bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strain‐dependent variation in the NADH‐dependent diacetyl reductase activities of larger‐ and alebrewing yeasts
Authors: CA Murphy , PJ Large , Wadforth C. , SJ Dack , CA Boulton
Published: October 2023

Significant differences were observed in the zymogram patterns of NAD(+)‐dependent ethanol dehydrogenase and acetoin dehydrogenase activity in seven strains of brewer's yeast examined by non‐denaturing PAGE. Bottom‐fermenting (lager) strains contained quite different activity bands of acetoin dehydrogenase activity compared with top‐fermenting (ale) strains. These differences were confirmed when cell‐free extracts of ale yeasts were heated at 55 degrees C. This destroyed most of the diacetyl reductase activity, while leaving acetaldehyde reductase and other reductase activities unaffected. In contrast, heating cell‐free extracts of lager yeasts at 55 degrees C inactivated diacetyl reductase activity and the other reductase activities at the same rate, and more slowly than with ale strains. Similar distinctions between the two types of yeast could be made by examining the effect of heat on the ratio (activity of the various substrates with NADH as electron donor)/(activity with reduced acetylpyridine‐adenine dinucleotide as electron donor). The data show that the acetoin dehydrogenase/diacetyl reductase enzyme present in ale‐yeast strains differs in mobility and heat‐stability from that of larger strains, and that both can be distinguished from the major alcohol dehydrogenase activity bands.
Production and characterization of biologically active Ala‐Ser‐(His)6‐Ile‐Glu‐Gly‐Arg‐human prolactin (tag‐hPRL) secreted in the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli
Authors: Morganti L. , Huyer M. , PW Gout , Bartolini P.
Published: October 2023

Human prolactin (hPRL) cDNA was obtained by screening of a pituitary cDNA library with a synthetic 21‐mer oligonucleotide and with rat PRL cDNA. For its expression, use was made of a vector, p3SN8, containing tac‐promoter‐controlled sequences for a bacterial cellulase leader joined to sequences coding for Ala‐Ser, a chromatographic affinity site consisting of six histidines and a Factor Xa cleavage site. The hPRL cDNA was inserted at the 3′ end of the cleavage‐site sequences. Expression in Escherichia coli led to secretion in the periplasmic space of a fully bioactive hPRL variant constituting authentic hPRL with a peptide tag, i.e. Ala‐Ser‐(His)6‐Ile‐Glu‐Gly‐Arg, at its N‐terminal. This tag‐hPRL could be rapidly and efficiently purified by metal‐chelate affinity chromatography. The correct processing and quality of tag‐hPRL was monitored by SDS/PAGE, Western‐blot analysis, immunoassay and Nb2‐lymphoma‐cell bioassay. Treatment with Factor Xa for tag removal was only partially successful. Periplasmic secretion of tag‐hPRL of the order of 0.7 micrograms/ml per A600 unit and one‐step purification indicate feasibility for tag‐hPRL production for in vitro diagnostic and research applications. This is the first report describing periplasmic secretion of a bioactive form of hPRL.
Purification of a lipase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus AAC323‐1 by hydrophobic‐interaction methods
Authors: Bompensieri S. , Gonzalez R. , Kok R. , MV Miranda , Nutgeren‐Roodzant I. , KJ Hellingwerf , Cascone O. , BC Nudel
Published: October 2023

The performance of hydrophobic‐interaction chromatography (HIC) for the purification of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus AAC323‐1 lipase was compared with that of various aqueous two‐phase systems. While a 42% lipase yield with a purification factor of 140 could be recovered by HIC, higher yields were achieved by using aqueous two‐phase systems, either those formed by poly(ethylene glycol) and dextran or those based upon the use of a detergent. Triton X‐114‐based aqueous two‐phase partition showed the best performance, with a yield of 81% and a purification factor of 68. Further detergent removal was easily achieved with an adsorbent, with no significant decrease in yields. Owing to its simplicity, the method should be easy to scale‐up.
Affinity purification and binding characteristics of Citrobacter freundii AmpR, the transcriptional regulator of the ampC beta‐lactamase gene
Authors: IK Roh , IJ Kim , JH Chung , SM Byun
Published: October 2023

The transcriptional regulator of the Citrobacter freundii ampC beta‐lactamase gene, AmpR, was purified as a single SDS/PAGE‐gel band by using various techniques, including DNA‐Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The purified AmpR consisted of a 32.5 kDa monomer that interacted with three operator sequences: two binding sequences, at positions −75 to −70 and −67 to −51 with respect to the transcriptional start site, were located in the LysR motif (−72 to −60), and the third sequence was at position −43 to −38. Equilibrium binding studies raise the possibility that the adjacent operator sequence could exert a positive influence on the ability of AmpR to bind to these sites.
The Life Attitudes Schedule: A Scale to Assess Adolescent Life‐Enhancing and Life‐Threatening Behaviors
Authors: Lewinsohn Peter M. , Langhinrichsen‐Rohling Jennifer , Langford Richard , Rohde Paul , Seeley John R. , Chapman Jean
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure suicidal and other risk‐taking behaviors, the Life Attitudes Schedule (LAS), and to test a theoretical model that postulates a single domain of behaviors to which all life‐threatening and life‐enhancing behaviors belong. The LAS was developed and piloted on 1539 high school students and young adults. The schedule measures four different content categories: death related, health related, injury related, and self‐related. Each content category includes an equal number of items designed to assess actions, thoughts, and feelings. Consistent with the theoretical model, the LAS includes positive (life‐enhancing) and negative (life‐threatening) behaviors. In this paper we present psychometric information for the LAS. The results are interpreted as providing support for a broad, bipolar conceptualization of suicidal and other risk‐taking behavior that encompasses life‐threatening and life‐enhancing behaviors.
Suicide Prevention in a Treatment Setting
Authors: Litman Robert E.
Published: October 2023

Reducing the suicide rate through treatment depends on the development of new knowledge and new technology with emphasis on early intervention and continuing lowintensity contact for many troubled suicidal people, rather than the current preoccupation with detecting and hospitalizing the “highest risk.” I anticipate that sophisticated interactive computer programs will be effective in improving screening and case finding, thus bringing many more suicidal persons into contact with primary care physicians and outpatient mental health services for the purpose of relieving psychological pain. Computer programs will be invaluable in improving training for both primary care providers and outpatient mental health workers. Improved communication networks will prove to be useful resources for maintaining continuity of care and consultation, which is important in long‐term treatment. Other technical developments include simplifying and making explicit various treatment approaches, in both psychotherapy and drug therapy, so that research can proceed to clarify what type of treatment helps which type of suicidal patient.
Suicide Prevention in Young Adults (Age 18–30)
Authors: Lipschitz Alan
Published: October 2023

The rate of suicide in young adults has more than doubled since 1950. This paper presents some explanations for this rise and analyzes the diagnoses and population groups whose high rates of suicide contribute most of this increase. The factors leading to suicide are presented for each group, and preventative interventions are developed from the analyses. Groups that can be readily affected by suicide reduction measures are discussed, and methods for reducing their suicide rates are proposed.
Suicide Prevention in Adults (Age 30–65)
Authors: Maris Ronald W.
Published: October 2023

Relatively little is known about midlife suicides, compared to adolescent and elderly suicides. A life‐span model of suicidal behaviors is suggested as a heuristic conceptual tool. General midlife tasks and crises, as outlined by Levinson and Erikson, are reviewed. However, more than routine midlife developmental problems occur in most suicides. Some of the possible distinctive traits of midlife suicides (versus younger and older suicides) include: loss of spouse, years of heavy drinking, reaching the age of high depression risk, and occupational problems (including unemployment, inability to work, and retirement). Midlife suicide rates tend to be highest among white males, although female suicide rates peak in midlife. The paper concludes with a review of assessment and treatment issues related to a half‐dozen high‐risk midlife suicide types.
Intervention Styles With Suicidal Callers at Two Suicide Prevention Centers
Authors: Daigle Marc S. , Mishara Brian L.
Published: October 2023

Callers to suicide prevention centers are mainly helped by volunteers trained to face these crisis situations. This study evaluated this process of intervention in order to better understand the nature of the interventions and their determinants. A total of 617 calls with suicidal clients were classified with a 20‐category rating instrument, the Helper's Response List. Cluster analysis determined that the 617 intervention profiles could match one of two styles: nondirective (“Rogerian”‐391 calls) or directive (226 calls). Further analyses indicated that the particular style of intervention was related more to the characteristics of the callers themselves than to characteristics of volunteers.
A Prospective Study of Adolescent Suicidal Behavior Following Hospitalization
Authors: King Cheryl A. , Segal Harry , Kaminski Kathleen , Naylor Michael W. , Ghaziuddin Neera , Radpour Laili
Published: October 2023

Identification of factors associated with adolescent suicidal behavior following psychiatric hospitalization would facilitate development of effective aftercare interventions. This prospective study identified specific predictors of suicidal behavior in 100 adolescents during a 6‐month follow‐up period. Standardized baseline assessments and structured follow‐up telephone interviews were conducted with adolescents and their guardians. Eighteen percent of adolescents reported suicidal behavior during the follow‐up period, primarily of low medical lethality and minimal or ambivalent suicidal intent. This behavior was associated with suicidal thoughts, family dysfunction, and dysthymia. It was not associated with initial posthospitalization treatment compliance. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Kumar Geetha , Steer Robert A.
Published: October 2023

The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI) was administered to 121 inpatients between 12 and 17 years old who were diagnosed with mixed psychiatric disorders. Twelve background and clinical characteristics, previously found to be associated with adolescent suicidal ideation, were entered into a multiple regression to estimate the BSI scores, along with the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the Youth Self‐Report. The BHS and the BDI were the only two variables that contributed unique variance to the explanation of the BSI scores.
Psychosocial Correlates of Suicide Attempts Among Junior and Senior High School Youth
Authors: Wagner Barry M. , Cole Robert E. , Schwartzman Paul
Published: October 2023

Three groups of junior and senior high schools students (total N = 1050) recruited in rural counties of a mid‐Atlantic state–those who had made a prior suicide attempt, those reporting high levels of depressed mood or suicidal ideation, and those who were not depressed or suicidal – were compared with regard to their reports of a number of potential risk factors for suicidal behavior. Adolescents with a history of a suicide attempt reported more frequent stresses related to parents, lack of adult supports outside of the home, police, and sexuality (i.e., concerns about pregnancy, pressure to have sex, getting sexually transmitted diseases), compared with both depressed/suicide ideators and nondepressed adolescents. Suicide attempters were also more likely than the other adolescents to report that they were physically hurt by a parent, that they ran away from home, that they lived apart from both parents, and that they knew someone who had completed suicide. Results are discussed in the context of prior studies of adolescent suicidal behavior in community and clinical samples.
The Impact of Adolescent Suicide on Siblings and Parents: A Longitudinal Follow‐Up
Authors: Brent David A. , Moritz Grace , Bridge Jeff , Perper Joshua , Canobbio Rebecca
Published: October 2023

The psychiatric sequelae of loss of a family member to suicide were evaluated in parents and siblings of adolescent suicide victims and controls, who were followed up to 3 years after the suicide. Siblings did not show an increased risk for the development of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other conditions over the course of follow‐up, despite showing a prolonged elevated level of grief symptomatology. Mothers showed an increased rate of recurrence of depression over follow‐up, whereas fathers did not show an increased incidence of disorder compared to fathers of controls. The interrelationship of bereavement and depression for siblings, parents, and others exposed to suicide is discussed.
Size effects in 3D‐printed polymer‐derived, zirconium diboride‐reinforced ceramic composites
Authors: Kemp James William , Reed Jesse Lynn , Compton Brett Gibson
Published: October 2023

Preceramic polymers are of interest for use in many manufacturing techniques such as injection molding, ceramic fiber infiltration, and additive manufacturing. However, off‐gassing of low molecular weight oligomers occurs when these polymers cure, potentially leading to porosity in the cured part. To study how porosity and strength are affected by the size of the printed part, and the presence of a high surface area nano‐scale filler, polycarbosilane (PCS) microrods of varying diameter were fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW), an additive manufacturing technique, with two ink formulations containing either zirconium diboride (ZrB2) alone, or ZrB2 and fumed alumina (FA). Sets of microrods were printed in a range of sizes by using print nozzles of 450, 634, 979, 1 346, or 1 702 μm in diameter, which were thermally cured, pyrolyzed to form ceramic composite microrods, and tested in 3‐pt flexure. Porosity increased with increasing diameter, while failure strength decreased. For a given nozzle size, the microrods containing FA displayed lower porosity and higher strength (up to ∼500 MPa) compared to the microrods containing only ZrB2. Weibull strength analysis was performed on each group of microrods and shows that the addition of FA increased Weibull modulus from 4.63 ± 1.56 to 9.35 ± 0.601. In conjunction with optical microscopy, this analysis indicates two distinct flaw populations in the printed materials, porosity which arises during the curing step and cracking which arises during pyrolysis of the larger specimens.
Early life jumping traits: Are they good proxies for success in show jumping competitions in Belgian warmblood horses?
Authors: Chapard Léa , Meyermans Roel , Gorssen Wim , Hooyberghs Katrijn , Meurrens Inge , De Smet Stefaan , Buys Nadine , Janssens Steven
Published: October 2023

The main goal of the Belgian Warmblood horse studbook (BWP) is to breed successful competition horses, with emphasis on show jumping. However, competition results are only available later in life and competition traits are lowly heritable. Hence, the use of phenotypes that record performance‐related traits at an early life stage could help increase genetic progress. In this study, we evaluated the potential of eleven linear scored early life jumping traits assessed during jumping in freedom (2–5 years old) or under the saddle (4–6 years old) as proxies for later success in show jumping competitions. To this end, we estimated their heritabilities and genetic correlations with the competition trait, adjusted fence height, by using 2170 free jumping records, 1588 jumping under saddle records, 674,527 show jumping competition records and almost 81,000 informative horses in the pedigree. As participation of young horses in these contests is on a voluntary basis, a pre‐selection most probably exists. To verify this hypothesis, we investigated the association between participation to young horse contests and participation to show jumping competitions later on (called here start status phenotype). We also estimated heritabilities for “start status in free jumping contest”, “start status in jumping under saddle contest” and “start status in free jumping or jumping under saddle contest” by fitting threshold models. Furthermore, we calculated genetic correlations between these traits and adjusted fence height and calculated the correlations between EBVs for start status in young horse contests and EBVs for success in competitions. Estimated heritabilities of early life jumping traits ranged between 0.05 and 0.30. Their genetic correlations with adjusted fence height were moderate to high (rg = 0.37–0.63). Relatively more horses that participated in young horse contests competed later on compared to horses that did not participate in young horse contests (p‐value < 0.001). They were also significantly more successful in show jumping competitions. Furthermore, start status in young horse contests was moderately heritable in BWP horses (h2 = 0.56–0.65) and moderately to highly correlated with later success in competitions (rg = 0.30–0.77). Hence, we showed that ELJ traits are good proxies for later success in competitions and that a pre‐selection of horses occurs in young horse contests. It is suggested to stimulate participation to young horse contests to achieve a more representative sample of the population. Early life jumping traits can therefore optimize the genetic progress for show jumping performance.
A machine learning tool for the diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection from hemogram parameters
Authors: Gómez‐Rojas S. , Segura G. Pérez , Ollé J. , Carreño Gómez‐Tarragona G. , Medina J. González , Aguado J. M. , Guerrero E. Vera , Santaella M. Poza , Martínez‐López J.
Published: October 2023

Monocytes and neutrophils play key roles in the cytokine storm triggered by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, which changes their conformation and function. These changes are detectable at the cellular and molecular level and may be different to what is observed in other respiratory infections. Here, we applied machine learning (ML) to develop and validate an algorithm to diagnose COVID‐19 using blood parameters. In this retrospective single‐center study, 49 hemogram parameters from 12,321 patients with clinical suspicion of COVID‐19 and tested by RT‐PCR (4239 positive and 8082 negative) were analysed. The dataset was randomly divided into training and validation sets. Blood cell parameters and patient age were used to construct the predictive model with the support vector machine (SVM) tool. The model constructed from the training set (5936 patients) achieved an accuracy for diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of 0.952 (95% CI: 0.875–0.892). Test sensitivity and specificity was 0.868 and 0.899, respectively, with a positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value of 0.896 and 0.872, respectively (prevalence 0.50). The validation set model (4964 patients) achieved an accuracy of 0.894 (95% CI: 0.883–0.903). Test sensitivity and specificity was 0.8922 and 0.8951, respectively, with a positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value of 0.817 and 0.94, respectively (prevalence 0.34). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.952 for the algorithm performance. This algorithm may allow to rule out COVID‐19 diagnosis with 94% of probability. This represents a great advance for early diagnostic orientation and guiding clinical decisions.
Altered reverse impression method involving extraoral digitalization of a verification jig for the fabrication of implant‐supported prosthesis by using a complete‐digital workflow
Authors: Rosmaninho Alberto , Vedovato Eurípedes , Kois John C. , Revilla‐León Marta
Published: October 2023

The reverse impression method involves the extraoral digitalization of the interim implant‐supported prostheses and intraoral digitalization of antagonist arch and maxillomandibular relationship. This technique allows the fabrication of implant‐supported prostheses by using a complete‐digital workflow. The scan analogs make the reverse impression method feasible. However, this method may not be recommended if the interim polymethyl methacrylate prosthesis does not have passive fit. The present manuscript describes an altered reverse impression technique that involves the extraoral digitalization of a conventional verification jig, which has attached scan analogs. With this technique modification, the implant positions captured using the verification jig are used to obtain the virtual definitive implant cast and fabricate the definitive implant‐supported prosthesis.
The role of Aeromonas genotyping in virulence for Dicentrarchus labrax
Authors: Aboyadak Ibrahim Mohamed , Soliman Magdy Khalil , Nageeb Hadeer Mohamed , Ali Nadia Gabr
Published: October 2023

Aeromonas septicemia still represents a serious challenge facing the global aquaculture sector. In the present study, Aeromonas caviae and A. veronii were isolated from four diseased European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farms experiencing a high mortality rate. Diseased fish showed haemorrhages on the external body surface with exophthalmia, cataracts, scale desquamation, skin ulcers and fin erosions. The most common post‐mortem findings were congested internal organs, particularly the liver and posterior kidney. Twenty‐eight A. Veronii and 11 A. caviae isolates were identified biochemically by the Vitek 2 system and then confirmed by PCR and phylogenetic analysis. Hemolysin (hlyA) and aerolysin (aer) were the most abundant virulence genes in the recovered isolates, followed by cytotoxic enterotoxin (act) and heat‐stable enterotoxin (ast). A. caviae was more virulent than A. veronii for D. labrax fingerlings as LD50 ranging between (>1 × 108–6.2 × 107) for A. veronii and (2.9 × 107–8.3 × 107) for A. caviae. The sensitivity test indicated the effectiveness of norfloxacin, doxycycline and oxytetracycline against the tested isolates. Serum cortisol significantly increased in the infected groups, while catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly decreased at 2 days post‐infection (DPI) and then increased at 6 DPI. The presence of virulence genes was associated with bacterial pathogenicity expressed in fish mortality rate. Virulence genes also drastically affect cortisol levels more than catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels.
Role of Bacillus cereus biofilm formation behavior in virulence and pathogenic characteristics
Authors: Park Eun‐Ji , Hussain Mohammad Shakhawat , Elahi Fazle , Hossain Arzina , Oh Deog Hwan
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to examine the potential link between Bacillus cereus biofilm formation, virulence, and pathogenicity. The biofilm formation abilities of nine B. cereus strains isolated from food and two reference strains (ATCC 10876 and ATCC 25621) were measured using a crystal violet assay. Among the tested strains, three strains (GIHE 617‐5, GIHE 86‐09, and GIHE 728‐17) and both reference strains were capable of biofilm formation. A positive correlation was obtained for higher cell surface hydrophobicity and increased biofilm formation. In contrast, HPLC analysis for elevated autoinducer‐2 (Al‐2) production revealed a negative impact on biofilm formation. PCR data indicated that all tested strains were capable of producing common B. cereus enterotoxins, including Hbl—A, C, and D, CytK, Nhe—B and C, EntFM, and BceT, but were negative for production of the emetic toxin cereulide and the pore‐forming toxin Hly II. Meanwhile, RT‐PCR data revealed a close correlation between high biofilm formation and the upregulation of several tested virulence genes for selected strains. However, elevated upregulation of virulence genes was not consistent in all of the higher biofilm‐forming strains. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed higher virulence characteristics compared to those of low biofilm‐forming strains.
Macronutrient content of pasteurised donor human milk: Variability between batches from single‐donor pools at an Australian milk bank
Authors: Walter Leonie , Clifford Vanessa , Sulfaro Christine , Brown Richard , Ribeiro Daniel , Welvaert Marijke , Shuttleworth Glen , Klein Laura D
Published: October 2023

Aim

This study aimed to characterise the between‐batch variability of pasteurised donor human milk (PDHM) produced from single‐donor pools at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's milk bank and identify key donor characteristics that predict macronutrient content.

Methods

Macronutrient content from 200 batches of PDHM was measured using a mid‐infrared human milk analyser (Miris, Uppsala, Sweden). Linear mixed models were used to study the impact of stage of lactation and gestational age on macronutrient content. Coefficients of determination (R2) were calculated to estimate the impact of the individual donor on overall variability.

Results

Macronutrient content of PDHM varied considerably, with between‐batch variations of 2.8 and 6.4‐fold for protein and fat content, respectively. Mean crude protein content was 1.16 g/100 mL, ranging from 0.7 to 1.96 g/100 mL. Mean fat content was 3.85 g/100 mL, ranging from 1.46 to 9.39 g/100 mL. Stage of lactation was identified as a predictor for protein content and gestational age at birth for fat content. Individual donor effect explained 55 and 35% of the variance for fat and protein content, respectively.

Conclusions

This study highlights the variation in macronutrient content in PDHM at an Australian milk bank. Variability could be reduced through the implementation of targeted multiple‐donor pooling using the key donor characteristics identified in this study along with the measurement of macronutrient content of individual donors at the time of first donation. However, the clinical benefit of a reduction in between‐batch variation, achieved through multiple‐donor pooling, would need to be assessed to justify additional efforts associated with PDHM processing changes.
Utility of vertebral left atrial size and vertebral heart size to aid detection of congestive heart failure in dogs with respiratory signs
Authors: Ross Evan S. , Visser Lance C. , Sbardellati Nicholas , Potter Brianna M. , Ohlendorf Alex , Scansen Brian A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Differentiating cardiogenic vs noncardiogenic causes of respiratory signs can be challenging when echocardiography is unavailable. Radiographic vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) and vertebral heart size (VHS) have been shown to predict echocardiographic left heart size, with VLAS specifically estimating left atrial size.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Compare the diagnostic accuracy of VLAS and VHS to predict left‐sided congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs presenting with respiratory signs.

Animals

One‐hundred fourteen dogs with respiratory signs and radiographic pulmonary abnormalities.

Methods

Retrospective cross‐sectional study. Dogs had to have an echocardiogram and thoracic radiographs obtained within 24 hours. Diagnosis of CHF was confirmed based on the presence of respiratory signs, cardiac disease, LA enlargement, and cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Results

Fifty‐seven dogs had CHF and 57 did not have CHF. Compared to VHS (area under the curve [AUC] 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77‐0.91), VLAS was a significantly (P = .03) more accurate predictor of CHF (AUC, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85‐0.96). Optimal cutoff for VLAS was >2.3 vertebrae (sensitivity, 93.0%; specificity, 82.5%). Murmur grade (P = .02) and VLAS (P < .0001) were independently associated with CHF and VHS was not. Increased VHS (54%) was significantly (P = .01) more common than increased VLAS (24%) in dogs without CHF. Results were similar in a subsample of older and smaller dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

When echocardiography is unavailable, VLAS and murmur grade have clinically utility to aid in differentiating cardiogenic from noncardiogenic respiratory signs. These findings might be especially useful to help rule out CHF in dogs with increased VHS that present with respiratory signs.
The dentary of hadrosauroid dinosaurs: evolution through heterochrony
Authors: Söderblom D. Fredrik K. , Blanco Alejandro , Prieto‐Márquez Albert , Campione Nicolás E.
Published: October 2023

The near‐global distribution of hadrosaurid dinosaurs during the Cretaceous has been attributed to mastication, a behaviour commonly recognized as a mammalian adaptation. Its occurrence in a non‐mammalian lineage should be accompanied by the evolution of several morphological modifications associated with food acquisition and processing. This study investigated morphological variation in the dentary, a major element of the hadrosauroid lower jaw. Eighty‐four hadrosauroid dentaries were subjected to geometric morphometric and statistical analyses to investigate their taxonomic, ontogenetic, and individual variation. Results suggest increased food acquisition and processing efficiency in saurolophids through a complex pattern of evolutionary and growth‐related changes. The edentulous region grew longer relative to dentary length, allowing for food acquisition specialization anteriorly and processing posteriorly, and became ventrally directed, possibly associated with foraging low‐growing vegetation, especially in younger individuals. The saurolophid coronoid process became anteriorly directed and relatively more elongate, with an expanded apex, increasing moment arm length, with muscles pulling the jaw more posteriorly, increasing mechanical advantage. During growth, all hadrosauroids underwent anteroposterior dental battery elongation by the addition of teeth, and edentulous region ventralization decreased. The dental battery became deeper in saurolophids by increasing the number of teeth per tooth family. The increased coronoid process anterior inclination and relative edentulous region elongation in saurolophids are hypothesized to have evolved through hypermorphosis and/or acceleration, peramorphic heterochronic processes; the development of an anteroposteriorly shorter but dorsoventrally taller saurolophid dentary, is probably due to post‐displacement in dental battery elongation and edentulous region decreased ventral orientation, a paedomorphic heterochronic process.
Soybean‐Phakopsora pachyrhizi interactions: towards the development of next‐generation disease‐resistant plants
Authors: Chicowski Aline Sartor , Bredow Melissa , Utiyama Alice Satiko , Marcelino‐Guimarães Francismar Corrêa , Whitham Steven A.
Published: October 2023

Soybean rust (SBR), caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is a devastating foliar disease threatening soybean production. To date, no commercial cultivars conferring durable resistance to SBR are available. The development of long‐lasting SBR resistance has been hindered by the lack of understanding of this complex pathosystem, encompassing challenges posed by intricate genetic structures in both the host and pathogen, leading to a gap in the knowledge of gene‐for‐gene interactions between soybean and P. pachyrhizi. In this review, we focus on recent advancements and emerging technologies that can be used to improve our understanding of the P. pachyrhizi‐soybean molecular interactions. We further explore approaches used to combat SBR, including conventional breeding, transgenic approaches and RNA interference, and how advances in our understanding of plant immune networks, the availability of new molecular tools, and the recent sequencing of the P. pachyrhizi genome could be used to aid in the development of better genetic resistance against SBR. Lastly, we discuss the research gaps of this pathosystem and how new technologies can be used to shed light on these questions and to develop durable next‐generation SBR‐resistant soybean plants.
Signatures of dysbiosis in fish microbiomes in the context of aquaculture
Authors: Xavier Raquel , Severino Ricardo , Silva Sofia M.
Published: October 2023

Fish microbiome plays an important role in maintaining host homeostasis, with many bacterial functions directly linked to host fitness. Fish microbiome research is advancing fast, especially in the context of aquaculture where several stressors are known to disrupt stability of host‐associated bacteria, prompting dysbiosis. Therefore, understanding the signatures of dysbiosis in different fish mucosae and their association with such stressors is fundamental to set up efficient health‐monitoring strategies, as well as sound and objective working hypothesis for future research. Herein, we reviewed studies that employed culture‐independent approaches to assess the effects of disease, chemotherapeutics and water quality changes on several diversity metrics of gut, skin and gill microbiomes. We conclude that increases in abundance of potential pathogens and changes to bacterial community structure are reliable indicators of dysbiosis in fish. The gut microbiome emerged as being highly susceptible to salinity changes and chemotherapeutics, whereas external microbiota seems to be more susceptible to dysbiosis caused by disease and temperature changes. Our analysis showed that treatments with tetracyclines and florfenicol are more likely to elicit severe dysbiosis compared to quinolones and disinfectants that cause lesser disturbance to fish microbiome. Bacterial diseases also frequently elicit severe dysbiosis (enteritis in particular), whereas parasitic diseases are far less deleterious. Regarding impacts on water quality, only changes to salinity and temperature are reasonably studied. Recent developments in metagenomics, that include a fast turn‐around time of results, can be used to detect changes to fish homeostasis during critical periods of fish production, assisting aquaculture management.
‘De voluptate aurium’: The sounds of heaven in a 1501 sensory treatise on the afterlife
Authors: Ștefănescu Laura
Published: October 2023

In his De gloria et gaudiis beatorum, printed in 1501, the clergyman Zaccaria Lilio explores a popular topic in the religious life of Renaissance Italy: what is heaven like and what kind of experience awaits the blessed there? And his answer represents a snapshot of a characteristic manner in which heaven was imagined in the period, both in written and visual form, one strongly focused on a sensory understanding of the afterlife and in which music played an important part. By identifying the sources of Lillio's interpretation of the sense of hearing in the afterlife, a network of clergymen interested in heavenly sensory delights is revealed, initiated by an Italian curiosity for a fourteenth‐century text by a follower of Meister Eckart. This article aims not only to bring to the attention of scholars Lilio's neglected sensory treatise, but also to provide an in‐depth analysis of the intricate connections between Italian authors of sensory treatises from the fifteenth century. The implications of this textual tradition disseminated through preaching are of great importance to the development of the image of heaven and its music in Renaissance Italy, for which the sensory perspective was of crucial importance.
Genetic basis of the historical iron‐accumulating dgl and brz mutants in pea
Authors: Harrington Sophie A. , Franceschetti Marina , Balk Janneke
Published: October 2023

The Pisum sativum (pea) mutants degenerate leaves (dgl) and bronze (brz) accumulate large amounts of iron in leaves. First described several decades ago, the two mutants have provided important insights into iron homeostasis in plants but the underlying mutations have remained unknown. Using exome sequencing we identified an in‐frame deletion associated with dgl in a BRUTUS homolog. The deletion is absent from wild type and the original parent line. BRUTUS belongs to a small family of E3 ubiquitin ligases acting as negative regulators of iron uptake in plants. The brz mutation was previously mapped to chromosome 4, and superimposing this region to the pea genome sequence uncovered a mutation in OPT3, encoding an oligopeptide transporter with a plant‐specific role in metal transport. The causal nature of the mutations was confirmed by additional genetic analyses. Identification of the mutated genes rationalizes many of the previously described phenotypes and provides new insights into shoot‐to‐root signaling of iron deficiency. Furthermore, the non‐lethal mutations in these essential genes suggest new strategies for biofortification of crops with iron.
Mechanical Response of Fisherman’s Knots During Tightening
Authors: Tong Dezhong , Ibrahim Khalil Md , Justin Silva Matthew , Wang Guanjin , Khoda Bashir , Khalid Jawed Mohammad
Published: October 2023

The fisherman’s knot, renowned for its strength and reliability, finds applications in engineering and medicine. However, a comprehensive understanding of its mechanics remains limited in scientific literature. In this paper, we present a systematic study of the tightening behavior of the fisherman’s knot through a combined approach of tabletop experiments and discrete elastic rods simulations. Our experimental setup involves gradually applying tension to the two ends of the fisherman’s knot until it fractures. We observed a correlation between the knot’s material properties and its behavior during tightening, leading up to fracture. The tightening process of the fisherman’s knot exhibits distinct “sliding” or “stretching” motions, influenced by factors such as friction and elastic stiffness. Furthermore, the failure modes of the knot (material fracture and topological failure) are determined by an interplay between elastic stiffness, friction, and initial conditions. This study sheds light on the underlying mechanics of the fisherman’s knot and provides insight into its behavior during the tightening process, contributing to the broader understanding of the mechanics of knots in practical applications.
Status of the GINGER project
Authors: Altucci Carlo , Bajardi Francesco , Basti Andrea , Beverini Nicolò , Carelli Giorgio , Capozziello Salvatore , Castellano Simone , Ciampini Donatella , Davì Fabrizio , dell'Isola Francesco , De Luca Gaetano , Devoti Roberto , Di Somma Giuseppe , Di Virgilio Angela D. V. , Fuso Francesco , Giorgio Ivan , Govoni Aladino , Maccioni Enrico , Marsili Paolo , Ortolan Antonello , Porzio Alberto , Ruggiero Matteo Luca , Velotta Raffaele
Published: October 2023

Large frame ring laser gyroscopes, based on the Sagnac effect, are top sensitivity instrumentation to measure angular velocity with respect to the fixed stars. GINGER (Gyroscopes IN GEneral Relativity) project foresees the construction of an array of three large dimension ring laser gyroscopes, rigidly connected to the Earth. GINGER has the potentiality to measure general relativity effects and Lorentz Violation in the gravity sector, once a sensitivity of 10−9, or better, of the Earth rotation rate is obtained. Being attached to the Earth crust, the array will also provide useful data for geophysical investigation. For this purpose, it is at present under construction as part of the multi-components observatory called Underground Geophysics at Gran Sasso (UGSS). Sensitivity is the key point to determine the relevance of this instrument for fundamental science. The most recent progress in the sensitivity measurement, obtained on a ring laser prototype called GINGERINO, indicates that GINGER should reach the level of 1 part in 1011 of the Earth rotation rate.
Neurocircuits for motivation
Authors: Stuber Garret D.
Published: October 2023

The nervous system coordinates various motivated behaviors such as feeding, drinking, and escape to promote survival and evolutionary fitness. Although the precise behavioral repertoires required for distinct motivated behaviors are diverse, common features such as approach or avoidance suggest that common brain substrates are required for a wide range of motivated behaviors. In this Review, I describe a framework by which neural circuits specified for some innate drives regulate the activity of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons to reinforce ongoing or planned actions to fulfill motivational demands. This framework may explain why signaling from VTA dopamine neurons is ubiquitously involved in many types of diverse volitional motivated actions, as well as how sensory and interoceptive cues can initiate specific goal-directed actions.
Hypothalamic control of innate social behaviors
Authors: Mei Long , Osakada Takuya , Lin Dayu
Published: October 2023

Sexual, parental, and aggressive behaviors are central to the reproductive success of individuals and species survival and thus are supported by hardwired neural circuits. The reproductive behavior control column (RBCC), which comprises the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), the ventrolateral part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl), and the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMv), is essential for all social behaviors. The RBCC integrates diverse hormonal and metabolic cues and adjusts an animal’s physical activity, hence the chance of social encounters. The RBCC further engages the mesolimbic dopamine system to maintain social interest and reinforces cues and actions that are time-locked with social behaviors. We propose that the RBCC and brainstem form a dual-control system for generating moment-to-moment social actions. This Review summarizes recent progress regarding the identities of RBCC cells and their pathways that drive different aspects of social behaviors.
Unbiased transcription factor CRISPR screen identifies ZNF800 as master repressor of enteroendocrine differentiation
Authors: Lin Lin , DeMartino Jeff , Wang Daisong , van Son Gijs J. F. , van der Linden Reinier , Begthel Harry , Korving Jeroen , Andersson-Rolf Amanda , van den Brink Stieneke , Lopez-Iglesias Carmen , van de Wetering Willine J. , Balwierz Aleksandra , Margaritis Thanasis , van de Wetering Marc , Peters Peter J. , Drost Jarno , van Es Johan H. , Clevers Hans
Published: October 2023

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are hormone-producing cells residing in the epithelium of stomach, small intestine (SI), and colon. EECs regulate aspects of metabolic activity, including insulin levels, satiety, gastrointestinal secretion, and motility. The generation of different EEC lineages is not completely understood. In this work, we report a CRISPR knockout screen of the entire repertoire of transcription factors (TFs) in adult human SI organoids to identify dominant TFs controlling EEC differentiation. We discovered ZNF800 as a master repressor for endocrine lineage commitment, which particularly restricts enterochromaffin cell differentiation by directly controlling an endocrine TF network centered on PAX4. Thus, organoid models allow unbiased functional CRISPR screens for genes that program cell fate.
Genome editing with retroelements
Authors: Tang Stephen , Sternberg Samuel H.
Published: October 2023

RNA-guided DNA writing enzymes offer promise for programmable gene insertion
Population pharmacokinetic model of cefepime for critically ill adults: a comparative assessment of eGFR equations
Authors: Barreto Erin F. , Chang Jack , Rule Andrew D. , Mara Kristin C. , Meade Laurie A. , Paul Johar , Jannetto Paul J. , Athreya Arjun P. , Scheetz Marc H. ,   for the BLOOM Study Group
Published: October 2023

Cefepime exhibits highly variable pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to develop and qualify a population pharmacokinetic model for use in the critically ill and investigate the impact of various estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations using creatinine, cystatin C, or both on model parameters. This was a prospective study of critically ill adults hospitalized at an academic medical center treated with intravenous cefepime. Individuals with acute kidney injury or on kidney replacement therapy or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were excluded. A nonlinear mixed-effects population pharmacokinetic model was developed using data collected from 2018 to 2022. The 120 included individuals contributed 379 serum samples for analysis. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order elimination best described the data. The population mean parameters (standard error) in the final model were 7.84 (0.24) L/h for CL1 and 15.6 (1.45) L for V1. Q was fixed at 7.09 L/h and V2 was fixed at 10.6 L, due to low observed interindividual variation in these parameters. The final model included weight as a covariate for volume of distribution and the eGFR
cr-cysC
(mL/min) as a predictor of drug clearance. In summary, a population pharmacokinetic model for cefepime was created for critically ill adults. The study demonstrated the importance of cystatin C to prediction of cefepime clearance. Cefepime dosing models which use an eGFR equation inclusive of cystatin C are likely to exhibit improved accuracy and precision compared to dosing models which incorporate an eGFR equation with only creatinine.
Co-administration of chicken IL-2 alleviates clinical signs and replication of the ILTV chicken embryo origin vaccine by pre-activating natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Authors: Hao Xiaoli , Li Jiaqi , Wang Jiongjiong , Zhou Zhou , Yuan Xinjie , Pan Shan , Zhu Jie , Zhang Fan , Yin Shi , Yang Yi , Hu Shunlin , Shang Shaobin
Published: October 2023

The chicken embryo origin (CEO) vaccine of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) confers the best protection against ILTV but causes adverse reactions due to its swift replication, thus limiting its use in poultry flocks. Seeking a strategy to alleviate the adverse reactions of the vaccine is most desirable for its safe use. Here, we observed that co-administration of chIL-2 significantly alleviated the clinical signs induced by the CEO vaccine in chickens. To address the underlying mechanism, we examined the cellular immune response of chickens treated with or without chIL-2 by multicolor flow cytometry and evaluated the impact of chIL-2 on the protective efficacy and replication of the CEO vaccine after the challenge. The results showed that co-administration of chIL-2 was associated with a decrease in the clinical signs and CEO viral load in tissues and induced a rapid and significant expansion of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) as well as upregulated expression of cytotoxic and T-cell-related cytokines at the early stage, especially in trachea and conjunctiva. However, chIL-2 treatment has no negative effect on the recall responses of NK cells, γδ T cells, and CTLs associated with the protective efficacy of the CEO vaccine after the ILTV challenge. Collectively, our results suggest that co-administration of chIL-2 with the CEO vaccine ameliorated the replication of the CEO vaccine by enhancing chicken NK cell and CTLs responses without affecting its protective efficacy.

IMPORTANCE

Chickens immunized with the infectious laryngotracheitis chicken embryo origin (CEO) vaccine (Medivac, PT Medion Farma Jaya) experience adverse reactions, hindering its safety and effective use in poultry flocks. To improve the effect of the vaccine, we sought to find a strategy to alleviate the respiratory reactions associated with the vaccine. Here, we confirmed that co-administering the CEO vaccine with chIL-2 by oral delivery led to significant alleviation of the vaccine reactions in chickens after immunization. Furthermore, we found that the co-administration of chIL-2 with the CEO vaccine reduced the clinical signs of the CEO vaccine while enhancing natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to decrease viral loads in their tissues, particularly in the trachea and conjunctiva. Importantly, we demonstrated that the chIL-2 treatment can ameliorate the replication of the CEO vaccine without compromising its effectiveness. This study provides new insights into further applications of chIL-2 and a promising strategy for alleviating the adverse reaction of vaccines.