bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CRP improves the survival and competitive fitness of
Salmonella
Typhimurium under starvation by controlling the cellular maintenance rate
Authors: Mishra L. K. , Shashidhar R.
Published: July 2024

Catabolite repression is a mechanism of selectively utilizing preferred nutrient sources by redirecting the metabolic pathways. Therefore, it prevents non-essential energy expenditure by repressing the genes and proteins involved in the metabolism of other less favored nutrient sources. Catabolite repressor protein (CRP) is a chief mediator of catabolite repression in microorganisms. In this context, we investigated the role of CRP in starvation tolerance, at both cell physiology and molecular level, by comparing the growth, survival, competitive fitness, maintenance rate, and gene and protein expression of wild type (WT) and ∆
crp
of
Salmonella
Typhimurium, under nutrient-rich and minimal medium condition. The ∆
crp
shows slow growth upon the arrival of nutrient-limiting conditions, poor survival under prolong-starvation, and inability to compete with its counterpart WT strain in nutrient-rich [Luria broth (LB)] and glucose-supplemented M9 minimal medium. Surprisingly, we observed that the survival and competitive fitness of ∆
crp
are influenced by the composition of the growth medium. Consequently, compared to the glucose-supplemented M9 medium, ∆
crp
shows faster death and a higher maintenance rate in the LB medium. The comparative gene and protein expression studies of WT and ∆
crp
in LB medium show that ∆
crp
has partial or complete loss of repression from CRP-controlled genes, resulting in a high abundance of hundreds of proteins in ∆
crp
compared to WT. Subsequently, the addition of metabolizable sugar or fresh nutrients to the competing culture showed extended survival of ∆
crp
. Therefore, our results suggest that CRP-mediated gene repression improves starvation tolerance and competitive fitness of
Salmonella
Typhimurium by adapting its cellular maintenance rate to environmental conditions.

IMPORTANCE

Salmonella
Typhimurium is a master at adapting to chronic starvation conditions. However, the molecular mechanisms to adapt to such conditions are still unknown. In this context, we have evaluated the role of catabolite repressor protein (CRP), a dual transcriptional regulator, in providing survival and competitive fitness under starvation conditions. Also, it showed an association between CRP and nutrient composition. We observed that Δ
crp
growing on alternate carbon sources has lower survival and competitive fitness than Δ
crp
growing on glucose as a carbon source. We observed that this is due to the loss of repression from the glucose and CRP-controlled genes, resulting in elevated cellular metabolism (a high maintenance rate) of the Δ
crp
during growth in a medium having a carbon source other than glucose (e.g., Luria broth medium).
Supplemental Material: Tectonic and magmatic construction of lower crust in the Southern California Batholith
Authors: Schwartz Joshua J. , et al.
Published: July 2024

The supplemental material contains U-Pb isotope data for zircons from the Cucamonga and San Antonio terranes.
Supplemental Material: Paleoseamounts in Yarlung Zangbo suture zone reveal dynamic processes of the Early Cretaceous Neo-Tethys lithosphere
Authors: Fan Xiaolong , LI XIANGHUI , et al.
Published: July 2024

Figure S1: Cross geological profile with sample positions in theZhongba area; S1A: (A) Subsection S04-2; (B) Subsection S04-3. S1B: (A) Subsection SM1; (B) Subsection SM2-1; (C) Subsection SM2-2. For more details about samples, please refer to Tables S2 and S3. Table S1: Occurrence and age range of radiolarian species from siliceous rock samples collected in the Zhongba area, southern Tibet, China. Table S2: Data for major and trace elements of basalts in the Zhongba area. Table S3: Type and abundance of grains in limestones.
Increased sexual function after intake of clomethiazole
Authors: Dalmau i Ribas Maria , Mendez Rubio Montserrat , von Gunten Armin
Published: July 2024

An octogenarian woman showed increased sexual function after replacing alprazolam with clomethiazole, a sedative-hypnotic drug commonly prescribed in French-speaking Switzerland for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia in elderly patients. The patient’s sexual symptoms did not improve after resuming alprazolam, but disappeared after interrupting clomethiazole, and did not reappear when alprazolam was discontinued. Considering the chronology of the events, increased sexual function was likely a manifestation of the introduction of clomethiazole. However, because alprazolam was interrupted when clomethiazole was introduced, we cannot exclude an association between increased sexual function and alprazolam interruption.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis suppression is common among women during US Army Basic Combat Training
Authors: Popp Kristin L , Bozzini Brittany N , Reynoso Marinaliz , Coulombe Jennifer , Guerriere Katelyn I , Proctor Susan P , Castellani Colleen M , Walker Leila A , Zurinaga Nicholas , Kuhn Katherine , Foulis Stephen A , Bouxsein Mary L , Hughes Julie M , Santoro Nanette
Published: July 2024

Objective

Less than half of servicewomen report loss of menses during initial military training. However, self-reported menstrual status may not accurately reflect hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis suppression and may underestimate reproductive health consequences of military training. Our aim was to characterise HPO axis function during US Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) in non-hormonal contraceptive-using women and explore potential contributors to HPO axis suppression.

Methods

In this 10-week prospective observational study, we enrolled multi-ethnic women entering BCT. Trainees provided daily first-morning voided urine, and weekly blood samples during BCT. Urinary luteinising hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and metabolites of estradiol and progesterone were measured by chemiluminescent assays (Siemens Centaur XP) to determine hormone patterns and luteal activity. We measured body composition, via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, at the beginning and end of BCT.

Results

Trainees (n=55) were young (mean (95% CI): 22 (22, 23) years) with average body mass index (23.9 (23.1, 24.7) kg/m2). Most trainees (78%) reported regular menstrual cycles before BCT. During BCT, 23 (42%) trainees reported regular menses. However, only seven trainees (12.5%) had menstrual cycles with evidence of luteal activity (ELA) (ie, presumed ovulation), all with shortened luteal phases. 41 trainees (75%) showed no ELA (NELA), and 7 (12.5%) were categorised as indeterminant. Overall, women gained body mass and lean mass, but lost fat mass during BCT. Changes in body mass and composition appear unrelated to luteal activity.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal profound HPO axis suppression with NELA in the majority of women during BCT. This HPO axis suppression occurs among women who report normal menstrual cycles.
#BeSeen: understanding young people’s views of the motivation and impacts of sharing self-harm imagery online and use of their social media data for research—a UK participatory arts-led qualitative study
Authors: Dekel Dana , Marchant Amanda , Smith Todd , Morgan Harley , Tombs Sarah , Khanom Ashrafunnesa , Ingham Karen , John Ann
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study explored the views of young people from diverse backgrounds, with or without a history of self-harm, on the motivation and impacts of sharing self-harm imagery online and the use of their social media data for mental health research.

Design

Thematic analysis of 27 semi-structured one-to-one interviews.

Setting

Two workshops were conducted in 2021.

Participants

We recruited 27 study participants aged 16–24 (60% male). Sixteen (59%) participants were refugee and asylum seekers (RAS).

Results

Two main themes were generated: (1)Online imagery of self-harmcaptured perceived motivations for sharing such images, the potential impacts on others and possible need of censorship. This theme was characterised by mixed attitudes towards motivations for sharing, with some perceiving this as attention seeking, while others thought of it as help seeking or sharing of pain. Overall, participants agreed that images of self-harm can be triggering and should include trigger warnings. (2)Data sharing for mental health and self-harm researchcaptured views on the use of social media posts and images for research purposes, and levels of trust in public and private organisations. It outlined positive views on their data being shared for research for public benefit, but highlighted issues of consent. The two most trusted organisations to hold and conduct research were the National Health Service and Universities. Participants from the RAS group were more inclined to agree to their data being used and had higher levels of trust in government.

Conclusion

Young people care about their privacy and use of their data even when it is publicly available. Coproduction with young people of resources to support understanding and develop innovative solutions to gaining informed consent for data sharing and research for public benefit is required. Young people from excluded communities, post-immigration RAS and males should be purposively involved in future social media research.
Efficacy of linaclotide in combination with polyethylene glycol for bowel preparation in Chinese patients undergoing colonoscopy polypectomy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Hui-Ying , Cai Xiao-Feng , Chen Ping-Ping , Wang Xiao-Bin , Liu Chao-Xu , Chen Dong , Xu Jing
Published: July 2024

Background

Adequate bowel preparation is essential for successful colonoscopy and polypectomy procedures. However, a significant proportion of patients still exhibit suboptimal bowel preparation, ranging from 18% to 35%. The effectiveness of bowel preparation agents can be hampered by volume and taste, adversely affecting patient compliance and tolerance. Therefore, exploring strategies to minimise laxative volume and improve patient tolerance and adherence is imperative to ensure optimal bowel preparation quality.

Methods and analysis

This study is a two-arm, single-blinded, parallel-group randomised controlled trial designed to compare the efficacy of 2 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) combined with linaclotide with 4 L PEG in bowel cleansing. A total of 422 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group (2 L PEG combined with 580 µg linaclotide) or the control group (4 L PEG). The primary outcome measure is bowel cleansing efficacy, which is assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Secondary outcomes include evaluating the tolerability and safety of the bowel preparation regimens, bowel diary assessments, postpolypectomy complications (such as bleeding and perforation) and the size and number of removed polyps.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received approval from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The findings of this trial will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and patients undergoing colonoscopy polypectomy by guiding the selection of appropriate bowel preparation regimens. Study findings will be disseminated to participants, presented at professional society meetings, and published in peer-reviewed journals. This trial was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with registration number ChiCTR2300075410
Effectiveness of a home-based peer support programme for Chinese mothers with low breastfeeding self-efficacy to increase the exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding: study protocol of a randomised control trial
Authors: Lok Kris Yuet Wan , Choi Martha Sin Lam , Ko Rachel Wai Tung , Chau Patsy P H , Lam Christine Chi Oi , Chang Yan-Shing , Bick Debra
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Breastfeeding is associated with many health benefits for both women and their newborns. Exclusive breastfeeding has been recommended for at least 6 months to optimise infant growth, development and health. In addition to standard care, community-based peer support is recommended to help mothers improve breastfeeding. A recent survey reveals that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months post partum in Hong Kong is low, and half of all breastfeeding mothers never exclusively breastfeed. Taking into account the local practice for women to stay home during the first month post partum and social isolation during and post-COVID-19 pandemic, a home-based peer support programme with the aid of Zoom or Facetime is proposed. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based breastfeeding peer support programme in improving breastfeeding practices and achieving exclusive breastfeeding rate among women with low breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Methods and analysis

The study is a two-armed randomised control trial and will include a total of 442 participants. Potential cases will be recruited and screened at four postnatal wards in Hong Kong public hospital. Eligible and consented cases will be randomly allocated into intervention or control groups at a 1:1 ratio. Control group (n=221) will receive standard care, while the intervention group (n=221) will receive home-based peer support as well as standard care. Trained peer counsellors will provide breastfeeding-related support through Zoom or Facetime at 10 days and 1 month post partum. Telephone follow-ups will be conducted at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months post partum. Breastfeeding status, mother’s breastfeeding self-efficacy and postpartum depression will be assessed and compared between the two arms.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong and Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (UW 20-564). The findings will be updated in trial registries and disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04621266.
Simulation of loading and unloading through ramps of different configuration: effects on the ease of handling and physiological response of pigs of two slaughter weights
Authors: Zoratti Aloma , Vero Jessica Gonçalves , Genova Jansller Luiz , Devillers Nicolas , Conte Sabine , Bridi Ana Maria , Piasentier Edi , Faucitano Luigi
Published: July 2024

Behaviour, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration of 144 pigs, equally distributed into lighter (L, 122 kg on average) and heavier (H, 153 kg on average) groups, were assessed to study the effects of slaughter weight on pigs’ response to a simulated loading and unloading procedure using four ramp configurations, i.e., 0° (level ramp), 15° slope and 1.66 m length, 15° slope and 2.71 m length (15°LO), and 25° slope and 1.66 m. No interaction was found between ramp configuration and slaughter weight ( P > 0.10). The frequencies of pigs’ slips or falls ( P = 0.01) increased on sloped ramps compared to the floor level ( Padj < 0.05), and pigs jumped-off more from the 25° than the 15°LO ramp ( Padj = 0.05). Pigs negotiating the 25° slope ramp presented a higher concentration of blood lactate than those walking at the floor level ( P = 0.02). When compared to L pigs, H pigs were more reluctant to move ( P = 0.05), and presented higher increments of HR (ΔHR) during handling ( P = 0.03). In conclusion, heavier pigs were more difficult to handle, regardless of the ramp steepness, which alone reduced ease of handling and affected the physiological condition of pigs.
Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Cricula trifenestrata (Helfer) among lepidopteran insects
Authors: Singh Deepika , Mosahari Ponnala Vimal , Sharma Pragya , Neog Kartik , Bora Utpal
Published: July 2024

Cricula trifenestrata Helfer (commonly known as Amphutukoni muga/Cricula silkworm), a wild sericigenous insect produces golden yellow silk similar to Antheraea assamensis (muga silkworm), with significant potential as a natural fiber and biomaterial. Cricula is considered as a pest as it competes for food with muga, which produces the prized golden silk. This study focuses on decoding the mitochondrial genome of C. trifenestrata using next-generation sequencing technology and includes comparative analysis with Bombycoids and other lepidopteran insects. We found that the Cricula mitogenome spans 15 425 bp and exhibits typical gene content and arrangement consistent with other Saturniids and lepidopterans. All protein-coding genes were found to undergo purifying selection, with the highest and lowest conservation observed in the cox1 and atp8 gene, respectively, indicating their potential role in future evolutionary events. We identified two types of mismatches: 23 “G–U” and 6 “U–U” pairs, similar to those found in Actias selene among the Saturniids. Additionally, our study uncovered the presence of two 33 bp repeat units and a “TTAGA” motif in the control region, in contrast to the typical “ATAGA” motif, suggesting functional similarity with evolving sequences. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis supports the close relationship of Cricula with other species within the Saturniidae family.
Hadron production and propagation in pion-induced reactions on nuclei
Authors:   HADES collaboration, Yassine R. Abou , Adamczewski-Musch J. , Arnold O. , Atomssa E. T. , Becker M. , Behnke C. , Berger-chen J. C. , Blanco A. , Blume C. , Böhmer M. , Chlad L. , Chudoba P. , Ciepał I. , Deb S. , Deveaux C. , Dittert D. , Dreyer J. , Epple E. , Fabbietti L. , Fonte P. , Franco C. , Friese J. , Fröhlich I. , Förtsch J. , Galatyuk T. , Garzón J. A. , Gernhäuser R. , Greifenhagen R. , Grunwald M. , Gumberidze M. , Harabasz S. , Heinz T. , Hennino T. , Höhne C. , Hojeij F. , Holzmann R. , Idzik M. , Kämpfer B. , Kampert K.-H. , Kardan B. , Kedych V. , Koenig I. , Koenig W. , Kohls M. , Kolas J. , Kolb B. W. , Korcyl G. , Kornakov G. , Kotte R. , Krueger W. , Kugler A. , Kunz T. , Lalik R. , Lapidus K. , Linev S. , Linz F. , Lopes L. , Lorenz M. , Mahmoud T. , Maier L. , Malige A. , Markert J. , Maurus S. , Metag V. , Michel J. , Mihaylov D. M. , Mikhaylov V. , Molenda A. , Müntz C. , Münzer R. , Nabroth M. , Naumann L. , Nowakowski K. , Orliński J. , Otto J. -H. , Parpottas Y. , Parschau M. , Pauly C. , Pechenov V. , Pechenova O. , Piasecki K. , Pietraszko J. , Povar T. , Prościński K. , Prozorov A. , Przygoda W. , Pysz K. , Ramstein B. , Rathod N. , Rodriguez-Ramos P. , Rost A. , Rustamov A. , Salabura P. , Scheib T. , Schild N. , Schmidt-Sommerfeld K. , Schuldes H. , Schwab E. , Scozzi F. , Seck F. , Sellheim P. , Siebenson J. , Silva L. , Singh U. , Smyrski J. , Spataro S. , Spies S. , Stefaniak M. , Ströbele H. , Stroth J. , Sturm C. , Sumara K. , Svoboda O. , Szala M. , Tlusty P. , Traxler M. , Tsertos H. , Udrea I. C. , Vazquez-Doce O. , Wagner V. , Weber A. A. , Wendisch C. , Wiebusch M. G. , Wirth J. , Władyszewska A. , Zbroszczyk H. P. , Zherebtsova E. , Zielinski M. , Zumbruch P. , Curceanu C. , Piscicchia K. , Scordo A.
Published: July 2024

Hadron production ($$\pi ^\pm $$

π
±

, proton, $$\Lambda $$
Λ
, $$K_S^0$$

K
S
0

, $$K^\pm $$

K
±

) in $$\pi ^- + \textrm{C}$$

π
-

+
C

and $$\pi ^- + \textrm{W}$$

π
-

+
W

collisions is investigated at an incident pion beam momentum of $$1.7~\textrm{GeV}/c$$

1.7

GeV
/
c

. This comprehensive set of data measured with HADES at SIS18/GSI significantly extends the existing world data on hadron production in pion induced reactions and provides a new reference for models that are commonly used for the interpretation of heavy-ion collisions. The measured inclusive differential production cross-sections are compared with state-of-the-art transport model (GiBUU, SMASH) calculations. The (semi-) exclusive channel $$\pi ^- + A \rightarrow \Lambda + K_S^0 +X$$

π
-

+
A
→
Λ
+

K
S
0

+
X

, in which the kinematics of the strange hadrons are correlated, is also investigated and compared to a model calculation. Agreement and remaining tensions between data and the current version of the considered transport models are discussed.
Scalar induced gravitational waves in chiral scalar–tensor theory of gravity
Authors: Feng Jia-Xi , Zhang Fengge , Gao Xian
Published: July 2024

We study the scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) from a chiral scalar–tensor theory of gravity. The parity-violating (PV) Lagrangian contains the Chern–Simons (CS) term and PV scalar–tensor terms, which are built of the quadratic Riemann tensor term and first-order derivatives of a scalar field. We consider SIGWs in two cases, in which the semi-analytic expression to calculate SIGWs can be obtained. Then, we calculate the fractional energy density of SIGWs with a monochromatic power spectrum for the curvature perturbation. We find that the SIGWs in chiral scalar–tensor gravity behave differently from those in GR before and after the peak frequency, which results in a large degree of circular polarization.
Enhanced four-body decays of charged Higgs bosons into off-shell pseudoscalar Higgs and $$W^\pm $$ boson pairs in a lepton-specific 2-Higgs doublet model
Authors: Moretti Stefano , Song Muyuan
Published: July 2024

We study the time-honoured decay $$H^\pm \rightarrow A W^\pm $$

H
±

→
A

W
±

but for the first time, we do so for the case of both A and $$W^\pm $$

W
±

being off-shell, therefore computing a $$1\rightarrow 4$$

1
→
4

body decay. We show that the corresponding decay rate not only extends the reach of $$H^\pm $$

H
±

searches to small masses of the latter but also that the results of our implementation differ significantly from the yield of the $$1\rightarrow 3$$

1
→
3

body decay over the phase space region in which the latter is normally used. We show the phenomenological relevance of this implementation in the case of the so-called lepton-specific 2-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) over the mass region wherein the aforementioned $$1\rightarrow 4$$

1
→
4

body decay can dominate just beyond the top (anti)quark mass. This mass region is accessible in the lepton-specific 2HDM as the Yukawa couplings are such that limits from $$b \rightarrow s \gamma $$

b
→
s
γ

and $$\tau \rightarrow \mu \nu _{\tau } \bar{\nu _\mu }$$

τ
→
μ

ν
τ

ν
μ

¯

observables on $$M_{H^\pm }$$

M

H
±

are rather mild. However, we emphasize that similar effects may occur in other 2HDM types, as the $$W^\pm H^\mp A$$

W
±

H
∓

A

vertex is 2HDM type independent.
Managing Performance of Digital Microenterprises Post-COVID: The Case of IFS
Authors: Bashir Tafheem , Dhaliwal Amandeep
Published: July 2024

This is a case study of Integrated Facilitation Services (IFS), a digital consultancy firm established by Dr. Mohammad Zubair Ahmad in 2016. The firm offers knowledge services to various clients, such as entrepreneurs, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and voluntary organizations, in different stages of their business development, from project design to execution and evaluation. IFS has experienced a remarkable growth trajectory, but it also faces significant challenges that threaten its viability. This case explores the various aspects of the firm’s journey and how this innovative digital enterprise that provides novel services to other businesses struggles to survive and thrive in its own domain. Dr. Ahmad, the founder of IFS, was a successful entrepreneur until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his business environment and increased the difficulties for IFS. He is now confronted with a dilemma: How can he improve the performance of his small consultancy firm and ensure its sustainability and expansion? In the post-COVID-19 era, should he attempt to reinvent his current business or diversify into another one?
Decisive Moments at Emerald Lawns: Manoj Joshi’s Dilemma
Authors: Borde Nilesh , Mahatme Madhumita , Gore Surabhi , Desai Purva Hegde , Rajanala Nirmala , Mahatme Veeraj
Published: July 2024

Manoj Joshi, the central character in this case, is the driving force behind Emerald Lawns. Emerald Lawns’ story unfolds in the unique context of Mollem, an emerging market characterized by rich natural resources and abundant biodiversity. Joshi’s venture leveraged these factors while adhering to the principles of sustainability. However, after a decade of growth and adaptation, Joshi faces a pivotal decision. He finds himself at a crossroad, questioning whether the resort has strayed from its original vision. This dilemma centers on the challenge of balancing the diverse demands of attracting dedicated birding enthusiasts, who value the resort’s focus on niche wildlife experiences, with the needs and expectations of pleasure-seeking tourists. In navigating this complex terrain, Joshi must remain true to his social entrepreneurial values while ensuring the financial sustainability of Emerald Lawns. In this context, the case provides a thought-provoking exploration of organizational management decisions and the dilemmas that can arise in an emerging market, of balancing commercial interests with personal passion for nature.
Hydrocolloids for tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting
Authors: Yildirim-Semerci Ozum , Onbas Rabia , Bilginer-Kartal Rumeysa , Arslan-Yildiz Ahu
Published: July 2024

Hydrocolloids, derived from plants, marine, and microbial sources, have become research favorites due to their unique properties. This article provides an overview of the extraction methods, from chemical to enzymatic, to obtain hydrocolloids. Distinctive properties of hydrocolloids, such as high swelling capacity, tunable features, and rapid gelation ability, have gained significant attention recently and have started to be used in tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting. Hydrocolloids will play substantial roles in advancing biomedical products and contributing to improving human health.
Mobility Prediction via Rule-enhanced Knowledge Graph
Authors: Yu Qiaohong , Wang Huandong , Liu Yu , Jin Depeng , Li Yong , Zhu Lin , Feng Junlan
Published: July 2024

With the rapid development of location acquisition technologies, massive mobile trajectories have been collected and made available to us, which support a fantastic way of understanding and modeling individuals’ mobility. However, existing data-driven methods either fail to capture the long-range dependency or suffer from a high computational cost. To overcome these issues, we propose a knowledge-driven framework for mobility prediction, which leverages knowledge graphs (KG) to formulate the mobility prediction task into the KG completion problem through integrating the structured “knowledge” from the mobility data. However, most related mobility prediction works only focus on the structured information encoded in existing triples, which ignores the rich semantic information of relation paths composed of multiple relation triples. In this article, we apply a dedicated module to extract the supplementary semantic structure of paths in KG, which contributes to the interpretability and accuracy of our model. Specifically, the extracted rules are applied to capture the dependencies between relational facts. Moreover, by incorporating user information in the entity-relation space with the corresponding hyperplane, our method could capture diverse user mobility patterns and model the personal characteristics of users to improve the accuracy of mobility prediction. Extensive evaluations illustrate that our proposed model beats state-of-the-art mobility prediction algorithms, which verifies the superiority of utilizing logical rules and user hyperplanes. Our implementation code is available at
https://github.com/tsinghua-fib-lab/RulekG-MobiPre.git
Navigating the Complexity of Generative AI Adoption in Software Engineering—RCR Report
Authors: Russo Daniel
Published: July 2024

This Replicated Computational Results (RCR) report complements the study “Navigating the Complexity of Generative AI Adoption in Software Engineering,” which examines the factors influencing the integration of AI tools in software engineering practices. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory, the study introduces the Human-AI Collaboration and Adaptation Framework (HACAF), validated through PLS-SEM analysis. The replication package detailed herein includes survey instruments, raw data, and analysis scripts essential for reproducing the study's findings. By providing these artifacts, the RCR report aims to support transparency, enable replication, and encourage further research on effective AI tool adoption strategies in software engineering.
Productive Performance of Lactating Crossbred Dairy Cows Fed with Wheat Straw‐Based Densified Complete Feed Block
Authors: Biratu Kasa , Urge Mengistu , Kitaw Getu , Feyissa Fekede , Adesogan Adegbola T.
Published: July 2024

The experiment was designed to determine the effect of feeding densified complete feed block (DCFB) on the production performances of lactating F1 Friesian x Borena crossbred cows. Four mid‐lactating multiparous cows with 2–5 parity having similar milk yield (8–10 l·day−1) were evaluated using 4 × 4 Latin square design for a total of 84 days. The treatments include natural pasture hay supplemented with a concentrate mixture at the rate of 0.5 kg·l−1 of milk yield·cow−1 (T1) and three different wheat straw‐based DCFBs in the ratio of 50 : 50 (T2), 40 : 60 (T3), and 30 : 70 (T4). The result revealed that the average daily dry matter (DM) intake was similar among all dietary treatments except for T2 that had lower (P  < 0.05) daily DM intake. The crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) intakes for cows in T3 and T4 were comparable (P  > 0.05) but significantly higher (P  < 0.05) compared to T1 and T2. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake remained the same among treatment groups while T1 consumed higher (P  < 0.05) acid detergent fiber (ADF) compared to other diets. Cows in T3 and T4 groups had higher (P  < 0.05) DM and OM digestibility but comparable (P  > 0.05) NDF and ADF digestibility compared to T1. The CP digestibility and daily average milk yield were higher (P  < 0.05) for T4. Daily fat, protein, and lactose yield in the DCFB group showed an increasing trend with the level of concentrate, whereas cows in the T4 group exceptionally produced higher (P  < 0.05) yields. Fat‐corrected milk yield (FCM) was lower (P  < 0.05) for T4 compared to T1 and T2 groups. Milk fat percentages were lower (P  < 0.05) but milk protein percentages were higher for cows in T4 but similar for the rest of the diets. Milk lactose did not vary (P  > 0.05) over all the treatments. Milk conversion efficiency was similar (P  > 0.05) among the DCFB but higher (P  < 0.05) for control cows. The partial budget analysis indicated that net profit and marginal return were much higher for diet in the ratio of 40 : 60. Inclusion of wheat straw at 40% could be an efficient feeding option for F1 Friesian x Borena lactating crossbred cows managed under indoor conditions. However, DCFB manufacturing and distribution at a large scale requires machineries (chopper/grinder, mixer, and compressor). Further study needs to evaluate the storability and strength of the DCFBs under varying storage conditions and the long‐term effect of DCFB on milk yield and quality of improved lactating dairy cows in Ethiopia.
Supplementary Video S1 from “Personalized Cancer Therapy”: A Publicly Available Precision Oncology Resource
Authors: Kurnit Katherine C. , Bailey Ann M. , Zeng Jia , Johnson Amber M. , Shufean Md. Abu , Brusco Lauren , Litzenburger Beate C. , Sánchez Nora S. , Khotskaya Yekaterina B. , Holla Vijaykumar , Simpson Amy , Mills Gordon B. , Mendelsohn John , Bernstam Elmer , Shaw Kenna , Meric-Bernstam Funda
Published: July 2024

A virtual tour of the Personalized Cancer Therapy website (www.personalizedcancertherapy.org).
Arginine Methylation of DDX3 by PRMT1 Mediates Mitochondrial Homeostasis to Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Hsu Wen-Jing , Chiang Ming-Chen , Chao Yi-Chun , Chang Yu-Chu , Hsu Ming-Chien , Chung Chu-Hung , Tsai I-Lin , Chu Cheng-Ying , Wu Han-Chung , Yang Ching-Chieh , Lee Chi-Ching , Lin Cheng-Wei
Published: July 2024

Dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism play important roles in tumorigenesis. Metastasizing tumor cells predominantly utilize mitochondrial metabolism, and regulators of metabolic reprogramming may provide reliable biomarkers for diagnosing cancer metastasis. Here, we identified a type I arginine methyltransferase–DEAD-box polypeptide 3, X-linked (PRMT1-DDX3) axis that promotes breast cancer metastasis by coordinating mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy to ensure mitochondrial quality control. Mechanistically, PRMT1 induces arginine methylation of DDX3, which enhances its protein stability and prevents proteasomal degradation. DDX3 mediates mitochondrial homeostasis by translocating to mitochondria where it facilitates phosphatase and tensin homology-induced kinase 1 translation in response to mitochondrial stress. Inhibition of DDX3 suppresses mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, resulting in diminished cancer stemness and metastatic properties. Overall, this study uncovers a mechanism by which the PRMT1-DDX3 axis regulates mitochondrial homeostasis to support breast cancer metastasis, suggesting strategies for targeting metabolic vulnerabilities to treat metastatic breast cancer.

Significance: DDX3 is stabilized by PRMT1–mediated arginine methylation and coordinates mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis by upregulating PINK1 to facilitate breast cancer progression.
Translational History and Hope of Immunotherapy of Canine Tumors
Authors: Bryan Jeffrey N. , Maitz Charles A.
Published: July 2024

Companion dogs have served an important role in cancer immunotherapy research. Sharing similar environments and diets with humans, dogs naturally develop many of the same cancers. These shared exposures, coupled with dogs’ diverse genetic makeup, make them ideal subjects for studying cancer therapies. Tumors like osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma occur with greater frequency than their counterpart disease in humans. Canine brain tumors allow the study of therapy strategies with imaging, surgery, and radiotherapy equipment in veterinary patients with near-human geometry. Nonspecific immunostimulants, autologous and allogeneic vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and cellular therapies used in treating canine cancers have been tested in veterinary clinical trials. These treatments have not only improved outcomes for dogs but have also provided valuable insights for human cancer treatment. Advancements in radiation technology and the development of tools to characterize canine immune responses have further facilitated the ability to translate veterinary clinical trial results to human applications. Advancements in immunotherapy of canine tumors have directly supported translation to human clinical trials leading to approved therapies for patients with cancer around the world. The study of immunotherapy in dogs has been and will continue to be a promising avenue for advancing human cancer treatment.
Figure 2 from Generation, Transcriptomic States, and Clinical Relevance of CX3CR1+ CD8 T Cells in Melanoma
Authors: Ishigaki Hirohito , Yamauchi Takayoshi , Long Mark D. , Hoki Toshifumi , Yamamoto Yuta , Oba Takaaki , Ito Fumito
Published: July 2024

The differentiation of antigen-specific CX3CR1− CD8+ T cells into CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cells in vivo. A, Phenotypic analysis of Pmel-1 CD8+ T cells after ex vivo-activation with hgp100 peptide, IL-7, and IL-15. B, Experimental protocol. XRT, external beam radiation therapy. C, Representative contour plots of Pmel-1 CD8+ T cell population in the spleen with or without vaccination. The right panels show frequency of the CX3CR1+ subset in CD90.1+ CD8+ T cells (n = 5). (D) Representative contour plots of Pmel-1 CD8+ T cell population in the spleen and tumors 10 days after vaccination. FMT, fluorescence minus two (CD27 and CX3CR1). E, Representative histogram showing PD-1 and TIGIT expressions in intratumoral CX3CR1− and CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cells 19 days after vaccination. Gating strategy is shown in Supplementary Fig. S3. F, Representative histogram showing granzyme A (GZMA) and granzyme B (GZMB) expressions in CX3CR1− and CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cells in the spleen and tumors 25 days after immune vaccination. G, Representative histogram showing TNFα or IFNγ expression in intratumoral CX3CR1− and CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cells 7 days after vaccination. E–G, The right panels show frequency of each T-cell subset based on CX3CR1 expression (n = 4–5). H, Representative histogram showing CXCR3 expression in intratumoral CX3CR1− and CX3CR1+ CD8+ T cells 10 days after vaccination. The right panels show kinetics and frequency of the CXCR3+ subset based on CX3CR1 expression. Mean (±SEM) (n = 4). A and E–H, Isotype-matched controls are shown in gray. C and E–H, *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001, and ****, P < 0.0001 by two-tailed unpaired (C) or paired (E–H) t-test. N.S., not significant.
LncRNA SOX21-AS1 Promotes Activation of BV2 Cells via Epigenetical Silencing of SOCS3 and Aggravates Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Feng Dan , Liu Yun , Zuo Fangya , Liu Fenfen , Liu Yuqi , Wang Yujie , Chen Lanlan , Guo Xiuhong , Tian Jinyong
Published: July 2024

Background: LncRNAs perform a crucial impact on microglia’s activation in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, our purpose was to probe the function and involved mechanism of lncRNA SOX21-AS1 on microglial activation in PD. Methods: Mice were treated with MPTP, and BV2 cells were treated with LPS/ATP to build PD animal and cell models. Genes’ expression was measured using RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and IHC stain. ELISA was applied for testing inflammatory factors’ levels. Cell viability and apoptosis were tested using kits. RIP and RNA pull-down assay were utilized for monitoring the bond of SOX21-AS1 to EZH2, and ChIP was applied for affirming the bond between EZH2 and SOCS3’s promoter. Results: The expression of SOX21-AS1 and SOCS3 was abnormal in PD cell and animal models. Inhibition of SOX21-AS1 repressed LPS/ATP-induced activation in BV2 cells and nerve damage caused by activated BV2 cells, alleviating the pathological features of PD mice. Further studies found that SOX21-AS1 epigenetically inhibited SOCS3 by recruiting EZH2 to SOCS3 promoter. SOX21-AS1 overexpression partially offset the repressive impact of SOCS3 enhancement on BV2 cell activation and the protective effect on nerve cells. Conclusion: SOX21-AS1 enhances LPS/ATP-induced activation of BV2 cells and nerve damage caused by activated BV2 cells though recruiting EZH2 to SOCS3’s promoter, thereby alleviating PD progression. Our research supplies new potential target for curing PD.
Hallucinations and Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Systematic Review
Authors: Blom Jan Dirk
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Vitamin B12 deficiency is primarily associated with pernicious anaemia, polyneuropathy, and spinal-cord disease, but publications on its association with hallucinations are on the rise. Methods: I carried out a systematic literature search on these hallucinations in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, up until July 1, 2023. Results: The search yielded 50 case studies published between 1960 and 2023. The hallucinations described therein are predominantly visual and/or auditory in nature, with 20% being specified as complex, compound, or panoramic. They are often described in the context of vitamin B12-related neuropsychiatric conditions such as dementia, delirium, epilepsy, psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, catatonia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. In the context of such disorders, they tend to appear first and also often appear to be the first to disappear with cobalamin treatment. Within an average of 2 months, full amelioration was thus obtained in 75% of the cases and partial amelioration in the remaining 25%. Remarkably, a quarter of the cases involved therapy-resistant hallucinations that fully resolved under cobalamin monotherapy, while other neuropsychiatric manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency disappeared in 60% of the treated cases. Only 32% of the cases involved comorbid pernicious anaemia. This suggests that two separate or diverging pathways exist for perceptual and haematological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Conclusion: In the light of the high prevalence rate of vitamin B12 deficiency in the general population, the findings here presented should be interpreted with great caution. Nonetheless, they offer cues for further research and experimental application in clinical practice. This may be especially relevant in light of the recent increase in the popularity of vegetarianism and the recreational use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which are both risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Navigating the Global Economic Landscape of Dialysis: A Summary of Expert Opinions from The 4th International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists
Authors: Li Philip Kam-Tao , Ng Jack Kit-Chung , Cai Guang-yan , Chen Wei , Chow Kai Ming , Fan Stanley , He John Cijiang , Hooi Lai Seong , Pei York , Teo Boon Wee , Wong Muh Geot , Wu I-Wen , Zhou Jianhui , Tian Na , Ye Zhiming , Yu Xueqing
Published: July 2024

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to be a significant global public health issue. The escalating burden of CKD is probably driven by the aging population and the rising prevalence of diabetes. CKD not only adversely impacts an individual’s health and well-being, but also poses significant challenge on the economy of the society. Summary: Experts from ten countries and regions around the world (Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States) convened in the 4th International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists on December 1, 2023 to discuss the global dialysis burden. Although the cost of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) accounts for 2–3% of total healthcare expenditure in developed countries, patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) only represent a small percentage (<0.5%) of the population. Importantly, the economic impact of ESKD is not limited to direct medical costs, but extends to indirect societal costs, such as productivity loss by patients and caregivers. Primary prevention of CKD, early screening and treatment to delay progression to ESKD (where treatment costs rise dramatically), and utilization of home-based dialysis therapy (including peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis) shall be implemented as part of cost-containment strategy. Kidney transplant provides better outcomes than dialysis and is cost-effective in long run, whereas conservative kidney management should be considered for elderly frail patients. Key Messages: Implementation of preventive measures and cost-effective treatment strategies are the cornerstone to combat the global CKD epidemic.
A Comparison of Systematic, Targeted, and Combined Biopsy Using Machine Learning for Prediction of Prostate Cancer Risk: A Multi-Center Study
Authors: Arafa Mostafa A. , Omar Islam , Farhat Karim H. , Elshinawy Mona , Khan Farrukh , Alkhathami Faisal A. , Mokhtar Alaa , Althunayan Abdulaziz , Rabah Danny M. , Badawy Abdel-Hameed A.
Published: July 2024

Objectives: The aims of the study were to construct a new prognostic prediction model for detecting prostate cancer (PCa) patients using machine-learning (ML) techniques and to compare those models across systematic and target biopsy detection techniques. Methods: The records of the two main hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were analyzed for data on diagnosed PCa from 2019 to 2023. Four ML algorithms were utilized for the prediction and classification of PCa. Results: A total of 528 patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) greater than 3.5 ng/mL who had undergone transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy were evaluated. The total number of confirmed PCa cases was 234. Age, prostate volume, PSA, body mass index (BMI), multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) score, number of regions of interest detected in MRI, and the diameter of the largest size lesion were significantly associated with PCa. Random Forest (RF) and XGBoost (XGB) (ML algorithms) accurately predicted PCa. Yet, their performance for classification and prediction of PCa was higher and more accurate for cases detected by targeted and combined biopsy (systematic and targeted together) compared to systematic biopsy alone. F1, the area under the curve (AUC), and the accuracy of XGB and RF models for targeted biopsy and combined biopsy ranged from 0.94 to 0.97 compared to the AUC of systematic biopsy for RF and XGB algorithms, respectively. Conclusions: The RF model generated and presented an excellent prediction capability for the risk of PCa detected by targeted and combined biopsy compared to systematic biopsy alone. ML models can prevent missed PCa diagnoses by serving as a screening tool.
Pregnancy in Times of War: What Are the Fallouts? A Review
Authors: Bouachba Amine , Gorincour Guillaume , Charlier Philippe , Ville Yves
Published: July 2024

Background: The beginning of the conflict in Ukraine has reminded Europeans of the many and diverse consequences of armed conflicts. Indeed, the ever more sophisticated conflicts have led to the diffusion of numerous chemicals whose consequences spread even after the end of the war. We present through this paper a review of the consequences of pregnancies from the major conflicts that took place since the end of World War II. Summary: MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase were screened for articles linking perinatal death (PD) or birth defects (BD) to wartime. A total of 50 papers treating 8 countries and 4 major and medically documented conflicts were included in the final analysis. An increase in BD and PD during and after the end of the conflicts was reported through all the conflicts analyzed. Key Message: While more data are needed to conclude, maternal-fetal medicine specialists ought to be wary when dealing with exposed populations.
Tertiary Students’ Challenges Toward the Use of Oral Presentation in Speaking Class
Authors: Raihan Utami Alvi , Amalia Lulu Laela
Published: July 2024

The use of oral presentations is expected to develop students’ language skills. It helps the students to practice for improving students’ communicative competence. However, the oral presentation was challenging for EFL students. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate students' obstacles in using oral presentations during their performance. The participants of the study were twenty-one first-year students of English Education Study Program at a university in Lampung. This study used qualitative study and the data were gained by delivering a Likert scale questionnaire to the students on their perspectives towards the use of oral presentation during one semester adapted from Nouh et al. (2015). In addition to this, an interview was used to verify the data and gain further information in depth. The result showed that two main factors brought challenges for students during oral presentation, they were personal traits and presentation skills. In addition, these two common factors should be put in attention during the process of learning oral presentation. Furthermore, the conclusion of the study showed that most of the students felt anxious, nervous, and not well-prepared during oral presentations.