bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of immigrant males and muzzle contacts in the uptake of a novel food by wild vervet monkeys
Authors: Dongre Pooja , Lanté Gaëlle , Cantat Mathieu , Canteloup Charlotte , van de Waal Erica
Published: January 2024

The entry into and uptake of information in social groups is critical for behavioral adaptation by long-lived species in rapidly changing environments. We exposed five groups of wild vervet monkeys to a novel food to investigate the innovation of processing and consuming it. We report that immigrant males innovated in two groups, and an infant innovated in one group. In two other groups, immigrant males imported the innovation from their previous groups. We compared uptake between groups with respect to the initial innovator to examine the extent to which dispersing males could introduce an innovation into groups. Uptake of the novel food was faster in groups where immigrant males ate first rather than the infants. Younger individuals were more likely overall, and faster, to subsequently acquire the novel food. We also investigated the role of muzzle contact behavior in information seeking around the novel food. Muzzle contacts decreased in frequency over repeated exposures to the novel food. Muzzle contacts were initiated the most by naïve individuals, high rankers, and juveniles; and were targeted most towards knowledgeable individuals and high rankers, and the least towards infants. We highlight the potential importance of dispersers in rapidly exploiting novel resources among populations.
Fin whale song evolution in the North Atlantic
Authors: Romagosa Miriam , Nieukirk Sharon , Cascão Irma , Marques Tiago A , Dziak Robert , Royer Jean-Yves , O'Brien Joanne , Mellinger David K , Pereira Andreia , Ugalde Arantza , Papale Elena , Aniceto Sofia , Buscaino Giuseppa , Rasmussen Marianne , Matias Luis , Prieto Rui , Silva Mónica A
Published: January 2024

Animal songs can change within and between populations as the result of different evolutionary processes. When these processes include cultural transmission, the social learning of information or behaviours from conspecifics, songs can undergo rapid evolutions because cultural novelties can emerge more frequently than genetic mutations. Understanding these song variations over large temporal and spatial scales can provide insights into the patterns, drivers and limits of song evolution that can ultimately inform on the species’ capacity to adapt to rapidly changing acoustic environments. Here, we analysed changes in fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) songs recorded over two decades across the central and eastern North Atlantic Ocean. We document a rapid replacement of song INIs (inter-note intervals) over just four singing seasons, that co-occurred with hybrid songs (with both INIs), and a clear geographic gradient in the occurrence of different song INIs during the transition period. We also found gradual changes in INIs and note frequencies over more than a decade with fin whales adopting song changes. These results provide evidence of vocal learning in fin whales and reveal patterns of song evolution that raise questions on the limits of song variation in this species.
Comprehensive mutagenesis maps the effect of all single codon mutations in the AAV2 rep gene on AAV production
Authors: Jain Nina K. , Ogden Pierce J. , Church George M.
Published: January 2024

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are the predominant gene therapy vector. Several rAAV vectored therapies have achieved regulatory approval, but production of sufficient rAAV quantities remains difficult. The AAV Rep proteins, which are essential for genome replication and packaging, represent a promising engineering target for improvement of rAAV production but remain underexplored. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the Rep proteins and their mutational landscape, we assayed the effects of all 39,297 possible single codon mutations to the AAV2
rep
gene on AAV2 production. Most beneficial variants are not observed in nature, indicating that improved production may require synthetic mutations. Additionally, the effects of AAV2
rep
mutations were largely consistent across capsid serotypes, suggesting that production benefits are capsid independent. Our results provide a detailed sequence-to-function map that enhances our understanding of Rep protein function and lays the groundwork for Rep engineering and enhancement of large-scale gene therapy production.
The rapidly evolving X-linked MIR-506 family fine-tunes spermatogenesis to enhance sperm competition
Authors: Wang Zhuqing , Wang Yue , Zhou Tong , Chen Sheng , Morris Dayton , Magalhães Rubens Daniel Miserani , Li Musheng , Wang Shawn , Wang Hetan , Xie Yeming , McSwiggin Hayden , Oliver Daniel , Yuan Shuiqiao , Zheng Huili , Mohammed Jaaved , Lai Eric C , McCarrey John R , Yan Wei
Published: January 2024

Despite rapid evolution across eutherian mammals, the X-linked MIR-506 family miRNAs are located in a region flanked by two highly conserved protein-coding genes (SLITRK2 and FMR1) on the X chromosome. Intriguingly, these miRNAs are predominantly expressed in the testis, suggesting a potential role in spermatogenesis and male fertility. Here, we report that the X-linked MIR-506 family miRNAs were derived from the MER91C DNA transposons. Selective inactivation of individual miRNAs or clusters caused no discernible defects, but simultaneous ablation of five clusters containing 19 members of the MIR-506 family led to reduced male fertility in mice. Despite normal sperm counts, motility, and morphology, the KO sperm were less competitive than wild-type sperm when subjected to a polyandrous mating scheme. Transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses revealed that these X-linked MIR-506 family miRNAs, in addition to targeting a set of conserved genes, have more targets that are critical for spermatogenesis and embryonic development during evolution. Our data suggest that the MIR-506 family miRNAs function to enhance sperm competitiveness and reproductive fitness of the male by finetuning gene expression during spermatogenesis.
Acyl-CoA thioesterase-2 facilitates β-oxidation in glycolytic skeletal muscle in a lipid supply dependent manner
Authors: Bekeova Carmen , Han Ji In , Xu Heli , Kerr Evan , Blackburne Brittney , Lynch Shannon C. , Mesaros Clementina , Murgia Marta , Vadigepalli Rajanikanth , Beld Joris , Leonardi Roberta , Snyder Nathaniel W. , Seifert Erin L.
Published: January 2024

Acyl-Coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) thioesters are compartmentalized intermediates that participate in in multiple metabolic reactions within the mitochondrial matrix. The limited availability of free CoA (CoASH) in the matrix raises the question of how the local acyl-CoA concentration is regulated to prevent trapping of CoASH from overload of any specific substrate. Acyl-CoA thioesterase-2 (ACOT2) hydrolyzes long-chain acyl-CoAs to their constituent fatty acids and CoASH, and is the only mitochondrial matrix ACOT refractory to inhibition by CoASH. Thus, we reasoned that ACOT2 may constitutively regulate matrix acyl-CoA levels.
Acot2
deletion in murine skeletal muscle (SM) resulted in acyl-CoA build-up when lipid supply and energy demands were modest. When energy demand and pyruvate availability were elevated, lack of ACOT2 activity promoted glucose oxidation. This preference for glucose over fatty acid oxidation was recapitulated in C2C12 myotubes with acute depletion of
Acot2
, and overt inhibition of β-oxidation was demonstrated in isolated mitochondria from
Acot2
-depleted glycolytic SM. In mice fed a high fat diet, ACOT2 enabled the accretion of acyl-CoAs and ceramide derivatives in glycolytic SM, and this was associated with worse glucose homeostasis compared to when ACOT2 was absent. These observations suggest that ACOT2 supports CoASH availability to facilitate β-oxidation in glycolytic SM when lipid supply is modest. However, when lipid supply is high, ACOT2 enables acyl-CoA and lipid accumulation, CoASH sequestration, and poor glucose homeostasis. Thus, ACOT2 regulates matrix acyl-CoA concentration in glycolytic muscle, and its impact depends on lipid supply.
Balance of activity during a critical period tunes a developing network
Authors: Hunter Iain , Coulson Bramwell , Pettini Tom , Davies Jacob J , Parkin Jill , Landgraf Matthias , Baines Richard A
Published: January 2024

Developing neural circuits are influenced by activity and are especially sensitive to changes in activity during critical periods (CPs) of development. Changes occurring during a CP often become ‘locked in’ so that they affect the mature network. Indeed, several neurodevelopmental disorders have been linked to excessive activity during such periods. It is, therefore, important to identify those aspects of neural circuit development that are influenced by neural activity during a CP. In this study, we take advantage of the genetic tractability of Drosophila to show that activity perturbation during an embryonic CP permanently alters properties of the locomotor circuit. Specific changes we identify include increased synchronicity of motoneuron activity and greater strengthening of excitatory over inhibitory synaptic drive to motoneurons. These changes are sufficient to reduce network robustness, evidenced by increased sensitivity to induced seizure. We also show that we can rescue these changes when increased activity is mitigated by inhibition provided by mechanosensory neurons. Similarly, we demonstrate a dose-dependent relationship between inhibition experienced during the CP and the extent to which it is possible to rescue the hyperexcitable phenotype characteristic of the parabss mutation. This suggests that developing circuits must be exposed to a properly balanced sum of excitation and inhibition during the CP to achieve normal mature network function. Our results, therefore, provide novel insight into how activity during a CP shapes specific elements of a circuit, and how activity during this period is integrated to tune neural circuits to the environment in which they will likely function.
Inhibition of mitochondrial protein import and proteostasis by a pro-apoptotic lipid
Authors: Fita-Torró Josep , Garrido-Huarte José Luis , Michel Agnès H. , Kornmann Benoît , Pascual-Ahuir Amparo , Proft Markus
Published: January 2024

Mitochondria mediated cell death is critically regulated by bioactive lipids derived from sphingolipid metabolism. The lipid aldehyde trans-2-hexadecenal (t-2-hex) induces mitochondrial dysfunction in a conserved manner from yeast to humans. Here we apply unbiased transcriptomic, functional genomics and chemoproteomic approaches in the yeast model to uncover the principal mechanisms and biological targets underlying this lipid-induced mitochondrial inhibition. We find that loss of Hfd1 fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase function efficiently sensitizes cells for t-2-hex inhibition and apoptotic cell death. Excess of t-2-hex causes a profound transcriptomic response with characteristic hallmarks of impaired mitochondrial protein import like activation of mitochondrial and cytosolic chaperones or proteasomal function and severe repression of translation. We confirm that t-2-hex stress induces rapid accumulation of mitochondrial pre-proteins and protein aggregates and subsequent activation of Hsf1- and Rpn4-dependent gene expression. By saturated transposon mutagenesis we find that t-2-hex tolerance requires an efficient heat shock response and specific mitochondrial and ER functions and that mutations in ribosome, protein and amino acid biogenesis are beneficial upon t-2-hex stress. We further show that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of protein translation causes t-2-hex resistance indicating that loss of proteostasis is the predominant consequence of the pro-apoptotic lipid. Hfd1 associates with the Tom70 subunit of the TOM complex and t-2-hex covalently lipidates the central Tom40 channel, which altogether indicates that transport of mitochondrial precursor proteins through the outer mitochondrial membrane is directly inhibited by the pro-apoptotic lipid and thus represents a hotspot for pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling.
A comprehensive neuroanatomical survey of the Drosophila Lobula Plate Tangential Neurons with predictions for their optic flow sensitivity
Authors: Zhao Arthur , Nern Aljoscha , Koskela Sanna , Dreher Marisa , Erginkaya Mert , Laughland Connor W. , Ludwigh Henrique , Thomson Alex , Hoeller Judith , Parekh Ruchi , Romani Sandro , Bock Davi D. , Chiappe Eugenia , Reiser Michael B.
Published: January 2024

Flying insects exhibit remarkable navigational abilities controlled by their compact nervous systems.
Optic flow
, the pattern of changes in the visual scene induced by locomotion, is a crucial sensory cue for robust self-motion estimation, especially during rapid flight. Neurons that respond to specific, large-field optic flow patterns have been studied for decades, primarily in large flies, such as houseflies, blowflies, and hover flies. The best-known optic-flow sensitive neurons are the large tangential cells of the dipteran lobula plate, whose visual-motion responses, and to a lesser extent, their morphology, have been explored using single-neuron neurophysiology. Most of these studies have focused on the large, Horizontal and Vertical System neurons, yet the lobula plate houses a much larger set of ‘optic-flow’ sensitive neurons, many of which have been challenging to unambiguously identify or to reliably target for functional studies. Here we report the comprehensive reconstruction and identification of the Lobula Plate Tangential Neurons in an Electron Microscopy (EM) volume of a whole
Drosophila
brain. This catalog of 58 LPT neurons (per brain hemisphere) contains many neurons that are described here for the first time and provides a basis for systematic investigation of the circuitry linking self-motion to locomotion control. Leveraging computational anatomy methods, we estimated the visual motion receptive fields of these neurons and compared their tuning to the visual consequence of body rotations and translational movements. We also matched these neurons, in most cases on a one-for-one basis, to stochastically labeled cells in genetic driver lines, to the mirror-symmetric neurons in the same EM brain volume, and to neurons in an additional EM data set. Using cell matches across data sets, we analyzed the integration of optic flow patterns by neurons downstream of the LPTs and find that most central brain neurons establish sharper selectivity for global optic flow patterns than their input neurons. Furthermore, we found that self-motion information extracted from optic flow is processed in distinct regions of the central brain, pointing to diverse foci for the generation of visual behaviors.
Efectividad de la crioterapia suministrada por enfermeras para lesiones preneoplásicas del cuello uterino
Authors: Pulido Edwin , González Mauricio , Gamboa Óscar , Bonilla Jairo , Luna Joaquín , Murillo Raúl
Published: January 2024

Introducción. El cáncer de cuello uterino es un problema de salud pública relevante en países de ingresos medios y bajos. El seguimiento de mujeres con tamización positiva y el acceso a tratamiento para neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) son retos mayores en estos países.Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad de la crioterapia suministrada por enfermeras en casos de neoplasia intraepitelial de cérvix.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo la inspección visual directa con ácido acético y solución yodada (VIA-VILI), y se practicó colposcopia con biopsia, a mujeres entre los 25 y los 59 años, residentes en zonas de bajos ingresos de Bogotá. Profesionales de enfermería entrenados ofrecieron tratamiento inmediato con crioterapia a mujeres positivas en la inspección visual. Se les practicó colposcopia con biopsia antes del tratamiento y en un control a los 12 meses. Se evaluó la efectividad mediante tasas de curación (resultado: sin lesión) y regresión de NIC2/3 (resultado: ≤NIC1), por verificación colposcópica e histológica.Resultados. Se tamizaron 4.957 mujeres. En total, 499 fueron positivas y 472 aceptaron el tratamiento inmediato. Recibieron crioterapia por enfermería 365 mujeres (11 NIC2/3). La tasa de curación fue del 72 % (IC95%: 39-94 %) por verificación colposcópica, y del 40 % (IC95%: 22-85 %) por histología. Las tasas de regresión fueron del 100 y el 60 %, respectivamente. Se reportaron dos eventos adversos no graves relacionados.Conclusiones. Las tasas de curación y regresión por verificación colposcópica son similares a las reportadas con crioterapia administrada por médicos. El tamaño de la muestra con NIC2/3 dificulta la comparación por tipo de verificación. Los hallazgos apoyan la implementación de estrategias de “ver y tratar” por parte de enfermería en poblaciones con acceso limitado a servicios de salud.
Comparación entre mediciones e índices antropométricos para evaluar la obesidad general y la abdominal, Colombia ENSIN 2015
Authors: Forero Torres Ana Yibby , Forero Luis Carlos
Published: January 2024

Introducción. El exceso de peso representa un problema en la población adulta, el cual aumentó en los últimos años y se asocia con enfermedades no transmisibles.Objetivos. Comparar las mediciones con los índices antropométricos y evaluar su relación con variables individuales y sociodemográficas para generar información sobre el uso de las principales medidas en la evaluación de la obesidad general y la abdominal como indicadores de riesgo cardiovascular.Materiales y métodos. Se hace un análisis secundario de la encuesta ENSIN para Colombia, con datos recolectados entre el 2015 y el 2016. Como marco muestral, se utilizó el Censo de Población y Vivienda del 2005 del Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE), y la muestra incluyó 44.202 hogares y 151.343 personas de 0 a 64 años; para este análisis, se seleccionaron 70.315 registros de población adulta. Se calcularon proporciones, intervalos de confianza, medidas de tendencia central y dispersión.Resultados. Las medias del índice de masa corporal (IMC) y del índice cintura-estatura fueron más grandes que el punto de corte en ambos sexos, mientras que las medias de la circunferencia de la cintura estuvieron por debajo del corte para los hombres y por encima de aquel para las mujeres (p<0,05). La prevalencia de obesidad por IMC fue de 17,5 %, mientras que la obesidad abdominal, según la circunferencia de la cintura, fue de 50,2 %, y según el índice cintura-estatura, de 62,6 %.Conclusiones. Independientemente del indicador utilizado, la obesidad abdominal es cerca de tres veces más frecuente que la obesidad general por IMC; con el índice cinturaestatura se identifican más personas, en especial hombres, con obesidad abdominal en comparación con la circunferencia de la cintura.
Relación entre actividad física, sedentarismo y obesidad en adultos, Colombia, 2015
Authors: Forero Ana Yibby , Morales Gina Emely , Forero Luis Carlos
Published: January 2024

Introducción. La inactividad física y los comportamientos sedentarios demostraron ser factores de riesgo en la prevalencia de enfermedades como la obesidad.Objetivo. Analizar la relación entre la actividad física, el sedentarismo y el estado nutricional en la población de 18 a 64 años en Colombia, 2015.Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo el análisis secundario de la encuesta de nutrición de Colombia en 2015, utilizando variables sociodemográficas (edad, sexo, etnia, área geográfica, región e índice de riqueza) y, además, peso, talla, actividad física y sedentarismo. Se estimaron proporciones e intervalos de confianza al 95 %, utilizando la prueba de ji al cuadrado, regresión logística y razón de momios (Odds ratio).Resultados. La población analizada incluyó 16.607 individuos (54,8 % mujeres y 45,2 % hombres) de 18 a 64 años. Los hombres tuvieron más sobrepeso (37,6 %) que las mujeres, mientras que la obesidad fue más frecuente en mujeres (22,1 %). El 48,3 % no cumple con la recomendación de actividad física; 56,9 % de los adultos pasa dos o más horas al día mirando pantallas. Hubo una asociación significativa (p<0,050) entre el incumplimiento de las recomendaciones de actividad física y la obesidad. Además, el cumplir con la recomendación de actividad física disminuye 1,25 veces la probabilidad de obesidad.Conclusión. La obesidad es un problema de salud para la población adulta, con mayor prevalencia en las mujeres y en los mayores de 30 años. Se relaciona con el incumplimiento de las recomendaciones sobre actividad física y con los comportamientos sedentarios (los cuales son más prevalentes en los afrodescendientes), el cuartil alto de riqueza, el vivir en área urbana y el vivir en Bogotá.
Modelo de inteligencia artificial para la detección temprana de diabetes
Authors: Hoyos William , Hoyos Kenia , Ruiz-Pérez Rander
Published: January 2024

Introducción. La diabetes es una enfermedad crónica que se caracteriza por el aumento de la concentración de la glucosa en sangre. Puede generar complicaciones que afectan la calidad de vida y aumentan los costos de la atención en salud. En los últimos años, las tasas de prevalencia y mortalidad han aumentado en todo el mundo. El desarrollo de modelos con gran desempeño predictivo puede ayudar en la identificación temprana de la enfermedad.Objetivo. Desarrollar un modelo basado en la inteligencia artificial para apoyar la toma de decisiones clínicas en la detección temprana de la diabetes.Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de corte transversal, utilizando un conjunto de datos que incluía edad, signos y síntomas de pacientes con diabetes y de individuos sanos. Se utilizaron técnicas de preprocesamiento para los datos. Posteriormente, se construyó el modelo basado en mapas cognitivos difusos. El rendimiento se evaluó mediante tres parámetros: exactitud, especificidad y sensibilidad.Resultados. El modelo desarrollado obtuvo un excelente desempeño predictivo, con una exactitud del 95 %. Además, permitió identificar el comportamiento de las variables involucradas usando iteraciones simuladas, lo que proporcionó información valiosa sobre la dinámica de los factores de riesgo asociados con la diabetes.Conclusiones. Los mapas cognitivos difusos demostraron ser de gran valor para la identificación temprana de la enfermedad y en la toma de decisiones clínicas. Los resultados sugieren el potencial de estos enfoques en aplicaciones clínicas relacionadas con la diabetes y respaldan su utilidad en la práctica médica para mejorar los resultados de los pacientes.
Analyzing patients satisfaction level for medical services using twitter data
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Mujahid Muhammad , Rustam Furqan , Flores EmmanuelSoriano , Vidal Mazón Juan Luis , Díez Isabel de la Torre , Ashraf Imran
Published: January 2024

Public concern regarding health systems has experienced a rapid surge during the last two years due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Accordingly, medical professionals and health-related institutions reach out to patients and seek feedback to analyze, monitor, and uplift medical services. Such views and perceptions are often shared on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Twitter is the most popular and commonly used by the researcher as an online platform for instant access to real-time news, opinions, and discussion. Its trending hashtags (#) and viral content make it an ideal hub for monitoring public opinion on a variety of topics. The tweets are extracted using three hashtags #healthcare, #healthcare services, and #medical facilities. Also, location and tweet sentiment analysis are considered in this study. Several recent studies deployed Twitter datasets using ML and DL models, but the results show lower accuracy. In addition, the studies did not perform extensive comparative analysis and lack validation. This study addresses two research questions: first, what are the sentiments of people toward medical services worldwide? and second, how effective are the machine learning and deep learning approaches for the classification of sentiment on healthcare tweets? Experiments are performed using several well-known machine learning models including support vector machine, logistic regression, Gaussian naive Bayes, extra tree classifier, k nearest neighbor, random forest, decision tree, and AdaBoost. In addition, this study proposes a transfer learning-based LSTM-ETC model that effectively predicts the customer’s satisfaction level from the healthcare dataset. Results indicate that despite the best performance by the ETC model with an 0.88 accuracy score, the proposed model outperforms with a 0.95 accuracy score. Predominantly, the people are happy about the provided medical services as the ratio of the positive sentiments is substantially higher than the negative sentiments. The sentiments, either positive or negative, play a crucial role in making important decisions through customer feedback and enhancing quality.
Transfemoral limb loss modestly increases the metabolic cost of optimal control simulations of walking
Authors: Miller Ross H. , Bell Elizabeth M. , Russell Esposito Elizabeth
Published: January 2024

Background

In transtibial limb loss, computer simulations suggest that the maintenance of muscle strength between pre- and post-limb loss can maintain the pre-limb loss metabolic cost. These results are consistent with comparable costs found experimentally in select cases of high functioning military service members with transtibial limb loss. It is unlikely that similar results would be found with transfemoral limb loss, although the theoretical limits are not known. Here we performed optimal control simulations of walking with and without an above-knee prosthesis to determine if transfemoral limb loss per se increases the metabolic cost of walking.

Methods

OpenSim Moco was used to generate optimal control simulations of walking in 15 virtual “subjects” that minimized the weighted sum of (i) deviations from average able-bodied gait mechanics and (ii) the gross metabolic cost of walking, pre-limb loss in models with two intact biological limbs, and post-limb loss with one of the limbs replaced by a prosthetic knee and foot. No other changes were made to the model. Metabolic cost was compared between pre- and post-limb loss simulations in paired t-tests.

Results

Metabolic cost post-limb loss increased by 0.7–9.3% (p < 0.01) depending on whether cost was scaled by total body mass or biological body mass and on whether the prosthetic knee was passive or non-passive.

Conclusions

Given that the post-limb loss model had numerous features that predisposed it to low metabolic cost, these results suggest transfemoral limb loss per se increases the metabolic cost of walking. However, the large differences above able-bodied peers of ∼20–45% in most gait analysis experiments may be avoidable, even when minimizing deviations from able-bodied gait mechanics. Portions of this text were previously published as part of a preprint (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.26.546515v2.full.pdf).
Biocontrol potential of endophytic bacterium Bacillus altitudinis GS-16 against tea anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Authors: Wu Youzhen , Tan Yumei , Peng Qiuju , Xiao Yang , Xie Jiaofu , Li Zhu , Ding Haixia , Pan Hang , Wei Longfeng
Published: January 2024

Background

As one of the main pathogens causing tea anthracnose disease, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides has brought immeasurable impact on the sustainable development of agriculture. Given the adverse effects of chemical pesticides to the environment and human health, biological control has been a focus of the research on this pathogen. Bacillus altitudinis GS-16, which was isolated from healthy tea leaves, had exhibited strong antagonistic activity against tea anthracnose disease.

Methods

The antifungal mechanism of the endophytic bacterium GS-16 against C. gloeosporioides 1-F was determined by dual-culture assays, pot experiments, cell membrane permeability, cellular contents, cell metabolism, and the activities of the key defense enzymes.

Results

We investigated the possible mechanism of strain GS-16 inhibiting 1-F. In vitro, the dual-culture assays revealed that strain GS-16 had significant antagonistic activity (92.03%) against 1-F and broad-spectrum antifungal activity in all tested plant pathogens. In pot experiments, the disease index decreased to 6.12 after treatment with GS-16, indicating that strain GS-16 had a good biocontrol effect against tea anthracnose disease (89.06%). When the PE extract of GS-16 treated mycelial of 1-F, the mycelial appeared deformities, distortions, and swelling by SEM observations. Besides that, compared with the negative control, the contents of nucleic acids, protein, and total soluble sugar of GS-16 group were increased significantly, indicating that the PE extract of GS-16 could cause damage to integrity of 1-F. We also found that GS-16 obviously destroyed cellular metabolism and the normal synthesis of cellular contents. Additionally, treatment with GS-16 induced plant resistance by increasing the activities of the key defense enzymes PPO, SOD, CAT, PAL, and POD.

Conclusions

We concluded that GS-16 could damage cell permeability and integrity, destroy the normal synthesis of cellular contents, and induce plant resistance, which contributed to its antagonistic activity. These findings indicated that strain GS-16 could be used as an efficient microorganism for tea anthracnose disease caused by C. gloeosporioides.
A Multicentric Verification of Hereditary and Acquired Thrombophilia Coagulation Assays
Authors: Biljak Vanja Radišić , Lapić Ivana , Jurčić-Karlović Erika , Herak Desiree Coen , Margetić Sandra
Published: January 2024

Aims: With an ever-growing number of patients being admitted to our University Hospital Sveti Duh (Zagreb, Croatia), there was a need to positively respond to clinicians' demands about hereditary and acquired thrombophilia testing.

Study Design: An extensive and multicentric verification of coagulation assays included in thrombophilia testing was performed on the BCS XP coagulation analyzer (Siemens Healthineers, Marburg, Germany): antithrombin activity (AT) (Innovance Antithrombin), protein C activity (PC) (Berichrom Protein C), protein S activity (PS) (Protein S Ac), free protein S antigen (free PS:Ag) (Innovance Free PS Ag), activated protein C resistance (APCR) (ProC Ac R and ProC Global + Coagulation Factor V Deficient Plasma), lupus anticoagulant (LA) screening (LA1 and activated partial thromboplastin time by using Dade Actin FSL as reagent) and confirmation test (LA2), factor VIII activity (FVIII) (Dade Actin FS and coagulation FVIII Deficient Plasma).

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Croatia, between January 2020 and December 2021.

Methodology: Verification protocol included: the precision study (CLSI EP15-A3 protocol), trueness estimation by comparison of seventy remnant plasma samples with two large Croatian hospital laboratories with established thrombophilia testing, and verification of reference intervals and cut-off values (CLSI EP28-A3C and CLSI HA-60 guidelines).

Results: All of the obtained imprecision CVs were within the manufacturer's claims (<5/10/15%). While the observed bias for PC (+1.9%) was within the EFLM performance specifications (6.7%), the average bias for AT was higher than acceptance criteria (+10.8% vs 3.2% allowed). P&B regression revealed a significant positive proportional difference (slope=1.14). Comparison of PS activity yielded a high negative bias (-33.4%) that exceeded the acceptance criteria of 8.1%. Regarding LA testing, the diagnostic accuracy was 99% when compared to Sestre milosrdnice UHC (N=70) and 95% when compared to University Hospital Centre Zagreb (N=19). All manufacturer's reference intervals and cut-offs were verified.

Conclusion: The verification study confirmed all manufacturer's claims, except for PS which has been replaced with free PS:Ag determinations.
Examining the Impact of China's Digital Economy on Carbon Emissions Intensity: Mechanisms, Regional Variations, and Policy Implications
Authors: Hu Lian , Yao Shaoqun , Zhu Ting , Wang Dianshuang
Published: January 2024

Reducing carbon emissions is imperative for achieving sustainable development. Given China's rapid growth in its digital economy, it is necessary to explore the impact of digital economy on emissions intensity. This study employs China’s provincial panel data and uses the fixed effect model to examine this impact. The results reveal that digital economy can drop carbon emissions intensity, and the finding remains robust after conducting various endogeneity treatments and sensitivity analyses. This study also explores the mechanisms underlying this effect and finds that the expansion of the digital economy reduces carbon emissions intensity by enhancing green innovation capacity and promoting economic agglomeration. Additionally, we consider electricity consumption of digital economy, and the analysis reveals regional heterogeneity, with the emissions intensity reduction effect being significantly stronger in regions with green power generation compared to non-green power generation regions.
No effect of acenocoumarol therapy on levels of endothelial activation markers in sickle cell disease
Authors: Schnog J.B. , Mac Gillavry M.R. , Rojer R.A. , Meijers J.C.M. , Fijnheer R. , ten Cate H. , Brandjes D.P.M. , Duits A.J.
Published: October 2002

Sickle cell patients are characterized by a chronic inflammatory and hypercoagulable state, depicted by elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, endothelial adhesion molecules, and elevated markers of thrombin generation. We set out to determine whether anticoagulation with a coumadin derivative reduces inflammation in sickle cell disease. Therefore, serum levels of NFκB‐regulated endothelial adhesion molecule soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and serum levels of non‐NFκB‐dependent markers of endothelial activation (soluble cellular fibronectin and von Willebrand factor antigen) were compared during treatment with acenocoumarol (INR 1.6–2.0) and placebo. No effect on circulating levels of the measured parameters was observed during treatment with acenocoumarol as compared to placebo. In the targeted INR range, anticoagulation of sickle cell patients with acenocoumarol does not seem to reduce endothelial activation. Am. J. Hematol. 71:53–55, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complex segregation analysis of restless legs syndrome provides evidence for an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance in early age at onset families
Authors: Winkelmann Juliane , Muller‐Myhsok Bertram , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Hock Bettina , Prager Muriel , Pfister Hildegard , Strohle Andreas , Eisensehr Ilonka , Dichgans Martin , Gasser Thomas , Trenkwalder Claudia
Published: October 2002

A strong familial component of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate the likely mode of inheritance of RLS. RLS patients and their first‐degree relatives were investigated and classified in RLS affected and RLS nonaffected subjects. Assessments were based on direct, personal standardized diagnostic interviews. Complex segregation analysis was performed with the families stratified according to the mean age at onset of the disease within the families. Two hundred thirty‐eight RLS patients, 537 first‐degree relatives, and 133 spouses were interviewed. Two groups of families were stratified: mean age at onset up to 30 years of age (Group A) and older than 30 years (Group B; p < 0.005). In Group A, segregation analysis strongly favored a single major gene acting autosomal dominant with a multifactorial component. Parameter estimates were 0.003 for the allele frequency, 1.0 for the penetrance, and 0.005 for the phenocopy rate. In Group B, no evidence for a major gene could be elucidated. The segregation pattern found in our families argues for an autosomal allele acting dominantly in RLS families with an early age at onset of symptoms and suggests that RLS is a causative heterogeneous disease.
Appearance and phenotype of murine follicular dendritic cells expressing VCAM‐1
Authors: Balogh Péter , Aydar Yüksel , Tew John G. , Szakal Andras K.
Published: October 2002

The architecture of lymphoid follicles is determined by a series of interactions between lymphoid and follicular stromal cells. A cardinal population in the non‐lymphoid compartment is the follicular dendritic cell (FDC), whose communication with resting and activated B cells involves various adhesive interactions. The FDC phenotype variably includes the display of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM‐1). In this report we investigated the appearance and follicular tissue distribution of VCAM‐1 in murine peripheral lymphoid tissues, and compared VCAM‐1 with other FDC markers using immunohistochemistry. Correlating the appearance of VCAM‐1 with other murine FDC‐associated markers (CR1.2 [complement receptor 1.2 or CD35/21] and FDC‐M1) revealed that the display of VCAM‐1 is restricted to a subset of CR1.2‐positive FDCs. We found that the expression of VCAM‐1 antigen in the spleen or peripheral lymph nodes on FDCs requires antigenic stimulus, and that it coincides with germinal center formation. The VCAM‐1 expression is associated with the appearance of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM‐1), with some slight differences in occurrence. The appearance of VCAM‐1 and MAdCAM‐1 antigens on FDCs may serve as indicators of FDC activation. Anat Rec 268:160–168, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A linear mixed model for the hedonic pricing model
Authors: Miyamoto Michiko , Tsubaki Hiroe
Published: October 2002

This paper introduces a mixed effects model for an application of the hedonic price regression model for panel data. Thus far, the development of hedonic pricing regression for repeated measurements has received relatively little attention. This approach is applied to compare different pricing strategies of companies in the digital still camera industry in Japan. The results suggest that there exist statistically significant differences in speed of price decline among companies and price differences between two observed stores. The results from this analysis are different from those of the previous study in the digital still camera using a modified PCA hedonic regression model by Miyamoto and Tsubaki Behaviormetrika 2001;2:111–152, which may bias to more significant results through fitting fixed effects models without serial correlations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rotation designs: orthogonal first‐order designs with higher order projectivity
Authors: Bursztyn Dizza , Steinberg David M.
Published: October 2002

In many factorial experiments, just a few of the experimental factors account for most of the variation in the response, a situation known as factor sparsity. Accurate modelling of the factor–response relationship may require use of higher‐order terms in the active factors. In such settings, it may be desirable to use a design that is able, simultaneously, to screen out the important factors and to fit higher‐order models in those factors. We derive a useful class of designs by rotating standard two‐level fractional factorials. A special class of rotations is developed that has some appealing symmetry properties and can accommodate more factors than the rotation designs in Bursztyn and Steinberg (J. Stat. Plann. Inference 2001;97:399). A comparison of designs based on their projection properties and alias matrices shows that the new designs are better than many other alternatives. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacokinetics and dose proportionality of BMS‐204352 after intraarterial administration to rats
Authors: Krishna Rajesh , Shah Vinod R. , Srinivas Nuggehally
Published: October 2002

BMS‐204352 is a novel maxi‐K channel opener that is being developed for the treatment for stroke. The current study was designed to evaluate the dose proportionality and pharmacokinetics of BMS‐204352 in rats. In an open, parallel fashion, sixteen rats per gender received a single intraarterial dose of BMS‐204352 as a 3‐min infusion into the carotid artery at 0.4, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg dose levels. Serial blood samples were collected for up to 24 h post‐dose and plasma samples were analyzed for the concentrations of intact BMS‐204352 using a validated liquid chromatographic mass spectrometric (LC/MS) method. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a non‐compartmental method. Results revealed a gender difference in the pharmacokinetics of BMS‐204352 in rats at all doses excluding the first (i.e., 0.4 mg/kg) dose panel. BMS‐204352 peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) values increased in a proportion greater than the increment in dose. Specifically, as dose increased in the ratio 1:5:12.5:25, Cmax increased in the ratio 1:7:18:31 in male rats and 1:7:22:51 in female rats. The respective AUC ratios were 1:6:20:42 in male rats and 1:12:29:77 in female rats. Mean total body clearance (CLT) values for BMS‐204352 ranged from 879–3242 ml/h/kg over the four dose levels and generally decreased with increase in dose. Similarly, steady state volume of distribution (VSS) values ranged from 3621–8933 ml/kg over the four dose levels and generally decreased with increase in dose. However, mean residence time (MRT) and elimination half‐life (T1/2) values for BMS‐204352 were independent of dose and ranged from 2.42–4.54 to 2.08–4.70 h, respectively. In conclusion, BMS‐204352 appears to exhibit dose‐dependent pharmacokinetics in rats. In addition, there appeared to be some evidence of gender related differences in the pharmacokinetics of BMS‐204352. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical stimulation as an adjunct to spinal fusion: A meta‐analysis of controlled clinical trials
Authors: Akai Masami , Kawashima Noritaka , Kimura Toshitaka , Hayashi Kunihiko
Published: October 2002

This study was a meta‐analysis to examine whether electrical stimulation has a specific effect on spinal fusion. Little evidence exists on the efficacy of electrical stimulation for improving fusion rate of spinal fusion surgery. Using MEDLINE (1966–2000) and EMBASE (1985–1999), a search for articles was carried out using the Medical Subject Headings: (1) electric stimulation or electromagnetic fields, (2) spinal fusion, (3) controlled or clinical trial, and (4) human. Data were extracted from all the hit articles and additionally collected from appropriate journal lists. A total of five randomized controlled trials (RCT) on bones assessing healing of spinal fusion were identified and scored on methodological quality. All the identified studies reported positive findings, but the quality score of each trial showed wide flaws. Because of relatively homogenous subjects who had spine fusion and radiographic assessment from these studies, pooling of the data was able to be performed. Excluding one trial with the lowest score, the combined results of four trials, whose major endpoints were the success rate of the fusion, revealed a statistically significant effect of electrical stimulation with various techniques, but the selected trials still showed wide variation in view of stimulation modalities and treatment protocol. The pooled result of the studies in this review revealed the efficacy of electrical stimulation based on proved methodological quality. As problems on therapeutic modality and protocol remain, there is a further need for improvement in design to constitute acceptable proof and to establish treatment programs that better demonstrate electrical stimulation effects on spinal fusion. Bioelectromagnetics 23:496–504, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Piping‐system solutions using Mathcad
Authors: Hodge B. K. , Taylor Robert P.
Published: October 2002

Mathcad procedures, in the form of worksheets, are presented and discussed for problems associated with piping systems. Examples include series piping systems, parallel piping systems, and piping networks. The Mathcad solution approaches differ significantly from conventional techniques and are more congruent with problem formulations. The use of Mathcad permits the students to be more concerned with problem formulations and results interpretations than with arithmetic, programming, and debugging issues. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 59–78, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com.); DOI 10.1002/cae.10010
Meeting review: the 50th ASMS conference on mass spectrometry and allied topics
Authors: Brancia Francesco L.
Published: October 2002

Development of new mass spectrometers and implementation of new analytical methods were the central themes of the conference. The majority of oral presentations and posters were concerned with the application of mass spectrometry to pharmaceutical and biotechnological research. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phase I study of fotemustine in pediatric patients with refractory brain tumors
Authors: Hargrave Darren R. , Bouffet Eric , Gammon Janet , Tariq Nauman , Grant Ron M. , Baruchel Sylvain
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Fotemustine is a nitrosourea with theoretic and preclinical advantages over the original analogs, carmustine and lomustine, in the treatment of brain tumors. This is the first pediatric Phase I study of fotemustine.

METHODS

Patients younger than 21 with recurrent/resistant brain tumors were enrolled in a conventional Phase I study. Fotemustine was administered intravenously every 3 weeks at increasing dose levels starting at 100 mg/m2. Toxicity and response data were monitored closely.

RESULTS

Fifteen evaluable patients entered the study and received a total of 45 courses of fotemustine (dose range, 100–175 mg/m2). Myelosuppression was observed, with the dose‐limiting toxicity being Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Toxicity was delayed and cumulative. The maximum tolerated dose was 150 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. There were three documented radiologic responses (20% of patients) comprising one partial response and two minor responses in patients with a sarcoma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Fotemustine administered at a dose of 150 mg/m2 every 3 weeks is well tolerated in children and has antitumor activity in several brain tumors. This is the first dedicated Phase I study of a single agent nitrosourea in a pediatric population. More comparative studies should be undertaken to define the optimum nitrosourea analog for use in children with brain tumors. Cancer 2002;95:1294–301. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10814