bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Localized chilling of crowns promotes floral bud differentiation in strawberry transplants in a closed transplant production system
Authors: Shin Jaewook , Cui Meiyan , Lee Hyein , Lee Byungkwan , Myung Jeesang , Na Haeyoung , Chun Changhoo
Published: January 2025

A stable supply of transplants with floral buds is required to improve the initial yield of the June-bearing cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). A closed transplant production system (CTPS) enables year-round production to meet the demands for the year-round production of strawberries in plant factories. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a novel method involving the localized chilling of strawberry crowns using silicone tubes containing circulated chilled water at different temperatures (10, 15, or 20°C) at the nighttime and different chilling regimes (daytime, nighttime, or entire day) under high air temperature conditions in a CTPS in terms of floral bud differentiation. We observed that 4 weeks of localized chilling at 10 or 15oC during the nighttime under the air temperature of 25/20°C (photo-/dark periods) and a photoperiod of 10 h promoted floral bud differentiation, whereas 6 weeks of localized chilling under the same conditions inhibited differentiation. Moreover, 4 weeks of localized chilling at 5oC during the daytime or entire day under the elevated air temperatures of 28/21°C and an extended photoperiod of 14 h promoted floral bud differentiation, and 6 weeks of localized chilling during the entire day under the same conditions further promoted bud differentiation compared with that in the control. Plant growth was generally unaffected by the localized chilling of the crowns. The results indicate that to cope with the impacts of elevated air temperature and photoperiod conditions, the continuous localized chilling of crowns at 5oC during the entire day for 6 weeks must be used to achieve optimal bud differentiation. These findings suggest the effectiveness of the localized chilling of the crowns for floral bud differentiation in strawberry in CTPSs, without disrupting the high-air temperature and long-day conditions required for vegetative growth.
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of a Hyaluronic Acid-Base Dermal Filler With Tri-Hyal Technology to Enhance Lip Volume
Authors: Kestemont Philippe , Fanian Ferial , Garcia Philippe , Grand-Vincent Anne , Benadiba Laurent , Delmar Henry , Bodokh Isaac , Brun Patrick , Braccini Frédéric , Desouches Christophe , Paris Jérôme , Guimiot Ismahane , Salomon Catherine , Trévidic Patrick
Published: January 2025

Background

Interventions to enhance lip volume and shape are common aesthetic procedures to counter signs of ageing.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Art Filler Lips (AFL), with or without retouching, at restoring lip shape and volume, tolerability and persistence over 18 months.

Methods

During this open-label study, AFL (≤2.0 mL) was injected into the upper, lower and/or both red lips and borders at baseline (D0). Subjects were evaluated at D21, when, if necessary, retouching was performed. Subjects were evaluated at D42, D90, D180, D270, D360, D450 and D540. The primary assessment was based on evaluation at D21 using the Medicis Lip Fullness Scale (MLFS). Satisfactory volume restoration was defined as an improvement of ≥1 point versus D0. Secondary outcomes were adverse events (AEs), and investigator- and subject-satisfaction rates based on Global Aesthetic Improvement Scores.

Results

Among 73 patients (97% female; 54.4±10.5 years), 56% of lips were injected without any retouch. Mean MLFS scores either for upper and lower lips separately or together, significantly improved by D21 for the subjects without retouching or D42 for those with (all p<0.0001). At D21/42, 99% of upper lips, 94% of lower lips and 96% of both lips showed satisfactory volume restoration. This proportion declined between D21/42 and D540. The most reported immediate AEs were swelling, sensitivity and pain and were mild to moderate, lasting less than 2 weeks.

Conclusions

AFL is well tolerated and produces a sustained objective and subjective lip volume restoration and shape.
Effects of hydrophobic drug incorporation on cubosome-cell membrane model interactions
Authors: Wakileh Ward , Watanabe Nozomi Morishita , Amatsu Yuki , Umakoshi Hiroshi
Published: January 2025

The impact of incorporating drug molecules into lipid carriers needs to be examined when investigating the interactions between carriers and cell membranes. In this work, we investigate the effects of loading of the drug, hydrocortisone, on the interactions of monoolein cubosomes with POPC cell membrane models (liposomes). Through the examination of the cubic structure and membrane, we elucidate the influence of the drug loading on the interaction. While the incorporation of the hydrocortisone did not alter the duration and kinetics of the cubic to lamellar phase transition, the membrane property analysis using Laurdan fluorescence probes showed slower kinetics in the drug loaded cubosomes. This implies that the rate of lipid exchange between carriers and cell membranes was suppressed in the presence of drug molecules. Such implication is important to consider when designing cubosomes as drug delivery carriers as it can affect factors such as their in-vivo performance and drug uptake.
On the origin of an insular hybrid butterfly lineage
Authors: Boman Jesper , Nolen Zachary J , Backström Niclas
Published: January 2025

A new species can form through hybridization between species. Hybrid speciation in animals has been intensely debated, partly because hard evidence for the process has been difficult to obtain. Here, we report the discovery of a European hybrid butterfly lineage, a finding that can be considered surprising given the intense and long-term study of European butterflies. The lineage we describe is mainly inhabiting an island in the Baltic Sea and was previously designated as a subspecies (horkei) of one of the parental species (Aricia artaxerxes). By analyzing whole-genome resequencing data and developing a novel cluster analysis based on historical recombination events (Fisher junctions), we determine that horkei originated by hybridization between the nonsister species A. artaxerxes and A. agestis. This hybridization event occurred approximately 54,000 years ago, predating the last glaciation of the current distribution range. Horkei must therefore have persisted long enough to be able to colonize its current range, despite that this area lies between the current distributions of the parental species. The hybrid origin, the maintenance of genomic integrity across times of dramatic climate change, and the expression of a combination of parental traits suggest that horkei could be in the process of hybrid speciation.
The association of physical function and physical performance with DNA methylation clocks in oldest-old living in Singapore - the SG90 cohort
Authors: Tay Jianhua , Wang Weilan , Guan Lihuan , Dorajoo Rajkumar , Feng Lei , Kennedy Brian K , Chong Yap Seng , Ng Tze Pin , Koh Woon-Puay , Maier Andrea B
Published: January 2025

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation (DNAm) clocks estimate biological age according to DNA methylation. This study investigated the associations between measures of physical function and physical performance and ten DNAm clocks in the oldest-old in Singapore.

The SG90 cohort included a subset of community-dwelling oldest-old from the Singapore Chinese Health Study (SCHS) and Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (SLAS). Physical function and performance were assessed using Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go (TUG), handgrip strength, normal gait speed, SPPB fast gait speed (FGS), and. DNAm age from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was measured using 18 DNAm clocks, including first generation clocks (PCHorvath1, PCHorvath2, PCHannum, AltumAge, ENCen100+, ENCEN40+, IntrinClock, RetroAgev1 and RetroAgev2) second and third generation clocks (PCPhenoAge, PCGrimAge, GrimAge2, ZhangMRscore, DNAmFitAge and DunedinPACE) and causality-enriched clocks (YingCausAge, YingAdaptAge, YingDamAge). Linear regression was used to analyse associations. The 433 oldest-old individuals had a median age of 88.6 years [87.5; 90.4] and were predominantly Chinese (95.6%) and female (60.3%). Better performance in IADL, WHODAS, SPPB, SPPB FGS and balance were associated with lower GrimAge2 after adjustment for age, sex, and smoking status (pAdj<0.05). GrimAge2 outperformed other DNAm clocks after adjustment for DNAm smoking-pack-years and DNAm-based cell compositions.

Better physical function and physical performance were associated with lower DNAm age deviation and pace of ageing. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to explore biological mechanisms underlying these observed associations.
Association of depression dimensions with cognitive functioning in community-dwelling oldest old adults: The LifeAfter90 study
Authors: Soleimani Laili , Hirst Andrew , Gilsanz Paloa , Whitmer Rachel A , Corrada Maria M , Beeri Michal S
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The oldest old adults (90+) constitute the fastest growing demographic at highest dementia risk among older adults. Depression, a common risk factor, inherently presents with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Here, we explored the associations of the predominant depression dimensions with cognition in the LifeAfter90 study.

Methods

The LifeAfter90 study consists of racially/ethnically diverse community-dwelling adults of >90. Cognitive assessments measured episodic memory, semantic memory, and executive function. Baseline depression was measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 item (GDS-15), yielding dimensions of Dysphoria, Withdrawal-Apathy -Vigor (WAV), Anxiety, Hopelessness and Subjective Memory Complaint (SMC)). We used generalized linear mixed models to explore associations between depression dimensions, and cognitive outcomes at baseline and over time adjusting for demographic factors.

Results

The cohort (n = 960, mean age 92.4± 2.3 years, 61.56% female) was very racially and ethnically diverse with 27% of participants identifying as White, 24% as Asian, 23% as Black, and 19% as Latino. Common complaints included not identifying as “full of energy” (52.45%), preference to “stay home” (46.31%) and “dropped activity” (40.0%) and 25% reported SMC. Depression dimensions showed distinct associations with cognitive outcomes: SMC correlated with worse global cognition, executive function, and verbal episodic memory (all ps < 0.0001). Hopelessness was associated with worse executive function (p < 0.001). Over 1.2 years, baseline hopelessness showed a trend for faster decline in episodic memory (β = -0.22; p = 0.035).

Discussion

In the oldest old, specific dimensions like SMC and hopelessness, may help identify individuals at high risk for cognitive decline in this highly vulnerable population.
The impact of stepfamily structure on older parents’ frequency of contact with and care receipt from adult biological and stepchildren in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Pas Suzan , van Tilburg Theo G
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Older people are increasingly entering their later years in stepfamilies. Because adult children play a central role in older parents’ support networks, there is concern that the generally weaker intergenerational ties found in stepfamilies may imply an impending deficit in the care available to stepparents. It is currently unclear whether there are differences across stepfamily types including stepfamilies with only biological children. The aim of the study is to examine whether there are differences in contact frequency with and care receipt from adult biological and stepchildren in biological and different types of stepfamilies.

Methods

Data are from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (1992-2022; ten observations); respondents’ ages varied between 54 and 101. An average of 3.7 observations are available from 2,761 parents in biological families and 647 parents in stepfamilies.

Results

Parents in biological families and in stepfamilies with joint children had more contact than in other stepfamily types. There was less contact in stepfamilies with biological and stepchildren formed in midlife and in families with only stepchildren. There were small differences in care receipt; the lowest likelihood was in composite families.

Discussion

Our study challenges the idea that the relationships of the adult child to older parents in all stepfamilies are weaker than in biological families and point to the importance of considering that only some stepfamilies are vulnerable in terms of contact frequency. We query whether stepfamilies are resilient, for example, to greater pressures from a sharp increase in care needs for one or both parents.
A novel dataset for nuclei and tissue segmentation in melanoma with baseline nuclei segmentation and tissue segmentation benchmarks
Authors: Schuiveling Mark , Liu Hong , Eek Daniel , Breimer Gerben E , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P M , Blokx Willeke A M , Veta Mitko
Published: January 2025

Background

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer in which tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a biomarker for recurrence and treatment response. Manual TIL assessment is prone to interobserver variability, and current deep learning models are not publicly accessible or have low performance. Deep learning models, however, have the potential of consistent spatial evaluation of TILs and other immune cell subsets with the potential of improved prognostic and predictive value. To make the development of these models possible, we created the Panoptic Segmentation of nUclei and tissue in advanced MelanomA (PUMA) dataset and assessed the performance of several state-of-the-art deep learning models. In addition, we show how to improve model performance further by using heuristic postprocessing in which nuclei classes are updated based on their tissue localization.

Results

The PUMA dataset includes 155 primary and 155 metastatic melanoma hematoxylin and eosin–stained regions of interest with nuclei and tissue annotations from a single melanoma referral institution. The Hover-NeXt model, trained on the PUMA dataset, demonstrated the best performance for lymphocyte detection, approaching human interobserver agreement. In addition, heuristic postprocessing of deep learning models improved the detection of noncommon classes, such as epithelial nuclei.

Conclusion

The PUMA dataset is the first melanoma-specific dataset that can be used to develop melanoma-specific nuclei and tissue segmentation models. These models can, in turn, be used for prognostic and predictive biomarker development. Incorporating tissue and nuclei segmentation is a step toward improved deep learning nuclei segmentation performance. To support the development of these models, this dataset is used in the PUMA challenge.
Four targets: an enhanced framework for guiding causal inference from observational data
Authors: Lu Haidong , Li Fan , Lesko Catherine R , Fink David S , Rudolph Kara E , Harhay Michael O , Rentsch Christopher T , Fiellin David A , Gonsalves Gregg S
Published: January 2025

Observational studies play an increasingly important role in estimating causal effects of a treatment or an exposure, especially with the growing availability of routinely collected real-world data. To facilitate drawing causal inference from observational data, we introduce a conceptual framework centered around “four targets”—target estimand, target population, target trial, and target validity. We illustrate the utility of our proposed “four targets” framework with the example of buprenorphine dosing for treating opioid use disorder, explaining the rationale and process for employing the framework to guide causal thinking from observational data. The “four targets” framework is beneficial for those new to epidemiologic research, enabling them to grasp fundamental concepts and acquire the skills necessary for drawing reliable causal inferences from observational data.
Effects of various physical pretreatments and dextranase on the structure and physicochemical properties of porous sweet potato starch: a comparative study
Authors: Wang Boyan , Luan Wenjing , Li Qiang , Jiang Weihong , Zhang Lei , Lyu Mingsheng , Wang Shujun
Published: January 2025

Porous starch is a type of modified starch that contains a high number of tiny micropores. Due to its natural absorbent properties, porous starch has broad application prospects. Currently, enzymatic hydrolysis is predominantly used for production of porous starch, however, the hydrolysis efficiency is relatively low. In this study, sweet potato porous starch was prepared by combining physical pretreatments with dextranase, and then its adsorption properties were investigated. Ultrasonic, moist heat, and microwave pretreatment methods were used, and the structure, physicochemical properties, and adsorption capacity of resulting porous starches were detected. The microwave-combined enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in a porous starch with more compact pore structure in a shorter time. Additionally, no new chemical groups were observed in the porous starch. The treatment not only increased the solubility of starch to 5.22%, but likewise reduced the swelling power to 6.92%. Furthermore, adsorption capacity of the starch improved remarkably due to increased porosity and specific surface area. Specifically, the oil absorption improved from 51.02 to 102.79%, while the water absorption improved from 58.63 to 120.40%. This study provides an efficient method to produce porous starch from sweet potato with enhanced water and oil absorption capacity, which has promising applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Cutting-edge Nano-therapeutics: silver nanoparticles loaded with ciprofloxacin for powerful antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic action against resistant pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Laib Ibtissam , Mohammed Hamdi Ali , Laouini Salah Eddine , Bouafia Abderrhmane , Abdullah Mahmood M S , Al-Lohedan Hamad A , Al-Essa Qudama , Trzepieciński Tomasz
Published: January 2025

The rise of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria poses a critical challenge to global healthcare, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This study addresses this gap by developing ciprofloxacin-loaded silver nanoparticles (CIP@Ag NPs), combining robust antibacterial efficacy with additional therapeutic benefits. CIP@Ag NPs were synthesized and characterized through UV–visible spectroscopy, revealing a distinct redshift to 401 nm and a reduced band gap of 2.24 eV, enhancing their photocatalytic and bioactive properties. Structural and morphological integrity was confirmed using XRD and SEM analyses. The nanoparticles exhibited remarkable multifunctionality, with 84% DPPH radical scavenging activity and a fourfold increase in total antioxidant capacity compared to bare Ag NPs. Anti-inflammatory activity was evidenced by 86.43% inhibition of egg albumin denaturation at 800 μg/ml. Additionally, CIP@Ag NPs demonstrated potent antidiabetic effects, achieving 73% α-amylase and 68% α-glucosidase inhibition at 60 μg/mL. Antibacterial assays of CIP@Ag NPs showed significant improvement, with inhibition zones of up to 34 mm against multidrug-resistant strains like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, surpassing the efficacy of both Ag NPs and ciprofloxacin individually. These findings underscore the potential of CIP@Ag NPs as a multifunctional nanoplatform, offering a promising solution to combat antibiotic resistance while addressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and diabetes-related complications.
Optimizing deployment model of flexible interconnection systems for new energy 6/10 kV medium-voltage grids
Authors: Feng Kan , Xin Shijin , Zhang Pan , Yang Jian , Fan Changhui , Chen Chong
Published: January 2025

To improve the voltage instability, overloading, and suboptimal economic performance resultant from the integration of flexible interconnections within new energy 6/10 kV medium-voltage distribution grids, we present a novel methodology for the deployment and optimization of flexible interconnection systems. We incorporate generative adversarial networks to assimilate and delineate prototypical deployment scenarios, mitigating voltage disparities. Then, we formulate a two-tiered deployment model for interconnection systems that synchronizes across various time scales, enabling a comprehensive assessment of safety and cost variables intrinsic to the distribution grid framework. Results proved that our refined deployment strategies and models bolster the operational dependability and economic efficacy.
Study on the role of virtual reality technology in the design and evaluation of low-carbon indoor spaces
Authors: Chen Jiarui , Liu Yao , Wu Pengjun
Published: January 2025

The present article analyzes the wind, light environment, and energy consumption of a specific residential unit layout, providing a basis for low-carbon interior design. With the aid of building information modeling and virtual reality (VR) technologies, architectural designers can identify potential environmental issues at an early stage. Furthermore, by simulating the effects of various design proposals, these technologies offer robust support for decision-making. Meanwhile, the incorporation of VR technology not only allows designers to conduct analyses on a two-dimensional plane but also immerses them in a virtual environment where they can experientially engage with the spatial characteristics of the building and its interaction with the surroundings.
Grid capacity planning model for electric vehicle high charging penetration in power distribution networks
Authors: Xu Qing , Wu Zhaobin , Xin Shijin , Niu Haitao , Zhang Pan , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: January 2025

To optimize the grid fluctuation and safety issues caused by high penetration charging of electric vehicles, a novel distribution network capacity planning model is proposed. This model fused traffic-coupled model and dual-layer control strategy for charging scheduling, optimizing the power balance during peak electricity usage and charging station energy storage issues. Then, a stable and efficient distribution network power supply system is established. Experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves a comprehensive energy efficiency of 84.19%, with peak power loads controlled below 300 kW, surpassing similar algorithms. Moreover, it provides a scientifically grounded numerical range for practical planning.
Planning model of a low-carbon landscape garden environment based on PSO-BP
Authors: Han Lin , Li Peng , Ruan Yuting
Published: January 2025

A particle swarm optimization-back propagation neural network (PSO-BP) is proposed. First, we collect and preprocess the planning data for low-carbon landscape environment to ensure accuracy and consistency of data; then we propose the PSO-BP model that combines the global optimization characteristics of particle swarm algorithm and the nonlinear mapping capability of the backpropagation neural network. Empirical studies show that this model can effectively reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, thus improving the ecological environment quality, improve the ecological service function, and effectively promote the sustainable development of low-carbon landscape buildings.
Machine learning-assisted evaluation of PVSOL software using a real-time rooftop PV system: a case study in Kocaeli, Turkey, with a focus on diffuse solar radiation
Authors: Aksoy Tırmıkçı Ceyda , Yavuz Cenk , Özkurt Cem , Çarklı Yavuz Burcu
Published: January 2025

Reducing energy-related CO2 emissions is vital for global climate targets, with Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) playing a key role. This study evaluates PVSOL software’s accuracy in simulating a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system in an NZEB in Kocaeli, Turkey. A machine learning model enhanced result reliability using local weather data. The system’s first-year performance ratio was 81.9%, close to the theoretical 84.53%. The 435 600 USD investment is expected to be recovered in 11.42 years, while PVSOL predicts 14.9 years. The findings confirm PVSOL’s reliability for rooftop PV systems, emphasizing their effectiveness in CO2 reduction and energy transition efforts.
Microbial competition for iron determines its availability to the ferrous wheel
Authors: Strzepek Robert F , Latour Pauline , Ellwood Michael J , Shaked Yeala , Boyd Philip W
Published: January 2025

Iron plays a pivotal role in regulating ocean primary productivity. Iron is supplied from diverse sources such as the atmosphere and the geosphere, and hence iron biogeochemical research has focused on identifying and quantifying such sources of “new” iron. However, the recycling of this new iron fuels up to 90% of the productivity in vast oceanic regions. Evidence points to the key role of microbes in mediating this recycling, referred to as the “ferrous wheel”, that remobilises iron initially supplied to ocean biota. In the iron-limited subantarctic waters of the Southern Ocean, iron uptake is dominated by microbes smaller than 2 μm and exhibits seasonal and depth-related variations. The microbial community within the <2 μm size fraction comprises heterotrophic bacteria and picophytoplankton, both competing for iron. Here, we dissect the demand component of the ferrous wheel by separately assessing iron uptake by heterotrophic bacteria and photoautotrophic picophytoplankton. To explore the seasonal and depth-related variability in iron uptake, the influence of light on iron uptake in both bacterial and phytoplankton communities was examined. We observed that picoeukaryote phytoplankton demonstrated iron uptake rates 10 times greater than those observed in bacteria when normalized to biomass. Light was shown to stimulate iron uptake by 8- to 16-fold in phytoplankton and by 4- to 8-fold in heterotrophic bacteria. These results highlight the unexpectedly significant role of picoeukaryotic phytoplankton in driving the speed of the ferrous wheel, with implications for iron recycling across diurnal cycles, different oceanic depths, and seasonally.
Prediction of hip fracture by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in older Swedish women
Authors: Jaiswal Raju , Pivodic Aldina , Zoulakis Michail , Axelsson Kristian F , Litsne Henrik , Johansson Lisa , Lorentzon Mattias
Published: January 2025

The socioeconomic burden of hip fractures, the most severe osteoporotic fracture outcome, is increasing and the current clinical risk assessment lacks sensitivity. This study aimed to develop a method for improved prediction of hip fracture by incorporating measurements of bone microstructure and composition derived from high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). In a prospective cohort study of 3028 community-dwelling women aged 75 to 80, all participants answered questionnaires and underwent baseline examinations of anthropometrics and bone by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and HR-pQCT. Medical records, a regional x-ray archive, and registers were used to identify incident fractures and death. Prediction models for hip, major osteoporotic fracture (MOF), and any fracture were developed using Cox proportional hazards regression and machine learning algorithms (neural network, random forest, ensemble, and XGBoost). In the 2856 (94.3%) women with complete HR-pQCT data at 2 tibia sites (distal and ultra-distal), the median follow-up period was 8.0 years, and 217 hip, 746 MOF, and 1008 any type of incident fracture occurred. In Cox regression models adjusted for age, BMI, clinical risk factors (CRF), and femoral neck bone mineral density (FN BMD) the strongest predictors of hip fracture were tibia total volumetric BMD and cortical thickness. The performance of the Cox regression-based prediction models for hip fracture was significantly improved by HR-pQCT (time-dependent AUC; area under receiver operating characteristic curve at 5 years of follow-up 0.75 [0.64-0.85]), compared to a reference model including CRFs and FN BMD (AUC = 0.71 [0.58-0.81], p<.001) and a FRAX risk score model (AUC = 0.70 [0.60-0.80], p<.001). The Cox regression model for hip fracture had a significantly higher accuracy than the neural network-based model, the best-performing machine learning algorithm, at clinically relevant sensitivity levels. We conclude that the addition of HR-pQCT parameters improves the prediction of hip fractures in a cohort of older Swedish women.
Opportunistic measurement of sagittal abdominal diameter with bone densitometry predicts death and cardiovascular events
Authors: Leslie William D , Zarzour Fatima , Lix Lisa M , Binkley Neil , Lewis Joshua R , Schousboe John T
Published: January 2025

Supine sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), also known as abdominal height, has been proposed as a simple measure for assessing abdominal adiposity. We aimed to determine whether SAD from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) performed for osteoporosis assessment predicts major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) using the population-based DXA registry for the Province of Manitoba, Canada. The study population comprised 72,974 individuals aged 40 years and older with baseline DXA assessment between February 1999 and March 2018. Incident MACE (composite of all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction [MI], non-hemorrhagic stroke) was ascertained from linked healthcare databases. During mean 8.4 years follow-up (611,862 person-years), 14,457 (18.8%) individuals experienced incident MACE. Risk stratification was greatest with SAD/weight ratio, with area under the curve (AUC) for MACE and its components ranging from 0.582 for acute MI to 0.620 for death (all p<0.001), all significantly better than with body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001). In multivariable-adjusted models, each SD increase in SAD/weight was associated with increased risk for MACE (hazards ratio [HR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.18-1.22), death (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.20-1.25), acute MI (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.14- 1.24), and stroke (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.12-1.22). A linear gradient was seen across SAD/weight quintiles (all p-trend<0.001), with adjusted HR for MACE 1.61 (95% CI 1.50-1.72) for highest versus lowest quintile. Results were similar when further adjusted for BMI, in non-obese and obese individuals (p-interaction for obesity = 0.141), and in both women and men (p-interaction for sex = 0.471). In conclusion, SAD measured opportunistically at the time of DXA testing is predictive of death and major cardiovascular events in individuals undergoing osteoporosis assessment.
Forensic Assessment of Kinship, Genomic Ancestry, and Natural History of an Iconic Tiger of Harlem-New York City
Authors: Wu Zhen-Bo , Sui Zheng-Yan , Peng Lan-Hui , Ghemrawi Mirna , Duncan George , Jones Henry , O’Brien Stephen J , Luo Shu-Jin
Published: January 2025

In the fall of 2003, a two-year-old tiger named Ming, weighing some four hundred pounds, was discovered living in an apartment in Harlem, New York. Ming’s rescue by NYPD was witnessed, recalled, and venerated by scores of neighbors. The tiger’s history and ancestry stimulated considerable media interest, investigative sleuthing, and forensic genomic analyses. The Harlem tiger’s subspecies makeup, his relationship to his putative sibling named Cheeky living in Homestead, Florida, and his genetic distinctiveness from wild tigers was assessed by Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) analyses of trace materials from plucked whiskers. Verified Subspecies Ancestry (VSA) of Ming and Cheeky was determined by comparing their WGS to SNP annotation from WGS of 35 voucher (pure subspecies) tiger specimens from six living subspecies. Genome-wide structure analyses based on 3,422,109 SNPs and a subset of 6,724 Ancestry-Informative Markers (AIMS) showed that Ming has an admixed genetic background from five subspecies: Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti 35 ~ 40%), Bengal tiger (P. t. tigris 17 ~ 23%), Sumatran tiger (P. t. sumatrae 12 ~ 14%), Amur tiger (P. t. altaica ~ 10%), and Malayan tiger (P. t. jacksoni 1 ~ 10%). Cheeky is confirmed to be a full sibling to Ming and displayed an admixed genetic background with similar subspecies proportions as Ming’s. The forensic assessment of the tigers’ subspecies composition, kinship, and recent history of animal transaction provides an analytical pipeline and promises to assist in tiger conservation effort worldwide through standardized genomic analysis of tigers or tiger products with unknown origin.
Transcriptional regulation of development by SMAX1-LIKE proteins, targets of strigolactone and karrikin/KAI2 ligand signaling
Authors: Chang Sun Hyun , George Wesley , Nelson David C
Published: January 2025

SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1 (SMAX1) and SMAX1-LIKE (SMXL) proteins comprise a family of plant growth regulators that includes downstream targets of the karrikin (KAR)/KAI2 ligand (KL) and strigolactone (SL) signaling pathways. Following the perception of KAR/KL or SL signals by α/β hydrolases, some types of SMXL proteins are polyubiquitinated by an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex containing the F-box protein MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2)/DWARF3 (D3), and proteolyzed. Because SMXL proteins interact with TOPLESS (TPL) and TPL-related (TPR) transcriptional corepressors, SMXL degradation initiates changes in gene expression. This simplified model of SMXL regulation and function in plants must now be revised in light of recent discoveries. It has become apparent that SMXL abundance is not regulated by KAR/KL or SL alone, and that some SMXL proteins are not regulated by MAX2/D3 at all. Therefore, SMXL proteins should be considered signaling hubs that integrate multiple cues. Here we review the current knowledge of how SMXL proteins impose transcriptional regulation of plant development and environmental responses. SMXL proteins can bind DNA directly and interact with transcriptional regulators from several protein families. Multiple mechanisms of downstream genetic control by SMXL proteins have been identified recently that do not involve the recruitment of TPL/TPR, expanding the paradigm of SMXL function.
A complex interplay between histone variants and DNA methylation
Authors: Edera Alejandro , Quadrana Leandro
Published: January 2025

Nucleosomes, the chromatin building blocks, play an important role in controlling DNA and chromatin accessibility. Nucleosome remodeling and the incorporation of distinct histone variants confer unique structural and biochemical properties, influencing the targeting of multiple epigenetic pathways, particularly DNA methylation. This stable epigenetic mark suppresses transposable element expression in plants and mammals, serving as an additional layer of chromatin regulation. In this review, we explore recent advances in our understanding of the complex interplay between histone variants and DNA methylation in plants, and discuss the role that chromatin remodeling plays in coordinating histone exchange and methylation of DNA.
Substantive equality for women in distribution of matrimonial property: Uganda’s contribution-based approach
Authors: Lubaale Emma Charlene
Published: January 2025

This article explores the potential for a contribution-based approach to the division of matrimonial property by drawing on Uganda’s approach. Uganda lacks a legislative framework for dividing matrimonial property upon divorce, leaving courts with the discretion to determine distribution. In the 2022 Court of Appeal decision in Ambayo v Aserua, the Court established several key principles: marriage does not guarantee an automatic half-share in matrimonial property; a spouse’s share depends on their contribution; homemakers' contributions should be valued based on comparable market services; and contributions towards a spouse’s education during marriage should be deducted from the beneficiary spouse’s total claim. This decision requires parties to demonstrate the extent of their contributions to matrimonial property. However, the historical undervaluation of homemaking and the difficulty in proving such contributions raise concerns about the protection of homemakers, often women, in property distribution upon divorce. This article examines key rulings in Ambayo to assess the potential for achieving substantive equality for women under this regime. The unique contribution of this article is its use of the Ambayo rulings to develop strategies that leverage a contribution-based approach to promote substantive equality while also highlighting limitations. It concludes that while Uganda’s contribution-based approach shows promise for achieving substantive equality, several obstacles persist. These include the lack of tangible proof for certain homemaking roles, the low market value assigned to care and domestic work, and the difficulties in valuing unquantifiable aspects of care and domestic tasks.
Decomposing dependency analysis: revisiting the relation between annotation scheme and structure-based textual measures
Authors: Yih Tsy , Liu Haitao
Published: January 2025

Standardized quantitative measurement of texts lies at the heart of digital approaches to humanities. Structure-based textual measures are known to be influenced by the choice of syntactic annotation schemes. Building on previous research, the present article further explores the relation between annotation schemes and the index of mean dependency distance (MDD) by comparing the treebanks of seventeen languages, respectively, within a tree representation (basic universal dependencies, BUD) and within a graphic representation (enhanced universal dependencies, EUD). Following the idea of decomposing annotation schemes into the combinations of analyses of specific constructions (coordinate structures, control constructions, and relative clauses), we design algorithms to identify them in the CoNLL-U format treebanks and explore their influences. It is found that the overall MDD of the EUD representation is statistically higher than that of BUD at corpus level, primarily affected by the coordinate structure due to its high frequency. At sentence level, all three constructions might contribute to either increased or decreased MDD, with stochastically intervening words and word order being two important determinants of the values of the measure. Finally, we propose and argue for the view that MDDs calculated under different annotation schemes should be regarded as different textual measures in nature. In sum, the present study provides another case study to deepen our understanding of the nature of syntactic annotation schemes and its relation with textual indices, which paves the way for standard measurement of texts in future humanities research.
Identifying Concepts to Establish Problematic Medications in Active Duty Servicemembers (ProMADS)
Authors: Costantino Ryan C , Brandt Nicole J , Perfetto Eleanor M , Hull Jessica R , Daniel Mullins C
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The military’s approach to medication use often evolves in response to operational issues that have the potential to impact the medical readiness and combat effectiveness of active duty service members (ADSMs). Historically, medications have been considered problematic because they serve as surrogate markers for deployment limiting health conditions or due to factors that make sustainment challenging in military/austere environments. This study aims to identify key concepts that capture the aspects of a medication that make it problematic in ADSMs. The goal of this effort would be to inform a future policy and establish criteria for Problematic Medications in Active Duty Servicemembers (ProMADS) to enhance the readiness and deployability of ADSMs.

Materials and Methods

Concepts of ProMADS were elicited from 8 key informants (KIs). Key informants included care providers and care recipients from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense Health Agency. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a phenomenological approach was used to summarize KI perspectives, and thematic analysis identified core elements and sub-elements.

Results

Five core elements were identified: (1) Adverse cognitive or behavioral effects, (2) sustainment issues, (3) controlled substance compliance and risk mitigation, (4) medication-related hemostasis interference, and (5) combat-readiness inhibitors. Key sub-concepts were related to whether a medication might impact cognition, cause sedation, have complex monitoring requirements (e.g., laboratory, adverse drug reactions, etc.), is temperature sensitive, or impacts the functioning of the immune system.

Conclusion

This study generated core medication-related concepts and sub-concepts that KIs believe make a medication innately problematic among ADSMs. These findings can guide consensus-driven efforts to identify ProMADS which would enable Military Departments and Combat Support Agencies to create programs that improve lethality, warfighting, and readiness by optimizing medication use.
Transcriptome-scale analysis uncovers conserved residues in the hydrophobic core of the bacterial RNA chaperone Hfq required for small regulatory RNA stability
Authors: McQuail Josh , Krepl Miroslav , Katsuya-Gaviria Kai , Tabib-Salazar Aline , Burchell Lynn , Bischler Thorsten , Gräfenhan Tom , Brear Paul , Šponer Jiří , Luisi Ben F , Wigneshweraraj Sivaramesh
Published: January 2025

The RNA chaperone Hfq plays crucial roles in bacterial gene expression and is a major facilitator of small regulatory RNA (sRNA) action. The toroidal architecture of the Hfq hexamer presents three well-characterized surfaces that allow it to bind sRNAs to stabilize them and engage target transcripts. Hfq-interacting sRNAs are categorized into two classes based on the surfaces they use to bind Hfq. By characterizing a systematic alanine mutant library of Hfq to identify amino acid residues that impact survival of Escherichia coli experiencing nitrogen (N) starvation, we corroborated the important role of the three RNA-binding surfaces for Hfq function. We uncovered two, previously uncharacterized, conserved residues, V22 and G34, in the hydrophobic core of Hfq, to have a profound impact on Hfq’s RNA-binding activity in vivo. Transcriptome-scale analysis revealed that V22A and G34A Hfq mutants cause widespread destabilization of both sRNA classes, to the same extent as seen in bacteria devoid of Hfq. However, the alanine substitutions at these residues resulted in only modest alteration in stability and structure of Hfq. We propose that V22 and G34 have impact on Hfq function, especially critical under cellular conditions when there is an increased demand for Hfq, such as N starvation.
Chemical and Isotopic Exchanges in Serpentinites during Hydration and Dehydration Events in the Erro-Tobbio Massif (Italy): from Ocean to Subduction
Authors: Vesin Coralie , Ulrich Michelle , Rubatto Daniela , Hermann Joerg , Scambelluri Marco
Published: January 2025

Subducted serpentinites are important for recycling water and fluid mobile elements into the deep Earth. Here we present a texturally controlled in situ oxygen and boron isotope and trace element study of the Erro-Tobbio ultramafic rocks (Western Alps, Italy) that have experienced exhumation to the seafloor, hydration and subsequent dehydration upon subduction. High variability in δ18O from +0.2‰ to +12.5‰ in the low-temperature serpentine polymorph lizardite coupled to strong enrichment in fluid mobile elements are associated to variable serpentinisation conditions at the ocean floor during the opening of the Piemonte-Liguria Ocean. Incipient oceanic serpentinisation, i.e. mesh formation after mantle olivine, occurred at approximately 160–325°C ± 20–60°C. Subsequently, mantle pyroxene was transformed into serpentine bastite with decreasing temperatures down to 75°C to 100°C. The transition metals V, Sc, Co, Zn and Mn, and the Ni/Cr in lizardite are indicative of precursor olivine or orthopyroxene. Remarkably, some lizardite in partially serpentinised and undeformed mantle peridotites remained metastable during subsequent subduction. During early subduction, with increasing temperature, the serpentine polymorph antigorite replaced lizardite in highly serpentinised ultramafic rocks. Antigorite shows a narrower δ18O range from +5.3‰ to +7.5‰, indicating isotopic homogenisation at the regional scale. A redistribution of the transition metals is observed at the sample scale, and the fluid mobile elements B, Cl and Li are partly lost. The isotopic homogenisation and the element redistribution are likely the results of (i) sample internal equilibration during antigorite crystallisation and (ii) mobility of serpentinite-derived fluids during the lizardite-to-antigorite transition. During the peak subduction stage at 1.8 to 2.5 GPa and 550°C to 650°C, metamorphic olivine with δ18O of ~+4‰ to +5‰ is formed from the dehydration of brucite + antigorite. This olivine is enriched in fluid mobile elements such as Li and B compared to primitive mantle and is in oxygen isotopic equilibrium with the co-existing antigorite. Based on this equilibrium and the coupled trace element systematics, there is no evidence of large influxes of external slab fluids from other lithologies. Recrystallised mantle olivine has lower B and Li contents compared to metamorphic olivine formed during brucite dehydration, and has similar δ18O values, XMg and Ni/Mn as mantle olivine, and is not in isotopic equilibrium with the antigorite. Such metamorphic olivine produced by recrystallisation, as well as the metastable lizardite during subduction, cannot be used as indicators of fluid production from serpentine dehydration.
“Me Llamo Luchadora Social”: Trans Latina Immigrants as Nepantleras Generating Change in the Southern United States
Authors: Alvarez-Hernandez Luis Roberto , Maria Bermúdez J
Published: January 2025

Many trans Latina immigrants have utilized their individual and collective strengths to resist oppression and generate change in their communities; however, their efforts remain largely invisible to those outside of their communities. The current study aimed to explore the meaning trans Latinas make of their experiences as agents of change in the southern United States. Informed by Chicana feminisms, authors used interpretive phenomenology to explore the testimonios of six trans Latina immigrants living in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas. Three themes were constructed: (1) the burden of discrimination, violence, and unmet needs; (2) luchadoras being and doing social change; and (3) finding strength in caring for each other. Anzaldúa’s nepantlera concept informed how authors situated findings as acts of resistance to societal violence, discrimination, and struggles at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The participants’ sense of agency was a response to the complexity of their identities within hostile contexts, and their resilience and resistance hinged upon building caring communities and becoming luchadoras sociales to affect empowerment and change. The authors offer suggestions for guiding social work researchers, practitioners, and educators to engage in strengths-based approaches to advocate for the human rights, needs, and strengths of trans Latina immigrants and their communities.