bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Early-Life Factors on Risk for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Robinson Natassia , Ploner Alexander , Leone Marica , Lichtenstein Paul , Kendler Kenneth S , Bergen Sarah E
Published: March 2023

Background and Hypothesis

Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) have shared genetic risk and clinical symptoms, yet the extent to which environmental risk factors are shared is not well known. We aimed to examine the associations of early-life environmental exposures with the risk of SCZ and BD.

Study Design

We conducted a Swedish register-based nested case–control study using 4184 SCZ and 18 681 BD cases diagnosed 1988–2013, individually matched to 5 population-based controls by birth year, sex and birthplace. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of SCZ and BD by seasonality, severe prenatal infections, and perinatal factors.

Study Results

Seasonality had similar patterns of risk for both disorders: Higher risk for births November–December; lower risk April–June. Experiencing any perinatal factor was associated with a significantly higher risk of SCZ (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.19, 95%CI 1.11–1.63) and to a lesser extent BD (IRR 1.08, 95%CI 1.05–1.12). Prenatal infections were only associated with a greater risk of SCZ (IRR 1.30, 95%CI 1.04–1.63). In the mutually adjusted model, only perinatal factors were associated with outcomes. Several perinatal factors were associated with both disorders, but estimates were significantly higher for SCZ for low birth weight, low APGAR, and high parity. Congenital malformations were only associated with risk of SCZ, and jaundice with BD.

Conclusions

Adverse perinatal factors and winter birth were the risk factors for both disorders, while severe prenatal infections were only risk a factor for SCZ. Early-life exposures were associated with a higher risk of both disorders, but may play a larger role in the development of SCZ than BD.
Language and Psychosis: Tightening the Association
Authors: Tan Eric J , Sommer Iris E C , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: March 2023

This special issue of DISCOURSE in Psychosis focuses on the role of language in psychosis, including the relationships between formal thought disorder and conceptual disorganization, with speech and language markers and the neural mechanisms underlying these features in psychosis. It also covers the application of computational techniques in the study of language in psychosis, as well as the potential for using speech and language data for digital phenotyping in psychiatry.
Natural Language Processing Markers for Psychosis and Other Psychiatric Disorders: Emerging Themes and Research Agenda From a Cross-Linguistic Workshop
Authors: Corona Hernández Hugo , Corcoran Cheryl , Achim Amélie M , de Boer Janna N , Boerma Tessel , Brederoo Sanne G , Cecchi Guillermo A , Ciampelli Silvia , Elvevåg Brita , Fusaroli Riccardo , Giordano Silvia , Hauglid Mathias , van Hessen Arjan , Hinzen Wolfram , Homan Philipp , de Kloet Sybren F , Koops Sanne , Kuperberg Gina R , Maheshwari Kritika , Mota Natalia B , Parola Alberto , Rocca Roberta , Sommer Iris E C , Truong Khiet , Voppel Alban E , van Vugt Marieke , Wijnen Frank , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: March 2023

This workshop summary on natural language processing (NLP) markers for psychosis and other psychiatric disorders presents some of the clinical and research issues that NLP markers might address and some of the activities needed to move in that direction. We propose that the optimal development of NLP markers would occur in the context of research efforts to map out the underlying mechanisms of psychosis and other disorders. In this workshop, we identified some of the challenges to be addressed in developing and implementing NLP markers-based Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs) in psychiatric practice, especially with respect to psychosis. Of note, a CDSS is meant to enhance decision-making by clinicians by providing additional relevant information primarily through software (although CDSSs are not without risks). In psychiatry, a field that relies on subjective clinical ratings that condense rich temporal behavioral information, the inclusion of computational quantitative NLP markers can plausibly lead to operationalized decision models in place of idiosyncratic ones, although ethical issues must always be paramount.
Immunomodulatory Functions of Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell Derived From Donors With Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity on CD4 T Cells
Authors: Mahmoud Marwa , Juntunen Miia , Adnan Amna , Kummola Laura , Junttila Ilkka S , Kelloniemi Minna , Tyrväinen Tuula , Huhtala Heini , Abd El Fattah Abeer I , Amr Khalda , El erian Alaa Mohamad , Patrikoski Mimmi , Miettinen Susanna
Published: March 2023

For adipose stromal/stem cell (ASCs)-based immunomodulatory therapies, it is important to study how donor characteristics, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), influence ASCs efficacy. Here, ASCs were obtained from 2 groups, donors with T2D and obesity (dASCs) or nondiabetic donors with normal-weight (ndASCs), and then cultured with anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated allogeneic CD4 T cells. ASCs were studied for the expression of the immunomodulators CD54, CD274, and indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO) in inflammatory conditions. CD4 T cells cultured alone or in cocultures were assessed to evaluate proliferation, activation marker surface expression, apoptosis, the regulatory T cells (Tregs; CD4+ CD25high FOXP3+) frequency, and intracellular cytokine expression using flow cytometry. Modulation of T-cell subset cytokines was explored via ELISA. In inflammatory conditions, the expression of CD54, CD274, and IDO was significantly upregulated in ASCs, with no significant differences between ndASCs and dASCs. dASCs retained the potential to significantly suppress CD4 T-cell proliferation, with a slightly weaker inhibitory effect than ndASCs, which was associated with significantly reduced abilities to decrease IL-2 production and increase IL-8 levels in cocultures. Such attenuated potentials were significantly correlated with increasing body mass index. dASCs and ndASCs comparably reduced CD4 T-cell viability, HLA-DR expression, and interferon-gamma production and conversely increased CD69 expression, the Tregs percentage, and IL-17A production. Considerable amounts of the immunomodulators prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and IL-6 were detected in the conditioned medium of cocultures. These findings suggest that ASCs obtained from donors with T2D and obesity are receptive to the inflammatory environment and able to modulate CD4 T cells accordingly.
Dynamics of Chromatin Accessibility During Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation Into Progressively Lineage-Committed Progeny
Authors: Martin Eric W , Rodriguez y Baena Alessandra , Reggiardo Roman E , Worthington Atesh K , Mattingly Connor S , Poscablo Donna M , Krietsch Jana , McManus Michael T , Carpenter Susan , Kim Daniel H , Forsberg E Camilla
Published: March 2023

Epigenetic mechanisms regulate the multilineage differentiation capacity of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into a variety of blood and immune cells. Mapping the chromatin dynamics of functionally defined cell populations will shed mechanistic insight into 2 major, unanswered questions in stem cell biology: how does epigenetic identity contribute to a cell type’s lineage potential, and how do cascades of chromatin remodeling dictate ensuing fate decisions? Our recent work revealed evidence of multilineage gene priming in HSCs, where open cis-regulatory elements (CREs) exclusively shared between HSCs and unipotent lineage cells were enriched for DNA binding motifs of known lineage-specific transcription factors. Oligopotent progenitor populations operating between the HSCs and unipotent cells play essential roles in effecting hematopoietic homeostasis. To test the hypothesis that selective HSC-primed lineage-specific CREs remain accessible throughout differentiation, we used ATAC-seq to map the temporal dynamics of chromatin remodeling during progenitor differentiation. We observed epigenetic-driven clustering of oligopotent and unipotent progenitors into distinct erythromyeloid and lymphoid branches, with multipotent HSCs and MPPs associating with the erythromyeloid lineage. We mapped the dynamics of lineage-primed CREs throughout hematopoiesis and identified both unique and shared CREs as potential lineage reinforcement mechanisms at fate branch points. Additionally, quantification of genome-wide peak count and size revealed overall greater chromatin accessibility in HSCs, allowing us to identify HSC-unique peaks as putative regulators of self-renewal and multilineage potential. Finally, CRISPRi-mediated targeting of ATACseq-identified putative CREs in HSCs allowed us to demonstrate the functional role of selective CREs in lineage-specific gene expression. These findings provide insight into the regulation of stem cell multipotency and lineage commitment throughout hematopoiesis and serve as a resource to test functional drivers of hematopoietic lineage fate.
Evidence for a trade-off between growth rate and xylem cavitation resistance in Callitris rhomboidea
Authors: Johnson Kate M , Brodribb Timothy J
Published: March 2023

The ideal plant water transport system is one that features high efficiency and resistance to drought-induced damage (xylem cavitation), however, species rarely possess both. This may be explained by trade-offs between traits, yet thus far, no proposed trade-off has offered a universal explanation for the lack of water transport systems that are both highly drought-resistant and highly efficient. Here, we find evidence for a new trade-off, between growth rate and resistance to xylem cavitation, in the canopies of a drought-resistant tree species (Callitris rhomboidea). Wide variation in cavitation resistance (P50) was found in distal branch tips (<2 mm in diameter), converging to low variation in P50 in larger diameter stems (>2 mm). We found a significant correlation between cavitation resistance and distal branchlet internode length across branch tips in C. rhomboidea canopies. Branchlets with long internodes (8 mm or longer) were significantly more vulnerable to drought-induced xylem cavitation than shorter internodes (4 mm or shorter). This suggests that varying growth rates, leading to differences in internode length, drive differences in cavitation resistance in C. rhomboidea trees. The only distinct anatomical difference found between internodes was the pith size, with the average pith to xylem area in long internodes being five times greater than in short internodes. Understanding whether this trade-off exists within and between species will help us to uncover what drives and limits drought resistance across the world’s flora.
Fungal Symbionts Generate Water-Saver and Water-Spender Plant Drought Strategies via Diverse Effects on Host Gene Expression
Authors: Aimone Catherine D. , Giauque Hannah , Hawkes Christine V.
Published: March 2023

Foliar fungal endophytes are known to alter plant physiology but the mechanisms by which they do so remain poorly understood. We focused on how plant gene expression was altered by six fungal strains that generated “water-saver” and “water-spender” drought physiologies in a C4 grass, Panicum hallii. Water-saver physiologies have lower plant water loss, improved wilt resistance, and higher survival compared with water-spender strategies. We expected that fungi within each functional group would have similar effects on P. hallii, and this was largely true for plant physiology but not for plant gene expression. When we focused only on genes that were differentially expressed relative to fungus-free controls, we found surprisingly little overlap in plant differentially expressed genes or gene regulatory pathways across the fungal treatments, including within and between the water-saver and water-spender strategies. Nevertheless, using lasso regression, we identified a small subset of genes that predicted 39 and 53% of the variation in plant wilt resistance and water loss, respectively. These results suggest that fungal effects on plant transcription may identify how they extend the plant phenotype, and the comparison across multiple fungi allows us to differentiate broadly fungal-responsive plant genes versus those plant genes that respond only to single fungal taxa. The genes identified here could be targeted for future study to understand their function and, ultimately, represent candidates for precision breeding efforts to increase plant drought tolerance.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Draft Genome Sequence Resource of Sweet Cherry Virescence Phytoplasma Strain SCV-TA2020 Associated with Sweet Cherry Virescence Disease in China
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhao Zhihui , Niu Qinglin , Zhu Tiansheng , Gao Rui , Sun Yugang
Published: March 2023

Sweet cherry virescence phytoplasma strain SCV-TA2020, a related strain of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’, is a pathogen associated with sweet cherry virescence disease in China. Here, we provide the first-draft genome sequence of SCV-TA2020, which consists of 775,344 bases, with a GC content of 23.21%. This will provide a reference for understanding the host selection and diversity of host-specific symptoms of 16SrV-B subgroup phytoplasmas.
Evaluation of a Proprietary Plant Extract to Suppress Bacterial Canker and Improve Yield in Hydroponic Tomatoes
Authors: Rotondo Francesca , Khatri Nitika , Testen Anna L. , Miller Sally A.
Published: March 2023

Bacterial canker of tomato, caused by the systemic bacterial phytopathogen Clavibacter michiganensis, can result in significant economic losses in hydroponic tomato production systems. Lacking effective bactericides, the disease is managed primarily by clean seed procedures, sanitation, and quarantine. Plant extracts have been shown to display antimicrobial activity and/or induce plant resistance to disease. We tested the efficacy of AOMMA-Agro, an Organic Materials Review Institute-listed proprietary blend of plant extracts, in suppressing bacterial canker and improving yield and shelf life in hydroponic tomato trials over 2 years. Experiments were conducted in a greenhouse with ‘Campari’ tomatoes transplanted into coconut coir blocks and grown under hydroponic conditions. Plants were trellised, pruned, and harvested according to commercial standards. AOMMA-Agro was applied weekly or biweekly as a foliar spray and inoculated with C. michiganensis. Plants treated with water and inoculated or not inoculated served as controls. Disease severity was relatively low in both years; however, disease progress was significantly lower for plants inoculated and treated biweekly, but not weekly, with AOMMA-Agro than for nontreated, noninoculated plants in one of two trials. Similar results were observed for C. michiganensis incidence determined using qPCR. Marketable yield was 29 and 44% higher from inoculated plants treated biweekly with AOMMA-Agro than from nontreated, noninoculated plants in the two experiments. These results support the use of AOMMA-Agro as a potential option for bacterial canker management and yield enhancement in hydroponic tomato greenhouse production systems.
The Association Between Cardiovascular Disease and Dementia: A Review of Trends in Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Pathophysiologic Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications
Authors: Pandit Maya , Frishman William H.
Published: March 2023

With increases in life expectancy and the size of the aging population, cognitive decline and neurodegenerative pathologies are expected to increase in the next few decades. Age-related increases in risk for dementia and cardiovascular disease have been researched widely. Epidemiology trends reveal a predicted increase of neurodegenerative disease to more than 65 million by 2030 in the United States. There are several risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease that have been widely studied for their impact on dementia; such as: diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Several pathophysiologic mechanisms exist by which cardiovascular disease could impact dementia including cerebral hypoperfusion, reactive oxidative species, and increased cleavage of amyloid precursor protein into amyloid beta plaques and accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles. Emerging evidence also suggests that treatment of cardiovascular disease risk factors could reduce the risk of dementia development. In this review, we seek to examine the relationship between cardiovascular disease and dementia by examining epidemiologic trends, common risk factors, pathophysiologic mechanisms and implications for clinical management.
Antithrombotics and Gastrointestinal Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lancaster Ian , Sethi Vikas , Patel Deep , Tamboli Cyrus , Pacer Elizabeth , Steinhoff Jeffrey , Mizrahi Meir , Willinger Andrew
Published: March 2023

Antithrombotic medications include both antiplatelet and anticoagulants and are used for a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions. A common complication of antithrombotic use is gastrointestinal bleeding. As a result, gastrointestinal prophylaxis is a common consideration for patients on a single or combination antithrombotic regimen. Prophylaxis is typically achieved through use of either proton pump inhibitors or histamine 2 receptor antagonists. Current recommendations for use of gastrointestinal prophylaxis with concomitant use of antithrombotic medications are scarce. In this systematic review, we explore the current evidence and recommendations regarding gastrointestinal prophylaxis for patients on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy as well as combination regimens.
Short-Term Outcomes of Xen-45 Gel Stent Ab Interno Versus Ab Externo Transconjunctival Approaches
Authors: Yuan Lucy , Rana Harkaran S. , Lee Ian , Lai Gregory , Raiciulescu Sorana , Kim Won
Published: March 2023

Précis:

Ab externo transconjunctival placement of the Xen-45 gel stent offers a faster surgical approach and more rapid visual recovery with similar pressure-lowering and complication rates when compared with implantation by the ab interno approach.

Purpose:

Compare outcomes of closed conjunctival Xen-45 implantation techniques: ab interno versus ab externo transconjunctival.

Material and Methods:

Single-center, retrospective study of 70 patients undergoing Xen-45 implantation between 2017 and 2020. Group 1 (n=29) had ab interno placement, Group 2 (n=41) had transconjunctival ab externo placement. Primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication use. Secondary measures were bleb revision rates, surgical time, time to return to baseline visual acuity, and complication rates.

Results:

Group 1, preoperative IOP was 22.8±7.5 mmHg on 3.8±0.9 IOP-lowering medications and the postoperative IOP at last follow-up was 11.6±2.8 mmHg on 1.6±1.3 medications. Group 2, preoperative IOP was 25.6 mmHg±7.8 mmHg on 3.7±1.1 medications and the postoperative IOP at last follow-up was 12.4±3.6 mmHg on 1.5±1.3 medications. There was no difference in postoperative IOP or medications between the 2 groups (P<0.05). The average surgical time for Group 2 was 25±6.5 minutes to 37±7.3 minutes for Group 1 (P<0.001). Group 2 showed 88% of patients returning to baseline visual acuity at week 2 compared with 66% in Group 1 (P<0.05). Bleb revision rates, failure rates, and complication rates were comparable between both groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

IOP, medication use, complications, bleb revision rates, and failure rates were similar between ab interno and ab externo transconjunctival approaches. The ab externo group had faster surgical times and postoperative visual recovery despite higher number of patients with previous glaucoma procedures
Gender Differences Among Out-of-School Korean Adolescents in a Counselor-Visiting Smoking Cessation Program
Authors: Sohn Min , Im Boae , Lee Hoonjae , Suh Minhee , Kim Kyu-Sung
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants of self-reported smoking cessation among out-of-school Korean adolescents who participated in a counselor-visiting smoking cessation program. This retrospective descriptive study analyzed data from the Korea Health Promotion Institute. Participants were enrolled between June 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017, at a regional smoking cessation center in a counselor-visiting smoking cessation program for out-of-school adolescents. Participants consisted of 807 adolescents (70.3% male) with a mean age of 16.9 ± 1.2 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female gender (OR = 1.54–1.92), cohort year 2016 (OR = 1.69–1.90), smoking more than half a pack a day (OR = 0.44–0.50), strong motivation to quit (OR = 1.44), and number of counseling in person (OR = 1.97–2.10) were statistically significant independent contributors to quitting, based on follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months. This study explored smoking cessation outcomes of a government-driven smoking cessation program that targeted out-of-school adolescents and identified several risk factors that affect a successful outcome. More research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of such smoking cessation programs for marginalized or understudied populations.
Factors Predicting Dependence on Waterpipe Smoking Among Waterpipe Exclusive Smokers
Authors: Rayan Ahmad , Eshah Nidal F. , Froelicher Erika S.
Published: March 2023

The current study targeted a sample of waterpipe (WP) exclusive smokers to identify the levels and predictors of dependence on this smoking pattern and to examine the relationship between WP smoking (WPS) dependence and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional research design was employed with a community sample of 270 subjects who are currently WP exclusive smokers. Assessment of WPS dependence and depressive symptoms was performed using self-report measures. About 62.6% of the subjects were WPS dependent. The unique significant predictors of WPS dependence were age, depression levels, age of starting WPS, duration of WPS, income, smoking WP daily, the belief of being attracted to WPS, and the desire to stop WPS. These predictors explained 35% of the variance in WPS dependence. WPS dependence was associated with increased depressive symptoms. Although few studies have been conducted, the WPS dependence prevalence appears to be alarmingly high among WP exclusive smokers. Factors associated with WPS dependence provide useful information that can be used to tailor WP prevention interventions.
The Experience of Women With Opioid Use Disorder Accessing Methadone Treatment
Authors: Keenan Lizette C. , Ojeda Maria M. , Valdez Anna
Published: March 2023

The number of women experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD) in Canada has increased exponentially. In Canada, healthcare is socialized and free for all citizens and, often, medications like methadone are free as well, yet few individuals with OUD access treatment services. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of Canadian women with OUD who were receiving methadone treatment. Interpretive phenomenology was used to investigate the treatment experiences of seven women with OUD. The conceptual framework of self-care of chronic illness was used to examine this phenomenon. Data were analyzed using a seven-step process of interpretive phenomenological analysis. Four major themes emerged: learning how to be you again, reaching out for help, finding your way to methadone, and going down the path of methadone. Women's experiences were influenced by family, friends, and healthcare providers. Accessibility and self-determination were important factors in entering and sustaining treatment. This study contributes to the discipline of nursing by providing accurate information regarding women's experiences with OUD and uncovering practice changes that can attract and retain women in treatment.
Clinical Predictive Tool for Pediatric Cardiac Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy and Ultrafiltration
Authors: Sedler Jennifer , Sutherland Scott M. , Uber Amanda M. , Jahadi Ozzie , Ryan Kathleen R. , Yarlagadda Vamsi V. , Kwiatkowski David M.
Published: March 2023

Fluid overload is common among pediatric cardiac patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and is often treated with in-line ultrafiltration (UF) or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). We assessed whether CRRT was associated with poor outcomes versus UF alone. Additionally, we identified characteristics associated with progression from UF to CRRT. Retrospective chart review of 131 patients age ≤18 years treated with ECMO at a single quaternary center. Data were collected to compare patient demographics, characteristics, and outcomes. A receiver operator curve (ROC) was used to create a tool predictive of the need for CRRT at the time of UF initiation. Patients who required CRRT had a higher creatinine and blood urea nitrogen at time of UF initiation (p = 0.03 and p < 0.01), longer total ECMO duration (p < 0.01), lower renal recovery incidence (p = 0.02), and higher mortality (p ≤ 0.01). Using ROC analysis, presence of ≤3 of 7 risk variables had a positive predictive value of 87.5% and negative predictive value of 50.0% for use of UF alone (area under the curve 0.801; 95% CI: 0.638–0.965, p = 0.002). Pediatric cardiac patients treated with ECMO and UF who require CRRT demonstrate worse outcomes versus UF alone. A novel clinical tool may assist in stratifying patients at UF initiation.
“Peripheral Nerve Matrix hydrogel promotes recovery after nerve transection and repair.”
Authors: Bernard Megan , McOnie Rebecca , Tomlinson Joy E. , Blum Ethan , Prest Travis A. , Sledziona Mike , Willand Mike , Gordon Tessa , Borschel Gregory H. , Soletti Lorenzo , Brown Bryan N. , Cheetham Jonathan
Published: March 2023

Background:

Nerve transection is the most common form of peripheral nerve injury. Treatment of peripheral nerve injury has primarily focused on stabilization and mechanical cues to guide extension of the regenerating growth cone across the site of transection. Here we investigate the effects of a peripheral nerve matrix (PNM) hydrogel on recovery following nerve transection.

Methods:

We use rodent models to determine the effect of PNM on axon extension, electrophysiological nerve conduction, force generation and neuromuscular junction formation after nerve transection and repair. We complemented this work with in vivo and in vitro FACS and immunohistochemistry approaches to determine the effects of PN on critical cell populations early after repair.

Results:

Extension of axons from the proximal stump and overall GFP+ axon volume within the regenerative bridge were increased in the presence of PNM compared with an empty conduit (p< 0.005) 21 days after repair. PNM increased electrophysiological conduction (CMAP amplitude) across the repair site (p<0.05) and neuromuscular junction formation (p=0.04) 56 days after repair. PNM produced a shift in macrophage phenotype in vitro and in vitro (p<0.05) and also promoted regeneration in a murine model used to characterize the early immune response to PNM (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

PNM, delivered by subepineural injection, promoted recovery following nerve transection with immediate repair, supporting a beneficial macrophage response, axon extension and downstream remodeling using a range of clinically relevant outcome measures.
Application of Vacuum-Formed Cyst Plug-in Conservative Treatment of Jaw Cyst in Children
Authors: Zhao Qichao , Du Shanshan , Wang Jingwen , Zhao Yi
Published: March 2023

Fenestration decompression, which can protect important anatomic structures and reduce surgical risk is the most preferred way for the treatment of jaw cysts in children, and wearing a cyst plug after the operation is the key to success. To enhance the retention of the cyst plug and promote the healing of the cyst, our team designed the vacuum-formed cyst plug to replace the classic one. This article presents a case of a jaw cyst in a 6-year-old girl who wore the vacuum-formed cyst plug after the fenestration decompression. Six months later, the cyst healed, and the permanent teeth affected by the cyst returned. This case showed that the vacuum-formed cyst plug offered a more comfortable experience and an explicit prognosis for children with jaw cysts, having high clinical application value.
Multiple lines and levels of evidence for avian zoochory promoting fish colonization of artificial lakes
Authors: Garcia Flavien , Paz-Vinas Ivan , Gaujard Arnaud , Olden Julian D. , Cucherousset Julien
Published: March 2023

Understanding how obligate freshwater organisms colonize seemingly isolated ecosystems has long fascinated ecologists. While recent investigations reveal that fish eggs can survive the digestive tract of birds and successfully hatch once deposited, evidence for avian zoochory
in natura
is still lacking. Here, we used a ‘multiple lines and levels of evidence’ approach to demonstrate possible bird-mediated colonization of lakes by the European perch (
Perca fluviatilis
). We studied a set of newly-formed and isolated artificial lakes that the public is either prohibited to access because of gravel extraction or allowed to access (mainly for angling). The motivating observation is that a large proportion of prohibited-access lakes (greater than 80%) were colonized by European perch even though stocking by anglers and managers never occurred. Three supplementary lines of evidence supported avian zoochory. First, European perch spawning occurs when waterfowl abundance is very high. Second, European perch lays sticky eggs at shallow depths where they can be eaten by waterfowls or attached to their bodies. Third, genetic analyses suggested that European perch actually migrate among lakes, and that distances moved match with daily flight range of foraging waterfowl. Together, multiple lines of evidence point to avian zoochory as a probable pathway for fish colonizing remote or newly-formed freshwater ecosystems.
Strength of the ‘island rule’ in birds is positively associated with absence of avian predators
Authors: Ponti Raquel , Doutrelant Claire , Covas Rita
Published: March 2023

The similar characteristics shared by island environments have been shown to lead to common patterns of adaptations in island species, commonly referred to as the ‘insularity syndrome’. A well-known example is the ‘island rule’, where large species become smaller on islands and small species become larger, leading to well-known cases of dwarfism and gigantism. This pattern was recently verified on a global scale, but the mechanisms underlying it have been poorly investigated. Here, we focused on the role of released pressure from predation and competition experienced by island birds. Using 120 pairs of endemic island species and their mainland sister relatives, we first verified that the island rule was detected in our dataset, and then evaluated the effects of the numbers of raptors and interspecific competitors on the evolution of the insular species' body mass. We found a strong effect of predation on body mass evolution, with a stronger island rule for species occurring on islands with no raptors, while the pattern disappears in their presence. However, we did not find an effect of competition on this pattern. Our study shows the importance of considering ecological interactions for understanding patterns of body size evolution, and the exceptions to those patterns.
Systemic orchestration of cell size throughout the body: influence of sex and rapamycin exposure in
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Szlachcic Ewa , Labecka Anna Maria , Privalova Valeriya , Sikorska Anna , Czarnoleski Marcin
Published: March 2023

Along with differences in life histories, metazoans have also evolved vast differences in cellularity, involving changes in the molecular pathways controlling the cell cycle. The extent to which the signalling network systemically determines cellular composition throughout the body and whether tissue cellularity is organized locally to match tissue-specific functions are unclear. We cultured genetic lines of
Drosophila melanogaster
on food with and without rapamycin to manipulate the activity of target of rapamycin (TOR)/insulin pathways and evaluate cell-size changes in five types of adult cells: wing and leg epidermal cells, ommatidial cells, indirect flight muscle cells and Malpighian tubule epithelial cells. Rapamycin blocks TOR multiprotein complex 1, reducing cell growth, but this effect has been studied in single cell types. As adults, rapamycin-treated flies had smaller bodies and consistently smaller cells in all tissues. Regardless, females eclosed with larger bodies and larger cells in all tissues than males. Thus, differences in TOR activity and sex were associated with the orchestration of cell size throughout the body, leading to differences in body size. We postulate that the activity of TOR/insulin pathways and their effects on cellularity should be considered when investigating the origin of ecological and evolutionary patterns in life histories.
The collisional geometry of economical walking predicts human leg and foot segment proportions
Authors: Usherwood James R.
Published: March 2023

Human walking appears complicated, with many muscles and joints performing rapidly varying roles over the stride. However, the function of walking is simple: to support body weight as it translates economically. Here, a scenario is proposed for the sequence of joint and muscle actions that achieves this function, with the timing of muscle loading and unloading driven by simple changes in geometry over stance. In the scenario, joints of the legs and feet are sequentially locked, resulting in a vaulting stance phase and three or five rapid ‘mini-vaults’ over a series of ‘virtual legs’ during the step-to-step transition. Collision mechanics indicate that the mechanical work demand is minimized if the changes in the centre-of-mass trajectory over the step-to-step transition are evenly spaced, predicting an even spacing of the virtual legs. The scenario provides a simple account for the work-minimizing mechanisms of joints and muscles in walking, and collision geometry allows leg and foot proportions to be predicted, accounting for the location of the knee halfway down the leg, and the relatively stiff, plantigrade, asymmetric, short-toed human foot.
Pool dynamics of time-dependent compartmental systems with application to the terrestrial carbon cycle
Authors: Chappelle George , Hastings Alan , Rasmussen Martin
Published: March 2023

Compartmental models play an important role to describe the dynamics of systems that involve mass movements between different types of pools. We develop a theory to analyse the average ages of mass in different pools in a linear compartmental system with time-dependent (i.e. non-autonomous) transfer rates, which involves transit times that characterize the average time a particle has spent in a particular pool. We apply our theoretical results to investigate a nine-dimensional compartmental system with time-dependent fluxes between pools modelling the carbon cycle which is a modification of the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach model. Knowledge of transit time and mean age allows calculation of carbon storage in a pool as a function of time. The general result that has important implications for understanding and managing carbon storage is that the change in storage in different pools does not change monotonically through time: as rates change monotonically a pool which initially shows a decrease may then show an increase in storage or vice versa. Thus caution is needed in extrapolating even the direction of future changes in storage in carbon storage in different pools with global change.
Extreme polygyny results in intersex differences in age-dependent survival of a highly dimorphic marine mammal
Authors: Volzke Sophia , Cleeland Jaimie B. , Hindell Mark A. , Corney Stuart P. , Wotherspoon Simon J. , McMahon Clive R.
Published: March 2023

Developmental differences in vital rates are especially profound in polygamous mating systems. Southern elephant seals (
Mirounga leonina
) are highly dimorphic and extremely polygynous marine mammals. A demographic model, supported by long-term capture–mark–recapture records, investigated the influence of sex and age on survival in this species. The study revealed clear differences between female and male age-dependent survival rates. Overall juvenile survival estimates were stable around 80–85% for both sexes. However, male survival estimates were 5–10% lower than females in the same age classes until 8 years of age. At this point, male survival decreased rapidly to 50% ± 10% while female estimates remained constant at 80% ± 5%. Different energetic requirements could underpin intersex differences in adult survival. However, the species' strong sexual dimorphism diverges during early juvenile development when sex-specific survival rates were less distinct. Maximizing growth is especially advantageous for males, with size being a major determinant of breeding probability. Maturing males may employ a high-risk high-reward foraging strategy to compensate for extensive sexual selection pressures and sex-specific energetic needs. Our findings suggest sex-specific adult survival is a result of
in situ
ecological interactions and evolutionary specialization associated with being a highly polygynous marine predator.
Relativistic perfect fluids: integrability of the classical Taub system
Authors: Rogers Colin , Schief Wolfgang Karl
Published: March 2023

It is established that the classical Taub system governing isentropic planar motions of perfect fluids in special relativity may be formulated entirely in soliton-theoretic terms. The well-established tools of integrable systems theory may therefore be used to produce large classes of solutions given in parametric form. As an illustration, the general solution of the Taub system associated with a privileged pressure-density constitutive law is generated by applying a binary Darboux transformation to the seed solution of the Taub system descriptive of extreme fluids.
You are what you eat—ecological niche and microhabitat influence venom activity and composition in aquatic bugs
Authors: Fischer Maike L. , Yepes Vivas Sol A. , Wielsch Natalie , Kirsch Roy , Vilcinskas Andreas , Vogel Heiko
Published: March 2023

True water bugs (Nepomorpha) are mostly predacious insects that live in aquatic habitats. They use their piercing–sucking mouthparts to inject venomous saliva that facilitates the capture and extra-oral digestion of prey animals, but their venom can also be deployed for defence. In Central Europe, nepomorph species representing different families coexist in the same habitat. However, their feeding ecology, including venom composition and deployment, has not been investigated in detail. We used an integrated proteotranscriptomic and bioactivity-based approach to test whether venom composition and activity differ between four water bug species sharing the same habitat but occupying different ecological niches. We found considerable species-dependent differences in the composition of digestive enzymes and venom components that probably evolved as adaptations to particular food sources, foraging strategies and/or microhabitats. The venom of
Corixa punctata
differed substantially from that of the three strictly predatory species (
Ilyocoris cimicoides
,
Notonecta glauca
and
Nepa cinerea
), and the abundance of herbivory-associated proteins confirms a mostly plant-based diet. Our findings reveal independent adaptations of the digestive and defensive enzyme repertoires accompanied by the evolution of distinct feeding strategies in aquatic bugs.
The timings of host diapause and epidemic progression mediate host genetic diversity and future epidemic size in
Daphnia–
parasite populations
Authors: Auld Stuart K. J. R. , Brand June , Bussière Luc F.
Published: March 2023

Epidemics commonly exert parasite-mediated selection and cause declines in host population genetic diversity. This can lead to evolution of resistance in the long term and smaller subsequent epidemics. Alternatively, the loss of genetic diversity can increase host vulnerability to future disease spread and larger future epidemics. Matters are made more complex by the fact that a great many host organisms produce diapausing life stages in response to environmental change (often as a result of sexual reproduction; e.g. plant seeds and invertebrate resting eggs). These diapausing stages can disrupt the relationship between past epidemics, host genetic diversity and future epidemics because they allow host dispersal through time. Specifically, temporally dispersing hosts avoid infection and thus selection from contemporary parasites, and also archive genetic variation for the future. We studied 80 epidemics in 20 semi-natural populations of the temporally dispersing crustacean
Daphnia magna
and its sterilizing bacterial parasite
Pasteuria ramosa
, and half of these populations experienced a simulated environmental disturbance treatment. We found that early initiation of diapause relative to the timing of the epidemic led to greater host genetic diversity and reduced epidemic size in the subsequent year, but this was unaffected by environmental disturbance.
Sexually antagonistic selection maintains genetic variance when sexual dimorphism evolves
Authors: Kaufmann Philipp , Howie James Malcolm , Immonen Elina
Published: March 2023

Genetic variance (
V
G
) in fitness related traits is often unexpectedly high, evoking the question how
V
G
can be maintained in the face of selection. Sexually antagonistic (SA) selection favouring alternative alleles in the sexes is common and predicted to maintain
V
G
, while directional selection should erode it. Both SA and sex-limited directional selection can lead to sex-specific adaptations but how each affect
V
G
when sexual dimorphism evolves remain experimentally untested. Using replicated artificial selection on the seed beetle
Callosobruchus maculatus
body size we recently demonstrated an increase in size dimorphism under SA and male-limited (ML) selection by 50% and 32%, respectively. Here we test their consequences on genetic variation
.
We show that SA selection maintained significantly more ancestral, autosomal additive genetic variance than ML selection, while both eroded sex-linked additive variation equally. Ancestral female-specific dominance variance was completely lost under ML, while SA selection consistently sustained it. Further, both forms of selection preserved a high genetic correlation between the sexes (
r
m,f
). These results demonstrate the potential for sexual antagonism to maintain more genetic variance while fuelling sex-specific adaptation in a short evolutionary time scale, and are in line with predicted importance of sex-specific dominance reducing sexual conflict over alternative alleles.
Seasonal ecosystem linkages contribute to the maintenance of migratory polymorphism in a salmonid population
Authors: Tanaka Tatsuya , Ueda Rui , Sato Takuya
Published: March 2023

The influence of resource subsidies on animal growth, survival and reproduction is well understood, but their ultimate effects on life history have been less explored. Some wild species have a partially migratory life history, wherein migration is dictated based upon threshold traits regulated in part by the seasonal availability of resources. We conducted a large-scale field manipulation experiment where we provided a terrestrial invertebrate subsidy to red-spotted masu salmon. Individuals in stream reaches that received a subsidy had, on average, a 53% increase in growth rate relative to those in control reaches. This increased growth resulted in a greater proportion of individuals reaching the threshold body size and smolting in the autumn. Consequently, 19–55% of females in subsidized reaches became migratory, whereas 0–14% became migratory in the control reaches. Our findings highlight seasonal ecosystem linkage as a key ecosystem property for maintaining migratory polymorphism in partially migratory animals.
Mechanism of assembly of type 4 filaments: everything you always wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)
Authors: Pelicic Vladimir
Published: March 2023

Type 4 filaments (T4F) are a superfamily of filamentous nanomachines – virtually ubiquitous in prokaryotes and functionally versatile – of which type 4 pili (T4P) are the defining member. T4F are polymers of type 4 pilins, assembled by conserved multi-protein machineries. They have long been an important topic for research because they are key virulence factors in numerous bacterial pathogens. Our poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms of T4F assembly is a serious hindrance to the design of anti-T4F therapeutics. This review attempts to shed light on the fundamental mechanistic principles at play in T4F assembly by focusing on similarities rather than differences between several (mostly bacterial) T4F. This holistic approach, complemented by the revolutionary ability of artificial intelligence to predict protein structures, led to an intriguing mechanistic model of T4F assembly.
AB-Gen: Antibody Library Design with Generative Pre-trained Transformer and Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Xu Xiaopeng , Xu Tiantian , Zhou Juexiao , Liao Xingyu , Zhang Ruochi , Wang Yu , Zhang Lu , Gao Xin
Published: March 2023

Antibody leads must fulfill multiple desirable properties to be clinical candidates. Primarily due to the low throughput in the experimental procedure, the need for such multi-property optimization causes the bottleneck in preclinical antibody discovery and development, because addressing one issue usually causes another. We developed a reinforcement learning (RL) method, named AB-Gen, for antibody library design using a generative pre-trained Transformer (GPT) as the policy network of the RL agent. We showed that this model can learn the antibody space of heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDRH3) and generate sequences with similar property distributions. Besides, when using HER2 as the target, the agent model of AB-Gen was able to generate novel CDRH3 sequences that fulfill multi-property constraints. 509 generated sequences were able to pass all property filters and three highly conserved residues were identified. The importance of these residues was further demonstrated by molecular dynamics simulations, which consolidated that the agent model was capable of grasping important information in this complex optimization task. Overall, the AB-Gen method is able to design novel antibody sequences with an improved success rate than the traditional propose-then-filter approach. It has the potential to be used in practical antibody design, thus empowering the antibody discovery and development process.