingly investigated, but taxonomic bias remains important. Neogastropods, a group of marine predators representing almost 22% of the known gastropod diversity, evolved a wide range of feeding strategies, including the production of toxins to subdue their preys. However, whether the diversity of these compounds is at the origin of the hyperdiversification of the group and how genome evolution may correlate with both the compounds and species diversities remain understudied. Among the available gastropods genomes, only eight, with uneven quality assemblies, belong to neogastropods. Here, we generated chromosome-level assemblies of two species belonging to the Tonnoidea and Muricoidea superfamilies (Monoplex corrugatus and Stramonita haemastoma). The two obtained high-quality genomes had 3 and 2.2 Gb, respectively, and 92–89% of the total assembly conformed 35 pseudochromosomes in each species. Through the analysis of syntenic blocks, Hox gene cluster duplication, and synonymous substitutions distribution pattern, we inferred the occurrence of a whole genome duplication event in both genomes. As these species are known to release venom, toxins were annotated in both genomes, but few of them were found in homologous chromosomes. A comparison of the expression of ohnolog genes (using transcriptomes from osphradium and salivary glands in S. haemastoma), where both copies were differentially expressed, showed that most of them had similar expression profiles. The high quality of these genomes makes them valuable reference in their respective taxa, facilitating the identification of genome-level processes at the origin of their evolutionary success.
Survival of juvenile Florida Scrub-Jays is positively correlated with month and negatively correlated with male breeder death
Authors: Carter Geoffrey M , Stolen Eric D , Breininger David R , Legare Stephanie A , Hunt Danny K , Schumann Christopher D , Payne William V
Published: July 2023

Juvenile survival in birds is difficult to estimate, but this vital rate can be an important consideration for management decisions. We estimated juvenile survival of cooperatively breeding Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) in a landscape degraded by fire suppression and fragmentation using data from marked (n = 325) and unmarked juveniles (n = 1,306) with an integrated hierarchical Bayesian model. To assess the combined analyses, we also analyzed these datasets separately, with a Cormack–Jolly–Seber model (marked) and young model (unmarked). Our data consisted of monthly censuses of territorial family groups from Florida Scrub-Jay populations in East Central Florida collected over a 22-year period. Juvenile survival was estimated from July when young Florida Scrub-Jays begin developing independence to March when they become first-year individuals and grouped according to the habitat quality class of their natal territory that were based on shrub height (with intermediate shrub heights being optimal and short and tall shrub heights being suboptimal) and the presence of sandy openings (the preferred open having many sandy openings; closed not having enough). Parameter estimates in the combined analysis were intermediate to the separate analyses. Notable differences among the separate analyses were that suboptimal habitat survival was lower in the unmarked analysis, the unmarked analysis showed a linear effect of time not seen in the marked analysis, and there was an effect of male breeder death in the marked but not unmarked analysis. The combined data analysis provided more inference than did either dataset analyzed separately including juveniles in optimal-closed territories unexpectedly had higher survival than those in optimal-open, survival increased through time, and male breeder death had a negative effect on survival. This study suggests that optimal-closed habitat may play an important role in juvenile Florida Scrub-Jay survival perhaps by providing better cover from predators and warrants further investigation for management implications.
Increasing perceived predation risk through playbacks reduces Red-winged Blackbird abundance in agriculture late in the breeding season
Authors: Enos Janice K , Smith Emma B , Ward Michael P , Swaddle John P , Hauber Mark E
Published: July 2023

Perceived predation and brood parasitism risks strongly influence nesting habitat selection in several bird species. Here, we report on a playback experiment evaluating whether perceived predation or brood parasitism risk can reduce Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) abundances in agricultural nesting habitat. We broadcast Cooper’s Hawk vocalizations (Accipiter cooperii, a predator of adult blackbirds and nests), Brown-headed Cowbird vocalizations (Molothrus ater, a brood parasite of many passerine species, including blackbirds), and the “Sonic Net” as treatments, the latter of which is broadcast of frequencies that overlap with blackbird vocalizations and prevent blackbirds from accessing intraspecific communication informing of predator and brood parasite risks. Neither the hawk, cowbird, nor Sonic Net treatments reduced blackbird abundances at sites early in the breeding season (April to May), when blackbirds were selecting nesting habitat. In contrast, late in the breeding season (July to August), hawk vocalizations and the Sonic Net reduced blackbird abundances at sites, but cowbird vocalizations did not. Our late-breeding season results suggest that blackbirds may flexibly change responses to perceived predation risk based on their stage of reproductive investment. Perceived predation risk could potentially be used to manage pest birds that nest in agricultural landscapes, at least for crops that are vulnerable to birds late in the breeding season.
Physalis virginiana as a Wild Field Host of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’
Authors: Delgado-Luna Carolina , Cooper William Rodney , Villarreal-Quintanilla José Á. , Hernández-Juárez Agustín , Sánchez-Peña Sergio R.
Published: July 2023

The potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc), is among the most important pests of solanaceous crops as a vector of the pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso). Lso-infected psyllids often arrive in crop fields from various wild species of Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae, especially those that provide early-season hosts for the vector. Physalis species are perennial plants within the family Solanaceae with often broad geographical distributions that overlap those of B. cockerelli, yet the status of many Physalis species as hosts for B. cockerelli or Lso remains unknown. Our objective was to determine whether wild Physalis species that occur in the potato-growing region of Galeana, Nuevo León, Mexico, host B. cockerelli populations and whether they also are susceptible to Lso. Sampling was carried out in the potato-growing zone of Galeana, Nuevo León, Mexico, where unidentified Physalis spp. are common. In March to October 2021, a wild plant identified as Physalis virginiana was observed; eggs, nymphs, and adults of B. cockerelli were observed on these plants throughout the growing season, and nymphs completed development on these plants under laboratory conditions. Lso also was detected in 22 of the 93 (23.7%) wild P. virginiana plants using conventional PCR, while 13.3% of B. cockerelli adults that emerged from P. virginiana cuttings harbored the pathogen. This is the first report that P. virginiana is a host for B. cockerelli and for Lso. These results suggest that P. virginiana is a likely source of Lso-infected psyllids colonizing solanaceous crops in northeastern Mexico. The importance of P. virginiana and other wild hosts on the population dynamics of the vector and pathogen should be investigated to assist in pest management decision-making.
Mice lacking intestinal Nr1i2 have normal intestinal homeostasis under steady‐state conditions and are not hypersensitive to inflammation under lipopolysaccharide treatment
Authors: Amini Salah Edden , Bresson Sophie Emilie , Ruzzin Jérôme
Published: July 2023

Nr1i2, a nuclear receptor known for its key function in xenobiotic detoxification, has emerged as a potential regulator of intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. However, the role of Nr1i2 in different intestinal segments remains poorly known. Moreover, in vivo investigations on intestinal Nr1i2 have essentially been performed in whole‐body Nr1i2 knockout (Nr1i2−/−) mice where the deletion of Nr1i2 in all tissues may affect the intestinal phenotype. To better understand the role of Nr1i2 in the intestine, we generated intestinal epithelial‐specific Nr1i2 knockout (iNr1i2−/−) mice and studied the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon of these animals during steady‐state conditions and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation. As compared to control (iNr1i2+/+) mice, iNr1i2−/− mice showed normal intestinal permeability as assessed by in vivo FITC‐dextran test. The expression of genes involved in inflammation, tight‐ and adherens‐junction, proliferation, glucose, and lipid metabolism was comparable in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon of iNr1i2−/− and iNr1i2+/+ mice. In line with these findings, histological analyses of the jejunum revealed no difference between iNr1i2−/− and iNr1i2+/+ mice. When treated with LPS, the intestine of iNr1i2−/− mice had no increased inflammatory response as compared to iNr1i2+/+ mice. Moreover, the health monitoring of LPS‐treated iNr1i2−/− and iNr1i2+/+ mice was similar. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the specific deletion of Nr1i2 in the intestinal epithelium does not cause major intestinal damages in mice during both steady‐state and inflammatory conditions.
Isoliquiritigenin induces HMOX1 and GPX4-mediated ferroptosis in gallbladder cancer cells
Authors: Wang Zeyu , Li Weijian , Wang Xue , Zhu Qin , Liu Liguo , Qiu Shimei , Zou Lu , Liu Ke , Li Guoqiang , Miao Huijie , Yang Yang , Jiang Chengkai , Liu Yong , Shao Rong , Wang Xu'an , Liu Yingbin
Published: July 2023

Background:

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignant tumor of biliary tract. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a natural compound with chalcone structure extracted from the roots of licorice and other plants. Relevant studies have shown that ISL has a strong anti-tumor ability in various types of tumors. However, the research of ISL against GBC has not been reported, which needs to be further investigated.

Methods:

The effects of ISL against GBC cells in vitro and in vivo were characterized by cytotoxicity test, RNA-sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, lipid peroxidation detection, ferrous ion detection, glutathione disulphide/glutathione (GSSG/GSH) detection, lentivirus transfection, nude mice tumorigenesis experiment and immunohistochemistry.

Results:

ISL significantly inhibited the proliferation of GBC cells in vitro. The results of transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed that ferroptosis was the main pathway of ISL inhibiting the proliferation of GBC, and HMOX1 and GPX4 were the key molecules of ISL-induced ferroptosis. Knockdown of HMOX1 or overexpression of GPX4 can reduce the sensitivity of GBC cells to ISL-induced ferroptosis and significantly restore the viability of GBC cells. Moreover, ISL significantly reversed the iron content, ROS level, lipid peroxidation level and GSSG/GSH ratio of GBC cells. Finally, ISL significantly inhibited the growth of GBC in vivo and regulated the ferroptosis of GBC by mediating HMOX1 and GPX4.

Conclusion:

ISL induced ferroptosis in GBC mainly by activating p62-Keap1-Nrf2-HMOX1 signaling pathway and down-regulating GPX4 in vitro and in vivo. This evidence may provide a new direction for the treatment of GBC.
Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and inflammatory biomarker concentrations
Authors: Palaniyandi Jana , Bruin Jennifer E. , Kumarathasan Premkumari , MacPherson Susan , Borghese Michael M. , Ashley-Martin Jillian
Published: July 2023

Background:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants that induce immunotoxicity in experimental studies; however, epidemiological evidence—particularly during pregnancy—is scarce. We quantified associations between first trimester plasma perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) concentrations and third trimester concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers and determined if these associations were modified by fetal sex.

Methods:

We analyzed data from 1411 participants, recruited between 2008 and 2011, in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals study. Our primary outcome was a composite inflammatory index derived by summing the z-scores of eight proinflammatory biomarkers. Using multivariable linear regression models, we quantified associations between each PFAS and the inflammatory index and individual biomarkers. We quantified the effects of the PFAS mixture using weighted quantile sum regression, and evaluated effect modification using product terms and sex-stratified models.

Results:

Each doubling of PFOA and PFHxS was associated with a 0.38 (95% CI, 0.09, 0.67) and 0.21 (95% CI, 0.01, 0.41) SD increase in the proinflammatory index, respectively. A one-quartile increase in the PFAS mixture was associated with a 0.40 (95% CI, 0.09, 0.71) SD increase in the proinflammatory index. In individual models, we observed positive associations between PFAS and concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, and matrix metalloproteinases-9; however, the magnitude and precision varied according to the specific PFAS. Sex-specific findings were identified in few PFAS-biomarker associations.

Conclusions:

PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS, individually and as a mixture, were positively associated with proinflammatory biomarkers during pregnancy.
Efficacy and safety of carbon dioxide laser therapy compared with sham for genitourinary syndrome of menopause management: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Gunawan Yuliana W. , Erlina Yunita
Published: July 2023

Importance

Data on whether the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is useful for treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) are inconsistent.

Objective

This meta-analysis evaluated the benefits and safety of CO2 laser compared with sham treatment of GSM.

Evidence Review

A relevant literature search of Europe PMC, MEDLINE, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases using specific keywords was conducted. The results of continuous variables were pooled into the standardized mean difference (SMD), whereas dichotomous variables were pooled into odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using random-effects models. A funnel plot was used to assess for the presence of publication bias.

Findings

A total of six randomized clinical trials were included. Pooled analysis revealed that CO2 laser therapy was associated with a higher reduction in the Vaginal Assessment Scale (SMD, −0.81 [95% CI, −1.59 to −0.04]; P = 0.04; I
2 = 88%) and Urinary Distress Inventory short form (SMD, −0.45 [95% CI, −0.84 to −0.06]; P = 0.02; I
2 = 0%), and greater patient satisfaction rate (odds ratio, 5.46 [95% CI, 2.23 to 13.37]; P = 0.0002; I
2 = 0%) when compared with sham-only treatment. Meanwhile, the Female Sexual Function Index, Vaginal Health Index, and Patient Global Impression Improvement did not differ significantly between groups. Adverse events were only mild with no serious adverse events reported.

Conclusions and Relevance

CO2 laser therapy may improve the overall treatment of GSM with a relatively good safety profile. However, further randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are still needed to confirm the results of this study.
Displacement of submacular hemorrhage with vitrectomy combined with subretinal balanced salt solution and air
Authors: Handa Sabia , Dogra Mohit , Tigari Basavraj , Katoch Deeksha , Singh Ramandeep
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

To describe a technique of displacement of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) using subretinal injection of balanced salt solution and filtered air.

Methods:

Patients presenting within two weeks of massive SMH (>4 disc diameter) were prospectively included. All patients underwent 25 gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), posterior vitreous detachment, injection of subretinal balanced salt solution and filtered air followed by partial fluid air exchange, 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tamponade and heads up positioning post-operatively. Degree of displacement of SMH was assessed at 1 month and change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed at 3 months.

Results:

10 patients with massive SMH who underwent the aforementioned procedure were included. Complete displacement of bleed from the macula was achieved in 9 (90%) out of 10 eyes at one month. There was significant improvement in BCVA from baseline both at 1 month (p=0.015) and 3 months (p=0.043).

Conclusion:

PPV with injection of subretinal balanced salt solution and filtered air was well tolerated and efficacious in displacing large and thick SMH in patients operated within two weeks of onset of symptoms.